macOS: Desync between Web UI and Moonlight API when manually editing apps.json

Is there an existing issue for this?

• I have searched the existing issues

Is your issue described in the documentation?

• I have read the documentation

Is your issue present in the latest beta/pre-release?

This issue is present in the latest pre-release

Describe the Bug

When editing the apps.json file directly (e.g., using VS Code), the Web UI correctly displays the new entries, but the Moonlight client continues to receive the old app list. The Moonlight API (/applist) does not reflect the changes until the Sunshine service is completely restarted.

Expected Behavior

Sunshine should dynamically detect changes to apps.json when edited directly from the filesystem (e.g., via a file watcher) and automatically reload the app list for Moonlight. Changes made outside of the Web UI should be immediately reflected in Moonlight without requiring a manual restart of Sunshine.

Additional Context

Sunshine Web UI:

Moonlight API (/applist response):

{
  "E6FBE427-F5F4-7C02-CA1B-56F8707528E2": {
    "hostname": "MacBook-Pro-de-Eduardo.local",
    "address": "192.168.1.68",
    "apps": [
      {
        "id": 881448767,
        "title": "Desktop",
        "imageUri": "http://192.168.1.71:8888/preview-881448767.jpg?v=1786743031271",
        "txtPath": "/opt/usr/home/owner/content/Documents/preview-881448767.jpg"
      },
      {
        "id": 1400431897,
        "title": "Desktop",
        "imageUri": "http://192.168.1.71:8888/preview-1400431897.jpg?v=1786743031280",
        "txtPath": "/opt/usr/home/owner/content/Documents/preview-1400431897.jpg"
      },
      {
        "id": 612357519,
        "title": "Desktop",
        "txtPath": "/opt/usr/home/owner/content/Documents/preview-612357519.jpg",
        "imageUri": "http://192.168.1.71:8888/preview-612357519.jpg?v=1786743032118"
      },
      {
        "id": 1093255277,
        "title": "Steam Big Picture",
        "imageUri": "http://192.168.1.71:8888/preview-1093255277.jpg?v=1786743031293",
        "txtPath": "/opt/usr/home/owner/content/Documents/preview-1093255277.jpg"
      }
    ]
  }
}

Host Operating System

macOS

Operating System Version

Tahoe 26.5.2

Architecture

arm64/aarch64

Package

macOS - Homebrew

GPU Type

Apple Silicon

GPU Model

Apple M1-Series

GPU Driver/Mesa Version

n/a

Capture Method

AVCaptureScreen (macOS)

Apps

{
  "env": {
    "PATH": "$(PATH):$(HOME)/.local/bin"
  },
  "apps": [
    {
      "name": "Desktop",
      "image-path": "desktop.png"
    },
    {
      "name": "Steam Big Picture",
      "detached": [
        "open steam://open/bigpicture"
      ],
      "prep-cmd": [
        {
          "do": "",
          "undo": "open steam://close/bigpicture"
        }
      ],
      "image-path": "steam.png"
    },
    {
      "name": "Desktop",
      "image-path": "desktop.png"
    },
    {
      "name": "Desktop",
      "image-path": "desktop.png"
    },
    {
      "name": "Desktop",
      "image-path": "desktop.png"
    }
  ]
}

Log output

Online logs

https://gist.github.com/eduardomozart/9e59f85fb622785cf9a111a0e0659538

Start by tracing how apps.json is loaded and how the /applist Moonlight API obtains its app list; the issue does not name source files or tests. Reproduce the problem by editing apps.json outside the Web UI, then verify that /applist reflects the change without restarting Sunshine.