add bundle.py to create single-file bbj client

python is able to import modules from a zip file. if the zip file
contains __main__.py it will even run it as a script! this lets us bundle
bbj's frontend together with its sole external dependency (urwid) to
create a single executable file that'll run anywhere with python
installed, no virtualenv needed.

the only downside is that python can't import shared objects (.so) from a
zip file, so urwid can't use its C-accelerated str_util module and has
to fall back to the python version. which is slower, probably.

bundle.py

@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+import zipfile
+import glob
+import os
+
+
+# TODO: should we include .pyc files?
+# TODO: add urwid source into the repo somewhere
+
+files = {
+    '__main__.py': 'clients/urwid/main.py',
+    'network.py': 'clients/network_client.py',
+    'urwid': 'env/lib/python3.8/site-packages/urwid/*.py',
+}
+
+with open('bbj_demo', 'wb') as f:
+    f.write(b"#!/usr/bin/env python3\n")
+    with zipfile.ZipFile(f, 'w', compression=zipfile.ZIP_DEFLATED) as z:
+        z.comment = b'BBJ'
+        for name, source in files.items():
+            if '*' in source:
+                dirname = name
+                for path in sorted(glob.glob(source)):
+                    name = dirname + '/' + os.path.basename(path)
+                    z.write(path, name)
+            else:
+                z.write(source, name)
+try:
+    mask = os.umask(0)
+    os.umask(mask)
+except OSError:
+    mask = 0
+os.chmod(z.filename, 0o777&~mask)

clients/urwid/main.py

@@ -29,27 +29,18 @@ from getpass import getpass
 from subprocess import call
 from random import choice
 from code import interact
+from sys import exit
 import rlcompleter
 import readline
 import tempfile
+import shlex
 import urwid
 import json
 import os
 import re
 
-# XxX_N0_4rgP4rs3_XxX ###yoloswag
-def get_arg(key, default=None, get_value=True):
-    try:
-        spec = argv.index("--" + key)
-        value = argv[spec + 1] if get_value else True
-    except ValueError: # --key not specified
-        value = default
-    except IndexError: # flag given but no value
-        exit("invalid format for --" + key)
-    return value
-
-if get_arg("help", False, False):
-    print("""BBJ Urwid Client
+help_text = """\
+BBJ Urwid Client
 Available options:
     --help: this message
     --https: enable use of https, requires host support
@@ -62,16 +53,7 @@ Available environment variables:
     BBJ_PASSWORD: set your password to log in automatically.
       if the password is wrong, will prompt you as normal.
 Please note that these environment variables need to be exported, and are
-visible to all other programs run from your shell.""")
-    exit()
-
-try:
-    network = BBJ(get_arg("host", "127.0.0.1"),
-                  get_arg("port", 7099),
-                  get_arg("https", False, False))
-except URLError as e:
-    # print the connection error in red
-    exit("\033[0;31m%s\033[0m" % repr(e))
+visible to all other programs run from your shell."""
 
 obnoxious_logo = """
   %     _                 *              !            *
@@ -328,7 +310,8 @@ markpath = os.path.join(os.getenv("HOME"), ".bbjmarks")
 pinpath = os.path.join(os.getenv("HOME"), ".bbjpins")
 
 class App(object):
-    def __init__(self):
+    def __init__(self, network):
+        self.network = network
         self.prefs = bbjrc("load")
         self.client_pinned_threads = load_client_pins()
         self.usermap = {}
@@ -387,7 +370,7 @@ class App(object):
         bar formatting to it.
         """
         header = ("{}@bbj | " + text).format(
-            (network.user_name or "anonymous"),
+            (self.network.user_name or "anonymous"),
             *format_specs
         )
         self.loop.widget.header = urwid.AttrMap(urwid.Text(header), "bar")
@@ -593,7 +576,7 @@ class App(object):
         # first we need to get the server's version of the message
         # instead of our formatted one
         try:
-            message = network.edit_query(thread_id, post_id)
+            message = self.network.edit_query(thread_id, post_id)
         except UserWarning as e:
             self.remove_overlays()
             return self.temp_footer_message(e.description)
@@ -616,7 +599,7 @@ class App(object):
             urwid.Text(("bold", "Delete this %s?" % ("whole thread" if op else "post"))),
             urwid.Divider(),
             cute_button(("10" , ">> Yes"), lambda _: [
-                network.message_delete(message["thread_id"], message["post_id"]),
+                self.network.message_delete(message["thread_id"], message["post_id"]),
                 self.remove_overlays(),
                 self.index() if op else self.refresh()
             ]),
@@ -638,7 +621,7 @@ class App(object):
     def toggle_formatting(self, button, message):
         self.remove_overlays()
         raw = not message["send_raw"]
-        network.set_post_raw(message["thread_id"], message["post_id"], raw)
+        self.network.set_post_raw(message["thread_id"], message["post_id"], raw)
         return self.refresh()
 
