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content/posts/2026-butter-box-portal/index.md

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+title = 'Butter Box Portal Improvements'
+date = 2026-04-15T20:00:00-00:00
+lastmod = 2026-04-15T20:00:00-00:00
+draft = false
+tags = ['local','offline','butterbox', 'deltachat']
+[params]
+  author = 'Ana Custura'
++++
+
+As part of our latest development project with the [Guardian Project team](https://guardianproject.info/), we have 
+re-engineered the [Butter Box](https://likebutter.app/) portal interface. This post describes the design choices and improvements within the new 
+portal.
+
+## Portal tech stack 
+
+Previously, the interface was a static site built with [Jekyll](https://jekyllrb.com/), which offered no customisation 
+options and was ill-suited for the portal's dynamic requirements. It has now been replaced with a [Python Flask](https://flask.palletsprojects.com/en/stable/) 
+application, a lightweight framework that allows developers to include only the necessary libraries, [such as for 
+localisation](https://python-babel.github.io/flask-babel/), minimising the application's footprint.
+
+We are now also using [Bulma CSS](https://bulma.io/) to style it, a free and open source framework that is lightweight 
+and JS free, designed for mobile applications, which was also chosen with reducing the size of the portal app in mind.
+
+## Portal customisation
+
+In contrast, the new portal features the ability to change the logo and modify the display name of a Butter Box, making
+it more customisable. This allows different communities to deploy the box in a way that better aligns with their 
+identity and fosters greater trust with their users.
+
+{{< figure
+  src="/images/2026/portal-branding.png"
+  alt="A screenshot of the Butter Box portal including fields to change the name and logo."
+  caption="The Butter Box portal boasts new customisation capabilities."
+>}}
+
+We've also made improvements to allow users to configure Butter Box security with minimal effort. This includes changing the 
+admin password for the interface, modifying the Wi-Fi name, setting a Wi-Fi password, changing the root password, 
+and controlling SSH behavior through the portal.
+
+{{< figure
+  src="/images/2026/portal-security.png"
+  alt="A screenshot of the Butter Box portal including fields to change the root and admin passwords and SSH behaviour."
+  caption="The Butter Box portal also features new security capabilities."
+>}}
+
+We now also allow setting a date and time for the box through the portal. This functionality is essential for supporting
+more advanced applications in the future, particularly those involving cryptography, which require accurate time 
+synchronisation. Note that the Raspberry Pi does not have an internal real-time clock module, so manual time 
+configuration is necessary in the absence of the Internet.
+
+Future plans include a customizable welcome message on the portal landing page and the ability for administrators to 
+upload a custom background image. These enhancements will expand branding options for organizations deploying the box.
+
+
+## Integrating DeltaChat
+
+The portal now includes a dedicated page that allows users to download the [DeltaChat](https://delta.chat/en/) APK for 
+Android devices and securely register an account on a locally running relay. During registration, a randomly generated 
+username and password are provided.
+
+{{< figure
+  src="/images/2026/portal-deltachat.png"
+  alt="A screenshot of the Butter Box portal DeltaChat account registration page."
+  caption="DeltaChat messaging through a local relay is now supported by Butter Box."
+>}}
+
+This enhancement would in future enable the connection of multiple relays running on separate boxes, to ultimately allow
+sending messages between communities.
+
+## Portal updates and future
+
+An advantage of using [Debian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debian) as the OS for Butter Box is the ability to create 
+a content pack with a local [Debian mirror](https://www.debian.org/mirror/ftpmirror), enabling the box to be updated 
+without an Internet connection. 
+
+The future plan for the portal is therefore to package it as a Debian package, enabling updates through the Butter Box 
+OS’s native package management. Updates to any APKs distributed via the portal, such as the Delta Chat APK, would also 
+be delivered through upgrading the portal, and will not require re-flashing a new image onto the box.
+
+Ultimately, as a result of portal improvements the Butter Box is now a more flexible, secure, and upgradable platform,
+and the groundwork has been laid for enabling future capabilities like cross-box messaging and time-sensitive 
+cryptographic applications.