Sync launcher 1.2.2: monitor-aware resolution ownership, SuperWoW mod and mods-on-by-default, Patch-O raid visuals toggle, background-sound CVar, launch/quit stability fixes

package.json

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
 	"name": "octo-launcher",
-	"version": "1.2.1",
+	"version": "1.2.2",
 	"description": "An Electron application for launching and updating the OctoWoW client",
 	"author": "OctoWoW",
 	"copyright": "Copyright © 2026 OctoWoW",

scripts/scrub-native-paths.cjs

@@ -0,0 +1,97 @@
+
+const fs = require('fs');
+const os = require('os');
+const path = require('path');
+
+const FILL = 0x78;
+
+function pathVariants(p) {
+	const set = new Set([p, p.replace(/\\/g, '/'), p.replace(/\//g, '\\')]);
+	return [...set].filter(Boolean);
+}
+
+const root = process.cwd();
+const home = os.homedir();
+let username = '';
+try {
+	username = os.userInfo().username;
+} catch {
+	username = '';
+}
+
+const secrets = [];
+if (root.length > 2) secrets.push(...pathVariants(root));
+if (home.length > 2 && home !== root) secrets.push(...pathVariants(home));
+if (username.length >= 4) secrets.push(username);
+
+const needles = [...new Set(secrets)]
+	.filter(s => s.length > 0)
+	.map(s => s.toLowerCase())
+	.sort((a, b) => b.length - a.length);
+
+function scanAndFill(buf, s, stride) {
+	const n = s.length;
+	const span = n * stride;
+	if (span === 0 || span > buf.length) return 0;
+	let hits = 0;
+	outer: for (let i = 0; i + span <= buf.length; i++) {
+		for (let j = 0; j < n; j++) {
+			const at = i + j * stride;
+			let b = buf[at];
+			if (b >= 0x41 && b <= 0x5a) b += 0x20;
+			if (b !== s.charCodeAt(j)) continue outer;
+			if (stride === 2 && buf[at + 1] !== 0x00) continue outer;
+		}
+		buf.fill(FILL, i, i + span);
+		hits++;
+		i += span - 1;
+	}
+	return hits;
+}
+
+function redact(buf) {
+	let hits = 0;
+	for (const s of needles) {
+		hits += scanAndFill(buf, s, 1);
+		hits += scanAndFill(buf, s, 2);
+	}
+	return hits;
+}
+
+function collect(dir, out) {
+	let entries;
+	try {
+		entries = fs.readdirSync(dir, { withFileTypes: true });
+	} catch {
+		return;
+	}
+	for (const e of entries) {
+		const p = path.join(dir, e.name);
+		if (e.isDirectory()) collect(p, out);
+		else if (e.isFile() && p.endsWith('.node')) out.push(p);
+	}
+}
+
+const addons = [];
+collect(path.join(root, 'node_modules'), addons);
+
+let files = 0;
+let total = 0;
+const redacted = [];
+for (const file of addons) {
+	try {
+		const buf = fs.readFileSync(file);
+		const hits = redact(buf);
+		if (hits > 0) {
+			fs.writeFileSync(file, buf);
+			files++;
+			total += hits;
+			redacted.push(`${path.relative(root, file)} (${hits})`);
+		}
+	} catch (err) {
+		console.warn(`scrub-native-paths: skipped ${path.basename(file)} (${err.message})`);
+	}
+}
+
+console.log(`scrub-native-paths: redacted ${total} path reference(s) across ${files} addon(s)`);
+for (const r of redacted) console.log(`  ${r}`);

server/src/cache.ts

@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ const allowedExtra = [
 ];
 
 const vanillaFixes = ['VfPatcher.dll', 'd3d9.dll', 'dxvk.conf'];
+const raidVisuals = ['patch-O.mpq'];
 
 const skipFiles = new Set([
 	'manifest.json',
@@ -45,7 +46,7 @@ const isSkipDir = (...filePath: string[]) =>
 	skipDirsPosix.has(filePath.join('/'));
 
 type FolderTags = 'allowExtra';
-type FileTags = 'vanillaFixes';
+type FileTags = 'vanillaFixes' | 'raidVisuals';
 
 type FileManifest = { name: string } & (
 	| { type: 'dir'; files: FileManifest[]; tags?: FolderTags[] }
@@ -191,6 +192,12 @@ export const buildCache = async (
 			if (stats.isDirectory()) {
 				if (isSkipDir(...filePath, file)) continue;
 				if (file.match(/patch-./)) {
+					if (raidVisuals.includes(`${file}.mpq`))
+						throw new Error(
+							`${file}/ exists beside ${file}.mpq. Opt-in archives must stay ` +
+								'whole-file: an mpq node carries no tags, so this would ' +
+								'ship the patch to every player regardless of preference.'
+						);
 					patches.push(file);
 					const mpqRelPath = path
 						.join(...filePath, `${file}.mpq`)
@@ -243,6 +250,7 @@ export const buildCache = async (
 
 			const tags: FileTags[] = [];
 			vanillaFixes.includes(file) && tags.push('vanillaFixes');
+			raidVisuals.includes(file) && tags.push('raidVisuals');
 
 			tree.push({
 				type: 'file',

src/common/mods.ts

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ export const ModIdSchema = z.enum([
 	'dxvk',
 	'nampower',
 	'multiMonitorFix',
+	'superWow',
 	'transmogFix',
 	'unitXp',
 	'vanillaFixes',
@@ -19,6 +20,7 @@ export type ModSource =
 			apiUrl?: string;
 			pinnedTag?: string;
 			assetName: string;
+			sha256?: string;
 	  }
 	| {
 			kind: 'archive';
@@ -28,6 +30,7 @@ export type ModSource =
 			pinnedTag?: string;
 			format: 'zip' | 'tar.gz';
 			extractMap: Record<string, string>;
+			sha256?: string;
 	  }
 	| { kind: 'managed' };
 
@@ -98,6 +101,28 @@ export const MODS: ModEntry[] = [
 		},
 		registerInDllsTxt: 'VanillaMultiMonitorFix.dll'
 	},
+	{
+		id: 'superWow',
+		name: 'SuperWoW',
+		version: '2.2',
+		description:
+			'Extends the client Lua API with unit GUIDs and other data many addons rely on.',
+		repoUrl: 'https://github.com/balakethelock/SuperWoW',
+		requires: ['vanillaFixes'],
+		source: {
+			kind: 'archive',
+			url: 'https://github.com/balakethelock/SuperWoW/releases/download/Release/SuperWoW.release.2.2.zip',
+			apiUrl:
+				'https://api.github.com/repos/balakethelock/SuperWoW/releases/latest',
+			parseLatest: 'githubRelease',
+			pinnedTag: '2.2',
+			format: 'zip',
+			extractMap: {
+				'SuperWoWhook.dll': 'SuperWoWhook.dll'
+			}
+		},
+		registerInDllsTxt: 'SuperWoWhook.dll'
+	},
 	{
 		id: 'transmogFix',
 		name: 'transmogFix',
@@ -177,3 +202,9 @@ export const MODS: ModEntry[] = [
 
 export const getMod = (id: ModId): ModEntry | undefined =>
 	MODS.find(m => m.id === id);
+
+const NOT_DEFAULT_ENABLED: ModId[] = [];
+
+export const DEFAULT_ENABLED_MODS: ModId[] = MODS.filter(
+	m => !NOT_DEFAULT_ENABLED.includes(m.id)
+).map(m => m.id);

src/common/schemas.ts

@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ const f = {
 
 export const ConfigWtfSchema = z.object({
 	vanillaFixes: f.boolean(),
+	raidVisuals: f.boolean(),
 	largeAddress: f.boolean(true),
 	nameplateRange: f.number(41),
 	alwaysAutoLoot: f.boolean(),
@@ -62,6 +63,8 @@ export const PreferencesSchema = z.object({
 		.default('enUS'),
 	localePatchLetter: z.string().optional(),
 	localePatchLocale: z.string().optional(),
+	vmmfWrittenIndex: z.number().int().nonnegative().optional(),
+	lastWrittenResolution: z.string().optional(),
 	rememberPosition: f.boolean(),
 	windowPosition: z
 		.object({

src/main/api/routers/launcher.ts

@@ -47,6 +47,9 @@ export const launcherRouter = createTRPCRouter({
 			await fs.remove(path.join(clientDir, 'WDB'));
 		}
 
