Add getApp command and gitUrl helper

CLAUDE.md

@@ -47,8 +47,8 @@ Path aliases: `$` = server, `@` = shared, `%` = lib (defined in tsconfig.json).
 ### Server (`src/server/`)
 
 - `apps.ts` -- **The heart**: app discovery, process spawning, health checks, auto-restart, port allocation, log management, graceful shutdown. Exports `APPS_DIR`, `TOES_DIR`, `TOES_URL`, and the `App` type (extends shared `App` with process/timer fields).
-- `api/apps.ts` -- REST API + SSE stream. Routes: `GET /` (list), `GET /stream` (SSE), `POST /:name/start|stop|restart`, `GET /:name/logs`, `POST /` (create), `DELETE /:name`, `PUT /:name/rename`, `PUT /:name/icon`.
+- `api/apps.ts` -- REST API + SSE stream. Routes: `GET /` (list), `GET /stream` (SSE), `POST /:name/start|stop|restart`, `GET /:name/logs`, `POST /` (create via git), `POST /:name/rename`, `POST /:name/icon`, env var CRUD, tunnel management.
-- `api/sync.ts` -- File sync protocol: manifest comparison, push/pull with hash-based diffing.
+- `api/sync.ts` -- File sync API: manifest endpoint, file read/write, app reload (triggered by git tool after deploy), file watch SSE.
 - `index.tsx` -- Entry point. Mounts API routers, tool URL redirects (`/tool/:tool`), tool API proxy (`/api/tools/:tool/*`), initializes apps.
 - `shell.tsx` -- Minimal HTML shell for the SPA.
 - `tui.ts` -- Terminal UI for the server process (renders app status table when TTY).
@@ -79,23 +79,22 @@ Client-side SPA rendered with `hono/jsx/dom`. No build step -- Bun serves `.tsx`
 
 CLI commands:
 - **Apps**: `list`, `info`, `new`, `get`, `open`, `rename`, `rm`
-- **Lifecycle**: `start`, `stop`, `restart`, `logs`, `metrics`, `cron`
+- **Lifecycle**: `start`, `stop`, `restart`, `logs`, `metrics`, `cron`, `share`, `unshare`
-- **Sync**: `push`, `pull`, `status`, `diff`, `sync`, `clean`, `stash`
+- **Config**: `env`
-- **Config**: `config`, `env`, `versions`, `history`, `rollback`
 
 ### Shared (`src/shared/`)
 
 Types shared between browser and server. **Cannot use Node/filesystem APIs** (runs in browser).
 
 - `types.ts` -- `App`, `AppState`, `LogLine`, `Manifest`, `FileInfo`
-- `gitignore.ts` -- `.toesignore` pattern matching
+- `gitignore.ts` -- `.gitignore` pattern matching (used by sync API and file watchers)
 
 ### Lib (`src/lib/`)
 
 Server-side code shared between CLI and server. Can use Node APIs.
 
 - `templates.ts` -- Template generation for `toes new` (bare, ssr, spa)
-- `sync.ts` -- Manifest generation, hash computation
+- `sync.ts` -- Manifest generation, hash computation (used by sync API for file diffing in tools)
 
 ### Tools Package (`src/tools/`)
 
@@ -126,7 +125,7 @@ Tools are apps with `"toes": { "tool": true }` in package.json. From the server'
 
 ### Versioning
 
-Apps live at `APPS_DIR/<name>/` with timestamped version directories and a `current` symlink. Push creates a new version; rollback moves the symlink.
+Apps use git for version control. Each app has a bare git repo at `DATA_DIR/repos/<name>.git`. Deploying is a `git push` to the server's git tool, which extracts HEAD into `APPS_DIR/<name>/` and reloads the app. History, diffing, and rollback use standard git commands.
 
 ### Environment Variables
 
@@ -215,4 +214,4 @@ function start(app: App): void {
 
 ## Writing Apps and Tools
 
-See `docs/CLAUDE.md` for the guide to writing toes apps and tools.
+See `docs/GUIDE.md` for the guide to writing toes apps and tools.

apps/cron/index.tsx

@@ -691,7 +691,7 @@ watch(APPS_DIR, { recursive: true }, (_event, filename) => {
   debounceTimer = setTimeout(rediscover, 100)
 })
 
-on(['app:activate', 'app:delete'], (event) => {
+on(['app:reload', 'app:delete'], (event) => {
   console.log(`[cron] ${event.type} ${event.app}, rediscovering jobs...`)
   rediscover()
 })

apps/git/index.tsx

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ import { Hype } from '@because/hype'
 import { define, stylesToCSS } from '@because/forge'
 import { baseStyles, ToolScript, theme, on } from '@because/toes/tools'
 import { mkdirSync } from 'fs'
-import { mkdir, readdir, readlink, rm, stat } from 'fs/promises'
+import { mkdir, readdir, rename, rm, stat } from 'fs/promises'
 import { join, resolve } from 'path'
 import type { Child } from 'hono/jsx'
 
@@ -10,7 +10,6 @@ const APPS_DIR = process.env.APPS_DIR!
 const DATA_DIR = process.env.DATA_DIR!
 const TOES_URL = process.env.TOES_URL!
 
-const MAX_VERSIONS = 5
 const REPOS_DIR = resolve(DATA_DIR, 'repos')
 const VALID_NAME = /^[a-zA-Z0-9_-]+$/
 
@@ -120,74 +119,42 @@ interface RepoListPageProps {
 
 const repoPath = (name: string) => join(REPOS_DIR, `${name}.git`)
 
-const timestamp = () => {
-  const [date, time] = new Date().toISOString().slice(0, 19).split('T')
-  return `${date.replaceAll('-', '')}-${time.replaceAll(':', '')}`
-}
-
 // resolve() normalises ".." segments; if the result differs from join(), the name contains a path traversal
 const validRepoName = (name: string) =>
   VALID_NAME.test(name) && resolve(REPOS_DIR, name) === join(REPOS_DIR, name)
 
-async function activateApp(name: string, version: string): Promise<string | null> {
+async function activateApp(name: string): Promise<string | null> {
-  const res = await fetch(`${TOES_URL}/api/sync/apps/${name}/activate?version=${version}`, {
+  const res = await fetch(`${TOES_URL}/api/sync/apps/${name}/reload`, {
     method: 'POST',
   })
   if (!res.ok) {
     const body = await res.json().catch(() => ({}))
-    const msg = (body as Record<string, string>).error ?? `activate returned ${res.status}`
+    const msg = (body as Record<string, string>).error ?? `reload returned ${res.status}`
-    console.error(`Activate failed for ${name}@${version}:`, msg)
+    console.error(`Reload failed for ${name}:`, msg)
     return msg
   }
   return null
 }
 
-async function cleanOldVersions(appDir: string): Promise<void> {
+async function deploy(repoName: string): Promise<{ ok: boolean; error?: string }> {
-  if (!(await dirExists(appDir))) return
-
-  // Read the current symlink target so we never delete the active version
-  let current: string | null = null
-  try {
-    const target = await readlink(join(appDir, 'current'))
-    current = target.split('/').pop() ?? null
-  } catch {}
-
-  const entries = await readdir(appDir, { withFileTypes: true })
-  const versions = entries
-    .filter(e => e.isDirectory() && /^\d{8}-\d{6}$/.test(e.name))
-    .map(e => e.name)
-    .sort()
-
-  if (versions.length <= MAX_VERSIONS) return
-
-  const toRemove = versions
-    .slice(0, versions.length - MAX_VERSIONS)
-    .filter(v => v !== current)
-  for (const dir of toRemove) {
-    await rm(join(appDir, dir), { recursive: true, force: true })
-  }
-}
-
-async function deploy(repoName: string): Promise<{ ok: boolean; error?: string; version?: string }> {
   const bare = repoPath(repoName)
 
   if (!(await hasCommits(bare))) {
     return { ok: false, error: 'No commits in repository' }
   }
 
