Added support for multiple clients to be ran at the same time.

ptlinux/cli.py

@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ import json
 from pathlib import Path
 import sys
 import time
-from typing import Sequence
+from typing import Callable, Sequence
 
 from ptdiag.logs import (
 	LogFileState,
@@ -33,12 +33,13 @@ from .launcher import (
 	launch_official_updater,
 	prepare_launcher_binary,
 )
-from .locking import launcher_operation_lock
+from .locking import LauncherPlayLease, launcher_operation_lock, launcher_play_lock
 from .login_diagnostics import inspect_login_environment
 from .login_trace import DEFAULT_TRACE_TIMEOUT_SECONDS, LOGIN_TRACE_DISABLED_REASON
 from .overlay import cache_compatibility_binaries, prepare_runtime_view
 from .paths import AppPaths
 from .runtime import (
+	game_runtime_ready,
 	prepare_game_runtime,
 	run_game,
 	select_runtime,
@@ -687,14 +688,15 @@ def _maybe_import_game(
 
 
 def _prepare(paths: AppPaths, game_dir: Path | None, as_json: bool) -> int:
-	if game_dir is None and game_import_requires_verification(paths):
+	with _operation_guard(paths, "prepare", False):
-		raise LauncherError(
+		if game_dir is None and game_import_requires_verification(paths):
-			"the imported game has not completed its full publisher verification; "
+			raise LauncherError(
-			"run pristontale-eu update"
+				"the imported game has not completed its full publisher verification; "
-		)
+				"run pristontale-eu update"
-	settings = ensure_settings(paths)
+			)
-	source = _source_game(paths, settings, game_dir)
+		settings = ensure_settings(paths)
-	result = prepare_runtime_view(paths, source)
+		source = _source_game(paths, settings, game_dir)
+		result = prepare_runtime_view(paths, source)
 	_emit({"ok": True, "runtime_view": asdict(result)}, as_json)
 	return 0
 
@@ -707,7 +709,7 @@ def _play(
 	skip_runtime_setup: bool,
 	as_json: bool,
 ) -> int:
-	with _operation_guard(paths, "play", dry_run):
+	with _play_guard(paths, dry_run) as play_lease:
 		return _play_locked(
 			paths,
 			game_dir,
@@ -715,6 +717,8 @@ def _play(
 			dry_run,
 			skip_runtime_setup,
 			as_json,
+			reuse_prepared=not play_lease.preparation_allowed,
+			before_game=play_lease.allow_shared_clients,
 		)
 
 
@@ -725,6 +729,9 @@ def _play_locked(
 	dry_run: bool,
 	skip_runtime_setup: bool,
 	as_json: bool,
+	*,
+	reuse_prepared: bool = False,
+	before_game: Callable[[], None] | None = None,
 ) -> int:
 	if game_dir is None and game_import_requires_verification(paths):
 		raise LauncherError(
@@ -734,16 +741,49 @@ def _play_locked(
 	settings = _load_or_default_settings(paths, persist=not dry_run)
 	source = _source_game(paths, settings, game_dir)
 	overlay = None
-	_print_operation_status(as_json, 1, 4, "Preparing the managed game view…")
+	_print_operation_status(
-	if not dry_run:
+		as_json,
+		1,
+		4,
+		(
+			"Reusing the active managed game view…"
+			if reuse_prepared
+			else "Preparing the managed game view…"
+		),
+	)
+	if reuse_prepared:
+		if game_dir is not None:
+			raise LauncherError(
+				"an additional client cannot replace the active managed game view; "
+				"close every client before using --game-dir"
+			)
+		if not paths.runtime_view.is_dir():
+			raise LauncherError(
+				"another game client is active, but the prepared runtime view is missing"
+			)
+	elif not dry_run:
 		overlay = prepare_runtime_view(paths, source)
 	_print_operation_status(as_json, 2, 4, "Selecting the configured game runtime…")
 	selection = select_runtime(settings)
 	runner = _runner(paths, "play", dry_run)
 	setup_results = []
-	if not skip_runtime_setup:
+	if reuse_prepared:
+		_print_operation_status(
+			as_json,
+			3,
+			4,
+			"Reusing the active Proton and DirectX runtime…",
+		)
+		if not game_runtime_ready(paths, selection):
+			raise LauncherError(
+				"another game client is active, but its prepared runtime no longer "
+				"matches the current settings; close every client and launch again"
+			)
+	elif not skip_runtime_setup:
 		_print_operation_status(as_json, 3, 4, "Preparing Proton and DirectX components…")
 		setup_results = prepare_game_runtime(paths, selection, runner)
+	else:
+		_print_operation_status(as_json, 3, 4, "Using the existing Proton runtime…")
 	_print_operation_status(as_json, 4, 4, "Starting the PristonTale game client…")
 	native_log_directory = paths.game_save / "logs"
 	native_log_baseline = snapshot_native_logs(
@@ -751,6 +791,8 @@ def _play_locked(
 		patterns=("log_*.txt",),
 	)
 	game_started_ns = time.time_ns()
+	if before_game is not None:
+		before_game()
 	try:
 		outcome = run_game(
 			paths,
@@ -1000,10 +1042,19 @@ def _load_or_default_settings(paths: AppPaths, *, persist: bool) -> Settings:
 
