fix: make update system Docker-aware and prevent container modifications

- Added Docker environment detection to prevent in-place updates
- Show Docker-specific update instructions in UI instead of update button
- Provide proper docker pull commands for Docker users
- Updated README with web-based update documentation
- Ensure Docker container immutability is maintained

README.md

@@ -465,6 +465,22 @@ For development purposes or running directly from source, see the **[DEVELOPMENT
 
 ## 🔄 Updating Pulse
 
+### Web-Based Updates (Non-Docker)
+
+For non-Docker installations, Pulse includes a built-in update mechanism:
+
+1. Open the Settings modal (gear icon in the top right)
+2. Scroll to the "Software Updates" section
+3. Click "Check for Updates"
+4. If an update is available, review the release notes
+5. Click "Apply Update" to install it automatically
+
+The update process:
+- Backs up your configuration files
+- Downloads and applies the update
+- Preserves your settings
+- Automatically restarts the application
+
 ### Community Scripts LXC Installation
 
 If you installed using the Community Scripts method, simply re-run the original installation command:
@@ -477,7 +493,7 @@ The script will detect the existing installation and update it automatically.
 
 ### Docker Compose Installation
 
-To update a Docker Compose installation:
+Docker deployments must be updated by pulling the new image:
 
 ```bash
 cd /path/to/your/pulse-config
@@ -487,6 +503,8 @@ docker compose up -d
 
 This pulls the latest image and recreates the container with the new version.
 
+**Note:** The web-based update feature will detect Docker deployments and provide these instructions instead of attempting an in-place update.
+
 ### Manual LXC Installation
 
 If you used the manual installation script, update by re-running it:

server/updateManager.js

@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@ class UpdateManager {
                 currentVersion: this.currentVersion,
                 latestVersion,
                 updateAvailable,
+                isDocker: this.isDockerEnvironment(),
                 releaseNotes: response.data.body || 'No release notes available',
                 releaseUrl: response.data.html_url,
                 publishedAt: response.data.published_at,
@@ -49,7 +50,7 @@ class UpdateManager {
                 }))
             };
 
-            console.log(`[UpdateManager] Current version: ${this.currentVersion}, Latest version: ${latestVersion}`);
+            console.log(`[UpdateManager] Current version: ${this.currentVersion}, Latest version: ${latestVersion}, Docker: ${updateInfo.isDocker}`);
             return updateInfo;
 
         } catch (error) {
@@ -104,6 +105,15 @@ class UpdateManager {
         }
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Check if running in Docker
+     */
+    isDockerEnvironment() {
+        return process.env.DOCKER_DEPLOYMENT === 'true' || 
+               require('fs').existsSync('/.dockerenv') ||
+               (process.env.container === 'docker');
+    }
+
     /**
      * Apply update
      */
@@ -112,6 +122,16 @@ class UpdateManager {
             throw new Error('Update already in progress');
         }
 
+        // Check if running in Docker
+        if (this.isDockerEnvironment()) {
+            throw new Error(
+                'Automatic updates are not supported in Docker deployments. ' +
+                'Please update your Docker image by pulling the latest version:\n' +
+                'docker pull rcourtman/pulse:latest\n' +
+                'or update your docker-compose.yml to use the new version tag.'
+            );
+        }
+
         this.updateInProgress = true;
 
         try {
@@ -166,8 +186,6 @@ class UpdateManager {
                 progressCallback({ phase: 'extract', progress: 100 });
             }
 
-            // Detect deployment type
-            const isDocker = process.env.DOCKER_DEPLOYMENT === 'true' || require('fs').existsSync('/.dockerenv');
             const pulseDir = path.join(__dirname, '..');
 
             if (progressCallback) {
@@ -207,20 +225,14 @@ class UpdateManager {
             // Schedule restart
             console.log('[UpdateManager] Scheduling restart...');
             setTimeout(() => {
-                if (isDocker) {
-                    // In Docker, just exit - container will be restarted
-                    console.log('[UpdateManager] Exiting for Docker restart...');
+                // For systemd/manual deployments, try to restart
+                console.log('[UpdateManager] Attempting restart...');
+                
+                // Try systemctl first
+                execAsync('sudo systemctl restart pulse').catch(() => {
+                    // If systemctl fails, just exit
                     process.exit(0);
-                } else {
-                    // For systemd/manual deployments, try to restart
-                    console.log('[UpdateManager] Attempting restart...');
-                    
-                    // Try systemctl first
-                    execAsync('sudo systemctl restart pulse').catch(() => {
-                        // If systemctl fails, just exit
-                        process.exit(0);
-                    });
-                }
+                });
             }, 2000);
 
             // Cleanup

src/public/js/ui/settings.js

@@ -878,7 +878,33 @@ PulseApp.ui.settings = (() => {
                     .replace(/^/, '<p class="mb-2">')
                     .replace(/$/, '</p>');
                 
-                latestVersionInfo.innerHTML = `<span class="text-green-600 dark:text-green-400">Update available!</span>`;
+                // Handle Docker deployments differently
+                if (updateInfo.isDocker) {
+                    latestVersionInfo.innerHTML = `<span class="text-green-600 dark:text-green-400">Update available! (Docker deployment detected)</span>`;
+                    
+                    // Replace the apply button with Docker instructions
+                    const applyButton = document.getElementById('apply-update-button');
+                    const buttonContainer = applyButton.parentElement;
+                    
+                    buttonContainer.innerHTML = `
+                        <div class="bg-blue-50 dark:bg-blue-900/20 border border-blue-200 dark:border-blue-800 rounded-lg p-3">
+                            <p class="text-sm font-medium text-blue-800 dark:text-blue-200 mb-2">Docker Update Instructions:</p>
+                            <ol class="text-sm text-gray-700 dark:text-gray-300 list-decimal list-inside space-y-1">
+                                <li>Pull the latest image: <code class="bg-gray-100 dark:bg-gray-800 px-1 rounded">docker pull rcourtman/pulse:latest</code></li>
+                                <li>Recreate your container with the new image</li>
+                                <li>Or update your docker-compose.yml to version <code class="bg-gray-100 dark:bg-gray-800 px-1 rounded">${updateInfo.latestVersion}</code></li>
+                            </ol>
+                            <a href="${updateInfo.releaseUrl}" target="_blank" class="inline-flex items-center gap-1 mt-2 text-sm text-blue-600 dark:text-blue-400 hover:underline">
+                                View release on GitHub
+                                <svg class="w-3 h-3" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
+                                    <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M10 6H6a2 2 0 00-2 2v10a2 2 0 002 2h10a2 2 0 002-2v-4M14 4h6m0 0v6m0-6L10 14" />
+                                </svg>
+                            </a>
+                        </div>
+                    `;
+                } else {
+                    latestVersionInfo.innerHTML = `<span class="text-green-600 dark:text-green-400">Update available!</span>`;
+                }
             } else {
                 updateDetails.classList.add('hidden');
                 latestVersionInfo.innerHTML = `<span class="text-gray-600 dark:text-gray-400">You are running the latest version</span>`;