feat: add beta release channel

.github/workflows/deploy-app.yml

@@ -4,9 +4,9 @@ on:
   push:
     tags:
       - 'v*'
-      - '!v*-rc.*'
+      - '!v*-beta.*'
       - 'app-v*'
-      - '!app-v*-rc.*'
+      - '!app-v*-beta.*'
   workflow_dispatch:
 
 jobs:

.github/workflows/desktop-release.yml

@@ -145,6 +145,7 @@ jobs:
           if [[ "$IS_SMOKE_TAG" != "true" ]]; then
             publish_mode="always"
             publish_args+=("-c.publish.releaseType=$RELEASE_TYPE")
+            publish_args+=("-c.publish.channel=$RELEASE_CHANNEL")
           fi
 
           npm run build --workspace="$DESKTOP_WORKSPACE" -- --publish "$publish_mode" --mac --${{ matrix.electron_arch }} "${publish_args[@]}"
@@ -154,7 +155,7 @@ jobs:
         uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
         with:
           name: mac-manifest-${{ matrix.electron_arch }}
-          path: ${{ env.DESKTOP_PACKAGE_PATH }}/release/latest-mac.yml
+          path: ${{ env.DESKTOP_PACKAGE_PATH }}/release/${{ env.RELEASE_CHANNEL }}-mac.yml
           retention-days: 1
 
   finalize-mac-manifest:
@@ -227,8 +228,9 @@ jobs:
             return out;
           }
 
-          const arm64Text = fs.readFileSync('mac-manifest-arm64/latest-mac.yml', 'utf8');
+          const manifestName = `${process.env.RELEASE_CHANNEL}-mac.yml`;
-          const x64Text = fs.readFileSync('mac-manifest-x64/latest-mac.yml', 'utf8');
+          const arm64Text = fs.readFileSync(`mac-manifest-arm64/${manifestName}`, 'utf8');
+          const x64Text = fs.readFileSync(`mac-manifest-x64/${manifestName}`, 'utf8');
 
           const arm64 = parseManifest(arm64Text);
           const x64 = parseManifest(x64Text);
@@ -243,7 +245,7 @@ jobs:
           };
 
           const output = toYaml(merged);
-          fs.writeFileSync('latest-mac.yml', output);
+          fs.writeFileSync(manifestName, output);
           console.log('Merged manifest:\n' + output);
           NODE
 
@@ -251,7 +253,7 @@ jobs:
         if: env.IS_SMOKE_TAG != 'true'
         env:
           GH_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
-        run: gh release upload "$RELEASE_TAG" latest-mac.yml --clobber --repo "${{ github.repository }}"
+        run: gh release upload "$RELEASE_TAG" "$RELEASE_CHANNEL-mac.yml" --clobber --repo "${{ github.repository }}"
 
   publish-linux:
     needs: [create-release]
@@ -316,6 +318,7 @@ jobs:
           if [[ "$IS_SMOKE_TAG" != "true" ]]; then
             publish_mode="always"
             publish_args+=("-c.publish.releaseType=$RELEASE_TYPE")
+            publish_args+=("-c.publish.channel=$RELEASE_CHANNEL")
           fi
 
           npm run build --workspace="$DESKTOP_WORKSPACE" -- --publish "$publish_mode" --linux --x64 "${publish_args[@]}"
@@ -391,6 +394,7 @@ jobs:
           if [[ "$IS_SMOKE_TAG" != "true" ]]; then
             publish_mode="always"
             publish_args+=("-c.publish.releaseType=$RELEASE_TYPE")
+            publish_args+=("-c.publish.channel=$RELEASE_CHANNEL")
           fi
 
           npm run build --workspace="$DESKTOP_WORKSPACE" -- --publish "$publish_mode" --win --x64 "${publish_args[@]}"

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -1,5 +1,10 @@
 # Changelog
 
+## 0.1.60-beta.1 - 2026-04-20
+
+### Added
+- Beta release channel for desktop updates, with a Settings toggle for receiving beta builds before they are promoted to stable.
+
 ## 0.1.59 - 2026-04-16
 
 ### Added

docs/ANDROID.md

@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ Stable tag pushes like `v0.1.0` trigger:
 - `packages/app/.eas/workflows/release-mobile.yml` on Expo servers (iOS + Android build + submit)
 - `.github/workflows/android-apk-release.yml` on GitHub Actions (APK asset on GitHub Release)
 
-Release candidate tags like `v0.1.1-rc.1` only trigger the GitHub APK workflow. They publish a GitHub prerelease APK for testing and do not submit to the stores.
+Beta tags like `v0.1.1-beta.1` only trigger the GitHub APK workflow. They publish a GitHub prerelease APK for testing and do not submit to the stores.
 
 ### Useful commands
 

docs/RELEASE.md

@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ All workspaces share one version and release together.
 There are two supported ways to ship from `main`:
 
 1. **Direct stable release**: you are ready to ship the current `main` commit to everyone immediately.
-2. **Release candidate flow**: you want public test builds first, but you are not ready for the website, npm, or production mobile release flows to move yet.
+2. **Beta flow**: you want public test builds first, but you are not ready for the website, npm, or production mobile release flows to move yet.
 
 ## Standard release (patch)
 
@@ -37,31 +37,32 @@ npm run release:publish      # Publish to npm
 npm run release:push         # Push HEAD + tag (triggers CI workflows)
 ```
 
-## Release candidate flow
+## Beta flow
 
 ```bash
-npm run release:rc:patch       # Bump to X.Y.Z-rc.1, push commit + tag
+npm run release:beta:patch       # Bump to X.Y.Z-beta.1, push commit + tag
 # ... test desktop and APK prerelease assets from GitHub Releases ...
-npm run release:rc:next        # Optional: cut X.Y.Z-rc.2, rc.3, ...
+npm run release:beta:next        # Optional: cut X.Y.Z-beta.2, beta.3, ...
-npm run release:promote        # Promote X.Y.Z-rc.N to stable X.Y.Z
+npm run release:promote          # Promote X.Y.Z-beta.N to stable X.Y.Z
 ```
 
-- RC tags are published GitHub prereleases like `v0.1.41-rc.1`
+- Beta tags are published GitHub prereleases like `v0.1.41-beta.1`
-- RCs publish desktop assets and APKs for testing, but they do not publish npm packages and do not trigger the production web/mobile release flows
+- Betas publish desktop assets and APKs for testing, but they do not publish npm packages and do not trigger the production web/mobile release flows
-- `release:promote` creates a fresh stable tag like `v0.1.41`; the final release never reuses the RC tag
+- `release:promote` creates a fresh stable tag like `v0.1.41`; the final release never reuses the beta tag
 - Desktop assets now come from the Electron package at `packages/desktop`
-- **Do NOT create a changelog entry for RCs.** The changelog remains stable-only. RC release notes are generated automatically so the website stays pinned to the latest published stable release.
+- Beta releases use Electron's `beta` update channel. Users on the stable channel only receive stable releases; users on the beta channel receive beta releases and the final stable release when it is published.
+- **Do create a changelog entry for betas.** The beta entry is temporary and gets updated in place until promotion.
 
-Use the RC path when you need to:
+Use the beta path when you need to:
 
 - test a build manually in a Linux or Windows VM
 - send a build to a user who is hitting a specific problem
-- iterate on `rc.1`, `rc.2`, `rc.3`, and so on before deciding to ship broadly
+- iterate on `beta.1`, `beta.2`, `beta.3`, and so on before deciding to ship broadly
 
 ## Website behavior
 
 - The website download page points to GitHub's latest published **stable** release.
-- Published RC prereleases are public on GitHub Releases, but they do **not** become the website download target.
+- Published beta prereleases are public on GitHub Releases, but they do **not** become the website download target.
 - The website only moves when you publish the final stable release tag like `v0.1.41`.
 
 ## Fixing a failed release build
@@ -88,13 +89,13 @@ git tag -f desktop-windows-v0.1.28 HEAD && git push origin desktop-windows-v0.1.
 # Android APK
 git tag -f android-v0.1.28 HEAD && git push origin android-v0.1.28 --force
 
-# RC
+# Beta
-git tag -f v0.1.29-rc.2 HEAD && git push origin v0.1.29-rc.2 --force
+git tag -f v0.1.29-beta.2 HEAD && git push origin v0.1.29-beta.2 --force
 ```
 
 This ensures the checkout ref matches the actual code on `main` with the fix included.
 
