diff --git a/GUI/index.html b/GUI/index.html
index d4bcbaa..9d54385 100644
--- a/GUI/index.html
+++ b/GUI/index.html
@@ -44,10 +44,6 @@
                     <i class="fas fa-box"></i>
                     <span class="nav-tooltip" data-i18n="nav.mods">Mods</span>
                 </div>
-                <div class="nav-item" data-page="news">
-                    <i class="fas fa-newspaper"></i>
-                    <span class="nav-tooltip" data-i18n="nav.news">News</span>
-                </div>
                 <div class="nav-item" data-page="settings">
                     <i class="fas fa-cog"></i>
                     <span class="nav-tooltip" data-i18n="nav.settings">Settings</span>
@@ -219,36 +215,38 @@
                                     <span data-i18n="play.playButton">PLAY HYTALE</span>
                                 </button>
 
-                                <div style="display: flex; justify-content: center; align-items: center; gap: 8px; margin-top: 12px; font-size: 12px;">
-                                    <span style="color: #93a3b8;">Telegram:</span>
-                                    <a href="#" onclick="window.electronAPI?.openExternal('https://t.me/sanhostnet'); return false;" style="color: #93a3b8; text-decoration: none; display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 4px; transition: color 0.2s;" onmouseover="this.style.color='#60a5fa'" onmouseout="this.style.color='#93a3b8'">
-                                        <i class="fas fa-users"></i> Group
+                                <div id="game-info-bar" class="game-info-bar">
+                                    <span id="game-version-info" class="game-info-item game-info-loading">loading...</span>
+                                    <span class="game-info-sep"></span>
+                                    <span id="game-branch-info" class="game-info-item game-info-loading">...</span>
+                                    <span id="game-last-played" class="game-info-item" style="display: none;"></span>
+                                </div>
+
+                                <div class="community-links">
+                                    <a href="#" class="community-link" onclick="openDiscordExternal(); return false;" title="Community Chat">
+                                        <i class="fas fa-comments" style="color: #22c55e;"></i>
+                                        <span>Chat</span>
                                     </a>
-                                    <span style="color: #4b5563;">|</span>
-                                    <a href="#" onclick="window.electronAPI?.openExternal('https://t.me/hf2p_og'); return false;" style="color: #93a3b8; text-decoration: none; display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 4px; transition: color 0.2s;" onmouseover="this.style.color='#60a5fa'" onmouseout="this.style.color='#93a3b8'">
-                                        <i class="fab fa-telegram"></i> Channel
+                                    <a href="#" class="community-link" onclick="window.electronAPI?.openExternal('https://discord.gg/8WVU24XshK'); return false;" title="Discord">
+                                        <i class="fab fa-discord" style="color: #5865F2;"></i>
+                                        <span>Discord</span>
                                     </a>
-                                    <span style="color: #4b5563;">|</span>
-                                    <a href="#" onclick="openDiscordExternal(); return false;" style="color: #93a3b8; text-decoration: none; display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 4px; transition: color 0.2s;" onmouseover="this.style.color='#60a5fa'" onmouseout="this.style.color='#93a3b8'">
-                                        <i class="fas fa-comments"></i> Community Chat
+                                    <a href="#" class="community-link" onclick="window.electronAPI?.openExternal('https://t.me/hf2p_og'); return false;" title="Telegram Channel">
+                                        <i class="fab fa-telegram" style="color: #26A5E4;"></i>
+                                        <span>Channel</span>
+                                    </a>
+                                    <a href="#" class="community-link" onclick="window.electronAPI?.openExternal('https://t.me/sanhostnet'); return false;" title="Telegram Group">
+                                        <i class="fab fa-telegram" style="color: #26A5E4;"></i>
+                                        <span>Group</span>
+                                    </a>
+                                    <a href="#" class="community-link" onclick="window.electronAPI?.openExternal('https://git.sanhost.net/sanasol/hytale-f2p'); return false;" title="Source Code">
+                                        <i class="fab fa-git-alt" style="color: #e2e8f0;"></i>
+                                        <span>Source</span>
                                     </a>
                                 </div>
                             </div>
                         </div>
 
