Cargo.lock

@@ -2274,6 +2274,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "rand 0.8.6",
  "reqwest",
  "rsa",
+ "semver",
  "serde",
  "serde_json",
  "tempfile",

Cargo.toml

@@ -59,6 +59,7 @@ reqwest = { version = "0.13", default-features = false, features = [
   "json",
   "query",
 ] }
+semver = "1"
 
 [profile.release]
 lto = "thin"

crates/heph/src/service.rs

@@ -19,12 +19,22 @@ const LABEL: &str = "org.hephaestus.hephd";
 #[derive(Subcommand, Debug)]
 pub enum DaemonAction {
     /// Install (if needed) and start the daemon service.
-    Start,
+    Start {
+        /// Generate a service that runs with opt-in self-update enabled
+        /// (default off). The service gets a PATH that can find cargo.
+        #[arg(long)]
+        self_update: bool,
+    },
     /// Stop the daemon now (it may restart at next login; use `uninstall` to
     /// stop it for good).
     Stop,
-    /// Restart the daemon — run this after upgrading the binary.
-    Restart,
+    /// Restart the daemon — run this after upgrading the binary. Preserves the
+    /// existing self-update setting unless `--self-update` re-enables it.
+    Restart {
+        /// Force self-update on when regenerating the service definition.
+        #[arg(long)]
+        self_update: bool,
+    },
     /// Show whether the service is installed and running.
     Status,
     /// Stop and remove the service entirely.
@@ -114,8 +124,26 @@ fn xml_escape(s: &str) -> String {
         .replace('>', ">")
 }
 
-fn launchd_plist(hephd: &Path, db: &Path, socket: &Path, log: &Path) -> String {
+fn launchd_plist(hephd: &Path, db: &Path, socket: &Path, log: &Path, self_update: bool) -> String {
     let arg = |p: &Path| xml_escape(&p.to_string_lossy());
+    // Opt-in self-update: pass the flag, and give the service a PATH/HOME that
+    // can find cargo + the toolchain (a LaunchAgent's default env can't), since
+    // the apply path shells out to `cargo install`.
+    let self_update_arg = if self_update {
+        "\n    <string>--self-update</string>".to_string()
+    } else {
+        String::new()
+    };
+    let cargo_env = if self_update {
+        let (path, home) = cargo_env();
+        format!(
+            "\n    <key>PATH</key>\n    <string>{}</string>\n    <key>HOME</key>\n    <string>{}</string>",
+            xml_escape(&path),
+            xml_escape(&home),
+        )
+    } else {
+        String::new()
+    };
     format!(
         r#"<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
 <!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
@@ -131,7 +159,7 @@ fn launchd_plist(hephd: &Path, db: &Path, socket: &Path, log: &Path) -> String {
     <string>--db</string>
     <string>{db}</string>
     <string>--socket</string>
-    <string>{socket}</string>
+    <string>{socket}</string>{self_update_arg}
   </array>
   <key>RunAtLoad</key>
   <true/>
@@ -143,7 +171,7 @@ fn launchd_plist(hephd: &Path, db: &Path, socket: &Path, log: &Path) -> String {
          Aqua session as a LaunchAgent, so its child gets the GUI/hotkey it
          needs. Opt-in here (not in dev/test runs, which never set it). -->
     <key>HEPH_QUICKADD</key>
-    <string>1</string>
+    <string>1</string>{cargo_env}
   </dict>
   <key>StandardOutPath</key>
   <string>{log}</string>
@@ -160,15 +188,46 @@ fn launchd_plist(hephd: &Path, db: &Path, socket: &Path, log: &Path) -> String {
     )
 }
 
-fn systemd_unit(hephd: &Path, db: &Path, socket: &Path) -> String {
+/// A `PATH`/`HOME` pair for a service that must run `cargo install`. Service
+/// managers start with a minimal environment, so we prepend `~/.cargo/bin` (which
+/// holds cargo and the rustup toolchain shims) to the usual locations and pin
+/// `HOME`, which cargo needs for its registry/cache.
+fn cargo_env() -> (String, String) {
+    let home = std::env::var("HOME").unwrap_or_default();
+    let path =
+        format!("{home}/.cargo/bin:/usr/local/bin:/opt/homebrew/bin:/usr/bin:/bin:/usr/sbin:/sbin");
+    (path, home)
+}
+
+/// Whether an already-installed service file opted into self-update — so
+/// `restart` (which regenerates the file) preserves the setting instead of
+/// silently turning it off.
+fn file_opts_into_self_update(path: &Path) -> bool {
+    std::fs::read_to_string(path)
+        .map(|s| s.contains("--self-update"))
+        .unwrap_or(false)
+}
+
+fn systemd_unit(hephd: &Path, db: &Path, socket: &Path, self_update: bool) -> String {
+    // Opt-in self-update: pass the flag and give the unit a PATH/HOME that can
+    // find cargo + the toolchain, since the apply path runs `cargo install`.
+    let su_arg = if self_update { " --self-update" } else { "" };
+    let cargo_env = if self_update {
+        let (path, home) = cargo_env();
+        format!("Environment=PATH={path}\nEnvironment=HOME={home}\n")
+    } else {
+        String::new()
+    };
     format!(
         "[Unit]\n\
          Description=heph daemon (hephd)\n\
          After=default.target\n\
          \n\
          [Service]\n\
-         ExecStart={hephd} --mode local --db {db} --socket {socket}\n\
-         Restart=on-failure\n\
+         ExecStart={hephd} --mode local --db {db} --socket {socket}{su_arg}\n\
+         {cargo_env}\
+         Restart=always\n\
+         RestartSec=1\n\
          \n\
          [Install]\n\
          WantedBy=default.target\n",
@@ -244,8 +303,11 @@ fn launchd(action: &DaemonAction, p: &Paths) -> Result<()> {
     let target = format!("gui/{uid}/{LABEL}");
 
