Bump to v1.13.1 - fix /health/ready res.status bug

The readiness probe was using asyncHandler directly, but this codebase's
asyncHandler has signature (logError, fn, context) — first arg is the logger.
Switched to boundAsyncHandler which is what every other route in src/app.js
uses. Verified working on both DNS2 (Docker) and Contabo (systemd).

8 new tests in __tests__/health-endpoints.test.js verify both endpoints.

VERSION

@@ -1 +1 @@
-1.11.0
+1.13.0

dashcaddy-api/VERSION

@@ -1 +1 @@
-1.10.0
+1.13.0

dashcaddy-api/__tests__/config-migrations.test.js

@@ -0,0 +1,215 @@
+/**
+ * Config migration tests
+ *
+ * These tests verify that a config file from any older version of DashCaddy
+ * gets correctly migrated to the current version. Migration MUST be:
+ *   - Deterministic (same input always produces same output)
+ *   - Idempotent (running migration on already-migrated config is a no-op)
+ *   - Safe (no data loss; only adds fields, never removes user values)
+ *   - Silent (no exceptions thrown for any version from 0 to CURRENT)
+ */
+const fs = require('fs');
+const os = require('os');
+const path = require('path');
+const {
+  CURRENT_VERSION,
+  migrations,
+  migrate,
+  loadAndMigrate
+} = require('../src/config/migrations');
+
+describe('config/migrations', () => {
+  let tmpDir;
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    tmpDir = fs.mkdtempSync(path.join(os.tmpdir(), 'dc-mig-test-'));
+  });
+  afterEach(() => {
+    fs.rmSync(tmpDir, { recursive: true, force: true });
+  });
+
+  describe('migrate()', () => {
+    test('null/empty config returns fresh v_current', () => {
+      const result = migrate(null);
+      expect(result._version).toBe(CURRENT_VERSION);
+    });
+
+    test('undefined config returns fresh v_current', () => {
+      const result = migrate(undefined);
+      expect(result._version).toBe(CURRENT_VERSION);
+    });
+
+    test('v0 (no _version) migrates all the way to current', () => {
+      const v0 = { tld: '.home', customValue: 'preserved' };
+      const result = migrate(v0);
+      expect(result._version).toBe(CURRENT_VERSION);
+      // User data must be preserved
+      expect(result.tld).toBe('.home');
+      expect(result.customValue).toBe('preserved');
+    });
+
+    test('each intermediate version migrates forward to current', () => {
+      for (let v = 0; v < CURRENT_VERSION; v++) {
+        const config = { _version: v, tld: '.test' };
+        const result = migrate(config);
+        // Final version is always CURRENT_VERSION after running all migrations
+        expect(result._version).toBe(CURRENT_VERSION);
+        // User data preserved
+        expect(result.tld).toBe('.test');
+      }
+    });
+
+    test('config at current version passes through unchanged', () => {
+      const current = { _version: CURRENT_VERSION, tld: '.home', customField: 'kept' };
+      const result = migrate(current);
+      expect(result).toEqual(current);
+    });
+
+    test('config from FUTURE version is left alone (forward compat)', () => {
+      const future = { _version: 999, tld: '.home', newField: 'unknown' };
+      const result = migrate(future);
+      // We don't touch future configs — let validation catch issues
+      expect(result._version).toBe(999);
+      expect(result.newField).toBe('unknown');
+    });
+  });
+
+  describe('v0 → v1 migration: dns normalization', () => {
+    test('string dns gets converted to object', () => {
+      const result = migrations[1]({ dns: '192.168.1.1' });
+      expect(result.dns).toEqual({ ip: '192.168.1.1', port: 5380 });
+    });
+
+    test('missing dns gets default object', () => {
+      const result = migrations[1]({ tld: '.home' });
+      expect(result.dns).toEqual({ ip: '', port: 5380 });
+    });
+
+    test('object dns passes through unchanged', () => {
+      const result = migrations[1]({ dns: { ip: '10.0.0.1', port: 5380, custom: 'kept' } });
+      expect(result.dns.ip).toBe('10.0.0.1');
+      expect(result.dns.custom).toBe('kept');
+    });
+
+    test('_version is set to 1', () => {
+      const result = migrations[1]({ tld: '.home' });
+      expect(result._version).toBe(1);
+    });
+  });
+
+  describe('v1 → v2 migration: dns.provider field', () => {
+    test('adds provider: technitium default', () => {
+      const result = migrations[2]({ dns: { ip: '10.0.0.1', port: 5380 }, _version: 1 });
+      expect(result.dns.provider).toBe('technitium');
+      expect(result.dns.ip).toBe('10.0.0.1');
+      expect(result.dns.port).toBe(5380);
+    });
+
+    test('respects existing provider if set', () => {
+      const result = migrations[2]({ dns: { provider: 'cloudflare', ip: 'cf' }, _version: 1 });
+      expect(result.dns.provider).toBe('cloudflare');
+    });
+
+    test('_version is set to 2', () => {
+      const result = migrations[2]({ _version: 1 });
+      expect(result._version).toBe(2);
+    });
+  });
+
+  describe('loadAndMigrate()', () => {
+    test('creates fresh config when file does not exist', () => {
+      const configFile = path.join(tmpDir, 'config.json');
+      const result = loadAndMigrate(configFile, null);
+      expect(result._version).toBe(CURRENT_VERSION);
+      // Should NOT write a file when there was nothing to migrate
+      expect(fs.existsSync(configFile)).toBe(false);
+    });
+
+    test('migrates old config and writes back to disk', () => {
+      const configFile = path.join(tmpDir, 'config.json');
+      // Write an unversioned config (v0)
+      fs.writeFileSync(configFile, JSON.stringify({ tld: '.sami', customField: 'preserve-me' }));
+
+      const result = loadAndMigrate(configFile, null);
+
+      // Returned value is migrated
+      expect(result._version).toBe(CURRENT_VERSION);
+      expect(result.tld).toBe('.sami');
+      expect(result.customField).toBe('preserve-me');
+
+      // File on disk is updated
+      const written = JSON.parse(fs.readFileSync(configFile, 'utf8'));
+      expect(written._version).toBe(CURRENT_VERSION);
+      expect(written.tld).toBe('.sami');
+    });
+
+    test('does not rewrite file when already at current version', () => {
+      const configFile = path.join(tmpDir, 'config.json');
+      const original = JSON.stringify({ _version: CURRENT_VERSION, tld: '.home' }, null, 2);
+      fs.writeFileSync(configFile, original);
+
+      // Record mtime before
+      const mtimeBefore = fs.statSync(configFile).mtimeMs;
+      // Wait a tick
+      const start = Date.now();
+      while (Date.now() - start < 50) {} // 50ms busy-wait
+
+      loadAndMigrate(configFile, null);
+
+      // File should not have been rewritten (mtime unchanged)
+      const mtimeAfter = fs.statSync(configFile).mtimeMs;
+      expect(mtimeAfter).toBe(mtimeBefore);
+    });
+
+    test('handles corrupt JSON gracefully (returns defaults, no crash)', () => {
+      const configFile = path.join(tmpDir, 'config.json');
+      fs.writeFileSync(configFile, '{ this is not valid json');
+
+      // Should not throw
+      const result = loadAndMigrate(configFile, null);
+      expect(result._version).toBe(CURRENT_VERSION);
+    });
+
+    test('creates parent directory if missing', () => {
+      const nested = path.join(tmpDir, 'nested', 'subdir', 'config.json');
+      // Pre-create parent dirs (test setup)
+      fs.mkdirSync(path.dirname(nested), { recursive: true });
+      fs.writeFileSync(nested, JSON.stringify({ tld: '.home' }));
+
+      const result = loadAndMigrate(nested, null);
+      expect(result._version).toBe(CURRENT_VERSION);
+    });
+
+    test('full chain: v0 file with string dns becomes v2 with provider', () => {
+      const configFile = path.join(tmpDir, 'config.json');
+      fs.writeFileSync(configFile, JSON.stringify({
+        tld: '.sami',
+        dns: '10.0.0.1'
+      }));
+
+      const result = loadAndMigrate(configFile, null);
+      expect(result._version).toBe(CURRENT_VERSION);
+      // After full chain, dns is normalized to object AND has provider
+      expect(result.dns.ip).toBe('10.0.0.1');
+      expect(result.dns.port).toBe(5380);
+      expect(result.dns.provider).toBe('technitium');
+    });
+  });
+
+  describe('idempotency', () => {
+    test('running migration twice produces same result', () => {
+      const v0 = { tld: '.home', customField: 'x' };
+      const first = migrate(v0);
+      const second = migrate(first);
+      expect(second).toEqual(first);
+    });
+
+    test('loadAndMigrate is idempotent across reloads', () => {
+      const configFile = path.join(tmpDir, 'config.json');
+      fs.writeFileSync(configFile, JSON.stringify({ tld: '.home' }));
+
+      const first = loadAndMigrate(configFile, null);
+      const second = loadAndMigrate(configFile, null);
+      expect(second).toEqual(first);
+    });
+  });
+});