-                        <div class="news-section">
-                            <div class="news-header">
-                                <h2 class="news-title">
-                                    <i class="fas fa-star mr-2"></i>
-                                    <span data-i18n="play.latestNews">LATEST NEWS</span>
-                                </h2>
-                                <button class="view-all-btn" onclick="navigateToPage('news')">
-                                    <span data-i18n="play.viewAll">VIEW ALL</span> <i
-                                        class="fas fa-arrow-right ml-1"></i>
-                                </button>
-                            </div>
-                            <div id="newsGrid" class="news-grid-horizontal"></div>
-                        </div>
                     </div>
 
                     <div id="featured-page" class="page">
@@ -301,15 +299,6 @@
                         </div>
                     </div>
 
-                    <div id="news-page" class="page">
-                        <div class="news-header">
-                            <h2 class="news-title">
-                                <i class="fas fa-newspaper mr-2"></i>
-                                <span data-i18n="news.title">ALL NEWS</span>
-                            </h2>
-                        </div>
-                        <div id="allNewsGrid" class="news-grid-full"></div>
-                    </div>
 
                     <div id="settings-page" class="page">
                         <div class="settings-container">
@@ -950,34 +939,34 @@
         </div>
     </div>
 
-    <div class="version-display-bottom">
+    <div class="version-display-bottom" onclick="window.electronAPI?.openExternal('https://git.sanhost.net/sanasol/hytale-f2p/releases')" style="cursor: pointer;" title="View releases">
         <i class="fas fa-code-branch"></i>
         <span id="launcherVersion"></span>
     </div>
 
     <footer class="fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 z-50 bg-black/80 backdrop-blur-sm px-4 py-2">
         <div class="flex items-center justify-center text-xs text-gray-400">
-            <span>Made by <a href="https://github.com/amiayweb" target="_blank"
+            <span>Made by <a href="#" onclick="window.electronAPI?.openExternal('https://github.com/amiayweb'); return false;"
                     class="text-blue-400 hover:text-blue-300 transition-colors">@amiayweb</a> & <a
-                    href="https://github.com/Relyz1993" target="_blank"
+                    href="#" onclick="window.electronAPI?.openExternal('https://github.com/Relyz1993'); return false;"
                     class="text-blue-400 hover:text-blue-300 transition-colors">@Relyz</a></span>
             <span class="mx-2">|</span>
             <span>Contributors:
-                <a href="https://github.com/chasem-dev" target="_blank"
+                <a href="#" onclick="window.electronAPI?.openExternal('https://github.com/chasem-dev'); return false;"
                     class="text-blue-400 hover:text-blue-300 transition-colors">@chasem-dev</a>,
-                <a href="https://github.com/crimera" target="_blank"
+                <a href="#" onclick="window.electronAPI?.openExternal('https://github.com/crimera'); return false;"
                     class="text-blue-400 hover:text-blue-300 transition-colors">@crimera</a>,
-                <a href="https://github.com/sanasol" target="_blank"
+                <a href="#" onclick="window.electronAPI?.openExternal('https://github.com/sanasol'); return false;"
                     class="text-blue-400 hover:text-blue-300 transition-colors">@sanasol</a>,
-                <a href="https://github.com/Terromur" target="_blank"
+                <a href="#" onclick="window.electronAPI?.openExternal('https://github.com/Terromur'); return false;"
                     class="text-blue-400 hover:text-blue-300 transition-colors">@terromur</a>,
-                <a href="https://github.com/ericiskoolbeans" target="_blank"
+                <a href="#" onclick="window.electronAPI?.openExternal('https://github.com/ericiskoolbeans'); return false;"
                     class="text-blue-400 hover:text-blue-300 transition-colors">@ericiskoolbeans</a>,
-                <a href="https://github.com/fazrigading" target="_blank"
+                <a href="#" onclick="window.electronAPI?.openExternal('https://github.com/fazrigading'); return false;"
                     class="text-blue-400 hover:text-blue-300 transition-colors">@fazrigading</a>,
-                <a href="https://github.com/Rahul-Sahani04" target="_blank"
+                <a href="#" onclick="window.electronAPI?.openExternal('https://github.com/Rahul-Sahani04'); return false;"
                     class="text-blue-400 hover:text-blue-300 transition-colors">@Rahul-Sahani04</a>,
-                <a href="https://github.com/xSamiVS" target="_blank"
+                <a href="#" onclick="window.electronAPI?.openExternal('https://github.com/xSamiVS'); return false;"
                     class="text-blue-400 hover:text-blue-300 transition-colors">@xSamiVS</a>
             </span>
         </div>
diff --git a/GUI/js/launcher.js b/GUI/js/launcher.js
index b629a2f..f86b8bc 100644
--- a/GUI/js/launcher.js
+++ b/GUI/js/launcher.js
@@ -169,6 +169,16 @@ window.switchProfile = async (id) => {
     // Refresh UI
     await loadProfiles();
 
