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Blink Code Editor includes a built-in auto-updater powered by electron-updater to keep your editor current with the latest features, bug fixes, and improvements.

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Auto-Update System

Blink automatically checks for updates and downloads them in the background. The auto-updater is configured with these settings:
  • Auto Download: Enabled - Updates download automatically when available
  • Auto Install on Quit: Enabled - Updates install when you close the editor
  • Update Channel: Stable releases from the official repository
Updates are downloaded in the background without interrupting your work. You’ll be notified when an update is ready to install.

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Checking for Updates Manually

To manually check for updates:
  1. Press the ALT key to reveal the navbar menu
  2. Click on Edit in the menu
  3. Click Check for updates
The update button will show the current status:
  • Check for updates - Ready to check
  • Checking for updates… - Currently checking
  • Downloading… X% - Download in progress with percentage
  • Update downloaded! You can install it now. - Ready to install
  • No updates found - You’re on the latest version
  • Error: [message] - If an error occurred
You can check for updates at any time without disrupting your work. The editor continues to function normally during the update check and download.

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Installing Updates

When an update is downloaded and ready:
  1. Press the ALT key to show the navbar menu
  2. Click on Edit
  3. Click Install and restart app
The editor will close, install the update, and reopen automatically.
Make sure to save all your work before installing an update. Open files and your workspace will be restored after the restart.

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Update Process

Here’s what happens during the update process:
When you click “Check for updates” or the editor checks automatically, Blink connects to the update server to see if a newer version is available.
If a new version is found, the editor displays “Update available! Downloading…” and begins downloading the update package in the background.
As the update downloads, you’ll see a progress indicator showing the percentage completed (e.g., “Downloading… 45%”). You can continue working normally during this time.
Once the download completes, the message changes to “Update downloaded! You can install it now.” and the button becomes “Install and restart app”.
Clicking “Install and restart app” closes the editor, applies the update, and relaunches Blink with the new version.

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Auto-Install on Quit

Blink is configured to automatically install downloaded updates when you close the editor. This means:
  • If an update is downloaded and you close Blink normally, it will install on quit
  • Next time you open Blink, you’ll be running the latest version
  • No additional action is required
This “install on quit” feature ensures you’re always running the latest stable version without manual intervention.

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Update States and Messages

Here’s a complete reference of update states:
MessageMeaningAction
Check for updatesReady to checkClick to check for updates
Checking for updates…Checking in progressWait for response
Update available! Downloading…Update found, downloadingContinue working
Downloading… X%Download progressMonitor progress
Update downloaded! You can install it now.Ready to installClick to install and restart
No updates foundYou’re up-to-dateNo action needed
Error: [message]Update error occurredTry again or check logs

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Update Configuration

Blink’s auto-updater is configured in electron/main.ts with these settings: 
autoUpdater.autoDownload = true;
autoUpdater.autoInstallOnAppQuit = true;
These settings ensure seamless updates with minimal user intervention while keeping you in control of when the editor restarts.

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Version Information

To check your current version:
  • Look at the changelog that appears when a new version is installed
  • Or check the project repository for the latest release information

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Update Channels

Blink currently uses a single stable update channel. All users receive the same stable releases. Development and beta channels may be introduced in future versions.

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Troubleshooting Updates

If checking for updates fails:
  • Verify your internet connection
  • Check if a firewall is blocking the update server
  • Try again after a few minutes
  • The error message will provide details about what went wrong
If the download doesn’t complete:
  • Check your network connection
  • Try checking for updates again
  • The download will resume or restart automatically
If the update doesn’t install:
  • Make sure you have write permissions to the application directory
  • Close any other instances of Blink
  • Try running the installer manually from the downloads folder
  • Check the electron logs for detailed error information

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Update Events

For developers, Blink emits these update events internally:
  • update_available - New update found
  • update_not_available - No updates available
  • update_progress - Download progress percentage
  • update_downloaded - Update ready to install
  • update_error - Error occurred during update process
Blink’s auto-updater uses the same proven technology as many popular Electron applications to ensure reliable, secure updates.

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Privacy and Security

The update system:
  • Only connects to the official Blink update servers
  • Downloads updates over secure HTTPS connections
  • Verifies update signatures before installation
  • Does not collect personal information during update checks

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Future Update Features

Planned improvements to the update system:
  • Release notes displayed in-app before installing
  • Update scheduling (choose when to install)
  • Beta/development channel options
  • Rollback capability for problematic updates
  • Differential updates (smaller download sizes)

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