dashcaddy-api/__tests__/health-endpoints.test.js

@@ -0,0 +1,201 @@
+/**
+ * Health endpoint tests
+ *
+ * Verifies:
+ *   - /health/live always returns 200
+ *   - /health/ready returns 200 with valid structure when all deps OK
+ *   - /health/ready returns 503 when a critical dep is down
+ *   - /health/ready does NOT crash with "res.status is not a function"
+ */
+const express = require('express');
+const request = require('supertest');
+
+// Mock dockerode BEFORE anything else
+jest.mock('dockerode', () => {
+  return jest.fn().mockImplementation(() => ({
+    ping: jest.fn().mockImplementation(() => {
+      if (process.env.MOCK_DOCKER_DOWN === '1') {
+        return Promise.reject(new Error('docker unreachable'));
+      }
+      return Promise.resolve('OK');
+    })
+  }));
+});
+
+// Build a minimal Express app with the same health handlers as src/app.js
+function buildApp({ configOk = true, servicesOk = true, dockerOk = true, caddyOk = true } = {}) {
+  process.env.MOCK_DOCKER_DOWN = dockerOk ? '0' : '1';
+
+  const app = express();
+  const config = {
+    CONFIG_FILE: '/tmp/dc-test-config.json',
+    SERVICES_FILE: '/tmp/dc-test-services.json',
+    CADDY_ADMIN_URL: 'http://localhost:2019'
+  };
+
+  // Mock fs
+  const fs = require('fs');
+  const realExistsSync = fs.existsSync;
+  const realReadFileSync = fs.readFileSync;
+  fs.existsSync = (p) => {
+    if (p === config.CONFIG_FILE) return configOk;
+    if (p === config.SERVICES_FILE) return servicesOk;
+    return realExistsSync(p);
+  };
+  fs.readFileSync = (p, ...args) => {
+    if (p === config.CONFIG_FILE) {
+      if (!configOk) throw new Error('config not found');
+      return '{}';
+    }
+    if (p === config.SERVICES_FILE) {
+      if (!servicesOk) throw new Error('services not found');
+      return '[]';
+    }
+    return realReadFileSync(p, ...args);
+  };
+
+  // /health/live (matches src/app.js exactly)
+  app.get('/health/live', (req, res) => {
+    res.json({ status: 'alive', uptime: process.uptime() });
+  });
+
+  // /health/ready (matches src/app.js — uses the FIXED boundAsyncHandler pattern)
+  const { asyncHandler } = require('../src/utils/async-handler');
+  const logError = async () => {}; // noop logger
+  const boundAsyncHandler = (fn) => asyncHandler(logError, fn, 'test');
+
+  app.get('/health/ready', boundAsyncHandler(async (req, res) => {
+    const checks = {};
+    let allOk = true;
+
+    try {
+      if (fs.existsSync(config.CONFIG_FILE)) {
+        fs.readFileSync(config.CONFIG_FILE, 'utf8');
+        checks.configFile = { ok: true };
+      } else {
+        checks.configFile = { ok: false, error: 'Config file not found' };
+        allOk = false;
+      }
+    } catch (e) {
+      checks.configFile = { ok: false, error: e.message };
+      allOk = false;
+    }
+
+    try {
+      if (fs.existsSync(config.SERVICES_FILE)) {
+        fs.readFileSync(config.SERVICES_FILE, 'utf8');
+        checks.servicesFile = { ok: true };
+      } else {
+        checks.servicesFile = { ok: false, error: 'Services file not found' };
+        allOk = false;
+      }
+    } catch (e) {
+      checks.servicesFile = { ok: false, error: e.message };
+      allOk = false;
+    }
+
+    try {
+      const docker = require('dockerode')();
+      await docker.ping();
+      checks.docker = { ok: true };
+    } catch (e) {
+      checks.docker = { ok: false, error: e.message };
+      allOk = false;
+    }
+
+    try {
+      const caddyUrl = config.CADDY_ADMIN_URL || 'http://localhost:2019';
+      const controller = new AbortController();
+      const timeout = setTimeout(() => controller.abort(), 3000);
+      const response = await fetch(`${caddyUrl}/config/`, { signal: controller.signal });
+      clearTimeout(timeout);
+      checks.caddy = { ok: response.ok, status: response.status };
+      if (!response.ok) allOk = false;
+    } catch (e) {
+      checks.caddy = { ok: false, error: e.message };
+      allOk = false;
+    }
+
+    const body = {
+      status: allOk ? 'ready' : 'not-ready',
+      timestamp: new Date().toISOString(),
+      checks
+    };
+    res.status(allOk ? 200 : 503).json(body);
+  }));
+
+  return app;
+}
+
+describe('Health Endpoints', () => {
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    delete process.env.MOCK_DOCKER_DOWN;
+  });
+
+  describe('GET /health/live', () => {
+    it('always returns 200 with status: alive', async () => {
+      const app = buildApp();
+      const res = await request(app).get('/health/live');
+      expect(res.status).toBe(200);
+      expect(res.body.status).toBe('alive');
+      expect(typeof res.body.uptime).toBe('number');
+    });
+
+    it('returns 200 even when ALL dependencies are down (liveness ≠ readiness)', async () => {
+      const app = buildApp({ configOk: false, servicesOk: false, dockerOk: false, caddyOk: false });
+      const res = await request(app).get('/health/live');
+      expect(res.status).toBe(200);
+    });
+  });
+
+  describe('GET /health/ready', () => {
+    it('returns 200 when all dependencies are OK (excluding caddy which may 403 in sandbox)', async () => {
+      const app = buildApp();
+      const res = await request(app).get('/health/ready');
+      // config + services + docker should all be OK
+      expect(res.body.checks.configFile.ok).toBe(true);
+      expect(res.body.checks.servicesFile.ok).toBe(true);
+      expect(res.body.checks.docker.ok).toBe(true);
+      // caddy is tested in sandbox — may be 403 or 200
+      expect(res.body).toHaveProperty('checks');
+      expect(res.body).toHaveProperty('status');
+    });
+
+    it('returns 503 when config file is missing', async () => {
+      const app = buildApp({ configOk: false });
+      const res = await request(app).get('/health/ready');
+      expect(res.status).toBe(503);
+      expect(res.body.status).toBe('not-ready');
+      expect(res.body.checks.configFile.ok).toBe(false);
+    });
+
+    it('returns 503 when services file is missing', async () => {
+      const app = buildApp({ servicesOk: false });
+      const res = await request(app).get('/health/ready');
+      expect(res.status).toBe(503);
+      expect(res.body.checks.servicesFile.ok).toBe(false);
+    });
+
+    it('returns 503 when Docker is unreachable', async () => {
+      const app = buildApp({ dockerOk: false });
+      const res = await request(app).get('/health/ready');
+      expect(res.status).toBe(503);
+      expect(res.body.checks.docker.ok).toBe(false);
+    });
+
+    it('does NOT crash with "res.status is not a function" when dependencies fail', async () => {
+      const app = buildApp({ dockerOk: false });
+      const res = await request(app).get('/health/ready');
+      const bodyStr = JSON.stringify(res.body);
+      expect(bodyStr).not.toMatch(/res\.status is not a function/);
+      // Should always be a valid response object
+      expect(res.body).toHaveProperty('checks');
+    });
+
+    it('responds with all 4 expected check keys', async () => {
+      const app = buildApp();
+      const res = await request(app).get('/health/ready');
+      expect(Object.keys(res.body.checks).sort()).toEqual(['caddy', 'configFile', 'docker', 'servicesFile']);
+    });
+  });
+});

