Release Notes

This page records the Packets development path from the earliest documented release-preparation milestones through the current build so users and community members can see how the browser has evolved.

Current release — Packets 1.71.0

Public Release Defaults

• Ad/tracker blocking is now disabled by default for fresh profiles, while remaining available as an explicit user-controlled setting.
• Settings now opens as a full-window view for easier access to the complete configuration interface.
• Existing users retain their saved ad-blocking and home-page preferences during upgrade.
• Release/update metadata is aligned with the stable public-release channel.

Release history

Newest releases are listed first. Maintenance builds are included because many of them document important compatibility, stability, privacy, and testing corrections.

1.71.x — Public release defaults

• 1.71.0 — Public Release Defaults: Disabled ad/tracker blocking by default for fresh profiles, expanded Settings to a full-window view, restored the Packets/1.71.0 user-agent token, and aligned update metadata with the stable release channel.

1.70.x — Bookmark drag-and-drop

• 1.70.0 — Drag-and-Drop Bookmarks: Added visual drag-and-drop reordering and folder movement for bookmarks while preserving the existing bookmark storage, backup/restore, HTML import/export, and right-click management behavior.

1.69.x — Spellcheck suggestions

• 1.69.0 — Spellcheck Context Menu Suggestions: Added Chromium spelling replacement suggestions and Add to Dictionary support to the Packets right-click menu while preserving existing context-menu commands.

1.68.x — Startup choices and local HTML

• 1.68.2 — Local HTML Render Fix: Enabled local file: HTML pages inside browser webviews and added View Source support for local HTML while retaining stricter popup/external-navigation rules.
• 1.68.1 — Local HTML Startup Bridge Fix: Corrected the integration between the renderer, preload bridge, native file picker, and main process for Local HTML startup selection.
• 1.68.0 — Startup Options: Added Blank page and Local HTML file startup choices alongside Open the home page and Continue where I left off.

1.67.x — Widevine DRM foundation

• 1.67.4 — Castlabs electronDist Hook Fix: Corrected Electron Builder integration so the cached Castlabs ECS runtime is supplied through the JavaScript electronDist hook.
• 1.67.3 — Deterministic Castlabs ECS Packaging: Added a local Castlabs runtime cache and deterministic packaging helper for the exact ECS Windows x64 build.
• 1.67.2 — Castlabs ECS Packaging Fix: Corrected Windows packaging to use the Castlabs Electron release path instead of the stock Electron repository.
• 1.67.1 — DRM Diagnostics: Added Widevine/EME diagnostics including runtime information, key-system checks, secure-context status, and software/hardware robustness probes.
• 1.67.0 — Widevine DRM Foundation: Moved Packets to Castlabs Electron for Content Security and added Widevine component initialization with fail-safe startup behavior.

1.66.x — Response filtering and ad/tracker controls

• 1.66.7 — Ad/Tracker Master Switch Fix: Corrected the master blocking setting so disabling it immediately stops native blocking and Packets-owned response filtering across open tabs.
• 1.66.6 — Response-Filter Monitor Visibility: Added a dedicated Response Filters view, searchable diagnostics, readable status labels, wider columns, and clearer Network Monitor presentation.
• 1.66.5 — Single-Pass Response Filtering: Reworked response handling so matching fetch responses are inspected once, untouched native responses are returned when no change is required, and modified responses are rebuilt safely.
• 1.66.4 — Direct Response-Filter Installation: Removed the unreliable preload configuration handshake and moved validated rule loading to the trusted Packets application side.
• 1.66.3 — Response-Filter Configuration Handshake Fix: Added explicit configuration request/response diagnostics and timeout reporting during response-filter startup.
• 1.66.2 — Response-Filter Installation and Diagnostics Fix: Moved controlled main-world installation into the webview lifecycle and added engine, match, filter, skip, and error diagnostics.
• 1.66.1 — Response-Filter Diagnostics: Added detailed match and transformation reporting.
• 1.66.0 — Response Filtering and Scriptlets: Introduced constrained JSON response filtering with exact rule matching, fail-open behavior, and size limits.

1.65.x — Network Monitor

• 1.65.2 — Network Monitor Docking Fix: Docked the monitor beside the page, added a draggable resize handle, and remembered the selected width.
• 1.65.1 — Network Monitor Request Owner Fix: Corrected active-tab request ownership detection across Electron request metadata variations.
• 1.65.0 — Network Monitor: Added active-tab network capture with filtering, blocklist actions, JSON/CSV export, and privacy-conscious request metadata collection.

1.64.x — Printing

• 1.64.1 — Website Print Helper Compatibility: Added tightly scoped support for same-origin helper windows used by Gmail and similar sites for printing.
• 1.64.0 — Printing Support: Added native Windows printing, virtual-printer support, direct Save Page as PDF, and keyboard shortcuts.

1.63.x — Downloads and link handling

• 1.63.0 — Download Workflow and Link Activation: Remembered the last save folder, added a suppressible Download Complete dialog, and corrected left-click handling for links implemented with target="_blank" or window.open().