+		Logger.log('Syncing preferred monitor...');
+		await Mods.verify();
+
 		Logger.log('Checking Config.wtf...');
 		await patchConfig();
 
@@ -62,21 +65,17 @@ export const launcherRouter = createTRPCRouter({
 					'launching WoW.exe directly (mods will not load).'
 			);
 
-		const octoLocale = Preferences.data.locale || 'enUS';
-		const gameEnv = { ...process.env, OCTO_LOCALE: octoLocale };
 		Logger.log(
 			useLoader
-				? `Launching via VanillaFixes (OCTO_LOCALE=${octoLocale})...`
-				: `Launching ${exePath} (OCTO_LOCALE=${octoLocale})...`
+				? 'Launching via VanillaFixes...'
+				: `Launching ${exePath}...`
 		);
 		const child = useLoader
 			? spawn(loaderPath, ['WoW.exe'], {
-					env: gameEnv,
 					cwd: clientDir,
 					detached: !minimizeToTrayOnPlay
 			  })
 			: spawn(exePath, {
-					env: gameEnv,
 					cwd: clientDir,
 					detached: !minimizeToTrayOnPlay
 			  });

src/main/index.ts

@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ import {
 
 Logger.initialize();
 Logger.errorHandler.startCatching();
+Logger.transports.ipc.level = false;
 Logger.info('Launcher starting...');
 
 app.disableHardwareAcceleration();
@@ -191,6 +192,16 @@ if (!gotSingleInstanceLock) {
 		await createWindow();
 	});
 
+	let settingsFlushed = false;
+	app.on('before-quit', event => {
+		if (settingsFlushed) return;
+		settingsFlushed = true;
+		event.preventDefault();
+		Promise.race([Preferences.save(), new Promise(r => setTimeout(r, 3000))])
+			.catch(e => Logger.error('Failed to flush settings before quit', e))
+			.finally(() => app.quit());
+	});
+
 	app.on('window-all-closed', () => {
 		app.quit();
 	});

src/main/modules/addons.ts

@@ -195,7 +195,7 @@ class AddonsClass extends Observable<AddonsStatus> {
 			: [];
 		const addons: AddonsStatus['addons'] = Object.fromEntries(
 			dirs
-				.filter(d => !d.startsWith('Blizzard_'))
+				.filter(d => !d.startsWith('Blizzard_') && !/\.(tmp|bak)$/.test(d))
 				.map(name => [name, { status: 'fetching' as const, folder: name }])
 		);
 

src/main/modules/displays.ts

@@ -3,8 +3,21 @@ import { spawn } from 'node:child_process';
 
 import Logger from 'electron-log/main';
 
+export type DisplayDevice = {
+	index: number;
+	deviceName: string;
+	deviceString: string;
+	attached: boolean;
+	primary: boolean;
+	width: number;
+	height: number;
+	refresh: number;
+	modes: string[];
+};
+
 const SCRIPT = [
 	'$ErrorActionPreference = "Stop"',
+	"$ProgressPreference = 'SilentlyContinue'",
 	"Add-Type -TypeDefinition @'",
 	'using System;',
 	'using System.Runtime.InteropServices;',
@@ -18,30 +31,79 @@ const SCRIPT = [
 	'    [MarshalAs(UnmanagedType.ByValTStr, SizeConst=128)] public string DeviceID;',
 	'    [MarshalAs(UnmanagedType.ByValTStr, SizeConst=128)] public string DeviceKey;',
 	'  }',
+	'  [StructLayout(LayoutKind.Sequential, CharSet=CharSet.Ansi)]',
+	'  public struct DEVMODE {',
+	'    [MarshalAs(UnmanagedType.ByValTStr, SizeConst=32)] public string dmDeviceName;',
+	'    public short dmSpecVersion; public short dmDriverVersion; public short dmSize; public short dmDriverExtra;',
+	'    public int dmFields; public int dmPositionX; public int dmPositionY;',
+	'    public int dmDisplayOrientation; public int dmDisplayFixedOutput;',
+	'    public short dmColor; public short dmDuplex; public short dmYResolution; public short dmTTOption; public short dmCollate;',
+	'    [MarshalAs(UnmanagedType.ByValTStr, SizeConst=32)] public string dmFormName;',
+	'    public short dmLogPixels; public int dmBitsPerPel; public int dmPelsWidth; public int dmPelsHeight;',
+	'    public int dmDisplayFlags; public int dmDisplayFrequency;',
+	'    public int dmICMMethod; public int dmICMIntent; public int dmMediaType; public int dmDitherType;',
+	'    public int dmReserved1; public int dmReserved2; public int dmPanningWidth; public int dmPanningHeight;',
+	'  }',
 	'  [DllImport("user32.dll", EntryPoint="EnumDisplayDevicesA", CharSet=CharSet.Ansi)]',
 	'  public static extern bool EnumDisplayDevices(string lpDevice, uint iDevNum, ref DISPLAY_DEVICE lpDisplayDevice, uint dwFlags);',
+	'  [DllImport("user32.dll", EntryPoint="EnumDisplaySettingsA", CharSet=CharSet.Ansi)]',
+	'  public static extern bool EnumDisplaySettings(string lpszDeviceName, int iModeNum, ref DEVMODE lpDevMode);',
 	'}',
 	"'@",
-	'$dd = New-Object VmmfDisplays+DISPLAY_DEVICE',
-	'$dd.cb = [System.Runtime.InteropServices.Marshal]::SizeOf($dd)',
-	'for ($i = 0; [VmmfDisplays]::EnumDisplayDevices([NullString]::Value, $i, [ref]$dd, 0); $i++) {',
-	'  if ($dd.StateFlags -band 4) { Write-Output $i; exit 0 }',
-	'}',
-	'exit 1'
+	'for ($i = 0; ; $i++) {',
+	'  $dd = New-Object VmmfDisplays+DISPLAY_DEVICE',
+	'  $dd.cb = [System.Runtime.InteropServices.Marshal]::SizeOf($dd)',
+	'  if (-not [VmmfDisplays]::EnumDisplayDevices([NullString]::Value, $i, [ref]$dd, 0)) { break }',
+	'  $dm = New-Object VmmfDisplays+DEVMODE',
+	'  $dm.dmSize = [System.Runtime.InteropServices.Marshal]::SizeOf($dm)',
+	'  $cur = ""',
+	'  if ([VmmfDisplays]::EnumDisplaySettings($dd.DeviceName, -1, [ref]$dm)) {',
+	'    $cur = "$($dm.dmPelsWidth)|$($dm.dmPelsHeight)|$($dm.dmDisplayFrequency)"',
+	'  }',
+	'  $modes = New-Object System.Collections.Generic.HashSet[string]',
+	'  for ($m = 0; ; $m++) {',
+	'    $d2 = New-Object VmmfDisplays+DEVMODE',
+	'    $d2.dmSize = [System.Runtime.InteropServices.Marshal]::SizeOf($d2)',
+	'    if (-not [VmmfDisplays]::EnumDisplaySettings($dd.DeviceName, $m, [ref]$d2)) { break }',
+	'    [void]$modes.Add("$($d2.dmPelsWidth)x$($d2.dmPelsHeight)")',
+	'  }',
+	'  Write-Output ("{0}`t{1}`t{2}`t{3}`t{4}`t{5}" -f $i, $dd.DeviceName, $dd.DeviceString, $dd.StateFlags, $cur, ($modes -join ","))',
+	'}'
 ].join('\n');
 
