feat(launcher): implement verified atomic updates

docs/architecture/acdream-architecture.md

@@ -329,11 +329,21 @@ src/
                                 adjacent
                                 `.<pak>.acdream-bake.<guid:N>.tmp` files are
                                 transaction-owned crash residue
+    Updates/                 -> pinned GitHub manifest + strict SemVer/RID
+                                authority, bounded verified streaming download,
+                                hardened ZIP extraction, immutable
+                                `app/<version>/` installs, atomic `current.json`
+                                activation/rollback, and durable next-start
+                                launcher self-update journal; one OS-handle
+                                shared-session/exclusive-update barrier spans
+                                every launcher process
     -> references Platform only; no Avalonia or game-host dependency
 
   AcDream.Launcher/          Avalonia 12 Windows/Linux desktop shell
     ViewModels/              -> thin MVVM projection over Launcher.Core,
-                                including the first-run DAT/bake wizard
+                                including the first-run DAT/bake wizard and
+                                nonfatal startup/manual update state, actions,
+                                progress, cancellation, rollback, and errors
     -> references Launcher.Core only (Platform transitively); it never owns
        a second profile, process, status, or credential state graph
     -> every per-RID publish composes the separately published self-contained

docs/plans/2026-08-14-launcher-campaign.md

@@ -478,6 +478,131 @@ gate (user): clean-profile first-run against real DATs.
 fixture; rollback test; refusal-while-running test; self-update staging test;
 suites green. Connected gate (user): staged-manifest update swap end-to-end.
 
+### Pinned updater contracts (v1, BINDING)
+
+This section is the single source of truth for every LA10 feed and on-disk
+shape. Readers use strict, case-sensitive `System.Text.Json` parsing, reject
+unknown or duplicate properties, and reject unsupported schema versions
+before doing network, extraction, or activation work.
+
+The production feed is pinned to GitHub owner/repository
+`eriknihlen/acdream`; the launcher reads
+`https://github.com/eriknihlen/acdream/releases/latest/download/manifest.json`.
+Tests may inject a loopback HTTP URI, but production artifacts and redirects
+must use HTTPS. `manifest.json` is:
+
+```json
+{
+  "schemaVersion": 1,
+  "version": "1.2.3",
+  "minimumLauncherVersion": "1.1.0",
+  "clients": {
+    "win-x64": {
+      "url": "https://github.com/eriknihlen/acdream/releases/download/v1.2.3/acdream-client-win-x64.zip",
+      "sha256": "<64 hex characters>",
+      "size": 123
+    }
+  },
+  "launchers": {
+    "win-x64": {
+      "url": "https://github.com/eriknihlen/acdream/releases/download/v1.2.3/acdream-launcher-win-x64.zip",
+      "sha256": "<64 hex characters>",
+      "size": 123
+    }
+  }
+}
+```
+
+`version` and `minimumLauncherVersion` are strict SemVer 2.0 strings. Build
+metadata is ignored for precedence; numeric identifiers are compared without
+fixed-width integer overflow. RID keys are exact lowercase portable RIDs.
+Both dictionaries are required and the running RID must have a client and a
+launcher row. Artifact sizes are positive and capped by the launcher's
+download limit; SHA-256 is exactly 64 hex characters. ZIP URLs are absolute.
+Client ZIPs have the two host executables at their root
+(`AcDream.App[.exe]`, `acdream-headless[.exe]`); launcher ZIPs have
+`acdream-launcher[.exe]` at their root. No implicit wrapper directory exists.
+
+Every extracted client version has
+`DataDirectory/app/<version>/install.json`:
+
+```json
+{
+  "schemaVersion": 1,
+  "version": "1.2.3",
+  "rid": "win-x64",
+  "archiveSha256": "<64 hex characters>",
+  "archiveSize": 123,
+  "files": [
+    { "path": "AcDream.App.exe", "sha256": "<64 hex characters>", "size": 123, "unixMode": 0 }
+  ]
+}
+```
+
+Paths use `/`, are relative, normalized, unique under ordinal-ignore-case,
+and sorted ordinally. `unixMode` contains only the portable permission bits
+captured from the ZIP entry. Startup verifies every recorded regular file by
+size/SHA, rejects unrecorded files/reparse points, and requires the two host
+executables before admitting a version. Extraction uses a random sibling
+directory under `DataDirectory/app/`; promotion to `<version>/` is one
+same-volume directory rename.
+
+`DataDirectory/app/current.json` is the only activation authority:
+
+```json
+{ "schemaVersion": 1, "currentVersion": "1.2.3", "previousVersion": "1.1.0" }
+```
+
+`previousVersion` is omitted for the first activation. Pointer writes are
+write-through temporary-file + same-directory atomic rename. The last valid
+pointer is also atomically preserved as `current.previous.json`; startup may
+restore that exact backup only when `current.json` is missing/malformed and
+the referenced version verifies. Orphan LA10 staging directories and pointer
+temporaries are transaction-owned by exact names and are removed under the
+update lease. A corrupt installed version is never silently selected; the
+explicit one-step rollback swaps the two verified pointer versions.
+
+`DataDirectory/app/.update-session.lock` is the cross-process barrier. Each
+supervised launcher activity holds a shared OS handle from before executable
+resolution until terminal process observation; an update/rollback holds the
+exclusive handle for its entire recovery/download/extract/promote/pointer
+transaction. Failure to acquire the exclusive handle is an immediate refusal,
+not a wait behind a running session. The open handle, not lock-file contents,
+owns the lease and therefore releases after process death.
+
+Launcher self-update staging lives at
+`DataDirectory/launcher-update/transactions/<transactionId>/` and the sole
+durable authority is `DataDirectory/launcher-update/pending.json`:
+
+```json
+{
+  "schemaVersion": 1,
+  "transactionId": "0123456789abcdef0123456789abcdef",
+  "state": "staged",
+  "version": "1.2.3",
+  "rid": "win-x64",
+  "targetDirectory": "<absolute current launcher directory>",
+  "archiveSha256": "<64 hex characters>",
+  "archiveSize": 123,
+  "files": [
+    { "path": "acdream-launcher.exe", "sha256": "<64 hex characters>", "size": 123, "unixMode": 0 }
+  ],
+  "apply": null
+}
+```
+
+Before mutation a next-start helper copied outside the target directory
+atomically advances the plan to `applying` and fills `apply` with each path's
+`hadOriginal` bit. It waits for the initiating launcher PID without invoking a
+shell, moves originals into the transaction backup tree, then moves verified
+staged files into place. It never opens a target with truncate/overwrite. On
+success the plan becomes `awaitingConfirmation`; the new launcher confirms at
+its first managed instruction, after which backup and plan cleanup is safe. An
+`applying` plan is rolled back before retry, and failure to start/confirm the
+new launcher restores every original (and removes every no-original target).
+All plan paths are re-derived/contained under the pinned data root except the
+target directory, which must equal the actual launcher base directory.
+
 ## LA11 — closeout
 
 - One connected-gate script `docs/research/2026-XX-XX-campaign-la-test-script.md`

docs/superpowers/specs/2026-08-14-launcher-campaign-design.md

@@ -303,6 +303,18 @@ preview would be a deliberate divergence we are NOT taking.
 - **Feed hosting:** GitHub Releases (user-confirmed). Manifest and zips
   are release assets; the launcher pins the repo/owner in its config.
 
+The exact v1 manifest, extracted-version record, `current.json` activation
+pointer, shared-session/exclusive-update OS lease, and durable self-update
+plan are pinned in
+`docs/plans/2026-08-14-launcher-campaign.md` under **Pinned updater
+contracts (v1, BINDING)**. That section is normative: implementations reject
+unknown/duplicate fields and unsupported versions, use strict SemVer 2.0
+precedence, verify bounded streamed downloads before safe ZIP extraction, and
+derive all mutable staging/backup paths from the application data root. The
+LA9 DAT/pak install record remains the sole content descriptor fed to session
+configs; LA10 changes only which verified `app/current.json` client binaries
+the process supervisor executes.
+
 ## 10. Testing
 
 - **Launcher.Core unit tests** (new test project, registered in

src/AcDream.Launcher.Core/Orchestration/LauncherExecutableSet.cs

@@ -1,18 +1,19 @@
 using AcDream.Launcher.Core.Launching;
 using AcDream.Launcher.Core.Profiles;
+using AcDream.Launcher.Core.Updates;
 
 namespace AcDream.Launcher.Core.Orchestration;
 
 /// <summary>
-/// Resolves and validates the co-deployed graphical/headless hosts. LA10 will
+/// Resolves and validates the graphical/headless hosts. Production uses the
-/// replace the directory lookup with its versioned-current resolver; until
+/// verified <c>DataDirectory/app/current.json</c> resolver; the explicit-path
-/// then a missing host disables the corresponding action instead of deferring
+/// constructor remains the injectable test seam.
-/// failure until process creation.
 /// </summary>
 public sealed class LauncherExecutableSet
 {
     private readonly Func<string, bool> _fileExists;
     private readonly Func<string, bool> _hasUnixExecutePermission;
+    private readonly Func<ExecutablePaths> _resolve;
 
     public LauncherExecutableSet(
         string graphicalHostPath,
@@ -23,25 +24,50 @@ public sealed class LauncherExecutableSet
     {
         ArgumentException.ThrowIfNullOrWhiteSpace(graphicalHostPath);
         ArgumentException.ThrowIfNullOrWhiteSpace(headlessHostPath);
-        GraphicalHostPath = graphicalHostPath;
+        string graphical = graphicalHostPath;
-        HeadlessHostPath = headlessHostPath;
+        string headless = headlessHostPath;
-        WorkingDirectory = workingDirectory;
+        _resolve = () => new ExecutablePaths(graphical, headless, workingDirectory);
         _fileExists = fileExists ?? File.Exists;
         _hasUnixExecutePermission =
             hasUnixExecutePermission ?? HasUnixExecutePermission;
     }
 
-    public string GraphicalHostPath { get; }
+    private LauncherExecutableSet(
+        Func<ExecutablePaths> resolve,
+        Func<string, bool>? fileExists = null,
+        Func<string, bool>? hasUnixExecutePermission = null)
+    {
+        _resolve = resolve ?? throw new ArgumentNullException(nameof(resolve));
+        _fileExists = fileExists ?? File.Exists;
+        _hasUnixExecutePermission =
+            hasUnixExecutePermission ?? HasUnixExecutePermission;
+    }
 
-    public string HeadlessHostPath { get; }
+    public string GraphicalHostPath => _resolve().GraphicalHostPath;
 
-    public string? WorkingDirectory { get; }
+    public string HeadlessHostPath => _resolve().HeadlessHostPath;
+
+    public string? WorkingDirectory => _resolve().WorkingDirectory;
 
     public LauncherCapability GetAvailability(LaunchMode mode)
     {
+        ExecutablePaths paths;
+        try
+        {
+            paths = _resolve();
+        }
+        catch (Exception ex) when (ex is LauncherUpdateException
+                                   or InvalidOperationException
+                                   or IOException
+                                   or UnauthorizedAccessException)
+        {
+            return LauncherCapability.Unavailable(
+                $"The active versioned client is unavailable: {ex.Message}");
+        }
+
         string path = mode == LaunchMode.Headless
-            ? HeadlessHostPath
+            ? paths.HeadlessHostPath
-            : GraphicalHostPath;
+            : paths.GraphicalHostPath;
         string host = mode == LaunchMode.Headless
             ? "headless host"
             : "graphical client";
@@ -68,27 +94,27 @@ public sealed class LauncherExecutableSet
         string configFilePath)
     {
         ArgumentException.ThrowIfNullOrWhiteSpace(configFilePath);
-        RequireAvailable(mode);
+        ExecutablePaths paths = RequireAvailable(mode);
 
         return mode == LaunchMode.Headless
             ? new LauncherProcessSpec(
-                HeadlessHostPath,
+                paths.HeadlessHostPath,
                 ["--config", configFilePath],
-                WorkingDirectory)
+                paths.WorkingDirectory)
             : new LauncherProcessSpec(
-                GraphicalHostPath,
+                paths.GraphicalHostPath,
                 ["--session-config", configFilePath],
-                WorkingDirectory);
+                paths.WorkingDirectory);
     }
 
     public LauncherProcessSpec CreateProbeSpec(string configFilePath)
     {
         ArgumentException.ThrowIfNullOrWhiteSpace(configFilePath);
-        RequireAvailable(LaunchMode.Headless);
+        ExecutablePaths paths = RequireAvailable(LaunchMode.Headless);
         return new LauncherProcessSpec(
-            HeadlessHostPath,
+            paths.HeadlessHostPath,
             ["--config", configFilePath],
-            WorkingDirectory);
+            paths.WorkingDirectory);
     }
 
     public static LauncherExecutableSet FromDirectory(string directory)
@@ -102,7 +128,28 @@ public sealed class LauncherExecutableSet
             fullDirectory);
     }
 
-    private void RequireAvailable(LaunchMode mode)
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Dynamic production resolver. The store cache is admitted only after a
+    /// strict startup/update verification, and a pointer swap changes the
+    /// binaries selected for the next session without replacing LA9 content.
+    /// </summary>
+    public static LauncherExecutableSet FromCurrentVersionStore(
+        ClientVersionStore store)
+    {
+        ArgumentNullException.ThrowIfNull(store);
+        return new LauncherExecutableSet(() =>
+        {
+            ClientVersionResolution resolution = store.CachedResolution;
+            if (!resolution.IsVerified || resolution.Directory is null)
+            {
+                throw new LauncherUpdateException(resolution.Status);
+            }
+
+            return FromDirectoryPaths(resolution.Directory);
+        });
+    }
+
+    private ExecutablePaths RequireAvailable(LaunchMode mode)
     {
         LauncherCapability capability = GetAvailability(mode);
         if (!capability.IsAvailable)
@@ -110,6 +157,18 @@ public sealed class LauncherExecutableSet
             throw new LauncherOperationException(
                 capability.Reason ?? "The selected launcher host is unavailable.");
         }
+
+        return _resolve();
+    }
+
+    private static ExecutablePaths FromDirectoryPaths(string directory)
+    {
+        string fullDirectory = Path.GetFullPath(directory);
+        string executableSuffix = OperatingSystem.IsWindows() ? ".exe" : string.Empty;
+        return new ExecutablePaths(
+            Path.Combine(fullDirectory, "AcDream.App" + executableSuffix),
+            Path.Combine(fullDirectory, "acdream-headless" + executableSuffix),
+            fullDirectory);
     }
 
     private static bool HasUnixExecutePermission(string path)
@@ -134,4 +193,9 @@ public sealed class LauncherExecutableSet
             return false;
         }
     }
+
+    private sealed record ExecutablePaths(
+        string GraphicalHostPath,
+        string HeadlessHostPath,
+        string? WorkingDirectory);
 }

src/AcDream.Launcher.Core/Orchestration/LauncherOrchestrator.cs

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 using AcDream.Launcher.Core.Launching;
 using AcDream.Launcher.Core.Profiles;
 using AcDream.Launcher.Core.Status;
+using AcDream.Launcher.Core.Updates;
 using AcDream.Platform;
 
 namespace AcDream.Launcher.Core.Orchestration;
@@ -26,6 +27,7 @@ public sealed class LauncherOrchestrator : ILauncherOrchestrator
     private readonly ILauncherProcessSupervisorFactory _supervisorFactory;
     private readonly IStatusEventSourceFactory _statusSourceFactory;
     private readonly Func<string> _sessionIdFactory;
+    private readonly UpdateSessionBarrier _updateSessionBarrier;
     private readonly List<ManagedActivity> _activities = [];
 
     private LauncherInstallRecord? _installRecord;
@@ -42,7 +44,8 @@ public sealed class LauncherOrchestrator : ILauncherOrchestrator
         ILauncherProcessSupervisorFactory? supervisorFactory = null,
         IStatusEventSourceFactory? statusSourceFactory = null,
         Func<string>? sessionIdFactory = null,
-        string? installationStatus = null)
+        string? installationStatus = null,
+        UpdateSessionBarrier? updateSessionBarrier = null)
     {
         _profileStore = profileStore ?? throw new ArgumentNullException(nameof(profileStore));
         _paths = paths ?? throw new ArgumentNullException(nameof(paths));
@@ -53,6 +56,8 @@ public sealed class LauncherOrchestrator : ILauncherOrchestrator
         _supervisorFactory = supervisorFactory ?? new LauncherProcessSupervisorFactory();
         _statusSourceFactory = statusSourceFactory ?? new StatusFileTailerFactory();
         _sessionIdFactory = sessionIdFactory ?? CreateSessionId;
+        _updateSessionBarrier = updateSessionBarrier
+            ?? new UpdateSessionBarrier(paths.DataDirectory);
         _installationStatus = installationStatus
             ?? (installRecord is null
                 ? FirstRunRequired
@@ -629,10 +634,18 @@ public sealed class LauncherOrchestrator : ILauncherOrchestrator
     {
         ILauncherProcessSupervisor? supervisor = null;
         string? password = request.Password;
+        bool hostStarted = false;
         try
         {
             request.Cancellation.Token.ThrowIfCancellationRequested();
 
+            UpdateSessionBarrier.SessionLease sessionLease =
+                _updateSessionBarrier.AcquireSession();
+            lock (_gate)
+            {
+                request.Activity.UpdateSessionLease = sessionLease;
+            }
+
             ComposedSessionConfig composed = request.IsProbe
                 ? _configService.ComposeProbeAndWrite(
                     request.Server,
@@ -674,6 +687,7 @@ public sealed class LauncherOrchestrator : ILauncherOrchestrator
                     request.Activity.LaunchMode!.Value,
                     composed.ConfigFilePath);
             supervisor.Start(processSpec, password);
+            hostStarted = true;
 
             request.Password = null;
             password = null;
@@ -728,6 +742,10 @@ public sealed class LauncherOrchestrator : ILauncherOrchestrator
         finally
         {
             request.Password = null;
+            if (!hostStarted)
+            {
+                ReleaseUpdateSessionLease(request.Activity);
+            }
         }
     }
 
@@ -735,6 +753,7 @@ public sealed class LauncherOrchestrator : ILauncherOrchestrator
         ManagedActivity activity,
         LauncherSessionState processState)
     {
+        UpdateSessionBarrier.SessionLease? sessionLease = null;
         try
         {
             lock (_gate)
@@ -774,10 +793,13 @@ public sealed class LauncherOrchestrator : ILauncherOrchestrator
                         {
                             activity.Status = activity.HostTerminalStatus;
                         }
+                        sessionLease = activity.UpdateSessionLease;
+                        activity.UpdateSessionLease = null;
                         break;
                 }
             }
 
+            sessionLease?.Dispose();
             RaiseStateChanged();
         }
         catch
@@ -1192,6 +1214,15 @@ public sealed class LauncherOrchestrator : ILauncherOrchestrator
             activity.Supervisor.Dispose();
             activity.Supervisor = null;
         }
+
+        ReleaseUpdateSessionLease(activity);
+    }
+
+    private static void ReleaseUpdateSessionLease(ManagedActivity activity)
+    {
+        UpdateSessionBarrier.SessionLease? lease =
+            Interlocked.Exchange(ref activity.UpdateSessionLease, null);
+        lease?.Dispose();
     }
 
     private void ThrowIfDisposed()
@@ -1252,6 +1283,8 @@ public sealed class LauncherOrchestrator : ILauncherOrchestrator
 
         public CancellationTokenSource? StartCancellation { get; set; }
 
+        public UpdateSessionBarrier.SessionLease? UpdateSessionLease;
+
         public object StatusReadGate { get; } = new();
 
         public bool IsActive => State is not (

src/AcDream.Launcher.Core/Updates/AtomicJsonFile.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,84 @@
+using System.Text.Json;
+
+namespace AcDream.Launcher.Core.Updates;
+
+internal static class AtomicJsonFile
+{
+    internal static async Task WriteAsync<T>(
+        string path,
+        T value,
+        JsonSerializerOptions options,
+        CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
+    {
+        string fullPath = Path.GetFullPath(path);
+        string directory = Path.GetDirectoryName(fullPath)
+            ?? throw new InvalidOperationException("The JSON path has no parent directory.");
+        Directory.CreateDirectory(directory);
+        string temporaryPath = Path.Combine(
+            directory,
+            $".{Path.GetFileName(fullPath)}.{Guid.NewGuid():N}.tmp");
+        try
+        {
+            await using (var stream = new FileStream(
+                temporaryPath,
+                FileMode.CreateNew,
+                FileAccess.Write,
+                FileShare.None,
+                16 * 1024,
+                FileOptions.Asynchronous | FileOptions.WriteThrough))
+            {
+                await JsonSerializer.SerializeAsync(
+                        stream,
+                        value,
+                        options,
+                        cancellationToken)
+                    .ConfigureAwait(false);
+                await stream.FlushAsync(cancellationToken).ConfigureAwait(false);
+                stream.Flush(flushToDisk: true);
+            }
+
+            cancellationToken.ThrowIfCancellationRequested();
+            File.Move(temporaryPath, fullPath, overwrite: true);
+        }
+        finally
+        {
+            VerifiedArtifactDownloader.TryDelete(temporaryPath);
+        }
+    }
+
+    internal static async Task WriteBytesAsync(
+        string path,
+        ReadOnlyMemory<byte> bytes,
+        CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
+    {
+        string fullPath = Path.GetFullPath(path);
+        string directory = Path.GetDirectoryName(fullPath)
+            ?? throw new InvalidOperationException("The file path has no parent directory.");
+        Directory.CreateDirectory(directory);
+        string temporaryPath = Path.Combine(
+            directory,
+            $".{Path.GetFileName(fullPath)}.{Guid.NewGuid():N}.tmp");
+        try
+        {
+            await using (var stream = new FileStream(
+                temporaryPath,
+                FileMode.CreateNew,
+                FileAccess.Write,
+                FileShare.None,
+                16 * 1024,
+                FileOptions.Asynchronous | FileOptions.WriteThrough))
+            {
+                await stream.WriteAsync(bytes, cancellationToken).ConfigureAwait(false);
+                await stream.FlushAsync(cancellationToken).ConfigureAwait(false);
+                stream.Flush(flushToDisk: true);
+            }
+
+            cancellationToken.ThrowIfCancellationRequested();
+            File.Move(temporaryPath, fullPath, overwrite: true);
+        }
+        finally
+        {
+            VerifiedArtifactDownloader.TryDelete(temporaryPath);
+        }
+    }
+}