-  const ts = timestamp()
+  // Validate in a temp dir before touching the real app dir
-  const appDir = join(APPS_DIR, repoName)
+  const tmpDir = join(APPS_DIR, `.${repoName}-deploy-tmp`)
-  const versionDir = join(appDir, ts)
+  await rm(tmpDir, { recursive: true, force: true })
+  await mkdir(tmpDir, { recursive: true })
 
-  await mkdir(versionDir, { recursive: true })
+  // Extract HEAD into the temp directory
-
-  // Extract HEAD into the version directory — no shell, pipe git archive into tar
   const archive = Bun.spawn(['git', '--git-dir', bare, 'archive', 'HEAD'], {
     stdout: 'pipe',
     stderr: 'pipe',
   })
 
-  const tar = Bun.spawn(['tar', '-x', '-C', versionDir], {
+  const tar = Bun.spawn(['tar', '-x', '-C', tmpDir], {
     stdin: archive.stdout,
     stdout: 'ignore',
     stderr: 'pipe',
@@ -202,32 +169,37 @@ async function deploy(repoName: string): Promise<{ ok: boolean; error?: string;
   ])
 
   if (archiveExit !== 0 || tarExit !== 0) {
-    await rm(versionDir, { recursive: true, force: true })
+    await rm(tmpDir, { recursive: true, force: true })
     return { ok: false, error: `git archive failed: ${archiveErr || tarErr}` }
   }
 
   // Verify package.json with scripts.toes exists
-  const pkgPath = join(versionDir, 'package.json')
+  const pkgPath = join(tmpDir, 'package.json')
   if (!(await Bun.file(pkgPath).exists())) {
-    await rm(versionDir, { recursive: true, force: true })
+    await rm(tmpDir, { recursive: true, force: true })
     return { ok: false, error: 'No package.json found in repository' }
   }
 
   try {
     const pkg = JSON.parse(await Bun.file(pkgPath).text())
     if (!pkg.scripts?.toes) {
-      await rm(versionDir, { recursive: true, force: true })
+      await rm(tmpDir, { recursive: true, force: true })
       return { ok: false, error: 'package.json missing scripts.toes entry' }
     }
   } catch {
-    await rm(versionDir, { recursive: true, force: true })
+    await rm(tmpDir, { recursive: true, force: true })
     return { ok: false, error: 'Invalid package.json' }
   }
 
-  // Clean up old versions beyond MAX_VERSIONS
+  // Stop the app before swapping directories
-  await cleanOldVersions(appDir)
+  await stopIfRunning(repoName)
 
-  return { ok: true, version: ts }
+  // Validation passed — swap directories (reload endpoint handles restart)
+  const appDir = join(APPS_DIR, repoName)
+  await rm(appDir, { recursive: true, force: true })
+  await rename(tmpDir, appDir)
+
+  return { ok: true }
 }
 
 // Bun.file().exists() is for files only — it returns false for directories.
@@ -400,6 +372,28 @@ function serviceHeader(service: string): Uint8Array {
   return new TextEncoder().encode(header)
 }
 
+async function stopIfRunning(name: string): Promise<void> {
+  const res = await fetch(`${TOES_URL}/api/apps/${name}`)
+  if (!res.ok) return
+
+  const app = await res.json() as { state: string }
+  if (app.state !== 'running' && app.state !== 'starting') return
+
+  await fetch(`${TOES_URL}/api/apps/${name}/stop`, { method: 'POST' })
+
+  const maxWait = 10000
+  const poll = 100
+  let waited = 0
+  while (waited < maxWait) {
+    await new Promise(r => setTimeout(r, poll))
+    waited += poll
+    const check = await fetch(`${TOES_URL}/api/apps/${name}`)
+    if (!check.ok) break
+    const { state } = await check.json() as { state: string }
+    if (state !== 'running' && state !== 'stopping' && state !== 'starting') break
+  }
+}
+
 async function withDeployLock<T>(repo: string, fn: () => Promise<T>): Promise<T> {
   const prev = deployLocks.get(repo) ?? Promise.resolve()
   const { promise: lock, resolve: release } = Promise.withResolvers<void>()
@@ -608,13 +602,13 @@ app.on('POST', ['/:repo{.+\\.git}/git-receive-pack', '/:repo/git-receive-pack'],
   const deployError = await withDeployLock(repoParam, async () => {
     try {
       const result = await deploy(repoParam)
-      if (result.ok && result.version) {
+      if (result.ok) {
-        const err = await activateApp(repoParam, result.version)
+        const err = await activateApp(repoParam)
         if (err) {
-          console.error(`Activate failed for ${repoParam}: ${err}`)
+          console.error(`Reload failed for ${repoParam}: ${err}`)
-          return `Deploy succeeded but activation failed: ${err}`
+          return `Deploy succeeded but reload failed: ${err}`
         }
-        console.log(`Deployed ${repoParam}@${result.version}`)
+        console.log(`Deployed ${repoParam}`)
         return null
       }
       console.error(`Deploy failed for ${repoParam}: ${result.error}`)

docs/APPS.md

@@ -6,10 +6,8 @@ An app is an HTTP server that runs on its assigned port.
 
 ```
 apps/<name>/
-  <timestamp>/        # YYYYMMDD-HHMMSS
   package.json
   index.tsx
-  current -> <timestamp>  # symlink to active version
 ```
 
 **package.json** must have `scripts.toes`:

docs/CRON.md

@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ The cron tool discovers jobs from all apps and runs them automatically.
 Add a file to `cron/` in any app:
 
 ```ts
-// apps/my-app/current/cron/daily-cleanup.ts
+// apps/my-app/cron/daily-cleanup.ts
 export const schedule = "day"
 
 export default async function() {
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ Jobs track:
 ## discovery
 
 The cron tool:
-1. Scans `APPS_DIR/*/current/cron/*.ts`
+1. Scans `APPS_DIR/*/cron/*.ts`
 2. Imports each file to read `schedule`
 3. Validates the schedule
 4. Registers with croner

docs/GUIDE.md

@@ -19,13 +19,11 @@ Toes is a personal web appliance that runs multiple web apps on your home networ
 - [CLI Reference](#cli-reference)
   - [App Management](#app-management)
   - [Lifecycle](#lifecycle)
-  - [Syncing Code](#syncing-code)
+  - [Deploying Code](#deploying-code)
   - [Environment Variables](#environment-variables)
-  - [Versioning](#versioning)
   - [Cron Jobs](#cron-jobs-1)
   - [Metrics](#metrics)
   - [Sharing](#sharing)
-  - [Configuration](#configuration)
 - [Environment Variables](#environment-variables-1)
 - [Health Checks](#health-checks)
 - [App Lifecycle](#app-lifecycle)
@@ -40,7 +38,7 @@ Toes is a personal web appliance that runs multiple web apps on your home networ
 # Install the CLI
 curl -fsSL http://toes.local/install | bash
 
-# Create a new app
+# Create a new app (scaffolds, inits git, and pushes to server)
 toes new my-app
 
 # Enter the directory, install deps, and develop locally
@@ -48,8 +46,9 @@ cd my-app
 bun install
 bun dev
 
-# Push to the server
+# Deploy changes (standard git)
-toes push
+git add . && git commit -m "my changes"
+git push toes main
 
 # Open in browser
 toes open
@@ -57,7 +56,7 @@ toes open
 
 Your app is now running at `http://my-app.toes.local`.
 
-> **Tip:** Add `.toes` to your `.gitignore`. This file tracks local sync state and shouldn't be committed.
+`toes new` automatically sets up a `toes` git remote pointing at the server. Pushing to it triggers a deploy.
 
 ---
 
@@ -85,8 +84,8 @@ A generated SSR app looks like this:
 
