Handover and roadmap: Cross Events rename, Request update, versions moved up

1.41.3 and 1.42.0 / Hub 1.1.0 recorded; Multi-campus is now 1.43.0 and
later phases move up by one. Next steps: roll out update requests, build
the Hub public key in.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 5.5 <noreply@anthropic.com>

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -7,6 +7,18 @@ and this project follows [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/).
 
 ## [Unreleased]
 
+## [1.42.0] - 2026-10-27
+
+### Changed
+
+- **"Request update" instead of the deploy command.** When a new version is out, Site settings →
+  Licence shows a **Request update** button instead of `bash scripts/deploy.sh …`. It sends a
+  signed request to the Hub (`docs/hub-protocol.md` §3a), which tells the provider; the site never
+  updates itself. Afterwards it shows "Update requested on …" until the site runs that version, and
+  the "update available" banner for admins goes away. Logged in the audit log
+  (`hub_update_requested`). Needs Cross Events Hub 1.1.0; an older Hub answers "The Hub doesn't take
+  update requests yet".
+
 ## [1.41.3] - 2026-10-27
 
 ### Changed

FEATURES.md

@@ -659,7 +659,8 @@ can't start, the same jobs run on in-process timers.
   never switches it off: past the end date there's a grace period (banner for site admins only),
   then — or when suspended, revoked or not licensed — the site is read-only (events can't be
   created or edited; no new registrations or payments; tickets still scan, data can be exported).
-  The site checks in 30 seconds after starting and after a licence key is connected. Admins see when an update is available.
+  The site checks in 30 seconds after starting and after a licence key is connected. Admins see when an update is available and press **Request update**,
+  which tells the provider through the Hub (the site never updates itself).
   See `docs/hub-protocol.md`.
 - **`/health`** — status, version, database, background jobs and last backup.
 - **PM2** (`ecosystem.config.js`) runs backend and frontend, restarting either

backend/package-lock.json

@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 {
   "name": "event-management-backend",
-  "version": "1.41.3",
+  "version": "1.42.0",
   "lockfileVersion": 3,
   "requires": true,
   "packages": {
     "": {
       "name": "event-management-backend",
-      "version": "1.41.3",
+      "version": "1.42.0",
       "hasInstallScript": true,
       "dependencies": {
         "@prisma/adapter-pg": "^7.10.1",

backend/package.json

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "event-management-backend",
-  "version": "1.41.3",
+  "version": "1.42.0",
   "description": "Event Management System Backend",
   "main": "src/index.js",
   "scripts": {

backend/src/controllers/hubController.js

@@ -13,6 +13,12 @@ function compareVersions(a, b) {
   return 0;
 }
 
+/** An update request still waiting: until this site runs the version that was asked for. */
+function pendingUpdateRequest(version, requestedAt, requestedVersion) {
+  if (!requestedAt || !requestedVersion || compareVersions(version, requestedVersion) >= 0) return null;
+  return { requestedAt, version: requestedVersion };
+}
+
 /** What the admin pages show: licence state, Hub connection, version and update. */
 async function statusPayload({ fresh = false } = {}) {
   const s = await licenceStatus({ fresh });
@@ -40,6 +46,7 @@ async function statusPayload({ fresh = false } = {}) {
     version: APP_VERSION,
     latestVersion: s.latestVersion,
     updateAvailable: !!(s.latestVersion && compareVersions(APP_VERSION, s.latestVersion) < 0),
+    updateRequest: pendingUpdateRequest(APP_VERSION, s.updateRequestedAt, s.updateRequestedVersion),
   };
 }
 
@@ -84,4 +91,20 @@ const heartbeatNow = async (req, res) => {
   }
 };
 