src/AcDream.Launcher.Core/Updates/ClientVersionStore.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,973 @@
+using System.Text.Json;
+using System.Text.Json.Serialization;
+using AcDream.Launcher.Core.Integrity;
+using AcDream.Platform;
+
+namespace AcDream.Launcher.Core.Updates;
+
+public sealed record InstalledFileRecord(
+    string Path,
+    string Sha256,
+    long Size,
+    int UnixMode);
+
+public sealed record ClientVersionRecord(
+    int SchemaVersion,
+    string Version,
+    string Rid,
+    string ArchiveSha256,
+    long ArchiveSize,
+    IReadOnlyList<InstalledFileRecord> Files)
+{
+    public const int CurrentSchemaVersion = 1;
+}
+
+public sealed record ClientActivationPointer(
+    int SchemaVersion,
+    string CurrentVersion,
+    string? PreviousVersion)
+{
+    public const int CurrentSchemaVersion = 1;
+}
+
+public enum ClientVersionState
+{
+    Missing,
+    Verified,
+    Invalid,
+}
+
+public sealed record ClientVersionResolution(
+    ClientVersionState State,
+    string Status,
+    LauncherVersion? Version,
+    string? Directory,
+    string? PreviousVersion,
+    ClientVersionRecord? Record)
+{
+    public bool IsVerified => State == ClientVersionState.Verified;
+}
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Strict installed-version and activation-pointer authority. LA9's DAT/pak
+/// record is intentionally not represented here.
+/// </summary>
+public sealed class ClientVersionStore
+{
+    private static readonly JsonSerializerOptions SerializerOptions = new()
+    {
+        PropertyNamingPolicy = JsonNamingPolicy.CamelCase,
+        PropertyNameCaseInsensitive = false,
+        WriteIndented = true,
+        UnmappedMemberHandling = JsonUnmappedMemberHandling.Disallow,
+        DefaultIgnoreCondition = JsonIgnoreCondition.WhenWritingNull,
+        MaxDepth = 32,
+    };
+
+    private readonly object _gate = new();
+    private readonly Func<string, CancellationToken, Task<string>> _computeSha256;
+    private ClientVersionResolution _cached = new(
+        ClientVersionState.Missing,
+        "No versioned client is installed. Check for updates to install one.",
+        null,
+        null,
+        null,
+        null);
+
+    public ClientVersionStore(
+        ApplicationPathSet paths,
+        Func<string, CancellationToken, Task<string>>? computeSha256 = null)
+    {
+        ArgumentNullException.ThrowIfNull(paths);
+        AppDirectory = Path.Combine(Path.GetFullPath(paths.DataDirectory), "app");
+        CurrentPointerPath = Path.Combine(AppDirectory, "current.json");
+        PreviousPointerPath = Path.Combine(AppDirectory, "current.previous.json");
+        Barrier = new UpdateSessionBarrier(paths.DataDirectory);
+        _computeSha256 = computeSha256
+            ?? ((path, token) => FileIntegrity.ComputeSha256HexAsync(path, token));
+    }
+
+    public string AppDirectory { get; }
+
+    public string CurrentPointerPath { get; }
+
+    public string PreviousPointerPath { get; }
+
+    public UpdateSessionBarrier Barrier { get; }
+
+    public ClientVersionResolution CachedResolution
+    {
+        get
+        {
+            lock (_gate)
+            {
+                return _cached;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    public string GetVersionDirectory(LauncherVersion version) =>
+        Path.Combine(AppDirectory, version.Value);
+
+    public static string GetMetadataPath(string versionDirectory) =>
+        Path.Combine(Path.GetFullPath(versionDirectory), "install.json");
+
+    public async Task<ClientVersionResolution> LoadAndRecoverAsync(
+        string rid,
+        CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
+    {
+        try
+        {
+            using UpdateSessionBarrier.ExclusiveLease lease = Barrier.AcquireExclusive();
+            return await LoadAndRecoverUnderLeaseAsync(rid, cancellationToken)
+                .ConfigureAwait(false);
+        }
+        catch (LauncherUpdateException ex) when (ex.InnerException is IOException)
+        {
+            // Another launcher may legitimately hold a shared session lease.
+            // Pointer publication is atomic and old versions are retained, so
+            // a read-only verification remains safe; mutation/recovery waits
+            // for the next startup without active sessions.
+            return await LoadCurrentReadOnlyAsync(rid, cancellationToken)
+                .ConfigureAwait(false);
+        }
+    }
+
+    public async Task<ClientVersionResolution> LoadCurrentReadOnlyAsync(
+        string rid,
+        CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
+    {
+        RequireRid(rid);
+        PointerRead current = await ReadPointerAsync(CurrentPointerPath, cancellationToken)
+            .ConfigureAwait(false);
+        ClientVersionResolution resolution = current.Pointer is null
+            ? (!File.Exists(CurrentPointerPath)
+                ? new ClientVersionResolution(
+                    ClientVersionState.Missing,
+                    "No versioned client is installed. Check for updates to install one.",
+                    null,
+                    null,
+                    null,
+                    null)
+                : Invalid(current.Error ?? "The client activation pointer is invalid."))
+            : await ResolvePointerAsync(current.Pointer, rid, cancellationToken)
+                .ConfigureAwait(false);
+        SetCached(resolution);
+        return resolution;
+    }
+
+    internal async Task<ClientVersionResolution> LoadAndRecoverUnderLeaseAsync(
+        string rid,
+        CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
+    {
+        RequireRid(rid);
+        Directory.CreateDirectory(AppDirectory);
+        CleanupOwnedResidue();
+
+        PointerRead current = await ReadPointerAsync(CurrentPointerPath, cancellationToken)
+            .ConfigureAwait(false);
+        if (current.Pointer is not null)
+        {
+            ClientVersionResolution resolution = await ResolvePointerAsync(
+                    current.Pointer,
+                    rid,
+                    cancellationToken)
+                .ConfigureAwait(false);
+            SetCached(resolution);
+            return resolution;
+        }
+
+        PointerRead previous = await ReadPointerAsync(PreviousPointerPath, cancellationToken)
+            .ConfigureAwait(false);
+        if (previous.Pointer is not null)
+        {
+            ClientVersionResolution recovered = await ResolvePointerAsync(
+                    previous.Pointer,
+                    rid,
+                    cancellationToken)
+                .ConfigureAwait(false);
+            if (recovered.IsVerified)
+            {
+                await WritePointerFileAsync(
+                        CurrentPointerPath,
+                        previous.Pointer,
+                        cancellationToken)
+                    .ConfigureAwait(false);
+                recovered = recovered with
+                {
+                    Status = "Recovered the last valid client activation pointer.",
+                };
+                SetCached(recovered);
+                return recovered;
+            }
+        }
+
+        ClientVersionResolution missingOrInvalid =
+            !File.Exists(CurrentPointerPath) && !File.Exists(PreviousPointerPath)
+                ? new ClientVersionResolution(
+                    ClientVersionState.Missing,
+                    "No versioned client is installed. Check for updates to install one.",
+                    null,
+                    null,
+                    null,
+                    null)
+                : new ClientVersionResolution(
+                    ClientVersionState.Invalid,
+                    current.Error
+                        ?? previous.Error
+                        ?? "No valid client activation pointer could be recovered.",
+                    null,
+                    null,
+                    null,
+                    null);
+        SetCached(missingOrInvalid);
+        return missingOrInvalid;
+    }
+
+    internal async Task<ClientVersionResolution> PromoteAndActivateUnderLeaseAsync(
+        string stagingDirectory,
+        LauncherVersion version,
+        string rid,
+        ReleaseArtifact artifact,
+        IReadOnlyList<ExtractedFileRecord> extractedFiles,
+        CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
+    {
+        ArgumentException.ThrowIfNullOrWhiteSpace(stagingDirectory);
+        ArgumentNullException.ThrowIfNull(version);
+        ArgumentNullException.ThrowIfNull(artifact);
+        ArgumentNullException.ThrowIfNull(extractedFiles);
+        RequireRid(rid);
+
+        string staging = Path.GetFullPath(stagingDirectory);
+        RequireOwnedStagingPath(staging);
+        ValidateRequiredExecutables(extractedFiles, rid, launcherPayload: false);
+        if (extractedFiles.Any(file => string.Equals(
+                file.Path,
+                "install.json",
+                StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase)))
+        {
+            throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                "The client ZIP may not provide the launcher's install.json record.");
+        }
+
+        var record = new ClientVersionRecord(
+            ClientVersionRecord.CurrentSchemaVersion,
+            version.Value,
+            rid,
+            artifact.Sha256.ToLowerInvariant(),
+            artifact.Size,
+            extractedFiles
+                .Select(file => new InstalledFileRecord(
+                    file.Path,
+                    file.Sha256,
+                    file.Size,
+                    file.UnixMode))
+                .OrderBy(file => file.Path, StringComparer.Ordinal)
+                .ToArray());
+        ValidateRecord(record, version, rid);
+        await AtomicJsonFile.WriteAsync(
+                GetMetadataPath(staging),
+                record,
+                SerializerOptions,
+                cancellationToken)
+            .ConfigureAwait(false);
+        ClientVersionResolution staged = await VerifyVersionDirectoryAsync(
+                staging,
+                version,
+                rid,
+                cancellationToken)
+            .ConfigureAwait(false);
+        if (!staged.IsVerified)
+        {
+            throw new LauncherUpdateException(staged.Status);
+        }
+
+        ClientActivationPointer? oldPointer = (await ReadPointerAsync(
+                CurrentPointerPath,
+                cancellationToken)
+            .ConfigureAwait(false)).Pointer;
+        string target = GetVersionDirectory(version);
+        if (Directory.Exists(target))
+        {
+            ClientVersionResolution existing = await VerifyVersionDirectoryAsync(
+                    target,
+                    version,
+                    rid,
+                    cancellationToken)
+                .ConfigureAwait(false);
+            if (existing.IsVerified
+                && existing.Record is not null
+                && string.Equals(
+                    existing.Record.ArchiveSha256,
+                    artifact.Sha256,
+                    StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase)
+                && existing.Record.ArchiveSize == artifact.Size)
+            {
+                SafeZipExtractor.TryDeleteDirectory(staging);
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                if (oldPointer is not null
+                    && string.Equals(
+                        oldPointer.CurrentVersion,
+                        version.Value,
+                        StringComparison.Ordinal))
+                {
+                    throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                        "The active client version is corrupt and cannot be replaced in place. "
+                        + "Roll back before repairing it.");
+                }
+
+                string quarantine = Path.Combine(
+                    AppDirectory,
+                    $".client-corrupt-{Guid.NewGuid():N}");
+                Directory.Move(target, quarantine);
+                try
+                {
+                    Directory.Move(staging, target);
+                }
+                catch
+                {
+                    Directory.Move(quarantine, target);
+                    throw;
+                }
+
+                SafeZipExtractor.TryDeleteDirectory(quarantine);
+            }
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            Directory.Move(staging, target);
+        }
+
+        string? previousVersion = oldPointer is null
+            || string.Equals(
+                oldPointer.CurrentVersion,
+                version.Value,
+                StringComparison.Ordinal)
+                ? oldPointer?.PreviousVersion
+                : oldPointer.CurrentVersion;
+        var pointer = new ClientActivationPointer(
+            ClientActivationPointer.CurrentSchemaVersion,
+            version.Value,
+            previousVersion);
+        await SavePointerAsync(pointer, cancellationToken).ConfigureAwait(false);
+        ClientVersionResolution resolution = await ResolvePointerAsync(
+                pointer,
+                rid,
+                cancellationToken)
+            .ConfigureAwait(false);
+        if (!resolution.IsVerified)
+        {
+            throw new LauncherUpdateException(resolution.Status);
+        }
+
+        SetCached(resolution);
+        return resolution;
+    }
+
+    public async Task<ClientVersionResolution> RollbackAsync(
+        string rid,
+        CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
+    {
+        using UpdateSessionBarrier.ExclusiveLease lease = Barrier.AcquireExclusive();
+        PointerRead read = await ReadPointerAsync(CurrentPointerPath, cancellationToken)
+            .ConfigureAwait(false);
+        ClientActivationPointer pointer = read.Pointer
+            ?? throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                read.Error ?? "There is no active client version to roll back.");
+        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(pointer.PreviousVersion))
+        {
+            throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                "There is no previous client version available for rollback.");
+        }
+
+        LauncherVersion previous = LauncherVersion.Parse(pointer.PreviousVersion);
+        ClientVersionResolution verified = await VerifyVersionDirectoryAsync(
+                GetVersionDirectory(previous),
+                previous,
+                rid,
+                cancellationToken)
+            .ConfigureAwait(false);
+        if (!verified.IsVerified)
+        {
+            throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                $"The previous client version cannot be activated: {verified.Status}");
+        }
+
+        var swapped = new ClientActivationPointer(
+            ClientActivationPointer.CurrentSchemaVersion,
+            previous.Value,
+            pointer.CurrentVersion);
+        await SavePointerAsync(swapped, cancellationToken).ConfigureAwait(false);
+        ClientVersionResolution resolution = await ResolvePointerAsync(
+                swapped,
+                rid,
+                cancellationToken)
+            .ConfigureAwait(false);
+        SetCached(resolution);
+        return resolution;
+    }
+
+    internal string CreateClientStagingDirectory(Guid transactionId)
+    {
+        Directory.CreateDirectory(AppDirectory);
+        return Path.Combine(AppDirectory, $".client-staging-{transactionId:N}");
+    }
+
+    internal static void ValidateRequiredExecutables(
+        IReadOnlyList<ExtractedFileRecord> files,
+        string rid,
+        bool launcherPayload)
+    {
+        string suffix = rid.StartsWith("win-", StringComparison.Ordinal) ? ".exe" : string.Empty;
+        string[] required = launcherPayload
+            ? ["acdream-launcher" + suffix]
+            : ["AcDream.App" + suffix, "acdream-headless" + suffix];
+        foreach (string path in required)
+        {
+            ExtractedFileRecord? file = files.SingleOrDefault(candidate =>
+                string.Equals(candidate.Path, path, StringComparison.Ordinal));
+            if (file is null)
+            {
+                throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                    $"The release ZIP is missing required root executable '{path}'.");
+            }
+
+            if (rid.StartsWith("linux-", StringComparison.Ordinal)
+                && (file.UnixMode & (int)UnixFileMode.UserExecute) == 0)
+            {
+                throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                    $"The Linux release executable '{path}' lacks owner execute permission.");
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    private async Task<ClientVersionResolution> ResolvePointerAsync(
+        ClientActivationPointer pointer,
+        string rid,
+        CancellationToken cancellationToken)
+    {
+        string? error = ValidatePointer(pointer);
+        if (error is not null)
+        {
+            return Invalid(error);
+        }
+
+        LauncherVersion version = LauncherVersion.Parse(pointer.CurrentVersion);
+        ClientVersionResolution resolution = await VerifyVersionDirectoryAsync(
+                GetVersionDirectory(version),
+                version,
+                rid,
+                cancellationToken)
+            .ConfigureAwait(false);
+        return resolution.IsVerified
+            ? resolution with { PreviousVersion = pointer.PreviousVersion }
+            : resolution;
+    }
+
+    private async Task<ClientVersionResolution> VerifyVersionDirectoryAsync(
+        string directory,
+        LauncherVersion version,
+        string rid,
+        CancellationToken cancellationToken)
+    {
+        if (!Directory.Exists(directory))
+        {
+            return Invalid($"Client version {version} directory is missing.");
+        }
+
+        try
+        {
+            RejectReparseTree(directory);
+            ClientVersionRecord? record = await ReadStrictAsync<ClientVersionRecord>(
+                    GetMetadataPath(directory),
+                    cancellationToken)
+                .ConfigureAwait(false);
+            if (record is null)
+            {
+                return Invalid($"Client version {version} install.json is missing.");
+            }
+
+            string? contractError = ValidateRecord(record, version, rid);
+            if (contractError is not null)
+            {
+                return Invalid(contractError);
+            }
+
+            string[] actualFiles = Directory.EnumerateFiles(
+                    directory,
+                    "*",
+                    SearchOption.AllDirectories)
+                .Select(path => NormalizeRelative(directory, path))
+                .Where(path => !string.Equals(
+                    path,
+                    "install.json",
+                    StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
+                .OrderBy(path => path, StringComparer.Ordinal)
+                .ToArray();
+            string[] recordedFiles = record.Files
+                .Select(file => file.Path)
+                .OrderBy(path => path, StringComparer.Ordinal)
+                .ToArray();
+            if (!actualFiles.SequenceEqual(recordedFiles, StringComparer.Ordinal))
+            {
+                return Invalid(
+                    $"Client version {version} contains missing or unrecorded files.");
+            }
+
+            foreach (InstalledFileRecord file in record.Files)
+            {
+                cancellationToken.ThrowIfCancellationRequested();
+                string path = ResolveContained(directory, file.Path);
+                var info = new FileInfo(path);
+                if (!info.Exists || info.Length != file.Size)
+                {
+                    return Invalid(
+                        $"Client version {version} file '{file.Path}' size is corrupt.");
+                }
+
+                string sha256 = await _computeSha256(path, cancellationToken)
+                    .ConfigureAwait(false);
+                if (!string.Equals(
+                        sha256,
+                        file.Sha256,
+                        StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
+                {
+                    return Invalid(
+                        $"Client version {version} file '{file.Path}' SHA-256 is corrupt.");
+                }
+
+                if (OperatingSystem.IsLinux()
+                    && ((int)File.GetUnixFileMode(path) & 0x1FF) != file.UnixMode)
+                {
+                    return Invalid(
+                        $"Client version {version} file '{file.Path}' mode is corrupt.");
+                }
+            }
+
+            return new ClientVersionResolution(
+                ClientVersionState.Verified,
+                $"Client version {version} verified.",
+                version,
+                directory,
+                null,
+                record);
+        }
+        catch (OperationCanceledException)
+        {
+            throw;
+        }
+        catch (Exception ex) when (ex is IOException
+                                   or UnauthorizedAccessException
+                                   or JsonException
+                                   or NotSupportedException
+                                   or FormatException
+                                   or LauncherUpdateException)
+        {
+            return Invalid(
+                $"Client version {version} could not be verified: {ex.Message}");
+        }
+    }
+
+    private async Task SavePointerAsync(
+        ClientActivationPointer pointer,
+        CancellationToken cancellationToken)
+    {
+        string? error = ValidatePointer(pointer);
+        if (error is not null)
+        {
+            throw new LauncherUpdateException(error);
+        }
+
+        if (File.Exists(CurrentPointerPath))
+        {
+            byte[] previous = await File.ReadAllBytesAsync(
+                    CurrentPointerPath,
+                    cancellationToken)
+                .ConfigureAwait(false);
+            PointerRead validPrevious = ParsePointer(previous);
+            if (validPrevious.Pointer is not null)
+            {
+                await AtomicJsonFile.WriteBytesAsync(
+                        PreviousPointerPath,
+                        previous,
+                        cancellationToken)
+                    .ConfigureAwait(false);
+            }
+        }
+
+        await WritePointerFileAsync(CurrentPointerPath, pointer, cancellationToken)
+            .ConfigureAwait(false);
+    }
+
+    private static Task WritePointerFileAsync(
+        string path,
+        ClientActivationPointer pointer,
+        CancellationToken cancellationToken) =>
+        AtomicJsonFile.WriteAsync(path, pointer, SerializerOptions, cancellationToken);
+
+    private static async Task<PointerRead> ReadPointerAsync(
+        string path,
+        CancellationToken cancellationToken)
+    {
+        if (!File.Exists(path))
+        {
+            return new PointerRead(null, null);
+        }
+
+        try
+        {
+            byte[] bytes = await File.ReadAllBytesAsync(path, cancellationToken)
+                .ConfigureAwait(false);
+            return ParsePointer(bytes);
+        }
+        catch (OperationCanceledException)
+        {
+            throw;
+        }
+        catch (Exception ex) when (ex is IOException or UnauthorizedAccessException)
+        {
+            return new PointerRead(null, $"Client pointer could not be read: {ex.Message}");
+        }
+    }
+
+    private static PointerRead ParsePointer(ReadOnlyMemory<byte> bytes)
+    {
+        try
+        {
+            ClientActivationPointer? pointer = ParseStrict<ClientActivationPointer>(bytes.Span);
+            string? error = pointer is null
+                ? "Client pointer is empty."
+                : ValidatePointer(pointer);
+            return error is null
+                ? new PointerRead(pointer, null)
+                : new PointerRead(null, error);
+        }
+        catch (Exception ex) when (ex is JsonException
+                                   or LauncherUpdateException
+                                   or FormatException)
+        {
+            return new PointerRead(null, $"Client pointer is invalid: {ex.Message}");
+        }
+    }
+
+    private static string? ValidatePointer(ClientActivationPointer pointer)
+    {
+        if (pointer.SchemaVersion != ClientActivationPointer.CurrentSchemaVersion)
+        {
+            return $"Client pointer schema version {pointer.SchemaVersion} is not supported.";
+        }
+
+        if (!LauncherVersion.TryParse(pointer.CurrentVersion, out _))
+        {
+            return "Client pointer currentVersion is invalid.";
+        }
+
+        if (pointer.PreviousVersion is not null
+            && (!LauncherVersion.TryParse(pointer.PreviousVersion, out _)
+                || string.Equals(
+                    pointer.PreviousVersion,
+                    pointer.CurrentVersion,
+                    StringComparison.Ordinal)))
+        {
+            return "Client pointer previousVersion is invalid.";
+        }
+
+        return null;
+    }
+
+    private static string? ValidateRecord(
+        ClientVersionRecord record,
+        LauncherVersion version,
+        string rid)
+    {
+        if (record.SchemaVersion != ClientVersionRecord.CurrentSchemaVersion)
+        {
+            return $"Client install schema version {record.SchemaVersion} is not supported.";
+        }
+
+        if (!string.Equals(record.Version, version.Value, StringComparison.Ordinal)
+            || !LauncherVersion.TryParse(record.Version, out _))
+        {
+            return "Client install version does not match its directory.";
+        }
+
+        if (!string.Equals(record.Rid, rid, StringComparison.Ordinal)
+            || !LauncherRuntimeIdentity.IsValidRid(record.Rid))
+        {
+            return $"Client install RID does not match '{rid}'.";
+        }
+
+        if (!ReleaseManifestClient.IsSha256(record.ArchiveSha256)
+            || record.ArchiveSize <= 0
+            || record.ArchiveSize > ReleaseManifestClient.MaximumArtifactBytes)
+        {
+            return "Client install archive metadata is invalid.";
+        }
+
+        if (record.Files is null || record.Files.Count == 0)
+        {
+            return "Client install file list is empty.";
+        }
+
+        var paths = new HashSet<string>(StringComparer.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
+        string? prior = null;
+        foreach (InstalledFileRecord file in record.Files)
+        {
+            if (!IsNormalizedRelative(file.Path)
+                || !paths.Add(file.Path)
+                || !ReleaseManifestClient.IsSha256(file.Sha256)
+                || file.Size < 0
+                || file.UnixMode is < 0 or > 0x1FF
+                || (prior is not null
+                    && string.Compare(prior, file.Path, StringComparison.Ordinal) >= 0))
+            {
+                return "Client install file metadata is invalid, duplicated, or unsorted.";
+            }
+
+            prior = file.Path;
+        }
+
+        string suffix = rid.StartsWith("win-", StringComparison.Ordinal) ? ".exe" : string.Empty;
+        foreach (string required in new[]
+                 {
+                     "AcDream.App" + suffix,
+                     "acdream-headless" + suffix,
+                 })
+        {
+            if (!paths.Contains(required))
+            {
+                return $"Client install is missing '{required}'.";
+            }
+        }
+
+        return null;
+    }
+
+    private static async Task<T?> ReadStrictAsync<T>(
+        string path,
+        CancellationToken cancellationToken)
+    {
+        if (!File.Exists(path))
+        {
+            return default;
+        }
+
+        byte[] bytes = await File.ReadAllBytesAsync(path, cancellationToken)
+            .ConfigureAwait(false);
+        return ParseStrict<T>(bytes);
+    }
+
+    internal static T? ParseStrict<T>(
+        ReadOnlySpan<byte> bytes,
+        JsonSerializerOptions? serializerOptions = null)
+    {
+        using JsonDocument document = JsonDocument.Parse(
+            bytes.ToArray(),
+            new JsonDocumentOptions
+            {
+                AllowTrailingCommas = false,
+                CommentHandling = JsonCommentHandling.Disallow,
+                MaxDepth = 32,
+            });
+        RejectDuplicateProperties(document.RootElement, "$" );
+        return document.RootElement.Deserialize<T>(
+            serializerOptions ?? SerializerOptions);
+    }
+
+    private static void RejectDuplicateProperties(JsonElement element, string path)
+    {
+        if (element.ValueKind == JsonValueKind.Object)
+        {
+            var names = new HashSet<string>(StringComparer.Ordinal);
+            foreach (JsonProperty property in element.EnumerateObject())
+            {
+                if (!names.Add(property.Name))
+                {
+                    throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                        $"Duplicate JSON property '{path}.{property.Name}' is not allowed.");
+                }
+
+                RejectDuplicateProperties(property.Value, $"{path}.{property.Name}");
+            }
+        }
+        else if (element.ValueKind == JsonValueKind.Array)
+        {
+            int index = 0;
+            foreach (JsonElement item in element.EnumerateArray())
+            {
+                RejectDuplicateProperties(item, $"{path}[{index++}]");
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    private void CleanupOwnedResidue()
+    {
+        foreach (string path in Directory.EnumerateDirectories(
+                     AppDirectory,
+                     ".client-staging-*",
+                     SearchOption.TopDirectoryOnly))
+        {
+            string suffix = Path.GetFileName(path)[".client-staging-".Length..];
+            if (Guid.TryParseExact(suffix, "N", out _))
+            {
+                SafeZipExtractor.TryDeleteDirectory(path);
+            }
+        }
+
+        foreach (string path in Directory.EnumerateFiles(
+                     AppDirectory,
+                     ".current*.tmp",
+                     SearchOption.TopDirectoryOnly))
+        {
+            string fileName = Path.GetFileName(path);
+            string[] parts = fileName.Split('.');
+            if (parts.Length >= 4
+                && string.Equals(parts[^1], "tmp", StringComparison.Ordinal)
+                && Guid.TryParseExact(parts[^2], "N", out _))
+            {
+                VerifiedArtifactDownloader.TryDelete(path);
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    private void RequireOwnedStagingPath(string path)
+    {
+        string parent = Path.GetDirectoryName(path) ?? string.Empty;
+        string fileName = Path.GetFileName(path);
+        if (!PathsEqual(parent, AppDirectory)
+            || !fileName.StartsWith(".client-staging-", StringComparison.Ordinal)
+            || !Guid.TryParseExact(fileName[".client-staging-".Length..], "N", out _))
+        {
+            throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                "The client extraction path is not an owned LA10 staging directory.");
+        }
+    }
+
+    internal static void RejectReparseTree(string root)
+    {
+        if ((File.GetAttributes(root) & FileAttributes.ReparsePoint) != 0)
+        {
+            throw new LauncherUpdateException("The client version directory is a reparse point.");
+        }
+
+        var pending = new Stack<string>();
+        pending.Push(root);
+        while (pending.TryPop(out string? directory))
+        {
+            foreach (string path in Directory.EnumerateFileSystemEntries(
+                         directory,
+                         "*",
+                         SearchOption.TopDirectoryOnly))
+            {
+                FileAttributes attributes = File.GetAttributes(path);
+                if ((attributes & FileAttributes.ReparsePoint) != 0)
+                {
+                    throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                        $"Client install path '{NormalizeRelative(root, path)}' is a reparse point.");
+                }
+
+                if ((attributes & FileAttributes.Directory) != 0)
+                {
+                    pending.Push(path);
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    private static string NormalizeRelative(string root, string path) =>
+        Path.GetRelativePath(root, path).Replace('\\', '/');
+
+    internal static bool IsNormalizedRelative(string? path)
+    {
+        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(path)
+            || path.Length > 512
+            || path.IndexOf('\0') >= 0
+            || path.Contains('\\', StringComparison.Ordinal)
+            || path.Contains(':', StringComparison.Ordinal)
+            || path.StartsWith("/", StringComparison.Ordinal)
+            || Path.IsPathRooted(path))
+        {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        string[] parts = path.Split('/');
+        return parts.All(part =>
+            part.Length > 0
+            && part is not ("." or "..")
+            && !part.EndsWith(' ')
+            && !part.EndsWith('.')
+            && !part.Any(character =>
+                char.IsControl(character)
+                || character is '<' or '>' or '"' or '|' or '?' or '*')
+            && !IsWindowsDeviceName(part));
+    }
+
+    internal static string ResolveContained(string root, string relative)
+    {
+        if (!IsNormalizedRelative(relative))
+        {
+            throw new LauncherUpdateException($"Unsafe relative path '{relative}'.");
+        }
+
+        string fullRoot = Path.GetFullPath(root);
+        string path = Path.GetFullPath(
+            Path.Combine(fullRoot, relative.Replace('/', Path.DirectorySeparatorChar)));
+        string prefix = Path.EndsInDirectorySeparator(fullRoot)
+            ? fullRoot
+            : fullRoot + Path.DirectorySeparatorChar;
+        if (!path.StartsWith(
+                prefix,
+                OperatingSystem.IsWindows()
+                    ? StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase
+                    : StringComparison.Ordinal))
+        {
+            throw new LauncherUpdateException($"Path '{relative}' escaped its root.");
+        }
+
+        return path;
+    }
+
+    private static bool IsWindowsDeviceName(string segment)
+    {
+        string stem = segment.Split('.')[0];
+        return stem.Equals("CON", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase)
+            || stem.Equals("PRN", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase)
+            || stem.Equals("AUX", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase)
+            || stem.Equals("NUL", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase)
+            || (stem.Length == 4
+                && (stem.StartsWith("COM", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase)
+                    || stem.StartsWith("LPT", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
+                && stem[3] is >= '1' and <= '9');
+    }
+
+    private static bool PathsEqual(string left, string right) =>
+        string.Equals(
+            Path.TrimEndingDirectorySeparator(Path.GetFullPath(left)),
+            Path.TrimEndingDirectorySeparator(Path.GetFullPath(right)),
+            OperatingSystem.IsWindows()
+                ? StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase
+                : StringComparison.Ordinal);
+
+    private static void RequireRid(string rid)
+    {
+        if (!LauncherRuntimeIdentity.IsValidRid(rid))
+        {
+            throw new ArgumentException("RID is invalid.", nameof(rid));
+        }
+    }
+
+    private void SetCached(ClientVersionResolution resolution)
+    {
+        lock (_gate)
+        {
+            _cached = resolution;
+        }
+    }
+
+    private static ClientVersionResolution Invalid(string status) =>
+        new(ClientVersionState.Invalid, status, null, null, null, null);
+
+    private sealed record PointerRead(ClientActivationPointer? Pointer, string? Error);
+}

src/AcDream.Launcher.Core/Updates/LauncherRuntimeIdentity.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+using System.Runtime.InteropServices;
+
+namespace AcDream.Launcher.Core.Updates;
+
+public static class LauncherRuntimeIdentity
+{
+    public static string DetectRid()
+    {
+        string os = OperatingSystem.IsWindows()
+            ? "win"
+            : OperatingSystem.IsLinux()
+                ? "linux"
+                : throw new PlatformNotSupportedException(
+                    "The launcher updater supports Windows and Linux only.");
+        string architecture = RuntimeInformation.ProcessArchitecture switch
+        {
+            Architecture.X64 => "x64",
+            Architecture.Arm64 => "arm64",
+            _ => throw new PlatformNotSupportedException(
+                $"The launcher updater does not support {RuntimeInformation.ProcessArchitecture}."),
+        };
+        return $"{os}-{architecture}";
+    }
+
+    internal static bool IsValidRid(string? rid) =>
+        !string.IsNullOrEmpty(rid)
+        && rid.Length <= 64
+        && rid[0] is >= 'a' and <= 'z'
+        && rid.All(character =>
+            character is >= 'a' and <= 'z'
+            or >= '0' and <= '9'
+            or '-');
+}

src/AcDream.Launcher.Core/Updates/LauncherSelfUpdateBootstrap.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,299 @@
+using System.Diagnostics;
+
+namespace AcDream.Launcher.Core.Updates;
+
+public sealed record SelfUpdateStartupResult(
+    bool ShouldExit,
+    int ExitCode,
+    string[] RemainingArguments);
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Process-level rename dance for launcher self-update. Every child argument
+/// is passed through <see cref="ProcessStartInfo.ArgumentList"/> with
+/// <c>UseShellExecute=false</c>; no path or PID is ever interpolated into a
+/// shell command.
+/// </summary>
+public static class LauncherSelfUpdateBootstrap
+{
+    public const string HelperArgument = "--acdream-self-update-helper-v1";
+    public const string ConfirmArgument = "--acdream-self-update-confirm-v1";
+    private static readonly TimeSpan ConfirmationTimeout = TimeSpan.FromSeconds(30);
+
+    public static async Task<SelfUpdateStartupResult> HandleAsync(
+        string[] args,
+        LauncherSelfUpdateManager manager,
+        string launcherBaseDirectory,
+        string currentExecutablePath,
+        CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
+    {
+        ArgumentNullException.ThrowIfNull(args);
+        ArgumentNullException.ThrowIfNull(manager);
+        string baseDirectory = Path.TrimEndingDirectorySeparator(
+            Path.GetFullPath(launcherBaseDirectory));
+        string executable = Path.GetFullPath(currentExecutablePath);
+
+        if (args.Length > 0
+            && string.Equals(args[0], HelperArgument, StringComparison.Ordinal))
+        {
+            if (args.Length != 4
+                || !int.TryParse(
+                    args[1],
+                    System.Globalization.NumberStyles.None,
+                    System.Globalization.CultureInfo.InvariantCulture,
+                    out int parentPid)
+                || parentPid <= 0)
+            {
+                return new SelfUpdateStartupResult(true, 64, []);
+            }
+
+            int exitCode = await RunHelperAsync(
+                    manager,
+                    parentPid,
+                    args[2],
+                    args[3],
+                    cancellationToken)
+                .ConfigureAwait(false);
+            return new SelfUpdateStartupResult(true, exitCode, []);
+        }
+
+        if (args.Length > 0
+            && string.Equals(args[0], ConfirmArgument, StringComparison.Ordinal))
+        {
+            if (args.Length != 2)
+            {
+                return new SelfUpdateStartupResult(true, 64, []);
+            }
+
+            await manager.ConfirmAsync(
+                    args[1],
+                    baseDirectory,
+                    executable,
+                    cancellationToken)
+                .ConfigureAwait(false);
+            return new SelfUpdateStartupResult(false, 0, []);
+        }
+
+        SelfUpdatePlan? plan = await manager.LoadPendingAsync(cancellationToken)
+            .ConfigureAwait(false);
+        if (plan is null)
+        {
+            return new SelfUpdateStartupResult(false, 0, args);
+        }
+
+        if (!PathsEqual(plan.TargetDirectory, baseDirectory))
+        {
+            throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                "The pending self-update targets a different launcher directory.");
+        }
+
+        if (plan.State == SelfUpdatePlanState.AwaitingConfirmation)
+        {
+            if (!manager.IsConfirmed(plan.TransactionId))
+            {
+                await manager.ConfirmAsync(
+                        plan.TransactionId,
+                        baseDirectory,
+                        executable,
+                        cancellationToken)
+                    .ConfigureAwait(false);
+            }
+
+            await manager.CompleteConfirmedAsync(
+                    plan.TransactionId,
+                    baseDirectory,
+                    cancellationToken)
+                .ConfigureAwait(false);
+            return new SelfUpdateStartupResult(false, 0, args);
+        }
+
+        string suffix = plan.Rid.StartsWith("win-", StringComparison.Ordinal)
+            ? ".exe"
+            : string.Empty;
+        string expectedExecutable = ClientVersionStore.ResolveContained(
+            baseDirectory,
+            "acdream-launcher" + suffix);
+        if (!PathsEqual(executable, expectedExecutable))
+        {
+            throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                "Self-update can start only from the published acdream-launcher executable.");
+        }
+
+        string helperPath = manager.GetHelperPath(plan.TransactionId);
+        Directory.CreateDirectory(Path.GetDirectoryName(helperPath)!);
+        VerifiedArtifactDownloader.TryDelete(helperPath);
+        File.Copy(executable, helperPath, overwrite: false);
+        if (OperatingSystem.IsLinux())
+        {
+            File.SetUnixFileMode(
+                helperPath,
+                UnixFileMode.UserRead
+                | UnixFileMode.UserWrite
+                | UnixFileMode.UserExecute);
+        }
+
+        var startInfo = new ProcessStartInfo(helperPath)
+        {
+            UseShellExecute = false,
+            WorkingDirectory = manager.GetTransactionDirectory(plan.TransactionId),
+        };
+        startInfo.ArgumentList.Add(HelperArgument);
+        startInfo.ArgumentList.Add(
+            Environment.ProcessId.ToString(
+                System.Globalization.CultureInfo.InvariantCulture));
+        startInfo.ArgumentList.Add(baseDirectory);
+        startInfo.ArgumentList.Add(plan.TransactionId);
+        _ = Process.Start(startInfo)
+            ?? throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                "The launcher self-update helper could not be started.");
+        return new SelfUpdateStartupResult(true, 0, []);
+    }
+
+    private static async Task<int> RunHelperAsync(
+        LauncherSelfUpdateManager manager,
+        int parentPid,
+        string targetDirectory,
+        string transactionId,
+        CancellationToken cancellationToken)
+    {
+        SelfUpdatePlan plan = await manager.LoadPendingAsync(cancellationToken)
+            .ConfigureAwait(false)
+            ?? throw new LauncherUpdateException("The helper found no pending self-update.");
+        if (!string.Equals(plan.TransactionId, transactionId, StringComparison.Ordinal))
+        {
+            throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                "The helper transaction does not match the pending self-update.");
+        }
+
+        string suffix = plan.Rid.StartsWith("win-", StringComparison.Ordinal)
+            ? ".exe"
+            : string.Empty;
+        string launcherPath = ClientVersionStore.ResolveContained(
+            targetDirectory,
+            "acdream-launcher" + suffix);
+        var startInfo = new ProcessStartInfo(launcherPath)
+        {
+            UseShellExecute = false,
+            WorkingDirectory = Path.GetFullPath(targetDirectory),
+        };
+        startInfo.ArgumentList.Add(ConfirmArgument);
+        startInfo.ArgumentList.Add(transactionId);
+
+        Process? replacement = null;
+        UpdateSessionBarrier.ExclusiveLease? updateLease = null;
+        bool appliedByThisHelper = false;
+        try
+        {
+            await WaitForParentExitAsync(parentPid, cancellationToken).ConfigureAwait(false);
+            updateLease = manager.Barrier.AcquireExclusive();
+            plan = await manager.ApplyPendingAsync(targetDirectory, cancellationToken)
+                .ConfigureAwait(false);
+            appliedByThisHelper = true;
+            replacement = Process.Start(startInfo)
+                ?? throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                    "The updated launcher could not be started.");
+            DateTimeOffset deadline = DateTimeOffset.UtcNow + ConfirmationTimeout;
+            while (!manager.IsConfirmed(transactionId))
+            {
+                cancellationToken.ThrowIfCancellationRequested();
+                if (replacement.HasExited || DateTimeOffset.UtcNow >= deadline)
+                {
+                    throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                        replacement.HasExited
+                            ? $"The updated launcher exited with code {replacement.ExitCode} "
+                                + "before confirming startup."
+                            : "The updated launcher did not confirm startup in time.");
+                }
+
+                await Task.Delay(100, cancellationToken).ConfigureAwait(false);
+            }
+
+            await manager.CompleteConfirmedAsync(
+                    transactionId,
+                    targetDirectory,
+                    cancellationToken)
+                .ConfigureAwait(false);
+            return 0;
+        }
+        catch
+        {
+            if (replacement is { HasExited: false })
+            {
+                replacement.Kill(entireProcessTree: true);
+                await replacement.WaitForExitAsync(CancellationToken.None)
+                    .ConfigureAwait(false);
+            }
+
+            try
+            {
+                if (appliedByThisHelper)
+                {
+                    SelfUpdatePlan? pending = await manager.LoadPendingAsync(
+                            CancellationToken.None)
+                        .ConfigureAwait(false);
+                    if (pending?.State == SelfUpdatePlanState.Applying)
+                    {
+                        _ = await manager.RecoverApplyingAsync(
+                                targetDirectory,
+                                CancellationToken.None)
+                            .ConfigureAwait(false);
+                    }
+                    else if (pending?.State == SelfUpdatePlanState.AwaitingConfirmation)
+                    {
+                        _ = await manager.RollbackAwaitingConfirmationAsync(
+                                targetDirectory,
+                                CancellationToken.None)
+                            .ConfigureAwait(false);
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+            catch
+            {
+                // Do not start an executable from an ambiguous half-applied
+                // state. A subsequent startup replays the durable journal.
+                return 75;
+            }
+
+            var restored = new ProcessStartInfo(launcherPath)
+            {
+                UseShellExecute = false,
+                WorkingDirectory = Path.GetFullPath(targetDirectory),
+            };
+            _ = Process.Start(restored);
+            return 74;
+        }
+        finally
+        {
+            replacement?.Dispose();
+            updateLease?.Dispose();
+        }
+    }
+
+    private static async Task WaitForParentExitAsync(
+        int parentPid,
+        CancellationToken cancellationToken)
+    {
+        try
+        {
+            using Process parent = Process.GetProcessById(parentPid);
+            if (parent.Id == Environment.ProcessId)
+            {
+                throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                    "The self-update helper cannot wait on itself.");
+            }
+
+            await parent.WaitForExitAsync(cancellationToken).ConfigureAwait(false);
+        }
+        catch (ArgumentException)
+        {
+            // The parent exited before the helper opened it.
+        }
+    }
+
+    private static bool PathsEqual(string left, string right) =>
+        string.Equals(
+            Path.TrimEndingDirectorySeparator(Path.GetFullPath(left)),
+            Path.TrimEndingDirectorySeparator(Path.GetFullPath(right)),
+            OperatingSystem.IsWindows()
+                ? StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase
+                : StringComparison.Ordinal);
+}

