fix: prevent stale catalog updates and redundant container recreation

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -2,6 +2,13 @@
 
 ## Unreleased
 
+## v1.8.16-alpha (2026-09-15)
+
+- App updates refresh and verify the signed catalog before changing containers. A failed refresh or manifest reload cancels the update, and automatic updates wait for a successful refresh.
+- Fixed repeated Mempool update offers: downstream `-archyN` patches now sort above their upstream release, and moving a published image between registry namespaces does not hide a genuine upgrade.
+- Updates inspect installed component versions, refuse known downgrades, skip containers already at the target versions, and verify the resulting versions before reporting success.
+- Added regression coverage for stale catalogs, matching versions, publisher namespace changes, stack component updates, and keeping running containers untouched when no upgrade is needed.
+
 ## v1.8.15-alpha (2026-09-13)
 
 - Cuprate is presented as one user-facing app in My Apps, including its UI launch button; the generated dashboard companion is hidden as an implementation detail instead of appearing under Services.

app-catalog/catalog.json

@@ -378,13 +378,13 @@
     {
       "id": "mempool",
       "title": "Mempool Explorer",
-      "version": "3.0.0",
+      "version": "3.3.1-archy1",
       "description": "Bitcoin mempool and blockchain explorer. Real-time transaction and block visualization.",
       "icon": "/assets/img/app-icons/mempool.webp",
       "author": "Mempool",
       "category": "money",
       "tier": "core",
-      "dockerImage": "source.archipelago-foundation.org/lfg2025/mempool-frontend:v3.3.1",
+      "dockerImage": "source.archipelago-foundation.org/chaum/mempool-frontend:v3.3.1-archy1",
       "repoUrl": "https://github.com/mempool/mempool",
       "requires": [
         "bitcoin-knots",

catalog.json

@@ -67,13 +67,13 @@
     {
       "id": "mempool",
       "title": "Mempool Explorer",
-      "version": "3.0.0",
+      "version": "3.3.1-archy1",
       "description": "Bitcoin mempool and blockchain explorer. Real-time transaction and block visualization.",
       "icon": "/assets/img/app-icons/mempool.webp",
       "author": "Mempool",
       "category": "money",
       "tier": "core",
-      "dockerImage": "source.archipelago-foundation.org/lfg2025/mempool-frontend:v3.3.1",
+      "dockerImage": "source.archipelago-foundation.org/chaum/mempool-frontend:v3.3.1-archy1",
       "repoUrl": "https://github.com/mempool/mempool",
       "requires": [
         "bitcoin-knots",

core/archipelago/src/api/rpc/package/async_lifecycle.rs

@@ -330,7 +330,7 @@ impl RpcHandler {
         let package_id_spawn = package_id.clone();
         tokio::spawn(async move {
             match handler.handle_package_update(params).await {
-                Ok(_) => {
+                Ok(result) => {
                     info!("package.update {}: complete", package_id_spawn);
                     // Same reasoning as install: the merge_preserving_transitional
                     // helper treats Updating as RPC-owned, so we MUST write the
@@ -345,7 +345,11 @@ impl RpcHandler {
                     set_package_state(
                         &handler.state_manager,
                         &package_id_spawn,
-                        PackageState::Running,
+                        if result.get("status").and_then(|v| v.as_str()) == Some("up-to-date") {
+                            pre_state.clone().unwrap_or(PackageState::Running)
+                        } else {
+                            PackageState::Running
+                        },
                     )
                     .await;
                 }

core/archipelago/src/api/rpc/package/update.rs

@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ use tracing::{error, info, warn};
 const PODMAN_UPDATE_PULL_TIMEOUT: std::time::Duration = std::time::Duration::from_secs(600);
 
 impl RpcHandler {
-    /// Update a package to the version pinned in image-versions.sh.
+    /// Update a package to the freshly verified catalog target.
     /// This is a manual operation — the user clicks "Update" in the UI.
     pub(in crate::api::rpc) async fn handle_package_update(
         &self,
@@ -32,6 +32,21 @@ impl RpcHandler {
             .ok_or_else(|| anyhow::anyhow!("Missing package id"))?;
         validate_app_id(package_id)?;
 