-- `vX.Y.Z` or `vX.Y.Z-rc.N` rebuilds the full tagged release
+- `vX.Y.Z` or `vX.Y.Z-beta.N` rebuilds the full tagged release
 - `desktop-vX.Y.Z` rebuilds desktop for all desktop platforms only
 - `desktop-macos-vX.Y.Z`, `desktop-linux-vX.Y.Z`, and `desktop-windows-vX.Y.Z` rebuild only that desktop platform
 - `android-vX.Y.Z` rebuilds the Android APK release only
@@ -105,24 +106,26 @@ This ensures the checkout ref matches the actual code on `main` with the fix inc
 - `release:prepare` refreshes workspace `node_modules` links to prevent stale types
 - `npm run dev:desktop` and `npm run build:desktop` target the Electron desktop package in `packages/desktop`
 - If `release:publish` partially fails, re-run it — npm skips already-published versions
-- The website uses GitHub's latest published release API for download links, so published RC prereleases do not replace the stable download target.
+- The website uses GitHub's latest published release API for download links, so published beta prereleases do not replace the stable download target.
 
 ## Changelog format
 
-Stable release notes depend on the changelog heading format. The heading **must** be strictly followed:
+Release notes depend on the changelog heading format. The heading **must** be strictly followed:
 
 ```
 ## X.Y.Z - YYYY-MM-DD
+## X.Y.Z-beta.N - YYYY-MM-DD
 ```
 
 No prefix (`v`), no extra text. The parser matches the first `## X.Y.Z` line to extract the version. A malformed heading will break download links on the homepage.
 
 ## Changelog policy
 
-- `CHANGELOG.md` is for **final stable releases only**.
+- `CHANGELOG.md` includes stable releases and the current beta line.
-- Do not add or edit changelog entries while iterating on RCs.
+- The first beta inserts a top entry like `## 0.1.60-beta.1 - YYYY-MM-DD`.
-- Write the proper changelog entry when you are cutting the final stable release that comes after the RC cycle.
+- The next beta updates that same top entry in place, for example from `0.1.60-beta.1` to `0.1.60-beta.2`.
-- Between stable releases, keep changelog work out of the repo until the final release is ready.
+- Stable promotion updates that same entry in place, for example from `0.1.60-beta.2` to `0.1.60`.
+- Do not create duplicate entries for each beta on the same version line.
 
 ## Changelog ownership
 
@@ -178,7 +181,7 @@ Entries within each section (Added, Improved, Fixed) are ordered by user impact:
 
 ## Pre-release sanity check
 
-Before cutting any release (RC or stable), run a Codex review of the diff as a last line of defence against shipping bugs.
+Before cutting any release (beta or stable), run a Codex review of the diff as a last line of defence against shipping bugs.
 
 Load the `paseo` skill and launch a **Codex 5.4** agent with a prompt like:
 
@@ -196,10 +199,10 @@ The agent's job is a deep sanity check, not a full code review. If it flags anyt
 
 The changelog always covers **stable-to-HEAD**:
 
-- **RC release**: the diff and release notes cover `latest stable tag → HEAD`. RC release notes are auto-generated and not added to `CHANGELOG.md`.
+- **Beta release**: the diff and release notes cover `latest stable tag -> HEAD`. The current beta changelog entry is updated in place.
-- **Stable release**: the diff and changelog entry cover `latest stable tag → HEAD`. Any intermediate RCs are skipped — the changelog captures the full delta from the previous stable release, not just what changed since the last RC.
+- **Stable release**: the same changelog entry is promoted in place. It still captures the full delta from the previous stable release, not just what changed since the last beta.
 
-In other words, RCs are checkpoints along the way; the changelog only records the final jump from one stable version to the next.
+In other words, betas are checkpoints along the way; the changelog entry remains the single record for the final jump from one stable version to the next.
 
 ## Completion checklist
 

package-lock.json

@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 {
   "name": "paseo",
-  "version": "0.1.60-rc.3",
+  "version": "0.1.60-beta.1",
   "lockfileVersion": 3,
   "requires": true,
   "packages": {
     "": {
       "name": "paseo",
-      "version": "0.1.60-rc.3",
+      "version": "0.1.60-beta.1",
       "hasInstallScript": true,
       "license": "AGPL-3.0-or-later",
       "workspaces": [
@@ -37303,16 +37303,16 @@
     },
     "packages/app": {
       "name": "@getpaseo/app",
-      "version": "0.1.60-rc.3",
+      "version": "0.1.60-beta.1",
       "dependencies": {
         "@dnd-kit/core": "^6.3.1",
         "@dnd-kit/sortable": "^10.0.0",
         "@dnd-kit/utilities": "^3.2.2",
         "@expo/vector-icons": "^15.0.2",
         "@floating-ui/react-native": "^0.10.7",
-        "@getpaseo/expo-two-way-audio": "0.1.60-rc.3",
+        "@getpaseo/expo-two-way-audio": "0.1.60-beta.1",
-        "@getpaseo/highlight": "0.1.60-rc.3",
+        "@getpaseo/highlight": "0.1.60-beta.1",
-        "@getpaseo/server": "0.1.60-rc.3",
+        "@getpaseo/server": "0.1.60-beta.1",
         "@gorhom/bottom-sheet": "^5.2.6",
         "@gorhom/portal": "^1.0.14",
         "@react-native-async-storage/async-storage": "2.2.0",
@@ -37456,11 +37456,11 @@
     },
     "packages/cli": {
       "name": "@getpaseo/cli",
-      "version": "0.1.60-rc.3",
+      "version": "0.1.60-beta.1",
       "dependencies": {
         "@clack/prompts": "^1.0.0",
-        "@getpaseo/relay": "0.1.60-rc.3",
+        "@getpaseo/relay": "0.1.60-beta.1",
-        "@getpaseo/server": "0.1.60-rc.3",
+        "@getpaseo/server": "0.1.60-beta.1",
         "chalk": "^5.3.0",
         "commander": "^12.0.0",
         "mime-types": "^2.1.35",
@@ -37501,11 +37501,11 @@
     },
     "packages/desktop": {
       "name": "@getpaseo/desktop",
-      "version": "0.1.60-rc.3",
+      "version": "0.1.60-beta.1",
       "license": "AGPL-3.0-or-later",
       "dependencies": {
-        "@getpaseo/cli": "0.1.60-rc.3",
+        "@getpaseo/cli": "0.1.60-beta.1",
-        "@getpaseo/server": "0.1.60-rc.3",
+        "@getpaseo/server": "0.1.60-beta.1",
         "electron-log": "^5.4.3",
         "electron-updater": "^6.6.2",
         "ws": "^8.14.2"
@@ -37539,7 +37539,7 @@
     },
     "packages/expo-two-way-audio": {
       "name": "@getpaseo/expo-two-way-audio",
-      "version": "0.1.60-rc.3",
+      "version": "0.1.60-beta.1",
       "license": "MIT",
       "devDependencies": {
         "@biomejs/biome": "1.9.4",
@@ -37740,7 +37740,7 @@
     },
     "packages/highlight": {
       "name": "@getpaseo/highlight",
-      "version": "0.1.60-rc.3",
+      "version": "0.1.60-beta.1",
       "dependencies": {
         "@lezer/common": "^1.5.0",
         "@lezer/cpp": "^1.1.5",
@@ -37766,7 +37766,7 @@
     },
     "packages/relay": {
       "name": "@getpaseo/relay",
-      "version": "0.1.60-rc.3",
+      "version": "0.1.60-beta.1",
       "dependencies": {
         "base64-js": "^1.5.1",
         "tweetnacl": "^1.0.3",
@@ -37782,14 +37782,14 @@
     },
     "packages/server": {
       "name": "@getpaseo/server",
-      "version": "0.1.60-rc.3",
+      "version": "0.1.60-beta.1",
       "dependencies": {
         "@agentclientprotocol/sdk": "^0.17.1",
         "@ai-sdk/openai": "2.0.52",
         "@anthropic-ai/claude-agent-sdk": "^0.2.11",
         "@deepgram/sdk": "^3.4.0",
-        "@getpaseo/highlight": "0.1.60-rc.3",
+        "@getpaseo/highlight": "0.1.60-beta.1",
-        "@getpaseo/relay": "0.1.60-rc.3",
+        "@getpaseo/relay": "0.1.60-beta.1",
         "@isaacs/ttlcache": "^2.1.4",
         "@mariozechner/pi-coding-agent": "^0.67.68",
         "@modelcontextprotocol/sdk": "^1.20.1",
@@ -38543,7 +38543,7 @@
     },
     "packages/website": {
       "name": "@getpaseo/website",
-      "version": "0.1.60-rc.3",
+      "version": "0.1.60-beta.1",
       "dependencies": {
         "@cloudflare/vite-plugin": "^1.20.3",
         "@cloudflare/workers-types": "^4.20260114.0",