 ```
 my-app/
+  .gitignore          # Files to exclude from sync and deploy
   .npmrc              # Points to the private registry
-  .toesignore         # Files to exclude from sync (like .gitignore)
   package.json        # Must have scripts.toes
   tsconfig.json       # TypeScript config
   index.tsx           # Entry point (re-exports from src/server)
@@ -457,13 +456,11 @@ app.get('/', c => {
   const appName = c.req.query('app')
   if (!appName) return c.html(<p>No app selected</p>)
 
-  const appPath = join(APPS_DIR, appName, 'current')
+  const appPath = join(APPS_DIR, appName)
   // Read files from appPath...
 })
 ```
 
-Always go through the `current` symlink — never access version directories directly.
-
 **Calling the Toes API:**
 
 ```tsx
@@ -522,19 +519,21 @@ toes new my-app --bare   # Minimal template
 toes new my-app --spa    # SPA template
 ```
 
-Creates the app locally, then pushes it to the server. If run without a name, scaffolds the current directory.
+Scaffolds the app locally, initializes a git repo with a `toes` remote pointing at the server, and pushes. The git push triggers a deploy. If run without a name, scaffolds the current directory.
 
 **`toes info [name]`** — Show details for an app (state, URL, port, PID, uptime).
 
-**`toes get <name>`** — Download an app from the server to your local machine.
+**`toes get <name>`** — Clone an app from the server to your local machine.
 
 ```bash
-toes get my-app     # Creates ./my-app/ with all files
+toes get my-app     # Clones into ./my-app/
 cd my-app
 bun install
 bun dev             # Develop locally
 ```
 
+The clone comes with a `toes` remote already configured, so `git push toes main` deploys.
+
 **`toes open [name]`** — Open a running app in your browser.
 
 **`toes rename [name] <new-name>`** — Rename an app. Requires typing a confirmation.
@@ -562,54 +561,38 @@ toes logs my-app -f -g error  # Follow and filter
 
 Duration formats for `--since`: `1h` (hours), `2d` (days), `1w` (weeks), `1m` (months).
 
-### Syncing Code
+### Deploying Code
 
-Toes uses a manifest-based sync protocol. Each file is tracked by SHA-256 hash. The server stores versioned snapshots with timestamps.
+Toes uses git for deployments. Each app has a `toes` remote that points to the server's git tool. Pushing to it extracts the latest commit and deploys it.
-
-**`toes push`** — Push local changes to the server.
 
 ```bash
-toes push            # Push changes (fails if server changed)
+# Make changes, commit, and deploy
-toes push --force    # Overwrite server changes
+git add .
+git commit -m "update homepage"
+git push toes main
 ```
 
-Creates a new version on the server, uploads changed files, deletes removed files, then activates the new version. The app auto-restarts.
+The git push triggers the server to:
+1. Store the commit in a bare repo at `DATA_DIR/repos/<name>.git`
+2. Extract HEAD into the app directory
+3. Run `bun install` and restart the app
 
-**`toes pull`** — Pull changes from the server.
+Use standard git commands for history, diffing, and rollback:
 
 ```bash
-toes pull            # Pull changes (fails if you have local changes)
+git log              # View deploy history
-toes pull --force    # Overwrite local changes
+git diff HEAD~1      # See what changed
+git revert HEAD      # Undo last deploy
+git push toes main   # Deploy the revert
 ```
 
-**`toes status`** — Show what would be pushed or pulled.
+To clone an existing app from the server:
 
 ```bash
-toes status
+git clone http://git.toes.local/my-app
-# Changes to push:
+cd my-app
-#   * index.tsx
+bun install
-#   + new-file.ts
+bun dev              # Develop locally
-#   - removed-file.ts
-```
-
-**`toes diff`** — Show a line-by-line diff of changed files.
-
-**`toes sync`** — Watch for changes and sync bidirectionally in real-time. Useful during development when editing on the server.
-
-**`toes clean`** — Remove local files that don't exist on the server.
-
-```bash
-toes clean           # Interactive confirmation
-toes clean --force   # No confirmation
-toes clean --dry-run # Show what would be removed
-```
-
-**`toes stash`** — Stash local changes (like `git stash`).
-
-```bash
-toes stash           # Save local changes
-toes stash pop       # Restore stashed changes
-toes stash list      # List all stashes
 ```
 
 ### Environment Variables
@@ -640,26 +623,12 @@ toes env rm -g API_KEY                # Remove global var
 
 ### Versioning
 
-Every push creates a timestamped version. The server keeps the last 5 versions.
+Every `git push toes main` creates a new deploy. Version history is managed through git.
-
-**`toes versions [name]`** — List deployed versions.
 
 ```bash
-toes versions my-app
+git log --oneline    # List deploys
-# Versions for my-app:
+git revert HEAD      # Undo last change
-#
+git push toes main   # Deploy the revert
-#   → 20260219-143022  2/19/2026, 2:30:22 PM  (current)
-#     20260218-091500  2/18/2026, 9:15:00 AM
-#     20260217-160845  2/17/2026, 4:08:45 PM
-```
-
-**`toes history [name]`** — Show file changes between versions.
-
-**`toes rollback [name]`** — Rollback to a previous version.
-
-```bash
-toes rollback my-app                  # Interactive version picker
-toes rollback my-app -v 20260218-091500  # Rollback to specific version
 ```
 
 ### Cron Jobs
@@ -717,10 +686,6 @@ toes share my-app
 
 **`toes unshare [name]`** — Stop sharing an app.
 
-### Configuration
-
-**`toes config`** — Show the current server URL and sync state.
-
 ---
 
 ## Environment Variables

docs/TOOLS.md

@@ -44,21 +44,17 @@ app.get('/', c => {
 
 ## accessing app files
 
-Always go through the `current` symlink:
-
 ```ts
 const APPS_DIR = process.env.APPS_DIR!
-const appPath = join(APPS_DIR, appName, 'current')
+const appPath = join(APPS_DIR, appName)
 ```
 
-Not `APPS_DIR/appName` directly.
-
 ## linking to tools
 
 Use `/tool/:name` URLs to link directly to tools with params:
 