     match action {
-        DaemonAction::Start => {
-            write_if_changed(&plist, &launchd_plist(&p.hephd, &p.db, &p.socket, &p.log))?;
+        DaemonAction::Start { self_update } => {
+            write_if_changed(
+                &plist,
+                &launchd_plist(&p.hephd, &p.db, &p.socket, &p.log, *self_update),
+            )?;
             if launchd_loaded(&target) {
                 println!("heph daemon already running ({LABEL}).");
             } else {
@@ -260,8 +322,12 @@ fn launchd(action: &DaemonAction, p: &Paths) -> Result<()> {
             let (_ok, _err) = run_cmd("launchctl", &["bootout", &target])?;
             println!("heph daemon stopped (still installed; `uninstall` to remove).");
         }
-        DaemonAction::Restart => {
-            write_if_changed(&plist, &launchd_plist(&p.hephd, &p.db, &p.socket, &p.log))?;
+        DaemonAction::Restart { self_update } => {
+            let su = *self_update || file_opts_into_self_update(&plist);
+            write_if_changed(
+                &plist,
+                &launchd_plist(&p.hephd, &p.db, &p.socket, &p.log, su),
+            )?;
             let _ = run_cmd("launchctl", &["bootout", &target])?;
             let (ok, err) = run_cmd("launchctl", &["bootstrap", &domain, &plist_str(&plist)?])?;
             if !ok {
@@ -314,8 +380,11 @@ fn sc(args: &[&str]) -> Result<(bool, String)> {
 fn systemd(action: &DaemonAction, p: &Paths) -> Result<()> {
     let unit = systemd_unit_path()?;
     match action {
-        DaemonAction::Start => {
-            write_if_changed(&unit, &systemd_unit(&p.hephd, &p.db, &p.socket))?;
+        DaemonAction::Start { self_update } => {
+            write_if_changed(
+                &unit,
+                &systemd_unit(&p.hephd, &p.db, &p.socket, *self_update),
+            )?;
             sc(&["daemon-reload"])?;
             let (ok, err) = sc(&["enable", "--now", UNIT])?;
             if !ok {
@@ -327,8 +396,9 @@ fn systemd(action: &DaemonAction, p: &Paths) -> Result<()> {
             sc(&["stop", UNIT])?;
             println!("heph daemon stopped (still enabled; `uninstall` to remove).");
         }
-        DaemonAction::Restart => {
-            write_if_changed(&unit, &systemd_unit(&p.hephd, &p.db, &p.socket))?;
+        DaemonAction::Restart { self_update } => {
+            let su = *self_update || file_opts_into_self_update(&unit);
+            write_if_changed(&unit, &systemd_unit(&p.hephd, &p.db, &p.socket, su))?;
             sc(&["daemon-reload"])?;
             let (ok, err) = sc(&["restart", UNIT])?;
             if !ok {
@@ -377,6 +447,7 @@ mod tests {
             Path::new("/home/e/.local/share/heph/heph.db"),
             Path::new("/tmp/heph/hephd.sock"),
             Path::new("/home/e/.local/share/heph/hephd.log"),
+            false,
         );
         assert!(plist.contains("<string>org.hephaestus.hephd</string>"));
         assert!(plist.contains("<string>/usr/local/bin/hephd</string>"));
@@ -386,6 +457,24 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(plist.contains("<key>RunAtLoad</key>"));
         assert!(plist.contains("<key>KeepAlive</key>"));
         assert!(plist.contains("hephd.log"));
+        // Default (no self-update): no flag, no cargo PATH baked in.
+        assert!(!plist.contains("--self-update"));
+        assert!(!plist.contains(".cargo/bin"));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn launchd_plist_self_update_adds_flag_and_cargo_path() {
+        let plist = launchd_plist(
+            Path::new("/usr/local/bin/hephd"),
+            Path::new("/db"),
+            Path::new("/sock"),
+            Path::new("/log"),
+            true,
+        );
+        assert!(plist.contains("<string>--self-update</string>"));
+        assert!(plist.contains("<key>PATH</key>"));
+        assert!(plist.contains(".cargo/bin"));
+        assert!(plist.contains("<key>HOME</key>"));
     }
 
