[Bug] ZCode version mismatch: App shows 3.7.3 but website has 3.6.5 + in-app update broken

Bug Description

Version mismatch between ZCode desktop app and website download page, combined with a broken in-app updater that prevents users from updating.

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Problem Details

Version Mismatch:

Location	Version Available
ZCode Desktop App (Windows)	Shows UPDATE button → 3.7.3
zcode.ai Website	Only shows 3.6.5 for download

The Conflict:

App says: "Update to 3.7.3 available!" ✅
     ↓
User clicks UPDATE button
     ↓
App starts downloading 3.7.3...
     ↓
BUT: Update fails with error!
     ↓
User goes to zcode.ai to download manually
     ↓
Website only has 3.6.5 (OLDER than what app wants!) ❌

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Bug #1: In-App Updater Broken

Error Message:

⚠ Error: "Please close the app"

Behavior:

1. User clicks green UPDATE button in ZCode app
2. App begins downloading version 3.7.3
3. During/after download, error appears: "Please close the app"
4. Update cannot complete
5. User is stuck - cannot update through app

Expected Behavior:

• Either: App closes itself and updates automatically
• Or: App prompts user to close, then continues update
• Or: App uses proper Windows installer that handles restart

Actual Behavior:

• Shows cryptic error message
• No auto-close or restart handling
• Update process dead-ends

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Bug #2: Website Missing Latest Version

Current State:

• Desktop app knows about 3.7.3 (shows update prompt)
• Website (zcode.ai) only offers 3.6.5
• User cannot manually download 3.7.3 to work around broken updater

Impact:

In-app update:  BROKEN (error)
Manual update:    IMPOSSIBLE (version not on website)
User is:        STUCK on old version forever 👿

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User Frustration

"Do something please!!!" — TiltStable

User is caught in a catch-22:

1. Cannot update via app (buggy updater)
2. Cannot update via website (wrong version)
3. No other update method available

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Affected Platform

• OS: Windows
• Application: ZCode Desktop App
• Current Installed Version: Unknown (older)
• Target Version: 3.7.3
• Website Version: 3.6.5

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Root Cause Hypotheses

Possible Cause	Likelihood	Explanation
Website not updated	🔴 High	3.7.3 released but website still serves 3.6.5
Updater released early	🟠 Medium	App checks for updates, finds 3.7.3, but build not deployed to CDN/website
Installer permission issue	🔴 High	Windows requires admin/close-app for updates, not handled properly
Version mismatch between teams	🟠 Medium	App team released 3.7.3, web team did not update download page
CDN cache issue	🟡 Low	New version exists but cached old version served

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Suggested Fixes

Immediate Fix (Urgent):

1. Either upload 3.7.3 to website OR rollback app update prompt to 3.6.5
2. Fix in-app updater error handling ("please close the app")

Proper Fix:

// In-app updater should:
1. Check if new version available
2. Download to temp location
3. Show user: "Update ready! Click to restart and install"
4. On click:
   - Launch separate installer process
   - Close main app gracefully
   - Installer takes over (can replace files now)
5. Relaunch app after install completes

Process Improvement:

• Coordinate app releases with website updates
• Automated deployment pipeline that updates both simultaneously
• Version validation: ensure website has matching version before pushing update prompt

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Reproduction Steps

1. Install ZCode on Windows (version < 3.7.3)
2. Wait for or trigger update check
3. Observe: Green UPDATE button appears for 3.7.3
4. Click UPDATE button
5. Observe: Download starts but errors with "Please close the app"
6. Go to https://zcode.ai
7. Observe: Only version 3.6.5 available for download
8. Result: Cannot update by any method

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Severity: P0 Critical

• Users completely blocked from updating
• Affects all Windows users who see the update prompt
• No workaround available (both methods broken)
• Security risk if users stuck on old versions

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Reporter Information

• Source: Discord
• Reporter: TiltStable (OP)
• Timestamp: 8/8/26, 1:12 PM
• Platform: Windows PC / ZCode Desktop App
• Website: zcode.ai

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Labels Suggested:

bug, critical, updater, version-mismatch, windows, website, deployment

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This bug completely blocks users from updating ZCode and needs immediate attention.

No source files, tests, or updater entry points are identified. Start by reproducing the Windows update flow for a version below 3.7.3, then verify the website download version and update artifact; done means the website and in-app prompt agree and the update completes without the “Please close the app” dead end.