+        // An Update click must not act on an hourly cache that predates the
+        // button. Fetch and verify first; failure leaves running containers alone.
+        crate::container::app_catalog::refresh_catalog(&self.config.data_dir)
+            .await
+            .context(
+                "Cannot check the signed app catalog; update cancelled before changing containers",
+            )?;
+        if let Some(orch) = &self.orchestrator {
+            // Reload even when bytes did not change: a previous reload may have
+            // failed after the cache was written, or another refresher wrote it.
+            orch.reload_manifests()
+                .await
+                .context("Cannot load current app manifests; update cancelled")?;
+        }
+
         // Resolve the target image. Prefer the remote app catalog (decoupled
         // from the binary OTA), falling back to the image-versions.sh pin. This
         // is OPTIONAL for orchestrator-managed apps: the orchestrator resolves
@@ -42,6 +57,22 @@ impl RpcHandler {
         let pinned = crate::container::app_catalog::catalog_primary_image(package_id)
             .or_else(|| image_versions::pinned_image_for_app(package_id));
 
+        let targets = pinned
+            .as_ref()
+            .map(|target| self.resolve_images_to_pull(package_id, target));
+        if let Some(targets) = &targets {
+            let installed = inspect_update_images(package_id).await?;
+            if !update_targets_need_change(targets, &installed)? {
+                install_log(&format!(
+                    "UPDATE SKIP: {} — target versions already installed",
+                    package_id
+                ))
+                .await;
+                self.clear_install_progress(package_id).await;
+                return Ok(serde_json::json!({"status": "up-to-date", "package_id": package_id}));
+            }
+        }
+
         // Note: the `already updating` guard lives in `spawn_package_update`
         // (the async wrapper that dispatch actually routes to). By the time
         // this inner function runs, the wrapper has already flipped state to
@@ -80,6 +111,12 @@ impl RpcHandler {
             if let Some(orchestrator) = self.orchestrator.as_ref() {
                 match orchestrator.upgrade(orchestrator_app_id).await {
                     Ok(()) => {
+                        if let Some(targets) = &targets {
+                            verify_update_targets(
+                                targets,
+                                &inspect_update_images(package_id).await?,
+                            )?;
+                        }
                         self.set_install_phase(package_id, InstallPhase::WaitingHealthy)
                             .await;
                         if let Ok(health) = orchestrator.health(orchestrator_app_id).await {
@@ -133,7 +170,8 @@ impl RpcHandler {
         };
 
         // Resolve images to pull — either a stack or single container
-        let images_to_pull = self.resolve_images_to_pull(package_id, &pinned);
+        let images_to_pull =
+            targets.unwrap_or_else(|| self.resolve_images_to_pull(package_id, &pinned));
 
         // Get all containers for this app
         let containers = get_containers_for_app(package_id).await?;
@@ -324,15 +362,22 @@ impl RpcHandler {
                 .await;
             if let Ok(o) = status {
                 let state = String::from_utf8_lossy(&o.stdout).trim().to_string();
-                if state == "exited" {
-                    warn!(
-                        "Update {}: container {} exited after recreate",
-                        package_id, name
+                anyhow::ensure!(
+                    o.status.success() && state == "running",
+                    "Update {}: container {} is not running after recreate",
+                    package_id,
+                    name
+                );
+            } else {
+                anyhow::bail!(
+                    "Update {}: cannot inspect recreated container {}",
+                    package_id,
+                    name
                 );
             }
         }
-        }
 
+        verify_update_targets(images_to_pull, &inspect_update_images(package_id).await?)?;
         Ok(())
     }
 