package.json

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "paseo",
-  "version": "0.1.60-rc.3",
+  "version": "0.1.60-beta.1",
   "private": true,
   "workspaces": [
     "packages/expo-two-way-audio",
@@ -47,19 +47,19 @@
     "version:all:patch": "node scripts/set-release-version.mjs --mode patch",
     "version:all:minor": "node scripts/set-release-version.mjs --mode minor",
     "version:all:major": "node scripts/set-release-version.mjs --mode major",
-    "version:all:rc:patch": "node scripts/set-release-version.mjs --mode rc-patch",
+    "version:all:beta:patch": "node scripts/set-release-version.mjs --mode beta-patch",
-    "version:all:rc:minor": "node scripts/set-release-version.mjs --mode rc-minor",
+    "version:all:beta:minor": "node scripts/set-release-version.mjs --mode beta-minor",
-    "version:all:rc:major": "node scripts/set-release-version.mjs --mode rc-major",
+    "version:all:beta:major": "node scripts/set-release-version.mjs --mode beta-major",
-    "version:all:rc:next": "node scripts/set-release-version.mjs --mode rc-next",
+    "version:all:beta:next": "node scripts/set-release-version.mjs --mode beta-next",
     "version:all:promote": "node scripts/set-release-version.mjs --mode promote",
     "release:check": "npm run release:prepare && npm run typecheck --workspace=@getpaseo/highlight && npm run build --workspace=@getpaseo/highlight && npm run typecheck --workspace=@getpaseo/relay && npm run build --workspace=@getpaseo/relay && npm run typecheck --workspace=@getpaseo/server && npm run build --workspace=@getpaseo/server && npm run typecheck --workspace=@getpaseo/cli && npm run build --workspace=@getpaseo/cli && npm pack --dry-run --workspace=@getpaseo/highlight && npm pack --dry-run --workspace=@getpaseo/relay && npm pack --dry-run --workspace=@getpaseo/server && npm pack --dry-run --workspace=@getpaseo/cli",
     "release:publish:dry-run": "npm publish --dry-run --workspace=@getpaseo/highlight --access public && npm publish --dry-run --workspace=@getpaseo/relay --access public && npm publish --dry-run --workspace=@getpaseo/server --access public && npm publish --dry-run --workspace=@getpaseo/cli --access public",
     "release:publish": "npm publish --workspace=@getpaseo/highlight --access public && npm publish --workspace=@getpaseo/relay --access public && npm publish --workspace=@getpaseo/server --access public && npm publish --workspace=@getpaseo/cli --access public",
     "release:push": "node scripts/push-current-release-tag.mjs",
-    "release:rc:patch": "npm run release:check && npm run version:all:rc:patch && npm run release:push",
+    "release:beta:patch": "npm run release:check && npm run version:all:beta:patch && npm run release:push",
-    "release:rc:minor": "npm run release:check && npm run version:all:rc:minor && npm run release:push",
+    "release:beta:minor": "npm run release:check && npm run version:all:beta:minor && npm run release:push",
-    "release:rc:major": "npm run release:check && npm run version:all:rc:major && npm run release:push",
+    "release:beta:major": "npm run release:check && npm run version:all:beta:major && npm run release:push",
-    "release:rc:next": "npm run release:check && npm run version:all:rc:next && npm run release:push",
+    "release:beta:next": "npm run release:check && npm run version:all:beta:next && npm run release:push",
     "release:promote": "npm run release:check && npm run version:all:promote && npm run release:publish && npm run release:push",
     "release:patch": "npm run release:check && npm run version:all:patch && npm run release:publish && npm run release:push",
     "release:minor": "npm run release:check && npm run version:all:minor && npm run release:publish && npm run release:push",

packages/app/package.json

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
   "name": "@getpaseo/app",
   "main": "index.ts",
-  "version": "0.1.60-rc.3",
+  "version": "0.1.60-beta.1",
   "private": true,
   "scripts": {
     "start": "APP_VARIANT=development expo start",
@@ -31,9 +31,9 @@
     "@dnd-kit/utilities": "^3.2.2",
     "@expo/vector-icons": "^15.0.2",
     "@floating-ui/react-native": "^0.10.7",
-    "@getpaseo/expo-two-way-audio": "0.1.60-rc.3",
+    "@getpaseo/expo-two-way-audio": "0.1.60-beta.1",
-    "@getpaseo/highlight": "0.1.60-rc.3",
+    "@getpaseo/highlight": "0.1.60-beta.1",
-    "@getpaseo/server": "0.1.60-rc.3",
+    "@getpaseo/server": "0.1.60-beta.1",
     "@gorhom/bottom-sheet": "^5.2.6",
     "@gorhom/portal": "^1.0.14",
     "@react-native-async-storage/async-storage": "2.2.0",

packages/app/src/components/ui/segmented-control.tsx

@@ -35,12 +35,13 @@ export function SegmentedControl<T extends string>({
   testID,
 }: SegmentedControlProps<T>) {
   const { theme } = useUnistyles();
+  const containerSizeStyle = size === "sm" ? styles.containerSm : styles.containerMd;
   const segmentSizeStyle = size === "sm" ? styles.segmentSm : styles.segmentMd;
   const labelSizeStyle = size === "sm" ? styles.labelSm : styles.labelMd;
   const iconSize = size === "sm" ? theme.iconSize.sm : theme.iconSize.md;
 
   return (
-    <View style={[styles.container, style]} testID={testID}>
+    <View style={[styles.container, containerSizeStyle, style]} testID={testID}>
       {options.map((option) => {
         const isSelected = option.value === value;
         const iconColor = isSelected ? theme.colors.foreground : theme.colors.foregroundMuted;
@@ -89,39 +90,46 @@ export function SegmentedControl<T extends string>({
 const styles = StyleSheet.create((theme) => ({
   container: {
     flexDirection: "row",
-    alignItems: "center",
+    alignItems: "stretch",
     maxWidth: "100%",
-    gap: 4,
+    backgroundColor: theme.colors.surface2,
+    borderRadius: theme.borderRadius.lg,
+  },
+  containerSm: {
+    padding: 2,
+  },
+  containerMd: {
+    padding: 3,
   },
   segment: {
     flexDirection: "row",
     alignItems: "center",
     justifyContent: "center",
     flexShrink: 0,
-    borderRadius: theme.borderRadius.full,
+    borderRadius: theme.borderRadius.lg,
-    borderWidth: 1,
-    borderColor: "transparent",
     gap: theme.spacing[1],
   },
   segmentSm: {
-    paddingVertical: theme.spacing[1],
+    paddingVertical: theme.spacing[2],
-    paddingHorizontal: theme.spacing[2],
+    paddingHorizontal: theme.spacing[4],
   },
   segmentMd: {
-    paddingVertical: theme.spacing[2],
+    paddingVertical: theme.spacing[3],
-    paddingHorizontal: theme.spacing[3],
+    paddingHorizontal: theme.spacing[6],
   },
   segmentSelected: {
-    backgroundColor: theme.colors.surface3,
+    backgroundColor: theme.colors.surface0,
-    borderColor: theme.colors.border,
+    shadowColor: "#000",
+    shadowOffset: { width: 0, height: 1 },
+    shadowOpacity: 0.08,
+    shadowRadius: 2,
+    elevation: 1,
   },
   segmentHover: {
-    backgroundColor: theme.colors.surface3,
+    backgroundColor: theme.colors.surface1,
-    borderColor: theme.colors.borderAccent,
   },
   segmentPressed: {
-    backgroundColor: theme.colors.surface3,
+    backgroundColor: theme.colors.surface1,
-    borderColor: theme.colors.borderAccent,
   },
   segmentDisabled: {
     opacity: theme.opacity[50],