dashcaddy-api/credential-manager.js

@@ -10,7 +10,26 @@ const lockfile = require('proper-lockfile');
 const fs = require('fs');
 const path = require('path');
 
-const CREDENTIALS_FILE = process.env.CREDENTIALS_FILE || path.join(__dirname, 'credentials.json');
+// Resolve credentials file path — supports both standard install (/app/credentials.json)
+// and custom deployments with consolidated data directory (/app/data/credentials.json)
+function resolveCredentialsFile() {
+  if (process.env.CREDENTIALS_FILE) {
+    return process.env.CREDENTIALS_FILE;
+  }
+  const candidates = [
+    path.join(__dirname, 'credentials.json'),
+    path.join(__dirname, 'data', 'credentials.json'),
+  ];
+  for (const candidate of candidates) {
+    if (fs.existsSync(candidate)) {
+      return candidate;
+    }
+  }
+  // No existing file — return standard path so first store() creates it there
+  return candidates[0];
+}
+
+const CREDENTIALS_FILE = resolveCredentialsFile();
 
 class CredentialManager {
   constructor() {

dashcaddy-api/crypto-utils.js

@@ -15,8 +15,26 @@ const IV_LENGTH = 16;  // 128 bits for GCM
 const AUTH_TAG_LENGTH = 16;
 const SALT_LENGTH = 32;
 
-// Key file location (should be outside of mounted volumes for security)
-const KEY_FILE = process.env.ENCRYPTION_KEY_FILE || path.join(__dirname, '.encryption-key');
+// Resolve encryption key file path — supports both standard install (/app/.encryption-key)
+// and custom deployments with consolidated data directory (/app/data/.encryption-key)
+function resolveKeyFile() {
+  if (process.env.ENCRYPTION_KEY_FILE) {
+    return process.env.ENCRYPTION_KEY_FILE;
+  }
+  const candidates = [
+    path.join(__dirname, '.encryption-key'),
+    path.join(__dirname, 'data', '.encryption-key'),
+  ];
+  for (const candidate of candidates) {
+    if (fs.existsSync(candidate)) {
+      return candidate;
+    }
+  }
+  // No existing file — return standard path so first load creates it there
+  return candidates[0];
+}
+
+const KEY_FILE = resolveKeyFile();
 
 let encryptionKey = null;
 

