OpenBox v0.4.6

Fixed

• Authenticated POST API requests now reject non-object JSON and request-shape type errors with a bounded JSON 400 response instead of dropping the connection.

Changed

• Project identity, support, trademark, and notice documentation now consistently distinguishes OpenBox Game Launcher from the Openbox window manager.
• The repository default branch, CI triggers, issue links, and contributor documentation now use master.

Quality

• Added real-HTTP API boundary regressions for authorization, validation, exception mapping, partial settings updates, secret sanitization, and lifecycle errors.
• Verified the full 27-module test suite on Python 3.10 and 3.12.
• Rebuilt and validated the AppImage with embedded version 0.4.6.

Downloads

• OpenBox-x86_64.AppImage — application image
• OpenBox-x86_64.AppImage.sha256 — SHA-256 checksum
• OpenBox-x86_64.AppImage.zsync — binary-delta update metadata

See CHANGELOG.md for the full release history.

OpenBox v0.4.5

Added

• Filter presets, explorer facets, Big Box quick-switch presets, and import exclusions
• openbox:// deep links, keyboard launcher support, granular library backups, and restore rotation
• Process tracking modes, optional IGDB metadata search, and YAML emulator definition packs

Fixed

• Session restart handling, launcher menu formatting, ROM paths containing spaces, malformed tracking values, and unsafe backup archive paths
• Responsive and keyboard-accessible library controls, lazy media loading, and reduced-motion behavior

See CHANGELOG.md for the full release history.

v0.4.4

Bug-fix release

This release includes reliability fixes for settings saves, API error handling, and Gameyfin install recovery.

Fixed

• Settings persistence on partial saves (watch folders and storefront flags no longer reset)
• Storefront save posts only storefront fields
• Catalog and Gameyfin provider routes return JSON errors instead of dropping connections
• Gameyfin install reports failure on bad library IDs; UI times out after ~60s
• Premium routes require authorization; update check handles malformed release JSON
• Session polling and document reader edge cases

Install

Download OpenBox-x86_64.AppImage, make it executable, and run it:

chmod +x OpenBox-x86_64.AppImage
./OpenBox-x86_64.AppImage

Verify integrity:

sha256sum -c OpenBox-x86_64.AppImage.sha256

Full changelog

See CHANGELOG.md.

OpenBox v0.4.3 — Bug Fix Sweep

Highlights

• Settings data loss fixed — partial saves (storefront dialog, omitted fields) no longer wipe watch folders, screensaver, or storefront auto-import flags
• HTTP reliability — storefront catalog and Gameyfin provider errors return JSON instead of dropping the connection
• Gameyfin install recovery — invalid library IDs report error state; UI times out after ~60s instead of spinning forever
• API hardening — premium routes require auth; update check handles malformed release JSON
• 7 new regression tests in test_parity_api.py (12 total)

Install

Download OpenBox-x86_64.AppImage, make it executable, and run it:

chmod +x OpenBox-x86_64.AppImage
./OpenBox-x86_64.AppImage

Existing AppImage users can delta-update via zsync when configured.

Verify integrity:

sha256sum -c OpenBox-x86_64.AppImage.sha256

Full changelog

See CHANGELOG.md.

Fixed

• Settings save merges omitted keys from existing state
• Storefront save posts only storefront fields
• GET /api/storefront/catalog and /api/gameyfin/providers return JSON errors
• Gameyfin install worker reports error on invalid library_id; UI 60s timeout
• Premium GET routes require authorization
• /api/update catches malformed release JSON
• Session poll no longer overlaps refresh()
• openReader guards missing documents

OpenBox v0.4.2 — Gameyfin Install Fix

Highlights

• Background Gameyfin installs — large downloads no longer freeze the server; the UI polls install status until complete
• Storefront settings isolated — saving Settings no longer clears Gameyfin credentials
• Harness IDE rules — rule sources live in .agent/ide-rules/; run make ide-rules once per clone

Install

Download OpenBox-x86_64.AppImage, make it executable, and run it. Existing AppImage users can delta-update via zsync when configured.

Full changelog

See CHANGELOG.md.

---

Superseded: v0.4.3 is the current release. Download the latest AppImage for bug fixes and security updates.

OpenBox v0.4.1 — Update Check Fix

Highlights

• Update check fixed — Settings no longer shows a network error; GitHub release digests are used when a separate .sha256 file is not attached
• Clearer errors — unreachable GitHub or invalid releases return readable messages in Settings
• Top bar zoom — menu bar and library header scale cleanly at any browser zoom level

Install

Download OpenBox-x86_64.AppImage, make it executable, and run it. Existing AppImage users can delta-update via zsync when configured.

Full changelog

See CHANGELOG.md.

---

Superseded: v0.4.3 is the current release. Download the latest AppImage for bug fixes and security updates.

OpenBox v0.4.0 — Gameyfin & Save Tools

Highlights

• Gameyfin storefront — connect a self-hosted library, import owned titles, and install or uninstall on demand from desktop or Big Box
• Owned vs installed filters — sidebar and Big Box views for installed-only or all owned games
• Ludusavi / Hoard hooks — optional save backup and restore from the game detail pane when those CLIs are on PATH

Install

Download OpenBox-x86_64.AppImage, make it executable, and run it. Existing AppImage users can delta-update via zsync when configured.

