ClaraVerse Release Notes - v0.2.1-alpha.1

Overview

This alpha release represents a major architectural shift with the introduction of ClaraCore as the new AI inference engine, replacing the deprecated llama-swap service. This release includes substantial improvements across LumaUI, Clara Assistant, memory management, remote server capabilities, and developer tools.

Major Features & Changes

1. ClaraCore Integration (NEW)

Complete replacement of llama-swap with ClaraCore - a new, optimized AI inference engine

What's New:

• Multi-Architecture Support: Native binaries for:
  • macOS (Intel & Apple Silicon)
  • Linux (AMD64 & ARM64)
  • Windows support coming soon
• Three Deployment Modes:
  • Local Mode: Run ClaraCore directly on your machine
  • Docker Mode: Containerized deployment with full isolation
  • Remote Mode: Connect to ClaraCore instances running on remote servers

Features:

• Auto-detection of system architecture for optimal binary selection
• Automated health checks and monitoring
• Model preloading with intelligent debounce and cooldown
• Watchdog service integration for stability
• Graceful startup/shutdown handling
• Progress tracking for model loading operations
• IPC handlers for seamless Electron integration

Migration:

• Removed: Complete removal of llama-swap service and all related components
• Benefit: 30-50% reduction in memory usage, faster model loading, improved stability
• API Compatibility: Maintains backward compatibility with existing Clara Assistant features

Related Files:

• electron/claraCoreService.cjs - Core service implementation
• electron/claraCoreDockerService.cjs - Docker mode support
• electron/claraCoreRemoteService.cjs - Remote server integration
• electron/claracore/ - Binary distribution and documentation
• src/components/ClaraCoreModels.tsx - Model management UI

2. LumaUI - AI-Powered Web Development Environment

Project Management & Workflow

• New Project Manager Component:

  • Visual project browser with thumbnails
  • Quick project switching without reload
  • Project metadata and last modified timestamps
  • Delete and rename project capabilities

• Enhanced Preview System:

  • Automatic preview mode switching
  • Auto-start projects on selection
  • Improved iframe rendering with proper sandboxing
  • Better error handling for preview failures

• WebContainer Optimization:

  • Global WebContainer instance management
  • Container reuse across project switches
  • Reduced memory footprint
  • Faster project loading times

Developer Experience

• Bolt.new Dark Theme Integration:

  • Modern, eye-friendly dark interface
  • Consistent theming across all panels
  • Glassmorphism design elements
  • Custom scrollbar styling

• Right Panel Workspace:

  • Dedicated workspace for file exploration and editing
  • Split view between file tree and editor
  • Collapsible panels for space optimization
  • Monaco editor integration with syntax highlighting

• Terminal Improvements:

  • Persistent terminal output across sessions
  • Terminal reconnection on project switch
  • Proper cleanup and data handler management
  • Color-coded output with ANSI support
  • Terminal history preservation

• File Explorer Enhancements:

  • Real-time file system updates
  • File creation, deletion, and renaming
  • Drag-and-drop support (planned)
  • Context menu operations
  • Binary file detection

Netlify Integration

• OAuth Authentication:

  • Secure Netlify account connection
  • Token storage with encryption
  • Automatic token refresh
  • Account profile management

• Deployment Features:

  • One-click deployment to Netlify
  • Site creation and management
  • Build settings configuration
  • Deployment status monitoring
  • Custom domain setup
  • Environment variable management

• NetlifyDeployModal: Complete deployment workflow UI

• NetlifySettings: Account and site management interface

Performance & Battery Optimization

• Idle Detection Hook:

  • Automatic resource throttling during inactivity
  • Reduces battery consumption by up to 40%
  • Configurable idle timeout
  • Smart wake-up on user interaction

• Activity Tracking:

  • User interaction monitoring
  • Background task optimization
  • Resource usage analytics

AI Chat Integration

• Live Tool Execution Display:

  • Real-time visualization of AI tool calls
  • Progress indicators for long-running operations
  • Error handling and retry mechanisms
  • Tool execution history

• Template-Based Project Creation:

  • Pre-configured project templates
  • Framework-specific scaffolding
  • Dependency auto-installation
  • Starter code generation

Related Files:

• src/components/Lumaui.tsx - Main LumaUI component
• src/components/lumaui_components/ProjectManager.tsx
• src/components/lumaui_components/NetlifyDeployModal.tsx
• src/components/lumaui_components/RightPanelWorkspace.tsx
• src/services/webContainerManager.ts
• src/services/netlifyService.ts
• src/hooks/useIdleDetection.ts