packages/app/src/desktop/updates/desktop-updates.ts

@@ -17,6 +17,8 @@ export interface DesktopAppUpdateInstallResult {
   message: string;
 }
 
+export type DesktopReleaseChannel = "stable" | "beta";
+
 export interface LocalDaemonUpdateResult {
   exitCode: number;
   stdout: string;
@@ -69,8 +71,12 @@ export async function getLocalDaemonVersion(): Promise<LocalDaemonVersionResult>
   return parseLocalDaemonVersionResult(result);
 }
 
-export async function checkDesktopAppUpdate(): Promise<DesktopAppUpdateCheckResult> {
+export async function checkDesktopAppUpdate({
-  const result = await invokeDesktopCommand<unknown>("check_app_update");
+  releaseChannel,
+}: {
+  releaseChannel: DesktopReleaseChannel;
+}): Promise<DesktopAppUpdateCheckResult> {
+  const result = await invokeDesktopCommand<unknown>("check_app_update", { releaseChannel });
   if (!isRecord(result)) {
     throw new Error("Unexpected response while checking desktop updates.");
   }
@@ -85,8 +91,12 @@ export async function checkDesktopAppUpdate(): Promise<DesktopAppUpdateCheckResu
   };
 }
 
-export async function installDesktopAppUpdate(): Promise<DesktopAppUpdateInstallResult> {
+export async function installDesktopAppUpdate({
-  const result = await invokeDesktopCommand<unknown>("install_app_update");
+  releaseChannel,
+}: {
+  releaseChannel: DesktopReleaseChannel;
+}): Promise<DesktopAppUpdateInstallResult> {
+  const result = await invokeDesktopCommand<unknown>("install_app_update", { releaseChannel });
   if (!isRecord(result)) {
     throw new Error("Unexpected response while installing desktop update.");
   }

packages/app/src/desktop/updates/use-desktop-app-updater.ts

@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import {
   type DesktopAppUpdateCheckResult,
   type DesktopAppUpdateInstallResult,
 } from "@/desktop/updates/desktop-updates";
+import { useAppSettings } from "@/hooks/use-settings";
 
 export type DesktopAppUpdateStatus =
   | "idle"
@@ -83,6 +84,8 @@ function formatStatusText(input: {
 
 export function useDesktopAppUpdater(): UseDesktopAppUpdaterReturn {
   const isDesktopApp = shouldShowDesktopUpdateSection();
+  const { settings } = useAppSettings();
+  const releaseChannel = settings.releaseChannel;
   const requestVersionRef = useRef(0);
   const [status, setStatus] = useState<DesktopAppUpdateStatus>("idle");
   const [availableUpdate, setAvailableUpdate] = useState<DesktopAppUpdateCheckResult | null>(null);
@@ -105,7 +108,7 @@ export function useDesktopAppUpdater(): UseDesktopAppUpdaterReturn {
       setErrorMessage(null);
 
       try {
-        const result = await checkDesktopAppUpdate();
+        const result = await checkDesktopAppUpdate({ releaseChannel });
         if (requestVersion !== requestVersionRef.current) {
           return result;
         }
@@ -140,9 +143,17 @@ export function useDesktopAppUpdater(): UseDesktopAppUpdaterReturn {
         return null;
       }
     },
-    [isDesktopApp],
+    [isDesktopApp, releaseChannel],
   );
 
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!isDesktopApp) {
+      return;
+    }
+
+    void checkForUpdates({ silent: true });
+  }, [checkForUpdates, isDesktopApp]);
+
   useEffect(() => {
     if (!isDesktopApp || status !== "pending") {
       return undefined;
@@ -166,7 +177,7 @@ export function useDesktopAppUpdater(): UseDesktopAppUpdaterReturn {
     setErrorMessage(null);
 
     try {
-      const result = await installDesktopAppUpdate();
+      const result = await installDesktopAppUpdate({ releaseChannel });
       setLastCheckedAt(Date.now());
 
       if (result.installed) {
@@ -186,7 +197,7 @@ export function useDesktopAppUpdater(): UseDesktopAppUpdaterReturn {
       setErrorMessage(message);
       return null;
     }
-  }, [isDesktopApp]);
+  }, [isDesktopApp, releaseChannel]);
 
   return {
     isDesktopApp,

packages/app/src/hooks/use-settings.test.ts

@@ -40,6 +40,16 @@ describe("use-settings", () => {
     expect(result.theme).toBe("auto");
   });
 
+  it("defaults release channel to stable when storage is empty", async () => {
+    asyncStorageMock.getItem.mockResolvedValue(null);
+    asyncStorageMock.setItem.mockResolvedValue();
+
+    const mod = await import("./use-settings");
+    const result = await mod.loadSettingsFromStorage();
+
+    expect(result.releaseChannel).toBe("stable");
+  });
+
   it("loads persisted built-in daemon management state", async () => {
     asyncStorageMock.getItem.mockImplementation(async (key: string) => {
       if (key === "@paseo:app-settings") {
@@ -58,7 +68,24 @@ describe("use-settings", () => {
       theme: "light",
       manageBuiltInDaemon: false,
       sendBehavior: "interrupt",
+      releaseChannel: "stable",
     });
     expect(asyncStorageMock.setItem).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
   });
+
+  it("loads persisted beta release channel", async () => {
+    asyncStorageMock.getItem.mockImplementation(async (key: string) => {
+      if (key === "@paseo:app-settings") {
+        return JSON.stringify({
+          releaseChannel: "beta",
+        });
+      }
+      return null;
+    });
+
+    const mod = await import("./use-settings");
+    const result = await mod.loadSettingsFromStorage();
+
+    expect(result.releaseChannel).toBe("beta");
+  });
 });

packages/app/src/hooks/use-settings.ts

@@ -9,19 +9,23 @@ const APP_SETTINGS_QUERY_KEY = ["app-settings"];
 import { THEME_TO_UNISTYLES, type ThemeName } from "@/styles/theme";
 
 export type SendBehavior = "interrupt" | "queue";
+export type ReleaseChannel = "stable" | "beta";
 
 const VALID_THEMES = new Set<string>([...Object.keys(THEME_TO_UNISTYLES), "auto"]);
+const VALID_RELEASE_CHANNELS = new Set<string>(["stable", "beta"]);
 
 export interface AppSettings {
   theme: ThemeName | "auto";
   manageBuiltInDaemon: boolean;
   sendBehavior: SendBehavior;
+  releaseChannel: ReleaseChannel;
 }
 
 export const DEFAULT_APP_SETTINGS: AppSettings = {
   theme: "auto",
   manageBuiltInDaemon: true,
   sendBehavior: "interrupt",
+  releaseChannel: "stable",
 };
 
 export interface UseAppSettingsReturn {
@@ -85,6 +89,9 @@ export async function loadSettingsFromStorage(): Promise<AppSettings> {
       if (parsed.theme && !VALID_THEMES.has(parsed.theme)) {
         parsed.theme = DEFAULT_APP_SETTINGS.theme;
       }
+      if (parsed.releaseChannel && !VALID_RELEASE_CHANNELS.has(parsed.releaseChannel)) {
+        parsed.releaseChannel = DEFAULT_APP_SETTINGS.releaseChannel;
+      }
       return { ...DEFAULT_APP_SETTINGS, ...parsed };
     }
 