 
 def _runner(paths: AppPaths, operation: str, dry_run: bool) -> CommandRunner:
-	timestamp = datetime.now().astimezone().strftime("%Y%m%d-%H%M%S")
+	timestamp = datetime.now().astimezone().strftime("%Y%m%d-%H%M%S-%f")
 	return CommandRunner(paths.logs / f"{timestamp}-{operation}.jsonl", dry_run=dry_run)
 
 
+def _play_guard(
+	paths: AppPaths,
+	dry_run: bool,
+) -> AbstractContextManager[LauncherPlayLease]:
+	if dry_run:
+		return nullcontext(LauncherPlayLease.dry_run())
+	return launcher_play_lock(paths.launcher_operation_lock)
+
+
 def _operation_guard(
 	paths: AppPaths,
 	operation: str,

ptlinux/locking.py

@@ -7,13 +7,51 @@ from datetime import datetime
 import fcntl
 import os
 from pathlib import Path
-from typing import Iterator
+from typing import Iterator, TextIO
 
 
 class OperationBusyError(RuntimeError):
 	"""Raised when another launcher-prefix operation is still active."""
 
 
+class LauncherPlayLease:
+	"""Exclusive preparation lease that can become a shared game lease."""
+
+	def __init__(
+		self,
+		handle: TextIO | None,
+		*,
+		preparation_allowed: bool,
+		record_owned: bool,
+	) -> None:
+		self._handle = handle
+		self.preparation_allowed = preparation_allowed
+		self._record_owned = record_owned
+		self._shared = not preparation_allowed
+
+	@classmethod
+	def dry_run(cls) -> LauncherPlayLease:
+		return cls(None, preparation_allowed=True, record_owned=False)
+
+	@property
+	def shared(self) -> bool:
+		return self._shared
+
+	def allow_shared_clients(self) -> None:
+		"""Downgrade after all runtime mutations have completed."""
+
+		if self._shared:
+			return
+		if self._handle is not None:
+			_write_owner(self._handle, "play")
+			fcntl.flock(self._handle.fileno(), fcntl.LOCK_SH)
+		self._shared = True
+
+	@property
+	def record_owned(self) -> bool:
+		return self._record_owned
+
+
 @contextmanager
 def launcher_operation_lock(lock_path: Path, operation: str) -> Iterator[None]:
 	lock_path.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
@@ -26,13 +64,7 @@ def launcher_operation_lock(lock_path: Path, operation: str) -> Iterator[None]:
 			raise OperationBusyError(
 				f"launcher files are busy ({owner}); wait for it to finish and try again"
 			) from exc
-		handle.seek(0)
+		_write_owner(handle, operation)
-		handle.truncate()
-		handle.write(
-			f"{operation}, pid={os.getpid()}, "
-			f"started={datetime.now().astimezone().isoformat()}\n"
-		)
-		handle.flush()
 		try:
 			yield
 		finally:
@@ -40,3 +72,67 @@ def launcher_operation_lock(lock_path: Path, operation: str) -> Iterator[None]:
 			handle.truncate()
 			handle.flush()
 			fcntl.flock(handle.fileno(), fcntl.LOCK_UN)
+
+
+@contextmanager
+def launcher_play_lock(
+	lock_path: Path,
+	operation: str = "play",
+) -> Iterator[LauncherPlayLease]:
+	"""Serialize preparation, then allow multiple active game clients.
+
+	The first play process acquires an exclusive lease so it may safely rebuild
+	the runtime view or prefix. It downgrades that lease immediately before
+	starting Game.exe. Later play processes then receive shared, read-only leases,
+	while updates and repairs remain excluded until every client exits.
+	"""
+
+	lock_path.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+	with lock_path.open("a+", encoding="utf-8") as handle:
+		try:
+			fcntl.flock(handle.fileno(), fcntl.LOCK_EX | fcntl.LOCK_NB)
+		except BlockingIOError:
+			try:
+				fcntl.flock(handle.fileno(), fcntl.LOCK_SH | fcntl.LOCK_NB)
+			except BlockingIOError as exc:
+				owner = _read_owner(handle)
+				raise OperationBusyError(
+					f"launcher files are busy ({owner}); wait for it to finish and try again"
+				) from exc
+			lease = LauncherPlayLease(
+				handle,
+				preparation_allowed=False,
+				record_owned=False,
+			)
+		else:
+			_write_owner(handle, f"{operation} preparation")
+			lease = LauncherPlayLease(
+				handle,
+				preparation_allowed=True,
+				record_owned=True,
+			)
+		try:
+			yield lease
+		finally:
+			# A downgraded owner record remains useful while any secondary shared
+			# lease is active. The next exclusive operation atomically replaces it.
+			if lease.record_owned and not lease.shared:
+				handle.seek(0)
+				handle.truncate()
+				handle.flush()
+			fcntl.flock(handle.fileno(), fcntl.LOCK_UN)
+
+
+def _read_owner(handle: TextIO) -> str:
+	handle.seek(0)
+	return handle.read().strip() or "unknown operation"
+
+
+def _write_owner(handle: TextIO, operation: str) -> None:
+	handle.seek(0)
+	handle.truncate()
+	handle.write(
+		f"{operation}, pid={os.getpid()}, "
+		f"started={datetime.now().astimezone().isoformat()}\n"
+	)
+	handle.flush()

ptlinux/runtime.py

@@ -277,6 +277,16 @@ def prepare_game_runtime(
 	return results
 
 
+def game_runtime_ready(paths: AppPaths, selection: RuntimeSelection) -> bool:
+	"""Return whether another client may reuse the prepared runtime read-only."""
+
+	if selection.kind == "umu":
+		return native_d3d_ready(paths.umu_prefix)
+	if selection.kind in {"proton7", "proton7-container"}:
+		return _game_runtime_ready(paths, selection)
+	return False
+
+
 def run_game(
 	paths: AppPaths,
 	settings: Settings,

ptlinux/ui.py

@@ -96,6 +96,58 @@ class DashboardError(RuntimeError):
 	"""Raised when the native dashboard cannot be displayed."""
 