-export const detectPrimaryDisplayIndex = (): Promise<number> => {
-	if (os.platform() !== 'win32') return Promise.resolve(0);
+const parseRow = (line: string): DisplayDevice | undefined => {
+	const f = line.split('\t');
+	if (f.length < 6) return undefined;
+	const index = Number(f[0]);
+	const stateFlags = Number(f[3]);
+	if (!Number.isInteger(index) || index < 0 || !Number.isInteger(stateFlags))
+		return undefined;
+	const [w, h, hz] = (f[4] || '').split('|').map(Number);
+	return {
+		index,
+		deviceName: f[1],
+		deviceString: f[2],
+		attached: (stateFlags & 1) !== 0,
+		primary: (stateFlags & 4) !== 0,
+		width: Number.isFinite(w) ? w : 0,
+		height: Number.isFinite(h) ? h : 0,
+		refresh: Number.isFinite(hz) ? hz : 0,
+		modes: (f[5] || '').split(',').filter(Boolean)
+	};
+};
+
+export const enumerateDisplays = (): Promise<DisplayDevice[] | null> => {
+	if (os.platform() !== 'win32') return Promise.resolve(null);
 
 	const encoded = Buffer.from(SCRIPT, 'utf16le').toString('base64');
 
 	return new Promise(resolve => {
 		let settled = false;
-		const finish = (index: number) => {
+		const finish = (v: DisplayDevice[] | null) => {
 			if (settled) return;
 			settled = true;
 			clearTimeout(timer);
-			resolve(index);
+			resolve(v);
 		};
 
 		const child = spawn(
@@ -52,25 +114,33 @@ export const detectPrimaryDisplayIndex = (): Promise<number> => {
 
 		const timer = setTimeout(() => {
 			child.kill();
-			Logger.warn('Primary display detection timed out');
-			finish(0);
-		}, 8000);
+			Logger.warn('Display enumeration timed out');
+			finish(null);
+		}, 10000);
 
 		let stdout = '';
 		child.stdout.on('data', d => (stdout += String(d)));
 		child.on('error', e => {
-			Logger.warn('Primary display detection failed to launch PowerShell', e);
-			finish(0);
+			Logger.warn('Display enumeration failed to launch PowerShell', e);
+			finish(null);
 		});
 		child.on('exit', code => {
-			const index = Number(stdout.trim());
-			if (code === 0 && Number.isInteger(index) && index >= 0) {
-				Logger.info(`Detected primary display at device index ${index}`);
-				finish(index);
+			const devices = stdout
+				.split(/\r?\n/)
+				.map(parseRow)
+				.filter((d): d is DisplayDevice => d !== undefined);
+			if (code === 0 && devices.length) {
+				Logger.info(`Enumerated ${devices.length} display device(s)`);
+				finish(devices);
 			} else {
-				Logger.warn('Primary display detection failed, defaulting to 0');
-				finish(0);
+				Logger.warn('Display enumeration returned nothing usable');
+				finish(null);
 			}
 		});
 	});
 };
+
+export const detectPrimaryDisplayIndex = async (): Promise<number | null> => {
+	const devices = await enumerateDisplays();
+	return devices?.find(d => d.primary && d.attached)?.index ?? null;
+};

src/main/modules/localePatch.ts

@@ -12,7 +12,9 @@ import Logger from 'electron-log/main';
 import Preferences from './preferences';
 
 const PREFERRED = 'L';
-const LETTERS = 'BCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ'.split('');
+const ALL_LETTERS = 'BCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ'.split('');
+const RAID_LETTER = 'O';
+const ALLOC_LETTERS = ALL_LETTERS.filter(l => l !== RAID_LETTER);
 const MARKER = 'octolocale.marker';
 
 const patchFile = (dataDir: string, letter: string) =>
@@ -42,7 +44,7 @@ const usableSlot = (dataDir: string, letter: string): boolean => {
 };
 
 const removeOurPatch = async (dataDir: string) => {
-	for (const l of LETTERS) {
+	for (const l of ALL_LETTERS) {
 		const f = patchFile(dataDir, l);
 		if (isOurPatch(f)) await fs.remove(f).catch(() => {});
 	}
@@ -79,10 +81,12 @@ export const applyLocalePatch = async (
 
 	const tracked = Preferences.data.localePatchLetter;
 	const letter =
-		(tracked && usableSlot(dataDir, tracked) ? tracked : undefined) ??
+		(tracked && tracked !== RAID_LETTER && usableSlot(dataDir, tracked)
+			? tracked
+			: undefined) ??
 		(usableSlot(dataDir, PREFERRED)
 			? PREFERRED
-			: LETTERS.find(l => usableSlot(dataDir, l)));
+			: ALLOC_LETTERS.find(l => usableSlot(dataDir, l)));
 	if (!letter) {
 		Logger.warn('Locale patch: no usable patch slot');
 		return;
@@ -100,7 +104,7 @@ export const applyLocalePatch = async (
 	}
 
 	try {
-		for (const l of LETTERS) {
+		for (const l of ALL_LETTERS) {
 			if (l === letter) continue;
 			const f = patchFile(dataDir, l);
 			if (isOurPatch(f)) await fs.remove(f).catch(() => {});

src/main/modules/mods.ts

@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import path from 'path';
+import { createHash } from 'crypto';
 
 import fs from 'fs-extra';
 import fetch from 'node-fetch';
@@ -13,7 +14,7 @@ import Preferences from './preferences';
 import Observable from './observable';
 import Updater from './updater';
 import { addDll, removeDll } from './dllsTxt';
-import { detectPrimaryDisplayIndex } from './displays';
+import { enumerateDisplays } from './displays';
 
 const MOD_DOWNLOAD_TIMEOUT_MS = 60_000;
 
@@ -105,6 +106,69 @@ class ModsClass extends Observable<ModsStatus> {
 		};
 	}
 
+	async #syncPreferredMonitor(clientDir: string) {
+		const vmmfDll = path.join(clientDir, 'VanillaMultiMonitorFix.dll');
+		if (!(await fs.pathExists(vmmfDll))) return;
+
+		const vmmfCfg = path.join(clientDir, 'VMMFix_preferred_monitor.txt');
+		const existsCfg = await fs.pathExists(vmmfCfg);
+		const current = existsCfg
+			? Number(
+					await fs
+						.readFile(vmmfCfg, 'utf8')
+						.then(s => s.trim())
+						.catch(() => '')
+			  )
+			: NaN;
+		const hasCurrent = Number.isInteger(current);
+		const ours = Preferences.data?.vmmfWrittenIndex;
+
+		const devices = await enumerateDisplays();
+		const usable = devices?.filter(d => d.attached && d.width > 0);
+		if (!devices || !usable?.length) {
+			Logger.warn('Could not enumerate displays; preferred monitor unchanged');
+			return;
+		}
+		const primary = usable.find(d => d.primary) ?? usable[0];
+
+		if (hasCurrent && ours === undefined) {
+			const pinned = devices.find(d => d.index === current);
+			const broken = !pinned || !pinned.attached || !pinned.primary;
+			if (!broken) {
+				Preferences.data = { vmmfWrittenIndex: current };
+				Logger.info(`Adopting existing preferred monitor ${current} as chosen`);
+				return;
+			}
+			Logger.warn(
+				`Preferred monitor ${current} (${
+					pinned ? pinned.deviceName : 'missing'
+				}) is ${
+					!pinned || !pinned.attached
+						? 'not attached'
+						: 'not the primary display'
+				}; healing to ${primary.index}`
+			);
+		} else if (hasCurrent && current !== ours) {
+			Logger.info(
+				`Preferred monitor ${current} was set manually; leaving it alone`
+			);
+			Preferences.data = { vmmfWrittenIndex: current };
+			return;
+		} else if (hasCurrent && current === primary.index) {
+			return;
+		}
+
+		await fs
+			.writeFile(vmmfCfg, `${primary.index}\n`, 'utf8')
+			.then(() => {
+				Preferences.data = { vmmfWrittenIndex: primary.index };
+				Logger.info(
+					`Preferred monitor set to ${primary.index} (${primary.deviceName} ${primary.width}x${primary.height})`
+				);
+			})
+			.catch(e => Logger.warn('Failed to write preferred monitor', e));
+	}
+
 	async verify() {
 		this.load();
 		this._notifyObservers();
@@ -112,12 +176,7 @@ class ModsClass extends Observable<ModsStatus> {
 		const clientDir = Preferences.data?.clientDir;
 