     #[test]
@@ -394,14 +483,36 @@ mod tests {
             Path::new("/usr/local/bin/hephd"),
             Path::new("/home/e/.local/share/heph/heph.db"),
             Path::new("/run/user/1000/heph/hephd.sock"),
+            false,
         );
         assert!(unit.contains(
             "ExecStart=/usr/local/bin/hephd --mode local \
              --db /home/e/.local/share/heph/heph.db \
              --socket /run/user/1000/heph/hephd.sock"
         ));
-        assert!(unit.contains("Restart=on-failure"));
+        // Restart=always (not on-failure) so a clean exit (code 0) — what
+        // self-update does to hand off to the new binary — is respawned too.
+        assert!(unit.contains("Restart=always"));
+        assert!(!unit.contains("Restart=on-failure"));
+        assert!(unit.contains("RestartSec="));
         assert!(unit.contains("WantedBy=default.target"));
+        // Default (no self-update): no flag, no baked env.
+        assert!(!unit.contains("--self-update"));
+        assert!(!unit.contains("Environment=PATH="));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn systemd_unit_self_update_adds_flag_and_env() {
+        let unit = systemd_unit(
+            Path::new("/usr/local/bin/hephd"),
+            Path::new("/db"),
+            Path::new("/sock"),
+            true,
+        );
+        assert!(unit.contains("--self-update"));
+        assert!(unit.contains("Environment=PATH="));
+        assert!(unit.contains(".cargo/bin"));
+        assert!(unit.contains("Environment=HOME="));
     }
 
     #[test]

crates/hephd/Cargo.toml

@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ jsonwebtoken.workspace = true
 keyring-core.workspace = true
 reqwest.workspace = true
 ureq.workspace = true
+semver.workspace = true
 
 # The OS credential backend that `oauth.rs` registers as the keyring-core
 # default store — exactly one per platform, not the whole keyring meta-crate.

crates/hephd/src/lib.rs

@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ pub mod oauth;
 pub mod quickadd;
 pub mod remote;
 pub mod rpc;
+pub mod selfupdate;
 pub mod server;
 pub mod sync;
 

crates/hephd/src/main.rs

@@ -17,8 +17,8 @@ use tokio::net::{TcpListener, UnixListener};
 
 use heph_core::LocalStore;
 use hephd::{
-    default_db_path, default_socket_path, sync, Daemon, KeyringTokenStore, LockGuard, RemoteStore,
-    SystemClock, TokenStore,
+    default_db_path, default_socket_path, selfupdate::SelfUpdateConfig, sync, Daemon,
+    KeyringTokenStore, LockGuard, RemoteStore, SystemClock, TokenStore,
 };
 
 /// How often a spoke background-syncs with its hub.
@@ -77,6 +77,16 @@ struct Cli {
     /// --oidc-issuer, the device attaches a cached bearer token to hub requests.
     #[arg(long)]
     oidc_client_id: Option<String>,
+
+    /// Opt-in (default off): periodically poll the forge for a newer release and
+    /// auto-update this daemon. Off unless this flag is given.
+    #[arg(long)]
+    self_update: bool,
+
+    /// Override the self-update poll interval, in seconds (default: 6h). Only
+    /// meaningful with --self-update.
+    #[arg(long)]
+    self_update_interval_secs: Option<u64>,
 }
 
 /// Build the spoke/client token source: a keyring store keyed by `account` (the
@@ -112,6 +122,11 @@ async fn main() -> Result<()> {
             .with_context(|| format!("creating socket dir {}", parent.display()))?;
     }
 
+    // Opt-in self-update (default off): `Some` only when `--self-update` is set.
+    let self_update = cli
+        .self_update
+        .then(|| SelfUpdateConfig::new(cli.self_update_interval_secs.map(Duration::from_secs)));
+
     // Build the daemon for the chosen mode. `local`/`server` own the file (and
     // hold its lock for the process's life); `client` keeps no replica.
     let (_lock, daemon) = match cli.mode {
@@ -131,7 +146,10 @@ async fn main() -> Result<()> {
                 }
                 None => RemoteStore::new(&server_url),
             };
-            (None, Daemon::new(store))
+            (
+                None,
+                Daemon::new(store).with_self_update(self_update.clone()),
+            )
         }
         Mode::Local | Mode::Server => {
             let db = cli.db.clone().unwrap_or_else(default_db_path);
@@ -147,7 +165,8 @@ async fn main() -> Result<()> {
             });
             let daemon = Daemon::new(store)
                 .with_hub(cli.hub_url.clone())
-                .with_spoke_auth(spoke);
+                .with_spoke_auth(spoke)
+                .with_self_update(self_update.clone());
 
             // server mode: expose the hub HTTP endpoint over the same store.
             if cli.mode == Mode::Server {
@@ -190,6 +209,9 @@ async fn main() -> Result<()> {
         }
     };
 
+    // Opt-in self-update poller (no-op unless --self-update); mode-agnostic.
+    daemon.spawn_self_update_loop();
+
     // Replace any stale socket from a previous run, then bind.
     if socket.exists() {
         std::fs::remove_file(&socket)