+    // Refresh branch radio buttons in settings
+    if (window.SettingsAPI?.reloadBranch) {
+      await window.SettingsAPI.reloadBranch();
+    }
+
+    // Refresh game info bar on play page
+    if (window.LauncherUI?.loadGameInfoBar) {
+      window.LauncherUI.loadGameInfoBar();
+    }
+
     // Refresh Mods
     if (window.modsManager) {
       if (window.modsManager.loadInstalledMods) await window.modsManager.loadInstalledMods();
diff --git a/GUI/js/script.js b/GUI/js/script.js
index 2e937d8..7a846b6 100644
--- a/GUI/js/script.js
+++ b/GUI/js/script.js
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 import './ui.js';
 import './install.js';
 import './launcher.js';
-import './news.js';
 import { initModsManager } from './mods.js';
 import './players.js';
 import './settings.js';
diff --git a/GUI/js/settings.js b/GUI/js/settings.js
index 6c35449..85d689b 100644
--- a/GUI/js/settings.js
+++ b/GUI/js/settings.js
@@ -1924,6 +1924,11 @@ async function switchBranch(newBranch) {
               await loadVersionBranch();
               console.log('[Settings] Radio buttons updated after branch switch');
 
+              // Refresh game info bar on play page
+              if (window.LauncherUI?.loadGameInfoBar) {
+                window.LauncherUI.loadGameInfoBar();
+              }
+
               setTimeout(() => {
                 if (window.LauncherUI) {
                   window.LauncherUI.hideProgress();
diff --git a/GUI/js/ui.js b/GUI/js/ui.js
index 9230e05..805f82d 100644
--- a/GUI/js/ui.js
+++ b/GUI/js/ui.js
@@ -138,6 +138,7 @@ function showLauncherOrInstall(isInstalled) {
     if (gameTitle) gameTitle.style.display = '';
     showPage('play-page');
     setActiveNav('play');
+    loadGameInfoBar();
   } else {
     if (launcher) launcher.style.display = 'none';
     if (install) {
@@ -738,13 +739,69 @@ async function checkGameInstallation() {
   }
 }
 
+async function loadGameInfoBar() {
+  try {
+    const info = await window.electronAPI.getGameInfo();
+    const bar = document.getElementById('game-info-bar');
+    if (!bar) return;
+
+    const versionEl = document.getElementById('game-version-info');
+    const branchEl = document.getElementById('game-branch-info');
+    const lastPlayedEl = document.getElementById('game-last-played');
+
+    if (versionEl) {
+      versionEl.classList.remove('game-info-loading');
+      if (info.version) {
+        const display = info.readableVersion
+          ? `${info.version} - ${info.readableVersion}`
+          : info.version;
+        versionEl.textContent = display;
+      } else {
+        versionEl.textContent = 'Not installed';
+      }
+    }
+    if (branchEl) {
+      branchEl.classList.remove('game-info-loading');
+      const isPreRelease = info.branch === 'pre-release';
+      branchEl.textContent = isPreRelease ? 'Pre-Release' : 'Release';
+      branchEl.style.color = isPreRelease ? '#f59e0b' : '';
+    }
+
+    if (lastPlayedEl && info.lastPlayed) {
+      lastPlayedEl.style.display = '';
+      if (!lastPlayedEl.previousElementSibling?.classList?.contains('game-info-sep')) {
+        const sep = document.createElement('span');
+        sep.className = 'game-info-sep';
+        lastPlayedEl.before(sep);
+      }
+      lastPlayedEl.textContent = formatTimeAgo(info.lastPlayed);
+    }
+  } catch (e) {
+    console.log('Could not load game info:', e);
+  }
+}
+
+function formatTimeAgo(timestamp) {
+  const diff = Date.now() - timestamp;
+  const minutes = Math.floor(diff / 60000);
+  const hours = Math.floor(diff / 3600000);
+  const days = Math.floor(diff / 86400000);
+
+  if (minutes < 1) return 'Just played';
+  if (minutes < 60) return `Played ${minutes}m ago`;
+  if (hours < 24) return `Played ${hours}h ago`;
+  if (days < 30) return `Played ${days}d ago`;
+  return `Played ${Math.floor(days / 30)}mo ago`;
+}
+
 window.LauncherUI = {
   showPage,
   setActiveNav,
   showLauncherOrInstall,
   showProgress,
   hideProgress,
-  updateProgress
+  updateProgress,
+  loadGameInfoBar
 };
 