@@ -514,6 +559,98 @@ impl RpcHandler {
     }
 }
 
+async fn inspect_update_images(package_id: &str) -> Result<Vec<(String, String)>> {
+    let containers = get_containers_for_app(package_id).await?;
+    anyhow::ensure!(
+        !containers.is_empty(),
+        "No containers found for {}",
+        package_id
+    );
+    let mut command = tokio::process::Command::new("podman");
+    command.arg("inspect").args(&containers).kill_on_drop(true);
+    let output = tokio::time::timeout(std::time::Duration::from_secs(30), command.output())
+        .await
+        .context("Timed out checking installed images")??;
+    anyhow::ensure!(
+        output.status.success(),
+        "Cannot inspect installed images; update cancelled"
+    );
+    let inspected: Vec<serde_json::Value> = serde_json::from_slice(&output.stdout)?;
+    inspected
+        .iter()
+        .map(|entry| {
+            let name = entry
+                .get("Name")
+                .and_then(|v| v.as_str())
+                .ok_or_else(|| anyhow::anyhow!("Container inspection omitted Name"))?;
+            let image = entry
+                .get("ImageName")
+                .and_then(|v| v.as_str())
+                .ok_or_else(|| anyhow::anyhow!("Container inspection omitted ImageName"))?;
+            Ok((name.trim_start_matches('/').to_string(), image.to_string()))
+        })
+        .collect()
+}
+
+fn installed_image_for_target<'a>(
+    app_id: &str,
+    installed: &'a [(String, String)],
+) -> Option<&'a str> {
+    installed
+        .iter()
+        .find(|(name, _)| {
+            candidate_app_ids_for_container(name)
+                .iter()
+                .any(|id| id == app_id)
+        })
+        .map(|(_, image)| image.as_str())
+}
+
+/// A successful recreate is not proof that it used the downloaded image.
+fn verify_update_targets(
+    targets: &[(String, String)],
+    installed: &[(String, String)],
+) -> Result<()> {
+    for (app_id, target) in targets {
+        let running = installed_image_for_target(app_id, installed).ok_or_else(|| {
+            anyhow::anyhow!("Update {}: target container missing after recreate", app_id)
+        })?;
+        anyhow::ensure!(
+            image_versions::extract_version_from_image(target)
+                == image_versions::extract_version_from_image(running)
+                || image_versions::compare_image_versions(target, running)
+                    == Some(std::cmp::Ordering::Equal),
+            "Update {}: recreated container did not reach target version {}",
+            app_id,
+            image_versions::extract_version_from_image(target)
+        );
+    }
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+/// Check every stack component, not just the version shown on its tile. A
+/// newer backend must still update when its frontend version is unchanged.
+/// A stale target for any component cancels before pulling or stopping anything.
+fn update_targets_need_change(
+    targets: &[(String, String)],
+    installed: &[(String, String)],
+) -> Result<bool> {
+    use std::cmp::Ordering;
+    let mut changed = false;
+    for (app_id, target) in targets {
+        let running = installed_image_for_target(app_id, installed);
+        match running.and_then(|image| image_versions::compare_image_versions(target, image)) {
+            Some(Ordering::Less) => anyhow::bail!(
+                "Catalog target for {} is older than the installed image; refusing downgrade",
+                app_id
+            ),
+            Some(Ordering::Equal) => {}
+            Some(Ordering::Greater) | None => changed = true,
+        }
+    }
+    Ok(changed)
+}
+
 fn should_try_orchestrator_update(package_id: &str, orchestrator_available: bool) -> bool {
     orchestrator_available && !uses_legacy_update_flow(package_id)
 }
@@ -526,7 +663,10 @@ fn orchestrator_update_app_id(package_id: &str) -> &str {
 }
 
 fn uses_legacy_update_flow(package_id: &str) -> bool {
-    matches!(
+    // A primary container already at its target does not mean its backend or
+    // database is current. Route every mapped stack through the component flow.
+    !image_versions::containers_for_stack(package_id).is_empty()
+        || matches!(
             package_id,
             // Multi-container stacks still updated via the stack-aware path.
             "immich" | "penpot" | "penpot-frontend" | "indeedhub"
@@ -554,7 +694,12 @@ fn candidate_app_ids_for_container(container_name: &str) -> Vec<String> {
         "archy-bitcoin-ui" => push("bitcoin-ui"),
         "archy-lnd-ui" => push("lnd-ui"),
         "archy-electrs-ui" => push("electrs-ui"),
-        "mempool" => {
+        "mysql-mempool" => push("archy-mempool-db"),
+        "btcpay" | "btcpayserver" | "archy-btcpay" => push("btcpay-server"),
+        "homeassistant" | "archy-homeassistant" => push("home-assistant"),
+        "fedimintd" => push("fedimint"),
+        "electrs" | "mempool-electrs" => push("electrumx"),
+        "mempool" | "mempool-web" => {
             push("archy-mempool-web");
             push("mempool");
         }
@@ -572,27 +717,89 @@ fn candidate_app_ids_for_container(container_name: &str) -> Vec<String> {
 mod tests {
     use super::{
         candidate_app_ids_for_container, orchestrator_update_app_id,
-        should_try_orchestrator_update, uses_legacy_update_flow,
+        should_try_orchestrator_update, update_targets_need_change, uses_legacy_update_flow,
+        verify_update_targets,
     };
 