 
+class GameClientTracker:
+	"""Track dashboard-launched clients without retaining process objects in Tk."""
+
+	def __init__(self) -> None:
+		self._next_client_id = 1
+		self._starting: set[int] = set()
+		self._running: set[int] = set()
+
+	def begin(self) -> int:
+		client_id = self._next_client_id
+		self._next_client_id += 1
+		self._starting.add(client_id)
+		return client_id
+
+	def mark_running(self, client_id: int) -> bool:
+		if client_id in self._running or client_id not in self._starting:
+			return False
+		self._starting.remove(client_id)
+		self._running.add(client_id)
+		return True
+
+	def finish(self, client_id: int) -> str | None:
+		if client_id in self._starting:
+			self._starting.remove(client_id)
+			return "starting"
+		if client_id in self._running:
+			self._running.remove(client_id)
+			return "running"
+		return None
+
+	@property
+	def starting_count(self) -> int:
+		return len(self._starting)
+
+	@property
+	def running_count(self) -> int:
+		return len(self._running)
+
+	@property
+	def active_count(self) -> int:
+		return self.starting_count + self.running_count
+
+
+def game_client_activity_text(running_count: int) -> str:
+	if running_count < 0:
+		raise ValueError("running client count must not be negative")
+	if running_count == 0:
+		return ""
+	label = "client" if running_count == 1 else "clients"
+	return f"{running_count} {label} running"
+
+
 def launcher_update_presentation(
 	check: LauncherUpdateCheck,
 ) -> LauncherUpdatePresentation:
@@ -874,7 +926,19 @@ def run_dashboard(paths: AppPaths) -> None:
 	status = tk.StringVar(value="Ready")
 	progress_text = tk.StringVar(value="Click Play to start your journey")
 	speed_text = tk.StringVar(value="")
-	ttk.Label(activity_copy, textvariable=status, style="Status.TLabel").pack(anchor="w")
+	client_activity_text = tk.StringVar(value="")
+	activity_heading = ttk.Frame(activity_copy, style="Surface.TFrame")
+	activity_heading.pack(fill="x")
+	ttk.Label(
+		activity_heading,
+		textvariable=status,
+		style="Status.TLabel",
+	).pack(side="left", anchor="w")
+	ttk.Label(
+		activity_heading,
+		textvariable=client_activity_text,
+		style="Muted.TLabel",
+	).pack(side="right", anchor="e")
 	progress_bar = ttk.Progressbar(
 		activity_copy,
 		style="Depot.Horizontal.TProgressbar",
@@ -980,6 +1044,8 @@ def run_dashboard(paths: AppPaths) -> None:
 	preloader_status: tk.StringVar | None = None
 	preloader_progress: ttk.Progressbar | None = None
 	settings_window: tk.Toplevel | None = None
+	game_clients = GameClientTracker()
+	active_game_launch_id: int | None = None
 	operation_active = False
 	game_window_active = False
 	activity_log_lines = 0
@@ -1002,6 +1068,12 @@ def run_dashboard(paths: AppPaths) -> None:
 		import_button,
 		launcher_update_button,
 	)
+	game_mutation_buttons = (
+		update_button,
+		repair_button,
+		import_button,
+		launcher_update_button,
+	)
 
 	def append_log(value: str) -> None:
 		nonlocal activity_log_lines
@@ -1034,6 +1106,9 @@ def run_dashboard(paths: AppPaths) -> None:
 		new_state = "disabled" if value else "normal"
 		for button in buttons:
 			button.configure(state=new_state)
+		if not value and game_clients.running_count:
+			for button in game_mutation_buttons:
+				button.configure(state="disabled")
 
 	def update_progress(event: Mapping[str, object]) -> None:
 		phase = event.get("phase")
@@ -1184,6 +1259,7 @@ def run_dashboard(paths: AppPaths) -> None:
 		show_preloader: bool = False,
 		restart_on_success: bool = False,
 		game_files_may_change: bool = False,
+		game_client_id: int | None = None,
 	) -> None:
 		nonlocal operation_active, game_window_active
 		nonlocal operation_started_at
@@ -1193,7 +1269,7 @@ def run_dashboard(paths: AppPaths) -> None:
 		nonlocal operation_refreshes_compatibility
 		nonlocal last_elapsed_second
 		operation_active = True
-		game_window_active = False
+		game_window_active = game_clients.running_count > 0
 		operation_started_at = time.monotonic()
 		operation_stage = 0
 		operation_stage_total = 0
@@ -1215,6 +1291,12 @@ def run_dashboard(paths: AppPaths) -> None:
 		append_log(f"$ {' '.join(command)}")
 