 // Make installation effects globally available
diff --git a/GUI/js/update.js b/GUI/js/update.js
index 4059f29..875625b 100644
--- a/GUI/js/update.js
+++ b/GUI/js/update.js
@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@ class ClientUpdateManager {
         });
 
         window.electronAPI.onUpdateDownloadProgress((progress) => {
+            console.log('📊 download-progress event:', progress);
+            this.downloadProgressReceived = true;
             this.updateDownloadProgress(progress);
         });
 
@@ -49,7 +51,7 @@ class ClientUpdateManager {
         
         const popupHTML = `
             <div id="update-popup-overlay">
-                <div class="update-popup-container update-popup-pulse">
+                <div class="update-popup-container">
                     <div class="update-popup-header">
                         <div class="update-popup-icon">
                             <i class="fas fa-download"></i>
@@ -118,11 +120,29 @@ class ClientUpdateManager {
         this.blockInterface();
 
         // Show progress container immediately (auto-download is enabled)
+        this.downloadProgressReceived = false;
         const progressContainer = document.getElementById('update-progress-container');
         if (progressContainer) {
             progressContainer.style.display = 'block';
         }
 
+        // If no progress events arrive within 2 seconds, show indeterminate animation
+        setTimeout(() => {
+            if (!this.downloadProgressReceived && progressContainer) {
+                const bar = document.getElementById('update-progress-bar');
+                const speed = document.getElementById('update-progress-speed');
+                const percent = document.getElementById('update-progress-percent');
+                if (bar) {
+                    bar.style.width = '100%';
+                    bar.style.animation = 'indeterminateProgress 1.5s ease-in-out infinite';
+                    bar.style.opacity = '0.7';
+                }
+                if (speed) speed.textContent = '';
+                if (percent) percent.textContent = 'Downloading...';
+                console.log('⏳ No download-progress events received, showing indeterminate progress');
+            }
+        }, 2000);
+
         const installBtn = document.getElementById('update-install-btn');
         if (installBtn) {
             installBtn.addEventListener('click', async (e) => {
@@ -248,6 +268,10 @@ class ClientUpdateManager {
         const progressSize = document.getElementById('update-progress-size');
 
         if (progressBar && progress) {
+            // Stop indeterminate animation if it was running
+            progressBar.style.animation = 'none';
+            progressBar.style.opacity = '1';
+
             const percent = Math.round(progress.percent || 0);
             progressBar.style.width = `${percent}%`;
             
@@ -273,57 +297,35 @@ class ClientUpdateManager {
     showUpdateDownloaded(updateInfo) {
         const statusText = document.getElementById('update-status-text');
         const progressContainer = document.getElementById('update-progress-container');
+        const progressBar = document.getElementById('update-progress-bar');
+        const progressPercent = document.getElementById('update-progress-percent');
+        const progressSpeed = document.getElementById('update-progress-speed');
+        const progressSize = document.getElementById('update-progress-size');
         const buttonsContainer = document.getElementById('update-buttons-container');
-        const installBtn = document.getElementById('update-install-btn');
-        const downloadBtn = document.getElementById('update-download-btn');
         const skipBtn = document.getElementById('update-skip-btn');
         const footerText = document.getElementById('update-footer-text');
-        const popupContainer = document.querySelector('.update-popup-container');
 