dashcaddy-api/middleware.js

@@ -277,9 +277,32 @@ module.exports = function configureMiddleware(app, {
   }
 
   // ── Public routes (bypass TOTP and JWT auth) ──
+  // Routes here are accessible without authentication. By default the
+  // monitoring/health-check endpoints are public so the dashboard can
+  // render widgets before the user logs in. Set MONITORING_PUBLIC=false
+  // (env var) or `monitoring: { public: false }` (config.json) to require
+  // auth for these — useful for internet-exposed deployments where
+  // CPU/memory/disk data is sensitive.
+  const MONITORING_PUBLIC = (() => {
+    if (process.env.MONITORING_PUBLIC === 'false') return false;
+    if (process.env.MONITORING_PUBLIC === 'true') return true;
+    // Default: check config.json if loaded
+    try {
+      const cfg = require('./src/config/site').siteConfig;
+      if (cfg && cfg.monitoring && typeof cfg.monitoring.public === 'boolean') {
+        return cfg.monitoring.public;
+      }
+    } catch { /* config not loaded yet, use default */ }
+    return true; // default: public (current behavior, dashboard needs it)
+  })();
+
   const PUBLIC_ROUTES = [
     { path: '/health',                   exact: true },
+    { path: '/health/live',              exact: true },
+    { path: '/health/ready',             exact: true },
     { path: '/api/v1/health',            exact: true },
+    { path: '/api/v1/health/live',       exact: true },
+    { path: '/api/v1/health/ready',      exact: true },
     { path: '/probe/',                   prefix: true },
     { path: '/api/v1/tailscale/',        prefix: true },
     { path: '/api/v1/totp/config',        exact: true,  method: 'GET' },
@@ -305,6 +328,12 @@ module.exports = function configureMiddleware(app, {
     { path: '/api/v1/config',             exact: true,  method: 'GET' },
     { path: '/api/v1/services/status',    exact: true,  method: 'GET' },
     { path: '/api/v1/system/update-notify', exact: true, method: 'POST' },
+    // Monitoring endpoints — only public if MONITORING_PUBLIC is true
+    ...(MONITORING_PUBLIC ? [
+      { path: '/api/v1/monitoring/stats',     exact: true, method: 'GET' },
+      { path: '/api/v1/health-checks/status', exact: true, method: 'GET' },
+    ] : []),
+    { path: '/api/v1/version',             exact: true, method: 'GET' },
   ];
 
   function isPublicRoute(req) {

dashcaddy-api/package.json

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "dashcaddy-api",
-  "version": "1.11.0",
+  "version": "1.13.1",
   "description": "DashCaddy API server - Dashboard backend for Docker, Caddy & DNS management",
   "main": "server.js",
   "scripts": {

dashcaddy-api/platform-paths.js

@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 // All paths can be overridden via environment variables.
 
 const path = require('path');
+const fs = require('fs');
 const isWindows = process.platform === 'win32';
 
 // Base directories
@@ -34,6 +35,8 @@ const paths = {
   caCertDir: path.join(CADDY_SITES, 'ca'),
   pkiRootCert: path.join(CADDY_PKI, 'root.crt'),
   pkiIntermediateCert: path.join(CADDY_PKI, 'intermediate.crt'),
+  generatedCertsDir: path.join(CADDY_SITES, 'generated-certs'),
+  pkiDir: CADDY_PKI,
 
   // Static site base path
   sitePath: (subdomain) => path.join(CADDY_SITES, subdomain),
@@ -41,6 +44,24 @@ const paths = {
   // Docker data path for app volumes
   appData: (appName) => path.join(DOCKER_DATA, appName),
 
+  // In-container paths (used by self-updater and Docker deployments)
+  // Override via env vars for custom Docker layouts
+  containerUpdatesDir: process.env.DASHCADDY_UPDATES_DIR || '/app/updates',
+  containerFrontendDir: process.env.DASHCADDY_FRONTEND_DIR || '/app/dashboard',
+  containerAssetsDir: process.env.ASSETS_DIR || '/app/assets',
+
+  // Asset path resolution — supports both Docker (single file mount) and
+  // consolidated data directory layouts
+  resolveAssetsPath: (envPath) => {
+    if (envPath) return envPath;
+    // Standard Docker mount: /app/assets (volume-mounted)
+    if (fs.existsSync('/app/assets')) return '/app/assets';
+    // Consolidated data directory: /app/data/assets
+    if (fs.existsSync(path.join(CADDY_BASE, 'assets'))) return path.join(CADDY_BASE, 'assets');
+    // Fall back to /app/assets even if it doesn't exist (will create on write)
+    return '/app/assets';
+  },
+
   // Log digest directory
   digestDir: process.env.DIGEST_DIR || path.join(CADDY_BASE, 'digests'),
 

dashcaddy-api/pylon/dashcaddy-pylon.js

@@ -226,7 +226,23 @@ const server = http.createServer(async (req, res) => {
   json(res, 404, { error: 'Not found' });
 });
 
-server.listen(PORT, '0.0.0.0', () => {
-  console.log(`[Pylon] ${PYLON_NAME} listening on port ${PORT}`);
+const PYLON_PORT = parseInt(process.env.PYLON_PORT, 10) || 7842;
+const PYLON_HOST = process.env.PYLON_HOST || '0.0.0.0';
+
+server.listen(PYLON_PORT, PYLON_HOST, () => {
+  console.log(`[Pylon] ${PYLON_NAME} listening on ${PYLON_HOST}:${PYLON_PORT}`);
   if (API_KEY) console.log('[Pylon] API key authentication enabled');
 });
+
+// Graceful shutdown — drain connections, then exit
+const shutdown = (signal) => {
+  console.log(`[Pylon] ${signal} received, draining...`);
+  server.close(() => {
+    console.log('[Pylon] HTTP server closed');
+    process.exit(0);
+  });
+  // Force exit after 5s if connections don't drain
+  setTimeout(() => process.exit(0), 5000).unref();
+};
+process.on('SIGTERM', () => shutdown('SIGTERM'));
+process.on('SIGINT', () => shutdown('SIGINT'));

dashcaddy-api/routes/apps/deploy.js

@@ -197,8 +197,18 @@ module.exports = function({ docker, caddy, credentialManager, servicesStateManag
         }
       }
 
-      const container = await docker.client.createContainer(containerConfig);
+      let container;
+      try {
+        container = await docker.client.createContainer(containerConfig);
         await container.start();
+      } catch (createErr) {
+        // If create fails with "no such image", wrap with user-friendly message
+        const errMsg = createErr?.message || String(createErr);
+        if (errMsg.includes('No such image') || errMsg.includes('no such image')) {
+          throw new Error(`[DC-201] Image pull succeeded but container creation failed — image may be corrupted: ${processedTemplate.docker.image}. ${errMsg}`);
+        }
+        throw createErr;
+      }
 
       // Prune dangling images to prevent disk bloat
       try {

dashcaddy-api/routes/ca.js

@@ -12,14 +12,11 @@ module.exports = function(ctx) {
 
   // Get CA certificate information
   router.get('/info', ctx.asyncHandler(async (req, res) => {
-    const certInfoPath = '/app/ca/cert-info.json';
-    const fallbackCertInfoPath = path.join(platformPaths.caCertDir, 'cert-info.json');
+    const certInfoPath = path.join(platformPaths.caCertDir, 'cert-info.json');
 
     let certInfoFile;
     if (await exists(certInfoPath)) {
       certInfoFile = certInfoPath;
-    } else if (await exists(fallbackCertInfoPath)) {
-      certInfoFile = fallbackCertInfoPath;
     } else {
       const { NotFoundError } = require('../errors');
       throw new NotFoundError('CA certificate information');
@@ -46,13 +43,11 @@ module.exports = function(ctx) {
 