 		def worker() -> None:
+			def publish_output(line: str) -> None:
+				if game_client_id is None:
+					events.put(("output", line))
+				else:
+					events.put(("output", f"[Client {game_client_id}] {line}"))
+
 			try:
 				process = subprocess.Popen(
 					command,
@@ -1226,8 +1308,11 @@ def run_dashboard(paths: AppPaths) -> None:
 					bufsize=1,
 				)
 			except OSError as process_error:
-				events.put(("output", f"Could not start operation: {process_error}\n"))
+				publish_output(f"Could not start operation: {process_error}\n")
-				events.put(("done", 1))
+				if game_client_id is None:
+					events.put(("done", 1))
+				else:
+					events.put(("game_done", (game_client_id, 1)))
 				return
 			if process.stdout is not None:
 				for line in process.stdout:
@@ -1235,39 +1320,68 @@ def run_dashboard(paths: AppPaths) -> None:
 						try:
 							parsed_status = json.loads(line.removeprefix("STATUS "))
 						except json.JSONDecodeError:
-							events.put(("output", line))
+							publish_output(line)
 						else:
 							if isinstance(parsed_status, dict):
-								events.put(("operation_status", parsed_status))
+								if game_client_id is None:
+									events.put(("operation_status", parsed_status))
+								else:
+									events.put(
+										(
+											"game_operation_status",
+											(game_client_id, parsed_status),
+										)
+									)
 							else:
-								events.put(("output", line))
+								publish_output(line)
 					elif line.startswith("PROGRESS "):
 						try:
 							parsed = json.loads(line.removeprefix("PROGRESS "))
 						except json.JSONDecodeError:
-							events.put(("output", line))
+							publish_output(line)
 						else:
 							if isinstance(parsed, dict):
 								progress_updates.publish(parsed)
 							else:
-								events.put(("output", line))
+								publish_output(line)
 					else:
-						events.put(("output", line))
+						publish_output(line)
-					if show_preloader and line.startswith("Game window created;"):
+					if game_client_id is not None and line.startswith("Game window created;"):
 						events.put(
-							("operation_status", {
+							(
-								"step": 4,
+								"game_operation_status",
-								"total": LAUNCH_STAGE_TOTAL,
+								(
-								"message": "Game client started.",
+									game_client_id,
-							})
+									{
+										"step": 4,
+										"total": LAUNCH_STAGE_TOTAL,
+										"message": "Game client started.",
+									},
+								),
+							)
 						)
-						events.put(("game_started", None))
+						events.put(("game_started", game_client_id))
-					if show_preloader and line.startswith(("Game window ready:", "Rendered game frame:")):
+					if game_client_id is not None and line.startswith(
-						events.put(("game_window_ready", None))
+						("Game window ready:", "Rendered game frame:")
+					):
+						events.put(("game_window_ready", game_client_id))
 			returncode = process.wait()
-			events.put(("launcher_update_done" if restart_on_success else "done", returncode))
+			if game_client_id is None:
+				events.put(
+					("launcher_update_done" if restart_on_success else "done", returncode)
+				)
+			else:
+				events.put(("game_done", (game_client_id, returncode)))
 
-		threading.Thread(target=worker, name="ptlinux-operation", daemon=True).start()
+		threading.Thread(
+			target=worker,
+			name=(
+				f"ptlinux-game-client-{game_client_id}"
+				if game_client_id is not None
+				else "ptlinux-operation"
+			),
+			daemon=True,
+		).start()
 
