Change email notifications to manual trigger

- Removed automatic email sending on docket entry creation
- Added sendNotification() method to DocketEntryController
- Added route for manual notification trigger
- Added 'Send Notification' button to Show page
- Email now only sends when admin explicitly clicks button
- Still in testing mode (chris@deafgain.org only)

DEPLOYMENT_EMAIL_TESTING.md

@@ -0,0 +1,220 @@
+# Email Notification System - Deployment & Testing Guide
+
+## Overview
+Email notification system has been implemented for the MAD Lawsuit v2.0 website. When a new docket entry is created via the admin dashboard, an email notification is automatically sent to subscribers.
+
+## Testing Mode Configuration
+**IMPORTANT**: The system is currently in TESTING MODE and will ONLY send emails to `chris@deafgain.org`.
+
+### Testing Mode Details
+- **Test Recipient**: chris@deafgain.org
+- **Purpose**: Verify email functionality without spamming all 28 production subscribers
+- **Location**: `app/Http/Controllers/Admin/DocketEntryController.php` (line ~155)
+
+### Production Code (Currently Commented Out)
+```php
+// Production code (commented out for testing):
+// $subscribers = Subscription::where('is_active', true)->get();
+// foreach ($subscribers as $subscriber) {
+//     Mail::to($subscriber->email)->send(
+//         new NewDocketEntryNotification($entry, $subscriber->unsubscribe_token)
+//     );
+// }
+```
+
+## Deployment Steps
+
+### 1. SSH to Production Server
+```bash
+ssh chaulmark@10.4.0.205
+```
+
+### 2. Navigate to Project Directory
+```bash
+cd ~/websites/v2.mad-lawsuit.org
+```
+
+### 3. Pull Latest Code
+```bash
+git pull origin main
+```
+
+### 4. Rebuild Docker Container
+```bash
+docker compose down
+docker compose up -d --build
+```
+
+### 5. Verify Container Status
+```bash
+docker compose ps
+docker compose logs -f app
+```
+
+### 6. Clear Laravel Caches
+```bash
+docker exec mad-lawsuit-v2 php artisan config:clear
+docker exec mad-lawsuit-v2 php artisan cache:clear
+docker exec mad-lawsuit-v2 php artisan view:clear
+```
+
+## Testing the Email System
+
+### Test Procedure
+1. **Login to Admin Dashboard**
+   - URL: https://v2.mad-lawsuit.org/admin/login
+   - Username: eliza
+   - Password: AXEoZWk2AMAD0naw
+
+2. **Create a Test Docket Entry**
+   - Navigate to "Docket Entries" → "Create New Entry"
+   - Fill in the form:
+     - Date: Today's date
+     - Title: "TEST - Email Notification System"
+     - Summary: "This is a test entry to verify email notifications are working correctly."
+     - Notes: (optional)
+   - Click "Create Docket Entry"
+
+3. **Verify Email Delivery**
+   - Check chris@deafgain.org inbox
+   - Look for email with subject: "New Court Filing: TEST - Email Notification System"
+   - Verify email formatting and content
+
+4. **Check Logs**
+   ```bash
+   docker exec mad-lawsuit-v2 tail -f storage/logs/laravel.log
+   ```
+   - Look for log entries:
+     - "Sending email notification for new docket entry"
+     - "Email notification sent successfully"
+
+### Expected Email Content
+- **Subject**: New Court Filing: [Entry Title]
+- **From**: MAD Lawsuit Court Docket <system@deafgain.org>
+- **To**: chris@deafgain.org
+- **Content**:
+  - Professional header with case name
+  - Filing date, title, and summary
+  - "View Full Docket" button linking to https://v2.mad-lawsuit.org
+  - Unsubscribe link (placeholder during testing)
+
+## SMTP Configuration
+
+### Gmail SMTP Settings (Already Configured in .env)
+```env
+MAIL_MAILER=smtp
+MAIL_HOST=smtp.gmail.com
+MAIL_PORT=587
+MAIL_USERNAME=system@deafgain.org
+MAIL_PASSWORD=ojvlysraxwjriwzy
+MAIL_ENCRYPTION=tls
+MAIL_FROM_ADDRESS="system@deafgain.org"
+MAIL_FROM_NAME="MAD Lawsuit Court Docket"
+```
+
+### Gmail App Password
+- **Email**: system@deafgain.org
+- **App Password**: ojvlysraxwjriwzy (16-character Google App Password)
+- **Note**: This is NOT the regular Gmail password
+
+## Switching to Production Mode
+
+### When Ready to Send to All Subscribers
+1. **Edit DocketEntryController.php**
+   ```bash
+   # On production server
+   cd ~/websites/v2.mad-lawsuit.org
+   nano app/Http/Controllers/Admin/DocketEntryController.php
+   ```
+
+2. **Update sendEmailNotifications Method** (around line 155)
+   - Comment out the testing code:
+     ```php
+     // TESTING MODE (comment out when ready for production)
+     // $testEmail = 'chris@deafgain.org';
+     // $testToken = 'test-unsubscribe-token';
+     // Mail::to($testEmail)->send(new NewDocketEntryNotification($entry, $testToken));
+     ```
+   
+   - Uncomment the production code:
+     ```php
+     // Production code:
+     $subscribers = Subscription::where('is_active', true)->get();
+     foreach ($subscribers as $subscriber) {
+         Mail::to($subscriber->email)->send(
+             new NewDocketEntryNotification($entry, $subscriber->unsubscribe_token)
+         );
+     }
+     ```
+
+3. **Commit and Deploy**
+   ```bash
+   git add app/Http/Controllers/Admin/DocketEntryController.php
+   git commit -m "Switch email notifications to production mode - send to all subscribers"
+   git push origin main
+   
+   # On production server
+   git pull origin main
+   docker compose down
+   docker compose up -d --build
+   docker exec mad-lawsuit-v2 php artisan config:clear
+   ```
+
+## Troubleshooting
+
+### Email Not Received
+1. **Check Laravel Logs**
+   ```bash
+   docker exec mad-lawsuit-v2 tail -100 storage/logs/laravel.log
+   ```
+
+2. **Check Gmail SMTP Connection**
+   ```bash
+   docker exec mad-lawsuit-v2 php artisan tinker
+   # In tinker:
+   Mail::raw('Test email', function($msg) {
+       $msg->to('chris@deafgain.org')->subject('Test');
+   });
+   ```
+
+3. **Verify .env Configuration**
+   ```bash
+   docker exec mad-lawsuit-v2 php artisan config:show mail
+   ```
+
+### Common Issues
+- **Authentication Failed**: Verify Gmail App Password is correct
+- **Connection Timeout**: Check firewall rules for port 587
+- **SSL/TLS Errors**: Ensure MAIL_ENCRYPTION=tls (not ssl)
+
+## Files Modified
+
+### New Files Created
+1. `app/Mail/NewDocketEntryNotification.php` - Mailable class
+2. `resources/views/emails/new-docket-entry.blade.php` - HTML email template
+
+### Modified Files
+1. `app/Http/Controllers/Admin/DocketEntryController.php` - Added email sending logic
+2. `.env` - Updated SMTP configuration
+
+## Current Status
+- ✅ Email notification system implemented
+- ✅ Professional HTML email template created
+- ✅ SMTP configured with Gmail
+- ✅ Testing mode active (chris@deafgain.org only)
+- ✅ Code committed and pushed to repository
+- ⏳ Awaiting deployment to production server
+- ⏳ Awaiting email functionality testing
+
+## Next Steps
+1. Deploy to production server (10.4.0.205)
+2. Test email delivery to chris@deafgain.org
+3. Verify email formatting and content
+4. Once confirmed working, switch to production mode
+5. Update documentation with test results
+
+---
+
+**Last Updated**: December 18, 2025 at 10:21 AM MST
+**Status**: Ready for deployment and testing
+**Git Commit**: 9687b9b9

