Update checks are optional release discovery, never forced updating. Core inference has no online-update dependency.
- Stable is the default channel.
- Beta requires explicit opt-in and never moves a stable user automatically.
- A due check may run once when the local browser UI opens. The UI remains quiet unless a compatible update is available.
- The About and Updates panel also supports an explicit Check Now action.
- A conservative 24-hour interval prevents repeated background requests. There is no continuous polling.
- Requests use the official GitHub releases API with a short timeout and ETag caching.
- Requests send only the normal HTTPS metadata and
InferBridge/<version>user agent. No hardware, model, prompt, chat, user ID, analytics, API key, or token is sent. - Offline and timeout failures are silent with respect to inference.
- The application validates SemVer ordering, release channel, manifest schema, architecture, Windows floor, data schema, artifact type, checksums, and official GitHub download URLs.
- Installed users are offered only the installer. Portable users are offered only the portable ZIP.
- The application never downloads, executes, or installs an update automatically.
- Skip This Version, Remind Me Later, and Disable Update Checks are local settings.
A manifest statement that an artifact is signed is not independent trust proof. Users should verify Authenticode and the published SHA-256 checksum.