 
@@ -655,7 +638,7 @@ class App(object):
                 "View %sQuote" % ("a " if len(quotes) != 1 else ""),
                 self.quote_view_menu, quotes))
 
-        if network.can_edit(message["thread_id"], message["post_id"]) \
+        if self.network.can_edit(message["thread_id"], message["post_id"]) \
                and not self.window_split:
 
             if message["post_id"] == 0:
@@ -668,7 +651,7 @@ class App(object):
                 "Enable Formatting" if raw else "Disable Formatting",
                 self.toggle_formatting, message))
             buttons.insert(0, urwid.Button("Edit Post", self.edit_post, message))
-            if network.user["is_admin"]:
+            if self.network.user["is_admin"]:
                 buttons.insert(0, urwid.Text(("20", "Reminder: You're an admin!")))
 
         if not buttons:
@@ -810,7 +793,7 @@ class App(object):
         """
         if self.mode == "thread":
             # mark the current position in this thread before going back to the index
-            mark()
+            self.mark()
 
         self.body.attr_map = {None: "default"}
         self.mode = "index"
@@ -821,7 +804,7 @@ class App(object):
             # narrowed selection of content, so we dont want to resume last_index_pos
             self.last_index_pos = False
         else:
-            threads, usermap = network.thread_index()
+            threads, usermap = self.network.thread_index()
             self.usermap.update(usermap)
         self.walker.clear()
 
@@ -867,7 +850,7 @@ class App(object):
             self.body.attr_map = {None: "default"}
 
         self.mode = "thread"
-        thread, usermap = network.thread_load(thread_id, format="sequential")
+        thread, usermap = self.network.thread_load(thread_id, format="sequential")
         self.usermap.update(usermap)
         self.thread = thread
         self.match_data["matches"].clear()
@@ -876,7 +859,7 @@ class App(object):
             self.walker += self.make_message_body(message)
         self.set_default_header()
         self.set_default_footer()
-        self.goto_post(mark(thread_id))
+        self.goto_mark(thread_id)
 
 
     def toggle_client_pin(self):
@@ -888,16 +871,16 @@ class App(object):
 
 
     def toggle_server_pin(self):
-        if self.mode != "index" or not network.user["is_admin"]:
+        if self.mode != "index" or not self.network.user["is_admin"]:
             return
         thread = self.walker.get_focus()[0].thread
-        network.thread_set_pin(thread["thread_id"], not thread["pinned"])
+        self.network.thread_set_pin(thread["thread_id"], not thread["pinned"])
         self.index()
 
 
     def search_index_callback(self, query):
         simple_query = query.lower().strip()
-        threads, usermap = network.thread_index()
+        threads, usermap = self.network.thread_index()
         self.usermap.update(usermap)
         results = [
             thread for thread in threads
@@ -1000,10 +983,10 @@ class App(object):
                 self.last_index_pos = self.get_focus_post(True).thread["thread_id"]
             self.index()
         else:
-            mark()
+            self.mark()
             thread = self.thread["thread_id"]
             self.thread_load(None, thread)
-            self.goto_post(mark(thread))
+            self.goto_mark(thread)
         self.temp_footer_message("Refreshed content!", 1)
 
 
@@ -1038,10 +1021,31 @@ class App(object):
                 width=30, height=6)
 
         else:
-            mark()
+            self.mark()
             self.index()
 
