Auto-Updater

Automatic updates using Tauri’s built-in updater system

SquirrelDisk includes an automatic updater that keeps your application up-to-date with the latest features and bug fixes.

Tauri’s Built-in Updater

SquirrelDisk uses Tauri’s built-in updater feature, which provides:

• Secure updates with cryptographic signature verification
• Cross-platform support (Windows, macOS, Linux)
• Background checks that don’t interrupt your workflow
• User-controlled installation with confirmation dialogs

Configuration in tauri.conf.json:

"updater": {
  "active": true,
  "endpoints": [
    "https://www.squirreldisk.com/api/updates/{{target}}/{{current_version}}"
  ],
  "dialog": true,
  "pubkey": "dW50cnVzdGVkIGNvbW1lbnQ6IG1pbmlzaWduIHB1YmxpYyBrZXk6IDk3QjIwNUJBRkM0MDE0OTUKUldTVkZFRDh1Z1d5bHdSbS85UmovVUdiOHk1dy9zTnZzb2xtb0ppbGIzS3E3NUdHUnB1QldjRVAK"
}

Tauri requires the updater feature to be enabled in Cargo.toml: tauri = { version = "1.2", features = ["updater"] }

Update Checks on Launch

SquirrelDisk checks for updates automatically when you launch the application. This ensures you’re always notified of new versions without being intrusive.

No Spam Policy

Update checks are designed to be unobtrusive:

• Once per launch: Checks only happen when you start the app
• No background polling: No continuous checking while running
• Optional installation: You choose when to install updates
• Skip versions: You can skip updates if desired

If an update is available, you’ll see a dialog with release notes. You can install it immediately or continue using the current version.

Update Endpoint

SquirrelDisk queries the update endpoint with platform-specific information:

https://www.squirreldisk.com/api/updates/{{target}}/{{current_version}}

Template Variables

• {{target}}: Platform identifier (e.g., darwin-x86_64, windows-x86_64, linux-x86_64)
• {{current_version}}: Currently installed version (e.g., 0.3.4)

Example Request

For version 0.3.4 on macOS:

GET https://www.squirreldisk.com/api/updates/darwin-x86_64/0.3.4

Response Format

The server responds with update information in JSON format:

{
  "version": "0.4.0",
  "date": "2024-03-15",
  "notes": "- Added new features\n- Fixed bugs\n- Improved performance",
  "platforms": {
    "darwin-x86_64": {
      "url": "https://releases.squirreldisk.com/v0.4.0/SquirrelDisk_0.4.0_x64.dmg",
      "signature": "..."
    },
    "windows-x86_64": {
      "url": "https://releases.squirreldisk.com/v0.4.0/SquirrelDisk_0.4.0_x64.msi",
      "signature": "..."
    },
    "linux-x86_64": {
      "url": "https://releases.squirreldisk.com/v0.4.0/SquirrelDisk_0.4.0_amd64.AppImage",
      "signature": "..."
    }
  }
}

The server can return different binaries for different platforms, ensuring each user gets the correct installer.

How to Install Updates

When an update is available:

1. Dialog appears showing the new version and release notes
2. Review changes to see what’s new
3. Click “Install” to download and install the update
4. Application restarts with the new version

Or:

1. Click “Skip” to continue with the current version
2. You’ll be notified again on next launch (if still outdated)

Update Dialog

The dialog is configured in tauri.conf.json:

"dialog": true

This enables the built-in update dialog that displays:

• Current version
• New version available
• Release notes/changelog
• Install and Skip buttons

Setting "dialog": false would disable the UI and require you to implement custom update handling.

Version Checking

SquirrelDisk follows semantic versioning (semver):

"package": {
  "productName": "SquirrelDisk",
  "version": "0.3.4"
}

Version format: MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH

• MAJOR: Breaking changes
• MINOR: New features (backward compatible)
• PATCH: Bug fixes

Update Priority

• Patch updates (0.3.4 → 0.3.5): Recommended to install
• Minor updates (0.3.4 → 0.4.0): New features available
• Major updates (0.3.4 → 1.0.0): May require migration or have breaking changes

SquirrelDisk always notifies you of available updates, regardless of version jump, so you can decide what to install.

Cryptographic Signatures

All updates are cryptographically signed for security:

"pubkey": "dW50cnVzdGVkIGNvbW1lbnQ6IG1pbmlzaWduIHB1YmxpYyBrZXk6IDk3QjIwNUJBRkM0MDE0OTUKUldTVkZFRDh1Z1d5bHdSbS85UmovVUdiOHk1dy9zTnZzb2xtb0ppbGIzS3E3NUdHUnB1QldjRVAK"

This public key is used to verify that:

1. Updates are authentic: They come from the official SquirrelDisk developers
2. No tampering: The binary hasn’t been modified
3. Secure delivery: Man-in-the-middle attacks are prevented

How Signature Verification Works

1. Server signs updates with a private key
2. Client verifies signatures using the embedded public key
3. Only properly signed updates can be installed
4. Invalid signatures are rejected automatically

Signature verification happens automatically - you don’t need to do anything. Invalid updates will be rejected silently.

Platform-Specific Installation

Windows

• Downloads .msi installer
• Runs installer with elevated permissions
• Replaces existing installation
• Preserves user settings and data

macOS

• Downloads .dmg or .app.tar.gz
• Mounts disk image (for DMG)
• Replaces app in /Applications
• Preserves app data in ~/Library/Application Support

Linux

• Downloads .AppImage, .deb, or .rpm depending on distribution
• AppImage: Self-contained, replace existing file
• Deb/RPM: Uses package manager for installation
• Preserves settings in ~/.config/squirreldisk

AppImage updates are the simplest - just replace the old file with the new one. No installation required.

Update Download

Updates are downloaded in the background:

• Progress indication: Shows download progress
• Cancellable: Can cancel download if needed
• Resumable: Interrupted downloads can resume
• Verified: Checksum verification after download

Troubleshooting Updates

Update Check Fails

If the update check fails:

1. Check internet connection: Ensure you’re online
2. Firewall settings: Make sure SquirrelDisk can access the update server
3. Proxy configuration: Configure proxy if needed
4. Try later: Server might be temporarily unavailable

Installation Fails

If update installation fails:

1. Check permissions: Ensure you have admin/root access
2. Close application: Make sure all instances are closed
3. Disk space: Verify sufficient free space
4. Manual download: Download from website as fallback

Signature Verification Error

If you see a signature error:

1. Don’t install: The update might be compromised
2. Report issue: Contact support or file a GitHub issue
3. Manual verification: Download from official website instead

Never bypass signature verification. If an update fails signature checks, it’s not safe to install.

Disabling Auto-Updates

While not recommended, you can disable auto-updates by:

1. Building from source with updater disabled
2. Blocking network access to update endpoints
3. Using an older version without the updater feature

Keeping SquirrelDisk updated ensures you have the latest features, performance improvements, and security fixes.

Release Channels

Currently, SquirrelDisk uses a single stable release channel. Future versions may include:

• Stable: Tested releases (current default)
• Beta: Early access to new features
• Nightly: Cutting-edge daily builds

Follow the official SquirrelDisk blog or GitHub releases page to stay informed about upcoming features and release schedules.