src/AcDream.Launcher.Core/Updates/LauncherSelfUpdateManager.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,786 @@
+using System.Text.Json;
+using System.Text.Json.Serialization;
+using AcDream.Platform;
+
+namespace AcDream.Launcher.Core.Updates;
+
+public enum SelfUpdatePlanState
+{
+    Staged,
+    Applying,
+    AwaitingConfirmation,
+}
+
+public sealed record SelfUpdateApplyEntry(string Path, bool HadOriginal);
+
+public sealed record SelfUpdatePlan(
+    int SchemaVersion,
+    string TransactionId,
+    SelfUpdatePlanState State,
+    string Version,
+    string Rid,
+    string TargetDirectory,
+    string ArchiveSha256,
+    long ArchiveSize,
+    IReadOnlyList<InstalledFileRecord> Files,
+    IReadOnlyList<SelfUpdateApplyEntry>? Apply)
+{
+    public const int CurrentSchemaVersion = 1;
+}
+
+public sealed record SelfUpdateStageResult(
+    LauncherVersion Version,
+    string PendingPlanPath,
+    string Status);
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Durable self-update transaction owner. It stages a verified launcher ZIP;
+/// a separately copied helper performs move-only replacement after the parent
+/// exits and can replay rollback after a crash at any file boundary.
+/// </summary>
+public sealed class LauncherSelfUpdateManager
+{
+    private static readonly JsonSerializerOptions SerializerOptions = new()
+    {
+        PropertyNamingPolicy = JsonNamingPolicy.CamelCase,
+        PropertyNameCaseInsensitive = false,
+        WriteIndented = true,
+        UnmappedMemberHandling = JsonUnmappedMemberHandling.Disallow,
+        MaxDepth = 32,
+        Converters = { new JsonStringEnumConverter<SelfUpdatePlanState>(
+            JsonNamingPolicy.CamelCase,
+            allowIntegerValues: false) },
+    };
+
+    private readonly VerifiedArtifactDownloader _downloader;
+    private readonly SafeZipExtractor _extractor;
+
+    public LauncherSelfUpdateManager(
+        ApplicationPathSet paths,
+        HttpClient httpClient,
+        SafeZipExtractor? extractor = null)
+    {
+        ArgumentNullException.ThrowIfNull(paths);
+        RootDirectory = Path.Combine(
+            Path.GetFullPath(paths.DataDirectory),
+            "launcher-update");
+        TransactionsDirectory = Path.Combine(RootDirectory, "transactions");
+        PendingPlanPath = Path.Combine(RootDirectory, "pending.json");
+        Barrier = new UpdateSessionBarrier(paths.DataDirectory);
+        _downloader = new VerifiedArtifactDownloader(
+            httpClient ?? throw new ArgumentNullException(nameof(httpClient)));
+        _extractor = extractor ?? new SafeZipExtractor();
+    }
+
+    public string RootDirectory { get; }
+
+    public string TransactionsDirectory { get; }
+
+    public string PendingPlanPath { get; }
+
+    public UpdateSessionBarrier Barrier { get; }
+
+    public async Task<SelfUpdateStageResult> StageAsync(
+        ReleaseManifest manifest,
+        string rid,
+        string targetDirectory,
+        IProgress<ArtifactDownloadProgress>? progress = null,
+        CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
+    {
+        ArgumentNullException.ThrowIfNull(manifest);
+        ReleaseArtifact artifact = manifest.RequireLauncher(rid);
+        return await StageAsync(
+                manifest.Version,
+                rid,
+                artifact,
+                targetDirectory,
+                progress,
+                cancellationToken)
+            .ConfigureAwait(false);
+    }
+
+    internal async Task<SelfUpdateStageResult> StageAsync(
+        LauncherVersion version,
+        string rid,
+        ReleaseArtifact artifact,
+        string targetDirectory,
+        IProgress<ArtifactDownloadProgress>? progress,
+        CancellationToken cancellationToken)
+    {
+        ArgumentNullException.ThrowIfNull(version);
+        ArgumentNullException.ThrowIfNull(artifact);
+        if (!LauncherRuntimeIdentity.IsValidRid(rid))
+        {
+            throw new ArgumentException("RID is invalid.", nameof(rid));
+        }
+
+        string target = NormalizeTargetDirectory(targetDirectory);
+        Directory.CreateDirectory(RootDirectory);
+        Directory.CreateDirectory(TransactionsDirectory);
+        SelfUpdatePlan? existing = await LoadPendingAsync(cancellationToken)
+            .ConfigureAwait(false);
+        if (existing is not null)
+        {
+            throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                $"Launcher self-update {existing.Version} is already {existing.State}. "
+                + "Restart the launcher to finish it before staging another.");
+        }
+
+        string transactionId = Guid.NewGuid().ToString("N");
+        string transactionDirectory = GetTransactionDirectory(transactionId);
+        string payloadDirectory = GetPayloadDirectory(transactionId);
+        string archivePath = Path.Combine(transactionDirectory, "launcher.zip");
+        Directory.CreateDirectory(transactionDirectory);
+        try
+        {
+            _ = await _downloader.DownloadAsync(
+                    artifact,
+                    archivePath,
+                    progress,
+                    cancellationToken)
+                .ConfigureAwait(false);
+            IReadOnlyList<ExtractedFileRecord> extracted = await _extractor.ExtractAsync(
+                    archivePath,
+                    payloadDirectory,
+                    cancellationToken)
+                .ConfigureAwait(false);
+            ClientVersionStore.ValidateRequiredExecutables(
+                extracted,
+                rid,
+                launcherPayload: true);
+
+            var plan = new SelfUpdatePlan(
+                SelfUpdatePlan.CurrentSchemaVersion,
+                transactionId,
+                SelfUpdatePlanState.Staged,
+                version.Value,
+                rid,
+                target,
+                artifact.Sha256.ToLowerInvariant(),
+                artifact.Size,
+                extracted.Select(file => new InstalledFileRecord(
+                        file.Path,
+                        file.Sha256,
+                        file.Size,
+                        file.UnixMode))
+                    .OrderBy(file => file.Path, StringComparer.Ordinal)
+                    .ToArray(),
+                null);
+            ValidatePlan(plan, target);
+            await WritePlanAsync(plan, cancellationToken).ConfigureAwait(false);
+            VerifiedArtifactDownloader.TryDelete(archivePath);
+            return new SelfUpdateStageResult(
+                version,
+                PendingPlanPath,
+                $"Launcher {version} is staged and will be applied on next start.");
+        }
+        catch
+        {
+            if (!File.Exists(PendingPlanPath))
+            {
+                SafeZipExtractor.TryDeleteDirectory(transactionDirectory);
+            }
+
+            throw;
+        }
+    }
+
+    public async Task<SelfUpdatePlan?> LoadPendingAsync(
+        CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
+    {
+        if (!File.Exists(PendingPlanPath))
+        {
+            CleanupOwnedResidue(keepTransactionId: null);
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        try
+        {
+            byte[] bytes = await File.ReadAllBytesAsync(PendingPlanPath, cancellationToken)
+                .ConfigureAwait(false);
+            SelfUpdatePlan? plan = ClientVersionStore.ParseStrict<SelfUpdatePlan>(
+                bytes,
+                SerializerOptions);
+            if (plan is null)
+            {
+                throw new LauncherUpdateException("The self-update plan is empty.");
+            }
+
+            ValidatePlan(plan, plan.TargetDirectory);
+            CleanupOwnedResidue(plan.TransactionId);
+            return plan;
+        }
+        catch (OperationCanceledException)
+        {
+            throw;
+        }
+        catch (LauncherUpdateException)
+        {
+            throw;
+        }
+        catch (Exception ex) when (ex is IOException
+                                   or UnauthorizedAccessException
+                                   or JsonException
+                                   or FormatException
+                                   or NotSupportedException)
+        {
+            throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                $"The pending launcher self-update is invalid: {ex.Message}",
+                ex);
+        }
+    }
+
+    public async Task<SelfUpdatePlan> ApplyPendingAsync(
+        string expectedTargetDirectory,
+        CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
+    {
+        string expectedTarget = NormalizeTargetDirectory(expectedTargetDirectory);
+        SelfUpdatePlan plan = await LoadPendingAsync(cancellationToken)
+            .ConfigureAwait(false)
+            ?? throw new LauncherUpdateException("There is no staged launcher self-update.");
+        ValidatePlan(plan, expectedTarget);
+
+        if (plan.State == SelfUpdatePlanState.AwaitingConfirmation)
+        {
+            return plan;
+        }
+
+        if (plan.State == SelfUpdatePlanState.Applying)
+        {
+            plan = await RollbackApplyingAsync(plan, cancellationToken)
+                .ConfigureAwait(false);
+        }
+
+        await VerifyPayloadAsync(plan, cancellationToken).ConfigureAwait(false);
+        var apply = new List<SelfUpdateApplyEntry>(plan.Files.Count);
+        foreach (InstalledFileRecord file in plan.Files)
+        {
+            string targetPath = ClientVersionStore.ResolveContained(
+                expectedTarget,
+                file.Path);
+            if (Directory.Exists(targetPath))
+            {
+                throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                    $"Self-update target '{file.Path}' is unexpectedly a directory.");
+            }
+
+            apply.Add(new SelfUpdateApplyEntry(file.Path, File.Exists(targetPath)));
+        }
+
+        plan = plan with
+        {
+            State = SelfUpdatePlanState.Applying,
+            Apply = apply,
+        };
+        await WritePlanAsync(plan, cancellationToken).ConfigureAwait(false);
+
+        string payload = GetPayloadDirectory(plan.TransactionId);
+        string backup = GetBackupDirectory(plan.TransactionId);
+        try
+        {
+            foreach (SelfUpdateApplyEntry entry in plan.Apply)
+            {
+                cancellationToken.ThrowIfCancellationRequested();
+                string stagedPath = ClientVersionStore.ResolveContained(payload, entry.Path);
+                string targetPath = ClientVersionStore.ResolveContained(expectedTarget, entry.Path);
+                string backupPath = ClientVersionStore.ResolveContained(backup, entry.Path);
+                EnsureSafeParent(expectedTarget, targetPath);
+                Directory.CreateDirectory(Path.GetDirectoryName(backupPath)!);
+                if (entry.HadOriginal)
+                {
+                    File.Move(targetPath, backupPath);
+                }
+
+                File.Move(stagedPath, targetPath);
+                InstalledFileRecord file = plan.Files.Single(candidate =>
+                    string.Equals(candidate.Path, entry.Path, StringComparison.Ordinal));
+                if (OperatingSystem.IsLinux() && file.UnixMode != 0)
+                {
+                    File.SetUnixFileMode(targetPath, (UnixFileMode)file.UnixMode);
+                }
+            }
+
+            plan = plan with { State = SelfUpdatePlanState.AwaitingConfirmation };
+            await WritePlanAsync(plan, cancellationToken).ConfigureAwait(false);
+            return plan;
+        }
+        catch
+        {
+            await RollbackApplyingAsync(plan, CancellationToken.None)
+                .ConfigureAwait(false);
+            throw;
+        }
+    }
+
+    public async Task<SelfUpdatePlan> RecoverApplyingAsync(
+        string expectedTargetDirectory,
+        CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
+    {
+        string expectedTarget = NormalizeTargetDirectory(expectedTargetDirectory);
+        SelfUpdatePlan plan = await LoadPendingAsync(cancellationToken)
+            .ConfigureAwait(false)
+            ?? throw new LauncherUpdateException("There is no pending self-update.");
+        ValidatePlan(plan, expectedTarget);
+        return plan.State == SelfUpdatePlanState.Applying
+            ? await RollbackApplyingAsync(plan, cancellationToken).ConfigureAwait(false)
+            : plan;
+    }
+
+    public async Task ConfirmAsync(
+        string transactionId,
+        string expectedTargetDirectory,
+        string currentExecutablePath,
+        CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
+    {
+        SelfUpdatePlan plan = await LoadPendingAsync(cancellationToken)
+            .ConfigureAwait(false)
+            ?? throw new LauncherUpdateException("There is no self-update to confirm.");
+        string expectedTarget = NormalizeTargetDirectory(expectedTargetDirectory);
+        ValidatePlan(plan, expectedTarget);
+        if (!string.Equals(plan.TransactionId, transactionId, StringComparison.Ordinal)
+            || plan.State != SelfUpdatePlanState.AwaitingConfirmation)
+        {
+            throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                "The running launcher does not match the pending confirmation plan.");
+        }
+
+        string suffix = plan.Rid.StartsWith("win-", StringComparison.Ordinal)
+            ? ".exe"
+            : string.Empty;
+        string expectedExecutable = ClientVersionStore.ResolveContained(
+            expectedTarget,
+            "acdream-launcher" + suffix);
+        if (!PathsEqual(expectedExecutable, currentExecutablePath))
+        {
+            throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                "Only the newly installed launcher executable may confirm self-update.");
+        }
+
+        await VerifyAppliedTargetsAsync(plan, expectedTarget, cancellationToken)
+            .ConfigureAwait(false);
+        string confirmationPath = GetConfirmationPath(transactionId);
+        await AtomicJsonFile.WriteBytesAsync(
+                confirmationPath,
+                "confirmed"u8.ToArray(),
+                cancellationToken)
+            .ConfigureAwait(false);
+    }
+
+    public bool IsConfirmed(string transactionId) =>
+        File.Exists(GetConfirmationPath(transactionId));
+
+    public async Task CompleteConfirmedAsync(
+        string transactionId,
+        string expectedTargetDirectory,
+        CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
+    {
+        SelfUpdatePlan plan = await LoadPendingAsync(cancellationToken)
+            .ConfigureAwait(false)
+            ?? throw new LauncherUpdateException("There is no self-update to complete.");
+        ValidatePlan(plan, NormalizeTargetDirectory(expectedTargetDirectory));
+        if (!string.Equals(plan.TransactionId, transactionId, StringComparison.Ordinal)
+            || plan.State != SelfUpdatePlanState.AwaitingConfirmation
+            || !IsConfirmed(transactionId))
+        {
+            throw new LauncherUpdateException("The self-update is not confirmed.");
+        }
+
+        File.Delete(PendingPlanPath);
+        SafeZipExtractor.TryDeleteDirectory(GetTransactionDirectory(transactionId));
+    }
+
+    public async Task<SelfUpdatePlan> RollbackAwaitingConfirmationAsync(
+        string expectedTargetDirectory,
+        CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
+    {
+        string expectedTarget = NormalizeTargetDirectory(expectedTargetDirectory);
+        SelfUpdatePlan plan = await LoadPendingAsync(cancellationToken)
+            .ConfigureAwait(false)
+            ?? throw new LauncherUpdateException("There is no self-update to roll back.");
+        ValidatePlan(plan, expectedTarget);
+        if (plan.State != SelfUpdatePlanState.AwaitingConfirmation)
+        {
+            throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                "The pending self-update is not awaiting confirmation.");
+        }
+
+        plan = plan with { State = SelfUpdatePlanState.Applying };
+        await WritePlanAsync(plan, cancellationToken).ConfigureAwait(false);
+        return await RollbackApplyingAsync(plan, cancellationToken)
+            .ConfigureAwait(false);
+    }
+
+    public string GetTransactionDirectory(string transactionId)
+    {
+        RequireTransactionId(transactionId);
+        return Path.Combine(TransactionsDirectory, transactionId);
+    }
+
+    public string GetPayloadDirectory(string transactionId) =>
+        Path.Combine(GetTransactionDirectory(transactionId), "payload");
+
+    public string GetBackupDirectory(string transactionId) =>
+        Path.Combine(GetTransactionDirectory(transactionId), "backup");
+
+    public string GetConfirmationPath(string transactionId) =>
+        Path.Combine(GetTransactionDirectory(transactionId), "confirmed");
+
+    public string GetHelperPath(string transactionId)
+    {
+        string suffix = OperatingSystem.IsWindows() ? ".exe" : string.Empty;
+        return Path.Combine(
+            GetTransactionDirectory(transactionId),
+            "acdream-self-update-helper" + suffix);
+    }
+
+    private async Task<SelfUpdatePlan> RollbackApplyingAsync(
+        SelfUpdatePlan plan,
+        CancellationToken cancellationToken)
+    {
+        if (plan.State != SelfUpdatePlanState.Applying || plan.Apply is null)
+        {
+            throw new LauncherUpdateException("The self-update rollback journal is missing.");
+        }
+
+        string payload = GetPayloadDirectory(plan.TransactionId);
+        string backup = GetBackupDirectory(plan.TransactionId);
+        foreach (SelfUpdateApplyEntry entry in plan.Apply.Reverse())
+        {
+            cancellationToken.ThrowIfCancellationRequested();
+            string stagedPath = ClientVersionStore.ResolveContained(payload, entry.Path);
+            string targetPath = ClientVersionStore.ResolveContained(
+                plan.TargetDirectory,
+                entry.Path);
+            string backupPath = ClientVersionStore.ResolveContained(backup, entry.Path);
+            if (!File.Exists(stagedPath) && File.Exists(targetPath))
+            {
+                Directory.CreateDirectory(Path.GetDirectoryName(stagedPath)!);
+                File.Move(targetPath, stagedPath);
+            }
+
+            if (entry.HadOriginal && File.Exists(backupPath))
+            {
+                Directory.CreateDirectory(Path.GetDirectoryName(targetPath)!);
+                File.Move(backupPath, targetPath);
+            }
+            else if (!entry.HadOriginal && File.Exists(targetPath))
+            {
+                File.Delete(targetPath);
+            }
+        }
+
+        SafeZipExtractor.TryDeleteDirectory(backup);
+        plan = plan with
+        {
+            State = SelfUpdatePlanState.Staged,
+            Apply = null,
+        };
+        await WritePlanAsync(plan, cancellationToken).ConfigureAwait(false);
+        await VerifyPayloadAsync(plan, cancellationToken).ConfigureAwait(false);
+        return plan;
+    }
+
+    private async Task VerifyPayloadAsync(
+        SelfUpdatePlan plan,
+        CancellationToken cancellationToken)
+    {
+        string payload = GetPayloadDirectory(plan.TransactionId);
+        if (!Directory.Exists(payload))
+        {
+            throw new LauncherUpdateException("The staged launcher payload is missing.");
+        }
+
+        ClientVersionStore.RejectReparseTree(payload);
+        string[] actual = Directory.EnumerateFiles(
+                payload,
+                "*",
+                SearchOption.AllDirectories)
+            .Select(path => Path.GetRelativePath(payload, path).Replace('\\', '/'))
+            .OrderBy(path => path, StringComparer.Ordinal)
+            .ToArray();
+        string[] expected = plan.Files
+            .Select(file => file.Path)
+            .OrderBy(path => path, StringComparer.Ordinal)
+            .ToArray();
+        if (!actual.SequenceEqual(expected, StringComparer.Ordinal))
+        {
+            throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                "The staged launcher contains missing or unrecorded files.");
+        }
+
+        foreach (InstalledFileRecord file in plan.Files)
+        {
+            cancellationToken.ThrowIfCancellationRequested();
+            string path = ClientVersionStore.ResolveContained(payload, file.Path);
+            var info = new FileInfo(path);
+            if (!info.Exists || info.Length != file.Size)
+            {
+                throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                    $"Staged launcher file '{file.Path}' size is corrupt.");
+            }
+
+            string sha256 = await Integrity.FileIntegrity.ComputeSha256HexAsync(
+                    path,
+                    cancellationToken)
+                .ConfigureAwait(false);
+            if (!string.Equals(sha256, file.Sha256, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
+            {
+                throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                    $"Staged launcher file '{file.Path}' SHA-256 is corrupt.");
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    private static async Task VerifyAppliedTargetsAsync(
+        SelfUpdatePlan plan,
+        string targetDirectory,
+        CancellationToken cancellationToken)
+    {
+        foreach (InstalledFileRecord file in plan.Files)
+        {
+            cancellationToken.ThrowIfCancellationRequested();
+            string path = ClientVersionStore.ResolveContained(targetDirectory, file.Path);
+            EnsureSafeParent(targetDirectory, path);
+            var info = new FileInfo(path);
+            if (!info.Exists
+                || (info.Attributes & FileAttributes.ReparsePoint) != 0
+                || info.Length != file.Size)
+            {
+                throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                    $"Applied launcher file '{file.Path}' is missing, linked, or corrupt.");
+            }
+
+            string sha256 = await Integrity.FileIntegrity.ComputeSha256HexAsync(
+                    path,
+                    cancellationToken)
+                .ConfigureAwait(false);
+            if (!string.Equals(sha256, file.Sha256, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
+            {
+                throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                    $"Applied launcher file '{file.Path}' SHA-256 is corrupt.");
+            }
+
+            if (OperatingSystem.IsLinux()
+                && ((int)File.GetUnixFileMode(path) & 0x1FF) != file.UnixMode)
+            {
+                throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                    $"Applied launcher file '{file.Path}' mode is corrupt.");
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    private async Task WritePlanAsync(
+        SelfUpdatePlan plan,
+        CancellationToken cancellationToken)
+    {
+        ValidatePlan(plan, plan.TargetDirectory);
+        await AtomicJsonFile.WriteAsync(
+                PendingPlanPath,
+                plan,
+                SerializerOptions,
+                cancellationToken)
+            .ConfigureAwait(false);
+    }
+
+    private void ValidatePlan(SelfUpdatePlan plan, string expectedTargetDirectory)
+    {
+        if (plan.SchemaVersion != SelfUpdatePlan.CurrentSchemaVersion)
+        {
+            throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                $"Self-update schema version {plan.SchemaVersion} is not supported.");
+        }
+
+        RequireTransactionId(plan.TransactionId);
+        if (!LauncherVersion.TryParse(plan.Version, out _)
+            || !LauncherRuntimeIdentity.IsValidRid(plan.Rid)
+            || !ReleaseManifestClient.IsSha256(plan.ArchiveSha256)
+            || plan.ArchiveSize <= 0
+            || plan.ArchiveSize > ReleaseManifestClient.MaximumArtifactBytes)
+        {
+            throw new LauncherUpdateException("The self-update plan metadata is invalid.");
+        }
+
+        string target = NormalizeTargetDirectory(plan.TargetDirectory);
+        if (!PathsEqual(target, expectedTargetDirectory))
+        {
+            throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                "The self-update target does not match the running launcher directory.");
+        }
+
+        if (plan.Files is null || plan.Files.Count == 0)
+        {
+            throw new LauncherUpdateException("The self-update file list is empty.");
+        }
+
+        var paths = new HashSet<string>(StringComparer.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
+        string? prior = null;
+        foreach (InstalledFileRecord file in plan.Files)
+        {
+            if (!ClientVersionStore.IsNormalizedRelative(file.Path)
+                || !paths.Add(file.Path)
+                || !ReleaseManifestClient.IsSha256(file.Sha256)
+                || file.Size < 0
+                || file.UnixMode is < 0 or > 0x1FF
+                || (prior is not null
+                    && string.Compare(prior, file.Path, StringComparison.Ordinal) >= 0))
+            {
+                throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                    "The self-update file list is invalid, duplicated, or unsorted.");
+            }
+
+            prior = file.Path;
+        }
+
+        string suffix = plan.Rid.StartsWith("win-", StringComparison.Ordinal)
+            ? ".exe"
+            : string.Empty;
+        if (!paths.Contains("acdream-launcher" + suffix))
+        {
+            throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                "The self-update plan lacks the launcher root executable.");
+        }
+
+        if (plan.State == SelfUpdatePlanState.Staged && plan.Apply is not null
+            || plan.State != SelfUpdatePlanState.Staged && plan.Apply is null)
+        {
+            throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                "The self-update apply journal does not match its state.");
+        }
+
+        if (plan.Apply is not null)
+        {
+            if (plan.Apply.Count != plan.Files.Count
+                || !plan.Apply.Select(entry => entry.Path)
+                    .SequenceEqual(plan.Files.Select(file => file.Path), StringComparer.Ordinal))
+            {
+                throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                    "The self-update apply journal does not match the file list.");
+            }
+        }
+
+        string transactionDirectory = GetTransactionDirectory(plan.TransactionId);
+        if (!IsContained(TransactionsDirectory, transactionDirectory))
+        {
+            throw new LauncherUpdateException("The self-update transaction path escaped.");
+        }
+    }
+
+    private static string NormalizeTargetDirectory(string targetDirectory)
+    {
+        ArgumentException.ThrowIfNullOrWhiteSpace(targetDirectory);
+        if (!Path.IsPathFullyQualified(targetDirectory))
+        {
+            throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                "The self-update target directory must be absolute.");
+        }
+
+        string target = Path.TrimEndingDirectorySeparator(Path.GetFullPath(targetDirectory));
+        if (!Directory.Exists(target)
+            || (File.GetAttributes(target) & FileAttributes.ReparsePoint) != 0)
+        {
+            throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                "The self-update target directory is missing or is a reparse point.");
+        }
+
+        return target;
+    }
+
+    private static void EnsureSafeParent(string root, string filePath)
+    {
+        string? parent = Path.GetDirectoryName(filePath);
+        if (parent is null)
+        {
+            throw new LauncherUpdateException("A self-update target has no parent.");
+        }
+
+        Directory.CreateDirectory(parent);
+        for (var directory = new DirectoryInfo(parent);
+             directory is not null && IsContained(root, directory.FullName);
+             directory = directory.Parent)
+        {
+            if ((directory.Attributes & FileAttributes.ReparsePoint) != 0)
+            {
+                throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                    $"Self-update target parent '{directory.FullName}' is a reparse point.");
+            }
+
+            if (PathsEqual(directory.FullName, root))
+            {
+                break;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    private static bool IsContained(string root, string path)
+    {
+        string fullRoot = Path.TrimEndingDirectorySeparator(Path.GetFullPath(root));
+        string fullPath = Path.GetFullPath(path);
+        return PathsEqual(fullRoot, fullPath)
+            || fullPath.StartsWith(
+                fullRoot + Path.DirectorySeparatorChar,
+                OperatingSystem.IsWindows()
+                    ? StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase
+                    : StringComparison.Ordinal);
+    }
+
+    private static bool PathsEqual(string left, string right) =>
+        string.Equals(
+            Path.TrimEndingDirectorySeparator(Path.GetFullPath(left)),
+            Path.TrimEndingDirectorySeparator(Path.GetFullPath(right)),
+            OperatingSystem.IsWindows()
+                ? StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase
+                : StringComparison.Ordinal);
+
+    private static void RequireTransactionId(string transactionId)
+    {
+        if (transactionId.Length != 32
+            || !Guid.TryParseExact(transactionId, "N", out Guid parsed)
+            || !string.Equals(parsed.ToString("N"), transactionId, StringComparison.Ordinal))
+        {
+            throw new LauncherUpdateException("The self-update transaction id is invalid.");
+        }
+    }
+
+    private void CleanupOwnedResidue(string? keepTransactionId)
+    {
+        if (Directory.Exists(TransactionsDirectory))
+        {
+            foreach (string directory in Directory.EnumerateDirectories(
+                         TransactionsDirectory,
+                         "*",
+                         SearchOption.TopDirectoryOnly))
+            {
+                string name = Path.GetFileName(directory);
+                if (name.Length == 32
+                    && Guid.TryParseExact(name, "N", out Guid transaction)
+                    && string.Equals(
+                        transaction.ToString("N"),
+                        name,
+                        StringComparison.Ordinal)
+                    && !string.Equals(name, keepTransactionId, StringComparison.Ordinal))
+                {
+                    SafeZipExtractor.TryDeleteDirectory(directory);
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (!Directory.Exists(RootDirectory))
+        {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        foreach (string temporary in Directory.EnumerateFiles(
+                     RootDirectory,
+                     ".pending.json.*.tmp",
+                     SearchOption.TopDirectoryOnly))
+        {
+            string name = Path.GetFileName(temporary);
+            string prefix = ".pending.json.";
+            string transaction = name[prefix.Length..^".tmp".Length];
+            if (Guid.TryParseExact(transaction, "N", out _))
+            {
+                VerifiedArtifactDownloader.TryDelete(temporary);
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}