@@ -115,6 +122,9 @@ function pickAppSettingsFromLegacy(legacy: Record<string, unknown>): Partial<App
   if (typeof legacy.manageBuiltInDaemon === "boolean") {
     result.manageBuiltInDaemon = legacy.manageBuiltInDaemon;
   }
+  if (legacy.releaseChannel === "stable" || legacy.releaseChannel === "beta") {
+    result.releaseChannel = legacy.releaseChannel;
+  }
   return result;
 }
 

packages/app/src/screens/settings-screen.tsx

@@ -281,6 +281,7 @@ function AboutSection({ appVersionText, isDesktopApp }: AboutSectionProps) {
 }
 
 function DesktopAppUpdateRow() {
+  const { settings, updateSettings } = useAppSettings();
   const {
     isDesktopApp,
     statusText,
@@ -309,6 +310,13 @@ function DesktopAppUpdateRow() {
     void checkForUpdates();
   }, [checkForUpdates, isDesktopApp]);
 
+  const handleReleaseChannelChange = useCallback(
+    (releaseChannel: AppSettings["releaseChannel"]) => {
+      void updateSettings({ releaseChannel });
+    },
+    [updateSettings],
+  );
+
   const handleInstallUpdate = useCallback(() => {
     if (!isDesktopApp) {
       return;
@@ -337,40 +345,59 @@ function DesktopAppUpdateRow() {
   }
 
   return (
-    <View style={[settingsStyles.row, settingsStyles.rowBorder]}>
+    <>
-      <View style={settingsStyles.rowContent}>
+      <View style={[settingsStyles.row, settingsStyles.rowBorder]}>
-        <Text style={settingsStyles.rowTitle}>App updates</Text>
+        <View style={settingsStyles.rowContent}>
-        <Text style={settingsStyles.rowHint}>{statusText}</Text>
+          <Text style={settingsStyles.rowTitle}>Release channel</Text>
-        {availableUpdate?.latestVersion ? (
           <Text style={settingsStyles.rowHint}>
-            Ready to install: {formatVersionWithPrefix(availableUpdate.latestVersion)}
+            Switch to Beta to get updates sooner and help shape them.
           </Text>
-        ) : null}
+        </View>
-        {errorMessage ? <Text style={styles.aboutErrorText}>{errorMessage}</Text> : null}
+        <SegmentedControl
-      </View>
-      <View style={styles.aboutUpdateActions}>
-        <Button
-          variant="outline"
           size="sm"
-          onPress={handleCheckForUpdates}
+          value={settings.releaseChannel}
-          disabled={isChecking || isInstalling}
+          onValueChange={handleReleaseChannelChange}
-        >
+          options={[
-          {isChecking ? "Checking..." : "Check"}
+            { value: "stable", label: "Stable" },
-        </Button>
+            { value: "beta", label: "Beta" },
-        <Button
+          ]}
-          variant="default"
+        />
-          size="sm"
-          onPress={handleInstallUpdate}
-          disabled={isChecking || isInstalling || !availableUpdate}
-        >
-          {isInstalling
-            ? "Installing..."
-            : availableUpdate?.latestVersion
-              ? `Update to ${formatVersionWithPrefix(availableUpdate.latestVersion)}`
-              : "Update"}
-        </Button>
       </View>
-    </View>
+      <View style={[settingsStyles.row, settingsStyles.rowBorder]}>
+        <View style={settingsStyles.rowContent}>
+          <Text style={settingsStyles.rowTitle}>App updates</Text>
+          <Text style={settingsStyles.rowHint}>{statusText}</Text>
+          {availableUpdate?.latestVersion ? (
+            <Text style={settingsStyles.rowHint}>
+              Ready to install: {formatVersionWithPrefix(availableUpdate.latestVersion)}
+            </Text>
+          ) : null}
+          {errorMessage ? <Text style={styles.aboutErrorText}>{errorMessage}</Text> : null}
+        </View>
+        <View style={styles.aboutUpdateActions}>
+          <Button
+            variant="outline"
+            size="sm"
+            onPress={handleCheckForUpdates}
+            disabled={isChecking || isInstalling}
+          >
+            {isChecking ? "Checking..." : "Check"}
+          </Button>
+          <Button
+            variant="default"
+            size="sm"
+            onPress={handleInstallUpdate}
+            disabled={isChecking || isInstalling || !availableUpdate}
+          >
+            {isInstalling
+              ? "Installing..."
+              : availableUpdate?.latestVersion
+                ? `Update to ${formatVersionWithPrefix(availableUpdate.latestVersion)}`
+                : "Update"}
+          </Button>
+        </View>
+      </View>
+    </>
   );
 }
 
@@ -858,9 +885,10 @@ export default function SettingsScreen({ view }: SettingsScreenProps) {
           layout="desktop"
         />
         <View style={desktopStyles.contentPane}>
-          {detailHeader ? (
+          <ScreenHeader
-            <ScreenHeader
+            borderless={!detailHeader}
-              left={
+            left={
+              detailHeader ? (
                 <>
                   <HeaderIconBadge>
                     <detailHeader.Icon
@@ -873,10 +901,10 @@ export default function SettingsScreen({ view }: SettingsScreenProps) {
                   </ScreenTitle>
                   {detailHeader.titleAccessory}
                 </>
-              }
+              ) : null
-              leftStyle={desktopStyles.detailLeft}
+            }
-            />
+            leftStyle={desktopStyles.detailLeft}
-          ) : null}
+          />
           <ScrollView
             style={styles.scrollView}
             contentContainerStyle={{ paddingBottom: insets.bottom }}

packages/app/src/utils/desktop-window.ts

@@ -19,58 +19,66 @@ type RawWindowControlsPadding = {
 
 type WindowControlsPaddingRole = "sidebar" | "header" | "tabRow" | "explorerSidebar";
 
+// Module-level cache so hook remounts (e.g., on navigation) don't briefly
+// fall back to the default `false` while the async fullscreen check resolves.
+// Without this, in fullscreen the sidebar flashes with traffic-light padding
+// on first frame and then snaps to 0 once the async read completes.
+let cachedIsFullscreen = false;
+const fullscreenSubscribers = new Set<(value: boolean) => void>();
+let fullscreenSubscriptionStarted = false;
+
+function setCachedFullscreen(value: boolean) {
+  if (cachedIsFullscreen === value) return;
+  cachedIsFullscreen = value;
+  for (const sub of fullscreenSubscribers) {
+    sub(value);
+  }
+}
+
+function startFullscreenSubscription() {
+  if (fullscreenSubscriptionStarted) return;
+  if (isNative || !getIsElectronRuntime()) return;
+  fullscreenSubscriptionStarted = true;
+
+  void (async () => {
+    const win = getDesktopWindow();
+    if (!win) return;
+
+    if (typeof win.isFullscreen === "function") {
+      try {
+        setCachedFullscreen(await win.isFullscreen());
+      } catch (error) {
+        console.warn("[DesktopWindow] Failed to read fullscreen state", error);
+      }
+    }
+
+    if (typeof win.onResized !== "function") return;
+
+    try {
+      await win.onResized(async () => {
+        if (typeof win.isFullscreen !== "function") return;
+        try {
+          setCachedFullscreen(await win.isFullscreen());
+        } catch (error) {
+          console.warn("[DesktopWindow] Failed to read fullscreen state", error);
+        }
+      });
+    } catch (error) {
+      console.warn("[DesktopWindow] Failed to subscribe to resize", error);
+    }
+  })();
+}
+
 function useRawWindowControlsPadding(): RawWindowControlsPadding {
-  const [isFullscreen, setIsFullscreen] = useState(false);
+  const [isFullscreen, setIsFullscreen] = useState(cachedIsFullscreen);
 
