diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 1c6cff9f..93e2e6ec 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -2,6 +2,12 @@
 
 ## Unreleased
 
+## v1.8.18-alpha (2026-09-18)
+
+- Framework startup prioritizes Bitcoin and LND before unrelated containers, and unavailable LND balances remain unavailable instead of appearing as false zeroes.
+- Cashu Receive guides unseeded wallets through recovery-phrase setup, with shorter backup guidance and a single-column layout.
+- Added live Framework verification for automatic LND unlock, native balance preservation, Cashu address registration, and proof preservation.
+
 ## v1.8.17-alpha (2026-09-15)
 
 - Minibits claims that every mint reports as already spent leave the retry queue, clearing repeated failure notices. Network errors and mixed mint failures remain queued for another attempt.
diff --git a/core/Cargo.lock b/core/Cargo.lock
index 0174e29b..1c09030a 100644
--- a/core/Cargo.lock
+++ b/core/Cargo.lock
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "archipelago"
-version = "1.8.17-alpha"
+version = "1.8.18-alpha"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "archipelago-container",
diff --git a/core/archipelago/Cargo.toml b/core/archipelago/Cargo.toml
index 33d8368f..43f95d81 100644
--- a/core/archipelago/Cargo.toml
+++ b/core/archipelago/Cargo.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "archipelago"
-version = "1.8.17-alpha"
+version = "1.8.18-alpha"
 edition = "2021"
 license.workspace = true
 description = "Archipelago Bitcoin Node OS - Native backend"
diff --git a/neode-ui/package-lock.json b/neode-ui/package-lock.json
index f1e3a339..47425dfe 100644
--- a/neode-ui/package-lock.json
+++ b/neode-ui/package-lock.json
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 {
   "name": "neode-ui",
-  "version": "1.8.17-alpha",
+  "version": "1.8.18-alpha",
   "lockfileVersion": 3,
   "requires": true,
   "packages": {
     "": {
       "name": "neode-ui",
-      "version": "1.8.17-alpha",
+      "version": "1.8.18-alpha",
       "dependencies": {
         "@scure/bip39": "^2.2.0",
         "@types/dompurify": "^3.0.5",
diff --git a/neode-ui/package.json b/neode-ui/package.json
index dec901a4..2df6c4e8 100644
--- a/neode-ui/package.json
+++ b/neode-ui/package.json
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
   "name": "neode-ui",
   "private": true,
-  "version": "1.8.17-alpha",
+  "version": "1.8.18-alpha",
   "type": "module",
   "scripts": {
     "start": "./start-dev.sh",
diff --git a/neode-ui/src/views/settings/AccountInfoSection.vue b/neode-ui/src/views/settings/AccountInfoSection.vue
index 0279460d..329cb670 100644
--- a/neode-ui/src/views/settings/AccountInfoSection.vue
+++ b/neode-ui/src/views/settings/AccountInfoSection.vue
@@ -362,6 +362,18 @@ init()
               </button>
             </div>
             <div class="overflow-y-auto flex-1 min-h-0 space-y-6 pr-1">
+              <!-- v1.8.18-alpha -->
+              <div>
+                <div class="flex items-center gap-2 mb-3">
+                  <span class="text-xs font-mono px-2 py-0.5 rounded bg-orange-500/20 text-orange-300">v1.8.18-alpha</span>
+                  <span class="text-xs text-white/40">September 18, 2026</span>
+                </div>
+                <div class="space-y-3 text-sm text-white/80 pl-3 border-l border-white/10">
+                  <p>Framework startup now brings Bitcoin and LND up before unrelated containers, and the dashboard keeps balances unavailable instead of showing a false zero when LND is not ready.</p>
+                  <p>Cashu wallets can set up a recovery phrase from Receive, with clearer backup and restore guidance.</p>
+                  <p>Ecash backup guidance is shorter and arranged in a single column for easier use on small screens.</p>
+                </div>
+              </div>
               <!-- v1.8.17-alpha -->
               <div>
                 <div class="flex items-center gap-2 mb-3">