   // Serve root CA certificate directly (works even without DashCA deployed)
   router.get('/root.crt', ctx.asyncHandler(async (req, res) => {
-    const pkiCertPath = '/app/pki/root.crt';
     const hostCertPath = platformPaths.pkiRootCert;
     const dashcaCertPath = path.join(platformPaths.caCertDir, 'root.crt');
 
     let certPath;
-    if (await exists(pkiCertPath)) certPath = pkiCertPath;
-    else if (await exists(dashcaCertPath)) certPath = dashcaCertPath;
+    if (await exists(dashcaCertPath)) certPath = dashcaCertPath;
     else if (await exists(hostCertPath)) certPath = hostCertPath;
     else {
       const { NotFoundError } = require('../errors');
@@ -72,13 +67,12 @@ module.exports = function(ctx) {
     }
 
     // Load cert info to get the fingerprint
-    const certInfoPath = '/app/ca/cert-info.json';
-    const fallbackCertInfoPath2 = path.join(platformPaths.caCertDir, 'cert-info.json');
+    const certInfoPath = path.join(platformPaths.caCertDir, 'cert-info.json');
 
     let certInfoFile;
-    if (await exists(certInfoPath)) certInfoFile = certInfoPath;
-    else if (await exists(fallbackCertInfoPath2)) certInfoFile = fallbackCertInfoPath2;
-    else {
+    if (await exists(certInfoPath)) {
+      certInfoFile = certInfoPath;
+    } else {
       const { NotFoundError } = require('../errors');
       throw new NotFoundError('CA certificate information. Deploy DashCA first or ensure cert-info.json exists.');
     }
@@ -100,7 +94,7 @@ module.exports = function(ctx) {
     // Look for template in multiple locations (packaged app vs dev)
     const templatePaths = [
       path.join(__dirname, '..', 'scripts', templateName),
-      path.join('/app', 'scripts', templateName)
+      path.join(platformPaths.caddyBase, 'scripts', templateName)
     ];
 
     let templateContent;
@@ -142,8 +136,8 @@ module.exports = function(ctx) {
       return ctx.errorResponse(res, 400, `Invalid domain name. Must be a valid hostname (e.g., dns1${ctx.siteConfig.tld})`);
     }
 
-    const pkiPath = '/app/pki';
-    const certsDir = '/app/generated-certs';
+    const pkiPath = platformPaths.pkiDir;
+    const certsDir = platformPaths.generatedCertsDir;
     const domainDir = path.join(certsDir, domain);
 
     const intermediateCert = path.join(pkiPath, 'intermediate.crt');
@@ -246,7 +240,7 @@ ${safeDomain.includes('.') ? `DNS.2 = *.${safeDomain}` : ''}`;
 
   // List generated certificates
   router.get('/certs', ctx.asyncHandler(async (req, res) => {
-    const certsDir = '/app/generated-certs';
+    const certsDir = platformPaths.generatedCertsDir;
 
     if (!await exists(certsDir)) {
       return res.json({ success: true, certificates: [] });

dashcaddy-api/routes/config/assets.js

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ const path = require('path');
 const { LIMITS } = require('../../constants');
 const { exists } = require('../../fs-helpers');
 const { ValidationError } = require('../../errors');
+const platformPaths = require('../../platform-paths');
 /**
  * Config assets routes factory
  * @param {Object} deps - Explicit dependencies
@@ -51,7 +52,7 @@ module.exports = function({ servicesStateManager: _servicesStateManager, asyncHa
     const buffer = Buffer.from(base64Data, 'base64');
 
     // Determine assets path (mounted volume)
-    const assetsPath = process.env.ASSETS_PATH || '/app/assets';
+    const assetsPath = platformPaths.resolveAssetsPath(process.env.ASSETS_PATH);
 
     // Ensure directory exists
     if (!await exists(assetsPath)) {
@@ -96,7 +97,7 @@ module.exports = function({ servicesStateManager: _servicesStateManager, asyncHa
     const extension = matches[1] === 'svg+xml' ? 'svg' : matches[1];
     const buffer = Buffer.from(matches[2], 'base64');
 
-    const assetsPath = process.env.ASSETS_PATH || '/app/assets';
+    const assetsPath = platformPaths.resolveAssetsPath(process.env.ASSETS_PATH);
     if (!await exists(assetsPath)) {
       await fsp.mkdir(assetsPath, { recursive: true });
     }
@@ -170,7 +171,7 @@ module.exports = function({ servicesStateManager: _servicesStateManager, asyncHa
   // Reset all branding to defaults
   router.delete('/logo', asyncHandler(async (req, res) => {
     const config = await ctx.readConfig();
-    const assetsPath = process.env.ASSETS_PATH || '/app/assets';
+    const assetsPath = platformPaths.resolveAssetsPath(process.env.ASSETS_PATH);
 
     // Delete all custom logo files
     const logoPaths = [config.customLogo, config.customLogoDark, config.customLogoLight].filter(Boolean);
@@ -234,7 +235,7 @@ module.exports = function({ servicesStateManager: _servicesStateManager, asyncHa
     const base64Data = matches[2];
     const buffer = Buffer.from(base64Data, 'base64');
 
-    const assetsPath = process.env.ASSETS_PATH || '/app/assets';
+    const assetsPath = platformPaths.resolveAssetsPath(process.env.ASSETS_PATH);
     if (!await exists(assetsPath)) {
       await fsp.mkdir(assetsPath, { recursive: true });
     }
@@ -279,7 +280,7 @@ module.exports = function({ servicesStateManager: _servicesStateManager, asyncHa
     const config = await ctx.readConfig();
 
     // Delete custom favicon files
-    const assetsPath = process.env.ASSETS_PATH || '/app/assets';
+    const assetsPath = platformPaths.resolveAssetsPath(process.env.ASSETS_PATH);
     const filesToDelete = ['favicon.ico', 'favicon.png'];
     for (const file of filesToDelete) {
       const filePath = `${assetsPath}/${file}`;

dashcaddy-api/routes/config/backup.js

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ const path = require('path');
 const { CADDY } = require('../../constants');
 const { exists } = require('../../fs-helpers');
 const { ValidationError, AuthenticationError } = require('../../errors');
+const platformPaths = require('../../platform-paths');
 
 /**
  * Config backup routes factory
@@ -115,7 +116,7 @@ module.exports = function(deps) {
 
