docs: reconcile stable recovery and beta release guidance

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -1,5 +1,17 @@
 # Changelog
 
+## 0.1.44 stable - 2026-09-05
+
+The stable hotfix is published separately from the beta runtime. It carries the
+phase-aware startup deadline, rejects incompatible recorded prerelease schemas
+before writing, repairs PowerShell 5.1 installer parsing, and loads bundled
+GitLab/Poe authentication modules through the existing plugin boundary.
+
+The beta line already includes these startup and authentication fixes and uses
+its broader schema compatibility checks. Release channels and experimental
+continuity remain in beta; beta databases must not be forced back to stable.
+See [release and recovery guidance](docs/releases-and-startup-recovery.md).
+
 ## 0.1.44-beta.2 - 2026-09-05
 
 ### Fixed

docs/releases-and-startup-recovery.md

@@ -0,0 +1,55 @@
+# Stable, beta and startup recovery
+
+The stable hotfix and the beta runtime are separate releases:
+
+| Release | Scope |
+| --- | --- |
+| 0.1.44 stable | Bounded, phase-aware backend startup; recorded-schema downgrade rejection; PowerShell installer parsing |
+| 0.1.44-beta.2 | The startup fix plus release channels and opt-in continuity from beta.1 |
+
+The version sections describe the release candidates; availability is determined
+by the published [GitHub releases](https://github.com/MendCode/MendCode/releases).
+Prereleases never replace GitHub's latest stable release. Published tags and
+artifacts are immutable. New experimental capabilities require explicit opt-in.
+
+## Large session histories
+
+Beta.1 could stop a newly spawned backend after eight seconds while it was still
+creating a consistent pre-migration snapshot. A startup connection failure alone
+does not mean that session records have been deleted.
+
+The fix identifies the child process and startup token, permits up to 15 minutes
+for backup or migration, and displays the preparation phase. Connection after
+database preparation has a separate 30-second deadline. Failed/exited processes
+stop the wait. No additional database writer is used to bypass the failure.
+
+Close active clients normally before an upgrade. Do not delete session files or
+locks, restore an incomplete snapshot, or start independent writers as a workaround.
+Retain recovery artifacts until a successful launch and session-preservation check.
+
+## Choosing a release
+
+Stable installations continue receiving stable updates. Channel selection is
+available in the beta runtime:
+
+```sh
+mendcode upgrade channel set beta
+mendcode upgrade --check
+mendcode upgrade
+```
+
+Selecting a channel saves a preference; it does not install a version. Installing
+an explicit version does not change the preference. Beta users should stay on beta
+until a stable release supports their database schema. This stable hotfix refuses
+incompatible recorded schemas before writing; it does not restore older data.
+
+For installations predating channels, use the installer pinned to the desired
+published release tag and specify its version, following that release's notes.
+Do not use a mutable main-branch installer for historical versions.
+
+The detailed beta configuration is documented on
+[dev](https://github.com/MendCode/MendCode/blob/dev/docs/release-channels-and-continuity.md).
+Beta keeps native OpenAI async transport and other unverified integrations disabled.
+Manual prereleases run from dev. The nightly schedule becomes active only when its
+workflow is promoted to the default branch. Stable promotion requires explicit
+approval and verified candidate artifacts; passing time is not a promotion gate.

src/mendcode/packages/extensions/zed/extension.toml

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 id = "mendcode"
 name = "MendCode"
 description = "The open source coding agent."
-version = "0.1.43"
+version = "0.1.44"
 schema_version = 1
 authors = ["MendCode"]
 repository = "https://github.com/MendCode/MendCode"
@@ -11,26 +11,26 @@ name = "MendCode"
 icon = "./icons/opencode.svg"
 
 [agent_servers.mendcode.targets.darwin-aarch64]
-archive = "https://github.com/MendCode/MendCode/releases/download/v0.1.43/mendcode-darwin-arm64.zip"
+archive = "https://github.com/MendCode/MendCode/releases/download/v0.1.44/mendcode-darwin-arm64.zip"
 cmd = "./mendcode"
 args = ["acp"]
 
 [agent_servers.mendcode.targets.darwin-x86_64]
-archive = "https://github.com/MendCode/MendCode/releases/download/v0.1.43/mendcode-darwin-x64.zip"
+archive = "https://github.com/MendCode/MendCode/releases/download/v0.1.44/mendcode-darwin-x64.zip"
 cmd = "./mendcode"
 args = ["acp"]
 
 [agent_servers.mendcode.targets.linux-aarch64]
-archive = "https://github.com/MendCode/MendCode/releases/download/v0.1.43/mendcode-linux-arm64.tar.gz"
+archive = "https://github.com/MendCode/MendCode/releases/download/v0.1.44/mendcode-linux-arm64.tar.gz"
 cmd = "./mendcode"
 args = ["acp"]
 
 [agent_servers.mendcode.targets.linux-x86_64]
-archive = "https://github.com/MendCode/MendCode/releases/download/v0.1.43/mendcode-linux-x64.tar.gz"
+archive = "https://github.com/MendCode/MendCode/releases/download/v0.1.44/mendcode-linux-x64.tar.gz"
 cmd = "./mendcode"
 args = ["acp"]
 
 [agent_servers.mendcode.targets.windows-x86_64]
-archive = "https://github.com/MendCode/MendCode/releases/download/v0.1.43/mendcode-windows-x64.zip"
+archive = "https://github.com/MendCode/MendCode/releases/download/v0.1.44/mendcode-windows-x64.zip"
 cmd = "./mendcode.exe"
 args = ["acp"]