diff --git a/VERSION b/VERSION
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0ea3a94
--- /dev/null
+++ b/VERSION
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+0.2.0
diff --git a/containers/libreportal/frontend/css/update-notifier.css b/containers/libreportal/frontend/css/update-notifier.css
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c05446f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/containers/libreportal/frontend/css/update-notifier.css
@@ -0,0 +1,237 @@
+/* Update Notifier — topbar badge, dashboard banner, and details panel.
+   Driven by js/components/update-notifier.js. Colours come from the active
+   theme tokens (with safe fallbacks) so it tracks every palette. */
+
+/* ---- Topbar badge -------------------------------------------------------- */
+
+.update-badge {
+  display: inline-flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  gap: 6px;
+  padding: 7px 12px;
+  border: 1px solid var(--status-warning, #e0a106);
+  border-radius: 6px;
+  background: rgba(var(--status-warning-rgb, 224, 161, 6), 0.14);
+  color: var(--status-warning, #e0a106);
+  font-weight: 600;
+  font-size: 0.85rem;
+  cursor: pointer;
+  transition: background 0.2s, transform 0.1s;
+  white-space: nowrap;
+}
+
+.update-badge:hover {
+  background: rgba(var(--status-warning-rgb, 224, 161, 6), 0.24);
+}
+
+.update-badge:active { transform: scale(0.97); }
+
+.update-badge-dot {
+  width: 8px;
+  height: 8px;
+  border-radius: 50%;
+  background: var(--status-warning, #e0a106);
+  box-shadow: 0 0 0 0 rgba(var(--status-warning-rgb, 224, 161, 6), 0.6);
+  animation: update-badge-pulse 2s infinite;
+}
+
+@keyframes update-badge-pulse {
+  0%   { box-shadow: 0 0 0 0 rgba(var(--status-warning-rgb, 224, 161, 6), 0.6); }
+  70%  { box-shadow: 0 0 0 7px rgba(var(--status-warning-rgb, 224, 161, 6), 0); }
+  100% { box-shadow: 0 0 0 0 rgba(var(--status-warning-rgb, 224, 161, 6), 0); }
+}
+
+@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
+  .update-badge-dot { animation: none; }
+}
+
+/* ---- Dashboard banner ---------------------------------------------------- */
+
+.update-banner {
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  gap: 16px;
+  margin-bottom: 20px;
+  padding: 16px 20px;
+  border: 1px solid var(--status-warning, #e0a106);
+  border-left-width: 4px;
+  border-radius: 10px;
+  background: rgba(var(--status-warning-rgb, 224, 161, 6), 0.1);
+  color: var(--text-primary, #fff);
+}
+
+/* Subtle "up to date" / local-install variant of the banner. */
+.update-banner.update-banner-ok {
+  border-color: var(--border-color, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.12));
+  border-left-color: var(--status-success, #2ea043);
+  background: var(--surface-bg, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.03));
+}
+
+.update-banner.update-banner-ok .update-banner-icon { color: var(--status-success, #2ea043); }
+
+.update-banner.update-banner-ok .update-banner-title { font-weight: 600; }
+
+.update-banner-icon {
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  justify-content: center;
+  flex: 0 0 auto;
+  color: var(--status-warning, #e0a106);
+}
+
+.update-banner-text { flex: 1 1 auto; min-width: 0; }
+
+.update-banner-title { font-weight: 700; font-size: 1rem; }
+
+.update-banner-sub {
+  margin-top: 2px;
+  font-size: 0.85rem;
+  color: var(--text-muted, #9aa);
+}
+
+.update-banner-actions {
+  display: flex;
+  gap: 8px;
+  flex: 0 0 auto;
+}
+
+/* ---- Shared action buttons ----------------------------------------------- */
+
+.update-btn-primary,
+.update-btn-secondary {
+  padding: 8px 16px;
+  border-radius: 6px;
+  font-weight: 600;
+  font-size: 0.85rem;
+  cursor: pointer;
+  transition: background 0.2s, border-color 0.2s;
+  border: 1px solid transparent;
+  white-space: nowrap;
+}
+
+.update-btn-primary {
+  background: var(--primary-color, #4f7cff);
+  color: var(--text-on-accent, #fff);
+}
+
+.update-btn-primary:hover { background: var(--primary-hover, var(--accent-hover, #3a63d8)); }
+
+.update-btn-secondary {
+  background: transparent;
+  border-color: var(--border-color, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.2));
+  color: var(--text-primary, #fff);
+}
+
+.update-btn-secondary:hover { background: var(--surface-hover, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08)); }
+
+/* ---- Details panel (modal) ----------------------------------------------- */
+
+.update-panel-overlay {
+  position: fixed;
+  inset: 0;
+  z-index: 10000;
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  justify-content: center;
+  padding: 20px;
+  background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.55);
+  backdrop-filter: blur(2px);
+}
+
+.update-panel {
+  width: 100%;
+  max-width: 440px;
+  border: 1px solid var(--card-border, var(--border-color, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.15)));
+  border-radius: 12px;
+  background: var(--card-bg, var(--surface-bg-solid, #1b1f2a));
+  box-shadow: var(--card-shadow, 0 20px 60px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.45));
