Updates

Alcuin updates itself from its releases on GitHub. It looks for a new version when its window first opens, and again every six hours while it runs. A new version downloads in the background and installs when you quit. The next time you open Alcuin, it is the new version.

An update check asks GitHub for the newest release. Privacy lists everything else Alcuin sends.

Only the installed app checks for updates. A copy built from source never does.

Pre-release builds

Open Settings and find Receive pre-release builds, under Updates. It is on by default. The command palette has the same switch: Receive pre-release builds (toggle).

Every release of Alcuin so far is a pre-release on GitHub. So for now:

• On: Alcuin offers each newer release, release candidates included. Leave it on to keep getting updates.
• Off: Alcuin offers full releases only. There are none yet, so it finds no update at all until the first full release.

The change applies the next time Alcuin starts. Release notes for each version are on its release page on GitHub.

Turning the setting off never moves you back to an older version. Alcuin waits until a full release newer than yours is out.

How an update installs

macOS

Alcuin downloads the new release’s -mac.zip and installs it when you quit. If it found the update when it started, macOS can show a notification once the download is done: A new update is ready to install.

macOS installs an update only when it is signed with the same Developer ID as the app you have. A preview build that isn’t signed with Alcuin’s Developer ID can’t update itself. It still checks, and when it finds a newer version it says so once, in a notice that stays until you close it: A new version is available. Choose Release page to open that version’s page on GitHub, then install it as in Install Alcuin. To see how your copy is signed, run the spctl check in Verify a download.

Linux AppImage

Alcuin downloads the new AppImage. When you quit, it deletes the old file and puts the new one in the same folder.

If the old file’s name has a version number in it, the new file keeps its own name, such as Alcuin-<version>.AppImage. A launcher or shortcut that names the old file then needs the new name. If you renamed the AppImage to a name without a version number, the new file takes your name.

Linux .deb

Alcuin downloads the new .deb. When you quit, it installs the package with dpkg, which needs administrator rights, so your system asks for your password.

You can also install a newer .deb yourself with apt, as in Install Alcuin.

Install a version by hand

Download the file from Alcuin’s releases on GitHub and install it as in Install Alcuin. On macOS, drag it into Applications over the old one. Your connections, saved queries and tabs are kept.

Go back to an older version

Alcuin has no way to roll back from inside the app. To go back, download an older release from Alcuin’s releases on GitHub and install it by hand.

There is no setting that turns updates off. The older version finds the newest release at its next check, downloads it, and installs it when you quit.