-module.exports = { getStatus, connect, heartbeatNow, statusPayload, compareVersions };
+// @desc    Ask the Hub for this site to be updated (the provider is told; nothing runs here)
+// @route   POST /api/hub/update-request
+// @access  Private/Admin
+const requestUpdate = async (req, res) => {
+  try {
+    const result = await hub.requestUpdate();
+    if (!result.alreadyRequested) {
+      logAdminAction({ actorId: req.user.id, actorRole: req.user.role, action: 'hub_update_requested', targetType: 'hub', metadata: { from: APP_VERSION, to: result.version }, ip: getClientIp(req) });
+    }
+    res.json(await statusPayload({ fresh: true }));
+  } catch (e) {
+    const status = e.statusCode && e.statusCode < 500 && e.code !== 'INSTALL_NOT_FOUND' ? e.statusCode : 502;
+    res.status(status).json({ message: e.message || safeErrorMessage(e), code: e.code });
+  }
+};
+
+module.exports = { getStatus, connect, heartbeatNow, requestUpdate, statusPayload, compareVersions, pendingUpdateRequest };

backend/src/hub/client.js

@@ -1,8 +1,10 @@
 /**
  * Talking to the Cross Events Hub (docs/hub-protocol.md): register with a licence key, then a
- * signed heartbeat every 15 minutes. Install → Hub only. Stored in AppSetting:
+ * signed heartbeat every 15 minutes, and a signed update request when an admin asks for one.
+ * Install → Hub only. Stored in AppSetting:
  *   hub_install_id, hub_install_secret (encrypted), hub_licence (signed token),
- *   hub_last_heartbeat_at, hub_last_error, hub_latest_version.
+ *   hub_last_heartbeat_at, hub_last_error, hub_latest_version,
+ *   hub_update_requested_at, hub_update_requested_version.
  * These keys are kept out of the generic settings endpoints (settingsController).
  */
 
@@ -14,7 +16,7 @@ const report = require('./report');
 
 const PROTOCOL_VERSION = 1;
 const TIMEOUT_MS = 15000;
-const HUB_KEYS = ['hub_install_id', 'hub_install_secret', 'hub_licence', 'hub_last_heartbeat_at', 'hub_last_error', 'hub_latest_version'];
+const HUB_KEYS = ['hub_install_id', 'hub_install_secret', 'hub_licence', 'hub_last_heartbeat_at', 'hub_last_error', 'hub_latest_version', 'hub_update_requested_at', 'hub_update_requested_version'];
 
 function hubUrl() {
   return String(process.env.HUB_URL || 'https://events-hub.crosscode.co.za').replace(/\/$/, '');
@@ -59,6 +61,21 @@ async function post(path, body, headers = {}) {
   return data;
 }
 
+/** POST signed with the install secret (§3). Throws NOT_CONNECTED when there is no connection. */
+async function signedPost(path, body) {
+  const s = await read(['hub_install_id', 'hub_install_secret']);
+  if (!s.hub_install_id || !s.hub_install_secret) throw new HubError('This site isn\'t connected to the Hub yet.', 'NOT_CONNECTED', 400);
+  const secret = decrypt(s.hub_install_secret);
+  return post(path, body, raw => {
+    const timestamp = new Date().toISOString();
+    return {
+      'X-Hub-Install': s.hub_install_id,
+      'X-Hub-Timestamp': timestamp,
+      'X-Hub-Signature': crypto.createHmac('sha256', secret).update(`${timestamp}.${raw}`).digest('hex'),
+    };
+  });
+}
+
 /** Register this install with a licence key. Returns the licence claims. */
 async function connect(licenceKey, adminContact) {
   if (!require('./publicKey').hubPublicKey()) {
@@ -92,17 +109,9 @@ async function connect(licenceKey, adminContact) {
 async function heartbeat() {
   const s = await read(['hub_install_id', 'hub_install_secret']);
   if (!s.hub_install_id || !s.hub_install_secret) return { skipped: 'not connected' };
-  const secret = decrypt(s.hub_install_secret);
   const body = { protocolVersion: PROTOCOL_VERSION, version: report.APP_VERSION, health: await report.health(), stats: await report.stats() };
   try {
-    const data = await post('/api/installs/heartbeat', body, raw => {
-      const timestamp = new Date().toISOString();
-      return {
-        'X-Hub-Install': s.hub_install_id,
-        'X-Hub-Timestamp': timestamp,
-        'X-Hub-Signature': crypto.createHmac('sha256', secret).update(`${timestamp}.${raw}`).digest('hex'),
-      };
-    });
+    const data = await signedPost('/api/installs/heartbeat', body);
     const claims = verifyToken(data.licence);
     await save({
       // Keep the old token if the new one doesn't check out (never accept an unverified one).
@@ -124,6 +133,22 @@ async function heartbeat() {
   }
 }
 