src/AcDream.Launcher.Core/Updates/LauncherUpdater.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,457 @@
+namespace AcDream.Launcher.Core.Updates;
+
+public enum LauncherUpdatePhase
+{
+    Idle,
+    Checking,
+    DownloadingClient,
+    ExtractingClient,
+    ActivatingClient,
+    DownloadingLauncher,
+    StagingLauncher,
+    RollingBack,
+    Completed,
+    Cancelled,
+    Failed,
+}
+
+public sealed record LauncherUpdateProgress(
+    LauncherUpdatePhase Phase,
+    string Status,
+    long Completed = 0,
+    long Total = 0)
+{
+    public double Percent => Total <= 0
+        ? 0
+        : Math.Clamp(Completed * 100d / Total, 0, 100);
+}
+
+public sealed record LauncherUpdateCheckResult(
+    ReleaseManifest Manifest,
+    string Rid,
+    LauncherVersion LauncherVersion,
+    LauncherVersion? InstalledClientVersion,
+    bool IsClientUpdateAvailable,
+    bool IsLauncherUpdateAvailable,
+    bool IsLauncherMinimumSatisfied,
+    string Status);
+
+public interface ILauncherUpdater
+{
+    ClientVersionResolution CurrentClient { get; }
+
+    Task<ClientVersionResolution> InitializeAsync(
+        CancellationToken cancellationToken = default);
+
+    Task<LauncherUpdateCheckResult> CheckAsync(
+        CancellationToken cancellationToken = default);
+
+    Task<ClientVersionResolution> InstallClientAsync(
+        LauncherUpdateCheckResult check,
+        IProgress<LauncherUpdateProgress>? progress = null,
+        CancellationToken cancellationToken = default);
+
+    Task<SelfUpdateStageResult> StageLauncherAsync(
+        LauncherUpdateCheckResult check,
+        IProgress<LauncherUpdateProgress>? progress = null,
+        CancellationToken cancellationToken = default);
+
+    Task<ClientVersionResolution> RollbackClientAsync(
+        IProgress<LauncherUpdateProgress>? progress = null,
+        CancellationToken cancellationToken = default);
+}
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Canonical LA10 update transaction. It holds the cross-process exclusive
+/// barrier for recovery/download/extraction/promotion/pointer publication and
+/// leaves LA9's verified DAT/pak record untouched.
+/// </summary>
+public sealed class LauncherUpdater : ILauncherUpdater
+{
+    private readonly IReleaseManifestClient _manifestClient;
+    private readonly ClientVersionStore _versions;
+    private readonly LauncherSelfUpdateManager _selfUpdates;
+    private readonly VerifiedArtifactDownloader _downloader;
+    private readonly SafeZipExtractor _extractor;
+    private readonly LauncherVersion _launcherVersion;
+    private readonly string _rid;
+    private readonly string _launcherTargetDirectory;
+    private readonly Func<bool> _hasRunningSessions;
+    private readonly SemaphoreSlim _operationGate = new(1, 1);
+
+    public LauncherUpdater(
+        IReleaseManifestClient manifestClient,
+        HttpClient httpClient,
+        ClientVersionStore versions,
+        LauncherSelfUpdateManager selfUpdates,
+        LauncherVersion launcherVersion,
+        string rid,
+        string launcherTargetDirectory,
+        Func<bool>? hasRunningSessions = null,
+        SafeZipExtractor? extractor = null)
+    {
+        _manifestClient = manifestClient
+            ?? throw new ArgumentNullException(nameof(manifestClient));
+        _versions = versions ?? throw new ArgumentNullException(nameof(versions));
+        _selfUpdates = selfUpdates ?? throw new ArgumentNullException(nameof(selfUpdates));
+        _launcherVersion = launcherVersion
+            ?? throw new ArgumentNullException(nameof(launcherVersion));
+        if (!LauncherRuntimeIdentity.IsValidRid(rid))
+        {
+            throw new ArgumentException("RID is invalid.", nameof(rid));
+        }
+
+        _rid = rid;
+        ArgumentException.ThrowIfNullOrWhiteSpace(launcherTargetDirectory);
+        _launcherTargetDirectory = Path.GetFullPath(launcherTargetDirectory);
+        _hasRunningSessions = hasRunningSessions ?? (() => false);
+        _downloader = new VerifiedArtifactDownloader(
+            httpClient ?? throw new ArgumentNullException(nameof(httpClient)));
+        _extractor = extractor ?? new SafeZipExtractor();
+    }
+
+    public ClientVersionResolution CurrentClient => _versions.CachedResolution;
+
+    public Task<ClientVersionResolution> InitializeAsync(
+        CancellationToken cancellationToken = default) =>
+        _versions.LoadAndRecoverAsync(_rid, cancellationToken);
+
+    public async Task<LauncherUpdateCheckResult> CheckAsync(
+        CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
+    {
+        await _operationGate.WaitAsync(cancellationToken).ConfigureAwait(false);
+        try
+        {
+            ReleaseManifest manifest = await _manifestClient.FetchAsync(cancellationToken)
+                .ConfigureAwait(false);
+            _ = manifest.RequireClient(_rid);
+            _ = manifest.RequireLauncher(_rid);
+            ClientVersionResolution installed = _versions.CachedResolution;
+            LauncherVersion? installedVersion = installed.IsVerified
+                ? installed.Version
+                : null;
+            bool clientAvailable = installedVersion is null
+                || manifest.Version > installedVersion;
+            bool launcherAvailable = manifest.Version > _launcherVersion;
+            bool minimumSatisfied = _launcherVersion >= manifest.MinimumLauncherVersion;
+            string status = BuildCheckStatus(
+                manifest,
+                installedVersion,
+                clientAvailable,
+                launcherAvailable,
+                minimumSatisfied);
+            return new LauncherUpdateCheckResult(
+                manifest,
+                _rid,
+                _launcherVersion,
+                installedVersion,
+                clientAvailable,
+                launcherAvailable,
+                minimumSatisfied,
+                status);
+        }
+        finally
+        {
+            _operationGate.Release();
+        }
+    }
+
+    public async Task<ClientVersionResolution> InstallClientAsync(
+        LauncherUpdateCheckResult check,
+        IProgress<LauncherUpdateProgress>? progress = null,
+        CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
+    {
+        ArgumentNullException.ThrowIfNull(check);
+        ValidateCheck(check);
+        await _operationGate.WaitAsync(cancellationToken).ConfigureAwait(false);
+        try
+        {
+            RefuseRunningSessions();
+            using UpdateSessionBarrier.ExclusiveLease lease =
+                _versions.Barrier.AcquireExclusive();
+            RefuseRunningSessions();
+            ClientVersionResolution current = await _versions
+                .LoadAndRecoverUnderLeaseAsync(_rid, cancellationToken)
+                .ConfigureAwait(false);
+            if (!check.IsLauncherMinimumSatisfied)
+            {
+                throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                    $"Client {check.Manifest.Version} requires launcher "
+                    + $"{check.Manifest.MinimumLauncherVersion} or newer. "
+                    + "Stage the launcher update first.");
+            }
+
+            if (current.IsVerified
+                && current.Version is not null
+                && current.Version >= check.Manifest.Version)
+            {
+                Report(
+                    progress,
+                    LauncherUpdatePhase.Completed,
+                    $"Client {current.Version} is already current.",
+                    1,
+                    1);
+                return current;
+            }
+
+            ReleaseArtifact artifact = check.Manifest.RequireClient(_rid);
+            Guid transactionId = Guid.NewGuid();
+            string staging = _versions.CreateClientStagingDirectory(transactionId);
+            string archive = Path.Combine(
+                _versions.AppDirectory,
+                $".client-download-{transactionId:N}.zip");
+            try
+            {
+                Report(
+                    progress,
+                    LauncherUpdatePhase.DownloadingClient,
+                    $"Downloading client {check.Manifest.Version}...",
+                    0,
+                    artifact.Size);
+                var downloadProgress = new ForwardProgress<ArtifactDownloadProgress>(value =>
+                    Report(
+                        progress,
+                        LauncherUpdatePhase.DownloadingClient,
+                        $"Downloading client {check.Manifest.Version}: "
+                            + $"{value.BytesReceived:N0}/{value.TotalBytes:N0} bytes",
+                        value.BytesReceived,
+                        value.TotalBytes));
+                _ = await _downloader.DownloadAsync(
+                        artifact,
+                        archive,
+                        downloadProgress,
+                        cancellationToken)
+                    .ConfigureAwait(false);
+
+                Report(
+                    progress,
+                    LauncherUpdatePhase.ExtractingClient,
+                    "Verifying paths and extracting the client archive...");
+                IReadOnlyList<ExtractedFileRecord> files = await _extractor.ExtractAsync(
+                        archive,
+                        staging,
+                        cancellationToken)
+                    .ConfigureAwait(false);
+                Report(
+                    progress,
+                    LauncherUpdatePhase.ActivatingClient,
+                    $"Atomically activating client {check.Manifest.Version}...");
+                ClientVersionResolution result = await _versions
+                    .PromoteAndActivateUnderLeaseAsync(
+                        staging,
+                        check.Manifest.Version,
+                        _rid,
+                        artifact,
+                        files,
+                        cancellationToken)
+                    .ConfigureAwait(false);
+                Report(
+                    progress,
+                    LauncherUpdatePhase.Completed,
+                    $"Client {check.Manifest.Version} installed and activated.",
+                    1,
+                    1);
+                return result;
+            }
+            catch (OperationCanceledException)
+            {
+                Report(
+                    progress,
+                    LauncherUpdatePhase.Cancelled,
+                    "Client update cancelled; the active version was not changed.");
+                throw;
+            }
+            catch (Exception ex)
+            {
+                Report(
+                    progress,
+                    LauncherUpdatePhase.Failed,
+                    $"Client update failed: {ex.Message}");
+                throw;
+            }
+            finally
+            {
+                VerifiedArtifactDownloader.TryDelete(archive);
+                SafeZipExtractor.TryDeleteDirectory(staging);
+            }
+        }
+        finally
+        {
+            _operationGate.Release();
+        }
+    }
+
+    public async Task<SelfUpdateStageResult> StageLauncherAsync(
+        LauncherUpdateCheckResult check,
+        IProgress<LauncherUpdateProgress>? progress = null,
+        CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
+    {
+        ArgumentNullException.ThrowIfNull(check);
+        ValidateCheck(check);
+        await _operationGate.WaitAsync(cancellationToken).ConfigureAwait(false);
+        try
+        {
+            RefuseRunningSessions();
+            using UpdateSessionBarrier.ExclusiveLease lease =
+                _versions.Barrier.AcquireExclusive();
+            RefuseRunningSessions();
+            if (check.Manifest.Version <= _launcherVersion)
+            {
+                throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                    $"Launcher {_launcherVersion} is already current.");
+            }
+
+            Report(
+                progress,
+                LauncherUpdatePhase.DownloadingLauncher,
+                $"Downloading launcher {check.Manifest.Version}...");
+            var downloadProgress = new ForwardProgress<ArtifactDownloadProgress>(value =>
+                Report(
+                    progress,
+                    LauncherUpdatePhase.DownloadingLauncher,
+                    $"Downloading launcher {check.Manifest.Version}: "
+                        + $"{value.BytesReceived:N0}/{value.TotalBytes:N0} bytes",
+                    value.BytesReceived,
+                    value.TotalBytes));
+            try
+            {
+                SelfUpdateStageResult result = await _selfUpdates.StageAsync(
+                        check.Manifest,
+                        _rid,
+                        _launcherTargetDirectory,
+                        downloadProgress,
+                        cancellationToken)
+                    .ConfigureAwait(false);
+                Report(
+                    progress,
+                    LauncherUpdatePhase.StagingLauncher,
+                    result.Status,
+                    1,
+                    1);
+                return result;
+            }
+            catch (OperationCanceledException)
+            {
+                Report(
+                    progress,
+                    LauncherUpdatePhase.Cancelled,
+                    "Launcher update staging cancelled.");
+                throw;
+            }
+            catch (Exception ex)
+            {
+                Report(
+                    progress,
+                    LauncherUpdatePhase.Failed,
+                    $"Launcher update staging failed: {ex.Message}");
+                throw;
+            }
+        }
+        finally
+        {
+            _operationGate.Release();
+        }
+    }
+
+    public async Task<ClientVersionResolution> RollbackClientAsync(
+        IProgress<LauncherUpdateProgress>? progress = null,
+        CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
+    {
+        await _operationGate.WaitAsync(cancellationToken).ConfigureAwait(false);
+        try
+        {
+            RefuseRunningSessions();
+            Report(
+                progress,
+                LauncherUpdatePhase.RollingBack,
+                "Verifying and activating the previous client version...");
+            ClientVersionResolution result = await _versions.RollbackAsync(
+                    _rid,
+                    cancellationToken)
+                .ConfigureAwait(false);
+            Report(
+                progress,
+                LauncherUpdatePhase.Completed,
+                $"Rolled back to client {result.Version}.",
+                1,
+                1);
+            return result;
+        }
+        finally
+        {
+            _operationGate.Release();
+        }
+    }
+
+    private void ValidateCheck(LauncherUpdateCheckResult check)
+    {
+        if (!string.Equals(check.Rid, _rid, StringComparison.Ordinal)
+            || !check.LauncherVersion.Equals(_launcherVersion))
+        {
+            throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                "The update check belongs to a different launcher runtime.");
+        }
+
+        _ = check.Manifest.RequireClient(_rid);
+        _ = check.Manifest.RequireLauncher(_rid);
+    }
+
+    private void RefuseRunningSessions()
+    {
+        if (_hasRunningSessions())
+        {
+            throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                "Stop every launcher session before installing or rolling back an update.");
+        }
+    }
+
+    private static string BuildCheckStatus(
+        ReleaseManifest manifest,
+        LauncherVersion? installed,
+        bool clientAvailable,
+        bool launcherAvailable,
+        bool minimumSatisfied)
+    {
+        if (!minimumSatisfied)
+        {
+            return $"Release {manifest.Version} requires launcher "
+                + $"{manifest.MinimumLauncherVersion} or newer.";
+        }
+
+        if (clientAvailable && launcherAvailable)
+        {
+            return $"Client and launcher {manifest.Version} are available.";
+        }
+
+        if (clientAvailable)
+        {
+            return installed is null
+                ? $"Client {manifest.Version} is available for installation."
+                : $"Client update {installed} -> {manifest.Version} is available.";
+        }
+
+        if (launcherAvailable)
+        {
+            return $"Launcher {manifest.Version} is available.";
+        }
+
+        return "Client and launcher are up to date.";
+    }
+
+    private static void Report(
+        IProgress<LauncherUpdateProgress>? progress,
+        LauncherUpdatePhase phase,
+        string status,
+        long completed = 0,
+        long total = 0) =>
+        progress?.Report(new LauncherUpdateProgress(
+            phase,
+            status,
+            completed,
+            total));
+
+    private sealed class ForwardProgress<T>(Action<T> callback) : IProgress<T>
+    {
+        public void Report(T value) => callback(value);
+    }
+}

src/AcDream.Launcher.Core/Updates/LauncherVersion.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,199 @@
+using System.Diagnostics.CodeAnalysis;
+
+namespace AcDream.Launcher.Core.Updates;
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Strict SemVer 2.0 value used by the release feed, client pointer, and
+/// self-update plan. Numeric identifiers are compared as digit strings so a
+/// maliciously large identifier cannot overflow a fixed-width integer.
+/// </summary>
+public sealed class LauncherVersion : IComparable<LauncherVersion>, IEquatable<LauncherVersion>
+{
+    private readonly string[] _core;
+    private readonly string[] _preRelease;
+
+    private LauncherVersion(
+        string value,
+        string[] core,
+        string[] preRelease)
+    {
+        Value = value;
+        _core = core;
+        _preRelease = preRelease;
+    }
+
+    public string Value { get; }
+
+    public bool IsPreRelease => _preRelease.Length != 0;
+
+    public static LauncherVersion Parse(string value)
+    {
+        if (!TryParse(value, out LauncherVersion? version))
+        {
+            throw new FormatException($"'{value}' is not a strict SemVer 2.0 version.");
+        }
+
+        return version;
+    }
+
+    public static bool TryParse(
+        string? value,
+        [NotNullWhen(true)] out LauncherVersion? version)
+    {
+        version = null;
+        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(value)
+            || value.Length > 128
+            || !string.Equals(value, value.Trim(), StringComparison.Ordinal))
+        {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        string precedence = value;
+        int plus = value.IndexOf('+', StringComparison.Ordinal);
+        if (plus >= 0)
+        {
+            if (plus == value.Length - 1
+                || value.IndexOf('+', plus + 1) >= 0
+                || !ValidIdentifiers(value[(plus + 1)..], numericLeadingZeroRule: false))
+            {
+                return false;
+            }
+
+            precedence = value[..plus];
+        }
+
+        string coreText = precedence;
+        string[] preRelease = [];
+        int dash = precedence.IndexOf('-', StringComparison.Ordinal);
+        if (dash >= 0)
+        {
+            if (dash == precedence.Length - 1
+                || !ValidIdentifiers(precedence[(dash + 1)..], numericLeadingZeroRule: true))
+            {
+                return false;
+            }
+
+            coreText = precedence[..dash];
+            preRelease = precedence[(dash + 1)..].Split('.');
+        }
+
+        string[] core = coreText.Split('.');
+        if (core.Length != 3 || core.Any(part => !ValidCoreNumber(part)))
+        {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        version = new LauncherVersion(value, core, preRelease);
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    public int CompareTo(LauncherVersion? other)
+    {
+        if (other is null)
+        {
+            return 1;
+        }
+
+        for (int index = 0; index < _core.Length; index++)
+        {
+            int comparison = CompareNumeric(_core[index], other._core[index]);
+            if (comparison != 0)
+            {
+                return comparison;
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (_preRelease.Length == 0 || other._preRelease.Length == 0)
+        {
+            return _preRelease.Length == other._preRelease.Length
+                ? 0
+                : _preRelease.Length == 0 ? 1 : -1;
+        }
+
+        int shared = Math.Min(_preRelease.Length, other._preRelease.Length);
+        for (int index = 0; index < shared; index++)
+        {
+            string left = _preRelease[index];
+            string right = other._preRelease[index];
+            bool leftNumeric = IsDigits(left);
+            bool rightNumeric = IsDigits(right);
+            int comparison = leftNumeric && rightNumeric
+                ? CompareNumeric(left, right)
+                : leftNumeric != rightNumeric
+                    ? leftNumeric ? -1 : 1
+                    : string.Compare(left, right, StringComparison.Ordinal);
+            if (comparison != 0)
+            {
+                return comparison;
+            }
+        }
+
+        return _preRelease.Length.CompareTo(other._preRelease.Length);
+    }
+
+    public bool Equals(LauncherVersion? other) =>
+        other is not null && CompareTo(other) == 0;
+
+    public override bool Equals(object? obj) => Equals(obj as LauncherVersion);
+
+    public override int GetHashCode()
+    {
+        var hash = new HashCode();
+        foreach (string part in _core)
+        {
+            hash.Add(part, StringComparer.Ordinal);
+        }
+
+        hash.Add(_preRelease.Length);
+        foreach (string part in _preRelease)
+        {
+            hash.Add(part, StringComparer.Ordinal);
+        }
+
+        return hash.ToHashCode();
+    }
+
+    public override string ToString() => Value;
+
+    public static bool operator >(LauncherVersion left, LauncherVersion right) =>
+        left.CompareTo(right) > 0;
+
+    public static bool operator <(LauncherVersion left, LauncherVersion right) =>
+        left.CompareTo(right) < 0;
+
+    public static bool operator >=(LauncherVersion left, LauncherVersion right) =>
+        left.CompareTo(right) >= 0;
+
+    public static bool operator <=(LauncherVersion left, LauncherVersion right) =>
+        left.CompareTo(right) <= 0;
+
+    private static bool ValidCoreNumber(string value) =>
+        IsDigits(value) && (value.Length == 1 || value[0] != '0');
+
+    private static bool ValidIdentifiers(string value, bool numericLeadingZeroRule)
+    {
+        string[] identifiers = value.Split('.');
+        return identifiers.All(identifier =>
+            identifier.Length > 0
+            && identifier.All(character =>
+                character is >= '0' and <= '9'
+                or >= 'A' and <= 'Z'
+                or >= 'a' and <= 'z'
+                or '-')
+            && (!numericLeadingZeroRule
+                || !IsDigits(identifier)
+                || identifier.Length == 1
+                || identifier[0] != '0'));
+    }
+
+    private static bool IsDigits(string value) =>
+        value.Length > 0 && value.All(character => character is >= '0' and <= '9');
+
+    private static int CompareNumeric(string left, string right)
+    {
+        int length = left.Length.CompareTo(right.Length);
+        return length != 0
+            ? length
+            : string.Compare(left, right, StringComparison.Ordinal);
+    }
+}

src/AcDream.Launcher.Core/Updates/ReleaseManifest.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+namespace AcDream.Launcher.Core.Updates;
+
+public sealed record ReleaseArtifact(Uri Url, string Sha256, long Size);
+
+public sealed record ReleaseManifest(
+    LauncherVersion Version,
+    LauncherVersion MinimumLauncherVersion,
+    IReadOnlyDictionary<string, ReleaseArtifact> Clients,
+    IReadOnlyDictionary<string, ReleaseArtifact> Launchers)
+{
+    public const int CurrentSchemaVersion = 1;
+
+    public ReleaseArtifact RequireClient(string rid) =>
+        Clients.TryGetValue(rid, out ReleaseArtifact? artifact)
+            ? artifact
+            : throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                $"Release {Version} has no client payload for RID '{rid}'.");
+
+    public ReleaseArtifact RequireLauncher(string rid) =>
+        Launchers.TryGetValue(rid, out ReleaseArtifact? artifact)
+            ? artifact
+            : throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                $"Release {Version} has no launcher payload for RID '{rid}'.");
+}
+
+public sealed class LauncherUpdateException : Exception
+{
+    public LauncherUpdateException(string message)
+        : base(message)
+    {
+    }
+
+    public LauncherUpdateException(string message, Exception innerException)
+        : base(message, innerException)
+    {
+    }
+}

src/AcDream.Launcher.Core/Updates/ReleaseManifestClient.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,300 @@
+using System.Net;
+using System.Text.Json;
+using System.Text.Json.Serialization;
+
+namespace AcDream.Launcher.Core.Updates;
+
+public interface IReleaseManifestClient
+{
+    Task<ReleaseManifest> FetchAsync(CancellationToken cancellationToken = default);
+}
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Strict, bounded reader for the pinned GitHub Releases manifest. HTTP is
+/// accepted only for a loopback fixture; production and artifact URLs are
+/// HTTPS-only.
+/// </summary>
+public sealed class ReleaseManifestClient : IReleaseManifestClient, IDisposable
+{
+    public const string GitHubOwner = "eriknihlen";
+    public const string GitHubRepository = "acdream";
+    public const int MaximumManifestBytes = 1024 * 1024;
+    public const long MaximumArtifactBytes = 4L * 1024 * 1024 * 1024;
+
+    public static Uri ProductionManifestUri { get; } = new(
+        $"https://github.com/{GitHubOwner}/{GitHubRepository}/releases/latest/download/manifest.json");
+
+    private static readonly JsonSerializerOptions SerializerOptions = new()
+    {
+        PropertyNamingPolicy = JsonNamingPolicy.CamelCase,
+        PropertyNameCaseInsensitive = false,
+        UnmappedMemberHandling = JsonUnmappedMemberHandling.Disallow,
+        MaxDepth = 16,
+    };
+
+    private readonly HttpClient _httpClient;
+    private readonly bool _ownsHttpClient;
+    private readonly Uri _manifestUri;
+
+    public ReleaseManifestClient(HttpClient? httpClient = null, Uri? manifestUri = null)
+    {
+        _httpClient = httpClient ?? new HttpClient();
+        _ownsHttpClient = httpClient is null;
+        _manifestUri = manifestUri ?? ProductionManifestUri;
+        RequireSecureOrLoopback(_manifestUri, "manifest");
+        if (_ownsHttpClient)
+        {
+            _httpClient.DefaultRequestHeaders.UserAgent.ParseAdd("acdream-launcher/1");
+        }
+    }
+
+    public async Task<ReleaseManifest> FetchAsync(
+        CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
+    {
+        try
+        {
+            using HttpResponseMessage response = await _httpClient.GetAsync(
+                    _manifestUri,
+                    HttpCompletionOption.ResponseHeadersRead,
+                    cancellationToken)
+                .ConfigureAwait(false);
+            response.EnsureSuccessStatusCode();
+            Uri finalUri = response.RequestMessage?.RequestUri ?? _manifestUri;
+            RequireSecureOrLoopback(finalUri, "manifest redirect");
+            if (response.Content.Headers.ContentLength is long contentLength
+                && contentLength > MaximumManifestBytes)
+            {
+                throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                    $"The release manifest is larger than {MaximumManifestBytes} bytes.");
+            }
+
+            await using Stream input = await response.Content
+                .ReadAsStreamAsync(cancellationToken)
+                .ConfigureAwait(false);
+            using var output = new MemoryStream();
+            byte[] buffer = new byte[16 * 1024];
+            while (true)
+            {
+                int read = await input.ReadAsync(buffer, cancellationToken)
+                    .ConfigureAwait(false);
+                if (read == 0)
+                {
+                    break;
+                }
+
+                if (output.Length + read > MaximumManifestBytes)
+                {
+                    throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                        $"The release manifest is larger than {MaximumManifestBytes} bytes.");
+                }
+
+                output.Write(buffer, 0, read);
+            }
+
+            return Parse(output.ToArray());
+        }
+        catch (OperationCanceledException)
+        {
+            throw;
+        }
+        catch (LauncherUpdateException)
+        {
+            throw;
+        }
+        catch (Exception ex) when (ex is HttpRequestException
+                                   or IOException
+                                   or JsonException
+                                   or NotSupportedException)
+        {
+            throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                $"The release manifest could not be loaded: {ex.Message}",
+                ex);
+        }
+    }
+
+    internal static ReleaseManifest Parse(ReadOnlySpan<byte> utf8)
+    {
+        try
+        {
+            using JsonDocument document = JsonDocument.Parse(
+                utf8.ToArray(),
+                new JsonDocumentOptions
+                {
+                    AllowTrailingCommas = false,
+                    CommentHandling = JsonCommentHandling.Disallow,
+                    MaxDepth = 16,
+                });
+            RejectDuplicateProperties(document.RootElement, "$" );
+            ManifestDocument? value = document.RootElement.Deserialize<ManifestDocument>(
+                SerializerOptions);
+            return Validate(value);
+        }
+        catch (LauncherUpdateException)
+        {
+            throw;
+        }
+        catch (Exception ex) when (ex is JsonException
+                                   or FormatException
+                                   or InvalidOperationException)
+        {
+            throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                $"The release manifest is invalid: {ex.Message}",
+                ex);
+        }
+    }
+
+    public void Dispose()
+    {
+        if (_ownsHttpClient)
+        {
+            _httpClient.Dispose();
+        }
+    }
+
+    internal static void RequireSecureOrLoopback(Uri uri, string description)
+    {
+        if (!uri.IsAbsoluteUri
+            || (uri.Scheme != Uri.UriSchemeHttps
+                && !(uri.Scheme == Uri.UriSchemeHttp && uri.IsLoopback)))
+        {
+            throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                $"The {description} URI must use HTTPS (loopback HTTP is test-only).");
+        }
+    }
+
+    private static ReleaseManifest Validate(ManifestDocument? document)
+    {
+        if (document is null)
+        {
+            throw new LauncherUpdateException("The release manifest is empty.");
+        }
+
+        if (document.SchemaVersion != ReleaseManifest.CurrentSchemaVersion)
+        {
+            throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                $"Release manifest schema version {document.SchemaVersion} is not supported.");
+        }
+
+        LauncherVersion version = LauncherVersion.Parse(
+            document.Version
+            ?? throw new LauncherUpdateException("The release version is missing."));
+        LauncherVersion minimum = LauncherVersion.Parse(
+            document.MinimumLauncherVersion
+            ?? throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                "The minimum launcher version is missing."));
+        if (minimum > version)
+        {
+            throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                "The minimum launcher version cannot exceed the release version.");
+        }
+        IReadOnlyDictionary<string, ReleaseArtifact> clients = ValidateArtifacts(
+            document.Clients,
+            "clients");
+        IReadOnlyDictionary<string, ReleaseArtifact> launchers = ValidateArtifacts(
+            document.Launchers,
+            "launchers");
+        return new ReleaseManifest(version, minimum, clients, launchers);
+    }
+
+    private static IReadOnlyDictionary<string, ReleaseArtifact> ValidateArtifacts(
+        Dictionary<string, ArtifactDocument>? artifacts,
+        string field)
+    {
+        if (artifacts is null || artifacts.Count == 0)
+        {
+            throw new LauncherUpdateException($"Manifest field '{field}' must not be empty.");
+        }
+
+        var result = new Dictionary<string, ReleaseArtifact>(StringComparer.Ordinal);
+        foreach ((string rid, ArtifactDocument value) in artifacts)
+        {
+            if (!LauncherRuntimeIdentity.IsValidRid(rid))
+            {
+                throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                    $"Manifest field '{field}' contains invalid RID '{rid}'.");
+            }
+
+            if (value is null)
+            {
+                throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                    $"Manifest payload '{field}.{rid}' is null.");
+            }
+
+            if (!Uri.TryCreate(value.Url, UriKind.Absolute, out Uri? uri))
+            {
+                throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                    $"Manifest payload '{field}.{rid}' has an invalid URL.");
+            }
+
+            RequireSecureOrLoopback(uri, $"{field}.{rid} artifact");
+            if (!IsSha256(value.Sha256))
+            {
+                throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                    $"Manifest payload '{field}.{rid}' has an invalid SHA-256 digest.");
+            }
+
+            if (value.Size <= 0 || value.Size > MaximumArtifactBytes)
+            {
+                throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                    $"Manifest payload '{field}.{rid}' has an invalid size.");
+            }
+
+            result.Add(
+                rid,
+                new ReleaseArtifact(uri, value.Sha256!.ToLowerInvariant(), value.Size));
+        }
+
+        return result;
+    }
+
+    internal static bool IsSha256(string? value) =>
+        value is { Length: 64 } && value.All(Uri.IsHexDigit);
+
+    private static void RejectDuplicateProperties(JsonElement element, string path)
+    {
+        if (element.ValueKind == JsonValueKind.Object)
+        {
+            var names = new HashSet<string>(StringComparer.Ordinal);
+            foreach (JsonProperty property in element.EnumerateObject())
+            {
+                if (!names.Add(property.Name))
+                {
+                    throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                        $"Duplicate JSON property '{path}.{property.Name}' is not allowed.");
+                }
+
+                RejectDuplicateProperties(property.Value, $"{path}.{property.Name}");
+            }
+        }
+        else if (element.ValueKind == JsonValueKind.Array)
+        {
+            int index = 0;
+            foreach (JsonElement item in element.EnumerateArray())
+            {
+                RejectDuplicateProperties(item, $"{path}[{index++}]");
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    private sealed class ManifestDocument
+    {
+        public int SchemaVersion { get; init; }
+
+        public string? Version { get; init; }
+
+        public string? MinimumLauncherVersion { get; init; }
+
+        public Dictionary<string, ArtifactDocument>? Clients { get; init; }
+
+        public Dictionary<string, ArtifactDocument>? Launchers { get; init; }
+    }
+
+    private sealed class ArtifactDocument
+    {
+        public string? Url { get; init; }
+
+        public string? Sha256 { get; init; }
+
+        public long Size { get; init; }
+    }
+}

