Release Channels

Kunobi offers different release channels that determine which versions are available to you and how frequently you receive updates.

Available Channels

Stable (Recommended)

Best for: Production use, mission-critical workflows

The Stable channel receives thoroughly tested releases that have been validated in the Unstable channel. These releases prioritize reliability and stability over having the latest features.

Characteristics:

Fully tested releases only
Less frequent updates
Minimal risk of bugs or breaking changes
Recommended for most users

Version format: 1.2.3 (e.g., 1.0.0, 1.5.2)

Unstable (Early Access)

Best for: Early adopters, testing new features

The Unstable channel provides early access to new features before they reach the Stable channel. It receives both RC/Beta/Alpha builds AND all stable releases.

Characteristics:

Receives RC, Beta, and Alpha releases for early testing
Also receives all stable releases (since they're newer than pre-releases)
More frequent updates
Help shape features with feedback
May contain minor bugs in pre-release versions

Version formats:

Pre-release: 1.2.3-rc1, 1.2.3-beta, 1.2.3-alpha
Stable: 1.2.3

Choosing Your Channel

Via Settings

To change your update channel, go to Settings → Update Channel. For detailed instructions, see the Release Channel setting.

The setting takes effect immediately. Kunobi will check the selected channel on the next update check.

Auto-Detection

Kunobi automatically detects your update channel based on the version you installed:

Stable versions (e.g., 1.0.0) → Stable channel by default
RC/Beta/Alpha versions (e.g., 1.0.0-rc1) → Unstable channel by default

You can override the auto-detected channel at any time in Settings.

How Updates Work

Automatic Checking

Kunobi periodically checks for updates in the background:

Checks occur when you launch the app
Checks happen every few hours while the app is running
No personal data is sent during update checks

Update Notifications

When an update is available, you may see a dialog prompting you to update immediately:

You can also check for updates by looking at the status bar. When an update is available, hover over the version warning icon to see the notification:

Click on the version button in the status bar to see the update details:

Click Check for Updates to see full release details and install:

Update flow:

A notification appears in the app
You can view release notes before updating
Choose to install immediately or later
Updates download in the background
The app restarts automatically to complete installation

Manual Update Check

To manually check for updates:

Look at the bottom right corner of the application window
Click on the version number (e.g., "1.0.0")
In the popup that appears, click Check for Updates
If an update is available, you can download and install it immediately

Switching Channels

You can switch between channels at any time:

Stable → Unstable

Switching to Unstable gives you access to RC/Beta releases as they become available. You'll receive early access to new features before they reach the Stable channel.

Important: The Unstable channel also receives all Stable releases. When a stable version is published, it's made available to both channels since it's newer than any RC/Beta version. This ensures Unstable users always get the latest updates, whether they're RC builds or stable releases.

Unstable → Stable

Switching to Stable means you'll only receive fully tested stable releases going forward.

If you want to switch immediately: You'll need to reinstall Kunobi with a stable version from the website. The updater cannot downgrade versions, so changing the channel setting will only affect future updates.

If you can wait: If you're currently on an RC version (e.g., 1.5.0-rc1), you'll automatically receive the stable version (1.5.0) once it's released, which will effectively move you to stable releases.

Note: You cannot downgrade to an older version by switching channels. The updater only installs newer versions.

Privacy

Update checks are privacy-focused:

No personal information is transmitted
Only version and platform information is sent
No tracking or analytics in update checks
All update manifests are served over HTTPS

Troubleshooting

Updates Not Appearing

If you're not seeing available updates:

Check your internet connection
Verify your update channel setting in Settings
Manually trigger an update check
Check if your version is already the latest for your channel

Update Failed

If an update fails to install:

Check you have sufficient disk space
Ensure Kunobi has permission to write to its installation directory
Try restarting Kunobi and checking for updates again
If the problem persists, download the latest version manually from the website

Can't Switch Channels

The Release Channel setting is available on all builds. If you can't change it:

Ensure you're in the Settings page
Check that Kunobi has permission to write to its configuration directory
Try restarting the application

Best Practices

For Production Use:

Stay on the Stable channel
Wait a few days after a stable release before updating
Read release notes before updating
Test updates in a non-production environment first

For Testing and Feedback:

Use the Unstable channel
Report issues you encounter via the Feedback button
Share your experience with new features
Help us improve Kunobi before stable releases

Choose the channel that fits your workflow. You can switch at any time in Settings.