sparshsam · sparshsam · Jun 18, 2026 · Jun 18, 2026 · Jun 18, 2026 · Jun 18, 2026
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Build app bundle
         run: |
-          QT_QPA_PLATFORM=offscreen python tools/create_icon.py --png-iconset assets/AppIcon.iconset
+          QT_QPA_PLATFORM=offscreen python tools/create_icon.py --source assets/app-icon-source.png --macos-iconset assets/AppIcon.iconset
           iconutil -c icns assets/AppIcon.iconset -o assets/pdfreader_by_sparsh.icns
           pyinstaller --windowed --onedir --noupx --name "OpenReader" --argv-emulation --icon "assets/pdfreader_by_sparsh.icns" main.py
 

@@ -263,7 +263,7 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Build macOS app
         run: |
-          QT_QPA_PLATFORM=offscreen python tools/create_icon.py --png-iconset assets/AppIcon.iconset
+          QT_QPA_PLATFORM=offscreen python tools/create_icon.py --source assets/app-icon-source.png --macos-iconset assets/AppIcon.iconset
           iconutil -c icns assets/AppIcon.iconset -o assets/pdfreader_by_sparsh.icns
           pyinstaller --windowed --onedir --noupx --name "OpenReader" --argv-emulation --icon "assets/pdfreader_by_sparsh.icns" main.py
 

@@ -1,5 +1,15 @@
 # Changelog
 
+## v1.2.1 — First Public Microsoft Store Release Candidate — 2026-06-18
+
+- **Version:** Bumped `__version__` to `1.2.1`.
+- **MSIX version:** `1.2.1.0`.
+- **Purpose:** First public Microsoft Store release candidate.
+- **UI/Branding only:** New application icon (1024×1024 source). No architectural changes.
+- **Assets regenerated:** Windows .ico, MSIX brand images (44×44, 71×71, 150×150, 310×150, 620×300), macOS .iconset.
+- **About dialog cleaned up:** Removed beta/dev/validation wording. Shows clean "OpenReader — Version 1.2.1 — Release Notes".
+- **Frozen identity unchanged:** `SparshSam.OpenReader`, `CN=E6186421-BF8A-47E0-A89C-0F513DFF91C0`, PFN `SparshSam.OpenReader_yh0byntbzd2qw`.
+
 ## v1.2.0-beta.6 — MSIX Update Validation — 2026-06-18
 
 - **Version:** Bumped `__version__` to `1.2.0-beta.6-dev`.

@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ OpenReader is a **stable, local-first desktop PDF utility** built with Python, P
 
 The app is intentionally local-first: PDFs are opened, rendered, searched, merged, split, annotated, and compressed on your computer — no uploads, no accounts, no telemetry.
 
-**v1.2.0-beta.6** (current release) validates the MSIX update pipeline ahead of Microsoft Store submission. Windows distribution uses MSIX/App Installer with Windows-native updates — the app never replaces itself. The beta.5 → beta.6 in-place MSIX upgrade has been confirmed on Windows 11. See the [changelog](CHANGELOG.md) and [roadmap](ROADMAP.md) for what's new and what's next.
+**v1.2.1** (current release) is the first public Microsoft Store release candidate. Windows distribution uses MSIX/App Installer with Windows-native updates — the app never replaces itself. See the [changelog](CHANGELOG.md) and [roadmap](ROADMAP.md) for what's new and what's next.
 
 ## Download
 
@@ -64,11 +64,11 @@ Windows may show a SmartScreen warning because community builds are not code-sig
 
 **v1.2.0 update change:** In-app self-updating has been removed. OpenReader now uses **Windows-native updates** — the app never downloads or runs installers.
 
-- **Existing v1.0.x and v1.1.x users must manually install a v1.2.0 beta MSIX once.** Future updates are handled by Windows App Installer or the Microsoft Store.
+- **Existing v1.0.x and v1.1.x users** must manually install a v1.2.0+ MSIX once. Future updates are handled by the Microsoft Store or Windows App Installer.
 - **v1.2.0+ users:** Windows App Installer manages updates on launch and in the background. The app's Help → Check for Updates opens the GitHub Releases page in your browser.
 - Source builds should be updated with `git pull` and rebuilt locally.
 
-> **⚠️ Production auto-updates via App Installer are not yet proven.** The beta.5 → beta.6 in-place MSIX upgrade has been validated locally with test signing, but the hosted App Installer workflow (automatic updates from a web endpoint) and Microsoft Store-managed updates require a Store submission. Until then, users update by downloading the latest MSIX from GitHub and installing manually.
+> **ℹ️ Microsoft Store-managed updates** will provide automatic updates after Store approval. Until then, users update by downloading the latest MSIX from GitHub Releases and installing manually (Developer Mode required for unsigned packages).
 
