Updates: Surface "Check for updates" in Settings and Cmdr menu

Two ways to manually trigger an update check, both reflecting the same shared state with continuous version-aware status.

- Settings > Updates: button at top of section, disabled while `status !== 'idle'`. Status text below cycles through Checking… / No updates found (current: vX.Y.Z) / Update found, downloading vX.Y.Z (current: vA.B.C)… / Installing vX.Y.Z (current: vA.B.C)… For errors, renders a "Send error report" link calling `openErrorReportDialog` with the formatted error context.
- Cmdr menu > Check for updates… (right after "Enter license key…"): wired as `app.checkForUpdates`. Frontend calls `runMenuTriggeredCheck()` which fires `addToast(UpdateCheckToastContent, { id: 'update-check', timeoutMs: 10000 })`, awaits `checkForUpdates()`, then dismisses on `ready` so it doesn't overlap with the persistent restart toast. Toast dedup auto-supersedes phase changes.
- Split macOS path into separate `downloading` and `installing` substates (two distinct invokes). Non-macOS keeps a single `downloading` phase since the plugin's `downloadAndInstall()` is fused.
- Track `previousVersion` (`getVersion()` snapshot at check start) and `nextVersion` (target) on the state so UIs can format current/target deltas.
- Extract `updateState` into its own `update-state.svelte.ts` to break an import cycle (toast components read it; the updater imports the toast components). Re-exported from `updater.svelte` so existing call sites are unchanged.
- Pure `formatUpdateStatus()` formatter shared between Settings + toast.
- Tests: 6 formatter tests, 4 `runMenuTriggeredCheck` tests, 5 `UpdateCheckToastContent` tests, 6 `UpdatesSection` tests.
- SF Symbol `arrow.down.circle` for the macOS menu item; Linux equivalent at the bottom of the Edit submenu.

Author: vdavid

apps/desktop/src-tauri/src/menu/linux.rs

@@ -6,14 +6,14 @@ use tauri::{
 };
 
 use super::{
-    ABOUT_ID, CLOSE_OTHER_TABS_ID, CLOSE_TAB_ID, COMMAND_PALETTE_ID, COPY_FILENAME_ID, COPY_PATH_ID, DESELECT_ALL_ID,
-    EDIT_COPY_ID, EDIT_CUT_ID, EDIT_ID, EDIT_PASTE_ID, EDIT_PASTE_MOVE_ID, ENTER_LICENSE_KEY_ID, FILE_COPY_ID,
-    FILE_DELETE_ID, FILE_DELETE_PERMANENTLY_ID, FILE_MOVE_ID, FILE_NEW_FOLDER_ID, FILE_VIEW_ID, GET_INFO_ID,
-    GO_BACK_ID, GO_FORWARD_ID, GO_PARENT_ID, HELP_SEND_ERROR_REPORT_ID, MenuItems, NEW_TAB_ID, NEXT_TAB_ID, OPEN_ID,
-    PIN_TAB_MENU_ID, PREV_TAB_ID, QUICK_LOOK_ID, RENAME_ID, SEARCH_FILES_ID, SELECT_ALL_ID, SETTINGS_ID,
-    SHOW_HIDDEN_FILES_ID, SHOW_IN_FINDER_ID, SWAP_PANES_ID, SWITCH_PANE_ID, VIEW_MODE_BRIEF_ID, VIEW_MODE_FULL_ID,
-    ViewMode, build_sort_submenu, copy_path_accelerator, register_item, show_in_file_manager_accelerator,
-    show_in_file_manager_label,
+    ABOUT_ID, CHECK_FOR_UPDATES_ID, CLOSE_OTHER_TABS_ID, CLOSE_TAB_ID, COMMAND_PALETTE_ID, COPY_FILENAME_ID,
+    COPY_PATH_ID, DESELECT_ALL_ID, EDIT_COPY_ID, EDIT_CUT_ID, EDIT_ID, EDIT_PASTE_ID, EDIT_PASTE_MOVE_ID,
+    ENTER_LICENSE_KEY_ID, FILE_COPY_ID, FILE_DELETE_ID, FILE_DELETE_PERMANENTLY_ID, FILE_MOVE_ID, FILE_NEW_FOLDER_ID,
+    FILE_VIEW_ID, GET_INFO_ID, GO_BACK_ID, GO_FORWARD_ID, GO_PARENT_ID, HELP_SEND_ERROR_REPORT_ID, MenuItems,
+    NEW_TAB_ID, NEXT_TAB_ID, OPEN_ID, PIN_TAB_MENU_ID, PREV_TAB_ID, QUICK_LOOK_ID, RENAME_ID, SEARCH_FILES_ID,
+    SELECT_ALL_ID, SETTINGS_ID, SHOW_HIDDEN_FILES_ID, SHOW_IN_FINDER_ID, SWAP_PANES_ID, SWITCH_PANE_ID,
+    VIEW_MODE_BRIEF_ID, VIEW_MODE_FULL_ID, ViewMode, build_sort_submenu, copy_path_accelerator, register_item,
+    show_in_file_manager_accelerator, show_in_file_manager_label,
 };
 