Full changelog

See CHANGELOG.md.

---

Superseded: v0.4.3 is the current release. Download the latest AppImage for bug fixes and security updates.

OpenBox v0.3.0 — Premium Parity (Free)

Summary

LaunchBox Premium-equivalent workflows are now included in OpenBox at no cost on Linux.

Highlights

• Custom fields, ESRB ratings, list view, platform categories, and bulk edit wizard
• Drag-and-drop import with multi-emulator chooser and ROM version ranking
• Steam trailer and GOG media download, RetroAchievements 7z scanning, richer achievement stats
• Big Box hybrid search, attract mode, startup video, and bundled media/controller packs
• Localization: English, Spanish, German, French, Portuguese
• Xbox 360, loose arcade, and Vita3K import helpers

Install

Download OpenBox-x86_64.AppImage, make it executable, and run it:

chmod +x OpenBox-x86_64.AppImage
./OpenBox-x86_64.AppImage

Existing AppImage installs can update through the in-app updater or zsync.

Test plan

• Import a ROM folder via drag-and-drop or Import Folder
• Toggle list view and filter by ESRB or platform category
• Apply a bundled media pack in Settings
• Enter Big Box hybrid mode and use scoped search
• Download Steam trailer or GOG media from a game detail pane

---

Superseded: v0.4.3 is the current release. Download the latest AppImage for bug fixes and security updates.

OpenBox v0.2.0 — LaunchBox Parity Release

OpenBox v0.2.0 — LaunchBox-depth parity for Linux

This release completes the LaunchBox parity pass for Linux: every capability in PARITY.md is now marked done, using native Linux equivalents where Windows-only LaunchBox features do not apply.

Highlights

Import and emulators

• Multi-platform folder import, multi-disc M3U generation, emulator recommendations, Update All, ScummVM/RPCS3/Vita3K imports, and BIOS dependency checks
• EA, Ubisoft, and Xbox/Game Pass tagging through Lutris and Heroic

Storefront Manager

• Browse Steam, Heroic, and Lutris catalogs
• Import installed or uninstalled storefront entries
• Startup auto-import per storefront

Media and metadata

• Download limits and queues, duplicate cleanup, region priority, video categories, and expanded metadata fields

Big Box

• Hybrid and CoverFlow layouts with jewel-case styling, Discovery Center, RA filters, pause overlay, library BGM, and reader toolbar with page navigation

Integrations

• RetroAchievements credential injection, Bezel Project downloads, EmuMovies hooks, OBS recording auto-attach on session close, and MAME high-score export/import bundles

Security

• Load API keys from ~/.env (never committed); expanded .gitignore and secret safety tests

Download assets and verification

Asset	Purpose
OpenBox-x86_64.AppImage	Standalone portable Linux application
OpenBox-x86_64.AppImage.sha256	SHA-256 checksum for verification
OpenBox-x86_64.AppImage.zsync	Differential update file for in-app updates

Verify the AppImage:

sha256sum -c OpenBox-x86_64.AppImage.sha256
chmod +x OpenBox-x86_64.AppImage
./OpenBox-x86_64.AppImage

Upgrade from v0.1.0

Existing AppImage users can check for updates from inside OpenBox (Settings → Check for updates) or download this release directly.

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Superseded: v0.4.3 is the current release. Download the latest AppImage for bug fixes and security updates.

OpenBox v0.1.0 - Initial Release

OpenBox v0.1.0 - Initial Release

OpenBox is a local-first game library manager and launcher for Linux.

🌟 Key Highlights

• Unified Game Library: Import and launch Steam, Heroic (Epic/GOG/Amazon), Lutris, native Linux games, and retro ROMs.
• Arcade DAT Parsing: Parse XML/DAT catalogs for MAME and FinalBurn with merged, split, and non-merged classification.
• LaunchBox Games Database Sync: Daily sync with official LaunchBox DB for metadata and high-resolution media downloads.
• Emulator Management: Auto-discovery on PATH and one-click Flathub emulator installation (Dolphin, PCSX2, RPCS3, PPSSPP, Cemu, MAME, xemu, etc.).
• RetroAchievements: Full account integration, ROM hashing, badge display, and hardcore status tracking.
• Save Management: Automated save discovery and versioned backups with safety restore copies.
• Big Box Mode: Controller-first fullscreen navigation for gamepads and handhelds (Steam Deck, ROG Ally).
• Sandboxed Plugin API: Python plugin system with lifecycle hooks (library, before_launch, after_session).

📦 Download Assets & Verification

• OpenBox-x86_64.AppImage: Standalone, portable Linux application.
• OpenBox-x86_64.AppImage.sha256: SHA-256 verification checksum file.
• OpenBox-x86_64.AppImage.zsync: Differential update file for in-app updates.

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Superseded: v0.4.3 is the current release. Download the latest AppImage for bug fixes and security updates.