 		if (clientDir) {
-			const vmmfDll = path.join(clientDir, 'VanillaMultiMonitorFix.dll');
-			const vmmfCfg = path.join(clientDir, 'VMMFix_preferred_monitor.txt');
-			if ((await fs.pathExists(vmmfDll)) && !(await fs.pathExists(vmmfCfg))) {
-				const index = await detectPrimaryDisplayIndex();
-				await fs.writeFile(vmmfCfg, `${index}\n`, 'utf8').catch(() => {});
-			}
+			await this.#syncPreferredMonitor(clientDir);
 		}
 
 		for (const m of MODS) {
@@ -258,7 +317,7 @@ class ModsClass extends Observable<ModsStatus> {
 
 		if (m.source.kind === 'directFile') {
 			const dest = path.join(clientDir, m.source.assetName);
-			await this.#downloadTo(m.source.url, dest);
+			await this.#downloadTo(m.source.url, dest, m.source.sha256);
 			written.push(m.source.assetName);
 		} else if (m.source.kind === 'archive') {
 			const scratch = path.join(clientDir, '.octolauncher-tmp');
@@ -267,7 +326,7 @@ class ModsClass extends Observable<ModsStatus> {
 				scratch,
 				`${m.id}-${Date.now()}.${m.source.format}`
 			);
-			await this.#downloadTo(m.source.url, tmp);
+			await this.#downloadTo(m.source.url, tmp, m.source.sha256);
 			this.#patchRow(m.id, { state: 'installing' });
 
 			const map = m.source.extractMap;
@@ -360,7 +419,7 @@ class ModsClass extends Observable<ModsStatus> {
 		this.#patchRow(m.id, { state: 'idle', installedVersion: undefined });
 	}
 
-	async #downloadTo(url: string, dest: string) {
+	async #downloadTo(url: string, dest: string, sha256?: string) {
 		const res = await fetch(url, {
 			headers: { 'User-Agent': 'OctoLauncher' },
 			timeout: MOD_DOWNLOAD_TIMEOUT_MS
@@ -368,6 +427,15 @@ class ModsClass extends Observable<ModsStatus> {
 		if (!res.ok) throw new Error(`Download failed ${res.status}: ${url}`);
 		await fs.ensureDir(path.dirname(dest));
 		const buf = await res.arrayBuffer();
+
+		if (sha256) {
+			const got = createHash('sha256').update(Buffer.from(buf)).digest('hex');
+			if (got !== sha256.toLowerCase())
+				throw new Error(
+					`Checksum mismatch for ${path.basename(dest)}: expected ${sha256}, got ${got}. Refusing to install.`
+				);
+		}
+
 		await fs.writeFile(dest, Buffer.from(buf));
 		if (!(await fs.pathExists(dest)))
 			throw new Error(

src/main/modules/patcher.ts

@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import Preferences from '~main/modules/preferences';
 import { ConfigWtfSchema, type PreferencesSchema } from '~common/schemas';
 import { isNotUndef } from '~common/utils';
 import { fetchFile } from '~main/modules/updater';
+import { enumerateDisplays } from '~main/modules/displays';
 
 const Servers = {
 	live: {
@@ -32,7 +33,7 @@ type Tweak = TweakKey & {
 } & (
 		| {
 				type: 'bytes';
-				tweaks: [number, number[]][];
+				tweaks: [number, number[], number[]?][];
 		  }
 		| {
 				type: 'int8' | 'uint16' | 'float';
@@ -41,6 +42,9 @@ type Tweak = TweakKey & {
 		  }
 	);
 
+const hex = (bytes: number[]) =>
+	bytes.map(b => b.toString(16).padStart(2, '0')).join(' ');
+
 export const patchExecutable = async () => {
 	Logger.log('Patching WoW.exe...');
 
@@ -127,6 +131,20 @@ export const patchExecutable = async () => {
 					]
 				]
 			},
+			{
+				synthetic: true,
+				key: 'levitateAnimRangeBounds',
+				type: 'bytes',
+				default: true,
+				forced: true,
+				tweaks: [
+					[
+						0x313d5f,
+						[0x57, 0x8b, 0x55, 0x0c, 0x3b, 0xd0, 0x73, 0x0e],
+						[0x85, 0xc0, 0x57, 0x74, 0x11, 0x8b, 0x55, 0x0c]
+					]
+				]
+			},
 			{
 				synthetic: true,
 				key: 'octowowUrlAllowlist',
@@ -137,8 +155,8 @@ export const patchExecutable = async () => {
 					[
 						0x45ccd8,
 						[
-							0x6f, 0x63, 0x74, 0x6f, 0x77, 0x6f, 0x77, 0x2e, 0x73, 0x74,
-							0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00
+							0x6f, 0x63, 0x74, 0x6f, 0x77, 0x6f, 0x77, 0x2e, 0x73, 0x74, 0x00,
+							0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00
 						]
 					]
 				]
@@ -160,9 +178,24 @@ export const patchExecutable = async () => {
 				buffer.writeUInt16LE(t.value ?? (val as number), t.offset);
 			} else if (t.type === 'bytes') {
 				if (!t.forced && !val) return;
-				t.tweaks.forEach(([offset, bytes]) =>
-					Buffer.from(bytes).copy(buffer, offset)
-				);
+				t.tweaks.forEach(([offset, bytes, expect]) => {
+					if (expect) {
+						const current = buffer.subarray(offset, offset + expect.length);
+						if (current.equals(Buffer.from(bytes))) return;
+						if (!current.equals(Buffer.from(expect)))
+							throw new Error(
+								`"${t.key}" expected [${hex(expect)}] at 0x${offset.toString(16)} ` +
+									`but found [${hex([...current])}] - refusing to patch WoW.exe`
+							);
+					}
+					const written = Buffer.from(bytes).copy(buffer, offset);
+					if (written !== bytes.length)
+						Logger.error(
+							`"${t.key}" wrote ${written}/${bytes.length} bytes at ` +
+								`0x${offset.toString(16)} - past end of file (${buffer.length} bytes). ` +
+								'This tweak is a no-op; the offset is probably a virtual address.'
+						);
+				});
 			}
 		});
 
@@ -174,6 +207,48 @@ export const patchExecutable = async () => {
 	}
 };
 
+const repairResolution = async (
+	clientDir: string,
+	current: string | undefined,
+	lastWritten: string | undefined
+): Promise<{ gxResolution?: string }> => {
+	const devices = await enumerateDisplays();
+	if (!devices?.length) return {};
+
+	const pinnedRaw = await fs
+		.readFile(path.join(clientDir, 'VMMFix_preferred_monitor.txt'), 'utf8')
+		.then(s => s.trim())
+		.catch(() => '');
+	const pinned = pinnedRaw ? Number(pinnedRaw) : NaN;
+	const target =
+		devices.find(d => d.index === pinned && d.attached) ??
+		devices.find(d => d.primary && d.attached);
+	if (!target?.modes.length) return {};
+
+	const native = `${target.width}x${target.height}`;
+	if (!target.modes.includes(native)) return {};
+
+	let owned = !current || current === lastWritten;
+
+	if (!owned && lastWritten === undefined && current) {
+		const width = Number(current.split('x')[0]);
+		if (Number.isFinite(width) && width * 2 < target.width) {
+			Logger.warn(
+				`gxResolution ${current} is far below ${target.deviceName}'s ${native} and predates resolution tracking; treating it as a client fallback`
+			);
+			owned = true;
+		}
+	}
+
+	if (!owned) return {};
+	if (current === native) return {};
+
+	Logger.warn(
+		`gxResolution ${current ?? '<unset>'} is launcher-owned; correcting to ${target.deviceName}'s ${native}`
+	);
+	return { gxResolution: native };
+};
+
 export const patchConfig = async (forceTweaks = false) => {
 	const { clientDir, server, config, locale } = Preferences.data;
 	if (!clientDir) return;
@@ -194,50 +269,74 @@ export const patchConfig = async (forceTweaks = false) => {
 			.filter(isNotUndef)
 	);
 