+    #[test]
+    fn mempool_update_preflight_rejects_stale_catalog_without_reinstalling() {
+        let installed = vec![(
+            "mempool".into(),
+            "r.test/lfg2025/mempool-frontend:v3.3.1-archy1".into(),
+        )];
+        let stale = vec![(
+            "archy-mempool-web".into(),
+            "r.test/lfg2025/mempool-frontend:v3.3.1".into(),
+        )];
+        assert!(update_targets_need_change(&stale, &installed).is_err());
+        let current = vec![(
+            "archy-mempool-web".into(),
+            "r.test/chaum/mempool-frontend:v3.3.1-archy1".into(),
+        )];
+        assert!(!update_targets_need_change(&current, &installed).unwrap());
+        let legacy = vec![(
+            "mempool-web".into(),
+            "r.test/old/mempool-frontend:v3.3.1-archy1".into(),
+        )];
+        assert!(!update_targets_need_change(&current, &legacy).unwrap());
+        let newer = vec![(
+            "archy-mempool-web".into(),
+            "r.test/chaum/mempool-frontend:v3.3.1-archy2".into(),
+        )];
+        assert!(update_targets_need_change(&newer, &installed).unwrap());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn stack_update_checks_backend_even_when_frontend_matches() {
+        let installed = vec![
+            ("mempool".into(), "r.test/team/web:3.3.1-archy1".into()),
+            ("mempool-api".into(), "r.test/team/api:3.3.1".into()),
+        ];
+        let mut targets = vec![
+            (
+                "archy-mempool-web".into(),
+                "r.test/team/web:3.3.1-archy1".into(),
+            ),
+            ("mempool-api".into(), "r.test/team/api:3.3.2".into()),
+        ];
+        assert!(update_targets_need_change(&targets, &installed).unwrap());
+        targets[0].1 = "r.test/team/web:3.3.1".into();
+        assert!(update_targets_need_change(&targets, &installed).is_err());
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn update_completion_requires_the_target_version_to_be_installed() {
+        let targets = vec![(
+            "archy-mempool-web".into(),
+            "r.test/chaum/mempool-frontend:v3.3.1-archy1".into(),
+        )];
+        let mut installed = vec![(
+            "mempool".into(),
+            "r.test/lfg2025/mempool-frontend:v3.3.1".into(),
+        )];
+        assert!(verify_update_targets(&targets, &installed).is_err());
+        assert!(verify_update_targets(&targets, &[]).is_err());
+        installed[0].1 = "r.test/lfg2025/mempool-frontend:v3.3.1-archy1".into();
+        assert!(verify_update_targets(&targets, &installed).is_ok());
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn legacy_flow_for_stack_apps() {
-        for app in ["immich", "penpot", "indeedhub"] {
+        for app in [
+            "immich",
+            "penpot",
+            "indeedhub",
+            "mempool",
+            "btcpay-server",
+            "netbird",
+        ] {
             assert!(uses_legacy_update_flow(app), "{app} should stay legacy");
         }
     }
 
     #[test]
     fn orchestrator_flow_for_single_apps() {
-        for app in [
-            "lnd",
-            "bitcoin-core",
-            "searxng",
-            "grafana",
-            "btcpay-server",
-            "mempool",
-            "fedimint",
-        ] {
+        for app in ["lnd", "bitcoin-core", "searxng", "grafana", "fedimint"] {
             assert!(
                 !uses_legacy_update_flow(app),
                 "{app} should be orchestrator-first"

core/archipelago/src/container/app_catalog.rs

@@ -400,7 +400,7 @@ pub fn available_update_for_app(app_id: &str, running_image: &str) -> Option<Str
     }
     if let Some(catalog_image) = catalog_primary_image(app_id) {
         // Catalog covers this app with a concrete image -> authoritative.
-        return crate::container::image_versions::available_update_for_images(
+        return crate::container::image_versions::available_catalog_update_for_images(
             &catalog_image,
             running_image,
         );

core/archipelago/src/container/image_versions.rs

@@ -100,6 +100,12 @@ fn parse_image_versions(content: &str) -> HashMap<String, String> {
 
         // Match VAR="value" or VAR=value
         if let Some((key, val)) = parse_assignment(line) {
+            // Read a self-default assignment without evaluating shell code.
+            let default_prefix = format!("${{{key}:-");
+            let val = val
+                .strip_prefix(&default_prefix)
+                .and_then(|v| v.strip_suffix('}'))
+                .unwrap_or(val);
             let expanded = val.replace("$ARCHY_REGISTRY", &registry);
             if key == "ARCHY_REGISTRY" {
                 registry = expanded.clone();
@@ -205,48 +211,71 @@ pub fn available_update_for_app(app_id: &str, running_image: &str) -> Option<Str
 }
 
