Problem
Manual Windows install is workable for technical users, but teachers, lab admins, and stubborn classroom environments need a boring installer path. The current advice requires users to place both binaries side-by-side and manage PATH themselves.
Scope
For v0.8.44, add a narrow Windows install track rather than a broad updater/release rewrite.
- Add an NSIS installer path for the released Windows assets.
- Install both
codewhale.exe and codewhale-tui.exe side-by-side.
- Default to a per-user install under
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Programs\CodeWhale\bin.
- Add the install directory to the current user's PATH.
- Include an uninstaller that removes the PATH entry cleanly.
- Document the manual fallback for users who avoid unsigned installers or hit SmartScreen.
- Add a classroom/admin checklist: install, PATH check,
codewhale --version, codewhale-tui --version, codewhale doctor, config reset, and first-run smoke test.
Non-goals
- No auto-updater in the first installer PR.
- No telemetry, hosted services, or bundled third-party tools.
- No signing/notarization claims unless signing is actually configured.
Acceptance criteria
- A Windows user can install both binaries without understanding the dispatcher/TUI split.
- The installer can be built reproducibly from release artifacts or documented local inputs.
- Uninstall removes files and PATH changes cleanly.
- Docs clearly describe manual install, installer install, and the two-binary requirement.
Related: #1561
Related tracker: #1878
Problem
Manual Windows install is workable for technical users, but teachers, lab admins, and stubborn classroom environments need a boring installer path. The current advice requires users to place both binaries side-by-side and manage PATH themselves.
Scope
For v0.8.44, add a narrow Windows install track rather than a broad updater/release rewrite.
codewhale.exeandcodewhale-tui.exeside-by-side.%LOCALAPPDATA%\Programs\CodeWhale\bin.codewhale --version,codewhale-tui --version,codewhale doctor, config reset, and first-run smoke test.Non-goals
Acceptance criteria
Related: #1561
Related tracker: #1878