src/AcDream.Launcher.Core/Updates/SafeZipExtractor.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,482 @@
+using System.Buffers;
+using System.IO.Compression;
+using System.Security.Cryptography;
+
+namespace AcDream.Launcher.Core.Updates;
+
+public sealed record SafeZipExtractionLimits(
+    int MaximumEntries = 20_000,
+    long MaximumEntryBytes = 2L * 1024 * 1024 * 1024,
+    long MaximumTotalBytes = 8L * 1024 * 1024 * 1024,
+    double MaximumCompressionRatio = 200,
+    int MaximumRelativePathLength = 512);
+
+public sealed record ExtractedFileRecord(
+    string Path,
+    string Sha256,
+    long Size,
+    int UnixMode);
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Portable ZIP extractor for release assets. The complete central-directory
+/// shape is validated before the first output path is created.
+/// </summary>
+public sealed class SafeZipExtractor
+{
+    private const int BufferSize = 128 * 1024;
+    private const int UnixTypeMask = 0xF000;
+    private const int UnixRegularFile = 0x8000;
+    private const int UnixDirectory = 0x4000;
+    private const int UnixPermissionMask = 0x1FF;
+    private readonly SafeZipExtractionLimits _limits;
+
+    public SafeZipExtractor(SafeZipExtractionLimits? limits = null)
+    {
+        _limits = limits ?? new SafeZipExtractionLimits();
+        if (_limits.MaximumEntries <= 0
+            || _limits.MaximumEntryBytes <= 0
+            || _limits.MaximumTotalBytes <= 0
+            || _limits.MaximumCompressionRatio <= 0
+            || _limits.MaximumRelativePathLength <= 0)
+        {
+            throw new ArgumentOutOfRangeException(
+                nameof(limits),
+                "ZIP extraction limits must all be positive.");
+        }
+    }
+
+    public async Task<IReadOnlyList<ExtractedFileRecord>> ExtractAsync(
+        string archivePath,
+        string destinationDirectory,
+        CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
+    {
+        ArgumentException.ThrowIfNullOrWhiteSpace(archivePath);
+        ArgumentException.ThrowIfNullOrWhiteSpace(destinationDirectory);
+        string archive = Path.GetFullPath(archivePath);
+        string destination = Path.GetFullPath(destinationDirectory);
+
+        if (Directory.Exists(destination)
+            && Directory.EnumerateFileSystemEntries(destination).Any())
+        {
+            throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                "The ZIP extraction destination must be empty.");
+        }
+
+        try
+        {
+            await using var stream = new FileStream(
+                archive,
+                FileMode.Open,
+                FileAccess.Read,
+                FileShare.Read,
+                BufferSize,
+                FileOptions.Asynchronous | FileOptions.SequentialScan);
+            using var zip = new ZipArchive(stream, ZipArchiveMode.Read, leaveOpen: false);
+            IReadOnlyList<ValidatedEntry> entries = ValidateArchive(zip);
+
+            Directory.CreateDirectory(destination);
+            RejectReparsePoint(destination, "extraction root");
+            foreach (string directory in entries
+                         .SelectMany(entry => ParentPaths(entry.RelativePath))
+                         .Concat(entries.Where(entry => entry.IsDirectory)
+                             .Select(entry => entry.RelativePath))
+                         .Distinct(StringComparer.OrdinalIgnoreCase)
+                         .OrderBy(path => path.Count(character => character == '/'))
+                         .ThenBy(path => path, StringComparer.Ordinal))
+            {
+                cancellationToken.ThrowIfCancellationRequested();
+                string directoryPath = ResolveContained(destination, directory);
+                Directory.CreateDirectory(directoryPath);
+                RejectReparsePoint(directoryPath, $"directory '{directory}'");
+            }
+
+            var files = new List<ExtractedFileRecord>();
+            long actualTotal = 0;
+            foreach (ValidatedEntry entry in entries.Where(entry => !entry.IsDirectory))
+            {
+                cancellationToken.ThrowIfCancellationRequested();
+                string outputPath = ResolveContained(destination, entry.RelativePath);
+                EnsureParentsAreDirectories(destination, entry.RelativePath);
+                await using Stream input = entry.Entry.Open();
+                await using var output = new FileStream(
+                    outputPath,
+                    FileMode.CreateNew,
+                    FileAccess.Write,
+                    FileShare.None,
+                    BufferSize,
+                    FileOptions.Asynchronous
+                    | FileOptions.SequentialScan
+                    | FileOptions.WriteThrough);
+                using IncrementalHash hash = IncrementalHash.CreateHash(
+                    HashAlgorithmName.SHA256);
+                byte[] buffer = ArrayPool<byte>.Shared.Rent(BufferSize);
+                long actualEntry = 0;
+                try
+                {
+                    while (true)
+                    {
+                        int read = await input.ReadAsync(
+                                buffer.AsMemory(0, BufferSize),
+                                cancellationToken)
+                            .ConfigureAwait(false);
+                        if (read == 0)
+                        {
+                            break;
+                        }
+
+                        actualEntry = checked(actualEntry + read);
+                        actualTotal = checked(actualTotal + read);
+                        if (actualEntry > entry.Entry.Length
+                            || actualEntry > _limits.MaximumEntryBytes
+                            || actualTotal > _limits.MaximumTotalBytes)
+                        {
+                            throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                                $"ZIP entry '{entry.RelativePath}' exceeded its declared limits.");
+                        }
+
+                        hash.AppendData(buffer, 0, read);
+                        await output.WriteAsync(
+                                buffer.AsMemory(0, read),
+                                cancellationToken)
+                            .ConfigureAwait(false);
+                    }
+
+                    await output.FlushAsync(cancellationToken).ConfigureAwait(false);
+                    output.Flush(flushToDisk: true);
+                }
+                finally
+                {
+                    ArrayPool<byte>.Shared.Return(buffer, clearArray: true);
+                }
+
+                if (actualEntry != entry.Entry.Length)
+                {
+                    throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                        $"ZIP entry '{entry.RelativePath}' length changed while extracting.");
+                }
+
+                int unixMode = entry.UnixMode & UnixPermissionMask;
+                if (OperatingSystem.IsLinux() && unixMode != 0)
+                {
+                    File.SetUnixFileMode(outputPath, (UnixFileMode)unixMode);
+                }
+
+                files.Add(new ExtractedFileRecord(
+                    entry.RelativePath,
+                    Convert.ToHexStringLower(hash.GetHashAndReset()),
+                    actualEntry,
+                    unixMode));
+            }
+
+            files.Sort((left, right) => string.Compare(
+                left.Path,
+                right.Path,
+                StringComparison.Ordinal));
+            return files;
+        }
+        catch (OperationCanceledException)
+        {
+            TryDeleteDirectory(destination);
+            throw;
+        }
+        catch (LauncherUpdateException)
+        {
+            TryDeleteDirectory(destination);
+            throw;
+        }
+        catch (Exception ex) when (ex is IOException
+                                   or UnauthorizedAccessException
+                                   or InvalidDataException
+                                   or NotSupportedException
+                                   or CryptographicException)
+        {
+            TryDeleteDirectory(destination);
+            throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                $"The release ZIP could not be extracted safely: {ex.Message}",
+                ex);
+        }
+    }
+
+    private IReadOnlyList<ValidatedEntry> ValidateArchive(ZipArchive zip)
+    {
+        if (zip.Entries.Count == 0 || zip.Entries.Count > _limits.MaximumEntries)
+        {
+            throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                $"ZIP entry count {zip.Entries.Count} is outside the allowed range.");
+        }
+
+        var result = new List<ValidatedEntry>(zip.Entries.Count);
+        var explicitEntries = new HashSet<string>(StringComparer.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
+        var nodes = new Dictionary<string, PathNode>(StringComparer.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
+        long totalLength = 0;
+        long totalCompressed = 0;
+        foreach (ZipArchiveEntry entry in zip.Entries)
+        {
+            string relative = NormalizeEntryPath(entry.FullName);
+            if (!explicitEntries.Add(relative))
+            {
+                throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                    $"ZIP contains a duplicate/case-colliding entry '{relative}'.");
+            }
+
+            int unixAttributes = entry.ExternalAttributes >> 16;
+            int unixType = unixAttributes & UnixTypeMask;
+            bool trailingDirectory = entry.FullName.EndsWith("/", StringComparison.Ordinal)
+                || entry.FullName.EndsWith("\\", StringComparison.Ordinal);
+            bool isDirectory = trailingDirectory || unixType == UnixDirectory;
+            if ((entry.ExternalAttributes & (int)FileAttributes.ReparsePoint) != 0
+                || unixType is not (0 or UnixRegularFile or UnixDirectory)
+                || (unixType == UnixDirectory && !trailingDirectory)
+                || (isDirectory && (entry.Length != 0 || entry.CompressedLength != 0)))
+            {
+                throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                    $"ZIP entry '{relative}' is a symlink, reparse point, or unsupported type.");
+            }
+
+            AddPathNodes(nodes, relative, isDirectory);
+            if (!isDirectory)
+            {
+                if (entry.Length < 0
+                    || entry.CompressedLength < 0
+                    || entry.Length > _limits.MaximumEntryBytes)
+                {
+                    throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                        $"ZIP entry '{relative}' exceeds the per-file limit.");
+                }
+
+                totalLength = checked(totalLength + entry.Length);
+                totalCompressed = checked(totalCompressed + entry.CompressedLength);
+                if (totalLength > _limits.MaximumTotalBytes
+                    || IsRatioExceeded(entry.Length, entry.CompressedLength))
+                {
+                    throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                        $"ZIP entry '{relative}' exceeds extraction size/ratio limits.");
+                }
+            }
+
+            result.Add(new ValidatedEntry(entry, relative, isDirectory, unixAttributes));
+        }
+
+        if (totalLength > 0
+            && (totalCompressed == 0 || IsRatioExceeded(totalLength, totalCompressed)))
+        {
+            throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                "ZIP aggregate compression ratio exceeds the allowed limit.");
+        }
+
+        return result;
+    }
+
+    private string NormalizeEntryPath(string name)
+    {
+        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(name)
+            || name.IndexOf('\0') >= 0
+            || name.Contains(':', StringComparison.Ordinal))
+        {
+            throw new LauncherUpdateException("ZIP contains an empty, NUL, or ADS path.");
+        }
+
+        string normalized = name.Replace('\\', '/');
+        bool directory = normalized.EndsWith("/", StringComparison.Ordinal);
+        normalized = normalized.TrimEnd('/');
+        if (normalized.Length == 0
+            || normalized.Length > _limits.MaximumRelativePathLength
+            || normalized.StartsWith("/", StringComparison.Ordinal)
+            || Path.IsPathRooted(normalized))
+        {
+            throw new LauncherUpdateException($"ZIP path '{name}' is rooted or too long.");
+        }
+
+        string[] segments = normalized.Split('/');
+        foreach (string segment in segments)
+        {
+            if (segment.Length == 0
+                || segment is "." or ".."
+                || segment.EndsWith(' ')
+                || segment.EndsWith('.')
+                || segment.Any(character =>
+                    char.IsControl(character)
+                    || character is '<' or '>' or '"' or '|' or '?' or '*')
+                || IsWindowsDeviceName(segment))
+            {
+                throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                    $"ZIP path '{name}' contains an unsafe segment.");
+            }
+        }
+
+        return string.Join('/', segments) + (directory ? "/" : string.Empty);
+    }
+
+    private static void AddPathNodes(
+        Dictionary<string, PathNode> nodes,
+        string relative,
+        bool isDirectory)
+    {
+        string path = relative.TrimEnd('/');
+        string[] segments = path.Split('/');
+        string current = string.Empty;
+        for (int index = 0; index < segments.Length; index++)
+        {
+            current = current.Length == 0
+                ? segments[index]
+                : current + "/" + segments[index];
+            bool nodeIsDirectory = index < segments.Length - 1 || isDirectory;
+            if (nodes.TryGetValue(current, out PathNode? existing))
+            {
+                if (!string.Equals(existing.Spelling, current, StringComparison.Ordinal)
+                    || (!existing.IsDirectory || !nodeIsDirectory))
+                {
+                    throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                        $"ZIP path '{relative}' collides with '{existing.Spelling}'.");
+                }
+
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            nodes.Add(current, new PathNode(current, nodeIsDirectory));
+        }
+    }
+
+    private bool IsRatioExceeded(long expanded, long compressed) =>
+        expanded > 0
+        && (compressed <= 0 || expanded / (double)compressed > _limits.MaximumCompressionRatio);
+
+    private static IEnumerable<string> ParentPaths(string relative)
+    {
+        string path = relative.TrimEnd('/');
+        int slash = path.IndexOf('/');
+        while (slash >= 0)
+        {
+            yield return path[..slash];
+            slash = path.IndexOf('/', slash + 1);
+        }
+    }
+
+    private static string ResolveContained(string root, string relative)
+    {
+        string path = Path.GetFullPath(
+            Path.Combine(root, relative.TrimEnd('/').Replace('/', Path.DirectorySeparatorChar)));
+        string prefix = Path.EndsInDirectorySeparator(root)
+            ? root
+            : root + Path.DirectorySeparatorChar;
+        if (!path.StartsWith(
+                prefix,
+                OperatingSystem.IsWindows()
+                    ? StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase
+                    : StringComparison.Ordinal))
+        {
+            throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                $"ZIP path '{relative}' escaped the extraction directory.");
+        }
+
+        return path;
+    }
+
+    private static void EnsureParentsAreDirectories(string root, string relative)
+    {
+        foreach (string parent in ParentPaths(relative))
+        {
+            string path = ResolveContained(root, parent);
+            if (!Directory.Exists(path))
+            {
+                throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                    $"ZIP parent '{parent}' is not a directory.");
+            }
+
+            RejectReparsePoint(path, $"directory '{parent}'");
+        }
+    }
+
+    private static void RejectReparsePoint(string path, string description)
+    {
+        if ((File.GetAttributes(path) & FileAttributes.ReparsePoint) != 0)
+        {
+            throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                $"The {description} is a reparse point.");
+        }
+    }
+
+    private static bool IsWindowsDeviceName(string segment)
+    {
+        string stem = segment.Split('.')[0];
+        return stem.Equals("CON", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase)
+            || stem.Equals("PRN", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase)
+            || stem.Equals("AUX", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase)
+            || stem.Equals("NUL", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase)
+            || (stem.Length == 4
+                && (stem.StartsWith("COM", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase)
+                    || stem.StartsWith("LPT", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
+                && stem[3] is >= '1' and <= '9');
+    }
+
+    internal static void TryDeleteDirectory(string path)
+    {
+        try
+        {
+            if (Directory.Exists(path))
+            {
+                DeleteDirectoryWithoutFollowingReparsePoints(path);
+            }
+        }
+        catch
+        {
+            // The exact random staging name is reclaimed under the update lease.
+        }
+    }
+
+    private static void DeleteDirectoryWithoutFollowingReparsePoints(string directory)
+    {
+        FileAttributes rootAttributes = File.GetAttributes(directory);
+        if ((rootAttributes & FileAttributes.ReparsePoint) != 0)
+        {
+            DeleteReparsePoint(directory);
+            return;
+        }
+
+        foreach (string entry in Directory.EnumerateFileSystemEntries(
+                     directory,
+                     "*",
+                     SearchOption.TopDirectoryOnly))
+        {
+            FileAttributes attributes = File.GetAttributes(entry);
+            if ((attributes & FileAttributes.ReparsePoint) != 0)
+            {
+                DeleteReparsePoint(entry);
+            }
+            else if ((attributes & FileAttributes.Directory) != 0)
+            {
+                DeleteDirectoryWithoutFollowingReparsePoints(entry);
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                File.Delete(entry);
+            }
+        }
+
+        Directory.Delete(directory, recursive: false);
+    }
+
+    private static void DeleteReparsePoint(string path)
+    {
+        try
+        {
+            File.Delete(path);
+        }
+        catch (UnauthorizedAccessException)
+        {
+            Directory.Delete(path, recursive: false);
+        }
+        catch (IOException)
+        {
+            Directory.Delete(path, recursive: false);
+        }
+    }
+
+    private sealed record PathNode(string Spelling, bool IsDirectory);
+
+    private sealed record ValidatedEntry(
+        ZipArchiveEntry Entry,
+        string RelativePath,
+        bool IsDirectory,
+        int UnixMode);
+}

src/AcDream.Launcher.Core/Updates/UpdateSessionBarrier.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,85 @@
+namespace AcDream.Launcher.Core.Updates;
+
+/// <summary>
+/// One portable OS-handle barrier shared by supervised sessions and held
+/// exclusively by update/rollback/recovery transactions. File contents are
+/// never authoritative.
+/// </summary>
+public sealed class UpdateSessionBarrier
+{
+    public const string LockFileName = ".update-session.lock";
+
+    private readonly string _lockPath;
+
+    public UpdateSessionBarrier(string dataDirectory)
+    {
+        ArgumentException.ThrowIfNullOrWhiteSpace(dataDirectory);
+        _lockPath = Path.Combine(
+            Path.GetFullPath(dataDirectory),
+            "app",
+            LockFileName);
+    }
+
+    public string LockPath => _lockPath;
+
+    public SessionLease AcquireSession()
+    {
+        FileStream stream = Open(FileShare.ReadWrite, "A client update is in progress.");
+        return new SessionLease(stream);
+    }
+
+    public ExclusiveLease AcquireExclusive()
+    {
+        FileStream stream = Open(
+            FileShare.None,
+            "A launcher session or another update transaction is running. "
+                + "Stop every launcher session before updating.");
+        return new ExclusiveLease(stream);
+    }
+
+    private FileStream Open(FileShare share, string refusal)
+    {
+        Directory.CreateDirectory(
+            Path.GetDirectoryName(_lockPath)
+            ?? throw new InvalidOperationException(
+                "The update/session lock path has no parent directory."));
+        try
+        {
+            return new FileStream(
+                _lockPath,
+                FileMode.OpenOrCreate,
+                FileAccess.ReadWrite,
+                share,
+                bufferSize: 1,
+                FileOptions.None);
+        }
+        catch (IOException ex)
+        {
+            throw new LauncherUpdateException(refusal, ex);
+        }
+        catch (UnauthorizedAccessException ex)
+        {
+            throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                $"The update/session lease could not be opened: {ex.Message}",
+                ex);
+        }
+    }
+
+    public sealed class SessionLease : IDisposable
+    {
+        private FileStream? _stream;
+
+        internal SessionLease(FileStream stream) => _stream = stream;
+
+        public void Dispose() => Interlocked.Exchange(ref _stream, null)?.Dispose();
+    }
+
+    public sealed class ExclusiveLease : IDisposable
+    {
+        private FileStream? _stream;
+
+        internal ExclusiveLease(FileStream stream) => _stream = stream;
+
+        public void Dispose() => Interlocked.Exchange(ref _stream, null)?.Dispose();
+    }
+}

src/AcDream.Launcher.Core/Updates/VerifiedArtifactDownloader.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,200 @@
+using System.Buffers;
+using System.Security.Cryptography;
+
+namespace AcDream.Launcher.Core.Updates;
+
+public sealed record ArtifactDownloadProgress(long BytesReceived, long TotalBytes)
+{
+    public double Percent => TotalBytes <= 0
+        ? 0
+        : Math.Clamp(BytesReceived * 100d / TotalBytes, 0, 100);
+}
+
+public sealed record VerifiedArtifactDownload(
+    string FilePath,
+    long Size,
+    string Sha256);
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Streams a bounded release asset directly to a caller-owned staging path,
+/// computing SHA-256 during the write. A partial/cancelled/wrong artifact is
+/// deleted before the call returns.
+/// </summary>
+public sealed class VerifiedArtifactDownloader
+{
+    private const int BufferSize = 128 * 1024;
+    private readonly HttpClient _httpClient;
+
+    public VerifiedArtifactDownloader(HttpClient httpClient)
+    {
+        _httpClient = httpClient ?? throw new ArgumentNullException(nameof(httpClient));
+    }
+
+    public async Task<VerifiedArtifactDownload> DownloadAsync(
+        ReleaseArtifact artifact,
+        string destinationPath,
+        IProgress<ArtifactDownloadProgress>? progress = null,
+        CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
+    {
+        ArgumentNullException.ThrowIfNull(artifact);
+        ArgumentException.ThrowIfNullOrWhiteSpace(destinationPath);
+        ReleaseManifestClient.RequireSecureOrLoopback(artifact.Url, "artifact");
+        if (artifact.Size <= 0
+            || artifact.Size > ReleaseManifestClient.MaximumArtifactBytes
+            || !ReleaseManifestClient.IsSha256(artifact.Sha256))
+        {
+            throw new LauncherUpdateException("The requested artifact metadata is invalid.");
+        }
+
+        string fullPath = Path.GetFullPath(destinationPath);
+        Directory.CreateDirectory(
+            Path.GetDirectoryName(fullPath)
+            ?? throw new InvalidOperationException(
+                "The artifact staging path has no parent directory."));
+
+        bool ownsDestination = false;
+        try
+        {
+            using HttpResponseMessage response = await _httpClient.GetAsync(
+                    artifact.Url,
+                    HttpCompletionOption.ResponseHeadersRead,
+                    cancellationToken)
+                .ConfigureAwait(false);
+            response.EnsureSuccessStatusCode();
+            ReleaseManifestClient.RequireSecureOrLoopback(
+                response.RequestMessage?.RequestUri ?? artifact.Url,
+                "artifact redirect");
+            if (response.Content.Headers.ContentLength is long contentLength
+                && contentLength != artifact.Size)
+            {
+                throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                    $"Artifact size header mismatch: expected {artifact.Size}, "
+                    + $"received {contentLength}.");
+            }
+
+            if (response.Content.Headers.ContentEncoding.Count != 0)
+            {
+                throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                    "Release artifact content encoding is not allowed.");
+            }
+
+            await using Stream input = await response.Content
+                .ReadAsStreamAsync(cancellationToken)
+                .ConfigureAwait(false);
+            await using var output = new FileStream(
+                fullPath,
+                FileMode.CreateNew,
+                FileAccess.Write,
+                FileShare.None,
+                BufferSize,
+                FileOptions.Asynchronous
+                | FileOptions.SequentialScan
+                | FileOptions.WriteThrough);
+            ownsDestination = true;
+            using IncrementalHash hash = IncrementalHash.CreateHash(HashAlgorithmName.SHA256);
+            byte[] buffer = ArrayPool<byte>.Shared.Rent(BufferSize);
+            long received = 0;
+            try
+            {
+                progress?.Report(new ArtifactDownloadProgress(0, artifact.Size));
+                while (true)
+                {
+                    int read = await input.ReadAsync(
+                            buffer.AsMemory(0, BufferSize),
+                            cancellationToken)
+                        .ConfigureAwait(false);
+                    if (read == 0)
+                    {
+                        break;
+                    }
+
+                    received = checked(received + read);
+                    if (received > artifact.Size)
+                    {
+                        throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                            $"Artifact exceeded its declared size of {artifact.Size} bytes.");
+                    }
+
+                    hash.AppendData(buffer, 0, read);
+                    await output.WriteAsync(
+                            buffer.AsMemory(0, read),
+                            cancellationToken)
+                        .ConfigureAwait(false);
+                    progress?.Report(new ArtifactDownloadProgress(received, artifact.Size));
+                }
+
+                await output.FlushAsync(cancellationToken).ConfigureAwait(false);
+                output.Flush(flushToDisk: true);
+            }
+            finally
+            {
+                ArrayPool<byte>.Shared.Return(buffer, clearArray: true);
+            }
+
+            if (received != artifact.Size)
+            {
+                throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                    $"Artifact ended at {received} bytes; expected {artifact.Size}.");
+            }
+
+            string actualSha256 = Convert.ToHexStringLower(hash.GetHashAndReset());
+            if (!string.Equals(
+                    actualSha256,
+                    artifact.Sha256,
+                    StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
+            {
+                throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                    "Artifact SHA-256 does not match the release manifest.");
+            }
+
+            return new VerifiedArtifactDownload(fullPath, received, actualSha256);
+        }
+        catch (OperationCanceledException)
+        {
+            if (ownsDestination)
+            {
+                TryDelete(fullPath);
+            }
+
+            throw;
+        }
+        catch (LauncherUpdateException)
+        {
+            if (ownsDestination)
+            {
+                TryDelete(fullPath);
+            }
+
+            throw;
+        }
+        catch (Exception ex) when (ex is HttpRequestException
+                                   or IOException
+                                   or UnauthorizedAccessException
+                                   or CryptographicException)
+        {
+            if (ownsDestination)
+            {
+                TryDelete(fullPath);
+            }
+
+            throw new LauncherUpdateException(
+                $"The release artifact could not be downloaded: {ex.Message}",
+                ex);
+        }
+    }
+
+    internal static void TryDelete(string path)
+    {
+        try
+        {
+            if (File.Exists(path))
+            {
+                File.Delete(path);
+            }
+        }
+        catch
+        {
+            // The exact random staging name is reclaimed by startup recovery.
+        }
+    }
+}

src/AcDream.Launcher/App.axaml.cs

@@ -1,7 +1,9 @@
+using System.Reflection;
 using AcDream.Launcher.Core.Installation;
 using AcDream.Launcher.Core.Launching;
 using AcDream.Launcher.Core.Orchestration;
 using AcDream.Launcher.Core.Profiles;
+using AcDream.Launcher.Core.Updates;
 using AcDream.Launcher.ViewModels;
 using AcDream.Platform;
 using Avalonia;
@@ -14,6 +16,8 @@ public sealed partial class App : Application
 {
     private LauncherOrchestrator? _orchestrator;
     private LauncherWindowViewModel? _viewModel;
+    private HttpClient? _updateHttpClient;
+    private ReleaseManifestClient? _manifestClient;
 
     public override void Initialize() => AvaloniaXamlLoader.Load(this);
 
@@ -23,6 +27,7 @@ public sealed partial class App : Application
         {
             ApplicationPathSet paths = ApplicationPathSet.Resolve();
             LauncherProfileStore profiles = LauncherProfileStore.ForApplicationPaths(paths);
+            string rid = LauncherRuntimeIdentity.DetectRid();
             string executableSuffix = OperatingSystem.IsWindows() ? ".exe" : string.Empty;
             var installer = new LauncherInstaller(
                 paths,
@@ -47,16 +52,38 @@ public sealed partial class App : Application
                     $"Client content verification failed: {ex.Message}");
             }
 
+            var clientVersions = new ClientVersionStore(paths);
+            _ = clientVersions.LoadAndRecoverAsync(rid)
+                .GetAwaiter()
+                .GetResult();
+
             _orchestrator = new LauncherOrchestrator(
                 profiles,
                 paths,
-                LauncherExecutableSet.FromDirectory(AppContext.BaseDirectory),
+                LauncherExecutableSet.FromCurrentVersionStore(clientVersions),
                 verification.Record,
-                installationStatus: verification.Status);
+                installationStatus: verification.Status,
+                updateSessionBarrier: clientVersions.Barrier);
+            _updateHttpClient = new HttpClient();
+            _updateHttpClient.Timeout = TimeSpan.FromSeconds(15);
+            _updateHttpClient.DefaultRequestHeaders.UserAgent.ParseAdd(
+                "acdream-launcher/1");
+            _manifestClient = new ReleaseManifestClient(_updateHttpClient);
+            var selfUpdates = new LauncherSelfUpdateManager(paths, _updateHttpClient);
+            var updater = new LauncherUpdater(
+                _manifestClient,
+                _updateHttpClient,
+                clientVersions,
+                selfUpdates,
+                GetLauncherVersion(),
+                rid,
+                AppContext.BaseDirectory,
+                () => _orchestrator.GetSnapshot().Sessions.Any(session => session.IsActive));
             _viewModel = new LauncherWindowViewModel(
                 _orchestrator,
                 new AvaloniaUiDispatcher(),
-                installer);
+                installer,
+                updater);
             _viewModel.Initialize();
 
             desktop.MainWindow = new MainWindow
@@ -73,7 +100,25 @@ public sealed partial class App : Application
     {
         _viewModel?.Dispose();
         _orchestrator?.Dispose();
+        _manifestClient?.Dispose();
+        _updateHttpClient?.Dispose();
         _viewModel = null;
         _orchestrator = null;
+        _manifestClient = null;
+        _updateHttpClient = null;
+    }
+
+    private static LauncherVersion GetLauncherVersion()
+    {
+        string? informationalVersion = typeof(App).Assembly
+            .GetCustomAttribute<AssemblyInformationalVersionAttribute>()?
+            .InformationalVersion;
+        if (!LauncherVersion.TryParse(informationalVersion, out LauncherVersion? version))
+        {
+            throw new InvalidOperationException(
+                $"Launcher informational version '{informationalVersion}' is not SemVer 2.0.");
+        }
+
+        return version;
     }
 }

src/AcDream.Launcher/MainWindow.axaml

@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@
           <Button Content="First-run setup"
                   Command="{Binding FirstRunWizardShell.OpenCommand}" />
           <Button Content="Check for updates"
-                  Command="{Binding UpdatePromptShell.OpenCommand}" />
+                  Command="{Binding UpdatePrompt.OpenCommand}" />
         </StackPanel>
       </Grid>
     </Border>
@@ -434,21 +434,72 @@
             KeyboardNavigation.TabNavigation="Cycle"
             KeyDown="OnModalKeyDown"
             AutomationProperties.Name="Update prompt modal dialog"
-            IsVisible="{Binding UpdatePromptShell.IsOpen}">
+            IsVisible="{Binding UpdatePrompt.IsOpen}">
-      <Border Classes="card" Width="560" HorizontalAlignment="Center" VerticalAlignment="Center">
+      <Border Classes="card" Width="640" HorizontalAlignment="Center" VerticalAlignment="Center">
         <StackPanel Spacing="12">
-          <TextBlock Text="{Binding UpdatePromptShell.Title}" FontSize="24" FontWeight="Bold" />
+          <TextBlock Text="{Binding UpdatePrompt.Title}" FontSize="24" FontWeight="Bold" />
-          <TextBlock Text="{Binding UpdatePromptShell.Body}" TextWrapping="Wrap" />
+          <TextBlock Text="{Binding UpdatePrompt.Body}" TextWrapping="Wrap" />
+          <Grid ColumnDefinitions="*,*" ColumnSpacing="16">
+            <StackPanel>
+              <TextBlock Text="Installed client" Classes="muted" />
+              <TextBlock Text="{Binding UpdatePrompt.CurrentClientVersion}" FontWeight="SemiBold" />
+            </StackPanel>
+            <StackPanel Grid.Column="1">
+              <TextBlock Text="Available release" Classes="muted" />
+              <TextBlock Text="{Binding UpdatePrompt.AvailableVersion}" FontWeight="SemiBold" />
+            </StackPanel>
+          </Grid>
+          <TextBlock Text="{Binding UpdatePrompt.MinimumLauncherStatus}"
+                     TextWrapping="Wrap"
+                     Classes="muted" />
           <Border Background="#24344B" Padding="10" CornerRadius="5">
-            <TextBlock Text="{Binding UpdatePromptShell.Status}" TextWrapping="Wrap" />
+            <StackPanel Spacing="8">
+              <TextBlock Text="{Binding UpdatePrompt.Status}" TextWrapping="Wrap" />
+              <ProgressBar Minimum="0"
+                           Maximum="100"
+                           Value="{Binding UpdatePrompt.ProgressPercent}"
+                           IsIndeterminate="{Binding UpdatePrompt.IsProgressIndeterminate}"
+                           IsVisible="{Binding UpdatePrompt.IsBusy}" />
+            </StackPanel>
           </Border>
-          <Button x:Name="UpdateCloseButton"
+          <Border Background="#5B2630"
-                  Content="Close"
+                  Padding="10"
-                  HorizontalAlignment="Right"
+                  CornerRadius="5"
-                  IsCancel="True"
+                  IsVisible="{Binding UpdatePrompt.HasError}">
-                  IsDefault="True"
+            <TextBlock Text="{Binding UpdatePrompt.Error}" TextWrapping="Wrap" />
-                  AutomationProperties.Name="Close update prompt"
+          </Border>
-                  Command="{Binding UpdatePromptShell.CloseCommand}" />
+          <Border Background="#365B32"
+                  Padding="10"
+                  CornerRadius="5"
+                  IsVisible="{Binding UpdatePrompt.IsLauncherRestartRequired}">
+            <TextBlock Text="{Binding UpdatePrompt.LauncherRestartStatus}"
+                       TextWrapping="Wrap"
+                       FontWeight="SemiBold" />
+          </Border>
+          <StackPanel Orientation="Horizontal" HorizontalAlignment="Right" Spacing="8">
+            <Button Content="Check again"
+                    AutomationProperties.Name="Check for updates now"
+                    Command="{Binding UpdatePrompt.CheckCommand}" />
+            <Button Content="Rollback client"
+                    AutomationProperties.Name="Rollback client version"
+                    Command="{Binding UpdatePrompt.RollbackCommand}" />
+            <Button Content="Stage launcher"
+                    AutomationProperties.Name="Stage launcher self-update"
+                    Command="{Binding UpdatePrompt.StageLauncherCommand}" />
+            <Button Content="Install client"
+                    Classes="primary"
+                    IsDefault="True"
+                    AutomationProperties.Name="Install client update"
+                    Command="{Binding UpdatePrompt.InstallClientCommand}" />
+            <Button Content="Cancel"
+                    AutomationProperties.Name="Cancel update operation"
+                    Command="{Binding UpdatePrompt.CancelCommand}" />
+            <Button x:Name="UpdateCloseButton"
+                    Content="Close"
+                    IsCancel="True"
+                    AutomationProperties.Name="Close update prompt"
+                    Command="{Binding UpdatePrompt.CloseCommand}" />
+          </StackPanel>
         </StackPanel>
       </Border>
     </Border>

src/AcDream.Launcher/MainWindow.axaml.cs

@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ public sealed partial class MainWindow : Window
         {
             FirstRunDatDirectoryTextBox.Focus();
         }
-        else if (viewModel.UpdatePromptShell.IsOpen)
+        else if (viewModel.UpdatePrompt.IsOpen)
         {
             UpdateCloseButton.Focus();
         }

src/AcDream.Launcher/Program.cs

@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+using AcDream.Launcher.Core.Updates;
+using AcDream.Platform;
 using Avalonia;
 
 namespace AcDream.Launcher;
@@ -15,7 +17,34 @@ internal static class Program
             return 0;
         }
 