+  color: var(--text-primary, #fff);
+  overflow: hidden;
+}
+
+.update-panel-header {
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  justify-content: space-between;
+  padding: 16px 20px;
+  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border-color, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1));
+}
+
+.update-panel-header h3 { margin: 0; font-size: 1.05rem; }
+
+.update-panel-close {
+  border: none;
+  background: transparent;
+  color: var(--text-muted, #9aa);
+  font-size: 1.5rem;
+  line-height: 1;
+  cursor: pointer;
+  padding: 0 4px;
+}
+
+.update-panel-close:hover { color: var(--text-primary, #fff); }
+
+.update-panel-status {
+  padding: 14px 20px 0;
+  font-size: 0.9rem;
+  color: var(--text-secondary, var(--text-muted, #9aa));
+}
+
+.update-panel-status.is-outdated {
+  color: var(--status-warning, #e0a106);
+  font-weight: 600;
+}
+
+.update-panel-error {
+  margin: 12px 20px 0;
+  padding: 8px 12px;
+  border-radius: 6px;
+  font-size: 0.82rem;
+  background: rgba(var(--status-danger-rgb, 220, 53, 69), 0.12);
+  color: var(--status-danger, #dc3545);
+}
+
+.update-panel-rows {
+  margin: 14px 0 0;
+  padding: 0 20px;
+}
+
+.update-panel-row {
+  display: flex;
+  justify-content: space-between;
+  gap: 16px;
+  padding: 8px 0;
+  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border-subtle, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.06));
+  font-size: 0.88rem;
+}
+
+.update-panel-row:last-child { border-bottom: none; }
+
+.update-panel-row dt { color: var(--text-muted, #9aa); margin: 0; }
+
+.update-panel-row dd {
+  margin: 0;
+  font-weight: 600;
+  text-align: right;
+  word-break: break-word;
+}
+
+.update-panel-note {
+  margin: 14px 20px 0;
+  font-size: 0.8rem;
+  color: var(--text-muted, #9aa);
+  line-height: 1.45;
+}
+
+.update-panel-actions {
+  display: flex;
+  justify-content: flex-end;
+  gap: 8px;
+  padding: 18px 20px 20px;
+}
+
+@media (max-width: 600px) {
+  .update-banner { flex-wrap: wrap; }
+  .update-banner-actions { width: 100%; }
+  .update-banner-actions button { flex: 1 1 auto; }
+}
diff --git a/containers/libreportal/frontend/index.html b/containers/libreportal/frontend/index.html
index f09389e..6113cf0 100755
--- a/containers/libreportal/frontend/index.html
+++ b/containers/libreportal/frontend/index.html
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@
   <link rel="stylesheet" href="/css/service-buttons.css">
   <link rel="stylesheet" href="/css/dashboard.css">
   <link rel="stylesheet" href="/css/tasks.css">
+  <link rel="stylesheet" href="/css/update-notifier.css">
   <script>
     // Inline data-theme bootstrap — runs before any rendering so the right
     // palette tokens resolve on first paint. Synchronously injects a
diff --git a/containers/libreportal/frontend/js/components/tasks/tasks-manager.js b/containers/libreportal/frontend/js/components/tasks/tasks-manager.js
index 476b197..8ec27a1 100755
--- a/containers/libreportal/frontend/js/components/tasks/tasks-manager.js
+++ b/containers/libreportal/frontend/js/components/tasks/tasks-manager.js
@@ -875,6 +875,10 @@ class TasksManager {
     if (/^libreportal setup finalize\b/.test(task.command)) return 'LibrePortal - Finalize Setup';
     if (/^libreportal setup apply\b/.test(task.command))    return 'LibrePortal - Setup Wizard';
 
+    // Self-update actions (WebUI "Update now" / "Check for updates").
+    if (/^libreportal update (apply|now)\b/.test(task.command)) return 'LibrePortal - Update';
+    if (/^libreportal update check\b/.test(task.command))       return 'LibrePortal - Check for Updates';
+
     // Backup engine — per-app actions.
     const backupDeleteAllMatch = task.command.match(/libreportal backup app delete_all (\w+)/);
     if (backupDeleteAllMatch) return `${displayName(backupDeleteAllMatch[1])} - Delete All Backups`;
@@ -998,7 +1002,7 @@ class TasksManager {
      the row can show the LibrePortal logo instead of a blank icon slot. */
   isLibrePortalSystemTask(task) {
     if (!task || !task.command || task.app) return false;
-    return /^libreportal (setup|backup\s+all|backup\s+verify|backup\s+location|backup\s+repo|restore\s+migrate\s+system|restore\s+migrate\s+discover|restore\s+first-run|webui|config)\b/.test(task.command);
+    return /^libreportal (setup|backup\s+all|backup\s+verify|backup\s+location|backup\s+repo|restore\s+migrate\s+system|restore\s+migrate\s+discover|restore\s+first-run|webui|config|update)\b/.test(task.command);
   }
 
   /* Render the leading icon(s) on a task row:
diff --git a/containers/libreportal/frontend/js/components/topbar.js b/containers/libreportal/frontend/js/components/topbar.js
index 5a0ce05..bae0e45 100755
--- a/containers/libreportal/frontend/js/components/topbar.js
+++ b/containers/libreportal/frontend/js/components/topbar.js
@@ -70,6 +70,8 @@ class TopbarComponent {
     this.setupLogout();
     this.setupConfigUpdateLockout();
     this.setupSetupGate();
+    // Mount the "out of date" badge now that .topbar-controls exists.
