In-App Updater

Owner-initiated zero-downtime updates with automated pre-update backups, cryptographic verification, and migration execution.

Owner-Controlled Update Model

JChat strictly enforces an owner-controlled update model. No automatic or unsolicited updates ever occur in the background. The core system will never modify files, pull unapproved code, or restart without explicit action.

Only authenticated users holding the Owner rank can check for new releases and trigger the update workflow directly from the Owner Control Panel.

1. Owner Checks for Certified Releases

The Owner opens the Owner Control Panel and initiates an update check. JChat queries the official Release API using your registered license to display the latest certified version, release notes, and system requirements.

2. Automated Pre-Update Snapshot

Before any files or migrations are touched, JChat automatically creates a pre-update backup snapshot of your system state and configuration for instant rollback.

3. Signature & Checksum Verification

The release archive is streamed securely and verified against its official SHA-256 checksum and vendor signature. If the hash does not match, the update aborts immediately to prevent corruption.

4. Automated Migration & Graceful Reload

Database migrations run automatically against PostgreSQL, followed by a graceful server reload without terminating active WebSocket chat sessions.

Docker Compose Deployments

For containerized installations, the Owner can either trigger the update through the Owner Control Panel, or pull the latest verified image manually via standard Docker Compose commands:

# In the web browser:
1. Sign in as Owner
2. Open Owner Control Panel > System Updates
3. Review Release Notes and click "Apply Update"

# Or pull the latest certified release image manually:
docker compose pull jchat
docker compose up -d