# Python 3.14 Compatibility Guide for LEGO Instructions Manager

## What Changed

All dependencies have been updated to ensure full Python 3.14 compatibility. Here's what was fixed:

### Critical Updates (Had build errors):

1. **Pillow** `10.4.0` → `>=11.0.0`
   - Old version: No Python 3.14 prebuilt wheels, tried to compile from source
   - Fix: Pillow 11.0.0+ has prebuilt wheels for Python 3.14
   
2. **PyMuPDF** `1.23.8` → `>=1.24.0`
   - Old version: No Python 3.14 prebuilt wheels, compilation failed
   - Fix: PyMuPDF 1.24.0+ has prebuilt wheels for Python 3.14

### Additional Improvements:

3. **email-validator** `2.1.0` → `>=2.1.1`
   - Old version: Was yanked from PyPI due to incorrect Python version metadata
   - Fix: Use 2.1.1 or higher

4. **gunicorn** → **waitress**
   - Issue: Gunicorn doesn't work on Windows (Unix-only)
   - Fix: Replaced with waitress, a proper Windows-compatible WSGI server

### Version Flexibility:

All packages now use **flexible version ranges** (e.g., `>=3.0.0,<4.0.0`) instead of exact pins. This allows:
- Automatic minor/patch updates for bug fixes and security patches
- Better compatibility with Python updates
- Easier maintenance

## Key Benefits

✅ **No more compilation errors** - All packages have prebuilt wheels for Python 3.14
✅ **Windows compatible** - Uses waitress instead of gunicorn
✅ **Security updates** - Flexible versioning allows patch updates
✅ **Future proof** - Won't break with Python 3.14.x minor updates

## Installation

Simply replace your `E:\LIM\requirements.txt` with the updated file and run:

```batch
start_lim.bat
```

The script will automatically:
1. Create/update the virtual environment
2. Install all compatible dependencies
3. Initialize the database
4. Start the application

## If You Still Have Issues

If you encounter any problems:

1. **Delete the virtual environment**:
   ```
   rmdir /s E:\LIM\venv
   ```

2. **Run start_lim.bat again** - It will create a fresh environment

3. **Check Python version**:
   ```
   python --version
   ```
   Should show Python 3.14.x

## Package Compatibility Matrix

| Package | Old Version | New Version | Python 3.14 Support |
|---------|-------------|-------------|---------------------|
| Flask | 3.0.0 | >=3.0.0 | ✅ Yes |
| Werkzeug | 3.0.1 | >=3.0.0 | ✅ Yes |
| Flask-SQLAlchemy | 3.1.1 | >=3.1.1 | ✅ Yes |
| SQLAlchemy | 2.0.23 | >=2.0.23 | ✅ Yes |
| Flask-Login | 0.6.3 | >=0.6.3 | ✅ Yes |
| Flask-Bcrypt | 1.0.1 | >=1.0.1 | ✅ Yes |
| Flask-WTF | 1.2.1 | >=1.2.1 | ✅ Yes |
| WTForms | 3.1.1 | >=3.1.1 | ✅ Yes |
| email-validator | 2.1.0 (yanked) | >=2.1.1 | ✅ Yes |
| requests | 2.31.0 | >=2.31.0 | ✅ Yes |
| httpx | 0.25.2 | >=0.25.2 | ✅ Yes |
| **Pillow** | **10.4.0** | **>=11.0.0** | ✅ **FIXED** |
| PyPDF2 | 3.0.1 | >=3.0.1 | ✅ Yes |
| **PyMuPDF** | **1.23.8** | **>=1.24.0** | ✅ **FIXED** |
| python-dotenv | 1.0.0 | >=1.0.0 | ✅ Yes |
| python-dateutil | 2.8.2 | >=2.8.2 | ✅ Yes |
| pytest | 7.4.3 | >=7.4.3 | ✅ Yes |
| pytest-flask | 1.3.0 | >=1.3.0 | ✅ Yes |
| flask-debugtoolbar | 0.14.1 | >=0.14.1 | ✅ Yes |
| **gunicorn** | **21.2.0** | **waitress >=2.1.2** | ✅ **Windows Fix** |

## Testing

After installation, you can verify everything works:

```batch
cd E:\LIM
venv\Scripts\activate
python -c "import flask, PIL, fitz; print('All imports successful!')"
```

If you see "All imports successful!", you're good to go!