+    window.updateNotifier?.onTopbarReady();
   }
 
   // Disable nav items entirely until the Setup Wizard has been completed.
diff --git a/containers/libreportal/frontend/js/components/update-notifier.js b/containers/libreportal/frontend/js/components/update-notifier.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f0d6e65
--- /dev/null
+++ b/containers/libreportal/frontend/js/components/update-notifier.js
@@ -0,0 +1,351 @@
+// Update Notifier
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Surfaces LibrePortal's "out of date" state across the WebUI:
+//   * a persistent badge in the global topbar (visible on every page), and
+//   * a banner on the dashboard,
+// both driven by /data/system/update_status.json (written host-side by
+// webuiSystemUpdateCheck — see scripts/webui/data/generators/system/).
+//
+// The two actions both go through the normal task pipeline so the user can
+// watch them stream on the Tasks page, exactly like an app install:
+//   * "Update now"        -> task `libreportal update apply`
+//   * "Check for updates"  -> task `libreportal update check`
+//
+// This file owns no detection logic of its own. When get.libreportal.org is
+// wired up, only the host-side generator changes; this stays as-is.
+
+class UpdateNotifier {
+  constructor() {
+    this.status = null;
+    this.fetching = null;          // de-dupe concurrent fetches
+    this.pollMs = 5 * 60 * 1000;   // re-read the status file every 5 min
+    this.pollTimer = null;
+    this.started = false;
+  }
+
+  // ---- data ----------------------------------------------------------------
+
+  async fetchStatus() {
+    if (this.fetching) return this.fetching;
+    this.fetching = (async () => {
+      try {
+        const res = await fetch('/data/system/update_status.json', { cache: 'no-store' });
+        if (!res.ok) return null;
+        this.status = await res.json();
+        return this.status;
+      } catch {
+        return null;
+      } finally {
+        this.fetching = null;
+      }
+    })();
+    return this.fetching;
+  }
+
+  async refresh() {
+    await this.fetchStatus();
+    this.renderTopbarBadge();
+    this.renderDashboardBanner();
+  }
+
+  // ---- lifecycle -----------------------------------------------------------
+
+  start() {
+    if (this.started) return;
+    this.started = true;
+
+    this.refresh();
+
+    // The topbar HTML and this script load independently; if the topbar
+    // mounted first, the authoritative onTopbarReady() call already no-op'd.
+    // Briefly retry until .topbar-controls exists so the badge appears on
+    // first load regardless of which won the race.
+    let tries = 0;
+    const ensure = setInterval(() => {
+      if (document.querySelector('.topbar-controls')) { this.renderTopbarBadge(); clearInterval(ensure); }
+      else if (++tries > 30) clearInterval(ensure); // ~15s ceiling
+    }, 500);
+
+    if (this.pollTimer) clearInterval(this.pollTimer);
+    this.pollTimer = setInterval(() => this.refresh(), this.pollMs);
+
+    // Re-read the status as soon as an update/check task finishes so the badge
+    // clears (or the version updates) without waiting for the next poll.
+    const onTask = (event) => {
+      const cmd = event?.detail?.command || event?.detail?.task?.command || '';
+      const action = event?.detail?.action;
+      if (/^libreportal update\b/.test(cmd) || action === 'update') {
+        // Give the host a beat to finish writing update_status.json.
+        setTimeout(() => this.refresh(), 1500);
+      }
+    };
+    window.addEventListener('taskCompleted', onTask);
+    window.addEventListener('taskUpdated', onTask);
+  }
+
+  // Called by TopbarComponent.init() once the topbar DOM exists.
+  onTopbarReady() {
+    this.renderTopbarBadge();
+    this.refresh();
+  }
+
+  // ---- topbar badge --------------------------------------------------------
+
+  renderTopbarBadge() {
+    const controls = document.querySelector('.topbar-controls');
+    if (!controls) return;
+
+    let badge = document.getElementById('update-badge');
+    const show = this.status && this.status.update_available === true;
+
+    if (!show) {
+      if (badge) badge.remove();
+      return;
+    }
+
+    if (!badge) {
+      badge = document.createElement('button');
+      badge.id = 'update-badge';
+      badge.className = 'update-badge';
+      badge.type = 'button';
+      badge.addEventListener('click', () => this.openPanel());
+      controls.insertBefore(badge, controls.firstChild);
+    }
+
+    const to = this._versionLabel();
+    badge.title = `Update available${to ? ' — ' + to : ''}`;
+    badge.setAttribute('aria-label', badge.title);
+    badge.innerHTML = `
+      <span class="update-badge-dot" aria-hidden="true"></span>
+      <svg width="15" height="15" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" aria-hidden="true">
+        <path d="M21 2v6h-6"></path>
+        <path d="M3 12a9 9 0 0 1 15-6.7L21 8"></path>
+        <path d="M3 22v-6h6"></path>
+        <path d="M21 12a9 9 0 0 1-15 6.7L3 16"></path>
+      </svg>
+      <span class="update-badge-text">Update</span>`;
+  }
+
+  // ---- dashboard banner ----------------------------------------------------
+
+  renderDashboardBanner() {
+    const main = document.querySelector('.dashboard-main');
+    if (!main) return; // not on the dashboard
+
+    let banner = document.getElementById('update-banner');
+    const s = this.status;
+
+    // No status file yet (fresh install before the first check) — show nothing.