 /// Linux menu: builds all menus from scratch, matching the macOS menu structure.
@@ -99,6 +99,13 @@ pub(crate) fn build_menu_linux<R: Runtime>(
         "Enter &license key..."
     };
     let license_item = MenuItem::with_id(app, ENTER_LICENSE_KEY_ID, license_label, true, None::<&str>)?;
+    let check_for_updates_item = MenuItem::with_id(
+        app,
+        CHECK_FOR_UPDATES_ID,
+        "Check for &updates\u{2026}",
+        true,
+        None::<&str>,
+    )?;
 
     let edit_menu = Submenu::with_items(
         app,
@@ -120,6 +127,7 @@ pub(crate) fn build_menu_linux<R: Runtime>(
             &PredefinedMenuItem::separator(app)?,
             &settings_item,
             &license_item,
+            &check_for_updates_item,
         ],
     )?;
     menu.append(&edit_menu)?;
@@ -274,7 +282,7 @@ pub(crate) fn build_menu_linux<R: Runtime>(
 
     // Edit menu positions: cut(0), copy(1), paste(2), move_here(3), sep(4),
     // select_all(5), deselect_all(6), sep(7), copy_path(8), copy_filename(9),
-    // sep(10), search_files(11), sep(12), settings(13), license(14)
+    // sep(10), search_files(11), sep(12), settings(13), license(14), check_for_updates(15)
     register_item(&mut items, EDIT_CUT_ID, &edit_cut_item, &edit_menu, 0);
     register_item(&mut items, EDIT_COPY_ID, &edit_copy_item, &edit_menu, 1);
     register_item(&mut items, EDIT_PASTE_ID, &edit_paste_item, &edit_menu, 2);
@@ -285,6 +293,13 @@ pub(crate) fn build_menu_linux<R: Runtime>(
     register_item(&mut items, COPY_FILENAME_ID, &copy_filename_item, &edit_menu, 9);
     register_item(&mut items, SEARCH_FILES_ID, &search_files_item, &edit_menu, 11);
     register_item(&mut items, SETTINGS_ID, &settings_item, &edit_menu, 13);
+    register_item(
+        &mut items,
+        CHECK_FOR_UPDATES_ID,
+        &check_for_updates_item,
+        &edit_menu,
+        15,
+    );
 
     // View menu positions: full(0), brief(1), sep(2), hidden(3), sort(4), sep(5),
     // switch(6), swap(7), sep(8), palette(9)

apps/desktop/src-tauri/src/menu/macos.rs

@@ -9,14 +9,14 @@ use tauri::{
 };
 
 use super::{
-    ABOUT_ID, CLOSE_OTHER_TABS_ID, CLOSE_TAB_ID, COMMAND_PALETTE_ID, COPY_FILENAME_ID, COPY_PATH_ID, DESELECT_ALL_ID,
-    EDIT_COPY_ID, EDIT_CUT_ID, EDIT_ID, EDIT_PASTE_ID, EDIT_PASTE_MOVE_ID, ENTER_LICENSE_KEY_ID, FILE_COPY_ID,
-    FILE_DELETE_ID, FILE_DELETE_PERMANENTLY_ID, FILE_MOVE_ID, FILE_NEW_FOLDER_ID, FILE_VIEW_ID, GET_INFO_ID,
-    GO_BACK_ID, GO_FORWARD_ID, GO_PARENT_ID, HELP_SEND_ERROR_REPORT_ID, MenuItems, NEW_TAB_ID, NEXT_TAB_ID, OPEN_ID,
-    PIN_TAB_MENU_ID, PREV_TAB_ID, QUICK_LOOK_ID, RENAME_ID, SEARCH_FILES_ID, SELECT_ALL_ID, SETTINGS_ID,
-    SHOW_HIDDEN_FILES_ID, SHOW_IN_FINDER_ID, SWAP_PANES_ID, SWITCH_PANE_ID, VIEW_MODE_BRIEF_ID, VIEW_MODE_FULL_ID,
-    ViewMode, build_sort_submenu, copy_path_accelerator, register_item, show_in_file_manager_accelerator,
-    show_in_file_manager_label,
+    ABOUT_ID, CHECK_FOR_UPDATES_ID, CLOSE_OTHER_TABS_ID, CLOSE_TAB_ID, COMMAND_PALETTE_ID, COPY_FILENAME_ID,
+    COPY_PATH_ID, DESELECT_ALL_ID, EDIT_COPY_ID, EDIT_CUT_ID, EDIT_ID, EDIT_PASTE_ID, EDIT_PASTE_MOVE_ID,
+    ENTER_LICENSE_KEY_ID, FILE_COPY_ID, FILE_DELETE_ID, FILE_DELETE_PERMANENTLY_ID, FILE_MOVE_ID, FILE_NEW_FOLDER_ID,
+    FILE_VIEW_ID, GET_INFO_ID, GO_BACK_ID, GO_FORWARD_ID, GO_PARENT_ID, HELP_SEND_ERROR_REPORT_ID, MenuItems,
+    NEW_TAB_ID, NEXT_TAB_ID, OPEN_ID, PIN_TAB_MENU_ID, PREV_TAB_ID, QUICK_LOOK_ID, RENAME_ID, SEARCH_FILES_ID,
+    SELECT_ALL_ID, SETTINGS_ID, SHOW_HIDDEN_FILES_ID, SHOW_IN_FINDER_ID, SWAP_PANES_ID, SWITCH_PANE_ID,
+    VIEW_MODE_BRIEF_ID, VIEW_MODE_FULL_ID, ViewMode, build_sort_submenu, copy_path_accelerator, register_item,
+    show_in_file_manager_accelerator, show_in_file_manager_label,
 };
 