crates/hephd/src/selfupdate.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,417 @@
+//! Opt-in self-update (cards: `docs/how-to/self-update/`). When enabled, hephd
+//! polls the forge for a newer tagged release and rebuilds + restarts onto it.
+//!
+//! The moving parts are dependency-injected behind traits — [`ReleaseSource`]
+//! (where the latest tag comes from) and [`Installer`] (how the upgrade is
+//! applied) — so the poll/apply logic is unit-tested without a live forge or a
+//! real `cargo install`. The production wiring (`ForgeReleaseSource`,
+//! `CargoInstaller`) is exercised only at runtime.
+
+use std::sync::Arc;
+use std::time::Duration;
+
+use anyhow::{Context, Result};
+
+/// Default poll cadence when `--self-update` is on and no interval is given.
+pub const DEFAULT_INTERVAL: Duration = Duration::from_secs(6 * 60 * 60);
+
+/// Configuration for the opt-in self-update mode. Its mere presence (the daemon
+/// holds an `Option<SelfUpdateConfig>`) means the mode is enabled; absent ⇒ off.
+#[derive(Clone, Debug)]
+pub struct SelfUpdateConfig {
+    /// How often to poll the forge for a newer release.
+    pub interval: Duration,
+}
+
+impl SelfUpdateConfig {
+    /// Build a config, falling back to [`DEFAULT_INTERVAL`] when no override.
+    pub fn new(interval: Option<Duration>) -> Self {
+        Self {
+            interval: interval.unwrap_or(DEFAULT_INTERVAL),
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+/// The forge releases feed for this project — the latest tagged release. The
+/// repo is public, so this is an unauthenticated GET on the canonical public
+/// host.
+pub const RELEASES_LATEST_URL: &str =
+    "https://forge.eblu.me/api/v1/repos/eblume/hephaestus/releases/latest";
+
+/// Extract the bare `X.Y.Z` semver from a version string that may carry a build
+/// suffix (`heph_core::VERSION` is e.g. `"1.0.3 (aa376b4)"`) or a leading `v`
+/// (release tags are `v1.0.4`).
+fn parse_version(s: &str) -> Result<semver::Version> {
+    let head = s
+        .trim()
+        .trim_start_matches('v')
+        .split_whitespace()
+        .next()
+        .unwrap_or("");
+    semver::Version::parse(head).with_context(|| format!("parsing version {s:?}"))
+}
+
+/// Whether `latest_tag` names a strictly newer release than `current` (the
+/// running `heph_core::VERSION`). A malformed version on either side is an
+/// error — never a silent "no update".
+pub fn update_available(current: &str, latest_tag: &str) -> Result<bool> {
+    Ok(parse_version(latest_tag)? > parse_version(current)?)
+}
+
+/// Pull the `tag_name` out of a Forgejo/Gitea `releases/latest` response body.
+/// Split out from the HTTP fetch so it can be tested against a sample payload.
+pub fn parse_latest_tag(body: &str) -> Result<String> {
+    #[derive(serde::Deserialize)]
+    struct Release {
+        tag_name: String,
+    }
+    let rel: Release =
+        serde_json::from_str(body).context("parsing forge releases/latest response")?;
+    Ok(rel.tag_name)
+}
+
+/// Fetch the latest release tag from the forge over HTTP (reusing the daemon's
+/// shared `reqwest::Client`). Network/HTTP/JSON failures surface as `Err` for
+/// the caller to log-and-continue.
+pub async fn fetch_latest_tag(http: &reqwest::Client, url: &str) -> Result<String> {
+    let body = http
+        .get(url)
+        .send()
+        .await
+        .context("requesting forge releases/latest")?
+        .error_for_status()
+        .context("forge releases/latest returned an error status")?
+        .text()
+        .await
+        .context("reading forge releases/latest body")?;
+    parse_latest_tag(&body)
+}
+
+/// Where "the latest release tag" comes from. Injectable so the poll loop can
+/// be exercised without hitting the network (real impl: [`ForgeReleaseSource`]).
+pub trait ReleaseSource: Send + Sync + 'static {
+    fn latest_tag(&self) -> impl std::future::Future<Output = Result<String>> + Send;
+}
+
+/// The production source: the forge's `releases/latest` over HTTP.
+pub struct ForgeReleaseSource {
+    http: reqwest::Client,
+    url: String,
+}
+
+impl ForgeReleaseSource {
+    /// Source backed by the daemon's shared client, hitting [`RELEASES_LATEST_URL`].
+    pub fn new(http: reqwest::Client) -> Self {
+        Self {
+            http,
+            url: RELEASES_LATEST_URL.to_string(),
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+impl ReleaseSource for ForgeReleaseSource {
+    async fn latest_tag(&self) -> Result<String> {
+        fetch_latest_tag(&self.http, &self.url).await
+    }
+}
+
+/// The result of one self-update check — kept separate from logging so it can be
+/// asserted in tests.
+#[derive(Debug, PartialEq, Eq)]
+pub enum CheckOutcome {
+    /// The running version is at or ahead of the latest release.
+    UpToDate,
+    /// A strictly newer release exists, named by this tag (e.g. `v1.0.4`).
+    UpdateAvailable(String),
+    /// The check failed (forge unreachable, bad body, unparseable version).
+    Failed(String),
+}
+
+/// Run one check against `source`, comparing the latest tag to `current`. Never
+/// returns `Err` — a failure is folded into [`CheckOutcome::Failed`] so the loop
+/// keeps going (a flaky forge must never crash or stall the daemon).
+pub async fn check_release<S: ReleaseSource>(source: &S, current: &str) -> CheckOutcome {
+    match source.latest_tag().await {
+        Ok(tag) => match update_available(current, &tag) {
+            Ok(true) => CheckOutcome::UpdateAvailable(tag),
