> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.mutual-dissent.dev/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Web UI

> Starlette + Jinja2 + DaisyUI web interface architecture

The web UI is a Starlette application started with `dissent serve`. It provides a browser-based interface for running debates, browsing transcripts, and managing configuration.

## Starting the Server

```bash theme={null}
dissent serve                          # localhost:8080, opens browser
dissent serve --port 9000              # custom port
dissent serve --host 0.0.0.0 --no-open  # all interfaces, no browser launch
```

## Pages

**Debate view** (`/`) — chat-style interface for running debates. Type a query, configure the panel and rounds, and watch responses stream in via WebSocket. Each agent's response appears as a chat bubble with the agent identity label. Synthesis renders as a distinct bubble after all rounds complete.

**Dashboard** (`/dashboard`) — browse saved transcripts from `~/.mutual-dissent/transcripts/`. View debate details and export transcripts as JSON or markdown.

**Settings** (`/settings`) — view and edit provider API keys, model aliases, routing configuration, and debate defaults. Changes are written to `~/.mutual-dissent/config.toml`.

## Technology Stack

* **Backend:** Starlette with Jinja2 templates and uvicorn
* **Frontend:** DaisyUI + Tailwind CSS (CDN), vanilla JavaScript
* **Streaming:** WebSocket for real-time debate events
* **Markdown rendering:** marked.js + DOMPurify (CDN)
* **No build step** — all frontend dependencies loaded via CDN

## WebSocket Protocol

The debate page communicates via WebSocket at `/ws/debate`. Events:

| Direction       | Type               | Description                                               |
| --------------- | ------------------ | --------------------------------------------------------- |
| Client → Server | `debate_start`     | Initiates a debate with query, panel, synthesizer, rounds |
| Server → Client | `debate_status`    | Round progress updates                                    |
| Server → Client | `debate_response`  | Individual agent response with agent identity             |
| Server → Client | `debate_synthesis` | Final synthesized answer                                  |
| Server → Client | `debate_done`      | Debate complete with transcript ID                        |
| Server → Client | `debate_error`     | Error during debate execution                             |

## Architecture

The web application entry point is `mutual_dissent.web.app`. Routes are defined in `web/routes.py`, WebSocket handling in `web/websocket.py`, templates in `web/templates/`, and static assets in `web/static/`. The dark theme uses DaisyUI's OKLCH color system with custom overrides in `app.css`.