--- t# Meridian Origin Advisors — Developer Guide **Project:** Meridian Origin Advisors **Production URL:** https://meridianoriginadvisors.com **Platform:** Realmac Elements + Solo CMS **Hosting:** DreamHost **PHP Version:** 8.3 **Last Updated:** August 2026 --- # Purpose This document records customizations, architectural decisions, publishing workflow, and implementation details that are not obvious from the Elements project itself. Whenever a custom feature is added, modified, or removed, update this guide. The goal is that six months—or several years—from now, the entire project can be maintained without having to rediscover how something was implemented. --- # Site Architecture The Meridian Origin Advisors website consists of four primary systems: 1. Realmac Elements pages 2. Solo CMS 3. Custom HTML components 4. Custom server-side rewrite rules (.htaccess) Most pages are standard Elements pages. The **Insights** section is generated dynamically by Solo CMS. Several pages contain custom HTML components that are maintained independently from Elements. --- # Hosting Environment **Hosting Provider** DreamHost **PHP Version** 8.3 **Publishing Method** Realmac Elements Publisher **CMS** Solo CMS --- # Publishing Workflow ## Normal Publishing Publish directly from Elements. ## Major Structural Changes Whenever: - changing the production URL - modifying Solo CMS - adding new CMS collections - making major structural changes use: **Publish Entire Site** rather than publishing only changed files. ### Why During migration to **meridianoriginadvisors.com**, publishing only modified files failed to upload the CMS Markdown files. Republishing the entire site corrected the issue. --- # Solo CMS The Insights section is powered by Solo CMS. Markdown articles are stored in: ``` cms/insights/ ``` Each article consists of: - Markdown file - Featured image - Thumbnail - Video (optional) --- ## Collection Names Collection: ``` insights ``` Dynamic Page Template: ``` insight ``` These names are important and must remain consistent. --- # CMS URL Rewriting The website uses custom rewrite rules stored in: ``` .htaccess ``` These rules translate friendly URLs such as: ``` /insights/insight/apple-openai-more-than-engineers ``` into the PHP requests expected by Solo CMS. Without these rewrite rules every article generates a **404 Not Found** error. **Do not overwrite the .htaccess file without backing it up first.** --- # Audio Player Component The custom Horizon audio player is an Elements component. The visible question is controlled entirely through the **Properties** panel. ## Custom Property ``` Question ``` The HTML template references: ```html {{question}} ``` Changing the property updates the visible player automatically. No HTML editing is required once the component has been created. --- # Horizon Interactive Animation ## Purpose The Horizon animation explains the Meridian commercialization methodology using an interactive presentation. It was created outside Elements using Claude Designer. --- ## Source Files Claude exports a complete HTML project. Those files are copied into: ``` /methodology/horizon/ ``` The folder contains files similar to: ``` index.html assets/ _ds/ support.js styles.css ... ``` The complete exported project must remain together. Do not rename files or folders. --- ## Updating the Animation When Claude generates an updated animation: 1. Export the HTML project. 2. Delete the contents of: ``` /methodology/horizon/ ``` 3. Copy the new exported files into that folder. 4. Publish the website. The Elements project does **not** need to change. The iframe always references: ``` /methodology/horizon/ ``` Replacing the folder contents automatically updates the website. --- ## Embedding the Animation The animation is embedded using a standard HTML component inside Elements. The iframe loads: ```html src="/methodology/horizon/" ``` Do not change this path unless the animation folder is moved. --- ## Responsive Wrapper The iframe is wrapped inside a responsive HTML container. The wrapper—not the animation—controls the visible size. This allows: - desktop - tablet - mobile to use different viewport heights while loading exactly the same animation. If sizing problems occur in the future, modify the wrapper CSS instead of editing the exported animation. --- # Custom HTML Components Current custom HTML components include: - Horizon Interactive Animation Future custom components should be documented here. --- # DreamHost Notes Required server configuration: - PHP 8.3 - Solo CMS - Custom .htaccess rewrite rules No additional DreamHost configuration is currently required. --- # Backup Procedure Before making major changes: 1. Duplicate the Elements project. 2. Download a backup from DreamHost. 3. Archive the current Horizon animation folder. 4. Document the change in this guide. --- # Known Customizations ## Solo CMS Rewrite Rules Purpose: Prevent article 404 errors. Location: ``` .htaccess ``` --- ## Horizon Animation Purpose: Interactive visualization of the Horizon commercialization methodology. Location: Technology Commercialization page. Implementation: Responsive iframe wrapper. --- ## Audio Player Purpose: Short executive commentary accompanying each Horizon methodology block. Configured entirely through the Elements Properties panel. --- # Design Principles Future changes should follow these principles. ## Business Before Technology Every page should explain the business problem before explaining Meridian's solution. --- ## Show Rather Than Tell Demonstrate expertise using: - videos - executive audio - interactive graphics - real case studies rather than long marketing copy. --- ## Progressive Disclosure Visitors should quickly understand the concept before deciding whether to explore additional detail. The website should become progressively deeper—not immediately overwhelming. --- ## Authority Through Evidence Articles, videos, audio clips, animations, and case studies exist to demonstrate expertise rather than simply decorate the site. --- ## Keep Customizations Isolated Whenever possible: - keep HTML separate - keep CSS separate - keep JavaScript separate Avoid modifying generated Elements files unless absolutely necessary. External customizations are significantly easier to maintain. --- # Maintenance Log ## August 2026 - Migrated website to **meridianoriginadvisors.com** - Corrected Solo CMS publication after domain migration - Added custom audio player component - Implemented custom CMS rewrite rules - Embedded Horizon interactive methodology - Implemented responsive iframe wrapper - Added executive audio clips throughout the Horizon methodology - Revised Technology Commercialization page to focus on commercialization workflow rather than services --- # Future Improvements Potential enhancements include: - Interactive case studies - Searchable Horizon methodology - Expand the Horizon animation - Interactive commercialization decision tree - Downloadable executive briefing PDFs - Additional executive audio commentary - Interactive examples of patent commercialization opportunities --- # Lessons Learned ### Publishing When changing the production URL or making significant CMS changes, always use **Publish Entire Site**. --- ### Solo CMS If article links generate 404 errors: 1. Verify the `.htaccess` file. 2. Verify rewrite rules. 3. Confirm the dynamic page template is named correctly. 4. Confirm the collection name matches the rewrite rules. --- ### Horizon Animation Do **not** modify exported Claude files unless absolutely necessary. Instead: - regenerate the animation - replace the folder contents - republish Keeping the exported project intact makes future updates simple and predictable.