-        // Remove breathing/pulse animation when download is complete
-        if (popupContainer) {
-            popupContainer.classList.remove('update-popup-pulse');
+        // Stop indeterminate animation and show 100%
+        if (progressBar) {
+            progressBar.style.animation = 'none';
+            progressBar.style.opacity = '1';
+            progressBar.style.width = '100%';
+        }
+        if (progressPercent) progressPercent.textContent = '100%';
+        if (progressSpeed) progressSpeed.textContent = 'Complete';
+        if (progressContainer) progressContainer.style.display = 'block';
+
+        // Hide progress after a short delay so user sees 100%
+        setTimeout(() => {
+            if (progressContainer) progressContainer.style.display = 'none';
+        }, 1500);
+
+        if (statusText) {
+            statusText.textContent = 'Update downloaded! Ready to install.';
         }
 
-        if (progressContainer) {
-            progressContainer.style.display = 'none';
-        }
-
-        // Use platform info from main process if available, fallback to browser detection
-        const autoInstallSupported = updateInfo.autoInstallSupported !== undefined
-            ? updateInfo.autoInstallSupported
-            : navigator.platform.toUpperCase().indexOf('MAC') < 0;
-
-        if (!autoInstallSupported) {
-            // macOS: Show manual download as primary since auto-update doesn't work
-            if (statusText) {
-                statusText.textContent = 'Update downloaded but auto-install may not work on macOS.';
-            }
-
-            if (installBtn) {
-                // Still show install button but as secondary option
-                installBtn.classList.add('update-download-btn-secondary');
-                installBtn.innerHTML = '<i class="fas fa-check" style="margin-right: 0.5rem;"></i>Try Install & Restart';
-            }
-
-            if (downloadBtn) {
-                // Make manual download primary
-                downloadBtn.classList.remove('update-download-btn-secondary');
-                downloadBtn.innerHTML = '<i class="fas fa-external-link-alt" style="margin-right: 0.5rem;"></i>Download Manually (Recommended)';
-            }
-
-            if (footerText) {
-                footerText.textContent = 'Auto-install often fails on macOS:';
-            }
-        } else {
-            // Windows/Linux: Auto-install should work
-            if (statusText) {
-                statusText.textContent = 'Update downloaded! Ready to install.';
-            }
-
-            if (footerText) {
-                footerText.textContent = 'Click to install the update:';
-            }
+        if (footerText) {
+            footerText.textContent = 'Click to install the update:';
         }
 
         if (buttonsContainer) {
@@ -338,7 +340,7 @@ class ClientUpdateManager {
             console.error('❌ Skip button not found in DOM!');
         }
 
-        console.log('✅ Update downloaded, ready to install. autoInstallSupported:', autoInstallSupported);
+        console.log('✅ Update downloaded, ready to install');
     }
 
     handleUpdateError(errorInfo) {
@@ -366,9 +368,6 @@ class ClientUpdateManager {
 
         if (errorMessage && errorText) {
             let message = errorInfo.message || 'An error occurred during the update process.';
-            if (errorInfo.isMacSigningError) {
-                message = 'Auto-update requires code signing. Please download manually.';
-            }
             errorText.textContent = message;
             errorMessage.style.display = 'block';
         }
diff --git a/GUI/style.css b/GUI/style.css
index fc5f18f..c75a220 100644
--- a/GUI/style.css
+++ b/GUI/style.css
@@ -646,12 +646,18 @@ body {
 }
 
 
+#play-page {
+    display: flex;
+    flex-direction: column;
+}
+
 .play-section {
     padding: 2rem;
     display: flex;
     justify-content: center;
     align-items: center;
-    min-height: 200px;
+    flex: 1;
+    min-height: 0;
 }
 