 ```html
-<a href="/tool/code?app=my-app&version=20260130-000000">
+<a href="/tool/code?app=my-app">
   View in Code
 </a>
 ```

package.json

@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@
     "debug": "DEBUG=1 bun run dev",
     "dev": "rm -f pub/client/index.js && bun run --hot src/server/index.tsx",
     "remote:deploy": "./scripts/deploy.sh",
+    "remote:migrate": "bun run scripts/migrate.ts",
     "remote:install": "./scripts/remote-install.sh",
     "remote:logs": "./scripts/remote-logs.sh",
     "remote:restart": "./scripts/remote-restart.sh",

scripts/deploy.sh

@@ -16,23 +16,46 @@ set -e
 
 DEST="${DEST:-$HOME/toes}"
 APPS_DIR="${APPS_DIR:-$HOME/apps}"
+DATA_DIR="${DATA_DIR:-$HOME/data}"
+REPOS_DIR="$DATA_DIR/repos"
 
 cd "$DEST" && git checkout -- bun.lock && git pull origin main && bun install && rm -rf dist && bun run build
 
+echo "=> Migrating apps to flat structure..."
+bun run scripts/migrate.ts
+
 echo "=> Syncing default apps..."
 for app_dir in "$DEST"/apps/*/; do
   app=$(basename "$app_dir")
-  for version_dir in "$app_dir"*/; do
+  [ -f "$app_dir/package.json" ] || continue
-    [ -d "$version_dir" ] || continue
+  target="$APPS_DIR/$app"
-    version=$(basename "$version_dir")
-    [ -f "$version_dir/package.json" ] || continue
-    target="$APPS_DIR/$app/$version"
   mkdir -p "$target"
-    cp -a "$version_dir"/. "$target"/
+  cp -a "$app_dir"/. "$target"/
-    rm -f "$APPS_DIR/$app/current"
+  echo "  $app"
-    echo "  $app/$version"
   (cd "$target" && bun install --frozen-lockfile 2>/dev/null || bun install)
 done
+
+echo "=> Initializing bare repos for shipped apps..."
+mkdir -p "$REPOS_DIR"
+for app_dir in "$DEST"/apps/*/; do
+  app=$(basename "$app_dir")
+  [ -f "$app_dir/package.json" ] || continue
+  bare="$REPOS_DIR/$app.git"
+
+  if [ ! -d "$bare" ]; then
+    git init --bare "$bare" > /dev/null
+    git -C "$bare" symbolic-ref HEAD refs/heads/main
+    git -C "$bare" config http.receivepack true
+  fi
+
+  tmp=$(mktemp -d)
+  cp -a "$app_dir"/. "$tmp"/
+  git -C "$tmp" init -b main > /dev/null 2>&1
+  git -C "$tmp" add -A > /dev/null
+  git -C "$tmp" -c user.name=toes -c user.email=toes@localhost commit -m "deploy" > /dev/null 2>&1
+  git -C "$tmp" push --force "$bare" main > /dev/null 2>&1
+  rm -rf "$tmp"
+  echo "  $app"
 done
 
 sudo systemctl restart toes.service

scripts/migrate.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,111 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bun
+
+// Migration script: converts apps from versioned directory structure
+// (apps/<name>/<timestamp>/ with `current` symlink) to flat structure (apps/<name>/).
+//
+// Usage: bun run remote:migrate
+//
+// What it does:
+//   1. Scans APPS_DIR for apps with a `current` symlink
+//   2. Resolves the symlink to find the active version directory
+//   3. Moves files from the active version into the app root (preserving node_modules/logs)
+//   4. Removes old version directories and the symlink
+//
+// Safe to run multiple times -- skips apps already in flat structure.
+
+import { existsSync, mkdirSync, readdirSync, renameSync, lstatSync, readlinkSync, rmSync } from 'fs'
+import { join, resolve } from 'path'
+
+const APPS_DIR = process.env.APPS_DIR ?? join(process.env.HOME!, 'apps')
+const VERSION_RE = /^\d{8}-\d{6}$/
+
+if (!existsSync(APPS_DIR)) {
+  console.error(`APPS_DIR does not exist: ${APPS_DIR}`)
+  process.exit(1)
+}
+
+const apps = readdirSync(APPS_DIR, { withFileTypes: true })
+  .filter(e => e.isDirectory())
+  .map(e => e.name)
+
+let migrated = 0
+let skipped = 0
+
+for (const name of apps) {
+  const appDir = join(APPS_DIR, name)
+  const currentLink = join(appDir, 'current')
+
+  // Already flat -- has package.json at root with no current symlink
+  if (!existsSync(currentLink)) {
+    if (existsSync(join(appDir, 'package.json'))) {
+      skipped++
+    }
+    continue
+  }
+
+  // Verify it's actually a symlink
+  let stat
+  try {
+    stat = lstatSync(currentLink)
+  } catch {
+    continue
+  }
+
+  if (!stat.isSymbolicLink()) {
+    console.warn(`  [skip] ${name}: 'current' exists but is not a symlink`)
+    skipped++
+    continue
+  }
+
+  // Resolve the symlink to get the active version directory
+  const target = readlinkSync(currentLink)
+  const activeDir = resolve(appDir, target)
+
+  if (!existsSync(activeDir)) {
+    console.warn(`  [skip] ${name}: symlink target does not exist: ${target}`)
+    skipped++
+    continue
+  }
+
+  console.log(`  [migrate] ${name} (active version: ${target})`)
+
+  // Collect all version directories and other entries
+  const entries = readdirSync(appDir, { withFileTypes: true })
+  const versionDirs = entries
+    .filter(e => e.isDirectory() && VERSION_RE.test(e.name) && e.name !== target)
+    .map(e => e.name)
+
+  // Remove old (non-active) version directories first
+  for (const ver of versionDirs) {
+    const verPath = join(appDir, ver)
+    rmSync(verPath, { recursive: true, force: true })
+    console.log(`    removed old version: ${ver}`)
+  }
+
+  // Remove the current symlink
+  rmSync(currentLink)
+
+  // Move files from active version directory into app root
+  const activeEntries = readdirSync(activeDir)
+  for (const entry of activeEntries) {
+    const src = join(activeDir, entry)
+    const dest = join(appDir, entry)
+
+    // Skip if destination already exists (e.g. node_modules, logs at root level)
+    if (existsSync(dest)) {
+      console.log(`    skip (exists): ${entry}`)
+      continue
+    }
+
+    renameSync(src, dest)
+  }
+
+  // Clean up the now-empty active version directory
+  rmSync(activeDir, { recursive: true, force: true })
+
+  migrated++
+  console.log(`    done`)
+}
+
+console.log()
+console.log(`Migration complete: ${migrated} migrated, ${skipped} skipped`)

src/cli/commands/index.ts

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ export { cronList, cronLog, cronRun, cronStatus } from './cron'
 export { envList, envRm, envSet } from './env'
 export { logApp } from './logs'
 export {
-  configShow,
+  getApp,
   infoApp,
   listApps,
   newApp,
@@ -16,4 +16,3 @@ export {
   unshareApp,
 } from './manage'
 export { metricsApp } from './metrics'
-export { cleanApp, diffApp, getApp, historyApp, pullApp, pushApp, rollbackApp, stashApp, stashListApp, stashPopApp, statusApp, syncApp, versionsApp } from './sync'

src/cli/commands/manage.ts

@@ -1,14 +1,12 @@
 import type { App } from '@types'
 import { generateTemplates, type TemplateType } from '%templates'
-import { readSyncState } from '%sync'
 import color from 'kleur'
 import { existsSync, mkdirSync, readFileSync, writeFileSync } from 'fs'
 import { basename, join } from 'path'
 import { buildAppUrl } from '@urls'
-import { del, get, getManifest, HOST, post } from '../http'
+import { del, get, getManifest, gitUrl, HOST, post } from '../http'
 import { confirm, prompt } from '../prompts'
 import { resolveAppName } from '../name'
-import { pushApp } from './sync'
 
 export const STATE_ICONS: Record<string, string> = {