 pub(crate) fn build_menu_macos<R: Runtime>(
@@ -35,6 +35,13 @@ pub(crate) fn build_menu_macos<R: Runtime>(
         "Enter license key..."
     };
     let license_item = MenuItem::with_id(app, ENTER_LICENSE_KEY_ID, license_label, true, None::<&str>)?;
+    let check_for_updates_item = MenuItem::with_id(
+        app,
+        CHECK_FOR_UPDATES_ID,
+        "Check for updates\u{2026}",
+        true,
+        None::<&str>,
+    )?;
     let settings_item = MenuItem::with_id(app, SETTINGS_ID, "Settings...", true, Some("Cmd+,"))?;
 
     let app_menu = Submenu::with_items(
@@ -44,6 +51,7 @@ pub(crate) fn build_menu_macos<R: Runtime>(
         &[
             &about_item,
             &license_item,
+            &check_for_updates_item,
             &PredefinedMenuItem::separator(app)?,
             &settings_item,
             &PredefinedMenuItem::separator(app)?,
@@ -331,6 +339,10 @@ pub(crate) fn build_menu_macos<R: Runtime>(
         0,
     );
 
+    // cmdr menu positions: about(0), license(1), check_for_updates(2), sep(3), settings(4),
+    // sep(5), hide(6), hide_others(7), show_all(8), sep(9), quit(10)
+    register_item(&mut items, CHECK_FOR_UPDATES_ID, &check_for_updates_item, &app_menu, 2);
+
     Ok(MenuItems {
         menu,
         show_hidden_files: show_hidden_item,
@@ -449,6 +461,7 @@ fn set_macos_menu_icons_inner() {
             "cmdr" => &[
                 ("Enter license key\u{2026}", "key"),
                 ("See license details\u{2026}", "key"),
+                ("Check for updates\u{2026}", "arrow.down.circle"),
                 ("Settings\u{2026}", "gearshape"),
             ],
             "File" => &[

apps/desktop/src-tauri/src/menu/mod.rs

@@ -88,6 +88,7 @@ pub fn menu_id_to_command(menu_id: &str) -> Option<(&'static str, CommandScope)>
         COMMAND_PALETTE_ID => Some(("app.commandPalette", CommandScope::FileScoped)),
         SEARCH_FILES_ID => Some(("search.open", CommandScope::FileScoped)),
         HELP_SEND_ERROR_REPORT_ID => Some(("help.sendErrorReport", CommandScope::App)),
+        CHECK_FOR_UPDATES_ID => Some(("app.checkForUpdates", CommandScope::App)),
 
         // Pane commands (file-scoped)
         SWITCH_PANE_ID => Some(("pane.switch", CommandScope::FileScoped)),
@@ -150,6 +151,7 @@ pub fn command_id_to_menu_id(command_id: &str) -> Option<&'static str> {
         "app.commandPalette" => Some(COMMAND_PALETTE_ID),
         "search.open" => Some(SEARCH_FILES_ID),
         "help.sendErrorReport" => Some(HELP_SEND_ERROR_REPORT_ID),
+        "app.checkForUpdates" => Some(CHECK_FOR_UPDATES_ID),
         "pane.switch" => Some(SWITCH_PANE_ID),
         "pane.swap" => Some(SWAP_PANES_ID),
         "nav.back" => Some(GO_BACK_ID),
@@ -305,6 +307,9 @@ pub const SETTINGS_ID: &str = "settings";
 /// Menu item ID for "Send error report…" (under the Help menu).
 pub const HELP_SEND_ERROR_REPORT_ID: &str = "help_send_error_report";
 