   useEffect(() => {
-    if (isNative || !getIsElectronRuntime()) return;
+    startFullscreenSubscription();
-
+    // Sync to any value that resolved between render and effect.
-    let disposed = false;
+    setIsFullscreen(cachedIsFullscreen);
-    let cleanup: (() => void) | undefined;
+    fullscreenSubscribers.add(setIsFullscreen);
-    let didCleanup = false;
-
-    function runCleanup() {
-      if (!cleanup || didCleanup) return;
-      didCleanup = true;
-      try {
-        void Promise.resolve(cleanup()).catch((error) => {
-          console.warn("[DesktopWindow] Failed to remove resize listener", error);
-        });
-      } catch (error) {
-        console.warn("[DesktopWindow] Failed to remove resize listener", error);
-      }
-    }
-
-    async function setup() {
-      const win = getDesktopWindow();
-      if (!win) return;
-
-      const fullscreen = typeof win.isFullscreen === "function" ? await win.isFullscreen() : false;
-      if (disposed) return;
-      setIsFullscreen(fullscreen);
-
-      if (typeof win.onResized !== "function") {
-        return;
-      }
-
-      const unlisten = await win.onResized(async () => {
-        if (disposed) return;
-        const fs = typeof win.isFullscreen === "function" ? await win.isFullscreen() : false;
-        if (disposed) return;
-        setIsFullscreen(fs);
-      });
-
-      cleanup = unlisten;
-      if (disposed) {
-        runCleanup();
-      }
-    }
-
-    void setup();
-
     return () => {
-      disposed = true;
+      fullscreenSubscribers.delete(setIsFullscreen);
-      runCleanup();
     };
   }, []);
 

packages/cli/package.json

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@getpaseo/cli",
-  "version": "0.1.60-rc.3",
+  "version": "0.1.60-beta.1",
   "description": "Paseo CLI - control your AI coding agents from the command line",
   "type": "module",
   "files": [
@@ -24,8 +24,8 @@
   },
   "dependencies": {
     "@clack/prompts": "^1.0.0",
-    "@getpaseo/relay": "0.1.60-rc.3",
+    "@getpaseo/relay": "0.1.60-beta.1",
-    "@getpaseo/server": "0.1.60-rc.3",
+    "@getpaseo/server": "0.1.60-beta.1",
     "chalk": "^5.3.0",
     "commander": "^12.0.0",
     "mime-types": "^2.1.35",

packages/desktop/package.json

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@getpaseo/desktop",
-  "version": "0.1.60-rc.3",
+  "version": "0.1.60-beta.1",
   "private": true,
   "description": "Paseo desktop app (Electron wrapper)",
   "main": "dist/main.js",
@@ -13,8 +13,8 @@
     "typecheck": "tsc --noEmit -p tsconfig.json"
   },
   "dependencies": {
-    "@getpaseo/cli": "0.1.60-rc.3",
+    "@getpaseo/cli": "0.1.60-beta.1",
-    "@getpaseo/server": "0.1.60-rc.3",
+    "@getpaseo/server": "0.1.60-beta.1",
     "electron-log": "^5.4.3",
     "electron-updater": "^6.6.2",
     "ws": "^8.14.2"

packages/desktop/src/daemon/daemon-manager.ts

@@ -11,7 +11,11 @@ import {
   readManagedFileBase64,
   writeAttachmentBase64,
 } from "../features/attachments.js";
-import { checkForAppUpdate, downloadAndInstallUpdate } from "../features/auto-updater.js";
+import {
+  checkForAppUpdate,
+  downloadAndInstallUpdate,
+  type AppReleaseChannel,
+} from "../features/auto-updater.js";
 import {
   installCli,
   getCliInstallStatus,
@@ -65,6 +69,10 @@ type DesktopPairingOffer = {
 
 type DesktopCommandHandler = (args?: Record<string, unknown>) => Promise<unknown> | unknown;
 
+function parseReleaseChannel(args: Record<string, unknown> | undefined): AppReleaseChannel {
+  return args?.releaseChannel === "beta" ? "beta" : "stable";
+}
+
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Utilities
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -483,15 +491,18 @@ export function createDaemonCommandHandlers(): Record<string, DesktopCommandHand
           : "";
       if (sessionId) closeLocalTransportSession(sessionId);
     },
-    check_app_update: async () => {
+    check_app_update: async (args) => {
       const currentVersion = await resolveCurrentUpdateVersion();
-      return checkForAppUpdate(currentVersion);
+      return checkForAppUpdate({ currentVersion, releaseChannel: parseReleaseChannel(args) });
     },
-    install_app_update: async () => {
+    install_app_update: async (args) => {
       const currentVersion = await resolveCurrentUpdateVersion();
-      return downloadAndInstallUpdate(currentVersion, async () => {
+      return downloadAndInstallUpdate(
-        await stopDaemon();
+        { currentVersion, releaseChannel: parseReleaseChannel(args) },
-      });
+        async () => {
+          await stopDaemon();
+        },
+      );
     },
     get_local_daemon_version: () => getLocalDaemonVersion(),
     install_cli: () => installCli(),

packages/desktop/src/features/auto-updater.ts

@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@ export type AppUpdateInstallResult = {
   message: string;
 };
 
+export type AppReleaseChannel = "stable" | "beta";
+
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // State
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -28,18 +30,29 @@ let cachedUpdateInfo: UpdateInfo | null = null;
 let downloadedUpdateVersion: string | null = null;
 let downloading = false;
 let autoUpdaterConfigured = false;
+let configuredReleaseChannel: AppReleaseChannel | null = null;
 
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Configuration
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-function configureAutoUpdater(): void {
+function configureAutoUpdater(releaseChannel: AppReleaseChannel): void {
   // Download updates in the background and only prompt once they are ready to install.
   autoUpdater.autoDownload = true;
   autoUpdater.autoInstallOnAppQuit = true;
 
   // Suppress built-in dialogs; the renderer handles UI.
   autoUpdater.autoRunAppAfterInstall = true;
+  autoUpdater.allowPrerelease = releaseChannel === "beta";
+  autoUpdater.channel = releaseChannel === "beta" ? "beta" : "latest";
+  autoUpdater.allowDowngrade = false;
+
+  if (configuredReleaseChannel !== releaseChannel) {
+    cachedUpdateInfo = null;
+    downloadedUpdateVersion = null;
+    downloading = false;
+    configuredReleaseChannel = releaseChannel;
+  }
 
   if (autoUpdaterConfigured) {
     return;
@@ -109,7 +122,13 @@ function scheduleQuitAndInstall(onBeforeQuit?: () => Promise<void>): void {
 // Public API
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-export async function checkForAppUpdate(currentVersion: string): Promise<AppUpdateCheckResult> {
+export async function checkForAppUpdate({
+  currentVersion,
+  releaseChannel,
+}: {
+  currentVersion: string;
+  releaseChannel: AppReleaseChannel;
+}): Promise<AppUpdateCheckResult> {
   if (!app.isPackaged) {
     return buildCheckResult({
       currentVersion,
@@ -118,7 +137,7 @@ export async function checkForAppUpdate(currentVersion: string): Promise<AppUpda
     });
   }
 
-  configureAutoUpdater();
+  configureAutoUpdater(releaseChannel);
 
   const cachedVersion = cachedUpdateInfo?.version ?? null;
   if (cachedVersion && cachedVersion !== currentVersion) {
@@ -176,7 +195,13 @@ export async function checkForAppUpdate(currentVersion: string): Promise<AppUpda
 }
 
 export async function downloadAndInstallUpdate(
-  currentVersion: string,
+  {
+    currentVersion,
+    releaseChannel,
+  }: {
+    currentVersion: string;
+    releaseChannel: AppReleaseChannel;
+  },
   onBeforeQuit?: () => Promise<void>,
 ): Promise<AppUpdateInstallResult> {
   if (!app.isPackaged) {
@@ -195,7 +220,7 @@ export async function downloadAndInstallUpdate(
     };
   }
 
