Release v2.16.0

[bmachek]

[v2.16.0]

This release contains massive refactoring (thx to @jlintz) and a couple of new features. Highlight is a new feature to avoid cluttering the catalog with keywords that are basically synonyms. Please don't expect it to be perfect, at least not yet. The new update mechanism is an approach to avoid downloading the whole package on every release and instead just download the changed plugin and backend source files. It's currently in an alpha/beta state, and will probably need some more testing and fixes.

We're still und heavy development here, so expect bugs to happen. One day I will concentrate on getting this stable instead of throwing in new features, I promise! 😄

Features

• Keyword clustering mechanism and de-duplication workflow (Respect the issued warnings when running the De-Duplication task)
• [Feature] Add an option to choose storage location of lrgenius.db #157 Choose custom location for lrgenius.db in plug-in manager
• Streamlined update mechanism (beta-state)

What's Changed

• docs: add CLAUDE.md with architecture and development guidance by @bmachek in docs: add CLAUDE.md with architecture and development guidance #142
• Modernize Python typing by @jlintz in Modernize Python typing #143
• refactor: pin lmstudio version by @jlintz in refactor: pin lmstudio version  #144
• Add pytest GH workflow by @jlintz in Add pytest GH workflow #145
• test: cover pure-function helpers and provider response parsing by @jlintz in test: cover pure-function helpers and provider response parsing #146
• feat: Add options to set max_tokens from the plugin and use it in llm_provider_* by @bmachek in feat: Add options to set max_tokens from the plugin and use it in llm_provider_* #147
• Implement update mechanism, improve error handling, and modernize typing by @bmachek in Implement update mechanism, improve error handling, and modernize typing #148
• Refactor: server src restructure by @jlintz in Refactor: server src restructure #149
• feat: add breaking changes support in update process and manifest gen… by @bmachek in feat: add breaking changes support in update process and manifest gen… #151
• Add docs to test update mechanism by @bmachek in Add docs to test update mechanism #152
• Fixes [Feature] Pin python library versions #150: switch to uv by @jlintz in Fixes #150: switch to uv #153
• [refactor] Simplify creation of collections through get_or_create_collection method by @jlintz in [refactor] Simplify creation of collections through get_or_create_collection method #154
• Add confirmation dialog for photo processing and fix max_tokens conversion by @bmachek in Add confirmation dialog for photo processing and fix max_tokens conversion #155
• Add Claude Code GitHub Workflow by @bmachek in Add Claude Code GitHub Workflow #156
• feat: add option to choose database storage location and update UI for path selection by @bmachek in feat: add option to choose database storage location and update UI for path selection #159
• Enhance keyword processing with aliases, clustering, and deduplication by @bmachek in Enhance keyword processing with aliases, clustering, and deduplication #158
• Enhance keyword clustering and deduplication features with UI updates by @bmachek in Enhance keyword clustering and deduplication features with UI updates #162

Installers & System Integration

• The backend now runs as a persistent system service (LaunchAgent on macOS, Startup Registry on Windows).
• It starts automatically at login and remains active to manage background AI tasks even when Lightroom is closed.
• Manual management (troubleshooting):
  • Windows: Run {commonpf}\LrGeniusAI\backend\lrgenius-server.cmd
  • macOS: Service com.lrgenius.server (managed via launchctl)

Security & Permissions

• Windows: You may see a SmartScreen warning ("Windows protected your PC") during installation because the installer is not signed. Click "More info" and "Run anyway" to proceed.
• macOS: If Gatekeeper blocks the installer, go to System Settings > Privacy & Security and click "Open Anyway" under the Security section. Alternatively, run xattr -d com.apple.quarantine <path-to-pkg> in Terminal to clear the block.

Docker Deployment

• For containerized environments, use the LrGeniusAI-plugin-docker-backend-<version>.zip asset which includes the pre-configured plugin and Docker setup.

Full Changelog: v2.15.0...v2.16.0

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This discussion was created from the release Release v2.16.0.