   error: color.red('●'),
@@ -36,15 +34,6 @@ async function waitForState(name: string, target: string, timeout: number): Prom
   return app?.state
 }
 
-export async function configShow() {
-  console.log(`Host: ${color.bold(HOST)}`)
-
-  const syncState = readSyncState(process.cwd())
-  if (syncState) {
-    console.log(`Version: ${color.bold(syncState.version)}`)
-  }
-}
-
 export async function infoApp(arg?: string) {
   const name = resolveAppName(arg)
   if (!name) return
@@ -184,17 +173,42 @@ export async function newApp(name: string | undefined, options: NewAppOptions) {
     writeFileSync(join(appPath, filename), content)
   }
 
-  process.chdir(appPath)
+  // Initialize git repo and push to server (git push creates the app via the git tool)
-  await pushApp()
+  const run = (cmd: string[]) => Bun.spawn(cmd, { cwd: appPath, stdout: 'ignore', stderr: 'ignore' }).exited
+
+  await run(['git', 'init'])
+  await run(['git', 'add', '.'])
+  await run(['git', 'commit', '-m', 'init'])
+  await run(['git', 'remote', 'add', 'toes', gitUrl(appName)])
+  await run(['git', 'push', 'toes', 'main'])
 
   console.log(color.green(`✓ Created ${appName}`))
-  console.log()
-  console.log('Next steps:')
   if (name) {
-    console.log(`  cd ${name}`)
+    console.log(`\n  cd ${name}`)
   }
-  console.log('  bun install')
+}
-  console.log('  bun dev')
+
+export async function getApp(name: string, directory?: string) {
+  const target = directory ?? name
+
+  if (existsSync(target)) {
+    console.error(`Directory already exists: ${target}`)
+    return
+  }
+
+  const url = gitUrl(name)
+  const args = ['git', 'clone', url]
+  if (directory) args.push(directory)
+  const proc = Bun.spawn(args, { stdout: 'inherit', stderr: 'inherit' })
+  const exitCode = await proc.exited
+
+  if (exitCode !== 0) {
+    console.error(color.red(`Failed to clone ${name}`))
+    return
+  }
+
+  console.log(color.green(`✓ Cloned ${name}`))
+  console.log(`\n  cd ${target}\n  bun install`)
 }
 
 export async function openApp(arg?: string) {

src/cli/http.ts

@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import type { Manifest } from '@types'
+import { buildAppUrl } from '@urls'
 import { AsyncLocalStorage } from 'node:async_hooks'
 
 const DEFAULT_HOST = process.env.DEV ? 'http://localhost:3000' : 'http://toes.local'
@@ -20,6 +21,8 @@ export const HOST = process.env.TOES_URL
   ? normalizeUrl(process.env.TOES_URL)
   : DEFAULT_HOST
 
+export const gitUrl = (name: string) => `${buildAppUrl('git', HOST)}/${name}`
+
 export const getSignal = () => signalStore.getStore()
 
 export function withSignal<T>(signal: AbortSignal, fn: () => T): T {
@@ -57,14 +60,13 @@ export async function get<T>(url: string): Promise<T | undefined> {
   }
 }
 
-export async function getManifest(appName: string): Promise<{ exists: boolean, manifest?: Manifest, version?: string } | null> {
+export async function getManifest(appName: string): Promise<{ exists: boolean, manifest?: Manifest } | null> {
   try {
     const res = await fetch(makeUrl(`/api/sync/apps/${appName}/manifest`), { signal: getSignal() })
     if (res.status === 404) return { exists: false }
     if (!res.ok) throw new Error(`${res.status} ${res.statusText}`)
-    const data = await res.json()
+    const manifest = await res.json()
-    const { version, ...manifest } = data
+    return { exists: true, manifest }
-    return { exists: true, manifest, version }
   } catch (error) {
     handleError(error)
     return null

src/cli/setup.ts

@@ -3,42 +3,28 @@ import { program } from 'commander'
 import color from 'kleur'
 
 import pkg from '../../package.json'
-import { withPager } from './pager'
 import {
-  cleanApp,
-  configShow,
   cronList,
   cronLog,
   cronRun,
   cronStatus,
-  diffApp,
   envList,
   envRm,
   envSet,
   getApp,
-  historyApp,
   infoApp,
   listApps,
   logApp,
   newApp,
   openApp,
-  pullApp,
-  pushApp,
   renameApp,
   restartApp,
   rmApp,
-  rollbackApp,
+  shareApp,
-  stashApp,
-  stashListApp,
-  stashPopApp,
   startApp,
   metricsApp,
-  shareApp,
-  statusApp,
   stopApp,
-  syncApp,
   unshareApp,
-  versionsApp,
 } from './commands'
 
 program
@@ -93,8 +79,9 @@ program
 program
   .command('get')
   .helpGroup('Apps:')
-  .description('Download an app from server')
+  .description('Clone an app from the server')
   .argument('<name>', 'app name')
+  .argument('[directory]', 'target directory (defaults to app name)')
   .action(getApp)
 
 program
@@ -209,72 +196,8 @@ cron
   .argument('<job>', 'job identifier (app:name)')
   .action(cronRun)
 
-// Sync
-
-program
-  .command('push')
-  .helpGroup('Sync:')
-  .description('Push local changes to server')
-  .option('-f, --force', 'overwrite remote changes')
-  .action(pushApp)
-
-program
-  .command('pull')
-  .helpGroup('Sync:')
-  .description('Pull changes from server')
-  .option('-f, --force', 'overwrite local changes')
-  .action(pullApp)
-
-program
-  .command('status')
-  .helpGroup('Sync:')
-  .description('Show what would be pushed/pulled')
-  .action(statusApp)
-
-program
-  .command('diff')
-  .helpGroup('Sync:')
-  .description('Show diff of changed files')
-  .action(() => withPager(diffApp))
-
-program
-  .command('sync')
-  .helpGroup('Sync:')
-  .description('Watch and sync changes bidirectionally')
-  .action(syncApp)
-
-program
-  .command('clean')
-  .helpGroup('Sync:')
-  .description('Remove local files not on server')
-  .option('-f, --force', 'skip confirmation')
-  .option('-n, --dry-run', 'show what would be removed')
-  .action(cleanApp)
-
-const stash = program
-  .command('stash')
-  .helpGroup('Sync:')
-  .description('Stash local changes')
-  .action(stashApp)
-
-stash
-  .command('pop')
-  .description('Restore stashed changes')
-  .action(stashPopApp)
-
-stash
-  .command('list')
-  .description('List all stashes')
-  .action(stashListApp)
-
 // Config
 
-program
-  .command('config')
-  .helpGroup('Config:')
-  .description('Show current host configuration')
-  .action(configShow)
-
 const env = program
   .command('env')
   .helpGroup('Config:')
@@ -300,28 +223,6 @@ env
   .option('-g, --global', 'remove a global variable')
   .action(envRm)
 
-program
-  .command('versions')
-  .helpGroup('Config:')
-  .description('List deployed versions')
-  .argument('[name]', 'app name (uses current directory if omitted)')
-  .action(versionsApp)
-
-program
-  .command('history')
-  .helpGroup('Config:')
-  .description('Show file changes between versions')
-  .argument('[name]', 'app name (uses current directory if omitted)')
-  .action(historyApp)
-
-program
-  .command('rollback')
-  .helpGroup('Config:')
-  .description('Rollback to a previous version')
-  .argument('[name]', 'app name (uses current directory if omitted)')
-  .option('-v, --version <version>', 'version to rollback to (prompts if omitted)')
-  .action((name, options) => rollbackApp(name, options.version))
-
 // Shell
 
 program

src/cli/shell.ts

@@ -59,8 +59,8 @@ async function fetchAppNames(): Promise<string[]> {
 