 
+    def mark(self, thread_id=None):
+        if self.mode != "thread":
+            return
+
+        if thread_id is None:
+            thread_id = self.thread['thread_id']
+        pos = self.get_focus_post()
+        mark(thread_id, pos, default=0)
+        return pos
+
+
+    def goto_mark(self, thread_id=None):
+        if self.mode != "thread":
+            return
+
+        if thread_id is None:
+            thread_id = self.thread['thread_id']
+        pos = mark(thread_id, default=0)
+        self.goto_post(pos)
+
+
     def get_focus_post(self, return_widget=False):
         pos = self.box.get_focus_path()[0]
         if self.mode == "thread":
@@ -1172,10 +1176,10 @@ class App(object):
         """
         self.loop.widget = self.loop.widget[0]
         self.loop.stop()
-        call("clear", shell=True)
+        call("clear")
         print(welcome)
         try:
-            log_in(relog=True)
+            log_in(self.network)
         except (KeyboardInterrupt, InterruptedError):
             pass
         self.loop.start()
@@ -1188,8 +1192,9 @@ class App(object):
         Options menu callback to anonymize the user and
         then redisplay the options menu.
         """
-        network.user_name = network.user_auth = None
-        network.user = network("get_me")["data"]
+        self.network.user_name = None
+        self.network.user_auth = None
+        self.network.user = self.network.request("get_me")["data"]
         self.loop.widget = self.loop.widget[0]
         self.set_default_header()
         self.options_menu()
@@ -1231,7 +1236,7 @@ class App(object):
         """
         # we can "recycle" the server's formatting abilities to
         # use the same syntax for the help text itself
-        message = network.fake_message(
+        message = self.network.fake_message(
             "\n\n".join(format_help), format="sequential")
 
         widget = OptionsMenu(
@@ -1253,7 +1258,7 @@ class App(object):
     def set_color(self, button, value, color):
         if value == False:
             return
-        network.user_update(color=color)
+        self.network.user_update(color=color)
 
 
     def toggle_exit(self, button, value):
@@ -1280,10 +1285,10 @@ class App(object):
 
     def change_username(self, *_):
         self.loop.stop()
-        call("clear", shell=True)
+        call("clear")
         try:
-            name = nameloop("Choose a new username", True)
-            network.user_update(user_name=name)
+            name = nameloop(self.network, "Choose a new username")
+            self.network.user_update(user_name=name)
             motherfucking_rainbows("~~hello there %s~~" % name)
             sleep(0.8)
             self.loop.start()
@@ -1296,10 +1301,10 @@ class App(object):
 
     def change_password(self, *_):
         self.loop.stop()
-        call("clear", shell=True)
+        call("clear")
         try:
-            password = password_loop("Choose a new password. Can be empty", True)
-            network.user_update(auth_hash=network._hash(password))
+            password = password_loop("Choose a new password. Can be empty")
+            self.network.user_update(auth_hash=self.network._hash(password))
             motherfucking_rainbows("SET NEW PASSWORD")
             sleep(0.8)
             self.loop.start()
@@ -1395,8 +1400,8 @@ class App(object):
         editor_buttons = []
         edit_mode = []
 
-        if network.user_auth:
-            account_message = "Logged in as %s." % network.user_name
+        if self.network.user_auth:
+            account_message = "Logged in as %s." % self.network.user_name
             account_stuff = [
                 urwid.Button("Relog", on_press=self.relog),
                 urwid.Button("Go anonymous", on_press=self.unlog),
@@ -1413,7 +1418,7 @@ class App(object):
             for index, color in enumerate(colornames):
                 urwid.RadioButton(
                     user_colors, color.title(),
-                    network.user["color"] == index,
+                    self.network.user["color"] == index,
                     self.set_color, index)
 
             for item in user_colors:
@@ -1618,7 +1623,9 @@ class App(object):
         descriptor, path = tempfile.mkstemp()
         with open(path, "w") as _:
             _.write(init_body)
-        call("export LANG=en_US.UTF-8; %s %s" % (self.prefs["editor"], path), shell=True)
+        env = os.environ.copy()
+        env['LANG'] = 'en_US.UTF-8'
+        call("%s %s" % (self.prefs["editor"], shlex.quote(path)), env=env, shell=True)
         with open(path) as _:
             body = _.read()
         os.remove(path)
@@ -1635,7 +1642,7 @@ class App(object):
             return self.footer_prompt("Title", self.compose)
 
         elif title:
-            try: network.validate("title", title)
+            try: self.network.validate("title", title)
             except AssertionError as e:
                 return self.footer_prompt(
                     "Title", self.compose, extra_text=e.description)
@@ -1644,24 +1651,19 @@ class App(object):
             body = self.overthrow_ext_edit(init_body)
             if not body or re.search("^>>[0-9]+$", body):
                 return self.temp_footer_message("EMPTY POST DISCARDED")
-            params = {"body": body}
 
             if self.mode == "thread" and not edit:
-                endpoint = "thread_reply"
-                params.update({"thread_id": self.thread["thread_id"]})
+                self.network.thread_reply(self.thread["thread_id"], body)
 
             elif edit:
-                endpoint = "edit_post"
-                params.update({
-                    "thread_id": self.thread["thread_id"],
-                    "post_id": edit["post_id"]
-                })
+                self.network.edit_message(
+                    thread_id=self.thread["thread_id"],
+                    post_id=edit["post_id"],
+                    body=body)
 
             else:
-                endpoint = "thread_create"
-                params.update({"title": title})
+                self.network.thread_create(title, body)
 