+    if (!s) {
+      if (banner) banner.remove();
+      return;
+    }
+
+    if (!banner) {
+      banner = document.createElement('div');
+      banner.id = 'update-banner';
+      main.insertBefore(banner, main.firstChild);
+    }
+
+    const refreshIcon = `
+      <svg width="22" height="22" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2">
+        <path d="M21 2v6h-6"></path>
+        <path d="M3 12a9 9 0 0 1 15-6.7L21 8"></path>
+        <path d="M3 22v-6h6"></path>
+        <path d="M21 12a9 9 0 0 1-15 6.7L3 16"></path>
+      </svg>`;
+    const checkIcon = `
+      <svg width="22" height="22" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2">
+        <path d="M22 11.08V12a10 10 0 1 1-5.93-9.14"></path>
+        <polyline points="22 4 12 14.01 9 11.01"></polyline>
+      </svg>`;
+
+    if (s.update_available) {
+      // Prominent: an update is waiting.
+      const versionLine = this._versionLabel() || `${s.behind} update${s.behind === 1 ? '' : 's'} behind`;
+      const behindLine = s.behind > 0 ? `${s.behind} commit${s.behind === 1 ? '' : 's'} behind` : '';
+      banner.className = 'update-banner';
+      banner.innerHTML = `
+        <div class="update-banner-icon" aria-hidden="true">${refreshIcon}</div>
+        <div class="update-banner-text">
+          <div class="update-banner-title">A LibrePortal update is available</div>
+          <div class="update-banner-sub">${this._escape(versionLine)}${behindLine ? ` &middot; ${this._escape(behindLine)}` : ''}</div>
+        </div>
+        <div class="update-banner-actions">
+          <button type="button" class="update-btn-secondary" id="update-banner-details">Details</button>
+          ${s.can_update ? '<button type="button" class="update-btn-primary" id="update-banner-update">Update now</button>' : ''}
+        </div>`;
+    } else {
+      // Subtle: up to date (or a local install). Still gives a version readout
+      // and a manual "Check for updates" entry point.
+      const local = s.source === 'local' || s.install_mode === 'local';
+      const verText = (s.current_version && s.current_version !== 'unknown') ? `LibrePortal v${s.current_version}` : 'LibrePortal';
+      const subText = local ? 'Local installation — updates are managed manually' : 'Up to date';
+      banner.className = 'update-banner update-banner-ok';
+      banner.innerHTML = `
+        <div class="update-banner-icon" aria-hidden="true">${checkIcon}</div>
+        <div class="update-banner-text">
+          <div class="update-banner-title">${this._escape(verText)}</div>
+          <div class="update-banner-sub">${this._escape(subText)}</div>
+        </div>
+        <div class="update-banner-actions">
+          <button type="button" class="update-btn-secondary" id="update-banner-details">Details</button>
+          ${local ? '' : '<button type="button" class="update-btn-secondary" id="update-banner-check">Check for updates</button>'}
+        </div>`;
+    }
+
+    const details = banner.querySelector('#update-banner-details');
+    if (details) details.addEventListener('click', () => this.openPanel());
+    const updateBtn = banner.querySelector('#update-banner-update');
+    if (updateBtn) updateBtn.addEventListener('click', () => this.runUpdate());
+    const checkBtn = banner.querySelector('#update-banner-check');
+    if (checkBtn) checkBtn.addEventListener('click', () => this.checkNow());
+  }
+
+  // ---- details panel (self-contained modal) --------------------------------
+
+  openPanel() {
+    this.closePanel();
+    const s = this.status || {};
+
+    const overlay = document.createElement('div');
+    overlay.id = 'update-panel-overlay';
+    overlay.className = 'update-panel-overlay';
+    overlay.addEventListener('click', (e) => { if (e.target === overlay) this.closePanel(); });
+
+    const local = s.source === 'local' || s.install_mode === 'local';
+    const rows = [
+      ['Installed version', s.current_version || 'unknown'],
+      ['Latest version', s.latest_version || 'unknown'],
+      ['Commits behind', (s.behind ?? 0).toString()],
+      ['Branch', s.branch || '—'],
+      ['Last checked', this._formatTime(s.checked_at)],
+    ];
+
+    const statusLine = local
+      ? 'This is a local installation — updates are managed manually on the host.'
+      : (s.update_available
+          ? 'An update is available.'
+          : 'LibrePortal is up to date.');
+
+    overlay.innerHTML = `
+      <div class="update-panel" role="dialog" aria-modal="true" aria-label="LibrePortal updates">
+        <div class="update-panel-header">
+          <h3>LibrePortal Updates</h3>
+          <button type="button" class="update-panel-close" id="update-panel-close" aria-label="Close">&times;</button>
+        </div>
+        <div class="update-panel-status ${s.update_available ? 'is-outdated' : ''}">${this._escape(statusLine)}</div>
+        ${s.error ? `<div class="update-panel-error">${this._escape(s.error)}</div>` : ''}
+        <dl class="update-panel-rows">
+          ${rows.map(([k, v]) => `<div class="update-panel-row"><dt>${this._escape(k)}</dt><dd>${this._escape(v)}</dd></div>`).join('')}
+        </dl>
+        ${s.can_update && s.update_available ? '<p class="update-panel-note">Updating backs up your configuration, pulls the latest version, and restarts LibrePortal. Progress streams on the Tasks page.</p>' : ''}
+        <div class="update-panel-actions">
+          <button type="button" class="update-btn-secondary" id="update-panel-check">Check for updates</button>
+          ${s.can_update && s.update_available ? '<button type="button" class="update-btn-primary" id="update-panel-update">Update now</button>' : ''}
+        </div>
+      </div>`;
+
+    document.body.appendChild(overlay);
+    overlay.querySelector('#update-panel-close').addEventListener('click', () => this.closePanel());
+    overlay.querySelector('#update-panel-check').addEventListener('click', () => this.checkNow());
+    const upd = overlay.querySelector('#update-panel-update');
+    if (upd) upd.addEventListener('click', () => this.runUpdate());
+
+    this._escHandler = (e) => { if (e.key === 'Escape') this.closePanel(); };
+    document.addEventListener('keydown', this._escHandler);
+  }
+
+  closePanel() {
+    const overlay = document.getElementById('update-panel-overlay');
+    if (overlay) overlay.remove();
+    if (this._escHandler) {
+      document.removeEventListener('keydown', this._escHandler);
+      this._escHandler = null;
+    }
+  }
+
+  // ---- actions -------------------------------------------------------------
+
+  async runUpdate() {
+    this.closePanel();
+    try {
+      await this._createTask('libreportal update apply');
+      this._toast('LibrePortal update started — follow progress on the Tasks page.', 'info');
+      this._goToTasks();
+    } catch (e) {
+      this._toast('Could not start the update: ' + e.message, 'error');
+    }
+  }
+
+  async checkNow() {
+    try {
+      await this._createTask('libreportal update check');
+      this._toast('Checking for updates…', 'info');
+      // The check task rewrites update_status.json; refresh shortly after.
