Offline Mode

How Offline Mode Works

WPL automatically detects when you lose internet connection and switches to offline mode. All your actions are queued locally using IndexedDB and sync automatically when connectivity is restored.

Automatic Detection

• WPL continuously monitors your internet connection
• When offline is detected, you'll see an indicator in the top-right corner
• All actions continue to work - they're just queued for later
• When online again, queued items sync automatically

What Works Offline

Offline Indicators

WPL provides multiple visual cues when you're offline:

Offline Banner

A banner appears at the top of the screen showing:

• Offline status with animated indicator
• Number of queued actions waiting to sync
• Reassurance that data will sync automatically

Sync Status Widget

Bottom-right corner widget shows:

• Current sync status
• Queue count
• Progress when syncing

Using WPL Offline

Logging Meals Offline

1. Take a photo of your meal as usual
2. Select meal type and add notes
3. Save - the meal is queued locally
4. You'll see a notification: "Meal queued for sync"
5. When online, AI analysis runs and data syncs

Weight Logging Offline

Weight entries work identically online or offline:

• Enter your weight as normal
• Data is saved locally instantly
• Syncs to cloud when connection returns
• No data loss - everything is preserved

Shopping Lists Offline

Shopping lists are designed for offline use:

• View your complete shopping list
• Check off items as you shop
• Scan barcodes (using cached product database)
• Add new items manually
• All changes sync when online

Automatic Sync Process

When Connection Returns

The moment your device reconnects:

1. Detection: WPL detects the connection
2. Notification: You see "Back online! Syncing X items..."
3. Processing: Queued items sync one by one
4. Progress: Watch real-time progress in the sync widget
5. Completion: Success notification when done

Sync Priority

Items sync in this order:

1. Weight logs (fastest)
2. Meal logs without photos
3. Meal logs with photos (larger data)
4. Shopping list updates
5. Other queued actions

Handling Sync Failures

If a sync fails (rare, but possible):

• WPL retries automatically with exponential backoff
• Up to 3 attempts per item
• Failed items are flagged for your attention
• You can manually retry from the sync widget

Local Data Storage

What's Cached

WPL intelligently caches data for offline access:

• Recent meals: Last 30 days of meal history
• Weight logs: Last 90 days
• Medical data: Current medications, recent vitals
• Shopping: Active shopping lists
• Barcodes: Recently scanned products
• UI assets: App interface and icons

Storage Limits

Offline Mode Best Practices

Common Offline Scenarios

Traveling

• Log meals on flights without WiFi
• Track weight in hotel rooms
• Access medical info during doctor visits
• Everything syncs when you get to WiFi

Shopping

• Many stores have poor cell reception
• Access shopping list in airplane mode to save battery
• Scan barcodes using cached database
• Mark items as purchased offline

Medical Appointments

• Doctor's offices often have spotty WiFi
• Access medication lists and health history
• Show meal logs and weight charts
• Take notes during appointment

Progressive Web App (PWA) Features

WPL is a full PWA, which means:

Install to Home Screen

• Works like a native app
• No app store required
• Offline capability built-in
• Fast loading and responsive

Background Sync

• Service workers handle sync in background
• Even if you close the app, data still syncs
• Notifications when sync completes

Troubleshooting

Sync stuck or not starting

• Verify you're actually online (try loading another website)
• Check the sync widget for error messages
• Try manually triggering sync by pulling down to refresh
• Clear browser cache if issues persist

Offline indicator won't go away

• Refresh the page
• Check browser network tab to verify connection
• Restart browser if needed

Data missing after sync

• Check sync widget for failed items
• Look for error notifications
• Items may need manual retry
• Contact support if data is lost

Next Steps