-            network.request(endpoint, **params)
             self.refresh()
             if edit:
                 self.goto_post(edit["post_id"])
@@ -1714,6 +1716,12 @@ class App(object):
         self.window_split=True
         self.switch_editor()
 
+    def repaint_screen(self):
+        """
+        Force urwid to repaint the whole screen.
+        """
+        self.loop.screen.clear()
+
 
 class MessageBody(urwid.Text):
     """
@@ -1770,7 +1778,7 @@ class MessageBody(urwid.Text):
                         if _c != 0:
                             color = str(_c)
 
-                        if user != "anonymous" and user["user_name"] == network.user_name:
+                        if user != "anonymous" and user["user_name"] == app.network.user_name:
                             display = "[You]"
                             # bold it
                             color += "0"
@@ -1978,7 +1986,7 @@ class ExternalEditor(urwid.Terminal):
         # should use the options menu to switch to Overthrow mode.
         env.update({"LANG": "POSIX"})
         command = ["bash", "-c", "{} {}; echo Press any key to kill this window...".format(
-            app.prefs["editor"], self.path)]
+            app.prefs["editor"], shlex.quote(self.path))]
         super(ExternalEditor, self).__init__(command, env, app.loop, app.prefs["edit_escapes"]["abort"])
         urwid.connect_signal(self, "closed", self.exterminate)
 
@@ -1987,7 +1995,7 @@ class ExternalEditor(urwid.Terminal):
     #     app.loop.widget = app.loop.widget[0]
     #     if not value:
     #         app.loop.stop()
-    #         call("clear", shell=True)
+    #         call("clear")
     #         print(welcome)
     #         log_in(True)
     #         app.loop.start()
@@ -1995,9 +2003,21 @@ class ExternalEditor(urwid.Terminal):
 
 
     def exterminate(self, *_, anon_confirmed=False):
+        # close the editor and grab the post body
+        app.close_editor()
+        with open(self.path) as _:
+            body = _.read().strip()
+        os.remove(self.path)
+
+        # make sure its not empty
+        if not body or re.search("^>>[0-9]+$", body):
+            app.temp_footer_message("EMPTY POST DISCARDED")
+            return
+
+        # are we anonymous? check if the user wants to log in first
         if app.prefs["confirm_anon"] \
            and not anon_confirmed    \
-           and network.user["user_name"] == "anonymous":
+           and app.network.user["user_name"] == "anonymous":
             # TODO fixoverlay: urwid terminal widgets have been mucking
             # up overlay dialogs since the wee days of bbj, i really
             # need to find a real solution instead of dodging the issue
@@ -2024,7 +2044,7 @@ class ExternalEditor(urwid.Terminal):
             #     return
             # else:
             app.loop.stop()
-            call("clear", shell=True)
+            call("clear")
             print(anon_warn)
             choice = paren_prompt(
                 "Post anonymously?", default="yes", choices=["Yes", "no"]
@@ -2033,27 +2053,20 @@ class ExternalEditor(urwid.Terminal):
                 log_in(True)
             app.loop.start()
 
-        app.close_editor()
-        with open(self.path) as _:
-            body = _.read().strip()
-        os.remove(self.path)
+        # ok; do the post
+        self.params.update({"body": body})
+        app.network.request(self.endpoint, **self.params)
+        if self.endpoint == "edit_post":
+            app.refresh()
+            app.goto_post(self.params["post_id"])
 
-        if body and not re.search("^>>[0-9]+$", body):
-            self.params.update({"body": body})
-            network.request(self.endpoint, **self.params)
-            if self.endpoint == "edit_post":
-                app.refresh()
-                app.goto_post(self.params["post_id"])
+        elif app.mode == "thread":
+            app.refresh()
+            app.goto_post(app.thread["reply_count"])
 
