Fix node background persistence and reconnection

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -1,5 +1,25 @@
 # Changelog
 
+## v1.7.1 — Background Persistence & Camera Fix
+
+> Requires Android 10+ (API 29)
+
+### Node Background Persistence
+
+- **Lifecycle-Aware Reconnection** — Handles both `resumed` and `paused` lifecycle states; forces connection health check on app resume since Dart timers freeze while backgrounded
+- **Foreground Service Verification** — Watchdog, resume handler, and pause handler all verify the Android foreground service is still alive and restart it if killed
+- **Stale Connection Recovery** — On app resume, detects if the WebSocket went stale (no data for 90s+) and forces a full reconnect instead of silently staying in "paired" state
+- **Live Notification Status** — Foreground notification text updates in real-time to reflect node state (connected, connecting, reconnecting, error)
+
+### Camera Fix
+
+- **Immediate Camera Release** — Camera hardware is now released immediately after each snap/clip using `try/finally`, preventing "Failed to submit capture request" errors on repeated use
+- **Auto-Exposure Settle** — Added 500ms settle time before snap for proper auto-exposure/focus
+- **Flash Conflict Prevention** — Flash capability releases the camera when torch is turned off, so subsequent snap/clip operations don't conflict
+- **Stale Controller Recovery** — Flash capability detects errored/stale controllers and recreates them instead of failing silently
+
+---
+
 ## v1.7.0 — Clean Modern UI Redesign
 
 > Requires Android 10+ (API 29)

README.md

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # OpenClaw
 
-[![Download APK](https://img.shields.io/badge/Download-APK-green?style=for-the-badge&logo=android)](https://github.com/mithun50/openclaw-termux/releases/download/v1.6.1/OpenClaw-v1.6.1-universal.apk)
+[![Download APK](https://img.shields.io/badge/Download-APK-green?style=for-the-badge&logo=android)](https://github.com/mithun50/openclaw-termux/releases/latest)
 [![Build Flutter APK & AAB](https://github.com/mithun50/openclaw-termux/actions/workflows/flutter-build.yml/badge.svg)](https://github.com/mithun50/openclaw-termux/actions/workflows/flutter-build.yml)
 [![npm version](https://img.shields.io/npm/v/openclaw-termux?color=blue&label=npm)](https://www.npmjs.com/package/openclaw-termux)
 [![License: MIT](https://img.shields.io/badge/License-MIT-yellow.svg)](https://opensource.org/licenses/MIT)
@@ -259,6 +259,7 @@ flutter_app/lib/
 │       └── vibration_capability.dart # Haptic feedback
 └── widgets/
     ├── gateway_controls.dart  # Start/stop, URL display, copy button
+    ├── node_controls.dart     # Node enable/disable, status badge
     ├── terminal_toolbar.dart  # Extra keys (Tab, Ctrl, Esc, arrows)
     ├── status_card.dart       # Reusable status card
     └── progress_step.dart     # Setup wizard step indicator

flutter_app/android/app/src/main/kotlin/com/nxg/openclawproot/MainActivity.kt

@@ -156,6 +156,11 @@ class MainActivity : FlutterActivity() {
                 "isNodeServiceRunning" -> {
                     result.success(NodeForegroundService.isRunning)
                 }
+                "updateNodeNotification" -> {
+                    val text = call.argument<String>("text") ?: "Node connected"
+                    NodeForegroundService.updateStatus(text)
+                    result.success(true)
+                }
                 "requestBatteryOptimization" -> {
                     try {
                         val intent = Intent(Settings.ACTION_REQUEST_IGNORE_BATTERY_OPTIMIZATIONS).apply {

flutter_app/android/app/src/main/kotlin/com/nxg/openclawproot/NodeForegroundService.kt