+            Ok(false) => CheckOutcome::UpToDate,
+            Err(e) => CheckOutcome::Failed(e.to_string()),
+        },
+        Err(e) => CheckOutcome::Failed(e.to_string()),
+    }
+}
+
+/// The git URL self-update installs from. hephaestus is a **public** repo, and
+/// `cargo install --git` is a plain anonymous git clone — *not* the Forgejo
+/// cargo *registry* (that's access-restricted and needs `forge.ops.eblu.me`;
+/// this is unrelated). So a credential-free HTTPS clone of the canonical public
+/// host works from any device.
+pub const INSTALL_GIT_URL: &str = "https://forge.eblu.me/eblume/hephaestus.git";
+
+/// All workspace binaries, installed in lockstep so `heph`/`hephd`/`heph-tui`
+/// never skew after an update.
+pub const INSTALL_BINS: &[&str] = &["heph", "hephd", "heph-tui", "heph-quickadd"];
+
+/// Applies a detected upgrade. Injectable so the apply path is testable without
+/// spawning a real (minutes-long) `cargo install` (real impl: [`CargoInstaller`]).
+pub trait Installer: Send + Sync + 'static {
+    /// Install the binaries for release `tag` (e.g. `v1.0.4`). Blocking.
+    fn install(&self, tag: &str) -> Result<()>;
+}
+
+/// The production installer: `cargo install --locked --git <ssh> --tag <tag>`
+/// for every workspace binary — the exact command the install how-to documents.
+pub struct CargoInstaller;
+
+impl Installer for CargoInstaller {
+    fn install(&self, tag: &str) -> Result<()> {
+        let mut cmd = std::process::Command::new("cargo");
+        cmd.args([
+            "install",
+            "--locked",
+            "--git",
+            INSTALL_GIT_URL,
+            "--tag",
+            tag,
+        ]);
+        cmd.args(INSTALL_BINS);
+        let status = cmd.status().context("spawning cargo install")?;
+        if !status.success() {
+            anyhow::bail!("cargo install for {tag} exited with {status}");
+        }
+        Ok(())
+    }
+}
+
+/// Hands off to the freshly-installed binary. Injectable so the apply path is
+/// testable without actually exiting the test process (real: [`ProcessRestarter`]).
+pub trait Restarter: Send + Sync + 'static {
+    /// Restart onto the new binary. The production impl does not return.
+    fn restart(&self) -> Result<()>;
+}
+
+/// The production restarter: exit cleanly so the OS service manager (launchd
+/// `KeepAlive` / systemd `Restart=always`) respawns the new binary. In-flight
+/// RPC connections simply drop; clients reconnect (the nvim plugin already does).
+pub struct ProcessRestarter;
+
+impl Restarter for ProcessRestarter {
+    fn restart(&self) -> Result<()> {
+        tracing::info!("self-update: exiting to let the service manager start the new binary");
+        std::process::exit(0);
+    }
+}
+
+/// Apply a detected update: install the binaries for `tag`, then restart onto
+/// them. The blocking install runs on the blocking pool so it never stalls the
+/// async runtime; the restart only happens if the install succeeded.
+pub async fn apply_update(
+    installer: Arc<dyn Installer>,
+    restarter: Arc<dyn Restarter>,
+    tag: &str,
+) -> Result<()> {
+    let owned = tag.to_string();
+    tokio::task::spawn_blocking(move || installer.install(&owned))
+        .await
+        .context("self-update install task panicked")??;
+    tracing::info!(%tag, "self-update: installed; restarting into the new binary");
+    restarter.restart()
+}
+
+/// The background poll loop: tick on `interval`, check for a newer release, and
+/// when one is available, apply it. Runs forever; spawned as a task.
+pub async fn run_poll_loop<S: ReleaseSource>(
+    source: S,
+    installer: Arc<dyn Installer>,
+    restarter: Arc<dyn Restarter>,
+    interval: Duration,
+    current: &'static str,
+) {
+    let mut tick = tokio::time::interval(interval);
+    loop {
+        tick.tick().await;
+        match check_release(&source, current).await {
+            CheckOutcome::UpdateAvailable(tag) => {
+                tracing::info!(%tag, current, "self-update: newer release available, applying");
+                // On success the restarter exits the process, so this only
+                // returns on failure — log it and keep polling.
+                if let Err(e) = apply_update(installer.clone(), restarter.clone(), &tag).await {
+                    tracing::error!("self-update: failed for {tag}: {e}");
+                }
+            }
+            CheckOutcome::UpToDate => tracing::debug!(current, "self-update: up to date"),
+            CheckOutcome::Failed(e) => tracing::warn!("self-update: release check failed: {e}"),
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+
+    /// A canned release source for deterministic loop/decision tests.
+    struct FakeSource(Result<String, &'static str>);
+    impl ReleaseSource for FakeSource {
+        async fn latest_tag(&self) -> Result<String> {
+            self.0.clone().map_err(|e| anyhow::anyhow!(e))
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Records install calls; optionally fails, to drive the apply path.
+    #[derive(Default)]
+    struct FakeInstaller {
+        installed: std::sync::Mutex<Vec<String>>,
+        fail: bool,
+    }
+    impl Installer for FakeInstaller {
+        fn install(&self, tag: &str) -> Result<()> {
+            self.installed.lock().unwrap().push(tag.to_string());
+            if self.fail {
+                anyhow::bail!("simulated install failure");
+            }
+            Ok(())
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Records whether a restart was requested (instead of exiting the process).