-            elif app.mode == "thread":
-                app.refresh()
-                app.goto_post(app.thread["reply_count"])
-
-            else:
-                app.last_pos = None
-                app.index()
         else:
-            app.temp_footer_message("EMPTY POST DISCARDED")
+            app.last_pos = None
+            app.index()
 
 
     def keypress(self, size, key):
@@ -2071,7 +2084,7 @@ class ExternalEditor(urwid.Terminal):
 
         if keyl == "ctrl l":
             # always do this, and also pass it to the terminal
-            wipe_screen()
+            app.repaint_screen()
 
         elif key == app.prefs["edit_escapes"]["abort"]:
             self.terminate()
@@ -2149,7 +2162,7 @@ class OptionsMenu(urwid.LineBox):
             return self.keypress(size, "enter")
 
         elif keyl == "ctrl l":
-            wipe_screen()
+            app.repaint_screen()
 
 
     def mouse_event(self, size, event, button, x, y, focus):
@@ -2205,7 +2218,7 @@ class ActionBox(urwid.ListBox):
                 self.change_focus(size, 0)
 
         elif key == "ctrl l":
-            wipe_screen()
+            app.repaint_screen()
 
         elif keyl == "o":
             app.options_menu()
@@ -2252,13 +2265,13 @@ class ActionBox(urwid.ListBox):
         elif key == "~":
             # sssssshhhhhhhh
             app.loop.stop()
-            try: call("sl", shell=True)
+            try: call("sl")
             except: pass
             app.loop.start()
 
         elif keyl == "$":
             app.loop.stop()
-            call("clear", shell=True)
+            call("clear")
             readline.set_completer(rlcompleter.Completer().complete)
             readline.parse_and_bind("tab: complete")
             interact(banner="Python " + version + "\nBBJ Interactive Console\nCtrl-D exits.", local=globals())
@@ -2306,7 +2319,7 @@ def frilly_exit():
         out = "  ~~CoMeE BaCkK SooOn~~  0000000"
         motherfucking_rainbows(out.zfill(width))
     else:
-        call("clear", shell=True)
+        call("clear")
         motherfucking_rainbows("Come back soon! <3")
     exit()
 
@@ -2385,47 +2398,57 @@ def paren_prompt(text, positive=True, choices=[], function=input, default=None):
         return ""
 
 
-def sane_value(key, prompt, positive=True, return_empty=False):
-    response = paren_prompt(prompt, positive)
-    if return_empty and response == "":
-        return response
-    try: network.validate(key, response)
-    except AssertionError as e:
-        return sane_value(key, e.description, False)
-    return response
-
+def sane_value(prompt, validate, positive=True, function=input):
+    """Prompts for an input with paren_prompt until validate(response)
+    returns None (or something falsy). Otherwise the returned string is used
+    as the new prompt.
+    """
+    while 1:
+        response = paren_prompt(prompt, positive, function=function)
+        error = validate(response)
+        if not error:
+            return response
+        prompt = str(error) if error != None else ""
+        positive = False
 
 def password_loop(prompt, positive=True):
-    response1 = paren_prompt(prompt, positive, function=getpass)
-    if response1 == "":
-        confprompt = "Confirm empty password"
-    else:
-        confprompt = "Confirm it"
-    response2 = paren_prompt(confprompt, function=getpass)
-    if response1 != response2:
-        return password_loop("Those didnt match. Try again", False)
-    return response1
+    while 1:
+        response1 = paren_prompt(prompt, positive, function=getpass)
+        if response1 == "":
+            confprompt = "Confirm empty password"
+        else:
+            confprompt = "Confirm it"
+        response2 = paren_prompt(confprompt, function=getpass)
+        if response1 != response2:
+            prompt = "Those didnt match. Try again"
+            positive = False
+        else:
+            return response1
 
 
-def nameloop(prompt, positive):
-    name = sane_value("user_name", prompt, positive)
-    if network.user_is_registered(name):
-        return nameloop("%s is already registered" % name, False)
-    return name
+def nameloop(network, prompt, positive=True):
+    def validate_name(name):
+        try: network.validate("user_name", name)
+        except AssertionError as e:
+            return e.description
+        if network.user_is_registered(name):
+            return "%s is already registered" % name
+    return sane_value(prompt, validate_name, positive)
 