 function getCommandNames(): string[] {
   return program.commands
-    .filter((cmd: { _hidden?: boolean }) => !cmd._hidden)
+    .filter((cmd) => !(cmd as any)._hidden)
-    .map((cmd: { name: () => string }) => cmd.name())
+    .map((cmd) => cmd.name())
 }
 
 async function printBanner(): Promise<void> {

src/lib/sync.ts

@@ -3,27 +3,9 @@ export type { FileInfo, Manifest } from '@types'
 import type { FileInfo, Manifest } from '@types'
 import { loadGitignore } from '@gitignore'
 import { createHash } from 'crypto'
-import { existsSync, readdirSync, readFileSync, statSync, writeFileSync } from 'fs'
+import { readdirSync, readFileSync, statSync } from 'fs'
 import { join, relative } from 'path'
 
-export interface SyncState {
-  version: string
-}
-
-export function readSyncState(appPath: string): SyncState | null {
-  const filePath = join(appPath, '.toes')
-  if (!existsSync(filePath)) return null
-  try {
-    return JSON.parse(readFileSync(filePath, 'utf-8'))
-  } catch {
-    return null
-  }
-}
-
-export function writeSyncState(appPath: string, state: SyncState): void {
-  writeFileSync(join(appPath, '.toes'), JSON.stringify(state, null, 2))
-}
-
 export function computeHash(content: Buffer | string): string {
   return createHash('sha256').update(content).digest('hex')
 }

src/server/api/apps.ts

@@ -1,17 +1,14 @@
-import { APPS_DIR, TOES_DIR, allApps, appendLog, getLogDates, onChange, readLogs, registerApp, renameApp, restartApp, startApp, stopApp, updateAppIcon } from '$apps'
+import { APPS_DIR, TOES_DIR, TOES_URL, allApps, appendLog, getLogDates, onChange, readLogs, registerApp, renameApp, restartApp, startApp, stopApp, updateAppIcon } from '$apps'
+import { buildAppUrl } from '@urls'
 import { isTunnelsAvailable, shareApp, unshareApp } from '../tunnels'
 import type { App as BackendApp } from '$apps'
 import type { App as SharedApp } from '@types'
 import { generateTemplates, type TemplateType } from '%templates'
 import { Hype } from '@because/hype'
-import { existsSync, mkdirSync, readFileSync, symlinkSync, writeFileSync } from 'fs'
+import { existsSync, mkdirSync, readFileSync, rmSync, writeFileSync } from 'fs'
 import { dirname, join } from 'path'
 
-const timestamp = () => {
+const gitUrl = (name: string) => `${buildAppUrl('git', TOES_URL)}/${name}`
-  const d = new Date()
-  const pad = (n: number) => String(n).padStart(2, '0')
-  return `${d.getFullYear()}${pad(d.getMonth() + 1)}${pad(d.getDate())}-${pad(d.getHours())}${pad(d.getMinutes())}${pad(d.getSeconds())}`
-}
 
 const router = Hype.router()
 
@@ -131,14 +128,12 @@ router.post('/', async c => {
   const template = body.template ?? 'ssr'
   const templates = generateTemplates(name, template, { tool: body.tool })
 
-  // Create versioned directory structure
+  // Write templates to a temp dir, init git, and push to the git tool.
-  const ts = timestamp()
+  // The git push triggers deploy + activate which registers and starts the app.
-  const versionPath = join(appPath, ts)
+  const tmpDir = join(APPS_DIR, `.${name}-init-tmp`)
-  const currentPath = join(appPath, 'current')
+  try {
-
-  // Create directories and write files into version directory
     for (const [filename, content] of Object.entries(templates)) {
-    const fullPath = join(versionPath, filename)
+      const fullPath = join(tmpDir, filename)
       const dir = dirname(fullPath)
       if (!existsSync(dir)) {
         mkdirSync(dir, { recursive: true })
@@ -146,13 +141,22 @@ router.post('/', async c => {
       writeFileSync(fullPath, content)
     }
 
-  // Create current symlink
+    const run = (cmd: string[]) => Bun.spawn(cmd, { cwd: tmpDir, stdout: 'ignore', stderr: 'ignore' }).exited
-  symlinkSync(ts, currentPath)
 
-  // Register and start the app
+    await run(['git', 'init'])
-  registerApp(name)
+    await run(['git', 'add', '.'])
+    await run(['git', 'commit', '-m', 'init'])
+    await run(['git', 'remote', 'add', 'toes', gitUrl(name)])
+    const exitCode = await run(['git', 'push', 'toes', 'main'])
+
+    if (exitCode !== 0) {
+      return c.json({ ok: false, error: 'Failed to push to git' }, 500)
+    }
 
     return c.json({ ok: true, name })
+  } finally {
+    rmSync(tmpDir, { recursive: true, force: true })
+  }
 })
 
 router.sse('/:app/logs/stream', (send, c) => {

src/server/api/sync.ts

@@ -1,12 +1,10 @@
 import { APPS_DIR, allApps, emit, registerApp, removeApp, restartApp, startApp } from '$apps'
 import { computeHash, generateManifest } from '../sync'
 import { loadGitignore } from '@gitignore'
-import { cpSync, existsSync, mkdirSync, readdirSync, readFileSync, realpathSync, renameSync, rmSync, symlinkSync, unlinkSync, watch, writeFileSync } from 'fs'
+import { existsSync, mkdirSync, readdirSync, readFileSync, realpathSync, rmSync, unlinkSync, watch, writeFileSync } from 'fs'
 import { dirname, join } from 'path'
 import { Hype } from '@because/hype'
 
-const MAX_VERSIONS = 5
-
 interface FileChangeEvent {
   hash?: string
   path: string
@@ -14,7 +12,6 @@ interface FileChangeEvent {
 }
 
 function safePath(base: string, ...parts: string[]): string | null {
-  // Resolve base to canonical path (follows symlinks) if it exists
   const canonicalBase = existsSync(base) ? realpathSync(base) : base
   const resolved = join(canonicalBase, ...parts)
 
@@ -29,129 +26,18 @@ const router = Hype.router()
 
 router.get('/apps', c => c.json(allApps().map(a => a.name)))
 
-router.get('/apps/:app/versions', c => {
-  const appName = c.req.param('app')
-  if (!appName) return c.json({ error: 'App not found' }, 404)
-
-  const appDir = safePath(APPS_DIR, appName)
-  if (!appDir) return c.json({ error: 'Invalid path' }, 400)
-  if (!existsSync(appDir)) return c.json({ error: 'App not found' }, 404)
-
-  const currentLink = join(appDir, 'current')
-  const currentVersion = existsSync(currentLink)
-    ? realpathSync(currentLink).split('/').pop()
-    : null
-
-  const entries = readdirSync(appDir, { withFileTypes: true })
-  const versions = entries
-    .filter(e => e.isDirectory() && /^\d{8}-\d{6}$/.test(e.name))
-    .map(e => e.name)
-    .sort()
-    .reverse() // Newest first
-
-  return c.json({ versions, current: currentVersion })
-})
-
-router.get('/apps/:app/history', c => {
-  const appName = c.req.param('app')
-  if (!appName) return c.json({ error: 'App not found' }, 404)
-
-  const appDir = safePath(APPS_DIR, appName)
-  if (!appDir) return c.json({ error: 'Invalid path' }, 400)
-  if (!existsSync(appDir)) return c.json({ error: 'App not found' }, 404)
-
-  const currentLink = join(appDir, 'current')
-  const currentVersion = existsSync(currentLink)
-    ? realpathSync(currentLink).split('/').pop()
-    : null
-
-  const entries = readdirSync(appDir, { withFileTypes: true })
-  const versions = entries
-    .filter(e => e.isDirectory() && /^\d{8}-\d{6}$/.test(e.name))
-    .map(e => e.name)
-    .sort()
-    .reverse() // Newest first
-
-  // Generate manifests for each version
-  const manifests = new Map<string, Record<string, { hash: string }>>()
