Version 1.8.1 - Bridge Stability Fix
------------------------------------

Fixed:
- Fixed recurring "Invalid hub response" errors in the native macOS interface.
- Improved synchronization between the SwiftUI frontend and Python backend.
- Added handling for delayed and outdated JSON responses.
- Improved request ID matching to prevent stale responses from being associated with newer requests.
- Improved timeout handling for background monitoring operations.
- Reduced unnecessary error dialogs during periodic status updates.
- Fixed a Swift variable scope issue affecting compilation of Engine.swift.

Improved:
- Improved native bridge communication diagnostics.
- Refined recovery behavior following delayed or missing responses.
- Reduced the risk of unnecessary Python engine restarts caused by monitoring timeouts.
- Improved overall reliability of the native administration interface.

Notes:
- Extended macOS runtime testing is still required to confirm long-term stability.


Version 1.8.0 - Security & Reliability
--------------------------------------

Added:
- Automatic recovery of the NMDC listener following unexpected failures.
- Enhanced Python engine watchdog functionality.
- Bounded recovery attempts to prevent uncontrolled restart loops.
- Additional engine and listener health diagnostics.
- Scheduled database backups.
- Configurable backup retention.
- Verified backup restoration functionality.
- Security alerts integrated into the native macOS interface.
- NMDC load-testing utilities.

Security:
- Strengthened denial-of-service protection.
- Added connection and pending-session limits.
- Improved per-IP and subnet-level connection controls.
- Hardened operator authorization and permission validation.
- Expanded validation of incoming NMDC protocol messages.
- Improved handling of malformed and abusive client traffic.
- Strengthened protection against unauthorized administrative operations.

Improved:
- Improved hub shutdown and restart handling.
- Expanded security event tracking and diagnostics.
- Improved database integrity protection.
- Added safeguards against incomplete or invalid backup restoration.
- Improved recovery behavior following unexpected engine failures.


Version 1.7.6 - Monitoring & Reliability
-----------------------------------------

Improved:
- Expanded native engine diagnostics.
- Improved resource usage monitoring.
- Refined Python engine supervision.
- Improved reliability of the native administration interface.


Version 1.7.5 - Performance Monitoring
---------------------------------------

Added:
- CPU usage monitoring.
- Memory consumption monitoring.
- Performance charts in the native macOS interface.
- Additional engine resource usage indicators.

Improved:
- Improved visibility of hub performance and operational status.


Version 1.7.4 - Engine Recovery
--------------------------------

Added:
- Python engine watchdog functionality.
- Automatic recovery mechanisms following unexpected engine termination.
- Additional engine health monitoring.

Improved:
- Improved process lifecycle management.
- Improved detection of unexpected engine failures.


Version 1.7.3 - Backup Verification
------------------------------------

Added:
- Verified database backup bundles.
- Additional backup integrity checks.

Improved:
- Improved backup reliability.
- Strengthened database recovery safeguards.


Version 1.7.2 - Database Backup
--------------------------------

Added:
- Online SQLite database backup functionality.
- Database backup support without requiring a complete hub shutdown.

Improved:
- Improved database maintenance and integrity protection.


Version 1.7.1 - NMDC Protocol Hardening
----------------------------------------

Security:
- Improved validation of incoming NMDC commands.
- Strengthened handling of malformed protocol messages.
- Improved connection lifecycle management.
- Expanded protection against invalid client requests.


Version 1.7.0 - Security & Infrastructure
------------------------------------------

Added:
- Expanded NMDC security validation.
- Additional engine diagnostics.
- Infrastructure improvements supporting future monitoring and recovery functionality.

Improved:
- Improved communication between the native interface and Python engine.
- Strengthened overall hub reliability.


Version 1.6.2 - System Information
-----------------------------------

Added:
- Operating system information reporting.
- System uptime reporting.
- Additional runtime information in hub statistics.

Improved:
- Expanded the !uptime command.
- Improved presentation of hub and system information.


Version 1.6.1 - Operator Status & Commands
-------------------------------------------

Added:
- Cosmetic operator status support for compatible NMDC clients.
- Additional hub command functionality.

Improved:
- Improved hub identity presentation.
- Improved user-facing information commands.

Security:
- Cosmetic operator status does not grant administrative permissions.


Version 1.6.0 - Message of the Day
-----------------------------------

Added:
- Configurable Message of the Day (MOTD).
- Dynamic MOTD placeholders.
- Native GUI editor for MOTD configuration.
- Automatic MOTD delivery during client connections.
- Hub information commands.

Commands:
- !help    - Display available commands.
- !motd    - Display the Message of the Day.
- !rules   - Display hub rules.
- !stats   - Display hub statistics.
- !uptime  - Display hub uptime information.
- !myinfo  - Display personal connection information.

Improved:
- Improved hub welcome messages.
- Improved customization of hub information.
- Improved administrator control over user-facing messages.


Version 1.5.9 - Stability Improvements
---------------------------------------

Fixed:
- Improved hub shutdown behavior.
- Addressed issues affecting engine termination and restart.

Improved:
- Improved communication between the native GUI and hub engine.
- Refined process lifecycle management.


Version 1.5.x - Core Development
---------------------------------
Covers versions 1.5.1 through 1.5.8.

Core:
- Developed the Python-based NMDC hub engine.
- Implemented client connection and session management.
- Added hub configuration and administration functionality.
- Introduced persistent settings and account management.
- Implemented hub startup and shutdown controls.

Native macOS Interface:
- Developed the native SwiftUI administration interface.
- Introduced a modern macOS-inspired visual design.
- Added hub status and connection monitoring.
- Integrated the graphical interface with the Python backend.
- Established Cenarius Team Elite Edition branding.

Security:
- Introduced authentication and account management.
- Added initial connection security controls.
- Improved handling of invalid client input.
- Expanded logging and administration diagnostics.

Reliability:
- Improved hub startup behavior.
- Improved shutdown handling.
- Added persistent configuration support.
- Improved general engine stability.


GENERAL FEATURES
================

Core Hub:
- NMDC protocol support.
- Python-based hub engine.
- Client connection management.
- User and account management.
- Persistent configuration.
- Hub administration commands.
- Configurable Message of the Day.
- Hub statistics and uptime reporting.

Security:
- Authentication and authorization controls.
- Operator permission validation.
- NMDC message validation.
- Connection and session limits.
- DoS mitigation mechanisms.
- IP and subnet-level protection.
- Security event monitoring.
- Administrative diagnostics.

Administration:
- Native SwiftUI macOS interface.
- Hub start, stop and restart controls.
- User and account administration.
- Configuration management.
- Live hub status monitoring.
- CPU and memory monitoring.
- Performance diagnostics.
- Security alerts.

Reliability & Recovery:
- Python engine supervision.
- Automatic listener recovery.
- Bounded recovery attempts.
- SQLite database backups.
- Backup integrity verification.
- Scheduled backups.
- Backup restoration.
- Engine health monitoring.


KNOWN LIMITATIONS
=================

- Version 1.8.1 requires extended runtime validation on macOS.
- Recovery behavior may depend on the underlying failure condition.
- Certain security and monitoring features require additional production load testing.
- External hub accessibility depends on network binding, firewall configuration and port forwarding.
- Some features may behave differently depending on the connected NMDC client.