-        return BuildAvaloniaApp().StartWithClassicDesktopLifetime(args);
+        try
+        {
+            ApplicationPathSet paths = ApplicationPathSet.Resolve();
+            using var httpClient = new HttpClient();
+            var selfUpdates = new LauncherSelfUpdateManager(paths, httpClient);
+            string executable = Environment.ProcessPath
+                ?? throw new InvalidOperationException(
+                    "The launcher executable path is unavailable.");
+            SelfUpdateStartupResult startup = LauncherSelfUpdateBootstrap.HandleAsync(
+                    args,
+                    selfUpdates,
+                    AppContext.BaseDirectory,
+                    executable)
+                .GetAwaiter()
+                .GetResult();
+            if (startup.ShouldExit)
+            {
+                return startup.ExitCode;
+            }
+
+            return BuildAvaloniaApp().StartWithClassicDesktopLifetime(
+                startup.RemainingArguments);
+        }
+        catch (Exception ex)
+        {
+            Console.Error.WriteLine($"Launcher startup failed safely: {ex.Message}");
+            return 74;
+        }
     }
 
     public static AppBuilder BuildAvaloniaApp() =>

src/AcDream.Launcher/ViewModels/LauncherUpdateViewModel.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,520 @@
+using AcDream.Launcher.Core.Updates;
+
+namespace AcDream.Launcher.ViewModels;
+
+public sealed class LauncherUpdateViewModel : ObservableObject, IDisposable
+{
+    private readonly ILauncherUpdater _updater;
+    private readonly IUiDispatcher _dispatcher;
+    private readonly Action _onClientChanged;
+    private readonly Func<bool> _canOpen;
+    private readonly Func<bool> _canMutate;
+    private CancellationTokenSource? _cancellation;
+    private LauncherUpdateCheckResult? _check;
+    private bool _isOpen;
+    private bool _isBusy;
+    private bool _disposed;
+    private string _status = "No update check has run yet.";
+    private string? _error;
+    private LauncherUpdatePhase _phase = LauncherUpdatePhase.Idle;
+    private double _progressPercent;
+    private bool _isProgressIndeterminate;
+    private string? _launcherRestartStatus;
+
+    public LauncherUpdateViewModel(
+        ILauncherUpdater updater,
+        IUiDispatcher dispatcher,
+        Action onClientChanged,
+        Func<bool>? canOpen = null,
+        Func<bool>? canMutate = null)
+    {
+        _updater = updater ?? throw new ArgumentNullException(nameof(updater));
+        _dispatcher = dispatcher ?? throw new ArgumentNullException(nameof(dispatcher));
+        _onClientChanged = onClientChanged
+            ?? throw new ArgumentNullException(nameof(onClientChanged));
+        _canOpen = canOpen ?? (() => true);
+        _canMutate = canMutate ?? (() => true);
+
+        OpenCommand = new AsyncRelayCommand(OpenAndCheckAsync, () => _canOpen() && !IsBusy);
+        CloseCommand = new RelayCommand(Close, () => !IsBusy);
+        CheckCommand = new AsyncRelayCommand(
+            () => CheckAsync(startup: false),
+            () => IsOpen && !IsBusy);
+        InstallClientCommand = new AsyncRelayCommand(
+            InstallClientAsync,
+            () => IsOpen
+                && !IsBusy
+                && _canMutate()
+                && _check is
+                {
+                    IsClientUpdateAvailable: true,
+                    IsLauncherMinimumSatisfied: true,
+                });
+        StageLauncherCommand = new AsyncRelayCommand(
+            StageLauncherAsync,
+            () => IsOpen
+                && !IsBusy
+                && _canMutate()
+                && !IsLauncherRestartRequired
+                && _check is { IsLauncherUpdateAvailable: true });
+        RollbackCommand = new AsyncRelayCommand(
+            RollbackAsync,
+            () => IsOpen
+                && !IsBusy
+                && _canMutate()
+                && !string.IsNullOrEmpty(_updater.CurrentClient.PreviousVersion));
+        CancelCommand = new RelayCommand(
+            () => _cancellation?.Cancel(),
+            () => IsBusy && _cancellation is not null);
+    }
+
+    public string Title => "Client and launcher updates";
+
+    public string Body =>
+        "Releases are downloaded from the pinned eriknihlen/acdream GitHub feed. "
+        + "Every archive is size/SHA-256 verified and safely extracted before "
+        + "the active client pointer can change.";
+
+    public bool IsOpen
+    {
+        get => _isOpen;
+        private set
+        {
+            if (SetProperty(ref _isOpen, value))
+            {
+                NotifyCommandStates();
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    public bool IsBusy
+    {
+        get => _isBusy;
+        private set
+        {
+            if (SetProperty(ref _isBusy, value))
+            {
+                OnPropertyChanged(nameof(CanClose));
+                NotifyCommandStates();
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    public bool CanClose => !IsBusy;
+
+    public string Status
+    {
+        get => _status;
+        private set => SetProperty(ref _status, value);
+    }
+
+    public string? Error
+    {
+        get => _error;
+        private set
+        {
+            if (SetProperty(ref _error, value))
+            {
+                OnPropertyChanged(nameof(HasError));
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    public bool HasError => !string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(Error);
+
+    public LauncherUpdatePhase Phase
+    {
+        get => _phase;
+        private set => SetProperty(ref _phase, value);
+    }
+
+    public double ProgressPercent
+    {
+        get => _progressPercent;
+        private set => SetProperty(ref _progressPercent, value);
+    }
+
+    public bool IsProgressIndeterminate
+    {
+        get => _isProgressIndeterminate;
+        private set => SetProperty(ref _isProgressIndeterminate, value);
+    }
+
+    public string CurrentClientVersion =>
+        _updater.CurrentClient.Version?.Value ?? "not installed";
+
+    public string AvailableVersion => _check?.Manifest.Version.Value ?? "not checked";
+
+    public string CurrentLauncherVersion =>
+        _check?.LauncherVersion.Value ?? "loading";
+
+    public bool IsClientUpdateAvailable => _check?.IsClientUpdateAvailable == true;
+
+    public bool IsLauncherUpdateAvailable => _check?.IsLauncherUpdateAvailable == true;
+
+    public bool IsLauncherRestartRequired =>
+        !string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(_launcherRestartStatus);
+
+    public string LauncherRestartStatus => _launcherRestartStatus ?? string.Empty;
+
+    public bool IsLauncherMinimumBlocked => _check is
+    {
+        IsClientUpdateAvailable: true,
+        IsLauncherMinimumSatisfied: false,
+    };
+
+    public string MinimumLauncherStatus => _check is null
+        ? string.Empty
+        : _check.IsLauncherMinimumSatisfied
+            ? $"Launcher meets minimum {_check.Manifest.MinimumLauncherVersion}."
+            : $"Install launcher {_check.Manifest.MinimumLauncherVersion} or newer before the client update.";
+
+    public AsyncRelayCommand OpenCommand { get; }
+
+    public RelayCommand CloseCommand { get; }
+
+    public AsyncRelayCommand CheckCommand { get; }
+
+    public AsyncRelayCommand InstallClientCommand { get; }
+
+    public AsyncRelayCommand StageLauncherCommand { get; }
+
+    public AsyncRelayCommand RollbackCommand { get; }
+
+    public RelayCommand CancelCommand { get; }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Launch-time polling is deliberately nonfatal: an offline or malformed
+    /// feed changes only this status and never prevents profile/session use.
+    /// </summary>
+    public async Task StartupCheckAsync()
+    {
+        try
+        {
+            await CheckAsync(startup: true).ConfigureAwait(true);
+        }
+        catch
+        {
+            // CheckAsync owns visible state and never lets startup polling
+            // escape into the Avalonia initialization transaction.
+        }
+    }
+
+    public void Close()
+    {
+        if (!IsBusy)
+        {
+            IsOpen = false;
+        }
+    }
+
+    public void NotifyCommandStates()
+    {
+        OpenCommand.NotifyCanExecuteChanged();
+        CloseCommand.NotifyCanExecuteChanged();
+        CheckCommand.NotifyCanExecuteChanged();
+        InstallClientCommand.NotifyCanExecuteChanged();
+        StageLauncherCommand.NotifyCanExecuteChanged();
+        RollbackCommand.NotifyCanExecuteChanged();
+        CancelCommand.NotifyCanExecuteChanged();
+    }
+
+    public void Dispose()
+    {
+        if (_disposed)
+        {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        _disposed = true;
+        _cancellation?.Cancel();
+        _cancellation?.Dispose();
+        _cancellation = null;
+    }
+
+    private async Task OpenAndCheckAsync()
+    {
+        IsOpen = true;
+        await CheckAsync(startup: false).ConfigureAwait(true);
+    }
+
+    private async Task CheckAsync(bool startup)
+    {
+        if (IsBusy || _disposed)
+        {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        using var cancellation = new CancellationTokenSource();
+        _cancellation = cancellation;
+        IsBusy = true;
+        Error = null;
+        Phase = LauncherUpdatePhase.Checking;
+        Status = "Checking the pinned GitHub release manifest...";
+        IsProgressIndeterminate = true;
+        ProgressPercent = 0;
+        try
+        {
+            _check = await _updater.CheckAsync(cancellation.Token)
+                .ConfigureAwait(true);
+            Status = _check.Status;
+            Phase = LauncherUpdatePhase.Completed;
+            RefreshVersionProperties();
+            if (startup
+                && (_check.IsClientUpdateAvailable
+                    || _check.IsLauncherUpdateAvailable))
+            {
+                IsOpen = true;
+            }
+        }
+        catch (OperationCanceledException)
+        {
+            Status = "Update check cancelled.";
+            Phase = LauncherUpdatePhase.Cancelled;
+        }
+        catch (Exception ex)
+        {
+            string detail = SafeDisplayError(ex);
+            Status = startup
+                ? $"Automatic update check unavailable; continuing offline. {detail}"
+                : "Update check failed.";
+            Error = startup ? null : detail;
+            Phase = LauncherUpdatePhase.Failed;
+        }
+        finally
+        {
+            IsProgressIndeterminate = false;
+            if (ReferenceEquals(_cancellation, cancellation))
+            {
+                _cancellation = null;
+            }
+
+            IsBusy = false;
+        }
+    }
+
+    private Task InstallClientAsync() => RunMutationAsync(
+        (check, progress, token) => _updater.InstallClientAsync(check, progress, token),
+        "Installing the client update...",
+        "Client update installed and activated.",
+        clientChanged: true);
+
+    private Task StageLauncherAsync() => RunMutationAsync(
+        async (check, progress, token) =>
+        {
+            SelfUpdateStageResult staged = await _updater
+                .StageLauncherAsync(check, progress, token)
+                .ConfigureAwait(true);
+            _launcherRestartStatus = staged.Status;
+            OnPropertyChanged(nameof(IsLauncherRestartRequired));
+            OnPropertyChanged(nameof(LauncherRestartStatus));
+            return _updater.CurrentClient;
+        },
+        "Staging the launcher update...",
+        "Launcher update staged; restart the launcher to apply it.",
+        clientChanged: false);
+
+    private async Task RollbackAsync()
+    {
+        if (IsBusy || _disposed)
+        {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        using var cancellation = new CancellationTokenSource();
+        _cancellation = cancellation;
+        IsBusy = true;
+        Error = null;
+        Status = "Rolling back the client...";
+        IsProgressIndeterminate = true;
+        try
+        {
+            var progress = new UiProgress<LauncherUpdateProgress>(
+                _dispatcher,
+                ApplyProgress);
+            _ = await _updater.RollbackClientAsync(progress, cancellation.Token)
+                .ConfigureAwait(true);
+            _onClientChanged();
+            RefreshVersionProperties();
+        }
+        catch (OperationCanceledException)
+        {
+            Status = "Rollback cancelled; the active version was not changed.";
+            Phase = LauncherUpdatePhase.Cancelled;
+        }
+        catch (Exception ex)
+        {
+            Error = SafeDisplayError(ex);
+            Status = "Rollback failed.";
+            Phase = LauncherUpdatePhase.Failed;
+        }
+        finally
+        {
+            IsProgressIndeterminate = false;
+            if (ReferenceEquals(_cancellation, cancellation))
+            {
+                _cancellation = null;
+            }
+
+            IsBusy = false;
+        }
+    }
+
+    private async Task RunMutationAsync(
+        Func<
+            LauncherUpdateCheckResult,
+            IProgress<LauncherUpdateProgress>,
+        CancellationToken,
+            Task<ClientVersionResolution>> operation,
+        string initialStatus,
+        string completedStatus,
+        bool clientChanged)
+    {
+        if (IsBusy || _disposed || _check is null)
+        {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        using var cancellation = new CancellationTokenSource();
+        _cancellation = cancellation;
+        IsBusy = true;
+        Error = null;
+        Status = initialStatus;
+        IsProgressIndeterminate = true;
+        ProgressPercent = 0;
+        try
+        {
+            var progress = new UiProgress<LauncherUpdateProgress>(
+                _dispatcher,
+                ApplyProgress);
+            _ = await operation(_check, progress, cancellation.Token)
+                .ConfigureAwait(true);
+            if (clientChanged)
+            {
+                _onClientChanged();
+            }
+
+            RefreshVersionProperties();
+            Phase = LauncherUpdatePhase.Completed;
+            Status = IsLauncherRestartRequired
+                ? LauncherRestartStatus
+                : completedStatus;
+            try
+            {
+                _check = await _updater.CheckAsync(CancellationToken.None)
+                    .ConfigureAwait(true);
+                if (!IsLauncherRestartRequired)
+                {
+                    Status = _check.Status;
+                }
+
+                RefreshVersionProperties();
+            }
+            catch (Exception ex)
+            {
+                Status += " Release status refresh is unavailable: "
+                    + SafeDisplayError(ex);
+            }
+        }
+        catch (OperationCanceledException)
+        {
+            Status = "Update operation cancelled; published state was not changed.";
+            Phase = LauncherUpdatePhase.Cancelled;
+        }
+        catch (Exception ex)
+        {
+            Error = SafeDisplayError(ex);
+            Status = "Update operation failed.";
+            Phase = LauncherUpdatePhase.Failed;
+        }
+        finally
+        {
+            IsProgressIndeterminate = false;
+            if (ReferenceEquals(_cancellation, cancellation))
+            {
+                _cancellation = null;
+            }
+
+            IsBusy = false;
+        }
+    }
+
+    private void ApplyProgress(LauncherUpdateProgress value)
+    {
+        Phase = value.Phase;
+        Status = value.Status;
+        ProgressPercent = value.Percent;
+        IsProgressIndeterminate = value.Total <= 0
+            && value.Phase is not (
+                LauncherUpdatePhase.Completed
+                or LauncherUpdatePhase.Cancelled
+                or LauncherUpdatePhase.Failed);
+    }
+
+    private void RefreshVersionProperties()
+    {
+        OnPropertyChanged(nameof(CurrentClientVersion));
+        OnPropertyChanged(nameof(AvailableVersion));
+        OnPropertyChanged(nameof(CurrentLauncherVersion));
+        OnPropertyChanged(nameof(IsClientUpdateAvailable));
+        OnPropertyChanged(nameof(IsLauncherUpdateAvailable));
+        OnPropertyChanged(nameof(IsLauncherRestartRequired));
+        OnPropertyChanged(nameof(LauncherRestartStatus));
+        OnPropertyChanged(nameof(IsLauncherMinimumBlocked));
+        OnPropertyChanged(nameof(MinimumLauncherStatus));
+        NotifyCommandStates();
+    }
+
+    private static string SafeDisplayError(Exception exception) =>
+        string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(exception.Message)
+            ? "The update operation failed."
+            : exception.Message;
+
+    private sealed class UiProgress<T>(IUiDispatcher dispatcher, Action<T> callback)
+        : IProgress<T>
+    {
+        public void Report(T value) => dispatcher.Post(() => callback(value));
+    }
+}
+
+internal sealed class UnavailableLauncherUpdater : ILauncherUpdater
+{
+    private static readonly ClientVersionResolution Missing = new(
+        ClientVersionState.Missing,
+        "Versioned client updater is unavailable.",
+        null,
+        null,
+        null,
+        null);
+
+    public ClientVersionResolution CurrentClient => Missing;
+
+    public Task<ClientVersionResolution> InitializeAsync(
+        CancellationToken cancellationToken = default) =>
+        Task.FromResult(Missing);
+
+    public Task<LauncherUpdateCheckResult> CheckAsync(
+        CancellationToken cancellationToken = default) =>
+        Task.FromException<LauncherUpdateCheckResult>(
+            new LauncherUpdateException("Versioned client updater is unavailable."));
+
+    public Task<ClientVersionResolution> InstallClientAsync(
+        LauncherUpdateCheckResult check,
+        IProgress<LauncherUpdateProgress>? progress = null,
+        CancellationToken cancellationToken = default) =>
+        Task.FromException<ClientVersionResolution>(
+            new LauncherUpdateException("Versioned client updater is unavailable."));
+
+    public Task<SelfUpdateStageResult> StageLauncherAsync(
+        LauncherUpdateCheckResult check,
+        IProgress<LauncherUpdateProgress>? progress = null,
+        CancellationToken cancellationToken = default) =>
+        Task.FromException<SelfUpdateStageResult>(
+            new LauncherUpdateException("Versioned client updater is unavailable."));
+
+    public Task<ClientVersionResolution> RollbackClientAsync(
+        IProgress<LauncherUpdateProgress>? progress = null,
+        CancellationToken cancellationToken = default) =>
+        Task.FromException<ClientVersionResolution>(
+            new LauncherUpdateException("Versioned client updater is unavailable."));
+}

src/AcDream.Launcher/ViewModels/LauncherWindowViewModel.cs

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ using AcDream.Launcher.Core.Installation;
 using AcDream.Launcher.Core.Launching;
 using AcDream.Launcher.Core.Orchestration;
 using AcDream.Launcher.Core.Profiles;
+using AcDream.Launcher.Core.Updates;
 
 namespace AcDream.Launcher.ViewModels;
 
@@ -25,7 +26,8 @@ public sealed class LauncherWindowViewModel : ObservableObject, IDisposable
     public LauncherWindowViewModel(
         ILauncherOrchestrator orchestrator,
         IUiDispatcher dispatcher,
-        ILauncherInstaller? installer = null)
+        ILauncherInstaller? installer = null,
+        ILauncherUpdater? updater = null)
     {
         _orchestrator = orchestrator ?? throw new ArgumentNullException(nameof(orchestrator));
         _dispatcher = dispatcher ?? throw new ArgumentNullException(nameof(dispatcher));
@@ -38,17 +40,16 @@ public sealed class LauncherWindowViewModel : ObservableObject, IDisposable
             OnInstallCompleted,
             () => CanInteract,
             () => !IsBusy && Sessions.All(session => !session.IsActive));
-        UpdatePromptShell = new LauncherShellViewModel(
+        UpdatePrompt = new LauncherUpdateViewModel(
-            "Client update",
+            updater ?? new UnavailableLauncherUpdater(),
-            "Review a signed release manifest, verify the downloaded archive, "
+            dispatcher,
-                + "and atomically switch the installed client version. The updater "
+            OnClientVersionChanged,
-                + "transaction lands in Campaign LA slice LA10.",
+            () => CanInteract,
-            "Updater shell ready — implementation arrives in LA10.",
+            () => !IsBusy && Sessions.All(session => !session.IsActive));
-            () => CanInteract);
 
         EditorDialog.PropertyChanged += OnModalPropertyChanged;
         FirstRunWizardShell.PropertyChanged += OnModalPropertyChanged;
-        UpdatePromptShell.PropertyChanged += OnModalPropertyChanged;
+        UpdatePrompt.PropertyChanged += OnModalPropertyChanged;
 
         AddServerCommand = new RelayCommand(OpenAddServerDialog, () => CanInteract);
         AddAccountCommand = new RelayCommand(OpenAddAccountDialog, CanAddAccount);
@@ -92,7 +93,7 @@ public sealed class LauncherWindowViewModel : ObservableObject, IDisposable
 
     public FirstRunInstallerViewModel FirstRunWizardShell { get; }
 
-    public LauncherShellViewModel UpdatePromptShell { get; }
+    public LauncherUpdateViewModel UpdatePrompt { get; }
 
     public LauncherTreeNodeViewModel? SelectedNode
     {
@@ -136,7 +137,7 @@ public sealed class LauncherWindowViewModel : ObservableObject, IDisposable
     public bool IsModalOpen =>
         EditorDialog.IsOpen
         || FirstRunWizardShell.IsOpen
-        || UpdatePromptShell.IsOpen;
+        || UpdatePrompt.IsOpen;
 
     private bool CanInteract => !IsBusy && !IsModalOpen;
 
@@ -300,6 +301,7 @@ public sealed class LauncherWindowViewModel : ObservableObject, IDisposable
         }
 
         RefreshFromCore();
+        _ = UpdatePrompt.StartupCheckAsync();
     }
 
     public void PollStatus()
@@ -333,8 +335,9 @@ public sealed class LauncherWindowViewModel : ObservableObject, IDisposable
         _orchestrator.StateChanged -= OnOrchestratorStateChanged;
         EditorDialog.PropertyChanged -= OnModalPropertyChanged;
         FirstRunWizardShell.PropertyChanged -= OnModalPropertyChanged;
-        UpdatePromptShell.PropertyChanged -= OnModalPropertyChanged;
+        UpdatePrompt.PropertyChanged -= OnModalPropertyChanged;
         FirstRunWizardShell.Dispose();
+        UpdatePrompt.Dispose();
     }
 
     private void OnOrchestratorStateChanged(object? sender, EventArgs e) =>
@@ -350,7 +353,8 @@ public sealed class LauncherWindowViewModel : ObservableObject, IDisposable
     {
         if (e.PropertyName != nameof(ProfileEditorDialogViewModel.IsOpen)
             && e.PropertyName != nameof(LauncherShellViewModel.IsOpen)
-            && e.PropertyName != nameof(FirstRunInstallerViewModel.IsOpen))
+            && e.PropertyName != nameof(FirstRunInstallerViewModel.IsOpen)
+            && e.PropertyName != nameof(LauncherUpdateViewModel.IsOpen))
         {
             return;
         }
@@ -376,9 +380,9 @@ public sealed class LauncherWindowViewModel : ObservableObject, IDisposable
         {
             FirstRunWizardShell.Close();
         }
-        else if (UpdatePromptShell.IsOpen)
+        else if (UpdatePrompt.IsOpen)
         {
-            UpdatePromptShell.IsOpen = false;
+            UpdatePrompt.Close();
         }
     }
 
@@ -976,6 +980,13 @@ public sealed class LauncherWindowViewModel : ObservableObject, IDisposable
         RefreshFromCore();
     }
 
+    private void OnClientVersionChanged()
+    {
+        OperationStatus = "Versioned client activation changed.";
+        LastError = null;
+        RefreshFromCore();
+    }
+
     private void NotifyCommandStates()
     {
         AddServerCommand.NotifyCanExecuteChanged();
@@ -996,7 +1007,7 @@ public sealed class LauncherWindowViewModel : ObservableObject, IDisposable
             session.NotifyCommandState();
         }
         FirstRunWizardShell.NotifyCommandStates();
-        UpdatePromptShell.NotifyCommandStates();
+        UpdatePrompt.NotifyCommandStates();
     }
 
     private readonly record struct SelectionKey(

tests/AcDream.Launcher.Core.Tests.Fixtures.InstallLeaseHolder/Program.cs

@@ -2,16 +2,41 @@ using System.Diagnostics;
 using System.Reflection;
 using AcDream.Bake;
 using AcDream.Launcher.Core.Installation;
+using AcDream.Launcher.Core.Updates;
 using AcDream.Platform;
 
 return args.FirstOrDefault() switch
 {
     "hold-install-lease" => await HoldInstallLeaseAsync(args[1..]),
+    "hold-update-lease" => await HoldUpdateLeaseAsync(args[1..]),
     "orphan-parent" => await RunOrphanParentAsync(args[1..]),
     "orphan-child" => RunOrphanChild(args[1..]),
     _ => 2,
 };
 
+static async Task<int> HoldUpdateLeaseAsync(string[] arguments)
+{
+    if (arguments.Length != 4
+        || arguments[0] is not ("session" or "exclusive"))
+    {
+        return 2;
+    }
+
+    var barrier = new UpdateSessionBarrier(Path.GetFullPath(arguments[1]));
+    using IDisposable lease = arguments[0] == "session"
+        ? barrier.AcquireSession()
+        : barrier.AcquireExclusive();
+    string readyPath = Path.GetFullPath(arguments[2]);
+    string releasePath = Path.GetFullPath(arguments[3]);
+    File.WriteAllText(readyPath, arguments[0]);
+    while (!File.Exists(releasePath))
+    {
+        await Task.Delay(10);
+    }
+
+    return 0;
+}
+
 static async Task<int> HoldInstallLeaseAsync(string[] arguments)
 {
     if (arguments.Length != 3)

tests/AcDream.Launcher.Core.Tests/Orchestration/LauncherOrchestratorTests.cs

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ using AcDream.Launcher.Core.Launching;
 using AcDream.Launcher.Core.Orchestration;
 using AcDream.Launcher.Core.Profiles;
 using AcDream.Launcher.Core.Status;
+using AcDream.Launcher.Core.Updates;
 using AcDream.Platform;
 
 namespace AcDream.Launcher.Core.Tests.Orchestration;
@@ -34,6 +35,26 @@ public sealed class LauncherOrchestratorTests : IDisposable
         }
     }
 
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task RunningHostHoldsSharedUpdateLeaseUntilProcessTerminalState()
+    {
+        var supervisors = new FakeSupervisorFactory();
+        var barrier = new UpdateSessionBarrier(_paths.DataDirectory);
+        using LauncherOrchestrator orchestrator = CreateOrchestrator(
+            supervisorFactory: supervisors,
+            updateSessionBarrier: barrier);
+
+        _ = await orchestrator.LaunchAsync(
+            "Local ACE",
+            "testaccount",
+            "+Acdream",
+            LaunchMode.Gui);
+
+        Assert.Throws<LauncherUpdateException>(barrier.AcquireExclusive);
+        Assert.Single(supervisors.Created).Exit(0);
+        using UpdateSessionBarrier.ExclusiveLease update = barrier.AcquireExclusive();
+    }
+
     [Fact]
     public void SnapshotProjectsTheFullHierarchyWithoutTheCredential()
     {
@@ -527,7 +548,8 @@ public sealed class LauncherOrchestratorTests : IDisposable
         ILauncherSessionConfigService? configService = null,
         ILauncherProcessSupervisorFactory? supervisorFactory = null,
         IStatusEventSourceFactory? statusSourceFactory = null,
-        LauncherExecutableSet? executables = null)
+        LauncherExecutableSet? executables = null,
+        UpdateSessionBarrier? updateSessionBarrier = null)
     {
         string profilePath = Path.Combine(
             _paths.ConfigDirectory,
@@ -563,7 +585,8 @@ public sealed class LauncherOrchestratorTests : IDisposable
             configService,
             supervisorFactory ?? new FakeSupervisorFactory(),
             statusSourceFactory ?? new QueueStatusSourceFactory(),
-            () => $"s{Interlocked.Increment(ref nextSession)}");
+            () => $"s{Interlocked.Increment(ref nextSession)}",
+            updateSessionBarrier: updateSessionBarrier);
         orchestrator.LoadProfiles();
         return orchestrator;
     }

tests/AcDream.Launcher.Core.Tests/Updates/ClientVersionStoreTests.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,207 @@
+using System.Text;
+using AcDream.Launcher.Core.Orchestration;
+using AcDream.Launcher.Core.Profiles;
+using AcDream.Launcher.Core.Updates;
+using AcDream.Platform;
+
+namespace AcDream.Launcher.Core.Tests.Updates;
+
+public sealed class ClientVersionStoreTests : IDisposable
+{
+    private readonly string _root = Path.Combine(
+        Path.GetTempPath(),
+        "acdream-client-version-tests",
+        Guid.NewGuid().ToString("N"));
+    private readonly ApplicationPathSet _paths;
+    private readonly string _rid;
+
+    public ClientVersionStoreTests()
+    {
+        _paths = UpdateTestData.Paths(_root);
+        _rid = LauncherRuntimeIdentity.DetectRid();
+    }
+
+    public void Dispose()
+    {
+        if (Directory.Exists(_root))
+        {
+            Directory.Delete(_root, recursive: true);
+        }
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task AtomicPromotionPublishesStrictPointerAndRetainsPreviousForRollback()
+    {
+        var store = new ClientVersionStore(_paths);
+        ClientVersionResolution first = await PromoteAsync(store, "1.0.0", "first");
+        ClientVersionResolution second = await PromoteAsync(store, "2.0.0", "second");
+
+        Assert.True(first.IsVerified);
+        Assert.True(second.IsVerified);
+        Assert.Equal("2.0.0", second.Version!.Value);
+        Assert.Equal("1.0.0", second.PreviousVersion);
+        Assert.True(Directory.Exists(store.GetVersionDirectory(LauncherVersion.Parse("1.0.0"))));
+        Assert.True(Directory.Exists(store.GetVersionDirectory(LauncherVersion.Parse("2.0.0"))));
+        Assert.Empty(Directory.EnumerateFileSystemEntries(
+            store.AppDirectory,
+            ".client-staging-*",
+            SearchOption.TopDirectoryOnly));
+        string pointer = await File.ReadAllTextAsync(store.CurrentPointerPath);
+        Assert.Contains("\"schemaVersion\": 1", pointer, StringComparison.Ordinal);
+        Assert.Contains("\"currentVersion\": \"2.0.0\"", pointer, StringComparison.Ordinal);
+        Assert.DoesNotContain(".client-staging", pointer, StringComparison.Ordinal);
+
+        ClientVersionResolution rolledBack = await store.RollbackAsync(_rid);
+
+        Assert.Equal("1.0.0", rolledBack.Version!.Value);
+        Assert.Equal("2.0.0", rolledBack.PreviousVersion);
+        Assert.Equal("first-gui", await File.ReadAllTextAsync(
+            Path.Combine(rolledBack.Directory!, "AcDream.App" + ExecutableSuffix)));
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task TornCurrentPointerRecoversLastDurablePointerAndOwnedTempResidue()
+    {
+        var store = new ClientVersionStore(_paths);
+        _ = await PromoteAsync(store, "1.0.0", "first");
+        _ = await PromoteAsync(store, "2.0.0", "second");
+        string temp = Path.Combine(
+            store.AppDirectory,
+            $".current.json.{Guid.NewGuid():N}.tmp");
+        await File.WriteAllTextAsync(temp, "partial temp");
+        await File.WriteAllTextAsync(store.CurrentPointerPath, "{\"schemaVersion\":1,");
+
+        var recoveredStore = new ClientVersionStore(_paths);
+        ClientVersionResolution recovered = await recoveredStore.LoadAndRecoverAsync(_rid);
+
+        Assert.True(recovered.IsVerified);
+        Assert.Equal("1.0.0", recovered.Version!.Value);
+        Assert.Contains("Recovered", recovered.Status, StringComparison.Ordinal);
+        Assert.False(File.Exists(temp));
+        Assert.Contains("\"currentVersion\": \"1.0.0\"", await File.ReadAllTextAsync(
+            recoveredStore.CurrentPointerPath), StringComparison.Ordinal);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task CorruptActiveInstallFailsClosedButVerifiedPreviousCanRollback()
+    {
+        var store = new ClientVersionStore(_paths);
+        _ = await PromoteAsync(store, "1.0.0", "first");
+        ClientVersionResolution second = await PromoteAsync(store, "2.0.0", "second");
+        string graphical = Path.Combine(second.Directory!, "AcDream.App" + ExecutableSuffix);
+        await File.WriteAllTextAsync(graphical, "tampered!!");
+
+        var restarted = new ClientVersionStore(_paths);
+        ClientVersionResolution invalid = await restarted.LoadAndRecoverAsync(_rid);
+
+        Assert.Equal(ClientVersionState.Invalid, invalid.State);
+        Assert.Contains("corrupt", invalid.Status, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
+        ClientVersionResolution rolledBack = await restarted.RollbackAsync(_rid);
+        Assert.Equal("1.0.0", rolledBack.Version!.Value);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task StrictPointerAndInstallRecordsRejectUnknownUnrecordedAndWrongRidState()
+    {
+        var store = new ClientVersionStore(_paths);
+        ClientVersionResolution installed = await PromoteAsync(store, "1.0.0", "strict");
+        await File.WriteAllTextAsync(
+            Path.Combine(installed.Directory!, "unrecorded.dll"),
+            "unexpected");
+
+        var restarted = new ClientVersionStore(_paths);
+        ClientVersionResolution unrecorded = await restarted.LoadAndRecoverAsync(_rid);
+        Assert.Equal(ClientVersionState.Invalid, unrecorded.State);
+        Assert.Contains("unrecorded", unrecorded.Status, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
+
+        File.Delete(Path.Combine(installed.Directory!, "unrecorded.dll"));
+        string installPath = ClientVersionStore.GetMetadataPath(installed.Directory!);
+        string install = await File.ReadAllTextAsync(installPath);
+        await File.WriteAllTextAsync(
+            installPath,
+            install.Replace(
+                "\"schemaVersion\": 1",
+                "\"schemaVersion\": 1,\"schemaVersion\": 1",
+                StringComparison.Ordinal));
+        ClientVersionResolution duplicate = await restarted.LoadAndRecoverAsync(_rid);
+        Assert.Equal(ClientVersionState.Invalid, duplicate.State);
+        Assert.Contains("Duplicate", duplicate.Status, StringComparison.Ordinal);
+        await File.WriteAllTextAsync(installPath, install);
+
+        string current = await File.ReadAllTextAsync(store.CurrentPointerPath);
+        await File.WriteAllTextAsync(
+            store.CurrentPointerPath,
+            current.TrimEnd().TrimEnd('}') + ",\"unknown\":true}");
+        ClientVersionResolution unknown = await restarted.LoadAndRecoverAsync(_rid);
+        Assert.Equal(ClientVersionState.Invalid, unknown.State);
+
+        await File.WriteAllTextAsync(store.CurrentPointerPath, current);
+        string otherRid = _rid == "win-x64" ? "linux-x64" : "win-x64";
+        ClientVersionResolution wrongRid = await restarted.LoadAndRecoverAsync(otherRid);
+        Assert.Equal(ClientVersionState.Invalid, wrongRid.State);
+        Assert.Contains("RID", wrongRid.Status, StringComparison.Ordinal);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task DynamicExecutableResolverTracksOnlyVerifiedCurrentVersion()
+    {
+        var store = new ClientVersionStore(_paths);
+        LauncherExecutableSet executables = LauncherExecutableSet.FromCurrentVersionStore(store);
+        Assert.False(executables.GetAvailability(LaunchMode.Gui).IsAvailable);
+
+        ClientVersionResolution first = await PromoteAsync(store, "1.0.0", "one");
+        Assert.Equal(first.Directory, executables.WorkingDirectory);
+        Assert.Equal(
+            Path.Combine(first.Directory!, "AcDream.App" + ExecutableSuffix),
+            executables.CreatePlaySpec(LaunchMode.Gui, "session.json").ExecutablePath);
+
+        ClientVersionResolution second = await PromoteAsync(store, "2.0.0", "two");
+        Assert.Equal(second.Directory, executables.WorkingDirectory);
+        Assert.Equal(
+            Path.Combine(second.Directory!, "acdream-headless" + ExecutableSuffix),
+            executables.CreateProbeSpec("session.json").ExecutablePath);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task ExistingSemanticVersionCannotReplaceActiveContentInPlace()
+    {
+        var store = new ClientVersionStore(_paths);
+        _ = await PromoteAsync(store, "1.0.0", "original");
+
+        LauncherUpdateException error = await Assert.ThrowsAsync<LauncherUpdateException>(() =>
+            PromoteAsync(store, "1.0.0", "different"));
+
+        Assert.Contains("active client version", error.Message, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
+        ClientVersionResolution resolution = await store.LoadAndRecoverAsync(_rid);
+        Assert.Equal("original-gui", await File.ReadAllTextAsync(
+            Path.Combine(resolution.Directory!, "AcDream.App" + ExecutableSuffix)));
+    }
+
+    private string ExecutableSuffix => _rid.StartsWith("win-", StringComparison.Ordinal)
+        ? ".exe"
+        : string.Empty;
+
+    private async Task<ClientVersionResolution> PromoteAsync(
+        ClientVersionStore store,
+        string versionText,
+        string marker)
+    {
+        byte[] archive = UpdateTestData.ClientZip(_rid, marker);
+        string zipPath = Path.Combine(_root, $"{versionText}-{marker}.zip");
+        Directory.CreateDirectory(_root);
+        await File.WriteAllBytesAsync(zipPath, archive);
+        string staging = store.CreateClientStagingDirectory(Guid.NewGuid());
+        IReadOnlyList<ExtractedFileRecord> files = await new SafeZipExtractor()
+            .ExtractAsync(zipPath, staging);
+        using UpdateSessionBarrier.ExclusiveLease lease = store.Barrier.AcquireExclusive();
+        return await store.PromoteAndActivateUnderLeaseAsync(
+            staging,
+            LauncherVersion.Parse(versionText),
+            _rid,
+            new ReleaseArtifact(
+                new Uri($"https://example.test/{versionText}.zip"),
+                UpdateTestData.Sha256(archive),
+                archive.LongLength),
+            files);
+    }
+}