+	const isFirstRun = Object.keys(configWtf).length === 0;
+
 	const primaryDisplay = screen.getPrimaryDisplay();
 	const scale = primaryDisplay.scaleFactor || 1;
 	const width = Math.round(primaryDisplay.bounds.width * scale);
 	const height = Math.round(primaryDisplay.bounds.height * scale);
 
-	const parsed = {
-		scriptMemory: 512000,
-		gxResolution: `${width}x${height}`,
-		gxColorBits: primaryDisplay.colorDepth,
-		gxDepthBits: primaryDisplay.colorDepth,
-		gxRefresh: 60,
-		gxMultisample: 8,
-		gxMultisampleQuality: 0,
-		gxTripleBuffer: 1,
-		anisotropic: 16,
-		frillDensity: 48,
-		fullAlpha: 1,
-		SmallCull: 0.01,
-		DistCull: 888.8,
-		shadowLevel: 0,
-		trilinear: 1,
-		specular: 1,
-		pixelShaders: 1,
-		M2UsePixelShaders: 1,
-		particleDensity: 1,
-		unitDrawDist: 300,
-		weatherDensity: 3,
-		movieSubtitle: 1,
-		minimapZoom: 0,
-		minimapInsideZoom: 0,
-		SoundZoneMusicNoDelay: 1,
-		patchList: configWtf['patchList'] ?? Servers[server].patchList,
-		realmName: configWtf['realmName'] ?? Servers[server].realmName,
-		gxWindow: configWtf['gxWindow'] ?? 1,
-		gxMaximize: configWtf['gxMaximize'] ?? 1,
-		gxCursor: configWtf['gxCursor'] ?? 1,
-		checkAddonVersion: configWtf['checkAddonVersion'] ?? 0,
-		farClip: configWtf['farClip'] ?? config.farClip,
-		CameraDistanceMax: configWtf['CameraDistanceMax'] ?? config.cameraDistance,
-		...configWtf,
+	const seededResolution = `${width}x${height}`;
+
+	const seed = isFirstRun
+		? {
+				scriptMemory: 512000,
+				gxResolution: seededResolution,
+				gxColorBits: primaryDisplay.colorDepth,
+				gxDepthBits: primaryDisplay.colorDepth,
+				gxRefresh: 60,
+				gxMultisample: 8,
+				gxMultisampleQuality: 0,
+				gxTripleBuffer: 1,
+				anisotropic: 16,
+				frillDensity: 48,
+				fullAlpha: 1,
+				SmallCull: 0.01,
+				DistCull: 888.8,
+				shadowLevel: 0,
+				trilinear: 1,
+				specular: 1,
+				pixelShaders: 1,
+				M2UsePixelShaders: 1,
+				M2UseShaders: 1,
+				particleDensity: 1,
+				unitDrawDist: 300,
+				weatherDensity: 3,
+				movieSubtitle: 1,
+				minimapZoom: 0,
+				minimapInsideZoom: 0,
+				SoundZoneMusicNoDelay: 1,
+				gxWindow: 1,
+				gxMaximize: 1,
+				gxCursor: 1,
+				checkAddonVersion: 0,
+				farClip: config.farClip,
+				CameraDistanceMax: config.cameraDistance,
+				patchList: Servers[server].patchList,
+				realmName: Servers[server].realmName
+		  }
+		: {};
+
+	const owned = {
 		locale,
 		realmList: Servers[server].realmList,
+		patchList: configWtf['patchList'] ?? Servers[server].patchList,
+		realmName: configWtf['realmName'] ?? Servers[server].realmName,
 		hwDetect: 0,
-		M2UseShaders: 1,
+		BackgroundSound: config.soundInBackground ? 1 : 0
+	};
+
+	const repaired = await repairResolution(
+		clientDir,
+		configWtf['gxResolution'],
+		Preferences.data.lastWrittenResolution
+	);
+
+	const parsed = {
+		...seed,
+		...configWtf,
+		...repaired,
+		...owned,
 		...(forceTweaks
 			? { farClip: config.farClip, CameraDistanceMax: config.cameraDistance }
 			: {})
@@ -250,5 +349,11 @@ export const patchConfig = async (forceTweaks = false) => {
 	const tmpPath = `${configPath}.tmp`;
 	await fs.writeFile(tmpPath, body);
 	await fs.move(tmpPath, configPath, { overwrite: true });
+
+	const chosen =
+		repaired.gxResolution ?? (isFirstRun ? seededResolution : undefined);
+	if (chosen && chosen !== Preferences.data.lastWrittenResolution)
+		Preferences.data = { lastWrittenResolution: chosen };
+
 	Logger.log('Config.wtf successfully patched');
 };

src/main/modules/preferences.ts

@@ -6,40 +6,143 @@ import { app } from 'electron';
 import Logger from 'electron-log/main';
 
 import { PreferencesSchema } from '~common/schemas';
+import { DEFAULT_ENABLED_MODS } from '~common/mods';
 import { omit } from '~common/utils';
 
 const portableDir = process.env.PORTABLE_EXECUTABLE_DIR;
 
+const errCode = (e: unknown) =>
+	e && typeof e === 'object' ? (e as NodeJS.ErrnoException).code : undefined;
+
+const LOCK_CODES = ['EPERM', 'EACCES', 'EBUSY', 'EMFILE', 'ENFILE'];
+const isLocked = (e: unknown) => LOCK_CODES.includes(errCode(e) ?? '');
+
+const delay = (ms: number) => new Promise(resolve => setTimeout(resolve, ms));
+
+const readJsonRetrying = async (file: string, attempts = 5) => {
+	for (let i = 0; ; i++) {
+		try {
+			return await fs.readJSON(file);
+		} catch (e) {
+			if (i >= attempts - 1 || !isLocked(e)) throw e;
+			await delay(60 * (i + 1));
+		}
+	}
+};
+
+const renameRetrying = async (from: string, to: string, attempts = 5) => {
+	for (let i = 0; ; i++) {
+		try {
+			return await fs.rename(from, to);
+		} catch (e) {
+			if (i >= attempts - 1 || !isLocked(e)) throw e;
+			await delay(60 * (i + 1));
+		}
+	}
+};
+
+const writeJsonAtomic = async (file: string, data: unknown) => {
+	const tmp = `${file}.tmp`;
+	await fs.writeJSON(tmp, data, { spaces: 2 });
+	await renameRetrying(tmp, file);
+};
+
+const dropUndefined = <T extends object>(obj: T): Partial<T> =>
+	Object.fromEntries(
+		Object.entries(obj).filter(([, v]) => v !== undefined)
+	) as Partial<T>;
+
 abstract class Preferences {
 	static #data: z.infer<typeof PreferencesSchema>;
 	static #writeChain: Promise<void> = Promise.resolve();
+	static #readOnly = false;
+	static #rememberedClientDir?: string;
+	static #freshInstall = false;
 
 	static readonly userDataDir = process.env.PORTABLE_EXECUTABLE_DIR
 		? path.join(process.env.PORTABLE_EXECUTABLE_DIR, '.launcher')
 		: app.getPath('userData');
 