3. Clara Assistant - Enhanced AI Chat Experience

Artifact System (NEW)

• ClaraArtifactPane:

  • Side-by-side artifact viewing
  • Support for multiple artifact types:
    • HTML pages with live preview
    • React components with hot reload
    • Mermaid diagrams with pan & zoom
    • SVG graphics with interactive controls
    • Code blocks with syntax highlighting
    • Markdown documents

• Advanced Artifact Detection:

  • Intelligent content analysis
  • Support for embedded artifacts
  • Automatic artifact extraction
  • Validation and error checking

• Collapsible Code Blocks:

  • Expandable/collapsible code sections
  • Syntax highlighting for 100+ languages
  • Copy to clipboard functionality
  • Line numbering
  • Code folding

Persona System (NEW)

• Custom Personas:

  • Create and manage multiple AI personalities
  • Custom system prompts per persona
  • Persona-specific configurations
  • Quick persona switching via dropdown

• PersonaDropdown Component:

  • Visual persona selection
  • Emoji icons for easy identification
  • Edit and delete personas inline
  • Default persona setting

• PersonaModal:

  • Full persona editor with emoji picker
  • System prompt customization
  • Import/export personas
  • Persona templates

Memory & Context Management

• Automatic Memory Compression:

  • Background compression of chat history
  • Configurable compression thresholds
  • Maintains conversation context while reducing tokens
  • Progressive summarization of old messages

• Memory Extraction Improvements:

  • Enhanced user profile extraction
  • Replacement strategy for updated information
  • Better handling of conflicting data
  • JSON-structured memory storage

• ClaraMemoryCompressionDialog:

  • Manual compression trigger
  • Progress visualization
  • Compression statistics
  • Settings configuration

UI/UX Enhancements

• Message Rendering:

  • Word-breaking for long URLs
  • Think tag sanitization
  • Improved code block formatting
  • Better spacing and typography

• Chat Window Improvements:

  • Instant, seamless auto-scrolling
  • Message grouping by role
  • Timestamp display
  • Copy message functionality
  • Regenerate response option

• Input System:

  • Example prompts for quick start
  • Multi-line input support
  • Keyboard shortcuts (Ctrl+Enter to send)
  • File attachment support
  • Copy artifacts to MCP workspace

• Artifact Preview:

  • Quick artifact access from message bubble
  • Inline artifact rendering
  • Full-screen artifact view
  • Export artifacts to files

Provider Integration

• Enhanced Health Checks:

  • Real-time provider status monitoring
  • Model availability checking
  • Automatic retry on failure
  • Fallback provider support

• Model Loading Optimization:

  • Preload frequently used models
  • Abort controls for model loading
  • Progress indicators
  • Error recovery

New Features

• CSV Download Support: Export chat data to CSV
• Feedback Messages: User-friendly notifications
• ChromeDP Integration: Dynamic web content fetching for web search
• Streaming Improvements: Better handling of partial responses

Related Files:

• src/components/ClaraAssistant.tsx
• src/components/Clara_Components/ClaraArtifactPane.tsx
• src/components/Clara_Components/PersonaDropdown.tsx
• src/components/Clara_Components/PersonaModal.tsx
• src/components/Clara_Components/ClaraMemoryCompressionDialog.tsx
• src/services/claraMemoryCompression.ts
• src/services/personaStorageService.ts

4. Remote Server Management (NEW)

Remote ClaraCore Setup

• Remote Server Connection:

  • Connect to ClaraCore instances running on remote machines
  • Support for custom ports and URLs
  • SSL/TLS support
  • Authentication token management

• Service URL Management:

  • Dynamic service URL configuration
  • Auto-refresh dependent services
  • URL validation and testing
  • Connection health monitoring

Remote Service Deployment

• Docker-based Services:

  • Deploy ComfyUI remotely
  • Deploy N8N workflow engine
  • Deploy Python Backend services
  • Volume mounts for persistent storage

• Platform-Specific Configuration:

  • Host network mode support
  • Port mapping and forwarding
  • URL normalization for localhost
  • Bridge network configuration

Monitoring & Health Checks

• Monitor Tab (NEW):

  • Real-time service health dashboard
  • Auto-refresh with configurable intervals
  • Status indicators (Running/Stopped/Error)
  • Service restart controls
  • Resource usage metrics

• Adaptive Health Checks:

  • Activity-based check frequency
  • Reduced checks during idle periods
  • Immediate checks on user activity
  • Configurable check intervals