1.62.x — Public beta preparation

• 1.62.1 — Blocklist Initial Load Fix: Corrected the User Blocklists editor so the selected Ads list loads automatically the first time Settings opens.
• 1.62.0 — Public Beta Preparation: Added automated release preflight validation, expanded regression coverage, refreshed website/update metadata, and formalized the public beta release process.

1.61.x — User blocklists

• 1.61.0 — User Blocklist Editor: Added end-user editing for ads.txt, trackers.txt, and allowlist.txt with safe save, restore, reload, validation, and immediate rule activation.

1.60.x — Windows default-browser support

• 1.60.3 — Default Status Detection Fix: Corrected Windows 11 default-browser detection by checking the active HTTP/HTTPS association before stale legacy associations.
• 1.60.2 — IPC and Window Controls Fix: Restored trusted renderer IPC behavior for the top menu, window controls, and related Packets browser-chrome actions.
• 1.60.1 — Windows Default Apps Registration Fix: Corrected Windows registration so Packets appears properly in Default Apps and can be selected for HTTP/HTTPS.
• 1.60.0 — Windows Default Browser Support: Added default-browser candidate registration, status checks, startup prompting, Settings controls, command-line URL handling, and single-instance link routing.

1.59.x — Local AI provider support

• 1.59.0 — LM Studio Provider: Added working LM Studio support through OpenAI-compatible local model and chat endpoints.

1.58.x — Appearance

• 1.58.1 — Light Mode Contrast Fix: Improved contrast for the address bar, bookmark toolbar, Settings labels, and fields.
• 1.58.0 — Browser Appearance Modes: Added System, Light, and Dark appearance modes.

1.57.x — End-user polish and source viewing

• 1.57.6 — Website Clipboard Write Fix: Restored sanitized website copy-to-clipboard actions while keeping clipboard reading blocked.
• 1.57.5 — Bookmark Folder Marker Fix: Removed the old [+] marker from bookmark folders.
• 1.57.4 — Source Viewer Scroll Container Fix: Corrected horizontal scrolling when Line Wrap is off and wrapping behavior when it is on.
• 1.57.3 — Source Viewer Line Wrap Fix: Improved reliable wrapping of long source lines.
• 1.57.2 — Packets Source Viewer: Replaced Chromium view-source: webviews with a Packets-owned source viewer for greater stability.
• 1.57.1 — View Source Allowlist Fix: Corrected safe handling of view-source:http(s) URLs.
• 1.57.0 — End-User Polish and Diagnostics: Added View Source, image open-in-new-tab, status bar mute, ad/tracker debug logging, and bookmark-folder visual cleanup.

1.56.x — Beta package and defaults

• 1.56.2 — Release Defaults Polish: Set beta-oriented defaults including the home page, AI Chat disabled by default, and starter bookmarks for fresh profiles.
• 1.56.1 — Build Version Metadata Fix: Corrected build version metadata and installer artifact naming.
• 1.56.0 — Website Beta Release Package Final: Finalized the website beta release package, page-copy documents, and package manifest.

1.55.x — Regression and release signoff

• 1.55.0 — Beta Regression and Release Signoff: Added regression results, installer testing, website upload guidance, known issues, and release-signoff documentation.

1.54.x — AI page-context refinements

• 1.54.2 — AI Context Settings and Focus Fix: Corrected page-context setting detection, Settings access, and prompt focus recovery.
• 1.54.1 — AI Panel Resize and Preview Scroll Fix: Added drag-to-resize behavior and improved page-context preview scrolling.
• 1.54.0 — AI Page Summary Shortcut: Added a page-summary shortcut with confirmation preview and Settings-gated page-context sharing.

1.53.x–1.48.x — AI provider foundation

• 1.53.0 — AI Page Context Approval Flow: Added Use Selection and Use Page controls, preview confirmation, and a Settings gate for page-context sharing.
• 1.52.0 — AI Chat Panel UI Polish: Added message headers, timestamps, message count, Copy Last, and transcript export.
• 1.51.0 — AI Chat Panel Provider Bridge: Routed chat through the provider bridge and added in-memory history and Clear.
• 1.50.0 — Ollama Provider Adapter: Added local Ollama connection testing, test prompts, and adapter-backed generation.
• 1.49.1 — Settings Panel Scroll Fix: Corrected Settings scrolling when the AI Provider section exceeds the available panel height.
• 1.49.0 — AI Provider Settings Foundation: Added the provider registry, settings store, encrypted key store, Settings UI, and IPC bridge.
• 1.48.0 — AI Provider Integration Review: Added architecture, privacy, implementation, and test-plan documentation for local AI integration.