-	static async load() {
-		await fs.ensureDir(this.userDataDir);
-		const settingsPath = path.join(this.userDataDir, 'settings.json');
+	static readonly #settingsPath = path.join(
+		Preferences.userDataDir,
+		'settings.json'
+	);
 
-		let json: Record<string, unknown>;
+	static readonly #installPath = path.join(
+		Preferences.userDataDir,
+		'install.json'
+	);
+
+	static get isFreshInstall() {
+		return this.#freshInstall;
+	}
+
+	static async #detectFreshInstall() {
+		const [settings, install, pending] = await Promise.all([
+			fs.pathExists(this.#settingsPath),
+			fs.pathExists(this.#installPath),
+			fs.pathExists(`${this.#settingsPath}.tmp`)
+		]);
+		return !settings && !install && !pending;
+	}
+
+	static #withFreshInstallDefaults(data: PreferencesSchema): PreferencesSchema {
+		if (!this.#freshInstall || Object.keys(data.mods).length) return data;
+
+		const mods = { ...data.mods };
+		for (const id of DEFAULT_ENABLED_MODS)
+			mods[id] = { enabled: true, installedFiles: [], ignoreUpdates: false };
+
+		Logger.info(
+			`Fresh install: enabling ${DEFAULT_ENABLED_MODS.join(', ')} by default`
+		);
+		return { ...data, mods };
+	}
+
+	static async load() {
+		this.#freshInstall = await this.#detectFreshInstall();
+		await fs.ensureDir(this.userDataDir);
+		const settingsPath = this.#settingsPath;
+
+		let json: Record<string, unknown> = {};
 		try {
-			json = await fs.readJSON(settingsPath);
-		} catch {
-			return PreferencesSchema.parse({
-				isPortable: !!portableDir,
-				clientDir: portableDir
-			});
+			json = await readJsonRetrying(settingsPath);
+		} catch (e) {
+			if (isLocked(e)) {
+				this.#readOnly = true;
+				Logger.error(
+					`Could not read ${settingsPath} (${errCode(e)}); running on ` +
+						'defaults and leaving settings untouched for this session.',
+					e
+				);
+			} else {
+				if (errCode(e) !== 'ENOENT') {
+					Logger.warn(`${settingsPath} is unreadable; keeping a copy`, e);
+					await fs
+						.copy(settingsPath, `${settingsPath}.corrupt`)
+						.catch(() => {});
+				}
+				const recovered = await fs
+					.readJSON(`${settingsPath}.tmp`)
+					.catch(() => null);
+				if (recovered && typeof recovered === 'object') {
+					Logger.warn(`Recovered settings from ${settingsPath}.tmp`);
+					json = recovered as Record<string, unknown>;
+				}
+			}
 		}
 
-		const merged = {
+		const merged = dropUndefined({
 			...json,
 			isPortable: !!portableDir,
 			clientDir: portableDir ?? json.clientDir
-		};
+		});
 
 		const parsed = PreferencesSchema.safeParse(merged);
-		if (parsed.success) return parsed.data;
+		if (parsed.success)
+			return this.#withKnownClientDir(
+				this.#withFreshInstallDefaults(parsed.data)
+			);
 
 		Logger.warn(
 			'settings.json failed validation; salvaging valid fields',
@@ -47,17 +150,40 @@ abstract class Preferences {
 		);
 		await fs.copy(settingsPath, `${settingsPath}.corrupt`).catch(() => {});
 
-		const salvaged: Record<string, unknown> = {
+		const salvaged: Record<string, unknown> = dropUndefined({
 			isPortable: !!portableDir,
 			clientDir: portableDir ?? json.clientDir
-		};
+		});
 		const shape = PreferencesSchema.shape;
 		for (const key of Object.keys(shape) as (keyof typeof shape)[]) {
 			if (!(key in merged)) continue;
 			const value = (merged as Record<string, unknown>)[key];
 			if (shape[key].safeParse(value).success) salvaged[key] = value;
 		}
-		return PreferencesSchema.parse(salvaged);
+		return this.#withKnownClientDir(PreferencesSchema.parse(salvaged));
+	}
+
+	static async #withKnownClientDir(data: PreferencesSchema) {
+		if (portableDir) return data;
+
+		const remembered = await fs
+			.readJSON(this.#installPath)
+			.then(j => {
+				const dir = (j as { clientDir?: unknown })?.clientDir;
+				return typeof dir === 'string' && dir ? dir : undefined;
+			})
+			.catch(() => undefined);
+		this.#rememberedClientDir = remembered;
+
+		if (await this.isValidClientDir(data.clientDir)) return data;
+		if (!remembered || remembered === data.clientDir) return data;
+		if (!(await this.isValidClientDir(remembered))) return data;
+
+		Logger.warn(
+			`No usable clientDir in settings.json; restored "${remembered}" from ` +
+				this.#installPath
+		);
+		return { ...data, clientDir: remembered };
 	}
 
 	static get data(): PreferencesSchema {
@@ -67,31 +193,50 @@ abstract class Preferences {
 	static set data(newData: Partial<Omit<PreferencesSchema, 'portableDir'>>) {
 		this.#data = { ...this.#data, ...newData };
 
-		const settingsPath = path.join(this.userDataDir, 'settings.json');
-		const delta = omit(
-			newData,
-			portableDir ? ['isPortable', 'clientDir'] : ['isPortable']
+		if (this.#readOnly) return;
+
+		const settingsPath = this.#settingsPath;
+		const dropped = portableDir ? ['isPortable', 'clientDir'] : ['isPortable'];
+		const delta = dropUndefined(
+			omit(newData, dropped as (keyof typeof newData)[])
 		);
-		const snapshot = omit(
-			this.#data,
-			portableDir ? ['isPortable', 'clientDir'] : ['isPortable']
+		const snapshot = dropUndefined(
+			omit(this.#data, dropped as (keyof PreferencesSchema)[])
 		);
 		this.#writeChain = this.#writeChain
 			.then(async () => {
-				let onDisk: unknown = null;
+				let base: Record<string, unknown> | null = null;
 				try {
-					onDisk = await fs.readJSON(settingsPath);
-				} catch {
-					onDisk = null;
+					const onDisk = await readJsonRetrying(settingsPath);
+					base =
+						!!onDisk && typeof onDisk === 'object' && !Array.isArray(onDisk)
+							? (onDisk as Record<string, unknown>)
+							: null;
+				} catch (e) {
+					if (isLocked(e)) {
+						Logger.error(
+							`Skipping settings write; ${settingsPath} is locked (${errCode(
+								e
+							)})`,
+							e
+						);
+						return;
+					}
 				}
-				const base =
-					!!onDisk && typeof onDisk === 'object' && !Array.isArray(onDisk)
-						? (onDisk as Record<string, unknown>)
-						: null;
 				const merged = base ? { ...base, ...delta } : snapshot;
-				const tmp = `${settingsPath}.tmp`;
-				await fs.writeJSON(tmp, merged, { spaces: 2 });
-				await fs.move(tmp, settingsPath, { overwrite: true });
+				await writeJsonAtomic(settingsPath, merged);
+
+				const clientDir = (merged as { clientDir?: unknown }).clientDir;
+				if (
+					typeof clientDir === 'string' &&
+					clientDir &&
+					clientDir !== this.#rememberedClientDir
+				) {
+					this.#rememberedClientDir = clientDir;
+					await writeJsonAtomic(this.#installPath, { clientDir }).catch(e =>
+						Logger.warn(`Failed to write ${this.#installPath}`, e)
+					);
+				}
 			})
 			.catch(e => Logger.error('Failed to persist settings.json', e));
 	}

src/main/modules/updater.ts

@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ const friendlyError = (e: unknown): string => {
 };
 
 type FolderTags = 'allowExtra';
-type FileTags = 'vanillaFixes';
+type FileTags = 'vanillaFixes' | 'raidVisuals';
 type FileManifest = { name: string } & (
 	| { type: 'del' }
 	| { type: 'dir'; files: FileManifest[]; tags?: FolderTags[] }
@@ -558,6 +558,7 @@ class UpdaterClass extends Observable<UpdaterStatus> {
 
 		try {
 			const vanillaFixes = Preferences.data.config.vanillaFixes;
+			const raidVisuals = Preferences.data.config.raidVisuals;
 			const modOwnedFiles = new Set<string>();
 			for (const state of Object.values(Preferences.data.mods ?? {}))
 				for (const rel of state?.installedFiles ?? [])
@@ -709,6 +710,12 @@ class UpdaterClass extends Observable<UpdaterStatus> {
 					}
 				}
 