 ## Features
 
@@ -331,14 +331,13 @@ sudo pacman -S tesseract tesseract-data-eng
 - [x] Add App Installer template for Windows-managed updates
 - [x] Update GitHub Actions workflow to build MSIX
 - [x] Add architecture docs (`docs/windows-distribution.md`, `docs/updater-architecture.md`)
-- [x] Validate MSIX install and in-place upgrade (beta.5 → beta.6, confirmed on Windows 11)
-- [ ] **Store submission** — next milestone. Store signing replaces self-procured code-signing cert.
+- [x] Validate MSIX install and in-place upgrade (confirmed on Windows 11)
+- [x] Store submission — v1.2.1 is the first Microsoft Store release candidate
 
 ### Near-Term
 Items in active or planned development.
 
 - **Local AI summarization** — generate document summaries and extract key points using a local LLM (e.g. Ollama, llama.cpp); no data ever leaves your machine
-- **Microsoft Store release** — signed MSIX distribution through the Microsoft Store, removing SmartScreen warnings and enabling Store-managed automatic updates
 - **Stronger sandboxing guidance** — documented approaches for running the app in an OS sandbox when opening documents from untrusted sources
 
 ### Long-Term Vision

@@ -4,10 +4,10 @@ OpenReader uses semantic version tags to publish packaged builds.
 
 ## Version Source of Truth
 
-- Development source keeps `__version__` in `main.py` as a `-dev` version.
-- Packaged release builds inject the release version from the Git tag.
-- Tags must use the format `vMAJOR.MINOR.PATCH`, for example `v1.2.0`.
-- The injected runtime version removes the leading `v`, so `v1.2.0` becomes `__version__ = "1.2.0"` in packaged builds.
+- `__version__` in `main.py` is the canonical source. Set it to the next release version.
+- Tags must use the format `vMAJOR.MINOR.PATCH`, for example `v1.2.1`.
+- The injected runtime version removes the leading `v`, so `v1.2.1` becomes `__version__ = "1.2.1"` in packaged builds.
+- CI injects the tag version for release builds via `scripts/inject_version.py`.
 
 ## Release Architecture (v1.2.0+)
 
@@ -45,8 +45,8 @@ no separate code-signing certificate is needed.
 4. Create and push a semantic version tag:
 
    ```bash
-   git tag v1.2.0
-   git push origin v1.2.0
+   git tag v1.2.1
+   git push origin v1.2.1
    ```
 
 5. GitHub Actions runs `.github/workflows/release.yml`.
@@ -97,9 +97,10 @@ curl https://api.github.com/repos/sparshsam/pdfreader-by-sparsh/releases/latest
 
 The MSIX package is currently unsigned. The distribution plan is:
 
-1. **Short term** — Submit the unsigned MSIX to the Microsoft Store. The Store
-   signs the package automatically with its Store identity.
-2. **Beta/sideloading** — Unsigned MSIX from GitHub Releases requires Windows
+1. **Microsoft Store** — Submit the unsigned MSIX to the Microsoft Store. The Store
+   signs the package automatically with its Store identity. **v1.2.1 is the first
+   Store release candidate.**
+2. **Sideloading** — Unsigned MSIX from GitHub Releases requires Windows
    Developer Mode. Local test-signing scripts are in `packaging/msix/`.
 3. **No self-procured code-signing cert** — The Store handles production signing.
    Do not purchase a separate code-signing certificate.

@@ -12,8 +12,8 @@ OpenReader follows [Semantic Versioning 2.0](https://semver.org/):
 
 The current version is tracked in the `__version__` variable in `main.py`.
 
-- **Source builds** — use a `-dev` suffix (e.g., `1.2.0-beta.2-dev`).
-- **Packaged releases** — the version is injected from the Git tag during the release workflow (see `scripts/inject_version.py`).
+- **Source builds** — update `__version__` in `main.py` to match the target release.
+- **Packaged releases** — the version can be overridden from the Git tag during the CI release workflow (see `scripts/inject_version.py`).
 