+      setTimeout(() => this.refresh(), 4000);
+    } catch (e) {
+      this._toast('Could not check for updates: ' + e.message, 'error');
+    }
+  }
+
+  // ---- helpers -------------------------------------------------------------
+
+  async _createTask(command) {
+    if (window.tasksManager?.taskManager?.createTask) {
+      return window.tasksManager.taskManager.createTask(command, 'update', null, '');
+    }
+    if (typeof TaskManager !== 'undefined') {
+      return new TaskManager().createTask(command, 'update', null, '');
+    }
+    const res = await fetch('/api/tasks', {
+      method: 'POST',
+      headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
+      body: JSON.stringify({ command, type: 'update', app: null, config: '' })
+    });
+    if (!res.ok) throw new Error(`HTTP ${res.status}`);
+    return res.json();
+  }
+
+  _goToTasks() {
+    if (window.librePortalSPA?.navigate) window.librePortalSPA.navigate('/tasks');
+    else if (typeof navigateToRoute === 'function') navigateToRoute('/tasks');
+    else window.location.href = '/tasks';
+  }
+
+  _toast(message, type = 'info') {
+    const ns = window.notificationSystem || window.ensureNotificationSystem?.();
+    if (ns?.show) ns.show(message, type);
+    else console.log(`[update] ${message}`);
+  }
+
+  _versionLabel() {
+    const s = this.status;
+    if (!s) return '';
+    const cur = s.current_version, latest = s.latest_version;
+    if (cur && latest && cur !== latest && latest !== 'unknown') return `v${cur} → v${latest}`;
+    if (latest && latest !== 'unknown') return `v${latest}`;
+    return '';
+  }
+
+  _formatTime(iso) {
+    if (!iso) return '—';
+    const d = new Date(iso);
+    if (isNaN(d.getTime())) return '—';
+    return d.toLocaleString();
+  }
+
+  _escape(str) {
+    return String(str).replace(/[&<>"']/g, (c) => (
+      { '&': '&amp;', '<': '&lt;', '>': '&gt;', '"': '&quot;', "'": '&#39;' }[c]
+    ));
+  }
+}
+
+window.updateNotifier = window.updateNotifier || new UpdateNotifier();
+
+if (document.readyState === 'loading') {
+  document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', () => window.updateNotifier.start());
+} else {
+  window.updateNotifier.start();
+}
diff --git a/containers/libreportal/frontend/js/system/system-loader.js b/containers/libreportal/frontend/js/system/system-loader.js
index b95045b..0f10b53 100755
--- a/containers/libreportal/frontend/js/system/system-loader.js
+++ b/containers/libreportal/frontend/js/system/system-loader.js
@@ -70,6 +70,7 @@ class SystemLoader {
       dependencies: [],
       scripts: [
         '/js/components/topbar.js',
+        '/js/components/update-notifier.js',
         '/js/components/mobile-menu.js'
       ]
     });
diff --git a/containers/libreportal/frontend/js/utils/data-loader.js b/containers/libreportal/frontend/js/utils/data-loader.js
index 098e161..b517708 100755
--- a/containers/libreportal/frontend/js/utils/data-loader.js
+++ b/containers/libreportal/frontend/js/utils/data-loader.js
@@ -211,7 +211,10 @@ async function loadDashboardData() {
   
   // Start countdown to next automatic update
   startUpdateCountdown();
-  
+
+  // Show/refresh the "out of date" banner on the dashboard.
+  window.updateNotifier?.renderDashboardBanner();
+
   // console.log('✅ Dashboard data loaded successfully');
 }
 
diff --git a/scripts/cli/commands/update/cli_update_commands.sh b/scripts/cli/commands/update/cli_update_commands.sh
index 501152c..af03026 100755
--- a/scripts/cli/commands/update/cli_update_commands.sh
+++ b/scripts/cli/commands/update/cli_update_commands.sh
@@ -6,11 +6,25 @@
 cliHandleUpdateCommands()
 {
     local update_type="$initial_command2"
-    
-    if [[ -z "$update_type" ]]; then
-        checkUpdates;
-    else
-        isNotice "Invalid update command: ${RED}$update_type${NC}"
-        cliShowUpdateHelp;
-    fi
+
+    case "$update_type" in
+        "")
+            # Interactive CLI updater (prompts the user).