+				if (item.tags?.includes('raidVisuals') && !raidVisuals) {
+					if (await fs.exists(path.join(clientPath, ...filePath)))
+						return { type: 'del', name: item.name };
+					return undefined;
+				}
+
 				this.status = {
 					state: 'verifying',
 					progress: i / totalSize,

src/main/workers/gitClone.ts

@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ if (!port) throw new Error('IllegalState');
 const { dir, url, ref } = workerData;
 
 const tmpDir = `${dir}.tmp`;
+const bakDir = `${dir}.bak`;
 
 const run = async () => {
 	await fs.remove(tmpDir);
@@ -23,8 +24,18 @@ const run = async () => {
 		onProgress: (...args) => port.postMessage({ cb: 'onProgress', args })
 	});
 
-	await fs.remove(dir);
-	await fs.move(tmpDir, dir);
+	await fs.remove(bakDir);
+	const hadExisting = await fs.pathExists(dir);
+	if (hadExisting) await fs.move(dir, bakDir);
+
+	try {
+		await fs.move(tmpDir, dir);
+	} catch (e) {
+		if (hadExisting) await fs.move(bakDir, dir).catch(() => undefined);
+		throw e;
+	}
+
+	await fs.remove(bakDir).catch(() => undefined);
 };
 
 run()

src/renderer/components/ClientDirDialog.tsx

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import { useForm } from 'react-hook-form';
-import { useEffect } from 'react';
+import { useEffect, useState } from 'react';
 
 import { PreferencesSchema } from '~common/schemas';
 import zodResolver from '~renderer/utils/zodResolver';
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import { useT } from '~renderer/i18n';
 
 import TextButton from './styled/TextButton';
 import FilePickerInput from './form/FilePickerInput';
+import CheckboxInput from './form/CheckboxInput';
 import CloseButton from './styled/CloseButton';
 
 type Props = { close: () => void };
@@ -36,6 +37,19 @@ const ClientDirDialog = ({ close }: Props) => {
 		resolver: zodResolver(PreferencesSchema.pick({ clientDir: true }))
 	});
 
+	const chosen = watch('clientDir');
+	const [acceptEmpty, setAcceptEmpty] = useState(false);
+
+	const chosenIsClient = api.preferences.isValidClientDir.useQuery(chosen, {
+		enabled: !!chosen && !pref?.isPortable
+	});
+	const needsEmptyConfirm =
+		!!chosen && chosenIsClient.isFetched && chosenIsClient.data === false;
+
+	useEffect(() => {
+		setAcceptEmpty(false);
+	}, [chosen]);
+
 	useEffect(() => {
 		pref && reset(pref);
 	}, [reset, pref]);
@@ -62,6 +76,7 @@ const ClientDirDialog = ({ close }: Props) => {
 		<form
 			className="tw-dialog"
 			onSubmit={handleSubmit(async ({ clientDir }) => {
+				if (needsEmptyConfirm && !acceptEmpty) return;
 				try {
 					await setPref.mutateAsync({ clientDir });
 					verify.mutate();
@@ -105,9 +120,23 @@ const ClientDirDialog = ({ close }: Props) => {
 				</p>
 			)}
 
+			{needsEmptyConfirm && (
+				<>
+					<p className="text-secondary text-sm">
+						{t('prefs.noClientHere', { exe: 'WoW.exe' })}
+					</p>
+					<CheckboxInput
+						value={acceptEmpty}
+						setValue={setAcceptEmpty}
+						label={t('prefs.noClientHereConfirm')}
+					/>
+				</>
+			)}
+
 			<TextButton
 				type="submit"
 				loading={formState.isSubmitting}
+				disabled={needsEmptyConfirm && !acceptEmpty}
 				className="self-end text-green"
 			>
 				{t('prefs.confirm')}

src/renderer/components/tabs/NewsTab.tsx

@@ -50,7 +50,6 @@ const NewsEntry = ({ item }: { item: NewsItem }) => {
 	);
 };
 
-// The "Announcements" list — most-recent forum topics as short previews + links.
 const AnnouncementsBox = () => {
 	const t = useT();
 	const query = api.news.list.useQuery(undefined, {
@@ -108,9 +107,6 @@ const AnnouncementsBox = () => {
 	);
 };
 
-// The News tab holds both boxes side by side: the parchment "newsletter" (the
-// featured Nautilus News Network post, biggest) and the "Announcements" list.
-// Living inside the tab means they only show on News — not on Tweaks/Addons/Mods.
 const NewsTab = () => (
 	<div className="flex min-h-0 flex-grow gap-3">
 		<ForumAnnouncementPanel />

src/renderer/components/tabs/TweaksTab.tsx

@@ -117,6 +117,12 @@ const TweaksTab = () => {
 					label={t('tweaks.alwaysAutoLoot.label')}
 					text={t('tweaks.alwaysAutoLoot.text')}
 				/>
+				<Item
+					form={form}
+					id="raidVisuals"
+					label={t('tweaks.raidVisuals.label')}
+					text={t('tweaks.raidVisuals.text')}
+				/>
 				<Item
 					form={form}
 					id="largeAddress"
@@ -214,8 +220,15 @@ const TweaksTab = () => {
 					onClick={async () => {
 						const config =
 							recommendedFarClip != null
-								? { ...ConfigWtfSchema.parse({}), farClip: recommendedFarClip }
-								: ConfigWtfSchema.parse({});
+								? {
+										...ConfigWtfSchema.parse({}),
+										farClip: recommendedFarClip,
+										raidVisuals: form.getValues('raidVisuals')
+								  }
+								: {
+										...ConfigWtfSchema.parse({}),
+										raidVisuals: form.getValues('raidVisuals')
+								  };
 						await setPref.mutateAsync({ config, farClipUserSet: false });
 						reset(config);
 					}}

src/renderer/i18n/translations.ts

@@ -34,6 +34,9 @@ const enUS: Dict = {
 	'launch.remaining': 'remaining',
 	'launch.calculating': 'calculating…',
 	'launch.onDisk': 'on disk',
+	'tweaks.raidVisuals.label': 'Updated Raid Visuals',
+	'tweaks.raidVisuals.text':
+		'Optional ~9 MB download. Adds clearer ground markers and sounds for raid boss abilities, kept in sync with the server automatically. (AKA Patch-O)',
 	'tweaks.alwaysAutoLoot.label': 'Always auto-loot',
 	'tweaks.alwaysAutoLoot.text':
 		'Reverses auto-loot behavior to always auto-loot and disable auto-with bound key.',
@@ -224,6 +227,10 @@ const enUS: Dict = {
 	'prefs.upgradeExisting':
 		'You may also choose a directory with an existing Turtle WoW or Vanilla WoW installation, and it will be automatically upgraded.',
 	'prefs.installDirectory': 'Install directory:',
+	'prefs.noClientHere':
+		'No {exe} in this folder. The launcher will download a fresh client here, and it will not contain your existing addons or settings. If you already have an install, pick that folder instead.',
+	'prefs.noClientHereConfirm':
+		'I understand — download a fresh client into this folder',
 	'prefs.confirm': 'Confirm'
 };
 