@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ class NodeForegroundService : Service() {
         const val NOTIFICATION_ID = 3
         var isRunning = false
             private set
+        private var instance: NodeForegroundService? = null
 
         fun start(context: Context) {
             val intent = Intent(context, NodeForegroundService::class.java)
@@ -31,6 +32,10 @@ class NodeForegroundService : Service() {
             val intent = Intent(context, NodeForegroundService::class.java)
             context.stopService(intent)
         }
+
+        fun updateStatus(text: String) {
+            instance?.updateNotification(text)
+        }
     }
 
     private var wakeLock: PowerManager.WakeLock? = null
@@ -45,6 +50,7 @@ class NodeForegroundService : Service() {
 
     override fun onStartCommand(intent: Intent?, flags: Int, startId: Int): Int {
         isRunning = true
+        instance = this
         startTime = System.currentTimeMillis()
         startForeground(NOTIFICATION_ID, buildNotification("Node connected"))
         acquireWakeLock()
@@ -53,10 +59,18 @@ class NodeForegroundService : Service() {
 
     override fun onDestroy() {
         isRunning = false
+        instance = null
         releaseWakeLock()
         super.onDestroy()
     }
 
+    private fun updateNotification(text: String) {
+        try {
+            val manager = getSystemService(NotificationManager::class.java)
+            manager.notify(NOTIFICATION_ID, buildNotification(text))
+        } catch (_: Exception) {}
+    }
+
     private fun acquireWakeLock() {
         val powerManager = getSystemService(Context.POWER_SERVICE) as PowerManager
         wakeLock = powerManager.newWakeLock(

flutter_app/lib/constants.dart

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 class AppConstants {
   static const String appName = 'OpenClaw';
-  static const String version = '1.7.0';
+  static const String version = '1.7.1';
   static const String packageName = 'com.nxg.openclawproot';
 
   /// Matches ANSI escape sequences (e.g. color codes in terminal output).

flutter_app/lib/providers/node_provider.dart

@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 import 'dart:async';
-import 'package:flutter/foundation.dart';
 import 'package:flutter/widgets.dart';
 import 'package:permission_handler/permission_handler.dart';
 import '../models/gateway_state.dart';
@@ -38,20 +37,87 @@ class NodeProvider extends ChangeNotifier with WidgetsBindingObserver {
     WidgetsBinding.instance.addObserver(this);
     _subscription = _nodeService.stateStream.listen((state) {
       _state = state;
+      _updateServiceNotification(state);
       notifyListeners();
     });
     _registerCapabilities();
     _init();
   }
 
+  /// Keep the foreground notification text in sync with the node status.
+  void _updateServiceNotification(NodeState state) {
+    if (state.isDisabled) return;
+    String text;
+    switch (state.status) {
+      case NodeStatus.paired:
+        text = 'Node connected';
+        break;
+      case NodeStatus.connecting:
+      case NodeStatus.challenging:
+      case NodeStatus.pairing:
+        text = 'Node connecting...';
+        break;
+      case NodeStatus.disconnected:
+        text = 'Node reconnecting...';
+        break;
+      case NodeStatus.error:
+        text = 'Node error — retrying';
+        break;
+      default:
+        return;
+    }
+    try {
+      NativeBridge.updateNodeNotification(text);
+    } catch (_) {}
+  }
+
   @override
-  void didChangeAppLifecycleState(AppLifecycleState lifecycleState) {
-    if (lifecycleState == AppLifecycleState.resumed) {
-      // App came back to foreground — reconnect if the connection dropped
-      if (!_state.isPaired && !_state.isDisabled && !_state.isConnecting) {
-        _checkAutoConnect();
+  void didChangeAppLifecycleState(AppLifecycleState state) {
+    if (state == AppLifecycleState.resumed) {
+      _onAppResumed();
+    } else if (state == AppLifecycleState.paused) {
+      _onAppPaused();
+    }
+  }
+
+  /// App returned to foreground — force connection health check.
+  /// Dart timers freeze while backgrounded, so the watchdog and ping
+  /// timers won't have fired.  We must check and reconnect manually.
+  Future<void> _onAppResumed() async {
+    if (_state.isDisabled) return;
+
+    // Ensure the foreground service is still alive
+    try {
+      final running = await NativeBridge.isNodeServiceRunning();
+      if (!running) {
+        await NativeBridge.startNodeService();
       }
+    } catch (_) {}
+
+    if (_state.isPaired && _nodeService.isConnectionStale) {
+      // WebSocket went stale while in background — force reconnect
+      await _nodeService.disconnect();
+      await _nodeService.connect();
+    } else if (!_state.isPaired && !_state.isConnecting) {
+      // Connection dropped while in background
+      await _nodeService.connect();
     }
+
+    // Restart watchdog (may have been frozen)
+    _startWatchdog();
+  }
+
+  /// App going to background — ensure the foreground service is running
+  /// so Android keeps our process alive.
+  Future<void> _onAppPaused() async {
+    if (_state.isDisabled) return;
+
+    try {
+      final running = await NativeBridge.isNodeServiceRunning();
+      if (!running) {
+        await NativeBridge.startNodeService();
+      }
+    } catch (_) {}
   }
 