-  configureAutoUpdater();
+  configureAutoUpdater(releaseChannel);
 
   const readyVersion = cachedUpdateInfo.version;
   if (isReadyToInstallVersion(readyVersion)) {

packages/expo-two-way-audio/package.json

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@getpaseo/expo-two-way-audio",
-  "version": "0.1.60-rc.3",
+  "version": "0.1.60-beta.1",
   "description": "Native module for two way audio streaming",
   "main": "build/index.js",
   "types": "build/index.d.ts",

packages/highlight/package.json

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@getpaseo/highlight",
-  "version": "0.1.60-rc.3",
+  "version": "0.1.60-beta.1",
   "type": "module",
   "publishConfig": {
     "access": "public"

packages/relay/package.json

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@getpaseo/relay",
-  "version": "0.1.60-rc.3",
+  "version": "0.1.60-beta.1",
   "description": "Paseo relay for bridging daemon and client connections",
   "type": "module",
   "publishConfig": {

packages/server/package.json

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@getpaseo/server",
-  "version": "0.1.60-rc.3",
+  "version": "0.1.60-beta.1",
   "description": "Paseo backend server",
   "type": "module",
   "publishConfig": {
@@ -60,8 +60,8 @@
     "@ai-sdk/openai": "2.0.52",
     "@anthropic-ai/claude-agent-sdk": "^0.2.11",
     "@deepgram/sdk": "^3.4.0",
-    "@getpaseo/highlight": "0.1.60-rc.3",
+    "@getpaseo/highlight": "0.1.60-beta.1",
-    "@getpaseo/relay": "0.1.60-rc.3",
+    "@getpaseo/relay": "0.1.60-beta.1",
     "@isaacs/ttlcache": "^2.1.4",
     "@modelcontextprotocol/sdk": "^1.20.1",
     "@mariozechner/pi-coding-agent": "^0.67.68",

packages/server/src/server/session.ts

@@ -234,7 +234,7 @@ const MIN_VERSION_FLEXIBLE_EDITOR_IDS = "0.1.50";
 
 function isAppVersionAtLeast(appVersion: string | null, minVersion: string): boolean {
   if (!appVersion) return false;
-  // Strip RC/prerelease suffix: "0.1.45-rc.4" → "0.1.45"
+  // Strip prerelease suffix: "0.1.45-beta.4" -> "0.1.45"
   const base = appVersion.replace(/-.*$/, "");
   const parts = base.split(".").map(Number);
   const minParts = minVersion.split(".").map(Number);

packages/server/src/utils/worktree.test.ts

@@ -1089,7 +1089,7 @@ describe("slugify", () => {
   });
 
   it("keeps very long names within the hostname label length limit", () => {
-    const result = slugify("Release Candidate ".repeat(12));
+    const result = slugify("Beta Build ".repeat(12));
 
     expect(result.length).toBeLessThanOrEqual(63);
     expectValidHostnameLabel(result);
@@ -1107,7 +1107,7 @@ describe("slugify", () => {
       "feature/cool stuff",
       "  Café Launch  ",
       "__bar__",
-      "Release Candidate ".repeat(12),
+      "Beta Build ".repeat(12),
       "release***candidate",
     ];
 

packages/website/package.json

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@getpaseo/website",
-  "version": "0.1.60-rc.3",
+  "version": "0.1.60-beta.1",
   "private": true,
   "type": "module",
   "scripts": {

scripts/emit-release-env.mjs

@@ -38,8 +38,9 @@ const entries = [
   ["RELEASE_BASE_VERSION", info.baseVersion],
   ["RELEASE_PRERELEASE", info.prerelease ?? ""],
   ["IS_PRERELEASE", info.isPrerelease ? "true" : "false"],
-  ["IS_RELEASE_CANDIDATE", info.isReleaseCandidate ? "true" : "false"],
+  ["IS_BETA", info.isBeta ? "true" : "false"],
   ["RELEASE_TYPE", info.releaseType],
+  ["RELEASE_CHANNEL", info.releaseChannel],
   ["DESKTOP_VERSION", info.version],
   ["IS_SMOKE_TAG", info.isSmokeTag ? "true" : "false"],
 ];

scripts/release-version-utils.mjs

@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ export function parseReleaseVersion(version) {
   const match = trimmed.match(versionPattern);
   if (!match?.groups) {
     throw new Error(
-      `Unsupported release version "${version}". Expected semver like 0.1.41 or 0.1.41-rc.1.`,
+      `Unsupported release version "${version}". Expected semver like 0.1.41 or 0.1.41-beta.1.`,
     );
   }
 
@@ -22,14 +22,20 @@ export function parseReleaseVersion(version) {
   const minor = Number.parseInt(match.groups.minor, 10);
   const patch = Number.parseInt(match.groups.patch, 10);
   const prerelease = match.groups.prerelease ?? null;
-  const rcMatch = prerelease?.match(/^rc\.(?<rc>\d+)$/) ?? null;
+  const betaMatch = prerelease?.match(/^beta\.(?<beta>\d+)$/) ?? null;
-  const rcNumber = rcMatch?.groups?.rc ? Number.parseInt(rcMatch.groups.rc, 10) : null;
+  const betaNumber = betaMatch?.groups?.beta ? Number.parseInt(betaMatch.groups.beta, 10) : null;
+
+  if (prerelease !== null && betaNumber === null) {
+    throw new Error(
+      `Unsupported release version "${version}". Expected beta prerelease versions like 0.1.41-beta.1.`,
+    );
+  }
 
   assertInteger(major, "major version");
   assertInteger(minor, "minor version");
   assertInteger(patch, "patch version");
-  if (rcNumber !== null) {
+  if (betaNumber !== null) {
-    assertInteger(rcNumber, "release candidate number");
+    assertInteger(betaNumber, "beta number");
   }
 
   return {
@@ -40,8 +46,8 @@ export function parseReleaseVersion(version) {
     prerelease,
     baseVersion: `${major}.${minor}.${patch}`,
     isPrerelease: prerelease !== null,
-    isReleaseCandidate: rcNumber !== null,
+    isBeta: betaNumber !== null,
-    rcNumber,
+    betaNumber,
   };
 }
 
@@ -57,7 +63,7 @@ export function normalizeReleaseTag(rawTag) {
   const match = trimmed.match(sourceTagPattern);
   if (!match?.groups?.version) {
     throw new Error(
-      `Unsupported release tag "${rawTag}". Expected vX.Y.Z, vX.Y.Z-rc.N, desktop-v..., or android-v...`,
+      `Unsupported release tag "${rawTag}". Expected vX.Y.Z, vX.Y.Z-beta.N, desktop-v..., or android-v...`,
     );
   }
   return `v${match.groups.version}`;
@@ -73,9 +79,10 @@ export function getReleaseInfoFromSourceTag(sourceTag) {
     baseVersion: parsed.baseVersion,
     prerelease: parsed.prerelease,
     isPrerelease: parsed.isPrerelease,
-    isReleaseCandidate: parsed.isReleaseCandidate,
+    isBeta: parsed.isBeta,
-    rcNumber: parsed.rcNumber,
+    betaNumber: parsed.betaNumber,
     releaseType: parsed.isPrerelease ? "prerelease" : "release",
+    releaseChannel: parsed.isBeta ? "beta" : "latest",
     isSmokeTag: sourceTag.includes("gha-smoke"),
   };
 }
@@ -110,54 +117,54 @@ export function computeNextReleaseVersion(currentVersion, mode) {
     });
   }
 