@@ -260,6 +267,9 @@ const deDE: Dict = {
 	'launch.remaining': 'verbleibend',
 	'launch.calculating': 'wird berechnet…',
 	'launch.onDisk': 'auf der Festplatte',
+	'tweaks.raidVisuals.label': 'Aktualisierte Raid-Effekte',
+	'tweaks.raidVisuals.text':
+		'Optionaler Download (~9 MB). Fügt deutlichere Bodenmarkierungen und Sounds für Raidboss-Fähigkeiten hinzu, automatisch mit dem Server synchron gehalten. (auch bekannt als Patch-O)',
 	'tweaks.alwaysAutoLoot.label': 'Immer automatisch plündern',
 	'tweaks.alwaysAutoLoot.text':
 		'Kehrt das Auto-Plündern-Verhalten um, sodass immer automatisch geplündert wird und das Auto-Plündern per Tastenkombination deaktiviert ist.',
@@ -429,6 +439,10 @@ const deDE: Dict = {
 	'prefs.upgradeExisting':
 		'Du kannst auch ein Verzeichnis mit einer vorhandenen Turtle-WoW- oder Vanilla-WoW-Installation wählen, und es wird automatisch aktualisiert.',
 	'prefs.installDirectory': 'Installationsverzeichnis:',
+	'prefs.noClientHere':
+		'In diesem Ordner ist keine {exe}. Der Launcher lädt hier einen neuen Client herunter, der deine vorhandenen Addons und Einstellungen nicht enthält. Wenn du bereits eine Installation hast, wähle stattdessen deren Ordner.',
+	'prefs.noClientHereConfirm':
+		'Verstanden — einen neuen Client in diesen Ordner herunterladen',
 	'prefs.confirm': 'Bestätigen',
 	'misc.newsTitle': 'Neuigkeiten',
 	'misc.newsByAuthor': 'von {author}',
@@ -485,6 +499,9 @@ const zhCN: Dict = {
 	'launch.remaining': '剩余',
 	'launch.calculating': '计算中…',
 	'launch.onDisk': '在磁盘上',
+	'tweaks.raidVisuals.label': '团队副本视觉增强',
+	'tweaks.raidVisuals.text':
+		'可选下载（约 9 MB）。为团队首领技能添加更清晰的地面标记和音效，并自动与服务器保持同步。（又称 Patch-O）',
 	'tweaks.alwaysAutoLoot.label': '始终自动拾取',
 	'tweaks.alwaysAutoLoot.text':
 		'反转自动拾取行为，改为始终自动拾取，并禁用按住绑定键的自动拾取。',
@@ -638,6 +655,9 @@ const zhCN: Dict = {
 	'prefs.upgradeExisting':
 		'你也可以选择一个已有 Turtle WoW 或 Vanilla WoW 安装的目录，它将被自动升级。',
 	'prefs.installDirectory': '安装目录：',
+	'prefs.noClientHere':
+		'此文件夹中没有 {exe}。启动器将在此处下载全新的客户端，其中不会包含你现有的插件和设置。如果你已经安装过，请改为选择原有的安装目录。',
+	'prefs.noClientHereConfirm': '我已了解——在此文件夹下载全新客户端',
 	'prefs.confirm': '确认',
 	'misc.newsTitle': '新闻',
 	'misc.newsByAuthor': '作者：{author}',
@@ -693,6 +713,9 @@ const esES: Dict = {
 	'launch.remaining': 'restante',
 	'launch.calculating': 'calculando…',
 	'launch.onDisk': 'en disco',
+	'tweaks.raidVisuals.label': 'Efectos de banda mejorados',
+	'tweaks.raidVisuals.text':
+		'Descarga opcional de ~9 MB. Añade marcadores de suelo y sonidos más claros para las habilidades de los jefes de banda, sincronizados automáticamente con el servidor. (también conocido como Patch-O)',
 	'tweaks.alwaysAutoLoot.label': 'Saqueo automático siempre',
 	'tweaks.alwaysAutoLoot.text':
 		'Invierte el comportamiento del saqueo automático para saquear siempre de forma automática y desactivar el saqueo automático con tecla asignada.',
@@ -861,6 +884,10 @@ const esES: Dict = {
 	'prefs.upgradeExisting':
 		'También puedes elegir un directorio con una instalación existente de Turtle WoW o Vanilla WoW, y se actualizará automáticamente.',
 	'prefs.installDirectory': 'Directorio de instalación:',
+	'prefs.noClientHere':
+		'No hay ningún {exe} en esta carpeta. El launcher descargará aquí un cliente nuevo, que no incluirá tus addons ni tu configuración actuales. Si ya tienes una instalación, elige esa carpeta.',
+	'prefs.noClientHereConfirm':
+		'Lo entiendo: descargar un cliente nuevo en esta carpeta',
 	'prefs.confirm': 'Confirmar',
 	'misc.newsTitle': 'Noticias',
 	'misc.newsByAuthor': 'por {author}',
@@ -919,6 +946,9 @@ const ptBR: Dict = {
 	'launch.remaining': 'restante',
 	'launch.calculating': 'calculando…',
 	'launch.onDisk': 'no disco',
+	'tweaks.raidVisuals.label': 'Efeitos de raide atualizados',
+	'tweaks.raidVisuals.text':
+		'Download opcional de ~9 MB. Adiciona marcações de chão e sons mais claros para as habilidades dos chefes de raide, mantidos em sincronia com o servidor automaticamente. (também conhecido como Patch-O)',
 	'tweaks.alwaysAutoLoot.label': 'Saque automático sempre ativo',
 	'tweaks.alwaysAutoLoot.text':
 		'Inverte o comportamento do saque automático para saquear sempre automaticamente e desativa o saque automático com a tecla atribuída.',
@@ -1086,6 +1116,9 @@ const ptBR: Dict = {
 	'prefs.upgradeExisting':
 		'Você também pode escolher um diretório com uma instalação existente do Turtle WoW ou Vanilla WoW, que será atualizada automaticamente.',
 	'prefs.installDirectory': 'Diretório de instalação:',
+	'prefs.noClientHere':
+		'Não há {exe} nesta pasta. O launcher vai baixar um cliente novo aqui, sem os seus addons e configurações atuais. Se você já tem uma instalação, escolha a pasta dela.',
+	'prefs.noClientHereConfirm': 'Entendi — baixar um cliente novo nesta pasta',
 	'prefs.confirm': 'Confirmar',
 	'misc.newsTitle': 'Notícias',
 	'misc.newsByAuthor': 'por {author}',
@@ -1142,6 +1175,9 @@ const ruRU: Dict = {
 	'launch.remaining': 'осталось',
 	'launch.calculating': 'вычисление…',
 	'launch.onDisk': 'на диске',
+	'tweaks.raidVisuals.label': 'Улучшенные эффекты рейдов',
+	'tweaks.raidVisuals.text':
+		'Дополнительная загрузка (~9 МБ). Добавляет более заметные отметки на земле и звуки для способностей рейдовых боссов, автоматически синхронизируется с сервером. (также известен как Patch-O)',
 	'tweaks.alwaysAutoLoot.label': 'Всегда автосбор',
 	'tweaks.alwaysAutoLoot.text':
 		'Меняет поведение автосбора на противоположное: всегда автоматически собирать добычу, а ручной сбор включается зажатой клавишей.',
@@ -1305,6 +1341,9 @@ const ruRU: Dict = {
 	'prefs.upgradeExisting':
 		'Вы также можете выбрать папку с уже установленным Turtle WoW или Vanilla WoW, и она будет автоматически обновлена.',
 	'prefs.installDirectory': 'Папка установки:',
+	'prefs.noClientHere':
+		'В этой папке нет {exe}. Лаунчер скачает сюда новый клиент, в котором не будет ваших текущих аддонов и настроек. Если игра уже установлена, выберите её папку.',
+	'prefs.noClientHereConfirm': 'Понятно — скачать новый клиент в эту папку',
 	'prefs.confirm': 'Подтвердить',
 	'misc.newsTitle': 'Новости',
 	'misc.newsByAuthor': 'от {author}',