Buzz channel messages do not render file:// links as clickable

---
title: "Buzz Jira Issue Draft: file URI Links Not Clickable"
tags: [buzz, jira, bug, links, desktop]
status: active
created: 2026-08-24
---

# Bug: Buzz channel messages do not render `file://` links as clickable

## Summary

Buzz Desktop does not make local `file://` links clickable in channel messages, including Markdown links. This blocks local-first review workflows where media artifacts exist on the user's machine and hosted Buzz media links have auth/access issues.

## Impact

ECalifornians review packages could not provide a one-click local artwork review link. The team had to create a local dashboard-hosted HTTP review page as a workaround.

## Evidence

- Thread root: `861301618d8b8c1fca8feaf2ee3bce98c9938f0947d83c59ef85eeb8abf8f361`
- Channel: AI Learning `12c209b5-688b-49cc-bbe3-957a210fa306`
- TonyG reported hosted Buzz media auth/access issue: `23:25:52Z`
- Steve provided `file://` local-open links: `23:26:11Z`
- TonyG requested a clickable `file://` link in Buzz channels: `23:27:14Z`
- Paula posted Markdown link: `[Open recommended VIS artwork](file:///Users/tony/.buzz/.scratch/ecalifornians-ai-learning-assets/ai-learning-agent-workflow-wrong-problem.png)` at `23:27:24Z`
- TonyG confirmed: "its not clickable" at `23:28:30Z`
- Steve workaround: local dashboard HTTP page `http://127.0.0.1:4188/ecalifornians-daily-board/artwork-review.html` at `23:29:45Z`

## Reproduction

1. In a Buzz channel, send a Markdown link using a `file://` URL:

```markdown
[Open recommended VIS artwork](file:///Users/tony/.buzz/.scratch/ecalifornians-ai-learning-assets/ai-learning-agent-workflow-wrong-problem.png)
```

2. Also test a raw `file://` URL:

```text
file:///Users/tony/.buzz/.scratch/ecalifornians-ai-learning-assets/ai-learning-agent-workflow-wrong-problem.png
```

3. Open the message in Buzz Desktop.

## Expected

Buzz Desktop renders trusted local `file://` links as clickable, or provides a safe explicit "open local file" affordance for local review artifacts.

## Actual

The `file://` links are not clickable in Buzz channel UI.

## Acceptance Criteria

- Markdown `file://` links in Buzz channel messages are actionable in Desktop, subject to a safe confirmation prompt if needed.
- Raw `file://` URLs are recognized consistently or intentionally converted into a safe local-open affordance.
- If `file://` links are intentionally blocked for security, the client explains that in the UI and provides an approved local artifact review alternative.
- Regression test covers Markdown and raw `file://` links in channel messages.

## Workaround

Use a local dashboard-hosted HTTP review page:

```text
http://127.0.0.1:4188/ecalifornians-daily-board/artwork-review.html
```