 pub fn available_update_for_images(pinned: &str, running_image: &str) -> Option<String> {
-    let pinned_version = extract_version_from_image(&pinned);
+    if image_without_registry_or_tag(pinned) != image_without_registry_or_tag(running_image) {
+        return None;
+    }
+    available_catalog_update_for_images(pinned, running_image)
+}
+
+/// A signed catalog binds the image to an app id, so a publisher namespace
+/// migration must not hide a real upgrade. Baseline pins still require the
+/// same repository via `available_update_for_images` above.
+pub fn available_catalog_update_for_images(pinned: &str, running_image: &str) -> Option<String> {
+    let pinned_version = extract_version_from_image(pinned);
     if is_floating_tag(&pinned_version) {
         return None;
     }
-
-    let running_version = extract_version_from_image(running_image);
-    if pinned_version == running_version {
-        return None;
-    }
-
-    let pinned_repo = image_without_registry_or_tag(&pinned);
-    let running_repo = image_without_registry_or_tag(running_image);
-    if pinned_repo != running_repo {
-        return None;
-    }
-
-    // Never advertise a LOWER version as an update.
-    //
-    // Everything upstream of here is a version claim that can go stale: the
-    // signed catalog, a legacy catalog entry with no manifest, the
-    // image-versions.sh baseline pin. When one lags behind what a node is
-    // actually running, a bare `pinned != running` check turns that staleness
-    // into an "Update" button that rolls the node BACKWARDS — and a rollback
-    // to a version withdrawn for a vulnerability is precisely the case where
-    // that must not happen. Observed with BTCPay: 2.4.2 installed, a stale
-    // 2.3.9 pin, and the UI offering "update" to the exploited release.
-    //
-    // Only suppress when both tags parse as comparable version numbers, so
-    // apps with opaque tags (RELEASE.2024-11-07T00-52-20Z, 14-vectorchord0.4.3)
-    // keep the previous behaviour rather than silently losing updates.
-    if let (Some(p), Some(r)) = (
-        parse_version_parts(&pinned_version),
-        parse_version_parts(&running_version),
+    if matches!(
+        compare_image_versions(pinned, running_image),
+        Some(std::cmp::Ordering::Less | std::cmp::Ordering::Equal)
     ) {
-        if p < r {
         return None;
     }
-    }
-
     Some(pinned_version)
 }
 