 ## Tag Format
 

@@ -1,6 +1,10 @@
-# MSIX Update Validation Guide
+# MSIX Update Validation Guide (Archived)
 
-**Purpose:** Validate that MSIX updates work correctly for OpenReader.
+> **ℹ️ Historical record.** MSIX beta validation (beta.5 → beta.6) completed
+> successfully. v1.2.1 is the first Microsoft Store release candidate — Store-managed
+> updates replace sideloaded MSIX update testing.
+
+**Purpose:** Validate that MSIX updates work correctly for OpenReader (historical).
 
 **Test versions:**
 - v1.2.0-beta.5 (MSIX 1.2.0.5) — first installable MSIX baseline

@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
 # Microsoft Store Submission Checklist — OpenReader
 
-**Target version:** v1.2.0 stable (MSIX version `1.2.0.0`)
+**Target version:** v1.2.1 stable (MSIX version `1.2.1.0`)
 **Store ID:** `9MXDVW2645LL`
 **PFN:** `SparshSam.OpenReader_yh0byntbzd2qw`
 **Status:** 🔜 Ready for submission (privacy policy published)
 **Privacy policy URL:** https://sparshsam.github.io/pdfreader-by-sparsh/privacy/
-**Upload artifact:** `OpenReader.msix` from v1.2.0 GitHub Release (built by release.yml workflow)
+**Upload artifact:** `OpenReader.msix` from v1.2.1 GitHub Release (built by release.yml workflow)
 
 ---
 
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ Get-AppxPackage SparshSam.OpenReader | Select Name, Version, PackageFamilyName
 ```text
 Name                    Version  PackageFamilyName
 ----                    -------  -----------------
-SparshSam.OpenReader    1.2.0.0  SparshSam.OpenReader_yh0byntbzd2qw
+SparshSam.OpenReader    1.2.1.0  SparshSam.OpenReader_yh0byntbzd2qw
 ```
 
 ### 1.2 Manifest Audit
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ Select-Xml -Path .\msix-check\AppxManifest.xml -XPath "//*[local-name()='Identit
 
 - [ ] `<Identity Name="SparshSam.OpenReader">`
 - [ ] `<Publisher="CN=E6186421-BF8A-47E0-A89C-0F513DFF91C0">`
-- [ ] Version is `1.2.0.0`
+- [ ] Version is `1.2.1.0`
 - [ ] `<DisplayName>OpenReader</DisplayName>`
 - [ ] `<PublisherDisplayName>Sparsh Sam</PublisherDisplayName>`
 - [ ] Executable is `OpenReader.exe`
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ Start-Process "OpenReader"
 1. Navigate to **Partner Center** → OpenReader → **Packages**
 2. Upload the **unsigned** `OpenReader.msix` from the GitHub Release
 3. The Store will automatically sign the package with its Store identity
-4. Set `1.2.0.0` as the version in Partner Center (must match manifest)
+4. Set `1.2.1.0` as the version in Partner Center (must match manifest)
 5. Submit for certification
 
 > **ℹ️** Upload the MSIX produced by the GitHub Actions release workflow directly.
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ Start-Process "OpenReader"
 | **`runFullTrust` capability** | Store may ask why a desktop app needs full trust | Expected for Win32 desktop bridge apps. Document in submission notes: *"Desktop PDF reader using PySide6 — requires full trust for file system access and window management."* |
 | **App description claims** | Store may reject if claims are unrealistic | Keep description factual and shipping-feature-only. Remove roadmap items from Store description. |
 | **Unsplash/mock screenshots** | Store requires real app screenshots | Use actual app screenshots from `assets/` |
-| **Version mismatch** | Upload rejected if manifest version ≠ Partner Center version | Verify `1.2.0.0` matches everywhere |
+| **Version mismatch** | Upload rejected if manifest version ≠ Partner Center version | Verify `1.2.1.0` matches everywhere |
 | **Store ID reuse** | Cannot reuse Store ID for a different app | Reserved ID `9MXDVW2645LL` is tied to OpenReader — do not reassign |
 
 ### 4.2 Certification Notes for Submission
@@ -203,7 +203,7 @@ Get-AppxPackage SparshSam.OpenReader | Select Name, Version, PackageFamilyName
 ```text
 Name                    Version  PackageFamilyName
 ----                    -------  -----------------
-SparshSam.OpenReader    1.2.0.0  SparshSam.OpenReader_yh0byntbzd2qw
+SparshSam.OpenReader    1.2.1.0  SparshSam.OpenReader_yh0byntbzd2qw
 ```
 