-
-def log_in(relog=False):
+def log_in(network, name="", password=""):
     """
-    Handles login or registration using an oldschool input()
-    chain. The user is run through this before starting the
+    Handles login or registration. If name and/or password are not
+    provided, the user is prompted for them using an oldschool
+    input() chain. The user is run through this before starting the
     curses app.
     """
-    if relog:
-        name = sane_value("user_name", "Username", return_empty=True)
-    else:
-        name = get_arg("user") \
-           or os.getenv("BBJ_USER") \
-           or sane_value("user_name", "Username", return_empty=True)
+    if not name:
+        def validate_name(response):
+            if response != "": # allow empty username
+                try: network.validate("user_name", response)
+                except AssertionError as e:
+                    return e.description
+        name = sane_value("Username", validate_name)
     if name == "":
         motherfucking_rainbows("~~W3 4R3 4n0nYm0u5~~")
     else:
@@ -2434,21 +2457,18 @@ def log_in(relog=False):
         try:
             network.set_credentials(
                 name,
-                os.getenv("BBJ_PASSWORD", default="")
-                  if not relog else ""
+                password if name and password else ""
             )
             # make it easy for people who use an empty password =)
             motherfucking_rainbows("~~welcome back {}~~".format(network.user_name))
 
         except ConnectionRefusedError:
-            def login_loop(prompt, positive):
+            def validate_creds(password):
                 try:
-                    password = paren_prompt(prompt, positive, function=getpass)
                     network.set_credentials(name, password)
                 except ConnectionRefusedError:
-                    login_loop("// R E J E C T E D //.", False)
-
-            login_loop("Enter your password", True)
+                    return "// R E J E C T E D //."
+            password = sane_value("Enter your password", validate_creds, function=getpass)
             motherfucking_rainbows("~~welcome back {}~~".format(network.user_name))
 
         except ValueError:
@@ -2459,7 +2479,7 @@ def log_in(relog=False):
             )
 
             if response == "c":
-                name = nameloop("Pick a new name", True)
+                name = nameloop(network, "Pick a new name")
 
             elif response == "n":
                 raise InterruptedError
@@ -2502,11 +2522,16 @@ def bbjrc(mode, **params):
     return values
 
 
-def mark(directive=True):
+def mark(key, value=None, default=None):
     """
-    Set and retrieve positional marks for threads.
+    Sets a value in the markfile and returns the old value (or default).
     This uses a seperate file from the preferences
     to keep it free from clutter.
+
+    The key must be a string, and the value must be
+    json-encodable. If value isn't provided (or is None)
+    then this doesn't set anything and it is only a
+    read operation.
     """
     try:
         with open(markpath, "r") as _in:
@@ -2514,19 +2539,14 @@ def mark(directive=True):
     except FileNotFoundError:
         values = {}
 
-    if directive == True and app.mode == "thread":
-        pos = app.get_focus_post()
-        values[app.thread["thread_id"]] = pos
+    old = values.get(key, default)
+
+    if value is not None and value != old:
+        values[key] = value
         with open(markpath, "w") as _out:
             json.dump(values, _out)
-        return pos
-
-    elif isinstance(directive, str):
-        try:
-            return values[directive]
-        except KeyError:
-            return 0
 
+    return old
 
 def load_client_pins():
     """
@@ -2562,25 +2582,39 @@ def ignore(*_, **__):
     pass
 
 
-def wipe_screen(*_):
-    """
-    A crude hack to repaint the whole screen. I didnt immediately
-    see anything to acheive this in the MainLoop methods so this
-    will do, I suppose.
-    """
-    app.loop.stop()
-    call("clear", shell=True)
-    app.loop.start()
-
+# XxX_N0_4rgP4rs3_XxX ###yoloswag
+def get_arg(key, default=None, get_value=True):
+    try:
+        spec = argv.index("--" + key)
+        value = argv[spec + 1] if get_value else True
+    except ValueError: # --key not specified
+        value = default
+    except IndexError: # flag given but no value
+        exit("invalid format for --" + key)
+    return value
 
 def main():
+    if get_arg("help", False, False):
+        print(help_text)
+        exit()
+
+    try:
+        network = BBJ(get_arg("host", "127.0.0.1"),
+                      get_arg("port", 7099),
+                      get_arg("https", False, False))
+    except URLError as e:
+        # print the connection error in red
+        exit("\033[0;31m%s\033[0m" % repr(e))
+
     global app
-    app = App()
-    call("clear", shell=True)
+    app = App(network)
+    call("clear")
     motherfucking_rainbows(obnoxious_logo)
     print(welcome)
     try:
-        log_in()
+        name = get_arg("user") or os.getenv("BBJ_USER")
+        password = os.getenv("BBJ_PASSWORD", default="")
+        log_in(network, name, password)
         app.index()
         app.loop.run()
     except (InterruptedError, KeyboardInterrupt):