 	def open_article(url: str) -> None:
 		webbrowser.open(url)
@@ -1561,18 +1675,28 @@ def run_dashboard(paths: AppPaths) -> None:
 				else None
 			),
 		)
-		play_button.configure(text=installation.action.value)
+		additional_client_ready = game_clients.running_count > 0 and installation.installed
+		client_activity_text.set(game_client_activity_text(game_clients.running_count))
+		play_button.configure(
+			text="PLAY" if additional_client_ready else installation.action.value
+		)
 		if not operation_active:
 			play_button.configure(
 				state=(
 					"disabled"
-					if installation.action is PrimaryAction.CHECKING
+					if (
+						installation.action is PrimaryAction.CHECKING
+						and not additional_client_ready
+					)
 					else "normal"
 				),
 			)
 		if not update_activity or operation_active:
 			return installation
-		if installation.action is PrimaryAction.INSTALL:
+		if additional_client_ready:
+			status.set("Ready for another account.")
+			progress_text.set("Click Play to open another game window.")
+		elif installation.action is PrimaryAction.INSTALL:
 			status.set("Game is not installed.")
 			progress_text.set("Click Install to download and verify the official game files.")
 		elif installation.action is PrimaryAction.UPDATE:
@@ -1640,7 +1764,11 @@ def run_dashboard(paths: AppPaths) -> None:
 		launcher_update_button.configure(
 			text=presentation.button_text,
 			style=presentation.button_style,
-			state="normal",
+			state=(
+				"disabled"
+				if operation_active or game_clients.running_count
+				else "normal"
+			),
 		)
 		if presentation.badge_text is not None:
 			launcher_update_badge.configure(text=presentation.badge_text)
@@ -1687,12 +1815,20 @@ def run_dashboard(paths: AppPaths) -> None:
 		threading.Thread(target=version_worker, name="ptlinux-version", daemon=True).start()
 		refresh_launcher_update_check()
 
-	def finish_operation(returncode: int) -> None:
+	def release_game_launch_controls(
+		client_id: int,
+		*,
+		ready: bool,
+		returncode: int | None = None,
+	) -> None:
+		nonlocal active_game_launch_id
 		nonlocal operation_active, game_window_active
 		nonlocal operation_refreshes_compatibility, operation_started_at
-		refresh_compatibility = operation_refreshes_compatibility
+		if active_game_launch_id != client_id:
+			return
+		active_game_launch_id = None
 		operation_active = False
-		game_window_active = False
+		game_window_active = game_clients.running_count > 0
 		operation_refreshes_compatibility = False
 		operation_started_at = None
 		progress_updates.clear()
@@ -1701,7 +1837,35 @@ def run_dashboard(paths: AppPaths) -> None:
 		progress_bar.stop()
 		close_game_preloader()
 		root.deiconify()
-		root.lift()
+		set_busy(False)
+		refresh_primary_action(update_activity=False)
+		if ready:
+			status.set("Ready for another account.")
+			progress_text.set("Click Play to open another game window.")
+		else:
+			root.lift()
+			status.set(
+				f"Client {client_id} failed to start"
+				+ (f" (exit {returncode})" if returncode is not None else "")
+			)
+			progress_text.set("See the activity log for details.")
+
+	def finish_operation(returncode: int) -> None:
+		nonlocal operation_active, game_window_active
+		nonlocal operation_refreshes_compatibility, operation_started_at
+		refresh_compatibility = operation_refreshes_compatibility
+		operation_active = False
