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Self-Update

The Owlette agent can update itself remotely — no physical access to the machine required.

How It Works

The self-update is handled directly by the service's command handler in owlette_service.py:

  1. Receives the update_owlette command from Firestore
  2. Downloads the new installer to a temp directory
  3. Stops the Owlette service
  4. Executes the installer silently (Inno Setup with /VERYSILENT)
  5. Installer upgrades in place — preserves config.json and credentials
  6. Service restarts automatically (NSSM or installer triggers restart)
  7. New version connects to Firestore and reports updated agent_version

Triggering an Update

From the Dashboard

  1. Navigate to your machine in the dashboard
  2. Click the "Update Owlette" button
  3. Select the target version (or use "latest")
  4. Confirm the update

The dashboard sends an update_owlette command with the installer URL and target version.

What Gets Preserved

Preserved Not Preserved
config.json (process settings, site connection) Old agent source code
OAuth tokens (encrypted) Old Python packages
Log files Old NSSM binary

The installer backs up config.json before upgrading and restores it afterward.

Update Command Payload

{
  "type": "update_owlette",
  "installer_url": "https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/.../Owlette-Installer-v2.1.8.exe",
  "version": "2.1.8",
  "timestamp": 1711234567890
}

Version Verification

After the update completes:

  1. The new agent starts and reads its version from agent/VERSION
  2. Reports agent_version in its next heartbeat to Firestore
  3. Dashboard displays the new version in the machine card
  4. You can verify in the GUI footer or system tray

Troubleshooting Updates

Update Stuck

If the machine goes offline and doesn't come back:

  1. Check physically — the machine may need manual intervention
  2. Check logs at C:\ProgramData\Owlette\logs\service.log
  3. Restart service manually: net start OwletteService

Version Didn't Change

If the agent reports the same version after update:

  1. The installer may have failed silently
  2. Check for Inno Setup log files in the temp directory
  3. Verify the installer URL was accessible from the target machine

Rollback

To rollback to a previous version:

  1. In the Admin Panel → Installer Management, find the old version
  2. Set it as "latest"
  3. Trigger another update to the old version