+            checkUpdates
+            ;;
+        "check")
+            # Non-interactive: force a fresh out-of-date check and rewrite
+            # update_status.json. Used by the WebUI "Check for updates" action.
+            webuiSystemUpdateCheck "force"
+            ;;
+        "apply"|"now")
+            # Non-interactive: perform the update. Used by the WebUI
+            # "Update now" action.
+            webuiRunUpdate
+            ;;
+        *)
+            isNotice "Invalid update command: ${RED}$update_type${NC}"
+            cliShowUpdateHelp
+            ;;
+    esac
 }
diff --git a/scripts/cli/commands/update/cli_update_header.sh b/scripts/cli/commands/update/cli_update_header.sh
index fee8dc0..1253dff 100755
--- a/scripts/cli/commands/update/cli_update_header.sh
+++ b/scripts/cli/commands/update/cli_update_header.sh
@@ -8,9 +8,12 @@ cliShowUpdateHelp()
     echo ""
     echo "Available Update Commands:"
     echo ""
-    echo "  libreportal update                      - Updates LibrePortal to the latest version"
+    echo "  libreportal update                      - Interactively check for and install updates"
+    echo "  libreportal update check                - Refresh the out-of-date status (no install)"
+    echo "  libreportal update apply                - Non-interactively update to the latest version"
     echo ""
-    echo "This command will check for and install the latest LibrePortal updates."
-    echo "It will backup your current configuration before updating."
+    echo "These commands check for and install the latest LibrePortal updates."
+    echo "Your current configuration is backed up before updating."
+    echo "'check' and 'apply' are also what the WebUI Update notification uses."
     echo ""
 }
diff --git a/scripts/update/backup/reset_git_backup.sh b/scripts/update/backup/reset_git_backup.sh
index 3690309..75fcced 100755
--- a/scripts/update/backup/reset_git_backup.sh
+++ b/scripts/update/backup/reset_git_backup.sh
@@ -1,6 +1,16 @@
 #!/bin/bash
 
-gitFolderResetAndBackup()
+# gitPerformUpdate — the proven, file-level LibrePortal update.
+#
+# Backs up the user's configs/logs, re-clones the repo fresh (gitReset), then
+# restores the configs/logs over the clean checkout, zips a snapshot, prunes
+# old backups, and stops tracking ignored files. This is the historical update
+# body that "worked great" — extracted out of gitFolderResetAndBackup so it can
+# be reused non-interactively by the WebUI updater (webuiRunUpdate) WITHOUT the
+# trailing `exit` the interactive CLI flow relies on.
+#
+# Does NOT exit, restart, or redeploy — the caller decides what happens next.
+gitPerformUpdate()
 {
     isHeader "Updating LibrePortal"
     update_done=false
@@ -16,9 +26,9 @@ gitFolderResetAndBackup()
     checkSuccess "Copy the configs to the backup folder"
     local result=$(copyFolder "$logs_dir" "$backup_install_dir/$backupFolder" "$sudo_user_name")
     checkSuccess "Copy the logs to the backup folder"
-    
+
     gitReset;
-    
+
     local result=$(copyFolders "$backup_install_dir/$backupFolder/" "$docker_dir" "$sudo_user_name")
     checkSuccess "Copy the backed up folders back into the installation directory"
 
@@ -28,6 +38,11 @@ gitFolderResetAndBackup()
     gitCleanInstallBackups;
 
     gitUntrackFiles;
+}
+
+gitFolderResetAndBackup()
+{
+    gitPerformUpdate;
 
     isSuccessful "Custom changes have been discarded successfully"
     echo ""
diff --git a/scripts/update/check_update.sh b/scripts/update/check_update.sh
index 2dc807d..0e728dc 100755
--- a/scripts/update/check_update.sh
+++ b/scripts/update/check_update.sh
@@ -1,5 +1,86 @@
 #!/bin/bash
 
+# webuiRunUpdate — non-interactive LibrePortal update for the WebUI.
+#
+# Invoked as a task via `libreportal update apply` (see cli_update_commands.sh),
+# so it runs under the task processor with stdin closed and
+# LIBREPORTAL_NONINTERACTIVE=1. It must therefore never block on a prompt:
+# every decision is resolved up front from config, and it bails out cleanly
+# (non-zero) instead of asking a question.
+#
+# Flow: guard -> forced update check -> if behind, run the proven file update
+# (gitPerformUpdate) -> redeploy the portal so the new WebUI is live ->
+# regenerate WebUI data and refresh the out-of-date status.
+webuiRunUpdate()
+{
+    isHeader "LibrePortal Update"
+
+    sourceCheckFiles;
+
+    local install_mode="${CFG_INSTALL_MODE:-git}"
+    local git_updates="${CFG_GIT_UPDATES:-true}"
+
+    if [[ "$install_mode" == "local" ]]; then
+        isError "This is a local installation — updates are managed manually, nothing to pull."
+        return 1
+    fi
+    if [[ "$git_updates" != "true" ]]; then
+        isError "Git updates are disabled (CFG_GIT_UPDATES). Enable them to update from the WebUI."
+        return 1
+    fi
+
+    # Credential guard — gitReset()/gitCheckGitDetails() would otherwise prompt
+    # for missing git details and hang the task forever. Fail fast with a clear
+    # message instead.
+    if [[ "$install_mode" == "git" ]]; then
+        if [[ -z "$CFG_GIT_USER" || "$CFG_GIT_USER" == "changeme" ]]; then
+            isError "Git credentials are not configured. Run the 'libreportal' command once on the host, then retry."