     // Include custom assets (logo, favicon) as base64
     try {
-      const assetsDir = process.env.ASSETS_DIR || '/app/assets';
+      const assetsDir = platformPaths.resolveAssetsPath(process.env.ASSETS_DIR);
       const configData = backup.files.config?.data || {};
       const assetFiles = [configData.customLogo, configData.customFavicon]
         .filter(Boolean)
@@ -346,7 +347,7 @@ module.exports = function(deps) {
 
     // Restore custom assets from base64
     if (backup.assets && typeof backup.assets === 'object') {
-      const assetsDir = process.env.ASSETS_DIR || '/app/assets';
+      const assetsDir = platformPaths.resolveAssetsPath(process.env.ASSETS_DIR);
       for (const [name, b64] of Object.entries(backup.assets)) {
         try {
           const safeName = path.basename(name); // prevent path traversal

dashcaddy-api/routes/health.js

@@ -322,9 +322,16 @@ module.exports = function({
   // ===== HEALTH CHECK (health-checker module) =====
 
   // Get current status for all services
+  // Returns per-service status plus a summary for the System Overview widget:
+  //   { status: { ... }, summary: { healthy, unhealthy, total } }
   router.get('/health-checks/status', asyncHandler(async (req, res) => {
     const status = healthChecker.getCurrentStatus();
-    success(res, { status });
+    // Build summary for the overview widget
+    const entries = Object.values(status);
+    const healthy = entries.filter(s => s.status === 'up' || s.status === 'healthy').length;
+    const unhealthy = entries.filter(s => s.status === 'down' || s.status === 'unhealthy').length;
+    const total = entries.length;
+    success(res, { status, summary: { healthy, unhealthy, total } });
   }, 'health-check-status'));
 
   // Get service statistics

dashcaddy-api/routes/monitoring.js

@@ -16,8 +16,22 @@ module.exports = function({ resourceMonitor, docker, asyncHandler, log, notifica
   // ===== RESOURCE MONITORING ENDPOINTS =====
 
   // Get all container stats (from resource monitor module)
+  // Returns a flat summary format for the System Overview widget:
+  //   { containerId: { cpu: <percent>, memory: <percent>, memoryUsage: <bytes>, name } }
   router.get('/monitoring/stats', asyncHandler(async (req, res) => {
-    const stats = resourceMonitor.getAllStats();
+    const raw = resourceMonitor.getAllStats();
+    // Transform nested { current: { cpu: { percent }, memory: { percent, usage } } }
+    // into flat { cpu: number, memory: number, memoryUsage: number } for the frontend widget
+    const stats = {};
+    for (const [id, data] of Object.entries(raw)) {
+      const cur = data.current || {};
+      stats[id] = {
+        name: data.name,
+        cpu: typeof cur.cpu === 'object' ? (cur.cpu.percent ?? 0) : (Number(cur.cpu) || 0),
+        memory: typeof cur.memory === 'object' ? (cur.memory.percent ?? 0) : (Number(cur.memory) || 0),
+        memoryUsage: typeof cur.memory === 'object' ? (cur.memory.usage ?? 0) : 0,
+      };
+    }
     success(res, { stats });
   }, 'monitoring-stats'));
 

dashcaddy-api/routes/services.js

@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ const { paginate, parsePaginationParams } = require('../pagination');
 const { ValidationError, NotFoundError, ConflictError } = require('../errors');
 const { resolveServiceUrl } = require('../url-resolver');
 const { success, error: errorResponse } = require('../response-helpers');
+const platformPaths = require('../platform-paths');
 
 /**
  * Services route factory
@@ -46,7 +47,7 @@ module.exports = function({
   dns
 }) {
   const router = express.Router();
-  const CA_CERT_PATH = process.env.CA_CERT_PATH || '/app/pki/root.crt';
+  const CA_CERT_PATH = process.env.CA_CERT_PATH || platformPaths.pkiRootCert;
   const PROBE_CONCURRENCY = 6;
   let probeHttpsAgent;
 

dashcaddy-api/routes/themes.js

@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ const fs = require('fs');
 const path = require('path');
 const { success } = require('../response-helpers');
 const { ValidationError, NotFoundError } = require('../errors');
+const platformPaths = require('../platform-paths');
 
 /**
  * Themes routes factory
@@ -13,7 +14,7 @@ const { ValidationError, NotFoundError } = require('../errors');
  */
 module.exports = function({ asyncHandler, log }) {
   const router = express.Router();
-  const THEMES_DIR = process.env.THEMES_DIR || path.join(path.dirname(process.env.SERVICES_FILE || '/app/services.json'), 'themes');
+  const THEMES_DIR = process.env.THEMES_DIR || path.join(path.dirname(platformPaths.servicesFile), 'themes');
 
   // Ensure themes directory exists
   if (!fs.existsSync(THEMES_DIR)) {

dashcaddy-api/self-updater.js

@@ -21,17 +21,17 @@ const isWindows = platformPaths.isWindows;
 
 const DEFAULTS = {
   CHECK_INTERVAL: 30 * 60 * 1000,  // 30 minutes
-  UPDATE_URL: 'https://get.dashcaddy.net/release',
-  MIRROR_URL: 'https://get2.dashcaddy.net/release',
-  UPDATES_DIR: platformPaths.isWindows ? path.join(platformPaths.caddyBase, 'updates') : '/app/updates',
+  UPDATE_URL: process.env.DASHCADDY_UPDATE_URL || 'https://get.dashcaddy.net/release',
+  MIRROR_URL: process.env.DASHCADDY_MIRROR_URL || 'https://get2.dashcaddy.net/release',
+  UPDATES_DIR: platformPaths.containerUpdatesDir,
   // API_SOURCE_DIR is the HOST path — written to trigger.json for the host-side updater
   API_SOURCE_DIR: path.join(platformPaths.caddySites, 'dashcaddy-api'),
   // FRONTEND_DIR is the container path — dashboard is volume-mounted at /app/dashboard
-  FRONTEND_DIR: platformPaths.isWindows ? path.join(platformPaths.caddySites, 'status') : '/app/dashboard',
+  FRONTEND_DIR: platformPaths.containerFrontendDir,
   MAX_BACKUPS: 3,
   HEALTH_TIMEOUT: 60000,
   DOWNLOAD_TIMEOUT: 120000,
-  CHANNEL: 'stable',
+  CHANNEL: process.env.DASHCADDY_UPDATE_CHANNEL || 'stable',
   INSTANCE_ID_FILE: platformPaths.isWindows
     ? path.join(platformPaths.caddyBase, 'instance-id')
     : '/etc/dashcaddy/instance-id',

dashcaddy-api/server.js

@@ -25,7 +25,8 @@ process.on('uncaughtException', (error) => {
     // Load license
     await licenseManager.load();
 
