docs: clarify NEXT_PUBLIC_API_URL must be browser-reachable

README.md

@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@ OpenClaw Mission Control is under active development. Expect breaking changes an
 cp .env.example .env
 
 # REQUIRED: ensure the browser can reach the backend API.
+# NEXT_PUBLIC_API_URL must be reachable from the *browser* (host), not an internal Docker network name.
 # If you change ports/hosts, update NEXT_PUBLIC_API_URL in .env accordingly.
 # (Missing/blank NEXT_PUBLIC_API_URL will break frontend API calls like Activity feed.)
 

docs/troubleshooting/README.md

@@ -14,4 +14,4 @@
 - Docker Compose (self-host): set `NEXT_PUBLIC_API_URL=http://localhost:8000` in the root `.env` used by compose (or update it to match your actual backend host/port).
 
 Notes:
-- `NEXT_PUBLIC_API_URL` must be reachable from the browser (not just from within containers).
+- `NEXT_PUBLIC_API_URL` must be reachable from the browser. If you're using Docker Compose, don't set it to an internal service name like `http://backend:8000` unless the browser can resolve it.

frontend/.env.example

@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
-# REQUIRED: base URL for frontend -> backend calls (must be set for Activity feed and other API calls)
+# REQUIRED: base URL for frontend -> backend calls (must be set for Activity feed and other API calls).
+# Must be reachable from the browser (host).
 NEXT_PUBLIC_API_URL=http://localhost:8000
 
 NEXT_PUBLIC_CLERK_PUBLISHABLE_KEY=YOUR_PUBLISHABLE_KEY