+            return 1
+        fi
+        if [[ "$CFG_GIT_USER" != "empty" && ( -z "$CFG_GIT_KEY" || "$CFG_GIT_KEY" == "changeme" ) ]]; then
+            isError "Git access token is not configured. Run the 'libreportal' command once on the host, then retry."
+            return 1
+        fi
+    fi
+
+    cd "$script_dir" || { isError "Cannot access the install directory ($script_dir)."; return 1; }
+    sudo -u "$sudo_user_name" git config core.fileMode false
+
+    # Force a fresh fetch + status write so the decision below (and the badge)
+    # reflect reality right now, not a stale throttled snapshot.
+    webuiSystemUpdateCheck "force"
+
+    local branch behind
+    branch=$(sudo -u "$sudo_user_name" git -C "$script_dir" rev-parse --abbrev-ref HEAD 2>/dev/null)
+    [[ -z "$branch" || "$branch" == "HEAD" ]] && branch="main"
+    behind=$(sudo -u "$sudo_user_name" git -C "$script_dir" rev-list --count "HEAD..refs/remotes/origin/$branch" 2>/dev/null)
+    [[ -z "$behind" ]] && behind=0
+
+    if [[ "$behind" -eq 0 ]]; then
+        isSuccessful "LibrePortal is already up to date."
+        return 0
+    fi
+
+    isNotice "Update found — $behind commit(s) behind origin/$branch. Updating now..."
+
+    # Proven file-level update: back up configs/logs, re-clone, restore.
+    gitPerformUpdate;
+
+    # Redeploy the portal from the freshly pulled source so the new WebUI goes
+    # live. This is exactly what `libreportal app install libreportal` does, so
+    # it's already safe to run non-interactively. It restarts the container; the
+    # task processor runs on the host, so this task survives the restart.
+    isNotice "Redeploying LibrePortal with the new version..."
+    dockerInstallApp "libreportal"
+
+    # Regenerate WebUI data (new version, configs, etc.) and clear the
+    # out-of-date flag.
+    WEBUI_UPDATER_FORCE=1 webuiLibrePortalUpdate
+    webuiSystemUpdateCheck "force"
+
+    isSuccessful "LibrePortal has been updated."
+}
+
 checkUpdates()
 {
     local param1="$1"
diff --git a/scripts/webui/data/generators/system/webui_system_update.sh b/scripts/webui/data/generators/system/webui_system_update.sh
index 0753a64..b54185d 100755
--- a/scripts/webui/data/generators/system/webui_system_update.sh
+++ b/scripts/webui/data/generators/system/webui_system_update.sh
@@ -7,5 +7,168 @@ webuiSystemUpdate() {
     webuiSystemInfo
     webuiSystemDisk
     webuiSystemMemory
+    webuiSystemUpdateCheck
     isSuccessful "System information updated!"
 }
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+#  WebUI "Out of Date" detection
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Writes frontend/data/system/update_status.json so the dashboard + topbar can
+# tell the user when their LibrePortal install is behind the upstream release.
+#
+# Detection mirrors the model the CLI updater already trusts (scripts/update):
+# a git working copy at $script_dir tracking a remote branch. We `git fetch`
+# (throttled — the network call is the expensive part) and compare the local
+# HEAD to origin/<branch>. The local VERSION file vs the remote VERSION file
+# turns the raw "N commits behind" into a friendly "v0.1.0 -> v0.2.0".
+#
+# The JSON is deliberately source-agnostic: when get.libreportal.org is ready
+# in the website session, only the `latest_version` / `latest_commit` /
+# `behind` values need to come from the HTTP endpoint instead of git — the
+# frontend and the rest of this file stay the same.
+#
+# Pass "force" as $1 to bypass the fetch throttle (used by the manual
+# "Check for updates" action: `libreportal update check`).
+webuiSystemUpdateCheck() {
+    local force_flag="$1"
+
+    local repo_dir="${script_dir}"
+    local system_dir="$containers_dir/libreportal/frontend/data/system"
+    local final_file="${system_dir}/update_status.json"
+    local stamp_file="${system_dir}/.update_check_stamp"
+    # How long (seconds) a fetch result stays "fresh" before we hit the network
+    # again. Overridable via CFG_UPDATE_CHECK_INTERVAL; defaults to 3 hours.
+    local fetch_interval="${CFG_UPDATE_CHECK_INTERVAL:-10800}"
+
+    createFolders "quiet" "$sudo_user_name" "$system_dir"
+
+    local install_mode="${CFG_INSTALL_MODE:-git}"
+    local git_updates="${CFG_GIT_UPDATES:-true}"
+    local auto_updates="${CFG_GIT_AUTO_UPDATES:-false}"
+
+    # Local version: VERSION file first, fall back to the latest reachable tag.