1.47.x–1.41.x — SCAVS development

• 1.47.0 — SCAVS Parser Self-Test Harness: Added automated parser self-tests.
• 1.46.1 — SCAVS Parser Packaging Fix: Corrected packaged-app startup by including the parser framework folder in Electron Builder files.
• 1.46.0 — SCAVS Parser Framework Refactor: Moved OCR/document parsing into a dedicated framework while preserving behavior.
• 1.45.0 — SCAVS Site Integration Kit: Added integration, parser, testing, and signal-test documentation.
• 1.44.1 — SCAVS Diagnostic Button Fix: Corrected diagnostic test-page and copy-snippet actions.
• 1.44.0 — SCAVS Site Signal Diagnostics: Added active-site signal diagnostics and testing controls.
• 1.43.1 — SCAVS Allowlist and Injection Fix: Corrected allowlist rendering and signal reinjection after DOM ready.
• 1.43.0 — SCAVS Allowlisted Site Signal: Added user-managed allowlisted origins and minimal verified-age signaling.
• 1.42.3 — Florida OCR Tolerance Fix: Improved Florida driver-license parsing tolerance for noisy OCR output.
• 1.42.2 — Florida Driver License Parser: Added initial Florida document detection and labeled DOB parsing.
• 1.42.1 — USA Passport MRZ Parser: Added initial USA passport MRZ detection and DOB parsing.
• 1.42.0 — Local OCR and Age Result File: Added local image selection, DOB parsing, age calculation, and minimal local result storage.
• 1.41.0 — SCAVS Foundation: Added the prototype panel, local age-result reader/writer, deletion controls, startup detection, and supporting documentation.

1.40.x–1.37.x — Beta release preparation

• 1.40.0 — Website Beta Release Candidate Docs: Added beta release-candidate documentation, tester guide, feedback template, decision log, and release-package updates.
• 1.39.0 — Website Release Package Builder: Added the website release-package builder, draft website copy, and update-manifest example.
• 1.38.0 — Privacy and Security Review: Added security, IPC, webview, credential, and privacy review documentation.
• 1.37.0 — Release Readiness Docs: Added website-release, privacy, known-issues, regression, and package-outline documentation.

1.36.x — Browser chrome

• 1.36.1 — Top Menu IPC Fix: Corrected custom menu IPC argument handling for File, Edit, View, History, Bookmarks, Tools, Window, and Help.
• 1.36.0 — Browser Chrome Title Bar Cleanup: Replaced the native Windows title bar with Packets browser chrome and aligned the application menus with the window controls.

1.35.x — Cookies and browsing-data controls

• 1.35.3 — Delete Visible Cookies: Added deletion of all cookies matching the current Cookie Manager filter.
• 1.35.2 — Current Site Cookies: Added current-site cookie filtering and a Page Information shortcut.
• 1.35.1 — Cookie Manager: Added viewing, filtering, selecting, and deleting individual cookies.
• 1.35.0 — Clear Browsing Data Panel: Added unified controls for clearing cache, cookies, history, downloads, permissions, credential preferences, and blocked-request counts.

1.34.x — Page information and profile separation

• 1.34.3 — Development Profile Override Fix: Corrected application identity handling so development and installed profile paths remain separate.
• 1.34.2 — Development Profile Separation: Introduced %APPDATA%\Packets-Dev for development runs while installed Packets continues using %APPDATA%\Packets.
• 1.34.1 — Hamburger Page Information Fix: Added the missing Page Information command to the hamburger menu.
• 1.34.0 — Page Information Panel: Added page URL, origin, protocol, zoom, loading state, security summary, copy URL, and Site Permissions access.

1.33.x — Zoom, sessions, and notices

• 1.33.13 — Open Source Notices Packaged-App Fix: Corrected opening of bundled third-party notices in installed Windows builds.
• 1.33.12 — License and Notices Cleanup: Removed the duplicate installer license page and added Open Source Notices access from About Packets.
• 1.33.11 — Activate Tab Scope Fix: Corrected a JavaScript scope error that could interrupt session restoration.
• 1.33.9 — Home URL Equivalence Fix: Improved restored-session filtering by treating HTTP and HTTPS home-page URLs as equivalent.
• 1.33.8 — Startup Stabilization Rollback: Returned session/startup handling to the safer zoom-fix baseline while retaining conservative session filtering.
• 1.33.1 — Zoom Shortcut Focus Fix: Restored reliable zoom shortcuts after focus returns to webview content.
• 1.33.0 — Zoom Controls: Added per-tab zoom controls to native and hamburger menus with keyboard shortcuts.

1.32.x — Find in Page

• 1.32.0 — Find in Page: Added a compact find bar, match counts, next/previous controls, menu commands, and keyboard shortcuts.

1.31.x — Downloads Manager

• 1.31.1 — Downloads Manager Startup Fix: Corrected state initialization when opening Downloads before a download exists.
• 1.31.0 — Downloads Manager: Added a current-session Downloads panel with status, progress, file location, open, folder, remove, and clear-completed actions.

1.30.x — Site permissions

• 1.30.0 — Site Permission Controls: Added camera, microphone, location, and notification permission prompts plus persistent per-site Ask, Allow, and Block decisions.

Development note: The bundled project changelog and individual release-note files remain the detailed technical record. This page is intended as the readable community-facing history of Packets Browser.