RocketDock Technical Documentation

System Requirements

Operating System

• Supported operating systems: Windows 10 (64-bit), Windows 11 (64-bit)
• Recommended build: Windows 10 version 21H2 or later
• Minimum required RAM: 8 GB (16 GB recommended)

Hardware Specifications

• Processor: Intel Core i5-11600K (or AMD Ryzen 5 5600X) or equivalent
• Graphics card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Super (or AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT) or equivalent
• Storage: Solid-state drive (SSD) with a minimum capacity of 256 GB

Network and Connectivity Requirements

• Internet connection: Minimum speed of 100 Mbps for normal use, 500 Mbps recommended
• Ethernet port: Recommended for stable networking
• Wi-Fi adapter: Supported by Windows 10/11 out of the box

Browser Compatibility

• RocketDock is a native desktop application and does not rely on web browsers for functionality.
• However, our online documentation and community forums are accessible via any modern web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge).

Installation Guide

1. Download and Install the Binary

Download the latest release of RocketDock from our official website:

git clone https://github.com/your-username/RocketDock.git

Change into the installation directory and run the installer:

cd RocketDock/
./install.exe

2. **Configure the Dock**

Configure the dock by editing the config.json file:

{
  "dock_layout": "grid",
  "icon_size": 32,
  "autohide": true,
  "show_desktop": false
}

3. Troubleshooting Common Issues

   • If you encounter issues during installation, try running the installer with administrative privileges.
   • For persistent configuration file errors, delete the config.json file and run the installer again.

4. Post-Installation Steps

   • Restart your system to apply any changes made by the installer.
   • To ensure proper integration with Windows Shell features, follow these steps:

     # Register RocketDock as a Windows shell extension:
     .\register_extension.exe
     

Technical Architecture

Core Technologies and Frameworks

• Built using C++11 with Qt 5.15.2 as the GUI framework.
• Relies on the WinAPI for system integration and interaction.

Software Architecture

• RocketDock consists of three primary components:
  • The main application (.exe file) which serves as the desktop entry point.
  • A separate service process that handles background operations, such as icon management and system updates.
  • The config.json configuration file that stores dock settings and preferences.

Databases, APIs, or Services

• RocketDock does not rely on external databases or web services for its functionality.
• However, our documentation and user forums are accessible via a custom-built REST API (https://your-username.com/api).

Performance Considerations

• We strive to optimize performance by leveraging low-latency caching mechanisms.
• Additionally, the dock features an optimized icon management system that minimizes unnecessary updates.

Dependencies

Required Libraries and Frameworks

• Qt 5.15.2 for GUI development
• Windows API (WinAPI) for system integration
• Boost library for C++11 compatibility
• SQLite3 for local storage

Prerequisite Software

• .NET 4.8 or later for installer creation
• Visual Studio 2019 or later for debugging purposes

Compatibility Concerns

• RocketDock is compatible with Windows 10 and Windows 11.
• Compatibility with older versions of Windows (7, 8) may be limited due to the use of newer libraries and APIs.

Note: Always download software from trusted sources to ensure you're downloading a genuine version that has not been tampered with.