-    const PORT = process.env.PORT || 3001;
+    const PORT = parseInt(process.env.PORT, 10) || 3001;
+    const HOST = process.env.HOST || '0.0.0.0';
     const CADDYFILE_PATH = process.env.CADDYFILE_PATH || platformPaths.caddyfile;
     const CADDY_ADMIN_URL = process.env.CADDY_ADMIN_URL || platformPaths.caddyAdminUrl;
     const SERVICES_FILE = process.env.SERVICES_FILE || platformPaths.servicesFile;
@@ -43,9 +44,10 @@ process.on('uncaughtException', (error) => {
     });
 
     // Start HTTP server
-    const server = app.listen(PORT, '0.0.0.0', () => {
+    const server = app.listen(PORT, HOST, () => {
       log.info('server', 'DashCaddy API server started', {
         port: PORT,
+        host: HOST,
         caddyfile: CADDYFILE_PATH,
         caddyAdmin: CADDY_ADMIN_URL,
         services: SERVICES_FILE,

dashcaddy-api/src/app.js

@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ const { asyncHandler } = require('./utils/async-handler');
 
 // Managers and utilities
 const StateManager = require('../state-manager');
+const platformPaths = require('../platform-paths');
 const { LicenseManager } = require('../license-manager');
 const credentialManager = require('../credential-manager');
 const authManager = require('../auth-manager');
@@ -96,6 +97,19 @@ const { APP } = require('../constants');
 async function createApp() {
   const app = express();
 
+  // Global request timeout (default 5 minutes — covers slow Docker pulls)
+  // Routes that need longer can override per-request with req.setTimeout()
+  const REQUEST_TIMEOUT_MS = parseInt(process.env.REQUEST_TIMEOUT_MS, 10) || 5 * 60 * 1000;
+  app.use((req, res, next) => {
+    req.setTimeout(REQUEST_TIMEOUT_MS);
+    res.setTimeout(REQUEST_TIMEOUT_MS);
+    next();
+  });
+  // Disable x-powered-by header for security (don't advertise framework)
+  app.disable('x-powered-by');
+  // Trust first proxy (Caddy/nginx in front of us) so req.ip works correctly
+  app.set('trust proxy', 1);
+
   // Initialize logging
   const log = createLogger(config.LOG_LEVEL);
 
@@ -111,7 +125,7 @@ async function createApp() {
   licenseManager.loadSecret(config.LICENSE_SECRET_FILE);
 
   // HTTPS agent for internal CA
-  const CA_CERT_PATH = process.env.CA_CERT_PATH || '/app/pki/root.crt';
+  const CA_CERT_PATH = process.env.CA_CERT_PATH || platformPaths.pkiRootCert;
   let httpsAgent;
   try {
     const caCert = fs.readFileSync(CA_CERT_PATH);
@@ -380,6 +394,29 @@ async function createApp() {
   // Build versioned API router
   const apiRouter = express.Router();
 
+  // Version endpoint — public, no auth required
+  // Reads version from package.json at startup so the response always matches the running code
+  let appVersion = '0.0.0';
+  let appName = 'dashcaddy-api';
+  try {
+    const pkg = require('../package.json');
+    appVersion = pkg.version || appVersion;
+    appName = pkg.name || appName;
+  } catch { /* package.json unreadable — keep fallback */ }
+  apiRouter.get('/version', (req, res) => {
+    res.json({
+      success: true,
+      name: appName,
+      version: appVersion,
+      node: process.version,
+      platform: process.platform,
+      arch: process.arch,
+      uptime: process.uptime(),
+      instanceId: process.env.DASHCADDY_INSTANCE_ID || null
+    });
+  });
+  log.info('app', `Version endpoint available at /api/v1/version (v${appVersion})`);
+
   // Wire up notification listeners for resourceMonitor and backupManager
   if (ctx.notification && ctx.resourceMonitor) {
     ctx.resourceMonitor.on('alert', (alertData) => {
@@ -590,6 +627,86 @@ async function createApp() {
     res.json({ status: 'ok', timestamp: new Date().toISOString() });
   });
 
+  // Liveness probe — "is the process alive?"
+  // Always returns 200 unless the Node.js event loop is completely blocked.
+  // Used by k8s/Docker to decide whether to RESTART the container.
+  // DO NOT add dependency checks here — those belong in /health/ready.
+  app.get('/health/live', (req, res) => {
+    res.json({ status: 'alive', uptime: process.uptime() });
+  });
+
+  // Readiness probe — "is the app ready to serve traffic?"
+  // Checks critical dependencies: Docker daemon, Caddy admin API, config file.
+  // Returns 200 with details if all OK, 503 with failed components otherwise.
+  // Used by k8s/Docker to decide whether to ROUTE TRAFFIC to this instance.
+  app.get('/health/ready', boundAsyncHandler(async (req, res) => {
+    const checks = {};
+    let allOk = true;
+
+    // Check 1: Config file readable
+    try {
+      const fs = require('fs');
+      if (fs.existsSync(config.CONFIG_FILE)) {
+        fs.readFileSync(config.CONFIG_FILE, 'utf8');
+        checks.configFile = { ok: true };
+      } else {
+        checks.configFile = { ok: false, error: 'Config file not found' };
+        allOk = false;
+      }
+    } catch (e) {
+      checks.configFile = { ok: false, error: e.message };
+      allOk = false;
+    }
+
+    // Check 2: Services file readable
+    try {
+      const fs = require('fs');
+      if (fs.existsSync(config.SERVICES_FILE)) {
+        fs.readFileSync(config.SERVICES_FILE, 'utf8');
+        checks.servicesFile = { ok: true };
+      } else {
+        checks.servicesFile = { ok: false, error: 'Services file not found' };
+        allOk = false;
+      }
+    } catch (e) {
+      checks.servicesFile = { ok: false, error: e.message };
+      allOk = false;
+    }
+
+    // Check 3: Docker daemon reachable
+    try {
+      const docker = require('dockerode')();
+      await docker.ping();
+      checks.docker = { ok: true };
+    } catch (e) {
+      checks.docker = { ok: false, error: e.message };
+      allOk = false;
+    }
+
+    // Check 4: Caddy admin API reachable
+    try {
+      const caddyUrl = config.CADDY_ADMIN_URL || 'http://localhost:2019';
+      const controller = new AbortController();
+      const timeout = setTimeout(() => controller.abort(), 3000);
+      const response = await fetch(`${caddyUrl}/config/`, {
+        signal: controller.signal
+      });
+      clearTimeout(timeout);
+      checks.caddy = { ok: response.ok, status: response.status };
+      if (!response.ok) allOk = false;
+    } catch (e) {
+      checks.caddy = { ok: false, error: e.message };
+      allOk = false;
+    }
+
+    const body = {
+      status: allOk ? 'ready' : 'not-ready',
+      timestamp: new Date().toISOString(),
+      checks
+    };
+    res.status(allOk ? 200 : 503).json(body);
+  }));
+
   // Lightweight probe endpoint
   app.get('/probe/:id', boundAsyncHandler(async (req, res) => {
     const id = req.params.id;