+/**
+ * Ask the Hub for this site to be updated (§3a). Joshua is told; the site never updates itself.
+ * Returns { requestedAt, version, alreadyRequested }.
+ */
+async function requestUpdate() {
+  let data;
+  try {
+    data = await signedPost('/api/installs/update-request', { protocolVersion: PROTOCOL_VERSION, version: report.APP_VERSION });
+  } catch (e) {
+    if (e.code === 'NOT_FOUND') throw new HubError('The Hub doesn\'t take update requests yet. Please contact your provider.', 'NOT_SUPPORTED', 502);
+    throw e;
+  }
+  await save({ hub_update_requested_at: data.requestedAt, hub_update_requested_version: data.version || null });
+  return data;
+}
+
 /**
  * A heartbeat soon (on startup, and after connecting), so a licence change on the Hub shows
  * without waiting for the next 15-minute run. Never throws; skipped when the job is switched off.
@@ -139,4 +164,4 @@ function heartbeatSoon(delayMs = 30 * 1000) {
   soonTimer.unref?.();
 }
 
-module.exports = { PROTOCOL_VERSION, HUB_KEYS, hubUrl, HubError, connect, heartbeat, heartbeatSoon };
+module.exports = { PROTOCOL_VERSION, HUB_KEYS, hubUrl, HubError, connect, heartbeat, heartbeatSoon, requestUpdate };

backend/src/hub/licence.js

@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ let cache = null;
 /** This install's licence: claims, state and Hub connection details. Cached for 30 s. */
 async function licenceStatus({ fresh = false } = {}) {
   if (!fresh && cache && Date.now() - cache.at < CACHE_MS) return cache.value;
-  const rows = await prisma.appSetting.findMany({ where: { key: { in: ['hub_install_id', 'hub_licence', 'hub_last_heartbeat_at', 'hub_last_error', 'hub_latest_version'] } } });
+  const rows = await prisma.appSetting.findMany({ where: { key: { in: ['hub_install_id', 'hub_licence', 'hub_last_heartbeat_at', 'hub_last_error', 'hub_latest_version', 'hub_update_requested_at', 'hub_update_requested_version'] } } });
   const s = Object.fromEntries(rows.map(r => [r.key, r.value]));
   const claims = verifyToken(s.hub_licence);
   const value = {
@@ -93,6 +93,8 @@ async function licenceStatus({ fresh = false } = {}) {
     lastHeartbeatAt: s.hub_last_heartbeat_at || null,
     lastError: s.hub_last_error || null,
     latestVersion: s.hub_latest_version || null,
+    updateRequestedAt: s.hub_update_requested_at || null,
+    updateRequestedVersion: s.hub_update_requested_version || null,
   };
   cache = { at: Date.now(), value };
   return value;

backend/src/index.js

@@ -921,6 +921,8 @@ app.get('/docs', async (req, res) => {
         responses:[{ status:200, desc:'Connected (status as above)' }, { status:404, desc:'Unknown key', body:{ code:'LICENCE_NOT_FOUND', message:'That licence key was not found.' }}]},
       { method:'POST', path:'/api/hub/heartbeat', auth:'admin', desc:'Check in with the Hub now (picks up licence changes)',
         responses:[{ status:200, desc:'Status' }, { status:502, desc:'Hub unreachable' }]},
+      { method:'POST', path:'/api/hub/update-request', auth:'admin', desc:'Ask the Hub for this site to be updated to the latest version (the provider is told; the site never updates itself)',
+        responses:[{ status:200, desc:'Status, with updateRequest', body:{ updateAvailable:true, updateRequest:{ requestedAt:'2026-10-27T09:00:00.000Z', version:'1.42.0' } }}, { status:409, desc:'Already on the latest version', body:{ code:'UP_TO_DATE', message:'This site already runs the latest version.' }}, { status:502, desc:'Hub unreachable' }]},
     ]},
 
     { title: 'Privacy (POPIA)', base: '/api/privacy', endpoints: [

backend/src/routes/hubRoutes.js

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 const express = require('express');
 const router = express.Router();
-const { getStatus, connect, heartbeatNow } = require('../controllers/hubController');
+const { getStatus, connect, heartbeatNow, requestUpdate } = require('../controllers/hubController');
 const { protect, admin } = require('../middleware/authMiddleware');
 