-  for (const version of versions) {
-    const versionPath = join(appDir, version)
-    const manifest = generateManifest(versionPath, appName)
-    manifests.set(version, manifest.files)
-  }
-
-  // Diff consecutive pairs
-  const history = versions.map((version, i) => {
-    const current = version === currentVersion
-    const files = manifests.get(version)!
-    const olderVersion = versions[i + 1]
-    const olderFiles = olderVersion ? manifests.get(olderVersion)! : {}
-
-    const added: string[] = []
-    const modified: string[] = []
-    const deleted: string[] = []
-
-    // Files in this version
-    for (const [path, info] of Object.entries(files)) {
-      const older = olderFiles[path]
-      if (!older) {
-        added.push(path)
-      } else if (older.hash !== info.hash) {
-        modified.push(path)
-      }
-    }
-
-    // Files removed in this version
-    for (const path of Object.keys(olderFiles)) {
-      if (!files[path]) {
-        deleted.push(path)
-      }
-    }
-
-    // Detect renames: added + deleted files with matching hashes
-    const renamed: string[] = []
-    const deletedByHash = new Map<string, string>()
-    for (const path of deleted) {
-      deletedByHash.set(olderFiles[path]!.hash, path)
-    }
-
-    const matchedAdded = new Set<string>()
-    const matchedDeleted = new Set<string>()
-    for (const path of added) {
-      const oldPath = deletedByHash.get(files[path]!.hash)
-      if (oldPath && !matchedDeleted.has(oldPath)) {
-        renamed.push(`${oldPath} → ${path}`)
-        matchedAdded.add(path)
-        matchedDeleted.add(oldPath)
-      }
-    }
-
-    return {
-      version,
-      current,
-      added: added.filter(f => !matchedAdded.has(f)).sort(),
-      modified: modified.sort(),
-      deleted: deleted.filter(f => !matchedDeleted.has(f)).sort(),
-      renamed: renamed.sort(),
-    }
-  })
-
-  return c.json({ history })
-})
-
 router.get('/apps/:app/manifest', c => {
   const appName = c.req.param('app')
   if (!appName) return c.json({ error: 'App not found' }, 404)
 
-  const appPath = join(APPS_DIR, appName, 'current')
+  const appPath = join(APPS_DIR, appName)
 
   const safeAppPath = safePath(APPS_DIR, appName)
   if (!safeAppPath) return c.json({ error: 'Invalid path' }, 400)
-  if (!existsSync(appPath)) return c.json({ error: 'App not found' }, 404)
+  if (!existsSync(join(appPath, 'package.json'))) return c.json({ error: 'App not found' }, 404)
 
-  const version = realpathSync(appPath).split('/').pop()
   const manifest = generateManifest(appPath, appName)
-  return c.json({ ...manifest, version })
+  return c.json(manifest)
 })
 
 router.get('/apps/:app/files/:path{.+}', c => {
@@ -160,7 +46,7 @@ router.get('/apps/:app/files/:path{.+}', c => {
 
   if (!appName || !filePath) return c.json({ error: 'Invalid path' }, 400)
 
-  const basePath = join(APPS_DIR, appName, 'current')
+  const basePath = join(APPS_DIR, appName)
 
   const fullPath = safePath(basePath, filePath)
   if (!fullPath) return c.json({ error: 'Invalid path' }, 400)
@@ -175,14 +61,10 @@ router.get('/apps/:app/files/:path{.+}', c => {
 router.put('/apps/:app/files/:path{.+}', async c => {
   const appName = c.req.param('app')
   const filePath = c.req.param('path')
-  const version = c.req.query('version') // Optional version parameter
 
   if (!appName || !filePath) return c.json({ error: 'Invalid path' }, 400)
 
-  // Determine base path: specific version or current
+  const basePath = join(APPS_DIR, appName)
-  const basePath = version
-    ? join(APPS_DIR, appName, version)
-    : join(APPS_DIR, appName, 'current')
 
   const fullPath = safePath(basePath, filePath)
   if (!fullPath) return c.json({ error: 'Invalid path' }, 400)
@@ -216,13 +98,10 @@ router.delete('/apps/:app', c => {
 router.delete('/apps/:app/files/:path{.+}', c => {
   const appName = c.req.param('app')
   const filePath = c.req.param('path')
-  const version = c.req.query('version')
 
   if (!appName || !filePath) return c.json({ error: 'Invalid path' }, 400)
 
-  const basePath = version
+  const basePath = join(APPS_DIR, appName)
-    ? join(APPS_DIR, appName, version)
-    : join(APPS_DIR, appName, 'current')
 
   const fullPath = safePath(basePath, filePath)
   if (!fullPath) return c.json({ error: 'Invalid path' }, 400)
@@ -232,105 +111,11 @@ router.delete('/apps/:app/files/:path{.+}', c => {
   return c.json({ ok: true })
 })
 
-router.post('/apps/:app/deploy', c => {
+router.post('/apps/:app/reload', async c => {
   const appName = c.req.param('app')
   if (!appName) return c.json({ error: 'App name required' }, 400)
 
-  const appDir = join(APPS_DIR, appName)
+  emit({ type: 'app:reload', app: appName })
-
-  // Generate timestamp: YYYYMMDD-HHMMSS format
-  const now = new Date()
-  const pad = (n: number) => String(n).padStart(2, '0')
-  const timestamp = `${now.getFullYear()}${pad(now.getMonth() + 1)}${pad(now.getDate())}-${pad(now.getHours())}${pad(now.getMinutes())}${pad(now.getSeconds())}`
-
-  const newVersion = join(appDir, timestamp)
-  const currentLink = join(appDir, 'current')
-
-  try {
-    // 1. If current exists, copy it to new timestamp
-    const currentReal = existsSync(currentLink) ? realpathSync(currentLink) : null
-
-    if (currentReal) {
-      cpSync(currentReal, newVersion, {
-        recursive: true,
-        filter: (src) => !src.split('/').includes('node_modules'),
-      })
-    } else {
-      // First deployment - create directory
-      mkdirSync(newVersion, { recursive: true })
-    }
-
-    return c.json({ ok: true, version: timestamp })
-  } catch (e) {
-    return c.json({ error: `Failed to create deployment: ${e instanceof Error ? e.message : String(e)}` }, 500)
-  }
-})
-
-router.post('/apps/:app/activate', async c => {
-  const appName = c.req.param('app')
-  const version = c.req.query('version')
-
-  if (!appName) return c.json({ error: 'App name required' }, 400)
-  if (!version) return c.json({ error: 'Version required' }, 400)
-
-  const appDir = join(APPS_DIR, appName)
-  const versionDir = join(appDir, version)
-  const currentLink = join(appDir, 'current')
-
-  if (!existsSync(versionDir)) {
-    return c.json({ error: 'Version not found' }, 404)
-  }
-
-  try {
-    // Atomic symlink update
-    const tempLink = join(appDir, '.current.tmp')
-
-    // Remove temp link if it exists from previous failed attempt
-    if (existsSync(tempLink)) {
-      unlinkSync(tempLink)
-    }
-
-    // Create new symlink pointing to version directory (relative)
-    symlinkSync(version, tempLink, 'dir')
-
-    // Atomic rename over old symlink/directory
-    renameSync(tempLink, currentLink)
-
-    // Clean up old versions
-    try {
-      const entries = readdirSync(appDir, { withFileTypes: true })
-
-      // Get all timestamp directories (exclude current, .current.tmp, etc)
-      const versionDirs = entries
-        .filter(e => e.isDirectory() && /^\d{8}-\d{6}$/.test(e.name))
-        .map(e => e.name)