+/// Compare explicit image tags, ignoring registry and namespace. `None` means
+/// unknown ordering (including floating tags), never permission to downgrade.
+/// Archipelago's `-archyN` is a downstream patch revision ABOVE the upstream
+/// release, not a SemVer prerelease below it.
+pub fn compare_image_versions(target: &str, running: &str) -> Option<std::cmp::Ordering> {
+    use std::cmp::Ordering;
+    let target = extract_version_from_image(target);
+    let running = extract_version_from_image(running);
+    if is_floating_tag(&target) || is_floating_tag(&running) {
+        return None;
+    }
+    let target = target.strip_prefix('v').unwrap_or(&target);
+    let running = running.strip_prefix('v').unwrap_or(&running);
+    if target == running {
+        return Some(Ordering::Equal);
+    }
+    let mut target_core = parse_version_parts(target)?;
+    let mut running_core = parse_version_parts(running)?;
+    while target_core.last() == Some(&0) {
+        target_core.pop();
+    }
+    while running_core.last() == Some(&0) {
+        running_core.pop();
+    }
+    match target_core.cmp(&running_core) {
+        Ordering::Equal => {
+            fn patch_revision(tag: &str) -> Option<u64> {
+                if let Some((base, revision)) = tag.rsplit_once("-archy") {
+                    if base.chars().all(|c| c.is_ascii_digit() || c == '.') {
+                        return revision.parse().ok();
+                    }
+                }
+                tag.chars()
+                    .all(|c| c.is_ascii_digit() || c == '.')
+                    .then_some(0)
+            }
+            Some(patch_revision(target)?.cmp(&patch_revision(running)?))
+        }
+        order => Some(order),
+    }
+}
+
 /// Numeric components of a version tag, for ordering comparisons only.
 ///
 /// Accepts a leading `v` and a trailing pre-release suffix (`v0.18.4-beta`),
@@ -423,6 +452,57 @@ mod tests {
         );
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn downstream_patch_is_newer_than_upstream_and_orders_revisions() {
+        let upstream = "registry.test/team/mempool-frontend:v3.3.1";
+        let patch1 = "registry.test/team/mempool-frontend:v3.3.1-archy1";
+        let patch2 = "registry.test/team/mempool-frontend:v3.3.1-archy2";
+        assert_eq!(available_update_for_images(upstream, patch1), None);
+        assert_eq!(available_update_for_images(patch1, patch2), None);
+        assert_eq!(
+            available_update_for_images(patch1, upstream),
+            Some("v3.3.1-archy1".into())
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            available_update_for_images(patch2, patch1),
+            Some("v3.3.1-archy2".into())
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn catalog_namespace_migration_does_not_hide_patch_or_offer_reinstall() {
+        let old = "registry.test/lfg2025/mempool-frontend:v3.3.1";
+        let patched = "registry.test/chaum/mempool-frontend:v3.3.1-archy1";
+        assert_eq!(
+            available_catalog_update_for_images(patched, old),
+            Some("v3.3.1-archy1".into())
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            available_catalog_update_for_images(
+                patched,
+                "registry.test/lfg2025/mempool-frontend:v3.3.1-archy1"
+            ),
+            None
+        );
+        assert_eq!(available_update_for_images(patched, old), None);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn equivalent_version_spelling_does_not_offer_update() {
+        assert_eq!(
+            available_update_for_images("r.test/team/app:v3.3.1", "r.test/team/app:3.3.1"),
+            None
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            available_update_for_images("r.test/team/app:3.3.0", "r.test/team/app:3.3"),
+            None
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            compare_image_versions("r.test/team/app:latest", "r.test/team/app:latest"),
+            None
+        );
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn test_parse_image_versions() {
         let content = r#"
@@ -445,6 +525,22 @@ NOT_AN_IMAGE="something"
         assert!(!parsed.contains_key("ARCHY_REGISTRY"));
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn shipped_image_pins_expand_shell_defaults_to_concrete_refs() {
+        let images = parse_image_versions(include_str!("../../../../scripts/image-versions.sh"));
+        assert_eq!(
+            images["MEMPOOL_WEB_IMAGE"],
+            "source.archipelago-foundation.org/chaum/mempool-frontend:v3.3.1-archy1"
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            images["MEMPOOL_BACKEND_IMAGE"],
+            "source.archipelago-foundation.org/lfg2025/mempool-backend:v3.3.1"
+        );
+        assert!(images
+            .values()
+            .all(|v| !v.contains('$') && !v.contains('}')));
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn test_image_var_mapping() {
         assert_eq!(image_var_for_app("lnd"), Some("LND_IMAGE"));

core/archipelago/src/container/prod_orchestrator.rs

@@ -4667,6 +4667,27 @@ impl ContainerOrchestrator for ProdContainerOrchestrator {
         let lock = self.app_lock(app_id).await;
         let _guard = lock.lock().await;
         let name = compute_container_name(&lm.manifest);
+        let mut resolved = lm.manifest.clone();
+        resolve_catalog_image(&mut resolved);
+        if resolved.app.container.build.is_none() {
+            if let Some(target) = &resolved.app.container.image {
+                if let Ok(running) = self.runtime.get_container_status(&name).await {
+                    match crate::container::image_versions::compare_image_versions(
+                        target,
+                        &running.image,
+                    ) {
+                        Some(std::cmp::Ordering::Less) => anyhow::bail!(
+                            "Refusing to downgrade {} from {} to {} during update",
+                            app_id,
+                            running.image,
+                            target
+                        ),
+                        Some(std::cmp::Ordering::Equal) => return Ok(()),
+                        _ => {}
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+        }
         let _ = self.runtime.stop_container(&name).await;
         let _ = self.runtime.remove_container(&name).await;
         self.install_fresh(&lm).await
@@ -5076,6 +5097,7 @@ mod tests {
         calls: StdMutex<Vec<String>>,
         /// container_name -> ContainerState. Absence = "doesn't exist".
         containers: StdMutex<HashMap<String, ContainerState>>,
+        running_images: StdMutex<HashMap<String, String>>,
         /// container_name -> Podman health status.
         health: StdMutex<HashMap<String, String>>,
         /// image_ref -> present. Absence = "not present in local storage".
@@ -5200,7 +5222,13 @@ mod tests {
                 health,
                 exit_code: None,
                 started_at: None,
-                image: "test-image".to_string(),
+                image: self
+                    .running_images
+                    .lock()
+                    .unwrap()
+                    .get(name)
+                    .cloned()
+                    .unwrap_or_else(|| "test-image".to_string()),
                 created: "now".to_string(),
                 ports: vec![],
                 lan_address: None,
@@ -6771,6 +6799,41 @@ app:
         assert_eq!(ids, vec!["bitcoin-knots", "bitcoin-ui"]);
     }
 