Security Enhancements

• N8N Security:
  • Deployment warning modal for N8N
  • Secure cookie configuration
  • HTTPS enforcement options
  • Access control recommendations

Related Files:

• src/components/Settings/RemoteClaraCoreSetup.tsx
• src/components/Settings/RemoteServerSetup.tsx
• src/components/Settings/MonitorTab.tsx
• src/components/Settings/N8NDeploymentWarningModal.tsx
• electron/remoteServerService.cjs
• electron/remoteServerIPC.cjs
• electron/adaptiveHealthCheckManager.cjs

5. Agent Studio & Workflow Builder

Template System (NEW)

• TemplateBrowser Component:

  • Visual template gallery
  • Search and filter by category
  • Template ratings and reviews
  • Difficulty level indicators
  • One-click template instantiation

• Pre-built Templates:

  • Simple Chat Assistant: Basic conversational AI
  • API Weather Dashboard: Weather data fetching and display
  • Audio Transcription: Speech-to-text processing
  • Autonomous Research Agent: Multi-step research workflows
  • Content Summarizer: Text summarization pipeline
  • Image Analyzer: Vision AI integration
  • Notebook Data Analysis: Jupyter-style data processing
  • Structured Data Extractor: JSON/CSV data extraction

• Templates Button:

  • Prominent toolbar button with gradient styling
  • Sparkles icon for visibility
  • Always accessible from Agent Studio
  • Quick template discovery

New Nodes

• SpeechToTextNode (NEW):

  • Base64 audio input support
  • Multiple provider support (OpenAI, Groq)
  • Language and prompt configuration
  • Temperature control

• JsonStringifyNode (NEW):

  • Convert objects to JSON strings
  • Pretty-print option
  • Error handling for circular references

Node Improvements

• Input Node Enhancement:

  • Runtime inputs prioritized over saved values
  • Better default value handling
  • Validation improvements

• Agent Executor Node:

  • Enhanced error reporting
  • Better state management
  • Retry logic

SDK Updates

• Document Queue System:

  • Background document processing
  • Queue management for RAG operations
  • Cleanup of stale documents

• Node Executor Improvements:

  • Better error propagation
  • Async/await support
  • Memory leak fixes

Related Files:

• src/components/AgentBuilder/TemplateBrowser.tsx
• src/components/AgentBuilder/templates/
• src/components/AgentBuilder/Nodes/SpeechToTextNode.tsx
• src/components/AgentBuilder/Nodes/JsonStringifyNode.tsx
• docs/features/templates-button-added.md

6. Notebooks & Data Analysis

Enhanced Notebook Experience

• Improved Chat Integration:

  • Clara AI assistance within notebooks
  • Context-aware code suggestions
  • Automatic code execution
  • Error explanation and fixing

• CreateNotebookModal Overhaul:

  • Better UI/UX design
  • Template selection
  • Metadata configuration
  • Import existing notebooks

• NotebookDetails Improvements:

  • Real-time collaboration prep
  • Better cell management
  • Output persistence
  • Export to multiple formats

Python Backend Integration

• Deployment Mode Checks:

  • Local vs remote detection
  • Health status monitoring
  • URL translation for Docker environments
  • Automatic reconnection

• Document Processing:

  • Enhanced RAG pipeline
  • Document queue management
  • Stale document cleanup
  • Better indexing

Related Files:

• src/components/Notebooks/CreateNotebookModal.tsx
• src/components/Notebooks/NotebookDetails_new.tsx
• src/components/Notebooks/NotebookChat_clara.tsx
• py_backend/main.py
• py_backend/document_queue.py

7. Settings & Configuration

Service Management

• Unified Service Manager:
  • Single interface for all services
  • Remote mode support for N8N, ComfyUI, Python Backend
  • Docker mode toggling
  • Health status visualization
  • Service logs and debugging

Startup & Configuration

• Isolated Startup Settings:

  • Consent-based APIs
  • Service auto-start configuration
  • Startup sequence management
  • Dependency resolution

• Service Configuration Manager:

  • Centralized configuration
  • Per-service settings
  • Import/export configurations
  • Configuration validation

UI Improvements

• Settings Organization:
  • Tabbed interface (Services, Monitor, Startup)
  • Search functionality
  • Quick toggles
  • Better visual hierarchy

Related Files:

• src/components/Settings/UnifiedServiceManager.tsx
• src/components/Settings/ServicesTab.tsx
• src/components/Settings/StartupTab.tsx
• electron/serviceConfiguration.cjs
• electron/startupSettingsManager.cjs

8. MCP (Model Context Protocol) Integration

ChromeDP Fetcher (NEW)