 // Licence and the Cross Events Hub (docs/hub-protocol.md). Admins only; the setup wizard's
@@ -8,5 +8,6 @@ const { protect, admin } = require('../middleware/authMiddleware');
 router.get('/status', protect, admin, getStatus);
 router.post('/connect', protect, admin, connect);
 router.post('/heartbeat', protect, admin, heartbeatNow);
+router.post('/update-request', protect, admin, requestUpdate);
 
 module.exports = router;

backend/tests/hub.test.js

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ const crypto = require('crypto');
 const { verifyToken, stateFor } = require('../src/hub/licence');
 const { incomeBand } = require('../src/hub/report');
 const { isBlocked } = require('../src/hub/readOnly');
-const { compareVersions } = require('../src/controllers/hubController');
+const { compareVersions, pendingUpdateRequest } = require('../src/controllers/hubController');
 
 const { privateKey, publicKey } = crypto.generateKeyPairSync('ed25519');
 function sign(payload, key = privateKey) {
@@ -131,3 +131,11 @@ test('version comparison for "update available"', () => {
   expect(compareVersions('1.41.0', '1.41.0')).toBe(0);
   expect(compareVersions('2.0.0', '1.50.3')).toBeGreaterThan(0);
 });
+
+test('an update request shows until the site runs the version asked for', () => {
+  const at = '2026-10-27T09:00:00.000Z';
+  expect(pendingUpdateRequest('1.41.2', at, '1.42.0')).toEqual({ requestedAt: at, version: '1.42.0' });
+  expect(pendingUpdateRequest('1.42.0', at, '1.42.0')).toBeNull();
+  expect(pendingUpdateRequest('1.43.0', at, '1.42.0')).toBeNull();
+  expect(pendingUpdateRequest('1.41.2', null, null)).toBeNull();
+});

docs/HANDOVER.md

@@ -1,13 +1,21 @@
 # Handover — where things stand and how to carry on
 
-Last updated: 2026-10-27, after **1.41.2** (and Hub 1.0.0). The plan itself is in
+Last updated: 2026-10-27, after **1.42.0** (and Hub 1.1.0). The plan itself is in
 [ROADMAP-v2.md](./ROADMAP-v2.md) (decisions table at the end); the previous round of
 features is in [FEATURES-ROUND-1.md](./FEATURES-ROUND-1.md).
 
+The product is called **Cross Events** (renamed from Hope Events in 1.41.3); the Hub is the
+**Cross Events Hub**. Technical names keep `hope-events` on purpose — the repo, browser storage
+keys (`hope_events_*`), the settings encryption salt, applied migrations, PM2/nginx names, the
+install folder and the database name — because renaming them would sign everyone out, make
+encrypted settings unreadable or break existing installs.
+
 ## Done so far (road to 2.0)
 
 | Version | What |
 |---------|------|
+| 1.42.0 | **Request update** instead of the deploy command: Site settings → Licence sends a signed update request to the Hub (protocol §3a), which opens an alert and emails Joshua; "Update requested on …" until the site runs that version, and the admin update banner hides meanwhile. Audit action `hub_update_requested`. Needs Hub 1.1.0 |
+| 1.41.3 | Renamed Hope Events → **Cross Events** in all UI text and docs (technical identifiers unchanged, see above) |
 | 1.41.2 | Background jobs page: last-run times were 2 h ahead (Prisma's pg adapter drops the offset of timestamptz in raw queries — read pg-boss times `AT TIME ZONE 'UTC'`); `APP_TIMEZONE` documented |
 | 1.41.1 | Licence fixes — no licence (never connected, or the Hub answers `INSTALL_NOT_FOUND`, which now drops the old licence) is read-only like suspended; read-only also blocks editing events/options/variants; heartbeat 30 s after start and after connecting; `LICENCE_CHECK_DISABLED` for e2e |
 | 1.41.0 | Cross Events Hub connection — licence step in `/setup` and Site settings → Licence, 15-minute heartbeat (health, totals, income bands), licence states checked offline (grace banner for site admins only, read-only when suspended/revoked), `/health`, "update available", `scripts/install.sh`. The Hub itself is `joshua/events-hub` 1.0.0 |
@@ -28,13 +36,13 @@ features is in [FEATURES-ROUND-1.md](./FEATURES-ROUND-1.md).
 
