Network Setup For AirScript (Offline-First)

Option 1: Use Your Regular Wi-Fi Network (Simplest)

If your venue Wi-Fi allows device-to-device communication, the easiest approach:

1. Run the local server on your laptop: npm install && npm start (or node server.js).
2. If port 8000 is already in use, start on a different port: PORT=4000 npm start or PORT=4000 node server.js.
3. Find your laptop's local IP address (System Settings > Wi-Fi > Details, or ifconfig | grep inet in Terminal).
4. Share the URL with audience (for example https://192.168.1.100:8000/demo/ or https://192.168.1.100:4000/demo/ if you changed ports).
5. Audience joins your Wi-Fi network and navigates to that URL.
6. After a successful start, AirScript opens the speaker console in Google Chrome when available, then Microsoft Edge, using the secure LAN URL. If needed, the speaker URL is https://localhost:8000/demo/speaker.html or the matching custom-port URL such as https://localhost:4000/demo/speaker.html.
7. The first time each device connects, accept the self-signed certificate warning for your LAN URL.
8. Start captions in Chrome or Edge. Audience captions update in real-time with no internet needed.

If you see EADDRINUSE, something is already using port 8000. Either stop that process or choose another port with PORT=4000 npm start. To prevent the browser from opening automatically, use OPEN_BROWSER=0 npm start.

Option 2: Mac Internet Sharing (If Venue Wi-Fi Blocks Local Traffic)

Use this only if venue Wi-Fi blocks device-to-device communication. Your Mac creates its own network for the event.

Prerequisites

You need an active upstream connection: Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or cellular hotspot. (You don't need it to be exposed to the internet—just active.)

Setup Steps (macOS Ventura/Sonoma+)

1. Open System Settings > General > Sharing.
2. Click the lock icon to unlock settings (if needed).
3. Select Internet Sharing from the left sidebar.
4. Set Share your connection from to your upstream source (Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or USB adapter).
5. Set To computers using to Wi-Fi (or Ethernet if available).
6. Click the Wi-Fi Options button and configure network name and password.
7. Toggle Internet Sharing ON and confirm.

Why Wi-Fi to Wi-Fi Might Not Appear

If you only have one Wi-Fi radio, macOS cannot share a Wi-Fi connection to Wi-Fi (that would require two separate radios). You must share FROM an Ethernet port or USB adapter TO Wi-Fi. If you don't have Ethernet available, use Option 1 instead (your regular network).

Then Start AirScript

1. Run the local server: npm start or node server.js.
2. Find your laptop's IP on the shared network (System Settings > Wi-Fi > Details).
3. Share the URL with audience (e.g., http://192.168.1.100:8000/demo/).
4. Audience joins the shared network and navigates to that URL.
5. Open speaker console at http://localhost:8000/demo/speaker.html on your laptop.
6. Start captions. Real-time updates sync to all audience devices.

Troubleshooting

• Server won't start: Ensure Node.js is installed, then run npm install first.
• Port 8000 already in use (EADDRINUSE): Start on a different port with PORT=4000 npm start, then use that same port in both audience and speaker URLs.
• Chrome or Edge shows a certificate warning: This is expected with the self-signed local certificate. Open the speaker URL once on the host laptop, accept the warning, then continue.
• Audience can't reach my URL: Confirm they're on the same network (Wi-Fi SSID match). Test with ping to your laptop's IP.
• Captions not appearing on audience phones: Ensure speaker console is open and running browser transcription (check browser console for Web Speech API errors).
• Wi-Fi to Wi-Fi not available in System Settings: This is normal on single-radio Macs. Use Option 1 (shared network access) or get an Ethernet adapter for Option 2.
• Internet Sharing won't enable: Ensure you have an active upstream connection (even if not exposed to the internet).