   void _registerCapabilities() {
@@ -126,6 +192,13 @@ class NodeProvider extends ChangeNotifier with WidgetsBindingObserver {
     await prefs.init();
     if (prefs.nodeEnabled) {
       await _requestNodePermissions();
+      // Ensure foreground service is running before connecting
+      try {
+        final running = await NativeBridge.isNodeServiceRunning();
+        if (!running) {
+          await NativeBridge.startNodeService();
+        }
+      } catch (_) {}
       await _nodeService.connect();
       _startWatchdog();
     }
@@ -158,9 +231,17 @@ class NodeProvider extends ChangeNotifier with WidgetsBindingObserver {
   /// 2. Node appears paired but WebSocket is stale (no data for 90s+)
   void _startWatchdog() {
     _watchdog?.cancel();
-    _watchdog = Timer.periodic(const Duration(seconds: 45), (_) {
+    _watchdog = Timer.periodic(const Duration(seconds: 45), (_) async {
       if (_state.isDisabled) return;
 
+      // Also verify foreground service is still alive
+      try {
+        final running = await NativeBridge.isNodeServiceRunning();
+        if (!running && !_state.isDisabled) {
+          await NativeBridge.startNodeService();
+        }
+      } catch (_) {}
+
       if (!_state.isPaired && !_state.isConnecting) {
         // Connection dropped — reconnect
         _nodeService.connect();

flutter_app/lib/services/capabilities/camera_capability.dart

@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@ import '../../models/node_frame.dart';
 import 'capability_handler.dart';
 
 class CameraCapability extends CapabilityHandler {
-  CameraController? _controller;
   List<CameraDescription>? _cameras;
 
   @override
@@ -30,11 +29,12 @@ class CameraCapability extends CapabilityHandler {
     return status.isGranted;
   }
 
-  Future<CameraController> _getController({String? facing}) async {
+  /// Create a fresh controller for each operation. The caller MUST dispose it
+  /// when done so the camera hardware is released immediately.
+  Future<CameraController> _createController({String? facing}) async {
     _cameras ??= await availableCameras();
     if (_cameras!.isEmpty) throw Exception('No camera available');
 
-    // Select camera based on facing param
     final direction = facing == 'front'
         ? CameraLensDirection.front
         : CameraLensDirection.back;
@@ -43,18 +43,9 @@ class CameraCapability extends CapabilityHandler {
       orElse: () => _cameras!.first,
     );
 
-    // Reuse existing controller if it matches the requested camera
-    if (_controller != null &&
-        _controller!.value.isInitialized &&
-        _controller!.description == target) {
-      return _controller!;
-    }
-
-    // Dispose old controller if switching cameras
-    _controller?.dispose();
-    _controller = CameraController(target, ResolutionPreset.medium);
-    await _controller!.initialize();
-    return _controller!;
+    final controller = CameraController(target, ResolutionPreset.medium);
+    await controller.initialize();
+    return controller;
   }
 
   @override
@@ -93,9 +84,14 @@ class CameraCapability extends CapabilityHandler {
   }
 