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn upgrade_preserves_container_when_catalog_is_stale_or_already_installed() {
+        for (target, should_error) in [("v3.3.1", true), ("v3.3.1-archy1", false)] {
+            let rt = Arc::new(MockRuntime::default());
+            rt.set_state("update-regression", ContainerState::Running);
+            rt.running_images.lock().unwrap().insert(
+                "update-regression".into(),
+                "registry.test/old/mempool-frontend:v3.3.1-archy1".into(),
+            );
+            let orch = orch_with(rt.clone()).await;
+            orch.insert_manifest_for_test(
+                pull_manifest(
+                    "update-regression",
+                    &format!("registry.test/new/mempool-frontend:{target}"),
+                ),
+                PathBuf::from("/tmp/update-regression"),
+            )
+            .await;
+            assert_eq!(
+                orch.upgrade("update-regression").await.is_err(),
+                should_error
+            );
+            assert!(
+                !rt.calls()
+                    .iter()
+                    .any(|call| call.starts_with("stop_container:")
+                        || call.starts_with("remove_container:")
+                        || call.starts_with("pull_image:")
+                        || call.starts_with("create_container:")),
+                "{:?}",
+                rt.calls()
+            );
+        }
+    }
+
     #[tokio::test]
     async fn upgrade_removes_and_reinstalls() {
         let rt = Arc::new(MockRuntime::default());

core/archipelago/src/update.rs

@@ -2159,20 +2159,25 @@ async fn apply_per_app_auto_updates(
     }
 }
 
-/// After a catalog refresh that changed the cached bytes, rebuild the
-/// orchestrator's manifest map so registry-shipped manifest changes take
-/// effect now instead of at the next service restart.
-async fn reload_manifests_if_changed(
-    refresh: crate::container::app_catalog::CatalogRefresh,
+/// Reload after every successful refresh, including unchanged bytes: the cache
+/// may have been written before a previous reload failed. Auto-updates only run
+/// when the catalog and the orchestrator's manifests are ready together.
+async fn reload_catalog_manifests(
+    _refresh: crate::container::app_catalog::CatalogRefresh,
     orchestrator: &Option<std::sync::Arc<dyn crate::container::traits::ContainerOrchestrator>>,
-) {
-    if !refresh.changed {
-        return;
-    }
-    let Some(orch) = orchestrator else { return };
+) -> bool {
+    let Some(orch) = orchestrator else {
+        return false;
+    };
     match orch.reload_manifests().await {
-        Ok(n) => info!("Update scheduler: catalog changed, reloaded {n} manifest(s)"),
-        Err(e) => warn!("Update scheduler: manifest reload after catalog change failed: {e}"),
+        Ok(n) => {
+            info!("Update scheduler: refreshed catalog, reloaded {n} manifest(s)");
+            true
+        }
+        Err(e) => {
+            warn!("Update scheduler: manifest reload failed; skipping auto-updates: {e}");
+            false
+        }
     }
 }
 
@@ -2188,7 +2193,9 @@ pub async fn run_update_scheduler(
     // Refresh the app catalog once at startup so per-app "update available"
     // badges appear without waiting for the first hourly tick.
     match crate::container::app_catalog::refresh_catalog(&data_dir).await {
-        Ok(refresh) => reload_manifests_if_changed(refresh, &orchestrator).await,
+        Ok(refresh) => {
+            reload_catalog_manifests(refresh, &orchestrator).await;
+        }
         Err(e) => debug!(
             "Update scheduler: initial app-catalog refresh failed: {}",
             e
@@ -2204,14 +2211,22 @@ pub async fn run_update_scheduler(
         // previously cached catalog stays in place (origin-always-wins).
         // A changed catalog also reloads the orchestrator's manifest overlay so
         // catalog-shipped manifest fixes apply without a service restart.
-        match crate::container::app_catalog::refresh_catalog(&data_dir).await {
-            Ok(refresh) => reload_manifests_if_changed(refresh, &orchestrator).await,
-            Err(e) => debug!("Update scheduler: app-catalog refresh failed: {}", e),
+        let catalog_ready = match crate::container::app_catalog::refresh_catalog(&data_dir).await {
+            Ok(refresh) => reload_catalog_manifests(refresh, &orchestrator).await,
+            Err(e) => {
+                debug!(
+                    "Update scheduler: app-catalog refresh failed; skipping auto-updates: {}",
+                    e
+                );
+                false
             }
+        };
 