+		game_window_active = game_clients.running_count > 0
+		operation_refreshes_compatibility = False
+		operation_started_at = None
+		progress_updates.clear()
+		transfer_rate.reset()
+		speed_text.set("")
+		progress_bar.stop()
+		close_game_preloader()
+		root.deiconify()
+		if not game_window_active:
+			root.lift()
 		set_busy(False)
 		if refresh_compatibility:
 			refresh_runtime_compatibility(update_activity=returncode == 0)
@@ -1749,12 +1913,55 @@ def run_dashboard(paths: AppPaths) -> None:
 					message = value.get("message")
 					if step > 0 and total > 0 and isinstance(message, str) and message:
 						set_operation_stage(step, total, message)
-				elif kind in {"game_started", "game_window_ready"}:
+				elif (
-					game_window_active = True
+					kind == "game_operation_status"
+					and isinstance(value, tuple)
+					and len(value) == 2
+					and isinstance(value[0], int)
+					and isinstance(value[1], Mapping)
+					and value[0] == active_game_launch_id
+				):
+					step = _as_int(value[1].get("step"))
+					total = _as_int(value[1].get("total"))
+					message = value[1].get("message")
+					if step > 0 and total > 0 and isinstance(message, str) and message:
+						set_operation_stage(step, total, message)
+				elif kind == "game_started" and isinstance(value, int):
 					progress_bar.stop()
-					status.set("Game client started.")
+					status.set(f"Game client {value} started; preparing its window…")
-					close_game_preloader()
+				elif kind == "game_window_ready" and isinstance(value, int):
-					root.iconify()
+					if game_clients.mark_running(value):
+						game_window_active = True
+						release_game_launch_controls(value, ready=True)
+				elif (
+					kind == "game_done"
+					and isinstance(value, tuple)
+					and len(value) == 2
+					and isinstance(value[0], int)
+					and isinstance(value[1], int)
+				):
+					client_id, returncode = value
+					phase = game_clients.finish(client_id)
+					game_window_active = game_clients.running_count > 0
+					append_log(f"Client {client_id} exited with status {returncode}.")
+					if phase == "starting":
+						release_game_launch_controls(
+							client_id,
+							ready=False,
+							returncode=returncode,
+						)
+					elif phase == "running" and not operation_active:
+						set_busy(False)
+						refresh_primary_action(update_activity=False)
+						count = game_clients.running_count
+						if count:
+							status.set("Ready for another account.")
+							progress_text.set("Click Play to open another game window.")
+						else:
+							status.set("All game clients have closed.")
+							progress_text.set("Click Play to start a new client.")
+							root.deiconify()
+							root.lift()
 				elif kind == "broadcast":
 					show_broadcast(value if isinstance(value, Broadcast) else None)
 					mark_startup_component_ready(
@@ -1834,7 +2041,11 @@ def run_dashboard(paths: AppPaths) -> None:
 						launcher_update_button.configure(
 							text="CHECK LAUNCHER",
 							style="Secondary.TButton",
-							state="normal",
+							state=(
+								"disabled"
+								if operation_active or game_clients.running_count
+								else "normal"
+							),
 						)
 						launcher_update_badge.pack_forget()
 					append_log(f"Launcher update check unavailable: {value}")
@@ -1915,14 +2126,24 @@ def run_dashboard(paths: AppPaths) -> None:
 