+/// Menu item ID for "Check for updates…" (under the Cmdr / Help menu).
+pub const CHECK_FOR_UPDATES_ID: &str = "check_for_updates";
+
 /// Platform-aware accelerator for "Copy path to clipboard".
 /// On macOS: Ctrl+Cmd+C. On Linux: Ctrl+Shift+C (Ctrl+Cmd+C becomes Ctrl+Ctrl+C which is broken).
 #[cfg(target_os = "macos")]
@@ -984,6 +989,7 @@ mod tests {
             "selection.selectAll",
             "selection.deselectAll",
             "help.sendErrorReport",
+            "app.checkForUpdates",
         ];
 
         for command_id in &command_ids {

apps/desktop/src/lib/commands/command-registry.ts

@@ -32,6 +32,14 @@ export const commands: Command[] = [
     shortcuts: ['⌘⇧P'],
   },
   { id: 'app.settings', name: 'Open settings', scope: 'App', showInPalette: true, shortcuts: ['⌘,'] },
+  {
+    id: 'app.checkForUpdates',
+    name: 'Check for updates…',
+    scope: 'App',
+    showInPalette: true,
+    shortcuts: [],
+    description: 'Check whether a newer version of Cmdr is available, and download it if so',
+  },
   {
     id: 'help.sendErrorReport',
     name: 'Send error report…',

apps/desktop/src/lib/settings/sections/UpdatesSection.svelte

@@ -4,6 +4,10 @@
     import SettingSwitch from '../components/SettingSwitch.svelte'
     import { getSettingDefinition } from '$lib/settings'
     import { createShouldShow } from '$lib/settings/settings-search'
+    import Button from '$lib/ui/Button.svelte'
+    import { updateState, checkForUpdates } from '$lib/updates/updater.svelte'
+    import { formatUpdateStatus } from '$lib/updates/update-status-text'
+    import { openErrorReportDialog } from '$lib/error-reporter/error-report-flow.svelte'
 
     interface Props {
         searchQuery: string
@@ -16,9 +20,33 @@
     const autoCheckDef = getSettingDefinition('updates.autoCheck') ?? { label: '', description: '' }
     const crashReportsDef = getSettingDefinition('updates.crashReports') ?? { label: '', description: '' }
     const errorReportsDef = getSettingDefinition('updates.errorReports') ?? { label: '', description: '' }
+
+    const statusText = $derived(formatUpdateStatus(updateState))
+    const buttonDisabled = $derived(updateState.status !== 'idle')
+
+    function handleCheckForUpdates() {
+        void checkForUpdates()
+    }
+
+    function handleSendErrorReport() {
+        openErrorReportDialog(`Update check failed: ${updateState.error ?? ''}`)
+    }
 </script>
 
 <SettingsSection title="Updates">
+    <div class="check-row">
+        <Button variant="secondary" size="mini" onclick={handleCheckForUpdates} disabled={buttonDisabled}>
+            Check for updates
+        </Button>
+        <div class="status">
+            {#if updateState.error !== null}
+                <span class="error-message">Error: {updateState.error}</span>
+                <button class="link-button" onclick={handleSendErrorReport}>Send error report</button>
+            {:else if statusText}
+                <span class="status-text">{statusText}</span>
+            {/if}
+        </div>
+    </div>
     {#if shouldShow('updates.autoCheck')}
         <SettingRow
             id="updates.autoCheck"
@@ -50,3 +78,45 @@
         </SettingRow>
     {/if}
 </SettingsSection>
+
+<style>
+    .check-row {
+        display: flex;
+        flex-direction: column;
+        gap: var(--spacing-xs);
+        margin-bottom: var(--spacing-md);
+    }
+
+    .status {
+        display: flex;
+        flex-direction: column;
+        gap: var(--spacing-xs);
+        font-size: var(--font-size-sm);
+        color: var(--color-text-secondary);
+        min-height: 1.4em;
+    }
+
+    .status-text {
+        line-height: 1.4;
+    }
+
+    .error-message {
+        color: var(--color-text-primary);
+        line-height: 1.4;
+    }
+
+    .link-button {
+        background: none;
+        border: none;
+        padding: 0;
+        font-size: var(--font-size-xs);
+        color: var(--color-text-tertiary);
+        cursor: default;
+        text-align: left;
+        align-self: flex-start;
+    }
+
+    .link-button:hover {
+        color: var(--color-text-secondary);
+    }
+</style>