tests/AcDream.Launcher.Core.Tests/Updates/LauncherSelfUpdateManagerTests.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,279 @@
+using System.Text.Json;
+using System.Text.Json.Serialization;
+using AcDream.Launcher.Core.Updates;
+
+namespace AcDream.Launcher.Core.Tests.Updates;
+
+public sealed class LauncherSelfUpdateManagerTests : IDisposable
+{
+    private static readonly JsonSerializerOptions PlanOptions = new()
+    {
+        PropertyNamingPolicy = JsonNamingPolicy.CamelCase,
+        WriteIndented = true,
+        Converters =
+        {
+            new JsonStringEnumConverter<SelfUpdatePlanState>(
+                JsonNamingPolicy.CamelCase,
+                allowIntegerValues: false),
+        },
+    };
+
+    private readonly string _root = Path.Combine(
+        Path.GetTempPath(),
+        "acdream-self-update-tests",
+        "target & $(literal)-" + Guid.NewGuid().ToString("N"));
+
+    public void Dispose()
+    {
+        if (Directory.Exists(_root))
+        {
+            Directory.Delete(_root, recursive: true);
+        }
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task StartupWithoutPlanReclaimsOnlyExactOwnedResidue()
+    {
+        using var harness = new Harness(_root);
+        string orphan = harness.Manager.GetTransactionDirectory(Guid.NewGuid().ToString("N"));
+        Directory.CreateDirectory(orphan);
+        await File.WriteAllTextAsync(Path.Combine(orphan, "partial"), "partial");
+        Directory.CreateDirectory(harness.Manager.RootDirectory);
+        string temporary = Path.Combine(
+            harness.Manager.RootDirectory,
+            $".pending.json.{Guid.NewGuid():N}.tmp");
+        string unrelated = Path.Combine(harness.Manager.RootDirectory, "pending.user.tmp");
+        await File.WriteAllTextAsync(temporary, "partial");
+        await File.WriteAllTextAsync(unrelated, "preserve");
+
+        Assert.Null(await harness.Manager.LoadPendingAsync());
+
+        Assert.False(Directory.Exists(orphan));
+        Assert.False(File.Exists(temporary));
+        Assert.True(File.Exists(unrelated));
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task VerifiedStageIsDurableAndDoesNotTouchRunningTarget()
+    {
+        using var harness = new Harness(_root);
+
+        SelfUpdateStageResult result = await harness.StageAsync();
+        SelfUpdatePlan plan = Assert.IsType<SelfUpdatePlan>(
+            await harness.Manager.LoadPendingAsync());
+
+        Assert.Equal("2.0.0", result.Version.Value);
+        Assert.Equal(SelfUpdatePlanState.Staged, plan.State);
+        Assert.Null(plan.Apply);
+        Assert.Equal("old-launcher", await File.ReadAllTextAsync(harness.LauncherPath));
+        Assert.Equal("new-launcher", await File.ReadAllTextAsync(
+            Path.Combine(harness.Manager.GetPayloadDirectory(plan.TransactionId), harness.LauncherName)));
+        string pendingJson = await File.ReadAllTextAsync(result.PendingPlanPath);
+        Assert.Contains("\"state\": \"staged\"", pendingJson, StringComparison.Ordinal);
+        Assert.DoesNotContain("\"state\": \"Staged\"", pendingJson, StringComparison.Ordinal);
+        Assert.DoesNotContain("cmd", pendingJson,
+            StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task ApplyConfirmAndCompletionUseMoveJournalAndRemoveTransaction()
+    {
+        using var harness = new Harness(_root);
+        _ = await harness.StageAsync();
+
+        SelfUpdatePlan applied = await harness.Manager.ApplyPendingAsync(harness.Target);
+
+        Assert.Equal(SelfUpdatePlanState.AwaitingConfirmation, applied.State);
+        Assert.NotNull(applied.Apply);
+        Assert.Equal("new-launcher", await File.ReadAllTextAsync(harness.LauncherPath));
+        Assert.Equal("support-new-launcher", await File.ReadAllTextAsync(harness.SupportPath));
+        await harness.Manager.ConfirmAsync(
+            applied.TransactionId,
+            harness.Target,
+            harness.LauncherPath);
+        Assert.True(harness.Manager.IsConfirmed(applied.TransactionId));
+
+        await harness.Manager.CompleteConfirmedAsync(applied.TransactionId, harness.Target);
+
+        Assert.False(File.Exists(harness.Manager.PendingPlanPath));
+        Assert.False(Directory.Exists(
+            harness.Manager.GetTransactionDirectory(applied.TransactionId)));
+        Assert.Equal("new-launcher", await File.ReadAllTextAsync(harness.LauncherPath));
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task AwaitingConfirmationRollbackRestoresEveryOldFileAndCanRetry()
+    {
+        using var harness = new Harness(_root);
+        _ = await harness.StageAsync();
+        SelfUpdatePlan applied = await harness.Manager.ApplyPendingAsync(harness.Target);
+
+        SelfUpdatePlan rolledBack = await harness.Manager
+            .RollbackAwaitingConfirmationAsync(harness.Target);
+
+        Assert.Equal(SelfUpdatePlanState.Staged, rolledBack.State);
+        Assert.Null(rolledBack.Apply);
+        Assert.Equal("old-launcher", await File.ReadAllTextAsync(harness.LauncherPath));
+        Assert.Equal("old-support", await File.ReadAllTextAsync(harness.SupportPath));
+        SelfUpdatePlan retried = await harness.Manager.ApplyPendingAsync(harness.Target);
+        Assert.Equal(SelfUpdatePlanState.AwaitingConfirmation, retried.State);
+        Assert.Equal("new-launcher", await File.ReadAllTextAsync(harness.LauncherPath));
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task CrashDuringApplyingReplaysReverseJournalToStagedState()
+    {
+        using var harness = new Harness(_root);
+        _ = await harness.StageAsync();
+        SelfUpdatePlan staged = Assert.IsType<SelfUpdatePlan>(
+            await harness.Manager.LoadPendingAsync());
+        SelfUpdateApplyEntry[] apply = staged.Files
+            .Select(file => new SelfUpdateApplyEntry(
+                file.Path,
+                File.Exists(Path.Combine(
+                    harness.Target,
+                    file.Path.Replace('/', Path.DirectorySeparatorChar)))))
+            .ToArray();
+        SelfUpdatePlan applying = staged with
+        {
+            State = SelfUpdatePlanState.Applying,
+            Apply = apply,
+        };
+        await File.WriteAllTextAsync(
+            harness.Manager.PendingPlanPath,
+            JsonSerializer.Serialize(applying, PlanOptions));
+
+        SelfUpdateApplyEntry first = apply[0];
+        string payload = Path.Combine(
+            harness.Manager.GetPayloadDirectory(staged.TransactionId),
+            first.Path.Replace('/', Path.DirectorySeparatorChar));
+        string target = Path.Combine(
+            harness.Target,
+            first.Path.Replace('/', Path.DirectorySeparatorChar));
+        string backup = Path.Combine(
+            harness.Manager.GetBackupDirectory(staged.TransactionId),
+            first.Path.Replace('/', Path.DirectorySeparatorChar));
+        Directory.CreateDirectory(Path.GetDirectoryName(backup)!);
+        File.Move(target, backup);
+        File.Move(payload, target);
+
+        SelfUpdatePlan recovered = await harness.Manager.RecoverApplyingAsync(harness.Target);
+
+        Assert.Equal(SelfUpdatePlanState.Staged, recovered.State);
+        Assert.Equal("old-launcher", await File.ReadAllTextAsync(harness.LauncherPath));
+        Assert.Equal("old-support", await File.ReadAllTextAsync(harness.SupportPath));
+        Assert.Equal("new-launcher", await File.ReadAllTextAsync(Path.Combine(
+            harness.Manager.GetPayloadDirectory(staged.TransactionId),
+            harness.LauncherName)));
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task CorruptPayloadWrongTargetAndUnknownPlanFieldFailClosed()
+    {
+        using var harness = new Harness(_root);
+        _ = await harness.StageAsync();
+        SelfUpdatePlan staged = Assert.IsType<SelfUpdatePlan>(
+            await harness.Manager.LoadPendingAsync());
+        await File.WriteAllTextAsync(
+            Path.Combine(
+                harness.Manager.GetPayloadDirectory(staged.TransactionId),
+                harness.LauncherName),
+            "bad-payload!");
+
+        await Assert.ThrowsAsync<LauncherUpdateException>(() =>
+            harness.Manager.ApplyPendingAsync(harness.Target));
+        Assert.Equal("old-launcher", await File.ReadAllTextAsync(harness.LauncherPath));
+        string wrongTarget = Path.Combine(_root, "other-target");
+        Directory.CreateDirectory(wrongTarget);
+        await Assert.ThrowsAsync<LauncherUpdateException>(() =>
+            harness.Manager.ApplyPendingAsync(wrongTarget));
+
+        string json = await File.ReadAllTextAsync(harness.Manager.PendingPlanPath);
+        await File.WriteAllTextAsync(
+            harness.Manager.PendingPlanPath,
+            json.TrimEnd().TrimEnd('}') + ",\"unknown\":true}");
+        await Assert.ThrowsAsync<LauncherUpdateException>(() =>
+            harness.Manager.LoadPendingAsync());
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task BootstrapConfirmationAndOrdinaryStartupDoNotUseShellParsing()
+    {
+        using var harness = new Harness(_root);
+        SelfUpdateStartupResult ordinary = await LauncherSelfUpdateBootstrap.HandleAsync(
+            ["--literal", "argument with spaces & metacharacters"],
+            harness.Manager,
+            harness.Target,
+            harness.LauncherPath);
+        Assert.False(ordinary.ShouldExit);
+        Assert.Equal(["--literal", "argument with spaces & metacharacters"],
+            ordinary.RemainingArguments);
+
+        _ = await harness.StageAsync();
+        SelfUpdatePlan applied = await harness.Manager.ApplyPendingAsync(harness.Target);
+        SelfUpdateStartupResult confirmation = await LauncherSelfUpdateBootstrap.HandleAsync(
+            [LauncherSelfUpdateBootstrap.ConfirmArgument, applied.TransactionId],
+            harness.Manager,
+            harness.Target,
+            harness.LauncherPath);
+
+        Assert.False(confirmation.ShouldExit);
+        Assert.Empty(confirmation.RemainingArguments);
+        Assert.True(harness.Manager.IsConfirmed(applied.TransactionId));
+        await harness.Manager.CompleteConfirmedAsync(applied.TransactionId, harness.Target);
+    }
+
+    private sealed class Harness : IDisposable
+    {
+        private readonly LocalHttpFixture _server = new();
+        private readonly HttpClient _http = new();
+        private readonly byte[] _archive;
+        private readonly ReleaseArtifact _artifact;
+
+        public Harness(string root)
+        {
+            Target = Path.Combine(root, "published launcher");
+            Directory.CreateDirectory(Target);
+            Rid = LauncherRuntimeIdentity.DetectRid();
+            LauncherName = "acdream-launcher"
+                + (Rid.StartsWith("win-", StringComparison.Ordinal) ? ".exe" : string.Empty);
+            LauncherPath = Path.Combine(Target, LauncherName);
+            SupportPath = Path.Combine(Target, "support.dat");
+            File.WriteAllText(LauncherPath, "old-launcher");
+            File.WriteAllText(SupportPath, "old-support");
+            _archive = UpdateTestData.LauncherZip(Rid, "new-launcher");
+            _server.Add("launcher.zip", _archive);
+            _artifact = new ReleaseArtifact(
+                _server.UriFor("launcher.zip"),
+                UpdateTestData.Sha256(_archive),
+                _archive.LongLength);
+            Manager = new LauncherSelfUpdateManager(UpdateTestData.Paths(root), _http);
+        }
+
+        public string Target { get; }
+
+        public string Rid { get; }
+
+        public string LauncherName { get; }
+
+        public string LauncherPath { get; }
+
+        public string SupportPath { get; }
+
+        public LauncherSelfUpdateManager Manager { get; }
+
+        public Task<SelfUpdateStageResult> StageAsync() => Manager.StageAsync(
+            LauncherVersion.Parse("2.0.0"),
+            Rid,
+            _artifact,
+            Target,
+            progress: null,
+            CancellationToken.None);
+
+        public void Dispose()
+        {
+            _http.Dispose();
+            _server.Dispose();
+        }
+    }
+}

tests/AcDream.Launcher.Core.Tests/Updates/LauncherUpdaterIntegrationTests.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,211 @@
+using AcDream.Launcher.Core.Updates;
+using AcDream.Platform;
+
+namespace AcDream.Launcher.Core.Tests.Updates;
+
+public sealed class LauncherUpdaterIntegrationTests : IDisposable
+{
+    private readonly string _root = Path.Combine(
+        Path.GetTempPath(),
+        "acdream-updater-integration-tests",
+        Guid.NewGuid().ToString("N"));
+    private readonly ApplicationPathSet _paths;
+    private readonly string _rid = LauncherRuntimeIdentity.DetectRid();
+
+    public LauncherUpdaterIntegrationTests() => _paths = UpdateTestData.Paths(_root);
+
+    public void Dispose()
+    {
+        if (Directory.Exists(_root))
+        {
+            Directory.Delete(_root, recursive: true);
+        }
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task LocalHttpManifestDownloadExtractPromotionAndNextCheckAreCoherent()
+    {
+        using var server = new LocalHttpFixture();
+        byte[] client = UpdateTestData.ClientZip(_rid, "release-2");
+        byte[] launcher = UpdateTestData.LauncherZip(_rid, "release-2");
+        ConfigureRelease(server, "2.0.0", "1.0.0", _rid, client, launcher);
+        using var http = new HttpClient();
+        using var source = new ReleaseManifestClient(http, server.UriFor("manifest.json"));
+        var versions = new ClientVersionStore(_paths);
+        var updater = new LauncherUpdater(
+            source,
+            http,
+            versions,
+            new LauncherSelfUpdateManager(_paths, http),
+            LauncherVersion.Parse("1.0.0"),
+            _rid,
+            Path.Combine(_root, "launcher"));
+        _ = await updater.InitializeAsync();
+        var progress = new List<LauncherUpdateProgress>();
+
+        LauncherUpdateCheckResult check = await updater.CheckAsync();
+        ClientVersionResolution installed = await updater.InstallClientAsync(
+            check,
+            new ImmediateProgress(progress.Add));
+        LauncherUpdateCheckResult after = await updater.CheckAsync();
+
+        Assert.True(check.IsClientUpdateAvailable);
+        Assert.True(check.IsLauncherUpdateAvailable);
+        Assert.True(check.IsLauncherMinimumSatisfied);
+        Assert.True(installed.IsVerified);
+        Assert.Equal("2.0.0", installed.Version!.Value);
+        Assert.False(after.IsClientUpdateAvailable);
+        Assert.True(after.IsLauncherUpdateAvailable);
+        Assert.Contains(progress, item => item.Phase == LauncherUpdatePhase.DownloadingClient);
+        Assert.Contains(progress, item => item.Phase == LauncherUpdatePhase.ExtractingClient);
+        Assert.Contains(progress, item => item.Phase == LauncherUpdatePhase.ActivatingClient);
+        Assert.Equal(LauncherUpdatePhase.Completed, progress[^1].Phase);
+        Assert.Empty(Directory.EnumerateFiles(
+            versions.AppDirectory,
+            ".client-download-*",
+            SearchOption.TopDirectoryOnly));
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task MinimumLauncherGateAndMissingRidFailBeforePublication()
+    {
+        using var server = new LocalHttpFixture();
+        byte[] client = UpdateTestData.ClientZip(_rid);
+        byte[] launcher = UpdateTestData.LauncherZip(_rid);
+        ConfigureRelease(server, "3.0.0", "2.0.0", _rid, client, launcher);
+        using var http = new HttpClient();
+        using var source = new ReleaseManifestClient(http, server.UriFor("manifest.json"));
+        var versions = new ClientVersionStore(_paths);
+        var updater = new LauncherUpdater(
+            source,
+            http,
+            versions,
+            new LauncherSelfUpdateManager(_paths, http),
+            LauncherVersion.Parse("1.0.0"),
+            _rid,
+            Path.Combine(_root, "launcher"));
+        _ = await updater.InitializeAsync();
+
+        LauncherUpdateCheckResult check = await updater.CheckAsync();
+        Assert.False(check.IsLauncherMinimumSatisfied);
+        await Assert.ThrowsAsync<LauncherUpdateException>(() =>
+            updater.InstallClientAsync(check));
+        Assert.False(File.Exists(versions.CurrentPointerPath));
+
+        string otherRid = _rid == "win-x64" ? "linux-x64" : "win-x64";
+        ConfigureRelease(server, "3.0.0", "1.0.0", otherRid,
+            UpdateTestData.ClientZip(otherRid), UpdateTestData.LauncherZip(otherRid));
+        LauncherUpdateException missingRid = await Assert.ThrowsAsync<LauncherUpdateException>(
+            () => updater.CheckAsync());
+        Assert.Contains(_rid, missingRid.Message, StringComparison.Ordinal);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task RunningPredicateAndCrossProcessBarrierRefuseUpdateWithoutNetworkMutation()
+    {
+        using var server = new LocalHttpFixture();
+        byte[] client = UpdateTestData.ClientZip(_rid);
+        byte[] launcher = UpdateTestData.LauncherZip(_rid);
+        ConfigureRelease(server, "2.0.0", "1.0.0", _rid, client, launcher);
+        using var http = new HttpClient();
+        using var source = new ReleaseManifestClient(http, server.UriFor("manifest.json"));
+        var versions = new ClientVersionStore(_paths);
+        bool running = true;
+        var updater = new LauncherUpdater(
+            source,
+            http,
+            versions,
+            new LauncherSelfUpdateManager(_paths, http),
+            LauncherVersion.Parse("1.0.0"),
+            _rid,
+            Path.Combine(_root, "launcher"),
+            () => running);
+        _ = await updater.InitializeAsync();
+        LauncherUpdateCheckResult check = await updater.CheckAsync();
+
+        LauncherUpdateException local = await Assert.ThrowsAsync<LauncherUpdateException>(() =>
+            updater.InstallClientAsync(check));
+        Assert.Contains("Stop every", local.Message, StringComparison.Ordinal);
+        Assert.False(File.Exists(versions.CurrentPointerPath));
+
+        running = false;
+        using UpdateSessionBarrier.SessionLease session = versions.Barrier.AcquireSession();
+        LauncherUpdateException shared = await Assert.ThrowsAsync<LauncherUpdateException>(() =>
+            updater.InstallClientAsync(check));
+        Assert.Contains("session", shared.Message, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
+        Assert.False(File.Exists(versions.CurrentPointerPath));
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task CancelledSlowClientDownloadLeavesNoPointerOrStaging()
+    {
+        using var server = new LocalHttpFixture();
+        byte[] client = UpdateTestData.ClientZip(_rid, new string('x', 1_000_000));
+        byte[] launcher = UpdateTestData.LauncherZip(_rid);
+        server.Add("client.zip", client, chunkSize: 1024, chunkDelay: TimeSpan.FromMilliseconds(2));
+        server.Add("launcher.zip", launcher);
+        server.Add(
+            "manifest.json",
+            UpdateTestData.Manifest(
+                "2.0.0",
+                "1.0.0",
+                _rid,
+                server.UriFor("client.zip"),
+                client,
+                server.UriFor("launcher.zip"),
+                launcher),
+            contentType: "application/json");
+        using var http = new HttpClient();
+        using var source = new ReleaseManifestClient(http, server.UriFor("manifest.json"));
+        var versions = new ClientVersionStore(_paths);
+        var updater = new LauncherUpdater(
+            source,
+            http,
+            versions,
+            new LauncherSelfUpdateManager(_paths, http),
+            LauncherVersion.Parse("1.0.0"),
+            _rid,
+            Path.Combine(_root, "launcher"));
+        _ = await updater.InitializeAsync();
+        LauncherUpdateCheckResult check = await updater.CheckAsync();
+        using var cancellation = new CancellationTokenSource(TimeSpan.FromMilliseconds(30));
+
+        await Assert.ThrowsAnyAsync<OperationCanceledException>(() =>
+            updater.InstallClientAsync(check, cancellationToken: cancellation.Token));
+
+        Assert.False(File.Exists(versions.CurrentPointerPath));
+        Assert.Empty(Directory.EnumerateFileSystemEntries(
+            versions.AppDirectory,
+            ".client-*",
+            SearchOption.TopDirectoryOnly));
+    }
+
+    private static void ConfigureRelease(
+        LocalHttpFixture server,
+        string version,
+        string minimum,
+        string rid,
+        byte[] client,
+        byte[] launcher)
+    {
+        server.Add("client.zip", client);
+        server.Add("launcher.zip", launcher);
+        server.Add(
+            "manifest.json",
+            UpdateTestData.Manifest(
+                version,
+                minimum,
+                rid,
+                server.UriFor("client.zip"),
+                client,
+                server.UriFor("launcher.zip"),
+                launcher),
+            contentType: "application/json");
+    }
+
+    private sealed class ImmediateProgress(Action<LauncherUpdateProgress> callback)
+        : IProgress<LauncherUpdateProgress>
+    {
+        public void Report(LauncherUpdateProgress value) => callback(value);
+    }
+}

tests/AcDream.Launcher.Core.Tests/Updates/ReleaseTransportTests.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,219 @@
+using System.Text;
+using AcDream.Launcher.Core.Updates;
+
+namespace AcDream.Launcher.Core.Tests.Updates;
+
+public sealed class LauncherVersionTests
+{
+    [Theory]
+    [InlineData("1.0.0-alpha", "1.0.0-alpha.1")]
+    [InlineData("1.0.0-alpha.1", "1.0.0-alpha.beta")]
+    [InlineData("1.0.0-beta.11", "1.0.0-rc.1")]
+    [InlineData("1.0.0-rc.1", "1.0.0")]
+    [InlineData("1.9.999999999999999999999", "1.10.0")]
+    [InlineData("999999999999999999999.0.0", "1000000000000000000000.0.0")]
+    public void StrictSemVerOrdersWithoutNumericOverflow(string lower, string higher)
+    {
+        LauncherVersion left = LauncherVersion.Parse(lower);
+        LauncherVersion right = LauncherVersion.Parse(higher);
+
+        Assert.True(left < right);
+        Assert.True(right > left);
+        Assert.Equal(0, LauncherVersion.Parse(higher + "+build.7").CompareTo(right));
+    }
+
+    [Theory]
+    [InlineData("")]
+    [InlineData(" 1.0.0")]
+    [InlineData("1.0")]
+    [InlineData("01.0.0")]
+    [InlineData("1.0.0-01")]
+    [InlineData("1.0.0-")]
+    [InlineData("1.0.0+")]
+    [InlineData("v1.0.0")]
+    public void StrictSemVerRejectsAmbiguousVersions(string value) =>
+        Assert.False(LauncherVersion.TryParse(value, out _));
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void StrictSemVerIsBoundedAgainstManifestPathAmplification() =>
+        Assert.False(LauncherVersion.TryParse(
+            "1.0.0+" + new string('a', 129),
+            out _));
+}
+
+public sealed class ReleaseManifestClientTests
+{
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task FetchesStrictManifestFromLoopbackAndPinsProductionFeed()
+    {
+        using var server = new LocalHttpFixture();
+        byte[] client = UpdateTestData.ClientZip("win-x64");
+        byte[] launcher = UpdateTestData.LauncherZip("win-x64");
+        server.Add("client.zip", client);
+        server.Add("launcher.zip", launcher);
+        server.Add(
+            "manifest.json",
+            UpdateTestData.Manifest(
+                "2.1.0",
+                "1.5.0",
+                "win-x64",
+                server.UriFor("client.zip"),
+                client,
+                server.UriFor("launcher.zip"),
+                launcher),
+            contentType: "application/json");
+        using var http = new HttpClient();
+        using var source = new ReleaseManifestClient(http, server.UriFor("manifest.json"));
+
+        ReleaseManifest manifest = await source.FetchAsync();
+
+        Assert.Equal("2.1.0", manifest.Version.Value);
+        Assert.Equal(client.LongLength, manifest.RequireClient("win-x64").Size);
+        Assert.Equal("eriknihlen", ReleaseManifestClient.GitHubOwner);
+        Assert.Equal("acdream", ReleaseManifestClient.GitHubRepository);
+        Assert.Equal(
+            "https://github.com/eriknihlen/acdream/releases/latest/download/manifest.json",
+            ReleaseManifestClient.ProductionManifestUri.AbsoluteUri);
+    }
+
+    [Theory]
+    [MemberData(nameof(InvalidManifests))]
+    public void RejectsWrongVersionRidHashSizeMinimumAndUnknownOrDuplicateFields(
+        string json)
+    {
+        Assert.Throws<LauncherUpdateException>(() =>
+            ReleaseManifestClient.Parse(Encoding.UTF8.GetBytes(json)));
+    }
+
+    public static TheoryData<string> InvalidManifests => new()
+    {
+        "{}",
+        ValidJson().Replace("\"schemaVersion\":1", "\"schemaVersion\":2"),
+        ValidJson().Replace("\"version\":\"2.0.0\"", "\"version\":\"02.0.0\""),
+        ValidJson().Replace("\"minimumLauncherVersion\":\"1.0.0\"", "\"minimumLauncherVersion\":\"3.0.0\""),
+        ValidJson().Replace("win-x64", "WIN_X64"),
+        ValidJson().Replace(new string('a', 64), "1234"),
+        ValidJson().Replace("\"size\":12", "\"size\":0"),
+        ValidJson().Replace("\"size\":12", "\"size\":12,\"extra\":true"),
+        ValidJson().Replace("\"version\":\"2.0.0\"", "\"version\":\"2.0.0\",\"version\":\"2.0.1\""),
+        ValidJson().Replace("http://127.0.0.1", "http://example.test"),
+    };
+
+    private static string ValidJson() =>
+        "{\"schemaVersion\":1,\"version\":\"2.0.0\","
+        + "\"minimumLauncherVersion\":\"1.0.0\","
+        + "\"clients\":{\"win-x64\":{\"url\":\"http://127.0.0.1/client\","
+        + $"\"sha256\":\"{new string('a', 64)}\",\"size\":12}},"
+        + "\"launchers\":{\"win-x64\":{\"url\":\"https://example.test/launcher\","
+        + $"\"sha256\":\"{new string('b', 64)}\",\"size\":12}}}}";
+}
+
+public sealed class VerifiedArtifactDownloaderTests : IDisposable
+{
+    private readonly string _root = Path.Combine(
+        Path.GetTempPath(),
+        "acdream-download-tests",
+        Guid.NewGuid().ToString("N"));
+
+    public void Dispose()
+    {
+        if (Directory.Exists(_root))
+        {
+            Directory.Delete(_root, recursive: true);
+        }
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task StreamsToStagingWithProgressAndExactDigest()
+    {
+        using var server = new LocalHttpFixture();
+        byte[] bytes = Enumerable.Range(0, 200_000).Select(value => (byte)value).ToArray();
+        server.Add("artifact", bytes, chunkSize: 4096);
+        using var http = new HttpClient();
+        var downloader = new VerifiedArtifactDownloader(http);
+        var progress = new List<ArtifactDownloadProgress>();
+        string destination = Path.Combine(_root, "artifact.zip");
+
+        VerifiedArtifactDownload result = await downloader.DownloadAsync(
+            new ReleaseArtifact(server.UriFor("artifact"), UpdateTestData.Sha256(bytes), bytes.LongLength),
+            destination,
+            new ImmediateProgress(progress.Add));
+
+        Assert.Equal(bytes.LongLength, result.Size);
+        Assert.Equal(UpdateTestData.Sha256(bytes), result.Sha256);
+        Assert.Equal(bytes, await File.ReadAllBytesAsync(destination));
+        Assert.Equal(0, progress[0].BytesReceived);
+        Assert.Equal(bytes.LongLength, progress[^1].BytesReceived);
+    }
+
+    [Theory]
+    [InlineData("short")]
+    [InlineData("header")]
+    [InlineData("hash")]
+    public async Task WrongSizeHeaderPartialBodyAndHashDeleteStaging(string failure)
+    {
+        using var server = new LocalHttpFixture();
+        byte[] bytes = Encoding.UTF8.GetBytes("verified bytes");
+        long expected = failure == "short" ? bytes.Length + 5 : bytes.Length;
+        long declared = failure == "header" ? bytes.Length + 1 : expected;
+        server.Add("artifact", bytes, declaredLength: declared);
+        using var http = new HttpClient();
+        var downloader = new VerifiedArtifactDownloader(http);
+        string destination = Path.Combine(_root, failure + ".zip");
+        string hash = failure == "hash" ? new string('0', 64) : UpdateTestData.Sha256(bytes);
+
+        await Assert.ThrowsAsync<LauncherUpdateException>(() => downloader.DownloadAsync(
+            new ReleaseArtifact(server.UriFor("artifact"), hash, expected),
+            destination));
+
+        Assert.False(File.Exists(destination));
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task CancellationDeletesPartialStaging()
+    {
+        using var server = new LocalHttpFixture();
+        byte[] bytes = new byte[2 * 1024 * 1024];
+        Random.Shared.NextBytes(bytes);
+        server.Add("slow", bytes, chunkSize: 1024, chunkDelay: TimeSpan.FromMilliseconds(3));
+        using var http = new HttpClient();
+        var downloader = new VerifiedArtifactDownloader(http);
+        string destination = Path.Combine(_root, "cancel.zip");
+        using var cancel = new CancellationTokenSource(TimeSpan.FromMilliseconds(40));
+
+        await Assert.ThrowsAnyAsync<OperationCanceledException>(() => downloader.DownloadAsync(
+            new ReleaseArtifact(server.UriFor("slow"), UpdateTestData.Sha256(bytes), bytes.LongLength),
+            destination,
+            cancellationToken: cancel.Token));
+
+        Assert.False(File.Exists(destination));
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task RefusesAndPreservesPreExistingCallerFile()
+    {
+        using var server = new LocalHttpFixture();
+        byte[] bytes = Encoding.UTF8.GetBytes("network");
+        server.Add("artifact", bytes);
+        using var http = new HttpClient();
+        var downloader = new VerifiedArtifactDownloader(http);
+        string destination = Path.Combine(_root, "already-owned.zip");
+        Directory.CreateDirectory(_root);
+        await File.WriteAllTextAsync(destination, "preserve");
+
+        await Assert.ThrowsAsync<LauncherUpdateException>(() => downloader.DownloadAsync(
+            new ReleaseArtifact(
+                server.UriFor("artifact"),
+                UpdateTestData.Sha256(bytes),
+                bytes.LongLength),
+            destination));
+
+        Assert.Equal("preserve", await File.ReadAllTextAsync(destination));
+    }
+
+    private sealed class ImmediateProgress(Action<ArtifactDownloadProgress> callback)
+        : IProgress<ArtifactDownloadProgress>
+    {
+        public void Report(ArtifactDownloadProgress value) => callback(value);
+    }
+}