 .play-content {
@@ -663,6 +669,62 @@ body {
     margin-bottom: 2rem;
 }
 
+.game-info-bar {
+    display: flex;
+    justify-content: center;
+    align-items: center;
+    gap: 0.5rem;
+    margin-top: 1.25rem;
+    font-size: 0.75rem;
+    font-family: 'JetBrains Mono', monospace;
+    color: #6b7280;
+}
+
+.game-info-item {
+    display: flex;
+    align-items: center;
+    gap: 0.3rem;
+}
+
+.game-info-loading {
+    opacity: 0.4;
+}
+
+.game-info-sep {
+    width: 3px;
+    height: 3px;
+    border-radius: 50%;
+    background: #4b5563;
+}
+
+.community-links {
+    display: flex;
+    justify-content: center;
+    align-items: center;
+    gap: 0.75rem;
+    margin-top: 1.5rem;
+}
+
+.community-link {
+    display: flex;
+    align-items: center;
+    gap: 0.4rem;
+    padding: 0.4rem 0.75rem;
+    color: #9ca3af;
+    text-decoration: none;
+    font-size: 0.8rem;
+    border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08);
+    border-radius: 6px;
+    background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.03);
+    transition: all 0.2s ease;
+}
+
+.community-link:hover {
+    color: #e2e8f0;
+    border-color: rgba(147, 51, 234, 0.4);
+    background: rgba(147, 51, 234, 0.1);
+}
+
 .play-title {
     font-size: 2rem;
     font-weight: 700;
@@ -5260,19 +5322,15 @@ select.settings-input option {
 }
 
 
-.update-popup-pulse {
-    animation: updatePulse 2s ease-in-out infinite !important;
-}
-
-@keyframes updatePulse {
-
-    0%,
-    100% {
-        transform: scale(1);
+@keyframes indeterminateProgress {
+    0% {
+        opacity: 0.4;
     }
-
     50% {
-        transform: scale(1.02);
+        opacity: 0.8;
+    }
+    100% {
+        opacity: 0.4;
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/backend/managers/profileManager.js b/backend/managers/profileManager.js
index df4baaa..d1d89ec 100644
--- a/backend/managers/profileManager.js
+++ b/backend/managers/profileManager.js
@@ -1,10 +1,14 @@
 const path = require('path');
 const fs = require('fs');
 const { v4: uuidv4 } = require('uuid');
-const { 
-  loadConfig, 
-  saveConfig, 
-  getModsPath 
+const {
+  loadConfig,
+  saveConfig,
+  getModsPath,
+  loadVersionBranch,
+  saveVersionBranch,
+  loadVersionClient,
+  saveVersionClient
 } = require('../core/config');
 
 // Lazy-load modManager to avoid circular deps, or keep imports structured.
@@ -39,11 +43,13 @@ class ProfileManager {
       name: 'Default',
       created: new Date().toISOString(),
       lastUsed: new Date().toISOString(),
-      
+
       // settings specific to this profile
       // If global settings existed, we copy them here
       mods: config.installedMods || [], // Legacy mods are now part of default profile
       javaPath: config.javaPath || '',
+      versionBranch: config.version_branch || 'release',
+      versionClient: config.version_client || null,
       gameOptions: {
         minMemory: '1G',
         maxMemory: '4G',
@@ -73,13 +79,16 @@ class ProfileManager {
     const config = loadConfig();
     const id = uuidv4();
     
+    // New profiles inherit the current branch/version
     const newProfile = {
       id,
       name: name.trim(),
       created: new Date().toISOString(),
       lastUsed: null,
       mods: [], // Start with no mods enabled
-      javaPath: '', 
+      javaPath: '',
+      versionBranch: loadVersionBranch(),
+      versionClient: loadVersionClient(),
       gameOptions: {
         minMemory: '1G',
         maxMemory: '4G',
@@ -128,20 +137,35 @@ class ProfileManager {
     }
 
     console.log(`[ProfileManager] Switching to profile: ${config.profiles[id].name} (${id})`);
-    
-    // 1. Update config first
+
+    // Save current branch/version to the outgoing profile
+    const oldId = config.activeProfileId;
+    if (oldId && config.profiles[oldId]) {
+      config.profiles[oldId].versionBranch = loadVersionBranch();
+      config.profiles[oldId].versionClient = loadVersionClient();
+    }
+
+    // 1. Update config
     config.profiles[id].lastUsed = new Date().toISOString();
-    saveConfig({ 
+    saveConfig({
         activeProfileId: id,
-        profiles: config.profiles 
+        profiles: config.profiles
     });
 