+    #[derive(Default)]
+    struct FakeRestarter {
+        restarted: std::sync::Mutex<bool>,
+    }
+    impl Restarter for FakeRestarter {
+        fn restart(&self) -> Result<()> {
+            *self.restarted.lock().unwrap() = true;
+            Ok(())
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn install_and_release_urls_are_public_https_no_ssh() {
+        // hephaestus is public; cargo install --git is a plain clone (not the
+        // access-restricted Forgejo cargo registry), so no SSH / credentials.
+        for url in [INSTALL_GIT_URL, RELEASES_LATEST_URL] {
+            assert!(url.starts_with("https://"), "{url} must be HTTPS");
+            assert!(!url.contains("ssh://"), "{url} must not use SSH");
+            assert!(
+                url.contains("forge.eblu.me"),
+                "{url} should use the canonical public host"
+            );
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn apply_update_installs_then_restarts_on_success() {
+        let inst = Arc::new(FakeInstaller::default());
+        let restart = Arc::new(FakeRestarter::default());
+        apply_update(inst.clone(), restart.clone(), "v1.0.4")
+            .await
+            .unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(*inst.installed.lock().unwrap(), vec!["v1.0.4".to_string()]);
+        assert!(
+            *restart.restarted.lock().unwrap(),
+            "should restart on success"
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn apply_update_does_not_restart_when_install_fails() {
+        let inst = Arc::new(FakeInstaller {
+            fail: true,
+            ..Default::default()
+        });
+        let restart = Arc::new(FakeRestarter::default());
+        assert!(apply_update(inst.clone(), restart.clone(), "v1.0.4")
+            .await
+            .is_err());
+        assert_eq!(*inst.installed.lock().unwrap(), vec!["v1.0.4".to_string()]);
+        assert!(
+            !*restart.restarted.lock().unwrap(),
+            "must NOT restart after a failed install"
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn check_release_reports_outcomes_from_a_stubbed_source() {
+        // Newer release available.
+        let s = FakeSource(Ok("v1.0.4".into()));
+        assert_eq!(
+            check_release(&s, "1.0.3 (sha)").await,
+            CheckOutcome::UpdateAvailable("v1.0.4".into())
+        );
+        // Already current.
+        let s = FakeSource(Ok("v1.0.3".into()));
+        assert_eq!(
+            check_release(&s, "1.0.3 (sha)").await,
+            CheckOutcome::UpToDate
+        );
+        // Fetch failure → folded into Failed, never a panic/Err.
+        let s = FakeSource(Err("forge unreachable"));
+        assert!(matches!(
+            check_release(&s, "1.0.3 (sha)").await,
+            CheckOutcome::Failed(_)
+        ));
+        // Malformed tag → Failed.
+        let s = FakeSource(Ok("not-a-tag".into()));
+        assert!(matches!(
+            check_release(&s, "1.0.3 (sha)").await,
+            CheckOutcome::Failed(_)
+        ));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn config_defaults_interval_and_honors_override() {
+        assert_eq!(SelfUpdateConfig::new(None).interval, DEFAULT_INTERVAL);
+        assert_eq!(
+            SelfUpdateConfig::new(Some(Duration::from_secs(900))).interval,
+            Duration::from_secs(900)
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn update_available_compares_ignoring_build_suffix_and_v_prefix() {
+        // Running version carries a build-sha suffix; tags carry a `v`.
+        assert!(update_available("1.0.3 (aa376b4)", "v1.0.4").unwrap());
+        assert!(update_available("1.0.3 (aa376b4)", "v2.0.0").unwrap());
+        // Same version → no update (a dirty rebuild of the same tag isn't newer).
+        assert!(!update_available("1.0.3 (aa376b4-dirty)", "v1.0.3").unwrap());
+        // Older tag than running → no update.
+        assert!(!update_available("1.0.3", "v1.0.2").unwrap());
+        // Patch/minor/major ordering.
+        assert!(update_available("1.0.9", "v1.1.0").unwrap());
+        assert!(!update_available("1.1.0", "v1.0.9").unwrap());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn update_available_errors_on_malformed_version() {
+        assert!(update_available("not-a-version", "v1.0.4").is_err());
+        assert!(update_available("1.0.3", "vNope").is_err());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn parse_latest_tag_reads_tag_name_from_forge_body() {
+        // A trimmed sample of a Forgejo releases/latest payload.
+        let body = r#"{
+            "id": 42,
+            "tag_name": "v1.0.4",
+            "name": "Release v1.0.4",
+            "draft": false,
+            "prerelease": false
+        }"#;
+        assert_eq!(parse_latest_tag(body).unwrap(), "v1.0.4");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn parse_latest_tag_errors_on_unexpected_body() {
+        assert!(parse_latest_tag("{}").is_err());
+        assert!(parse_latest_tag("not json").is_err());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn end_to_end_body_to_decision() {
+        // Parse a release body, then decide against a fixed running version.
+        let tag = parse_latest_tag(r#"{"tag_name": "v1.0.4"}"#).unwrap();
+        assert!(update_available("1.0.3 (aa376b4)", &tag).unwrap());
+        let tag = parse_latest_tag(r#"{"tag_name": "v1.0.3"}"#).unwrap();
+        assert!(!update_available("1.0.3 (aa376b4)", &tag).unwrap());
+    }
+}