• Dynamic Web Content:
  • JavaScript-rendered page support
  • Screenshot capabilities
  • Form interaction
  • Navigation simulation

Python MCP Server Improvements

• Better Error Handling:
  • Graceful degradation
  • Detailed error messages
  • Automatic retry logic

Related Files:

• clara-mcp/chromedp-fetcher.go
• clara-mcp/python-mcp-server.go

Performance Improvements

Memory Optimization

• Removed 8000+ lines of deprecated llama-swap code
• Reduced memory footprint by 30-50%
• Better garbage collection in WebContainer
• Optimized IndexedDB usage

Startup Time

• Faster initial load with ClaraCore
• Parallel service initialization
• Lazy loading of non-critical components
• Optimized bundle size

Battery & Resource Usage

• Idle detection reduces CPU usage by 40%
• Adaptive health checks reduce network calls
• Throttled background operations
• Smart resource allocation

Developer Experience

New Documentation

• ClaraCore API documentation: electron/claracore/API.md
• ClaraCore setup guide: electron/claracore/SETUP.md
• Template documentation: docs/features/templates-button-added.md
• Remote setup testing: remote-setup-test/

Improved Build System

• Better service build scripts
• Platform-specific configurations
• Docker optimization
• Development mode improvements

Testing Infrastructure

• Test utilities for remote setup
• WebContainer testing page
• OAuth callback testing

Breaking Changes

Removed Services

• llama-swap: Completely removed in favor of ClaraCore
  • Migration required: Update provider settings to use ClaraCore
  • All existing chat history is preserved
  • Model configurations need to be reconfigured

Deprecated Components

• Old model management UI (replaced with ClaraCoreModels)
• First-time setup modal (replaced with Onboarding)
• Legacy service definitions (migrated to serviceDefinitions.cjs)

API Changes

• Provider health check API updated
• Service IPC handlers refactored
• Model loading API changed

Bug Fixes

UI Fixes

• Fixed chat window scrolling issues
• Corrected code block rendering in messages
• Fixed layout calculations in LumaUI
• Resolved z-index layering problems
• Fixed opacity values for better visibility

Service Fixes

• Fixed port reporting in host network mode
• Corrected URL normalization for Docker
• Fixed health check failures
• Resolved service restart issues

Data Fixes

• Fixed message state management
• Corrected artifact detection logic
• Resolved memory extraction conflicts
• Fixed notebook cell execution order

Dependencies

Added

• emoji-picker-react - For persona emoji selection
• chromedp (Go) - For dynamic web content fetching
• Additional Monaco editor themes

Updated

• React and React DOM to latest stable
• Electron to latest version
• Monaco editor packages
• Tailwind CSS configuration

Removed

• llama-swap related dependencies
• Deprecated test configurations
• Unused Docker build scripts

Migration Guide

From Previous Version to v0.2.1-alpha.1

1. ClaraCore Setup:

   • On first launch, ClaraCore will auto-detect your system
   • Choose deployment mode (Local/Docker/Remote)
   • Previous chat history will be preserved

2. Model Configuration:

   • Visit Settings > Models
   • Reconfigure your preferred models
   • ClaraCore will download models as needed

3. Service Settings:

   • Review Settings > Services
   • Update remote server URLs if using remote mode
   • Configure auto-start preferences

4. Personas:

   • Create new personas or import existing ones
   • Set default persona in Clara Assistant
   • Old system prompts need to be recreated as personas

Known Issues

• Windows ClaraCore binaries in testing (coming in next release)
• Netlify deployment requires manual OAuth setup
• WebContainer has 100MB memory limit on some systems
• Remote server setup requires manual port configuration

What's Next (Roadmap Hints)

• Windows ClaraCore support
• Multi-user collaboration in LumaUI
• Voice input/output for Clara Assistant
• Advanced RAG features in notebooks
• Cloud synchronization for personas and templates
• Mobile companion app

Credits

• ClaraCore team for the new inference engine
• Community contributors for bug reports and testing
• Template contributors for Agent Studio templates

Statistics

• 98 commits since last release
• 213 files changed
• 47,192 insertions
• 24,160 deletions
• Net change: +23,032 lines

Feedback & Support

Found a bug? Have a feature request?

• GitHub Issues: https://github.com/claraverse-space/ClaraVerse/issues
• Discord: [Join our community]
• Documentation: [docs.claraverse.space]

Thank you for testing ClaraVerse v0.2.1-alpha.1!

Note: This is an alpha release. Please backup your data and report any issues.