-    // 2. Trigger Mod Sync
-    // We need to require this here to ensure it uses the *newly saved* active profile ID
+    // 2. Restore branch/version from the new profile
+    const newProfile = config.profiles[id];
+    if (newProfile.versionBranch) {
+      saveVersionBranch(newProfile.versionBranch);
+    }
+    if (newProfile.versionClient !== undefined) {
+      saveVersionClient(newProfile.versionClient);
+    }
+
+    // 3. Trigger Mod Sync
     const { syncModsForCurrentProfile } = require('./modManager');
     await syncModsForCurrentProfile();
 
-    return config.profiles[id];
+    return newProfile;
   }
 
   deleteProfile(id) {
@@ -177,7 +201,7 @@ class ProfileManager {
     }
 
     // Safety checks on updates
-    const allowedFields = ['name', 'javaPath', 'gameOptions', 'mods'];
+    const allowedFields = ['name', 'javaPath', 'gameOptions', 'mods', 'versionBranch', 'versionClient'];
     const sanitizedUpdates = {};
     
     Object.keys(updates).forEach(key => {
diff --git a/main.js b/main.js
index efc7cfa..f4352e9 100644
--- a/main.js
+++ b/main.js
@@ -193,7 +193,7 @@ function createWindow() {
       preload: path.join(__dirname, 'preload.js'),
       nodeIntegration: false,
       contextIsolation: true,
-      devTools: false,
+      devTools: process.argv.includes('--dev'),
       webSecurity: true
     }
   });
@@ -251,7 +251,7 @@ function createWindow() {
       mainWindow.webContents.send('update-error', {
         message: err.message,
         isMacSigningError: isMacSigningError,
-        requiresManualDownload: isMacSigningError || process.platform === 'darwin'
+        requiresManualDownload: isMacSigningError
       });
     }
   });
@@ -272,9 +272,7 @@ function createWindow() {
     if (mainWindow && !mainWindow.isDestroyed()) {
       mainWindow.webContents.send('update-downloaded', {
         version: info.version,
-        platform: process.platform,
-        // macOS auto-install often fails on unsigned apps
-        autoInstallSupported: process.platform !== 'darwin'
+        platform: process.platform
       });
     }
   });
@@ -286,9 +284,12 @@ function createWindow() {
     });
   }, 3000);
 
-  mainWindow.webContents.on('devtools-opened', () => {
-    mainWindow.webContents.closeDevTools();
-  });
+  const isDev = process.argv.includes('--dev');
+  if (!isDev) {
+    mainWindow.webContents.on('devtools-opened', () => {
+      mainWindow.webContents.closeDevTools();
+    });
+  }
 
   mainWindow.webContents.on('before-input-event', (event, input) => {
     // Allow standard copy/paste/cut/select-all shortcuts
@@ -301,18 +302,20 @@ function createWindow() {
       return; // Don't block these
     }
 
-    // Block devtools shortcuts
-    if (input.control && input.shift && input.key.toLowerCase() === 'i') {
-      event.preventDefault();
-    }
-    if (input.control && input.shift && input.key.toLowerCase() === 'j') {
-      event.preventDefault();
-    }
-    if (input.control && input.shift && input.key.toLowerCase() === 'c') {
-      event.preventDefault();
-    }
-    if (input.key === 'F12') {
-      event.preventDefault();
+    // Block devtools shortcuts (except in dev mode)
+    if (!isDev) {
+      if (input.control && input.shift && input.key.toLowerCase() === 'i') {
+        event.preventDefault();
+      }
+      if (input.control && input.shift && input.key.toLowerCase() === 'j') {
+        event.preventDefault();
+      }
+      if (input.control && input.shift && input.key.toLowerCase() === 'c') {
+        event.preventDefault();
+      }
+      if (input.key === 'F12') {
+        event.preventDefault();
+      }
     }
     if (input.key === 'F5') {
       event.preventDefault();
@@ -552,6 +555,9 @@ ipcMain.handle('launch-game', async (event, playerName, javaPath, installPath, g
     const result = await launchGameWithVersionCheck(playerName, progressCallback, javaPath, installPath, gpuPreference, null, launchOptions);
 