-        // Per-app auto-update-to-latest (multi-version support). Runs every tick
-        // regardless of the binary-OTA schedule below; opt-in + pin-respecting.
+        // Per-app updates require fresh, loaded manifests; a failed refresh
+        // may still show cached badges but must not trigger container changes.
+        if catalog_ready {
             apply_per_app_auto_updates(&orchestrator).await;
+        }
 
         let state = match load_state(&data_dir).await {
             Ok(s) => s,

neode-ui/public/catalog.json

@@ -378,13 +378,13 @@
     {
       "id": "mempool",
       "title": "Mempool Explorer",
-      "version": "3.0.0",
+      "version": "3.3.1-archy1",
       "description": "Bitcoin mempool and blockchain explorer. Real-time transaction and block visualization.",
       "icon": "/assets/img/app-icons/mempool.webp",
       "author": "Mempool",
       "category": "money",
       "tier": "core",
-      "dockerImage": "source.archipelago-foundation.org/lfg2025/mempool-frontend:v3.3.1",
+      "dockerImage": "source.archipelago-foundation.org/chaum/mempool-frontend:v3.3.1-archy1",
       "repoUrl": "https://github.com/mempool/mempool",
       "requires": [
         "bitcoin-knots",

neode-ui/src/views/settings/AccountInfoSection.vue

@@ -362,6 +362,19 @@ init()
               </button>
             </div>
             <div class="overflow-y-auto flex-1 min-h-0 space-y-6 pr-1">
+              <!-- v1.8.16-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">v1.8.16-alpha</span>
+                  <span class="text-xs text-white/40">September 15, 2026</span>
+                </div>
+                <div class="space-y-3 text-sm text-white/80 pl-3 border-l border-white/10">
+                  <p>App updates refresh and verify the signed catalog before changing containers. A failed refresh or manifest reload cancels the update, and automatic updates wait for a successful refresh.</p>
+                  <p>Fixed repeated Mempool update offers: downstream -archyN patches now sort above their upstream release, and moving a published image between registry namespaces does not hide a genuine upgrade.</p>
+                  <p>Updates inspect installed component versions, refuse known downgrades, skip containers already at the target versions, and verify the resulting versions before reporting success.</p>
+                  <p>Added regression coverage for stale catalogs, matching versions, publisher namespace changes, stack component updates, and keeping running containers untouched when no upgrade is needed.</p>
+                </div>
+              </div>
               <!-- v1.8.15-alpha -->
               <div>
                 <div class="flex items-center gap-2 mb-3">
@@ -371,6 +384,7 @@ init()
                 <div class="space-y-3 text-sm text-white/80 pl-3 border-l border-white/10">
                   <p>Cuprate is presented as one user-facing app in My Apps, including its UI launch button; the generated dashboard companion is hidden as an implementation detail instead of appearing under Services.</p>
                   <p>Added regression coverage for Cuprate install and installed-state grouping.</p>
+                  <p>Release validation was rerun on the corrected tree before OTA and ISO publication.</p>
                 </div>
               </div>
               <!-- v1.8.14-alpha -->

scripts/image-versions.sh

@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ ELECTRUMX_IMAGE="$ARCHY_REGISTRY/electrumx:v1.18.0"
 # Mempool stack
 MEMPOOL_BACKEND_IMAGE="$ARCHY_REGISTRY/mempool-backend:v3.3.1"
 # The patched frontend is published by chaum on the same trusted registry.
-MEMPOOL_WEB_IMAGE="${MEMPOOL_WEB_IMAGE:-source.archipelago-foundation.org/chaum/mempool-frontend:v3.3.1-archy1}"
+MEMPOOL_WEB_IMAGE="source.archipelago-foundation.org/chaum/mempool-frontend:v3.3.1-archy1"
 MARIADB_IMAGE="$ARCHY_REGISTRY/mariadb:11.4.10"
 
 # BTCPay

tests/release/run.sh

@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ stage "cargo-check"      timeout 580 cargo check --manifest-path core/Cargo.toml
 # 3600s leaves headroom; a warm target/ finishes in a fraction of it.
 stage "cargo-test-weekly" timeout 3600 env CARGO_INCREMENTAL=0 \
   cargo test --manifest-path core/Cargo.toml -p archipelago -- \
-  update:: lnd container::image_versions scanner drift missing_secret collision
+  update:: lnd container::image_versions upgrade_preserves_container scanner drift missing_secret collision
 
 # ── Stage 4: live node smoke ─────────────────────────────────────────
 if [[ $LIVE -eq 1 ]]; then