-  if (mode === "rc-patch" || mode === "rc-minor" || mode === "rc-major") {
+  if (mode === "beta-patch" || mode === "beta-minor" || mode === "beta-major") {
     if (parsed.isPrerelease) {
       throw new Error(
-        `Cannot start a new RC line from prerelease version ${currentVersion}. Use rc-next or promote.`,
+        `Cannot start a new beta line from prerelease version ${currentVersion}. Use beta-next or promote.`,
       );
     }
-    if (mode === "rc-patch") {
+    if (mode === "beta-patch") {
       return formatReleaseVersion({
         major: parsed.major,
         minor: parsed.minor,
         patch: parsed.patch + 1,
-        prerelease: "rc.1",
+        prerelease: "beta.1",
       });
     }
-    if (mode === "rc-minor") {
+    if (mode === "beta-minor") {
       return formatReleaseVersion({
         major: parsed.major,
         minor: parsed.minor + 1,
         patch: 0,
-        prerelease: "rc.1",
+        prerelease: "beta.1",
       });
     }
     return formatReleaseVersion({
       major: parsed.major + 1,
       minor: 0,
       patch: 0,
-      prerelease: "rc.1",
+      prerelease: "beta.1",
     });
   }
 
-  if (mode === "rc-next") {
+  if (mode === "beta-next") {
-    if (!parsed.isReleaseCandidate || parsed.rcNumber === null) {
+    if (!parsed.isBeta || parsed.betaNumber === null) {
       throw new Error(
-        `Cannot advance RC number from ${currentVersion}. Expected a version like 0.1.41-rc.1.`,
+        `Cannot advance beta number from ${currentVersion}. Expected a version like 0.1.41-beta.1.`,
       );
     }
     return formatReleaseVersion({
       major: parsed.major,
       minor: parsed.minor,
       patch: parsed.patch,
-      prerelease: `rc.${parsed.rcNumber + 1}`,
+      prerelease: `beta.${parsed.betaNumber + 1}`,
     });
   }
 
   if (mode === "promote") {
-    if (!parsed.isReleaseCandidate) {
+    if (!parsed.isBeta) {
       throw new Error(
-        `Cannot promote ${currentVersion}. Expected a release candidate version like 0.1.41-rc.1.`,
+        `Cannot promote ${currentVersion}. Expected a beta version like 0.1.41-beta.1.`,
       );
     }
     return parsed.baseVersion;

scripts/release-version-utils.test.mjs

@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+import assert from "node:assert/strict";
+import test from "node:test";
+import {
+  computeNextReleaseVersion,
+  getReleaseInfoFromSourceTag,
+  parseReleaseVersion,
+} from "./release-version-utils.mjs";
+
+test("computes the next beta patch from a stable version", () => {
+  assert.equal(computeNextReleaseVersion("0.1.59", "beta-patch"), "0.1.60-beta.1");
+});
+
+test("advances beta versions", () => {
+  assert.equal(computeNextReleaseVersion("0.1.60-beta.1", "beta-next"), "0.1.60-beta.2");
+});
+
+test("promotes beta versions to stable", () => {
+  assert.equal(computeNextReleaseVersion("0.1.60-beta.2", "promote"), "0.1.60");
+});
+
+test("parses beta release metadata", () => {
+  assert.deepEqual(parseReleaseVersion("0.1.60-beta.1"), {
+    version: "0.1.60-beta.1",
+    major: 0,
+    minor: 1,
+    patch: 60,
+    prerelease: "beta.1",
+    baseVersion: "0.1.60",
+    isPrerelease: true,
+    isBeta: true,
+    betaNumber: 1,
+  });
+});
+
+test("emits beta release info from tags", () => {
+  assert.deepEqual(getReleaseInfoFromSourceTag("v0.1.60-beta.1"), {
+    sourceTag: "v0.1.60-beta.1",
+    releaseTag: "v0.1.60-beta.1",
+    version: "0.1.60-beta.1",
+    baseVersion: "0.1.60",
+    prerelease: "beta.1",
+    isPrerelease: true,
+    isBeta: true,
+    betaNumber: 1,
+    releaseType: "prerelease",
+    releaseChannel: "beta",
+    isSmokeTag: false,
+  });
+});
+
+test("rejects non-beta prerelease versions", () => {
+  assert.throws(() => parseReleaseVersion("0.1.60-canary.1"), /Expected beta prerelease versions/);
+});

scripts/set-release-version.mjs

@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ const rootPackagePath = path.join(rootDir, "package.json");
 function usageAndExit(code = 1) {
   process.stderr.write(`Usage: node scripts/set-release-version.mjs --mode <mode> [--print]\n`);
   process.stderr.write(
-    "Modes: patch, minor, major, rc-patch, rc-minor, rc-major, rc-next, promote\n",
+    "Modes: patch, minor, major, beta-patch, beta-minor, beta-major, beta-next, promote\n",
   );
   process.exit(code);
 }

scripts/sync-release-notes-from-changelog.mjs

@@ -139,24 +139,6 @@ function updateReleaseNotes({ releaseId, repo, notesPath }, execFileSync = nodeE
   );
 }
 
-function buildPrereleaseNotes({ releaseTag, version }) {
-  const today = new Date().toISOString().slice(0, 10);
-  const lines = [
-    `## ${version} - ${today}`,
-    "",
-    "Release candidate build for testing from `main`.",
-    "",
-    `- Tag: \`${releaseTag}\``,
-  ];
-
-  if (process.env.GITHUB_SHA) {
-    lines.push(`- Commit: \`${process.env.GITHUB_SHA}\``);
-  }
-
-  lines.push("- This prerelease does not replace the website's latest stable download.");
-  return `${lines.join("\n")}\n`;
-}
-
 export function syncReleaseNotes(argv = process.argv.slice(2), deps = {}) {
   const execFileSync = deps.execFileSync ?? nodeExecFileSync;
   const args = parseArgs(argv);
@@ -170,13 +152,6 @@ export function syncReleaseNotes(argv = process.argv.slice(2), deps = {}) {
 
   let notes = targetEntry?.notes ?? null;
 
-  if (!notes && releaseInfo.isPrerelease) {
-    notes = buildPrereleaseNotes({
-      releaseTag: releaseInfo.releaseTag,
-      version: releaseInfo.version,
-    });
-  }
-
   if (!notes) {
     console.log(`No matching changelog section found for ${targetTag}. Skipping.`);
     return;

scripts/sync-release-notes-from-changelog.test.mjs

@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ function withTempChangelog(fn) {
   const previousCwd = process.cwd();
   const tempDir = mkdtempSync(path.join(tmpdir(), "paseo-release-notes-test-"));
   process.chdir(tempDir);
-  writeFileSync("CHANGELOG.md", "## 0.1.60 - 2026-04-20\n\n- Stable notes.\n");
+  writeFileSync("CHANGELOG.md", "## 0.1.60-beta.1 - 2026-04-20\n\n- Beta notes.\n");
 
   try {
     fn();
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ test("updates an existing release body through the release id API", () => {
     const execFileSync = (command, args, options) => {
       calls.push({ args, command, options });
 
-      if (args[0] === "api" && args[1] === "repos/getpaseo/paseo/releases/tags/v0.1.60-rc.3") {
+      if (args[0] === "api" && args[1] === "repos/getpaseo/paseo/releases/tags/v0.1.60-beta.1") {
         return JSON.stringify({ id: 311163621 });
       }
 
@@ -34,14 +34,14 @@ test("updates an existing release body through the release id API", () => {
         const notesArg = args.find((arg) => arg.startsWith("body=@"));
         assert.ok(notesArg, "PATCH should send the notes body from a file");
         const notesPath = notesArg.slice("body=@".length);
-        assert.match(notesPath, /v0\.1\.60-rc\.3-notes\.md$/);
+        assert.match(notesPath, /v0\.1\.60-beta\.1-notes\.md$/);
         return "";
       }
 
       throw new Error(`Unexpected gh call: ${command} ${args.join(" ")}`);
     };
 
-    syncReleaseNotes(["--repo", "getpaseo/paseo", "--tag", "v0.1.60-rc.3"], {
+    syncReleaseNotes(["--repo", "getpaseo/paseo", "--tag", "v0.1.60-beta.1"], {
       execFileSync,
     });