Development Diary #1: First Week Recap & Alpha Updates (Patreon)

Hello everyone!

As I move forward with the development of the next generation of JAM, I want to keep you as involved as possible. To do this, I am launching a series of Development Diaries. These posts will provide a transparent look at the technical milestones, new features, and the overall progress of the software.

Your support makes this development possible, and I’m excited to share what’s been happening behind the scenes.

✨ Python Integration & Browser Engine Enhancements

The Python-based integration bridge has just received a significant overhaul to make the browsing experience smoother and more resilient:

Advanced Pop-up Blocking: The internal engine now automatically attempts to suppress intrusive pop-ups and unauthorized new tabs/windows. No more fighting through aggressive banners.

Automatic Tab Cleanup: I’ve implemented a "garbage collection" function for browser tabs. It automatically detects and closes lingering about:blank or empty pages that can accumulate during intensive sessions.

Self-Healing Connection: Previously, closing the browser window accidentally would trigger a fatal error in the server, requiring a full program restart. Now, the Python bridge can correctly re-initialize and restart the browser session on the fly.

External Script Support: I’ve added a framework to support site-specific scripts. For example, I am currently developing a dedicated handler for kagane.org to ensure full compatibility with their specific layout.

💥 Kagane Support is Finally Here!

I am excited to announce that Kagane.org is now officially supported! As one of the most securely protected sites (utilizing Widevine DRM, the same technology used by streaming giants like Netflix) integrating it into JAM was a significant milestone ✅

To ensure a smooth experience and avoid errors, please avoid excessive concurrent downloads: the program bypasses the site’s protection by automatically simulating a manual scroll to load the entire image list. Opening too many simultaneous downloads can interfere with this process, causing the browser to hang and resulting in errors. For maximum stability, I recommend downloading one chapter at a time from Kagane. While processing 2, 3 or even 4 chapters simultaneously may still work, sticking to a lower limit will prevent many loading issues. Just try and if you encounter frequent errors, simply reduce the number of active downloads.

🍪 Cookie Management & Framework Updates

I have rewritten the cookie import logic for the Manga Downloader Assistant extension.

OkHttp Integration: The logic is now compatible with the stricter OkHttp framework requirements.

Looking Ahead: Please note that this is a temporary bridge. The long-term goal is to allow JAM to authenticate directly via the integrated browser, capturing cookies natively without relying on external browser extensions. For now, I wanted to reimplement it specifically to allow users to utilize plugins that require a site login to access purchased chapters, such as Lezhin or Tapas.

🔌 Exclusive Plugin for you: Tapas Support (Patreon Only)

I’ve successfully ported the Tapas integration from the old external script into our new modular plugin system, and with cookies support too!

Installation: Simply drop the attached file into the /plugins directory located in the root folder; JAM will automatically load it at startup.

Important Note: This plugin is an exclusive gift for my Patreon supporters and will not be included in the public release. The company behind Tapas is known for being litigious regarding third-party tools (they are the reason the Tachiyomi project was shut down). To protect the project, I ask that you do not share this plugin publicly. While this plugin only works with the current Alpha build, I will eventually implement a "private plugins" validation system to ensure these sensitive modules remain unusable in public versions.

💡 Alpha Usage Tips and Mini FAQ

Lastly, here are a couple of notes to clear up some doubts that many of you have shared since I put out the Alpha. To ensure you get the most out of this build, please keep the following in mind:

Python Configuration: You must run the setup wizard under Extra -> Python. Without this step, the external web browser support will not work.

Browser Compatibility: Currently, only Google Chrome and Chromium are supported. Support for additional browsers is on the roadmap, so stay tuned!

Do not close the browser: Please avoid closing the web browser manually once the program opens it, as doing so will slow down the entire process and may even trigger errors. While the latest update now allows the program to reopen the browser, doing so causes delays that could lead to instability or functional issues during use.

Best Practices for Downloads & Anti-Bot Stability: When downloading from websites that require bypassing anti-bot protections or using the integrated browser, please try to avoid concurrent downloads. While it is technically possible, simultaneous sessions are far more prone to issues. For instance, Cloudflare may become suspicious and block your access, or the website might flag your IP for opening too many pages at once. I understand that waiting isn't ideal, but remember that these sites implement such protections specifically to limit rapid-fire requests. If you push the limits, you are much more likely to run into errors or bans that no workaround can prevent.

Website Support Requests: Don't worry, all sites supported in the current public version of JAM will be integrated into the final release. My current priority is implementing "impossible" sites (those with heavy anti-bot protection that can not be supported with the current public version of JAM), but if there is a specific popular old site you need urgently, let me know in the comments! I’m happy to pivot and prioritize based on your feedback.

Automated Updates: Yes, the alpha version and all supported website plugins update automatically upon launch. You won’t need to worry about manually downloading this or any future releases for the alpha version and its plugins.

Thank you for being part of this journey. More updates coming soon! ❤