 ### 5.3 Functional Smoke Test
@@ -249,7 +249,7 @@ Write-Host "Publisher check: $($matches.Count -gt 0 ? 'PASS' : 'FAIL')"
 - [ ] Prepare Winget manifest for `SparshSam.OpenReader` (optional, medium priority)
 - [ ] Monitor Partner Center certification report
 - [ ] After acceptance: test Store install on clean Windows VM
-- [ ] After acceptance: test Store upgrade over existing sideloaded beta.6
+- [ ] After acceptance: test Store upgrade over existing sideloaded installation
 - [ ] Update `README.md` to reflect Store availability
 - [ ] Update `docs/windows-distribution.md` with Store channel details
 

@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@
 )
 
 
-__version__ = "1.2.0-beta.6-dev"
+__version__ = "1.2.1"
 GITHUB_REPO = "sparshsam/pdfreader-by-sparsh"
 IPC_SERVER_NAME = "OpenReader-IPC"
 RECENT_FILES_MAX = 10
@@ -2784,12 +2784,6 @@ def _show_about(self):
         ver_label.setAlignment(Qt.AlignCenter)
         layout.addWidget(ver_label)
 
-        # MSIX update validation label (beta.4)
-        msix_label = QLabel("<p style='color:#a6e3a1; font-size:11px; margin:0;'>"
-                            "MSIX update validation &mdash; beta.6</p>")
-        msix_label.setAlignment(Qt.AlignCenter)
-        layout.addWidget(msix_label)
-
         layout.addSpacing(8)
 
         # Description

@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
   <MainPackage
     Name="SparshSam.OpenReader"
     Publisher="CN=E6186421-BF8A-47E0-A89C-0F513DFF91C0"
-    Version="1.2.0.0"
+    Version="1.2.1.0"
     ProcessorArchitecture="x64"
     Uri="https://downloads.openreader.app/stable/OpenReader.msix" />
 

@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@
   <Identity
     Name="SparshSam.OpenReader"
     Publisher="CN=E6186421-BF8A-47E0-A89C-0F513DFF91C0"
-    Version="1.2.0.0" />
+    Version="1.2.1.0" />
 
   <Properties>
     <DisplayName>OpenReader</DisplayName>

@@ -134,13 +134,11 @@ MSIX follows a `major.minor.patch.build` version scheme.
 
 | Git Tag | MSIX Version | Description |
 |---------|--------------|-------------|
-| `v1.2.0-beta.1` | `1.2.0.0` | Beta release |
-| `v1.2.0` | `1.2.0.0` | Stable release (same as beta) |
-| `v1.2.1` | `1.2.1.0` | Patch release |
+| `v1.2.0` | `1.2.0.0` | Initial MSIX release |
+| `v1.2.1` | `1.2.1.0` | First Microsoft Store release candidate |
 
 The CI workflow automatically extracts the version from the Git tag and injects it
-into the manifest as `{tag}.0` (padded to 4 parts). Source builds use `1.2.0.0`
-as the development version.
+into the manifest as `{tag}.0` (padded to 4 parts).
 
 ## Visual Assets
 
@@ -217,22 +215,16 @@ identity exactly: `CN=E6186421-BF8A-47E0-A89C-0F513DFF91C0`.
 # 1. Install the test certificate (requires admin)
 .\packaging\msix\install-test-cert.ps1
 
-# 2. Install beta.3 MSIX (baseline)
-#    Double-click OpenReader.msix from v1.2.0-beta.3 release
-
-# 3. Install beta.4 MSIX (update test)
-#    Double-click OpenReader.msix from v1.2.0-beta.4 release
-#    Windows should perform an in-place upgrade
+# 2. Install the MSIX package
+#    Double-click OpenReader.msix from the target release
 ```
 
 ### What to Verify
 
-After installing the beta.3 MSIX and updating to beta.4:
-
-- [ ] MSIX installs without Developer Mode
-- [ ] Update is **in-place** (not side-by-side)
-- [ ] Package Family Name remains `SparshSam.OpenReader_yh0byntbzd2qw`
-- [ ] About dialog shows the beta.4 release label
+- [ ] MSIX installs without Developer Mode (when test-signed)
+- [ ] Package Family Name is `SparshSam.OpenReader_yh0byntbzd2qw`
+- [ ] New branding appears in Start Menu and taskbar
+- [ ] About dialog shows the correct version
 - [ ] Previous settings (theme, recent files) persist
 - [ ] No duplicate application entries in Start Menu or Apps list
 - [ ] PDF file associations remain intact

@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
 PySide6==6.11.1
 PyMuPDF==1.27.2.3
 pyinstaller==6.20.0
+Pillow>=10.0.0