crates/hephd/src/server.rs

@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ use heph_core::Store;
 
 use crate::oauth::{self, TokenStore};
 use crate::rpc::{self, Request, Response, RpcError, INTERNAL_ERROR, PARSE_ERROR};
+use crate::selfupdate::{self, SelfUpdateConfig};
 use crate::sync::{self, SharedStore};
 
 /// How a spoke obtains the bearer token it presents to its hub (tech-spec §13).
@@ -40,6 +41,8 @@ struct Ctx {
     http: reqwest::Client,
     /// Token source for authenticated sync (None ⇒ unauthenticated hub).
     auth: Option<SpokeAuth>,
+    /// Opt-in self-update config (`Some` ⇒ enabled, tech-spec self-update card).
+    self_update: Option<SelfUpdateConfig>,
 }
 
 impl Ctx {
@@ -74,8 +77,16 @@ impl Daemon {
             ctx: Ctx {
                 store: Arc::new(Mutex::new(store)),
                 hub_url: None,
-                http: reqwest::Client::new(),
+                // Bound every hub request so a black-hole hub (one that accepts
+                // a connection but never replies) can't stall the sync /
+                // self-update loops — "the hub can vanish at any moment" is the
+                // base case, including vanishing mid-request.
+                http: reqwest::Client::builder()
+                    .timeout(Duration::from_secs(30))
+                    .build()
+                    .expect("building the daemon HTTP client"),
                 auth: None,
+                self_update: None,
             },
         }
     }
@@ -100,12 +111,52 @@ impl Daemon {
         self
     }
 
+    /// Enable opt-in self-update with the given config (`None` ⇒ stays off).
+    pub fn with_self_update(mut self, cfg: Option<SelfUpdateConfig>) -> Daemon {
+        self.ctx.self_update = cfg;
+        self
+    }
+
     /// The shared store handle, for code that needs to reach the same store the
     /// daemon serves (the hub HTTP router and background sync, tech-spec §6.1).
     pub fn store(&self) -> SharedStore {
         self.ctx.store.clone()
     }
 
+    /// If self-update is enabled, spawn its background poller: every
+    /// `cfg.interval` it checks the forge for a newer release and, when one is
+    /// found, installs it and restarts onto the new binary. No-op when off.
+    ///
+    /// Note: the *apply* path runs `cargo install` and exits, which only works
+    /// when the daemon's service environment can reach the forge over SSH and
+    /// find cargo — see the `service-env-forge-access` card (the deployment step
+    /// that makes this operational).
+    pub fn spawn_self_update_loop(&self) {
+        let Some(cfg) = self.ctx.self_update.clone() else {
+            return;
+        };
+        let source = selfupdate::ForgeReleaseSource::new(self.ctx.http.clone());
+        let installer: std::sync::Arc<dyn selfupdate::Installer> =
+            std::sync::Arc::new(selfupdate::CargoInstaller);
+        let restarter: std::sync::Arc<dyn selfupdate::Restarter> =
+            std::sync::Arc::new(selfupdate::ProcessRestarter);
+        tracing::info!(
+            interval_secs = cfg.interval.as_secs(),
+            current = heph_core::VERSION,
+            "self-update enabled"
+        );
+        tokio::spawn(async move {
+            selfupdate::run_poll_loop(
+                source,
+                installer,
+                restarter,
+                cfg.interval,
+                heph_core::VERSION,
+            )
+            .await;
+        });
+    }
+
     /// If this is a spoke (`hub_url` set), spawn a background task that syncs the
     /// op-log with the hub every `interval` (attaching a bearer token when auth
     /// is configured). No-op otherwise.

crates/hephd/tests/sync_http.rs

@@ -84,6 +84,65 @@ async fn a_node_propagates_a_to_hub_to_b() {
     assert_eq!(on_b.body.as_deref(), Some("shingles need work"));
 }
 
+#[tokio::test]
+async fn spoke_survives_an_unreachable_hub_then_reconciles_when_it_returns() {
+    // "The hub can vanish at any moment" is the base case, not a guarded edge:
+    // a spoke whose hub is down keeps serving + accepting writes, and when the
+    // hub returns its accumulated ops reconcile with no special recovery. This
+    // is what makes a self-updating hub (which restarts under its spokes) safe.
+    let http = reqwest::Client::builder()
+        .timeout(std::time::Duration::from_secs(5)) // never hang the test
+        .build()
+        .unwrap();
+    let (a, _ca, _da) = replica(1000);
+
+    // Hub down: work happens locally, and a sync attempt fails *fast* (Err — not
+    // a panic, not a hang) and leaves the store untouched.
+    let id = {
+        let mut ga = a.lock().unwrap();
+        ga.create_node(NewNode::doc(
+            "Offline note",
+            "written while the hub was down",
+        ))
+        .unwrap()
+        .id
+    };
+    let dead_hub = "http://127.0.0.1:1"; // nothing listens → connection refused
+    assert!(
+        sync::sync_once(a.clone(), dead_hub, &http, None)
+            .await
+            .is_err(),
+        "sync against a dead hub should error, not hang or panic"
+    );
+
+    // The spoke is unharmed: the note is intact and further writes still succeed.
+    {
+        let mut ga = a.lock().unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(ga.get_node(&id).unwrap().unwrap().title, "Offline note");
+        ga.create_node(NewNode::doc("Another", "still working offline"))
+            .unwrap();
+    }
+
+    // The hub returns: the spoke pushes everything it accumulated while offline,
+    // and a fresh replica pulls it — convergence resumes, no manual recovery.
+    let hub_url = start_hub().await;
+    let up = sync::sync_once(a.clone(), &hub_url, &http, None)
+        .await
+        .unwrap();
+    assert!(up.pushed > 0, "spoke pushed nothing after the hub returned");
+    let (b, _cb, _db) = replica(1000);
+    sync::sync_once(b.clone(), &hub_url, &http, None)
+        .await
+        .unwrap();
+    let on_b = b
+        .lock()
+        .unwrap()
+        .get_node(&id)
+        .unwrap()
+        .expect("offline-authored node reached B after the hub recovered");
+    assert_eq!(on_b.title, "Offline note");
+}
+
 #[tokio::test]
 async fn divergent_scalar_edits_converge_through_the_hub_with_a_conflict() {
     let hub_url = start_hub().await;