 	launcher_update_button.configure(command=run_launcher_update)
 
+	def start_game_client() -> None:
+		nonlocal active_game_launch_id
+		client_id = game_clients.begin()
+		active_game_launch_id = client_id
+		run_operation(
+			f"Starting PristonTale EU client {client_id}…",
+			command_for("play"),
+			show_preloader=True,
+			game_client_id=client_id,
+		)
+
 	def run_primary_action() -> None:
 		installation = refresh_primary_action(update_activity=False)
-		if installation.action is PrimaryAction.PLAY:
+		if (
-			run_operation(
+			installation.action is PrimaryAction.PLAY
-				"Starting PristonTale EU…",
+			or (game_clients.running_count > 0 and installation.installed)
-				command_for("play"),
+		):
-				show_preloader=True,
+			start_game_client()
-			)
 		elif installation.action is PrimaryAction.INSTALL:
 			run_operation(
 				"Installing official game files…",
@@ -2273,6 +2494,17 @@ def run_dashboard(paths: AppPaths) -> None:
 	import_button.configure(command=choose_import_source)
 	log_toggle.configure(command=toggle_log)
 
+	def close_dashboard() -> None:
+		# Keep draining each client process while it owns a shared runtime lease.
+		# Closing the window therefore minimizes the dashboard until all clients
+		# and any active launcher operation have finished.
+		if operation_active or game_clients.active_count:
+			root.iconify()
+			return
+		root.destroy()
+
+	root.protocol("WM_DELETE_WINDOW", close_dashboard)
+
 	def update_news_viewport(_event: object | None = None) -> None:
 		news_canvas.configure(scrollregion=news_canvas.bbox("all"))