Updating Headmaster
How updates reach you
Headmaster has three parts that update in different ways. The desktop app updates when you say so. Cloud and web chat are updated by us. This page explains each one, what you will see, and what to do if an update does not finish.
What updates, and who does it
| Part | Who updates it | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| Desktop app, including the local Work engine | You, with one click | Click Update now when an update is ready |
| Cloud workspace | Us | Nothing |
| Web chat at headmaster.gcaplabs.com | Us | Reload the page if something looks out of date |
Desktop app
How updates are found
Headmaster checks for updates in the background and tells you when one is ready. You see an Update ready notice, for example "Headmaster 1.4.0 is ready to install."
Nothing downloads or installs on its own. The update starts only when you choose to install it.
Every update is verified
Before Headmaster offers an update, it checks that the release is signed by us and is newer than the version you have. After the download, it checks the downloaded file against that same signed release before installing. If anything does not match, the update is stopped and nothing is installed. You do not need to do anything for this. It is why an update can quietly not appear when the download service is unreachable.
Installing an update
- When the notice appears, choose See what's new to read the changes, or go straight to Update now.
- If you are busy, choose Maybe later. You can install it any time from Settings → Version & updates.
- After you choose Update now, the updater takes over in its own window. The app closes while it runs, then Headmaster reopens on its own.
Do not reopen Headmaster yourself while it is updating. Wait for it to come back.
Your chats, settings, memory and keys are kept across updates.
Checking by hand
Open Settings → Version & updates. You will see:
- your current version, for example Version 1.3.2,
- a status line, such as You're on the latest version. or A new update is ready.,
- when Headmaster last checked,
- Check now to look again right away,
- Update now and See what's new when an update is ready.
The Work engine updates with the app
The local engine that powers Work mode ships with the desktop app. Updating the app updates the engine too. There is nothing separate to install.
Updating by reinstalling
You can also download the latest installer from the download page and run it over your existing install. Your data is kept. This is the fix when the in-app update keeps failing.
Cloud and web chat
We update your Cloud workspace and web chat for you. There is nothing to install.
- Your chats, memory, files and scheduled tasks are kept.
- During an update, Cloud can be unavailable for a short time. The app shows that it is reconnecting and picks up again on its own.
- If web chat looks out of date after a change, reload the page.
What you might see
| Message | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Update ready | A verified update is ready | Update now or Maybe later |
| You're on the latest version. | No newer release | Nothing |
| We couldn't reach the update server. | The check failed, usually a network issue | Check your connection, then Check now |
| Restart to finish the update | The new version is installed but not loaded yet | Choose Restart Headmaster. Chats and settings are untouched |
| App build out of date | Part of the app is older than the rest | Run the update again. If it stays, Get the installer and reinstall |
| Update didn't finish | Something stopped the install | Nothing was lost. Try again |
| Close local previews to update Headmaster? | Work mode previews are still running | Choose Close previews and update. Your files are not changed |
| Close other processes to update Headmaster | Another program is holding files Headmaster needs | Close the listed app or terminal, then try again |
Examples
You are in the middle of a task. The Update ready notice appears while the agent is working. Choose Maybe later, let the task finish, then open Settings → Version & updates and choose Update now.
You run a site preview in Work mode. You choose Update now and see Close local previews to update Headmaster? Choose Close previews and update. The preview stops, the update installs, and you can start the preview again afterwards.
Updates keep failing. Download the installer from the download page and run it. It installs over your current version and keeps your data.
Tips
- Install updates soon. They carry fixes and keep the desktop app in step with Cloud.
- Read See what's new, or the changelog, to learn what changed.
- The Windows installer is not code-signed yet. If Windows warns you, choose More info, then Run anyway.
During the beta
Headmaster is in beta. Features and limits can change between versions. Notable changes are listed in the changelog.