   Future<NodeFrame> _snap(Map<String, dynamic> params) async {
+    CameraController? controller;
     try {
       final facing = params['facing'] as String?;
-      final controller = await _getController(facing: facing);
+      controller = await _createController(facing: facing);
+
+      // Brief settle time for auto-exposure/focus
+      await Future.delayed(const Duration(milliseconds: 500));
+
       final file = await controller.takePicture();
       final bytes = await File(file.path).readAsBytes();
       final b64 = base64Encode(bytes);
@@ -120,14 +116,18 @@ class CameraCapability extends CapabilityHandler {
         'code': 'CAMERA_ERROR',
         'message': '$e',
       });
+    } finally {
+      // Always release the camera
+      await controller?.dispose();
     }
   }
 
   Future<NodeFrame> _clip(Map<String, dynamic> params) async {
+    CameraController? controller;
     try {
       final durationMs = params['durationMs'] as int? ?? 5000;
       final facing = params['facing'] as String?;
-      final controller = await _getController(facing: facing);
+      controller = await _createController(facing: facing);
       await controller.startVideoRecording();
       await Future.delayed(Duration(milliseconds: durationMs));
       final file = await controller.stopVideoRecording();
@@ -145,11 +145,13 @@ class CameraCapability extends CapabilityHandler {
         'code': 'CAMERA_ERROR',
         'message': '$e',
       });
+    } finally {
+      // Always release the camera
+      await controller?.dispose();
     }
   }
 
   void dispose() {
-    _controller?.dispose();
-    _controller = null;
+    // No persistent controller to clean up anymore
   }
 }

flutter_app/lib/services/capabilities/flash_capability.dart

@@ -29,9 +29,16 @@ class FlashCapability extends CapabilityHandler {
   }
 
   Future<CameraController> _getController() async {
-    if (_controller != null && _controller!.value.isInitialized) {
-      return _controller!;
+    // Verify existing controller is still usable
+    if (_controller != null) {
+      if (_controller!.value.isInitialized && !_controller!.value.hasError) {
+        return _controller!;
+      }
+      // Controller is stale/errored — dispose and recreate
+      try { _controller!.dispose(); } catch (_) {}
+      _controller = null;
     }
+
     _cameras ??= await availableCameras();
     if (_cameras!.isEmpty) throw Exception('No camera available');
     // Use back camera for flash/torch
@@ -68,8 +75,19 @@ class FlashCapability extends CapabilityHandler {
       final controller = await _getController();
       await controller.setFlashMode(on ? FlashMode.torch : FlashMode.off);
       _torchOn = on;
+
+      // If turning off, release the camera so it doesn't block snap/clip
+      if (!on) {
+        _controller?.dispose();
+        _controller = null;
+      }
+
       return NodeFrame.response('', payload: {'on': _torchOn});
     } catch (e) {
+      // If it failed, dispose and reset so next attempt gets a fresh controller
+      try { _controller?.dispose(); } catch (_) {}
+      _controller = null;
+      _torchOn = false;
       return NodeFrame.response('', error: {
         'code': 'FLASH_ERROR',
         'message': '$e',

flutter_app/lib/services/native_bridge.dart

@@ -98,6 +98,10 @@ class NativeBridge {
     return await _channel.invokeMethod('isNodeServiceRunning');
   }
 
+  static Future<bool> updateNodeNotification(String text) async {
+    return await _channel.invokeMethod('updateNodeNotification', {'text': text});
+  }
+
   static Future<bool> requestBatteryOptimization() async {
     return await _channel.invokeMethod('requestBatteryOptimization');
   }

flutter_app/lib/services/node_service.dart

@@ -162,9 +162,7 @@ class NodeService {
     final deviceToken = prefs.nodeDeviceToken;
 
     // For local connections, read the gateway auth token from dashboard URL
-    if (_gatewayAuthToken == null) {
-      _gatewayAuthToken = await _readGatewayToken();
-    }
+    _gatewayAuthToken ??= await _readGatewayToken();
 
     // Prefer gateway auth token (exact match); fall back to device token
     // (gateway verifies device tokens as fallback if gateway token check fails)