# Parcel Empire — Web Host Deployment Guide

This build is prepared for normal shared web hosting such as cPanel, Plesk, Hostinger, GoDaddy, IONOS, Bluehost, Namecheap, or similar hosts.

## 1. What to upload

Unzip the project and upload the contents of the folder to your web host's public folder, usually one of these:

- `public_html`
- `www`
- `htdocs`
- `httpdocs`

Do not upload only the ZIP. Upload the files and folders inside it.

Your public folder should contain:

```text
index.html
dashboard.html
beta-start.html
css/
js/
assets/
manifest.webmanifest
sw.js
.htaccess
VERSION.json
```

## 2. Required hosting settings

Turn on HTTPS / SSL in your hosting panel. GPS, PWA install, service worker caching and some browser APIs require HTTPS.

The included `.htaccess` file helps with:

- forcing HTTPS where available
- correct manifest/service worker MIME types
- safer cache settings
- no directory browsing
- basic security headers

## 3. First test links

After upload, test these links:

```text
https://yourdomain.com/
https://yourdomain.com/beta-start.html
https://yourdomain.com/dashboard.html
https://yourdomain.com/js/config.js
https://yourdomain.com/manifest.webmanifest
https://yourdomain.com/sw.js
```

If any of those show a 404, the files are in the wrong folder or were not uploaded.

## 4. Mapbox check

Open `https://yourdomain.com/dashboard.html`.

The map needs:

- a valid Mapbox public token in `js/config.js`
- internet access
- the Mapbox scripts to load from the browser
- HTTPS recommended

If the map fails, open `https://yourdomain.com/js/config.js` directly and confirm `MAPBOX_TOKEN` is present.

## 5. GPS check

Open the game on a real phone using HTTPS, press GPS and allow location permission.

GPS may not work if:

- the site is not HTTPS
- browser location permission is blocked
- you are testing inside an app browser with limited permissions
- the device location service is off

## 6. Updating an existing upload

When uploading a new build:

1. Upload all changed files.
2. Upload the new `sw.js`.
3. Open `beta-start.html`.
4. Press Clear PWA Cache.
5. Hard refresh the browser.

If testers still see the old build, ask them to clear site data or reinstall the PWA shortcut.

## 7. Recommended tester link

Send testers this link first:

```text
https://yourdomain.com/beta-start.html
```

That page points them to the game and gives cache-clearing options.

## 8. Do not enable real payouts yet

The real-money cashout system must stay disabled until legal terms, fraud checks, payout provider setup, age/region checks, KYC/tax handling and platform approval are complete.