     if (result.success && result.launched) {
+      // Save last played timestamp
+      try { saveConfig({ last_played: Date.now() }); } catch (e) { /* ignore */ }
+
       const closeOnStart = loadCloseLauncherOnStart();
       if (closeOnStart) {
         console.log('Close Launcher on start enabled, quitting application...');
@@ -608,6 +614,7 @@ ipcMain.handle('launch-game-with-password', async (event, playerName, javaPath,
     const result = await launchGameWithVersionCheck(playerName, progressCallback, javaPath, installPath, gpuPreference, null, { password });
 
     if (result.success && result.launched) {
+      try { saveConfig({ last_played: Date.now() }); } catch (e) { /* ignore */ }
       const closeOnStart = loadCloseLauncherOnStart();
       if (closeOnStart) {
         setTimeout(() => { app.quit(); }, 1000);
@@ -1366,6 +1373,11 @@ ipcMain.handle('get-detected-gpu', () => {
 ipcMain.handle('save-version-branch', (event, branch) => {
   const { saveVersionBranch } = require('./backend/launcher');
   saveVersionBranch(branch);
+  // Sync to active profile
+  const activeProfile = profileManager.getActiveProfile();
+  if (activeProfile) {
+    profileManager.updateProfile(activeProfile.id, { versionBranch: branch });
+  }
   return { success: true };
 });
 
@@ -1379,6 +1391,43 @@ ipcMain.handle('load-version-client', () => {
   return loadVersionClient();
 });
 
+ipcMain.handle('get-game-info', async () => {
+  const { loadVersionClient, loadVersionBranch } = require('./backend/launcher');
+  const { fetchMirrorManifest } = require('./backend/services/versionManager');
+  const config = loadConfig();
+  const branch = loadVersionBranch();
+
+  let version = null;
+  let readableVersion = null;
+  try {
+    const manifest = await fetchMirrorManifest();
+    if (manifest?.versions?.[branch]) {
+      const branchVersions = manifest.versions[branch];
+      // Get the highest version number for the current branch
+      const nums = Object.keys(branchVersions).map(Number).filter(n => !isNaN(n));
+      if (nums.length > 0) {
+        const latest = Math.max(...nums).toString();
+        version = `v${latest}`;
+        readableVersion = branchVersions[latest]?.version || null;
+      }
+    }
+  } catch (e) {
+    // Manifest fetch failed, fall back to stored version
+    version = loadVersionClient();
+  }
+
+  if (!version) {
+    version = loadVersionClient();
+  }
+
+  return {
+    version,
+    readableVersion,
+    branch,
+    lastPlayed: config.last_played || null
+  };
+});
+
 ipcMain.handle('window-close', () => {
   app.quit();
 });
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 5f518e6..f8c4230 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "hytale-f2p-launcher",
-  "version": "2.4.7",
+  "version": "2.4.8",
   "description": "A modern, cross-platform launcher for Hytale with automatic updates and multi-client support",
   "homepage": "https://git.sanhost.net/sanasol/hytale-f2p",
   "main": "main.js",
diff --git a/preload.js b/preload.js
index 211dd48..2c1eede 100644
--- a/preload.js
+++ b/preload.js
@@ -79,6 +79,7 @@ contextBridge.exposeInMainWorld('electronAPI', {
   saveVersionBranch: (branch) => ipcRenderer.invoke('save-version-branch', branch),
   loadVersionBranch: () => ipcRenderer.invoke('load-version-branch'),
   loadVersionClient: () => ipcRenderer.invoke('load-version-client'),
+  getGameInfo: () => ipcRenderer.invoke('get-game-info'),
 
   acceptFirstLaunchUpdate: (existingGame) => ipcRenderer.invoke('accept-first-launch-update', existingGame),
   markAsLaunched: () => ipcRenderer.invoke('mark-as-launched'),