app/Http/Controllers/Admin/DocketEntryController.php

@@ -63,12 +63,8 @@ class DocketEntryController extends Controller
 
         $entry = DocketEntry::create($validated);
 
-        // Send email notifications to active subscribers
-        // TESTING MODE: Only send to chris@deafgain.org
-        $this->sendEmailNotifications($entry);
-
         return redirect()->route('admin.docket-entries.show', $entry->id)
-            ->with('success', 'Docket entry created successfully. Email notifications sent.');
+            ->with('success', 'Docket entry created successfully.');
     }
 
     /**
@@ -142,6 +138,17 @@ class DocketEntryController extends Controller
             ->with('success', 'Docket entry deleted successfully.');
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Send email notification to subscribers for this docket entry.
+     */
+    public function sendNotification(DocketEntry $docketEntry): RedirectResponse
+    {
+        $this->sendEmailNotifications($docketEntry);
+
+        return redirect()->route('admin.docket-entries.show', $docketEntry->id)
+            ->with('success', 'Email notifications sent successfully to subscribers.');
+    }
+
     /**
      * Send email notifications to subscribers.
      * TESTING MODE: Only sends to chris@deafgain.org

resources/js/Pages/Admin/DocketEntries/Show.vue

@@ -69,6 +69,12 @@ const deleteEntry = () => {
     }
 };
 
+const sendNotification = () => {
+    if (confirm('Send email notification to all subscribers about this docket entry?')) {
+        router.post(route('admin.docket-entries.send-notification', props.entry.id));
+    }
+};
+
 const formatFileSize = (bytes: number): string => {
     if (bytes < 1024) return bytes + ' B';
     if (bytes < 1024 * 1024) return (bytes / 1024).toFixed(1) + ' KB';
@@ -229,6 +235,20 @@ const formatFileSize = (bytes: number): string => {
                         </form>
                     </div>
 
+                    <!-- Send Notification -->
+                    <div class="bg-blue-50 border border-blue-200 rounded-lg p-6">
+                        <h2 class="text-lg font-bold text-blue-900 mb-2">Email Notification</h2>
+                        <p class="text-sm text-blue-700 mb-4">
+                            Send email notification to all active subscribers about this docket entry.
+                        </p>
+                        <PrimaryButton
+                            @click="sendNotification"
+                            class="w-full justify-center bg-blue-600 hover:bg-blue-700"
+                        >
+                            Send Notification
+                        </PrimaryButton>
+                    </div>
+
                     <!-- Danger Zone -->
                     <div class="bg-red-50 border border-red-200 rounded-lg p-6">
                         <h2 class="text-lg font-bold text-red-900 mb-2">Danger Zone</h2>

routes/web.php

@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ Route::prefix('admin')->name('admin.')->group(function () {
         
         // Docket entry routes
         Route::resource('docket-entries', \App\Http\Controllers\Admin\DocketEntryController::class);
+        Route::post('/docket-entries/{docketEntry}/send-notification', [\App\Http\Controllers\Admin\DocketEntryController::class, 'sendNotification'])->name('docket-entries.send-notification');
         
         // Document routes
         Route::post('/docket-entries/{docketEntry}/documents', [\App\Http\Controllers\Admin\DocumentController::class, 'store'])->name('documents.store');