PRD: Live Message Updates (AQUAPING #17)

Status

Draft — awaiting implementation team review

Context

AQUAPING is an iMessage client for the Anbernic RG40XX-V handheld (640×480, gamepad + Bluetooth keyboard). It runs a PyGame TUI over a TCP relay to BlueBubbles on a Mac via Tailscale. The client renders a chat list → message view flow with iMessage-style bubbles.

Current behavior: Messages are fetched once when entering a chat. New messages only appear after closing and reopening the app.

Target behavior: Messages update automatically while the app is open, without requiring the user to restart.

What: The Feature

Real-time-ish message polling that detects new incoming (and outgoing) messages while the user is actively in a chat, and surfaces them without disrupting the user’s reading position or input state.