tests/AcDream.Launcher.Core.Tests/Updates/SafeZipExtractorTests.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,186 @@
+using System.IO.Compression;
+using System.Text;
+using AcDream.Launcher.Core.Updates;
+
+namespace AcDream.Launcher.Core.Tests.Updates;
+
+public sealed class SafeZipExtractorTests : IDisposable
+{
+    private readonly string _root = Path.Combine(
+        Path.GetTempPath(),
+        "acdream-safe-zip-tests",
+        Guid.NewGuid().ToString("N"));
+
+    public void Dispose()
+    {
+        if (Directory.Exists(_root))
+        {
+            Directory.Delete(_root, recursive: true);
+        }
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task ExtractsPortableTreeWithHashesAndExecutableMode()
+    {
+        byte[] archive = UpdateTestData.CreateZip(
+        [
+            ("bin/", [], 0x41ED),
+            ("bin/client", Encoding.UTF8.GetBytes("client"), 0x81ED),
+            ("data/value.txt", Encoding.UTF8.GetBytes("value"), 0x81A4),
+        ]);
+        string zip = WriteArchive("valid.zip", archive);
+        string destination = Path.Combine(_root, "valid");
+
+        IReadOnlyList<ExtractedFileRecord> files = await new SafeZipExtractor()
+            .ExtractAsync(zip, destination);
+
+        Assert.Equal(["bin/client", "data/value.txt"], files.Select(file => file.Path));
+        Assert.Equal(0x1ED, files[0].UnixMode);
+        Assert.Equal(UpdateTestData.Sha256(Encoding.UTF8.GetBytes("client")), files[0].Sha256);
+        Assert.Equal("value", await File.ReadAllTextAsync(Path.Combine(destination, "data", "value.txt")));
+    }
+
+    [Theory]
+    [InlineData("../escape")]
+    [InlineData("a/../../escape")]
+    [InlineData("/rooted")]
+    [InlineData("C:/drive")]
+    [InlineData("file:stream")]
+    [InlineData("a//b")]
+    [InlineData("a/./b")]
+    [InlineData("CON")]
+    [InlineData("aux.txt")]
+    [InlineData("trailing.")]
+    [InlineData("trailing ")]
+    public async Task RejectsTraversalRootedAdsAndPortableUnsafeNames(string entry)
+    {
+        string zip = WriteArchive(
+            "unsafe-" + Guid.NewGuid().ToString("N") + ".zip",
+            UpdateTestData.CreateZip([(entry, Encoding.UTF8.GetBytes("bad"), 0x81A4)]));
+        string destination = Path.Combine(_root, "unsafe-" + Guid.NewGuid().ToString("N"));
+
+        await Assert.ThrowsAsync<LauncherUpdateException>(() =>
+            new SafeZipExtractor().ExtractAsync(zip, destination));
+
+        Assert.False(Directory.Exists(destination));
+        Assert.False(File.Exists(Path.Combine(_root, "escape")));
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task RejectsDuplicateCaseAndFileDirectoryCollisionsBeforeExtraction()
+    {
+        byte[][] archives =
+        [
+            UpdateTestData.CreateZip(
+            [
+                ("Readme.txt", Encoding.UTF8.GetBytes("a"), 0x81A4),
+                ("README.TXT", Encoding.UTF8.GetBytes("b"), 0x81A4),
+            ]),
+            UpdateTestData.CreateZip(
+            [
+                ("node", Encoding.UTF8.GetBytes("file"), 0x81A4),
+                ("node/child", Encoding.UTF8.GetBytes("child"), 0x81A4),
+            ]),
+            UpdateTestData.CreateZip(
+            [
+                ("Folder/one", Encoding.UTF8.GetBytes("one"), 0x81A4),
+                ("folder/two", Encoding.UTF8.GetBytes("two"), 0x81A4),
+            ]),
+        ];
+
+        foreach (byte[] archive in archives)
+        {
+            string id = Guid.NewGuid().ToString("N");
+            string zip = WriteArchive(id + ".zip", archive);
+            string destination = Path.Combine(_root, id);
+            await Assert.ThrowsAsync<LauncherUpdateException>(() =>
+                new SafeZipExtractor().ExtractAsync(zip, destination));
+            Assert.False(Directory.Exists(destination));
+        }
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task RejectsSymlinkAndReparseMetadata()
+    {
+        byte[] symlink = UpdateTestData.CreateZip(
+            [("link", Encoding.UTF8.GetBytes("../../outside"), 0xA1FF)]);
+        string zip = WriteArchive("symlink.zip", symlink);
+        string destination = Path.Combine(_root, "symlink");
+
+        LauncherUpdateException error = await Assert.ThrowsAsync<LauncherUpdateException>(
+            () => new SafeZipExtractor().ExtractAsync(zip, destination));
+
+        Assert.Contains("symlink", error.Message, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
+        Assert.False(Directory.Exists(destination));
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task RejectsEntryCountSizeTotalAndCompressionRatioBombs()
+    {
+        var cases = new (byte[] Archive, SafeZipExtractionLimits Limits)[]
+        {
+            (
+                UpdateTestData.CreateZip(
+                [
+                    ("one", [1], 0x81A4),
+                    ("two", [2], 0x81A4),
+                ]),
+                new SafeZipExtractionLimits(MaximumEntries: 1)),
+            (
+                UpdateTestData.CreateZip([("large", new byte[8], 0x81A4)]),
+                new SafeZipExtractionLimits(MaximumEntryBytes: 7)),
+            (
+                UpdateTestData.CreateZip(
+                [
+                    ("one", new byte[6], 0x81A4),
+                    ("two", new byte[6], 0x81A4),
+                ]),
+                new SafeZipExtractionLimits(MaximumTotalBytes: 10)),
+            (
+                UpdateTestData.CreateZip(
+                    [("ratio", new byte[64 * 1024], 0x81A4)],
+                    CompressionLevel.SmallestSize),
+                new SafeZipExtractionLimits(MaximumCompressionRatio: 2)),
+        };
+
+        foreach ((byte[] archive, SafeZipExtractionLimits limits) in cases)
+        {
+            string id = Guid.NewGuid().ToString("N");
+            string zip = WriteArchive(id + ".zip", archive);
+            string destination = Path.Combine(_root, id);
+            await Assert.ThrowsAsync<LauncherUpdateException>(() =>
+                new SafeZipExtractor(limits).ExtractAsync(zip, destination));
+            Assert.False(Directory.Exists(destination));
+        }
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task ExistingNonEmptyDestinationAndCancellationNeverPublishPartialTree()
+    {
+        string zip = WriteArchive(
+            "cancel.zip",
+            UpdateTestData.CreateZip([("large", new byte[1024 * 1024], 0x81A4)]));
+        string nonEmpty = Path.Combine(_root, "nonempty");
+        Directory.CreateDirectory(nonEmpty);
+        await File.WriteAllTextAsync(Path.Combine(nonEmpty, "owner"), "preserve");
+
+        await Assert.ThrowsAsync<LauncherUpdateException>(() =>
+            new SafeZipExtractor().ExtractAsync(zip, nonEmpty));
+        Assert.Equal("preserve", await File.ReadAllTextAsync(Path.Combine(nonEmpty, "owner")));
+
+        string cancelled = Path.Combine(_root, "cancelled");
+        using var cancellation = new CancellationTokenSource();
+        cancellation.Cancel();
+        await Assert.ThrowsAnyAsync<OperationCanceledException>(() =>
+            new SafeZipExtractor().ExtractAsync(zip, cancelled, cancellation.Token));
+        Assert.False(Directory.Exists(cancelled));
+    }
+
+    private string WriteArchive(string name, byte[] content)
+    {
+        Directory.CreateDirectory(_root);
+        string path = Path.Combine(_root, name);
+        File.WriteAllBytes(path, content);
+        return path;
+    }
+}

tests/AcDream.Launcher.Core.Tests/Updates/UpdateSessionBarrierTests.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,147 @@
+using System.Diagnostics;
+using AcDream.Launcher.Core.Updates;
+
+namespace AcDream.Launcher.Core.Tests.Updates;
+
+public sealed class UpdateSessionBarrierTests : IDisposable
+{
+    private readonly string _root = Path.Combine(
+        Path.GetTempPath(),
+        "acdream-update-lease-tests",
+        Guid.NewGuid().ToString("N"));
+
+    public void Dispose()
+    {
+        if (Directory.Exists(_root))
+        {
+            Directory.Delete(_root, recursive: true);
+        }
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void SharedSessionsCoexistAndExcludeUpdateTransactions()
+    {
+        var barrier = new UpdateSessionBarrier(_root);
+        using UpdateSessionBarrier.SessionLease first = barrier.AcquireSession();
+        using UpdateSessionBarrier.SessionLease second = barrier.AcquireSession();
+
+        LauncherUpdateException blocked = Assert.Throws<LauncherUpdateException>(
+            barrier.AcquireExclusive);
+
+        Assert.Contains("session", blocked.Message, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void ExclusiveUpdaterExcludesSessionsAndConcurrentUpdater()
+    {
+        var barrier = new UpdateSessionBarrier(_root);
+        using UpdateSessionBarrier.ExclusiveLease update = barrier.AcquireExclusive();
+
+        Assert.Throws<LauncherUpdateException>(barrier.AcquireSession);
+        Assert.Throws<LauncherUpdateException>(barrier.AcquireExclusive);
+    }
+
+    [Theory]
+    [InlineData("session")]
+    [InlineData("exclusive")]
+    public async Task CrossProcessLeaseRefusesRacingLauncherAndReleasesCleanly(string mode)
+    {
+        string ready = Path.Combine(_root, mode + ".ready");
+        string release = Path.Combine(_root, mode + ".release");
+        Directory.CreateDirectory(_root);
+        string fixture = GetFixturePath();
+        Assert.True(File.Exists(fixture), $"Missing fixture: {fixture}");
+        var startInfo = new ProcessStartInfo("dotnet")
+        {
+            UseShellExecute = false,
+            RedirectStandardError = true,
+            RedirectStandardOutput = true,
+        };
+        startInfo.ArgumentList.Add(fixture);
+        startInfo.ArgumentList.Add("hold-update-lease");
+        startInfo.ArgumentList.Add(mode);
+        startInfo.ArgumentList.Add(_root);
+        startInfo.ArgumentList.Add(ready);
+        startInfo.ArgumentList.Add(release);
+        using Process holder = Process.Start(startInfo)
+            ?? throw new InvalidOperationException("Could not start update lease fixture.");
+        try
+        {
+            await WaitForFileAsync(ready, holder);
+            var barrier = new UpdateSessionBarrier(_root);
+            Assert.Throws<LauncherUpdateException>(barrier.AcquireExclusive);
+            if (mode == "session")
+            {
+                using UpdateSessionBarrier.SessionLease peer = barrier.AcquireSession();
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                Assert.Throws<LauncherUpdateException>(barrier.AcquireSession);
+            }
+
+            await File.WriteAllTextAsync(release, "release");
+            await holder.WaitForExitAsync().WaitAsync(TimeSpan.FromSeconds(10));
+            Assert.Equal(0, holder.ExitCode);
+            using UpdateSessionBarrier.ExclusiveLease after = barrier.AcquireExclusive();
+        }
+        finally
+        {
+            if (!holder.HasExited)
+            {
+                holder.Kill(entireProcessTree: true);
+                await holder.WaitForExitAsync().WaitAsync(TimeSpan.FromSeconds(10));
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    private static async Task WaitForFileAsync(string path, Process process)
+    {
+        DateTimeOffset deadline = DateTimeOffset.UtcNow + TimeSpan.FromSeconds(10);
+        while (!File.Exists(path))
+        {
+            if (process.HasExited)
+            {
+                throw new InvalidOperationException(
+                    $"Lease fixture exited early with {process.ExitCode}: "
+                    + await process.StandardError.ReadToEndAsync());
+            }
+
+            if (DateTimeOffset.UtcNow >= deadline)
+            {
+                throw new TimeoutException("Lease fixture did not become ready.");
+            }
+
+            await Task.Delay(20);
+        }
+    }
+
+    private static string GetFixturePath()
+    {
+        string root = FindRepositoryRoot();
+        string configuration = new DirectoryInfo(AppContext.BaseDirectory)
+            .Parent?.Name ?? "Release";
+        return Path.Combine(
+            root,
+            "tests",
+            "AcDream.Launcher.Core.Tests.Fixtures.InstallLeaseHolder",
+            "bin",
+            configuration,
+            "net10.0",
+            "AcDream.Launcher.Core.Tests.Fixtures.InstallLeaseHolder.dll");
+    }
+
+    private static string FindRepositoryRoot()
+    {
+        for (var directory = new DirectoryInfo(AppContext.BaseDirectory);
+             directory is not null;
+             directory = directory.Parent)
+        {
+            if (File.Exists(Path.Combine(directory.FullName, "AcDream.slnx")))
+            {
+                return directory.FullName;
+            }
+        }
+
+        throw new InvalidOperationException("Repository root was not found.");
+    }
+}

tests/AcDream.Launcher.Core.Tests/Updates/UpdateTestSupport.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,270 @@
+using System.IO.Compression;
+using System.Net;
+using System.Net.Sockets;
+using System.Security.Cryptography;
+using System.Text;
+using System.Text.Json;
+using AcDream.Platform;
+
+namespace AcDream.Launcher.Core.Tests.Updates;
+
+internal sealed class LocalHttpFixture : IDisposable
+{
+    private readonly TcpListener _listener = new(IPAddress.Loopback, 0);
+    private readonly CancellationTokenSource _stop = new();
+    private readonly Dictionary<string, Response> _responses =
+        new(StringComparer.Ordinal);
+    private readonly Task _server;
+
+    public LocalHttpFixture()
+    {
+        _listener.Start();
+        int port = ((IPEndPoint)_listener.LocalEndpoint).Port;
+        BaseUri = new Uri($"http://127.0.0.1:{port}/", UriKind.Absolute);
+        _server = ServeAsync();
+    }
+
+    public Uri BaseUri { get; }
+
+    public Uri UriFor(string relative) => new(BaseUri, relative.TrimStart('/'));
+
+    public void Add(
+        string path,
+        byte[] body,
+        long? declaredLength = null,
+        int chunkSize = int.MaxValue,
+        TimeSpan? chunkDelay = null,
+        string contentType = "application/octet-stream")
+    {
+        _responses[NormalizePath(path)] = new Response(
+            body,
+            declaredLength ?? body.LongLength,
+            chunkSize,
+            chunkDelay ?? TimeSpan.Zero,
+            contentType);
+    }
+
+    public void Dispose()
+    {
+        _stop.Cancel();
+        _listener.Stop();
+        try
+        {
+            _server.Wait(TimeSpan.FromSeconds(2));
+        }
+        catch (AggregateException)
+        {
+            // Listener cancellation is the expected shutdown path.
+        }
+
+        _stop.Dispose();
+    }
+
+    private async Task ServeAsync()
+    {
+        while (!_stop.IsCancellationRequested)
+        {
+            TcpClient client;
+            try
+            {
+                client = await _listener.AcceptTcpClientAsync(_stop.Token);
+            }
+            catch (OperationCanceledException)
+            {
+                return;
+            }
+            catch (ObjectDisposedException)
+            {
+                return;
+            }
+            catch (SocketException) when (_stop.IsCancellationRequested)
+            {
+                return;
+            }
+
+            _ = Task.Run(() => RespondAsync(client), CancellationToken.None);
+        }
+    }
+
+    private async Task RespondAsync(TcpClient client)
+    {
+        using (client)
+        {
+            try
+            {
+                NetworkStream stream = client.GetStream();
+                using var reader = new StreamReader(
+                    stream,
+                    Encoding.ASCII,
+                    detectEncodingFromByteOrderMarks: false,
+                    bufferSize: 4096,
+                    leaveOpen: true);
+                string? request = await reader.ReadLineAsync(_stop.Token);
+                while (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(await reader.ReadLineAsync(_stop.Token)))
+                {
+                }
+
+                string path = request?.Split(' ', StringSplitOptions.RemoveEmptyEntries)
+                    .ElementAtOrDefault(1) ?? "/";
+                if (!_responses.TryGetValue(NormalizePath(path), out Response? response))
+                {
+                    await WriteHeaderAsync(stream, 404, 0, "text/plain");
+                    return;
+                }
+
+                await WriteHeaderAsync(
+                    stream,
+                    200,
+                    response.DeclaredLength,
+                    response.ContentType);
+                int offset = 0;
+                while (offset < response.Body.Length)
+                {
+                    int count = Math.Min(response.ChunkSize, response.Body.Length - offset);
+                    await stream.WriteAsync(
+                        response.Body.AsMemory(offset, count),
+                        _stop.Token);
+                    await stream.FlushAsync(_stop.Token);
+                    offset += count;
+                    if (offset < response.Body.Length && response.ChunkDelay > TimeSpan.Zero)
+                    {
+                        await Task.Delay(response.ChunkDelay, _stop.Token);
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+            catch (Exception ex) when (ex is IOException
+                                       or OperationCanceledException
+                                       or ObjectDisposedException
+                                       or SocketException)
+            {
+                // The downloader cancellation/early-refusal tests close the socket.
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    private static async Task WriteHeaderAsync(
+        Stream stream,
+        int status,
+        long length,
+        string contentType)
+    {
+        string reason = status == 200 ? "OK" : "Not Found";
+        byte[] header = Encoding.ASCII.GetBytes(
+            $"HTTP/1.1 {status} {reason}\r\n"
+            + $"Content-Length: {length}\r\n"
+            + $"Content-Type: {contentType}\r\n"
+            + "Connection: close\r\n\r\n");
+        await stream.WriteAsync(header);
+        await stream.FlushAsync();
+    }
+
+    private static string NormalizePath(string path)
+    {
+        int query = path.IndexOf('?', StringComparison.Ordinal);
+        string withoutQuery = query < 0 ? path : path[..query];
+        return "/" + withoutQuery.TrimStart('/');
+    }
+
+    private sealed record Response(
+        byte[] Body,
+        long DeclaredLength,
+        int ChunkSize,
+        TimeSpan ChunkDelay,
+        string ContentType);
+}
+
+internal static class UpdateTestData
+{
+    public static ApplicationPathSet Paths(string root) => new(
+        Path.Combine(root, "config"),
+        Path.Combine(root, "data"),
+        Path.Combine(root, "cache"),
+        null);
+
+    public static byte[] CreateZip(
+        IEnumerable<(string Name, byte[] Content, int? UnixAttributes)> entries,
+        CompressionLevel compression = CompressionLevel.NoCompression)
+    {
+        using var output = new MemoryStream();
+        using (var archive = new ZipArchive(output, ZipArchiveMode.Create, leaveOpen: true))
+        {
+            foreach ((string name, byte[] content, int? unixAttributes) in entries)
+            {
+                ZipArchiveEntry entry = archive.CreateEntry(name, compression);
+                if (unixAttributes is int attributes)
+                {
+                    entry.ExternalAttributes = attributes << 16;
+                }
+
+                if (!name.EndsWith("/", StringComparison.Ordinal))
+                {
+                    using Stream stream = entry.Open();
+                    stream.Write(content);
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        return output.ToArray();
+    }
+
+    public static byte[] ClientZip(string rid, string marker = "client")
+    {
+        string suffix = rid.StartsWith("win-", StringComparison.Ordinal) ? ".exe" : string.Empty;
+        const int executable = 0x81ED;
+        return CreateZip(
+        [
+            ($"AcDream.App{suffix}", Encoding.UTF8.GetBytes(marker + "-gui"), executable),
+            ($"acdream-headless{suffix}", Encoding.UTF8.GetBytes(marker + "-headless"), executable),
+            ("assets/readme.txt", Encoding.UTF8.GetBytes(marker), 0x81A4),
+        ]);
+    }
+
+    public static byte[] LauncherZip(string rid, string marker = "launcher")
+    {
+        string suffix = rid.StartsWith("win-", StringComparison.Ordinal) ? ".exe" : string.Empty;
+        return CreateZip(
+        [
+            ($"acdream-launcher{suffix}", Encoding.UTF8.GetBytes(marker), 0x81ED),
+            ("support.dat", Encoding.UTF8.GetBytes("support-" + marker), 0x81A4),
+        ]);
+    }
+
+    public static string Sha256(byte[] bytes) =>
+        Convert.ToHexStringLower(SHA256.HashData(bytes));
+
+    public static byte[] Manifest(
+        string version,
+        string minimum,
+        string rid,
+        Uri clientUri,
+        byte[] client,
+        Uri launcherUri,
+        byte[] launcher)
+    {
+        var value = new
+        {
+            schemaVersion = 1,
+            version,
+            minimumLauncherVersion = minimum,
+            clients = new Dictionary<string, object>
+            {
+                [rid] = new
+                {
+                    url = clientUri.AbsoluteUri,
+                    sha256 = Sha256(client),
+                    size = client.LongLength,
+                },
+            },
+            launchers = new Dictionary<string, object>
+            {
+                [rid] = new
+                {
+                    url = launcherUri.AbsoluteUri,
+                    sha256 = Sha256(launcher),
+                    size = launcher.LongLength,
+                },
+            },
+        };
+        return JsonSerializer.SerializeToUtf8Bytes(value);
+    }
+}

tests/AcDream.Launcher.Tests/LauncherUpdateViewModelTests.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,292 @@
+using AcDream.Launcher.Core.Updates;
+using AcDream.Launcher.ViewModels;
+
+namespace AcDream.Launcher.Tests;
+
+public sealed class LauncherUpdateViewModelTests
+{
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task StartupPollingIsOfflineTolerantAndDoesNotOpenErrorModal()
+    {
+        var updater = new FakeUpdater
+        {
+            CheckHandler = _ => Task.FromException<LauncherUpdateCheckResult>(
+                new LauncherUpdateException("fixture offline")),
+        };
+        using var viewModel = Create(updater);
+
+        await viewModel.StartupCheckAsync();
+
+        Assert.False(viewModel.IsOpen);
+        Assert.False(viewModel.HasError);
+        Assert.Contains("continuing offline", viewModel.Status, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
+        Assert.Equal(LauncherUpdatePhase.Failed, viewModel.Phase);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task StartupUpdateOpensModalAndClientInstallProjectsProgressAndRefreshesVersions()
+    {
+        var updater = new FakeUpdater();
+        int changed = 0;
+        using var viewModel = Create(updater, () => changed++);
+
+        await viewModel.StartupCheckAsync();
+
+        Assert.True(viewModel.IsOpen);
+        Assert.Equal("2.0.0", viewModel.AvailableVersion);
+        Assert.Equal("1.0.0", viewModel.CurrentClientVersion);
+        Assert.True(viewModel.InstallClientCommand.CanExecute(null));
+        await viewModel.InstallClientCommand.ExecuteAsync();
+
+        Assert.Equal(1, updater.InstallCalls);
+        Assert.Equal(1, changed);
+        Assert.Equal("2.0.0", viewModel.CurrentClientVersion);
+        Assert.False(viewModel.IsClientUpdateAvailable);
+        Assert.Equal(100, viewModel.ProgressPercent);
+        Assert.False(viewModel.HasError);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task ManualCheckShowsErrorsAndCanRetrySuccessfully()
+    {
+        var updater = new FakeUpdater();
+        int calls = 0;
+        updater.CheckHandler = _ => ++calls == 1
+            ? Task.FromException<LauncherUpdateCheckResult>(
+                new LauncherUpdateException("malformed fixture manifest"))
+            : Task.FromResult(updater.CreateCheck());
+        using var viewModel = Create(updater);
+
+        await viewModel.OpenCommand.ExecuteAsync();
+
+        Assert.True(viewModel.IsOpen);
+        Assert.True(viewModel.HasError);
+        Assert.Contains("malformed", viewModel.Error, StringComparison.Ordinal);
+        await viewModel.CheckCommand.ExecuteAsync();
+        Assert.False(viewModel.HasError);
+        Assert.Equal(2, calls);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task MinimumLauncherGateDisablesClientButAllowsVerifiedSelfUpdateStage()
+    {
+        var updater = new FakeUpdater
+        {
+            MinimumSatisfied = false,
+        };
+        using var viewModel = Create(updater);
+
+        await viewModel.OpenCommand.ExecuteAsync();
+
+        Assert.True(viewModel.IsLauncherMinimumBlocked);
+        Assert.False(viewModel.InstallClientCommand.CanExecute(null));
+        Assert.True(viewModel.StageLauncherCommand.CanExecute(null));
+        await viewModel.StageLauncherCommand.ExecuteAsync();
+        Assert.Equal(1, updater.StageCalls);
+        Assert.True(viewModel.IsLauncherRestartRequired);
+        Assert.Contains("next start", viewModel.LauncherRestartStatus, StringComparison.Ordinal);
+        Assert.False(viewModel.StageLauncherCommand.CanExecute(null));
+        Assert.False(viewModel.HasError);
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task MutationPermissionDisablesInstallStageAndRollbackWhileSessionsRun()
+    {
+        var updater = new FakeUpdater();
+        using var viewModel = Create(updater, canMutate: () => false);
+
+        await viewModel.OpenCommand.ExecuteAsync();
+
+        Assert.False(viewModel.InstallClientCommand.CanExecute(null));
+        Assert.False(viewModel.StageLauncherCommand.CanExecute(null));
+        Assert.False(viewModel.RollbackCommand.CanExecute(null));
+        Assert.True(viewModel.CheckCommand.CanExecute(null));
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task CancellationAndRollbackHaveExplicitSafeTerminalStates()
+    {
+        var updater = new FakeUpdater();
+        updater.InstallHandler = async (progress, token) =>
+        {
+            progress?.Report(new LauncherUpdateProgress(
+                LauncherUpdatePhase.DownloadingClient,
+                "downloading",
+                1,
+                100));
+            await Task.Delay(Timeout.InfiniteTimeSpan, token);
+            return updater.CurrentClient;
+        };
+        int changed = 0;
+        using var viewModel = Create(updater, () => changed++);
+        await viewModel.OpenCommand.ExecuteAsync();
+
+        Task install = viewModel.InstallClientCommand.ExecuteAsync();
+        await WaitUntilAsync(() => viewModel.IsBusy);
+        Assert.True(viewModel.CancelCommand.CanExecute(null));
+        viewModel.CancelCommand.Execute(null);
+        await install;
+
+        Assert.Equal(LauncherUpdatePhase.Cancelled, viewModel.Phase);
+        Assert.Contains("cancelled", viewModel.Status, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
+        Assert.False(viewModel.HasError);
+
+        await viewModel.RollbackCommand.ExecuteAsync();
+        Assert.Equal(1, updater.RollbackCalls);
+        Assert.Equal("0.9.0", viewModel.CurrentClientVersion);
+        Assert.Equal(1, changed);
+    }
+
+    private static LauncherUpdateViewModel Create(
+        FakeUpdater updater,
+        Action? changed = null,
+        Func<bool>? canMutate = null) => new(
+            updater,
+            new ImmediateUiDispatcher(),
+            changed ?? (() => { }),
+            canOpen: () => true,
+            canMutate: canMutate ?? (() => true));
+
+    private static async Task WaitUntilAsync(Func<bool> condition)
+    {
+        DateTimeOffset deadline = DateTimeOffset.UtcNow + TimeSpan.FromSeconds(5);
+        while (!condition())
+        {
+            if (DateTimeOffset.UtcNow >= deadline)
+            {
+                throw new TimeoutException("View model did not enter the expected state.");
+            }
+
+            await Task.Delay(10);
+        }
+    }
+
+    private sealed class FakeUpdater : ILauncherUpdater
+    {
+        private static readonly LauncherVersion One = LauncherVersion.Parse("1.0.0");
+        private static readonly LauncherVersion Two = LauncherVersion.Parse("2.0.0");
+        private static readonly LauncherVersion NineTenths = LauncherVersion.Parse("0.9.0");
+
+        public FakeUpdater()
+        {
+            CurrentClient = Resolution(One, "0.9.0");
+        }
+
+        public ClientVersionResolution CurrentClient { get; private set; }
+
+        public bool MinimumSatisfied { get; init; } = true;
+
+        public int InstallCalls { get; private set; }
+
+        public int StageCalls { get; private set; }
+
+        public int RollbackCalls { get; private set; }
+
+        public Func<CancellationToken, Task<LauncherUpdateCheckResult>>? CheckHandler
+        {
+            get;
+            set;
+        }
+
+        public Func<
+            IProgress<LauncherUpdateProgress>?,
+            CancellationToken,
+            Task<ClientVersionResolution>>? InstallHandler { get; set; }
+
+        public Task<ClientVersionResolution> InitializeAsync(
+            CancellationToken cancellationToken = default) => Task.FromResult(CurrentClient);
+
+        public Task<LauncherUpdateCheckResult> CheckAsync(
+            CancellationToken cancellationToken = default) =>
+            CheckHandler?.Invoke(cancellationToken) ?? Task.FromResult(CreateCheck());
+
+        public async Task<ClientVersionResolution> InstallClientAsync(
+            LauncherUpdateCheckResult check,
+            IProgress<LauncherUpdateProgress>? progress = null,
+            CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
+        {
+            InstallCalls++;
+            if (InstallHandler is not null)
+            {
+                return await InstallHandler(progress, cancellationToken);
+            }
+
+            progress?.Report(new LauncherUpdateProgress(
+                LauncherUpdatePhase.DownloadingClient,
+                "Downloading fixture.",
+                5,
+                10));
+            CurrentClient = Resolution(Two, "1.0.0");
+            progress?.Report(new LauncherUpdateProgress(
+                LauncherUpdatePhase.Completed,
+                "Installed fixture.",
+                1,
+                1));
+            return CurrentClient;
+        }
+
+        public Task<SelfUpdateStageResult> StageLauncherAsync(
+            LauncherUpdateCheckResult check,
+            IProgress<LauncherUpdateProgress>? progress = null,
+            CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
+        {
+            StageCalls++;
+            progress?.Report(new LauncherUpdateProgress(
+                LauncherUpdatePhase.StagingLauncher,
+                "Staged fixture.",
+                1,
+                1));
+            return Task.FromResult(new SelfUpdateStageResult(
+                Two,
+                "pending.json",
+                "Launcher staged for next start."));
+        }
+
+        public Task<ClientVersionResolution> RollbackClientAsync(
+            IProgress<LauncherUpdateProgress>? progress = null,
+            CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
+        {
+            RollbackCalls++;
+            CurrentClient = Resolution(NineTenths, "1.0.0");
+            progress?.Report(new LauncherUpdateProgress(
+                LauncherUpdatePhase.Completed,
+                "Rolled back fixture.",
+                1,
+                1));
+            return Task.FromResult(CurrentClient);
+        }
+
+        public LauncherUpdateCheckResult CreateCheck()
+        {
+            bool available = CurrentClient.Version! < Two;
+            var artifact = new ReleaseArtifact(
+                new Uri("https://example.test/release.zip"),
+                new string('a', 64),
+                100);
+            var manifest = new ReleaseManifest(
+                Two,
+                MinimumSatisfied ? One : Two,
+                new Dictionary<string, ReleaseArtifact> { ["win-x64"] = artifact },
+                new Dictionary<string, ReleaseArtifact> { ["win-x64"] = artifact });
+            return new LauncherUpdateCheckResult(
+                manifest,
+                "win-x64",
+                One,
+                CurrentClient.Version,
+                available,
+                true,
+                MinimumSatisfied,
+                available ? "Fixture update available." : "Fixture is current.");
+        }
+
+        private static ClientVersionResolution Resolution(
+            LauncherVersion version,
+            string? previous) => new(
+                ClientVersionState.Verified,
+                "Fixture client verified.",
+                version,
+                Path.Combine("fixture", version.Value),
+                previous,
+                null);
+    }
+}

tests/AcDream.Launcher.Tests/LauncherWindowViewModelTests.cs

@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ public sealed class LauncherWindowViewModelTests
 
         Assert.True(viewModel.IsFirstRunRequired);
         Assert.Contains("SHA-256", viewModel.FirstRunWizardShell.Body, StringComparison.Ordinal);
-        Assert.Contains("LA10", viewModel.UpdatePromptShell.Body, StringComparison.Ordinal);
+        Assert.Contains("pinned eriknihlen/acdream", viewModel.UpdatePrompt.Body, StringComparison.Ordinal);
         viewModel.FirstRunWizardShell.OpenCommand.Execute(null);
         Assert.True(viewModel.FirstRunWizardShell.IsOpen);
         viewModel.FirstRunWizardShell.CloseCommand.Execute(null);
@@ -306,7 +306,7 @@ public sealed class LauncherWindowViewModelTests
         viewModel.FirstRunWizardShell.OpenCommand.Execute(null);
         Assert.True(viewModel.IsModalOpen);
         Assert.False(viewModel.AddServerCommand.CanExecute(null));
-        Assert.False(viewModel.UpdatePromptShell.OpenCommand.CanExecute(null));
+        Assert.False(viewModel.UpdatePrompt.OpenCommand.CanExecute(null));
         Assert.False(Assert.Single(viewModel.Sessions).StopCommand.CanExecute(null));
 
         // ICommand.Execute cannot bypass the modal gate.