Anime0t4ku/mister-companion v8.0.0

on GitHub

MiSTer Companion v8.0.0

MiSTer Companion v8 introduces a major interface overhaul focused on making the app cleaner, more consistent, and easier to use while keeping the existing workflow and performance intact. This release also introduces Companion Cloud, an optional Patreon-supported feature that can securely sync connection profiles, Update_All custom sources, and Theme Creator themes between linked Companion installations, alongside a new built-in Theme Creator for designing and testing custom Companion themes directly inside the app. Alongside that, v8 includes quality-of-life improvements across MiSTer Settings, File Manager, ZapScraper, Remote, Update_All configuration, and other parts of the app.

Changes

• Major GUI overhaul

  • Redesigned the application around a cleaner, more modern visual style.
  • Replaced the custom borderless windows with native OS window borders and title bars.
  • Moved the MiSTer Companion logo into the sidebar.
  • Added matching SVG icons to page titles.
  • Improved spacing, card layouts, alignment, and visual consistency throughout the app.
  • Updated layouts to better adapt to different window sizes and resolutions.
  • Continued full support for built-in and custom themes.
  • Renamed Settings to App Settings and integrated it as a full application tab instead of a separate dialog.
  • Refreshed the Update_All configuration interface to match the new visual style.

• Companion Cloud

  • Added optional Companion Cloud support for Patreon supporters using RetroAccount.
  • Added secure device linking with short-lived pairing codes and a visible expiration timer.
  • Added Companion Cloud status throughout the app with Active, Inactive, and Syncing states.
  • Added automatic cross-device synchronization while Companion is running.
  • Added synchronization for MiSTer connection profiles.
  • Added synchronization for Update_All custom downloader sources.
  • Added synchronization for Theme Creator themes between Desktop installations.
  • Existing local and cloud data are automatically reconciled when a device is linked.
  • Added conflict resolution for connection profiles, Update_All custom sources, and Theme Creator themes.
  • Conflicts can be resolved during initial setup as well as later if the same item is changed independently on multiple devices.
  • Added support for keeping both versions where appropriate.
  • Profile renames sync as normal edits instead of creating duplicate profiles.
  • Desktop profile renames continue to migrate related MiSTer Settings backups, SaveManager data, and ZapLauncher mappings.
  • Update_All source enabled and disabled states remain specific to each MiSTer and are not synced between devices.
  • Added safer deletion handling so only intentional user deletions are propagated through the cloud.
  • Cloud sync failures do not prevent normal non-cloud MiSTer Companion functionality from continuing to work.
  • Added linked-device management through the Companion Cloud web portal.
  • Added Patreon tier-based device limits for Desktop installations.

• Theme Creator

  • Added a new Theme Creator tab to the Theme dialog for Patreon supporters.
  • Added integrated color controls for creating themes using the same Background, Surface, Accent, and Text values used by standard MiSTer Companion themes.
  • Theme IDs are generated automatically from the theme name.
  • Added Test Theme support so a theme can be applied temporarily before saving.
  • Theme previews use the same theme engine and derived colors as normal installed themes.
  • Theme Creator themes are saved as standard MiSTer Companion themes and can be edited again later.
  • Theme Creator themes can sync through Companion Cloud between Desktop installations.
  • Themes already created remain installed and usable locally even if Patreon access later ends.
  • Added automatic delivery of Patreon-exclusive themes.
  • Missing Patreon-exclusive themes are installed silently for eligible supporters.
  • Existing manually-installed Patreon themes are detected by theme ID and are not duplicated or overwritten.
  • Patreon-exclusive themes already installed remain available locally if Patreon access later ends.
  • New Patreon-exclusive themes can be added without requiring a new MiSTer Companion release.

• Connection & Device

  • Refined the Connection tab layout with a dedicated Mode card title.
  • Centered the remaining Mode controls for a cleaner presentation.
  • Centered the entries in Advanced SSH Options.
  • Standardized connection status wording between the Connection tab, Device tab, and bottom status bar.
  • Online mode now uses MiSTer: Connected and MiSTer: Disconnected.
  • Offline SD mode now uses SD Card: <drive or mount path> instead of presenting it as an offline MiSTer connection.
  • Added Companion Cloud status to the bottom status bar.
  • Status values are color-coded consistently while leaving the status labels in the normal theme color.

• MiSTer Settings

  • Added a built-in search bar to Advanced Mode.
  • Ctrl+F now focuses the search field.
  • Added live searching, previous/next navigation, match counts, Enter/Shift+Enter navigation, and wrap-around.
  • Advanced Mode now expands horizontally with the available window size for easier INI editing.
  • Improved INI text alignment by using the platform-native fixed-width font.
  • Refined the Easy Mode layout while retaining the familiar single-list presentation.
  • Improved the Configuration, Actions, and backup controls.

• Update_All Configuration

  • Added 45 additional Update_All downloader sources.
  • Added Maldita Castilla MiSTer and NBlood to Hybrid Cores.
  • Added Degauss, MiSTer Monitor, Disc Tools, and MiSTer DVD to Tools & Scripts.
  • Added support for 39 game artwork databases.
  • Added a dedicated artwork configuration dialog matching the existing Game Manuals interface.
  • Artwork databases can be searched, selected individually, or enabled and disabled in bulk.
  • Artwork selections are stored in Update_All’s dedicated artwork downloader configuration.
  • Added full support for managing the new sources in both online and Offline SD modes.
  • Improved the Tools & Scripts layout so Enable Zaparoo Frontend is correctly grouped under Zaparoo.

• File Manager

  • Added Skip for existing-file conflicts.
  • Added Apply to all subsequent conflicts for the current transfer operation.
  • Added Merge & Skip Existing for folder conflicts, allowing new files to be copied without rewriting files that already exist.
  • Apply-to-all choices only remain active for the current upload, download, copy, or move operation and reset automatically afterward.
  • Nested file and folder conflicts now prompt individually unless Apply to All is explicitly selected.

• ZapScraper

  • Added and improved support for Virtual Boy.
  • Added Game & Watch support using both GameNWatch and Game And Watch game folders.
  • Game & Watch supports both .gnw and .bin files.
  • Both Game & Watch folder layouts are normalized into a single system within ZapScraper.
  • Reworked the ZapScraper interface to make the workflow clearer and more compact.
  • Added a collapsible full-width log that stays out of the way when not needed and can expand when scan or scrape output is required.

• Remote

  • Simplified and compacted the Remote interface.
  • Removed the permanent daemon output section.
  • Integrated daemon feedback directly into Daemon Management.
  • Renamed Controller to Controls.
  • Integrated Keyboard Passthrough directly into the Controls section.
  • Improved MiSTer Hi-Fi controls.
  • Fixed slow tab switching while MiSTer Hi-Fi is active.

• Flash SD

  • Removed official Flash SD support for the SuperStation One image.
  • The SuperStation One image is heavily customized compared to a standard MiSTer setup, which can lead to compatibility differences with some Companion features. Rather than present the image as fully supported when behavior can vary, official Flash SD support has been retired for now.

• General

  • Improved consistency between tabs, controls, dialogs, and theme behavior.
  • Reduced unnecessary hard-coded styling in favor of theme-driven colors.
  • Improved several layouts to make better use of available screen space while keeping performance lightweight.
  • Improved status handling and background synchronization without interfering with normal MiSTer Companion operation.