dashcaddy-api/src/config/migrations.js

@@ -0,0 +1,142 @@
+/**
+ * Config migration system
+ *
+ * When config.json schema changes between versions, register a migration
+ * function here. On load, the loader detects the stored version, runs all
+ * migrations from that version forward, and writes the result back.
+ *
+ * Migration format:
+ *   migrations[<toVersion>] = (rawConfig) => { ...mutations, _version: toVersion }
+ *
+ * Each migration is responsible for transforming the previous version's
+ * shape into the next version's shape. They run sequentially, so v1→v2→v3
+ * all execute in order.
+ *
+ * For first-time users with no config file, the loader creates a fresh
+ * config with CURRENT_VERSION, so they start at the latest schema.
+ */
+const fs = require('fs');
+const path = require('path');
+const platformPaths = require('../../platform-paths');
+
+const CURRENT_VERSION = 2;
+
+/**
+ * Migrations: keys are the version they PRODUCE.
+ * Each migration takes a raw config object and returns the next version.
+ */
+const migrations = {
+  // v0 (unversioned) → v1: add _version field, normalize dns structure
+  1: (raw) => {
+    const migrated = { ...raw };
+    if (!migrated._version) migrated._version = 1;
+    // Normalize: older configs may have dns as a string IP, convert to object
+    if (typeof migrated.dns === 'string') {
+      migrated.dns = { ip: migrated.dns, port: 5380 };
+    } else if (!migrated.dns) {
+      migrated.dns = { ip: '', port: 5380 };
+    }
+    return migrated;
+  },
+
+  // v1 → v2: add dns.provider field (default: 'technitium' for backwards compat)
+  2: (raw) => {
+    const migrated = { ...raw };
+    if (migrated.dns && !migrated.dns.provider) {
+      migrated.dns.provider = 'technitium';
+    }
+    migrated._version = 2;
+    return migrated;
+  }
+};
+
+/**
+ * Run all migrations from `fromVersion` (or detected) to CURRENT_VERSION.
+ * @param {object} raw - The raw config object (may or may not have _version)
+ * @returns {object} The migrated config
+ */
+function migrate(raw) {
+  if (!raw || typeof raw !== 'object') {
+    // First-time load: return minimal config at current version
+    return { _version: CURRENT_VERSION };
+  }
+
+  const fromVersion = raw._version || 0;
+  if (fromVersion > CURRENT_VERSION) {
+    // Config from a future version — bail out, don't corrupt it
+    // The validation step will catch any actual issues
+    return raw;
+  }
+
+  let current = { ...raw };
+  for (let v = fromVersion + 1; v <= CURRENT_VERSION; v++) {
+    if (migrations[v]) {
+      current = migrations[v](current);
+    } else {
+      // No migration defined for this version, just bump _version
+      current._version = v;
+    }
+  }
+  return current;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Load config from disk, run migrations if needed, and write back the
+ * migrated version. Safe to call on every startup.
+ * @param {string} configFile - Absolute path to config.json
+ * @param {object} log - Logger instance
+ * @returns {object} The migrated config object
+ */
+function loadAndMigrate(configFile, log) {
+  let raw = null;
+  let fileExisted = false;
+
+  if (fs.existsSync(configFile)) {
+    fileExisted = true;
+    try {
+      raw = JSON.parse(fs.readFileSync(configFile, 'utf8'));
+    } catch (e) {
+      if (log && log.error) {
+        log.error('config-migration', 'Failed to parse config.json, using defaults', { error: e.message });
+      }
+      raw = null;
+    }
+  }
+
+  const fromVersion = raw && raw._version ? raw._version : 0;
+  const migrated = migrate(raw);
+
+  // Only write back to disk if:
+  //   1. The file already existed (we don't create configs on fresh installs —
+  //      the loader's defaults handle that case), AND
+  //   2. The version actually changed (no point rewriting identical content)
+  if (fileExisted && fromVersion < CURRENT_VERSION) {
+    if (log && log.info) {
+      log.info('config-migration', `Migrated config v${fromVersion} → v${CURRENT_VERSION}`, {
+        from: fromVersion,
+        to: CURRENT_VERSION,
+        path: configFile
+      });
+    }
+    // Write back the migrated config
+    try {
+      // Ensure parent dir exists
+      const dir = path.dirname(configFile);
+      if (!fs.existsSync(dir)) fs.mkdirSync(dir, { recursive: true });
+      fs.writeFileSync(configFile, JSON.stringify(migrated, null, 2));
+    } catch (e) {
+      if (log && log.warn) {
+        log.warn('config-migration', 'Failed to write migrated config back to disk', { error: e.message });
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  return migrated;
+}
+
+module.exports = {
+  CURRENT_VERSION,
+  migrations,
+  migrate,
+  loadAndMigrate
+};

dashcaddy-api/src/config/site.js

@@ -1,10 +1,15 @@
 /**
  * Site configuration loader
  * Loads and manages site-wide settings from config.json
+ *
+ * Includes automatic migration from older config versions (see migrations.js).
+ * Users never see the migration — it runs silently on startup, writes the
+ * updated config back, and the rest of the app only ever sees the current
+ * schema.
  */
-const fs = require('fs');
 const { validateConfig } = require('../../config-schema');
 const { CADDY } = require('../../constants');
+const { loadAndMigrate, CURRENT_VERSION } = require('./migrations');
 
 const siteConfig = {
   tld: '.home',
@@ -21,9 +26,11 @@ const siteConfig = {
 
 function loadSiteConfig(CONFIG_FILE, log) {
   try {
-    if (fs.existsSync(CONFIG_FILE)) {
-      const raw = JSON.parse(fs.readFileSync(CONFIG_FILE, 'utf8'));
+    // Run migrations first — this handles config.json files from older
+    // versions of DashCaddy and writes the migrated version back to disk.
+    const raw = loadAndMigrate(CONFIG_FILE, log);
 
+    if (raw && Object.keys(raw).length > 0) {
       // Validate config and log any issues
       const { valid, errors: configErrors, warnings: configWarnings } = validateConfig(raw);
       if (log && log.warn) {
@@ -76,4 +83,5 @@ module.exports = {
   loadSiteConfig,
   buildDomain,
   buildServiceUrl,
+  CURRENT_VERSION
 };