Skip to content

setup_guide.md

Latest commit

 

History

History
49 lines (37 loc) · 2.18 KB

setup_guide.md

File metadata and controls

49 lines (37 loc) · 2.18 KB

Price Tracker - Local Setup Guide

Follow these exact steps to compile the Java Engine, set up your Database, and install the Chrome Extension on your local machine.

1. Set Up the Database

Note: You don't need to install anything! The project has been converted to use SQLite. The database file (price_history.db) will be created automatically in the backend/ folder the first time you run a search.

No server, no username, and no password required. It just works!

2. Compile the Java Engine

We need to package your Java code and all the dependencies (Jsoup, MySQL driver, JSON) into a single executable PriceTrackerEngine.jar.

  1. Open a terminal or Command Prompt in the backend folder (d:\Price Tracker\backend).
  2. Run the Maven packaging command: 
    mvn clean package
  3. Wait for it to say BUILD SUCCESS.
  4. Verify that the file target/PriceTrackerEngine-jar-with-dependencies.jar exists. Note: In our config, it will be named target/PriceTrackerEngine.jar.

3. Register the Native Messaging Host (Windows)

Google Chrome needs permission to run your Java file. We do this by creating a quick Registry key.

  1. Open Chrome and go to chrome://extensions/.
  2. Turn on Developer mode (top right toggle).
  3. Click Load unpacked and select the d:\Price Tracker\extension folder.
  4. Important: Note the 32-character Extension ID that Chrome gives it (e.g., abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz123456).
  5. Open d:\Price Tracker\host-config\com.pricetracker.engine.json and replace <YOUR_EXTENSION_ID_HERE> with your actual Extension ID. Save the file.
  6. Open an Administrator Command Prompt.
  7. Run this command to add the Registry Key (replace the path if you moved the project): 
    REG ADD "HKCU\Software\Google\Chrome\NativeMessagingHosts\com.pricetracker.engine" /ve /t REG_SZ /d "d:\Price Tracker\host-config\com.pricetracker.engine.json" /f

4. Test the Extension!

  1. Click the Price Scout (Avengers) icon in your Chrome extensions menu.
  2. Type a product name like iPhone 15.
  3. Click Track Prices!
  4. Check your MySQL price_history table—you should see the newly scraped prices magically appear!