+    local current_version=""
+    if [[ -f "$repo_dir/VERSION" ]]; then
+        current_version=$(tr -d ' \t\n\r' < "$repo_dir/VERSION")
+    fi
+    if [[ -z "$current_version" ]]; then
+        current_version=$(sudo -u "$sudo_user_name" git -C "$repo_dir" describe --tags --abbrev=0 2>/dev/null)
+    fi
+    [[ -z "$current_version" ]] && current_version="unknown"
+
+    # Atomic JSON writer. Args (positional):
+    #   1 update_available  2 can_update  3 current_version  4 latest_version
+    #   5 current_commit    6 latest_commit  7 behind  8 ahead  9 branch
+    #   10 source           11 error_message (empty = null)
+    _webuiWriteUpdateStatus() {
+        local _update_available="$1" _can_update="$2"
+        local _current_version="$3" _latest_version="$4"
+        local _current_commit="$5" _latest_commit="$6"
+        local _behind="$7" _ahead="$8" _branch="$9" _source="${10}" _error="${11}"
+
+        local _error_json="null"
+        [[ -n "$_error" ]] && _error_json="\"$_error\""
+
+        local temp_file="${final_file}.tmp.$$"
+        cat << EOF > "$temp_file"
+{
+  "update_available": ${_update_available},
+  "can_update": ${_can_update},
+  "current_version": "${_current_version}",
+  "latest_version": "${_latest_version}",
+  "current_commit": "${_current_commit}",
+  "latest_commit": "${_latest_commit}",
+  "behind": ${_behind},
+  "ahead": ${_ahead},
+  "branch": "${_branch}",
+  "install_mode": "${install_mode}",
+  "git_updates_enabled": ${git_updates},
+  "auto_updates": ${auto_updates},
+  "source": "${_source}",
+  "error": ${_error_json},
+  "checked_at": "$(date -Iseconds)"
+}
+EOF
+        if [ $? -eq 0 ]; then
+            mv "$temp_file" "$final_file"
+            createTouch "$final_file" "$sudo_user_name"
+        else
+            rm -f "$temp_file" 2>/dev/null
+        fi
+    }
+
+    # Not a git working copy, or a deliberately local install: we can't compare
+    # against an upstream, so report "managed manually" rather than an error.
+    if [[ ! -d "$repo_dir/.git" || "$install_mode" == "local" ]]; then
+        _webuiWriteUpdateStatus "false" "false" \
+            "$current_version" "$current_version" \
+            "" "" "0" "0" "" "local" ""
+        return 0
+    fi
+
+    local branch
+    branch=$(sudo -u "$sudo_user_name" git -C "$repo_dir" rev-parse --abbrev-ref HEAD 2>/dev/null)
+    [[ -z "$branch" || "$branch" == "HEAD" ]] && branch="main"
+
+    sudo -u "$sudo_user_name" git -C "$repo_dir" config core.fileMode false >/dev/null 2>&1
+
+    # Decide whether to hit the network this run.
+    local do_fetch="false"
+    if [[ "$force_flag" == "force" || ! -f "$stamp_file" ]]; then
+        do_fetch="true"
+    else
+        local _now _last
+        _now=$(date +%s)
+        _last=$(stat -c '%Y' "$stamp_file" 2>/dev/null || echo 0)
+        (( _now - _last >= fetch_interval )) && do_fetch="true"
+    fi
+
+    local fetch_error=""
+    if [[ "$do_fetch" == "true" ]]; then
+        local _fetched="false"
+        if [[ "$install_mode" == "git" && -n "$CFG_GIT_USER" && "$CFG_GIT_USER" != "empty" && "$CFG_GIT_USER" != "changeme" ]]; then
+            if sudo -u "$sudo_user_name" git -C "$repo_dir" \
+                -c "credential.helper=" \
+                -c "credential.helper=!f() { echo username=$CFG_GIT_USER; echo password=$CFG_GIT_KEY; }; f" \
+                fetch --quiet origin "$branch" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+                _fetched="true"
+            fi
+        else
+            if sudo -u "$sudo_user_name" git -C "$repo_dir" fetch --quiet origin "$branch" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+                _fetched="true"
+            fi
+        fi
+
+        if [[ "$_fetched" == "true" ]]; then
+            sudo -u "$sudo_user_name" touch "$stamp_file" 2>/dev/null || touch "$stamp_file" 2>/dev/null
+        else
+            fetch_error="Could not reach the update server."
+        fi
+    fi
+
+    # Compare local HEAD against the (possibly just-fetched) remote ref.
+    local current_commit latest_commit behind ahead latest_version
+    current_commit=$(sudo -u "$sudo_user_name" git -C "$repo_dir" rev-parse --short HEAD 2>/dev/null)
+    latest_commit=$(sudo -u "$sudo_user_name" git -C "$repo_dir" rev-parse --short "refs/remotes/origin/$branch" 2>/dev/null)
+    behind=$(sudo -u "$sudo_user_name" git -C "$repo_dir" rev-list --count "HEAD..refs/remotes/origin/$branch" 2>/dev/null)
+    ahead=$(sudo -u "$sudo_user_name" git -C "$repo_dir" rev-list --count "refs/remotes/origin/$branch..HEAD" 2>/dev/null)
+    [[ -z "$behind" ]] && behind=0
+    [[ -z "$ahead" ]] && ahead=0
+    [[ -z "$current_commit" ]] && current_commit="unknown"
+    [[ -z "$latest_commit" ]] && latest_commit="$current_commit"
+
+    latest_version=$(sudo -u "$sudo_user_name" git -C "$repo_dir" show "refs/remotes/origin/$branch:VERSION" 2>/dev/null | tr -d ' \t\n\r')
+    [[ -z "$latest_version" ]] && latest_version="$current_version"
+
+    local update_available="false"
+    [[ "$behind" -gt 0 ]] && update_available="true"
+
+    local can_update="false"
+    [[ "$install_mode" == "git" && "$git_updates" == "true" ]] && can_update="true"
+
+    _webuiWriteUpdateStatus "$update_available" "$can_update" \
+        "$current_version" "$latest_version" \
+        "$current_commit" "$latest_commit" \
+        "$behind" "$ahead" "$branch" "git" "$fetch_error"
+}