-        .sort()
-        .reverse() // Newest first
-
-      // Keep most recent, delete the rest
-      const toDelete = versionDirs.slice(MAX_VERSIONS)
-      for (const dir of toDelete) {
-        const dirPath = join(appDir, dir)
-        rmSync(dirPath, { recursive: true, force: true })
-        console.log(`Cleaned up old version: ${dir}`)
-      }
-
-      // Delete node_modules from old kept versions (not the active one)
-      const toKeep = versionDirs.slice(0, MAX_VERSIONS)
-      for (const dir of toKeep) {
-        if (dir === version) continue
-        const nm = join(appDir, dir, 'node_modules')
-        if (existsSync(nm)) {
-          rmSync(nm, { recursive: true, force: true })
-          console.log(`Removed node_modules from old version: ${dir}`)
-        }
-      }
-    } catch (e) {
-      // Log but don't fail activation if cleanup fails
-      console.error(`Failed to clean up old versions: ${e}`)
-    }
-
-    emit({ type: 'app:activate', app: appName, version })
 
   // Register new app or restart existing
   const app = allApps().find(a => a.name === appName)
@@ -345,35 +130,29 @@ router.post('/apps/:app/activate', async c => {
       return c.json({ error: `Failed to restart app: ${e instanceof Error ? e.message : String(e)}` }, 500)
     }
   } else if (app.state === 'stopped' || app.state === 'invalid') {
-      // App not running (possibly due to error) - try to start it
+    // App not running - try to start it
     startApp(appName)
   }
 
   return c.json({ ok: true })
-  } catch (e) {
-    return c.json({ error: `Failed to activate version: ${e instanceof Error ? e.message : String(e)}` }, 500)
-  }
 })
 
 router.sse('/apps/:app/watch', (send, c) => {
   const appName = c.req.param('app')
 
-  const appPath = join(APPS_DIR, appName, 'current')
+  const appPath = join(APPS_DIR, appName)
 
   const safeAppPath = safePath(APPS_DIR, appName)
   if (!safeAppPath || !existsSync(appPath)) return
 
-  // Resolve to canonical path for consistent watch events
+  const gitignore = loadGitignore(appPath)
-  const canonicalPath = realpathSync(appPath)
-
-  const gitignore = loadGitignore(canonicalPath)
   let debounceTimer: Timer | null = null
   const pendingChanges = new Map<string, 'change' | 'delete'>()
 
-  const watcher = watch(canonicalPath, { recursive: true }, (_event, filename) => {
+  const watcher = watch(appPath, { recursive: true }, (_event, filename) => {
     if (!filename || gitignore.shouldExclude(filename)) return
 
-    const fullPath = join(canonicalPath, filename)
+    const fullPath = join(appPath, filename)
     const type = existsSync(fullPath) ? 'change' : 'delete'
     pendingChanges.set(filename, type)
 
@@ -383,7 +162,7 @@ router.sse('/apps/:app/watch', (send, c) => {
         const evt: FileChangeEvent = { type: changeType, path }
         if (changeType === 'change') {
           try {
-            const content = readFileSync(join(canonicalPath, path))
+            const content = readFileSync(join(appPath, path))
             evt.hash = computeHash(content)
           } catch {
             continue // File was deleted between check and read

src/server/apps.ts

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import type { ToesEvent, ToesEventInput, ToesEventType } from '../shared/events'
 import type { Subprocess } from 'bun'
 import { DEFAULT_EMOJI } from '@types'
 import { buildAppUrl, toSubdomain } from '@urls'
-import { appendFileSync, existsSync, mkdirSync, readdirSync, readFileSync, realpathSync, renameSync, symlinkSync, unlinkSync, writeFileSync } from 'fs'
+import { appendFileSync, existsSync, mkdirSync, readdirSync, readFileSync, renameSync, unlinkSync, writeFileSync } from 'fs'
 import { LOCAL_HOST } from '%config'
 import { join, resolve } from 'path'
 import { loadAppEnv } from '../tools/env'
@@ -108,7 +108,6 @@ export async function initApps() {
   initPortPool()
   setupShutdownHandlers()
   rotateLogs()
-  createAppSymlinks()
   discoverApps()
   runApps()
 }
@@ -339,42 +338,11 @@ export const update = () => {
 
 function allAppDirs() {
   return readdirSync(APPS_DIR, { withFileTypes: true })
-    .filter(e => e.isDirectory() && existsSync(join(APPS_DIR, e.name, 'current')))
+    .filter(e => e.isDirectory() && existsSync(join(APPS_DIR, e.name, 'package.json')))
     .map(e => e.name)
     .sort()
 }
 
-function createAppSymlinks() {
-  for (const app of readdirSync(APPS_DIR, { withFileTypes: true })) {
-    if (!app.isDirectory()) continue
-    const appDir = join(APPS_DIR, app.name)
-    const currentPath = join(appDir, 'current')
-    if (existsSync(currentPath)) continue
-
-    // Find valid version directories
-    const versions = readdirSync(appDir, { withFileTypes: true })
-      .filter(e => {
-        if (!e.isDirectory()) return false
-        const pkgPath = join(appDir, e.name, 'package.json')
-        if (!existsSync(pkgPath)) return false
-        try {
-          const pkg = JSON.parse(readFileSync(pkgPath, 'utf-8'))
-          return !!pkg.scripts?.toes
-        } catch {
-          return false
-        }
-      })
-      .map(e => e.name)
-      .sort()
-      .reverse()
-
-    const latest = versions[0]
-    if (latest) {
-      symlinkSync(latest, currentPath)
-    }
-  }
-}
-
 function discoverApps() {
   for (const dir of allAppDirs()) {
     const { pkg, error } = loadApp(dir)
@@ -553,7 +521,7 @@ function markAsRunning(app: App, port: number) {
 
 function loadApp(dir: string): LoadResult {
   try {
-    const pkgPath = join(APPS_DIR, dir, 'current', 'package.json')
+    const pkgPath = join(APPS_DIR, dir, 'package.json')
     const file = readFileSync(pkgPath, 'utf-8')
 
     try {
@@ -637,9 +605,7 @@ async function runApp(dir: string, port: number) {
     }
   }, STARTUP_TIMEOUT)
 
-  // Resolve symlink to actual timestamp directory
+  const cwd = join(APPS_DIR, dir)
-  const currentLink = join(APPS_DIR, dir, 'current')
-  const cwd = realpathSync(currentLink)
 
   const needsInstall = !existsSync(join(cwd, 'node_modules'))
   if (needsInstall) info(app, 'Installing dependencies...')
@@ -769,7 +735,7 @@ async function runApp(dir: string, port: number) {
 }
 
 function saveApp(dir: string, pkg: any) {
-  const path = join(APPS_DIR, dir, 'current', 'package.json')
+  const path = join(APPS_DIR, dir, 'package.json')
   writeFileSync(path, JSON.stringify(pkg, null, 2) + '\n')
 }
 

src/shared/events.ts

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-export type ToesEventType = 'app:activate' | 'app:create' | 'app:delete' | 'app:start' | 'app:stop'
+export type ToesEventType = 'app:create' | 'app:delete' | 'app:reload' | 'app:start' | 'app:stop'
 
 interface BaseEvent {
   app: string
@@ -6,9 +6,9 @@ interface BaseEvent {
 }
 
 export type ToesEvent =
-  | BaseEvent & { type: 'app:activate'; version: string }
   | BaseEvent & { type: 'app:create' }
   | BaseEvent & { type: 'app:delete' }
+  | BaseEvent & { type: 'app:reload' }
   | BaseEvent & { type: 'app:start' }
   | BaseEvent & { type: 'app:stop' }