docs/changelog.d/hephd-self-update.feature.md

@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Opt-in (default off) **hephd self-update**: `hephd --self-update` polls the forge for a newer release on an interval and, when one appears, rebuilds via `cargo install` from the release tag (anonymous HTTPS clone of the public repo — no credentials) and restarts onto the new binary. Enable it on the managed service with `heph daemon start --self-update` (which also bakes a cargo-capable `PATH` into the launchd/systemd unit and switches systemd to `Restart=always` so a clean self-exit respawns). The install mechanism is verified end-to-end; a live cross-version upgrade is confirmed on the first release after this lands. Also hardens hub resilience: the daemon's HTTP client now has a 30s timeout so a black-hole hub can't stall the sync/self-update loop.

docs/how-to/how-to.md

@@ -20,3 +20,4 @@ Task-oriented guides for common operations.
 - [[run-the-daemon]] — Run `hephd` as an OS service with `heph daemon start/stop/restart/status`
 - [[set-up-sync-hub]] — Stand up the canonical hub (indri) and connect an existing device as an offline-capable spoke
 - [[import-todoist]] — Seed a heph store from your Todoist projects + tasks (`mise run import-todoist`)
+- [[self-update]] — Opt-in `hephd` self-update: poll the forge for new releases and auto-update

docs/how-to/run-the-daemon.md

@@ -28,9 +28,14 @@ when it's already stopped is fine.
   `~/Library/LaunchAgents/org.hephaestus.hephd.plist`, with `RunAtLoad` +
   `KeepAlive` (starts at login, restarts if it crashes).
 - **Linux** — a **systemd user service** (`heph.service`) at
-  `~/.config/systemd/user/heph.service`, with `Restart=on-failure`, enabled for
+  `~/.config/systemd/user/heph.service`, with `Restart=always`, enabled for
   login.
 
+> **Upgrading from an older install:** earlier units used `Restart=on-failure`,
+> which does **not** respawn after a clean exit — so opt-in self-update (which
+> exits cleanly to hand off to the new binary) wouldn't come back on Linux. Run
+> `heph daemon restart` once (it regenerates the unit) to pick up `Restart=always`.
+
 Either way it runs `hephd --mode local` against the default store
 (`~/.local/share/heph/heph.db`) and socket, with logs at
 `~/.local/share/heph/hephd.log`.
@@ -48,6 +53,16 @@ still the old binary until you restart it:
 heph daemon restart
 ```
 
+## Self-update (opt-in)
+
+`hephd` can keep itself current: `heph daemon start --self-update` generates a
+service that polls the forge for newer releases and, when one appears, rebuilds
+via `cargo install` (anonymous HTTPS clone of the public repo — no credentials)
+and restarts onto the new binary. It is **off by default**; the generated
+service also gets a `PATH` that can find cargo. `heph daemon restart` preserves
+the setting (pass `--self-update` again to turn it on later). Requires the Rust
+toolchain (`cargo`) installed for the service user.
+
 ## Development isolation
 
 `heph daemon` manages the **installed** daemon on the default paths. For in-repo

docs/how-to/self-update.md

@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
+---
+title: hephd self-update
+modified: 2026-06-04
+tags:
+  - how-to
+---
+
+# hephd self-update
+
+`hephd` can keep itself current: it polls the forge for a newer release and, when
+one appears, rebuilds and restarts onto it — unattended. It is **opt-in and off
+by default**.
+
+## Enable it
+
+On the managed service:
+
+```bash
+heph daemon start --self-update
+```
+
+That generates a launchd/systemd service that runs `hephd --self-update` and
+gives it a `PATH` that can find `cargo`. `heph daemon restart` preserves the
+setting (pass `--self-update` again to turn it on later). To run the daemon
+directly instead:
+
+```bash
+hephd --self-update                              # default: poll every 6h
+hephd --self-update --self-update-interval-secs 3600
+```
+
+## How it works
+
+1. Each interval, `hephd` GETs the forge's `releases/latest` and compares the tag
+   against its own version (the one `heph --version` reports).
+2. On a newer release it runs `cargo install --locked --git <public-https-url>
+   --tag vX.Y.Z` for `heph`/`hephd`/`heph-tui`/`heph-quickadd`. hephaestus is a
+   public repo, so this is an anonymous clone — **no credentials**.
+3. On a successful install it exits cleanly; the service manager (launchd
+   `KeepAlive` / systemd `Restart=always`) brings the new binary up.
+
+A failed poll or build is logged and the daemon keeps running on its current
+version — self-update never takes the daemon down.
+
+## Requirements & notes
+
+- The **Rust toolchain** (`cargo`) must be installed for the service user; the
+  update builds from source.
+- Off by default — nothing happens unless `--self-update` is passed.
+- The first real cross-version upgrade is observable on the first release cut
+  after enabling it.
+
+## Related
+
+- [[run-the-daemon]] — running `hephd` as an OS service
+- [[install-heph]] — installing the binaries