 ## Next up
 
-1. **Go live with the Hub:** generate the production signing key on the Hub server
-   (`npm run generate-keys` in `events-hub/backend`), put the **public** key in
-   `backend/src/hub/publicKey.js` and release it as **1.41.1** — until then installs can't
-   connect (they work as "not connected"). Deploy the Hub to `events-hub.crosscode.co.za`, create
-   the admin (`npm run create-admin`), generate Hope Family Church's licence and connect it (install #1).
-   Try `scripts/install.sh` on a test server.
-2. **1.42.0 — Multi-campus** (§12).
+1. **Roll out the update requests:** deploy **Hub 1.1.0**, then set "Latest Cross Events release"
+   to `1.42.0` in Hub → Settings, then update the sites to 1.42.0 (the last update done without a
+   request). A 1.42.0 site talking to an older Hub shows "The Hub doesn't take update requests yet".
+2. **Build the Hub key in:** `PRODUCTION_PUBLIC_KEY` in `backend/src/hub/publicKey.js` is still
+   `null`, so each install needs `HUB_PUBLIC_KEY` in its `.env` to verify licences. Put the
+   production Hub's public key there in a release. Try `scripts/install.sh` on a test server.
+3. **1.43.0 — Multi-campus** (§12).
 
 ## Working on this repo
 
@@ -158,19 +166,25 @@ features is in [FEATURES-ROUND-1.md](./FEATURES-ROUND-1.md).
   (`prepare-db.js` → `retention`); `privacy-notice.spec.ts` publishes a version that needs accepting, then accepts it for all
   seeded users in `afterAll` so later spec files don't meet the prompt.
 
-## Where the Hub client lives (1.41.0)
+## Where the Hub client lives (1.41.0, update requests 1.42.0)
 
 - Protocol: `docs/hub-protocol.md` — the same file is in the Hub repo (`joshua/events-hub`,
   developed at `../events-hub`); change both together.
 - `backend/src/hub/`: `publicKey.js` (the production Hub key — **must be set before releasing**;
   `HUB_PUBLIC_KEY` env overrides it for a local Hub), `licence.js` (verify tokens, work out
-  active / grace / suspended / revoked / unlicensed, cached 30 s), `client.js` (connect, heartbeat;
-  AppSetting `hub_*` keys, which the generic settings endpoints never touch), `report.js` (health,
+  active / grace / suspended / revoked / unlicensed, cached 30 s), `client.js` (connect, heartbeat,
+  update request — the last two share `signedPost`; AppSetting `hub_*` keys, which the generic
+  settings endpoints never touch), `report.js` (health,
   totals, income bands), `readOnly.js` (the routes blocked in read-only mode — add any new
   "create" or event-edit route there). Read-only = suspended, revoked or unlicensed.
-- Job `hub-heartbeat` (every 15 min), routes `/api/hub/*`, `/health`.
-- Frontend: `components/admin/LicenceTab.tsx` (Site settings → Licence; its `ConnectForm` is also on
-  the last `/setup` screen), `components/shared/LicenceBanner.tsx` (site admins only).
+- Job `hub-heartbeat` (every 15 min), routes `/api/hub/*` (status, connect, heartbeat,
+  update-request), `/health`.
+- Frontend: `components/admin/LicenceTab.tsx` (Site settings → Licence, with the **Request update**
+  button; its `ConnectForm` is also on the last `/setup` screen), `components/shared/LicenceBanner.tsx`
+  (site admins only).
+- **Updates:** sites never update themselves and never show the deploy command. "Request update"
+  tells the Hub (an `update_requested` alert + one email to Joshua); the Hub resolves it when the
+  site's heartbeat reports a newer version. Joshua then runs `scripts/deploy.sh` on the server.
 - Local testing: run the Hub (`../events-hub`, ports 5200/3200), create a licence there, and start
   Cross Events with `HUB_URL=http://localhost:5200` and `HUB_PUBLIC_KEY` = the key on Hub → Settings.
 - `scripts/install.sh` — fresh Ubuntu server to a running site (written and syntax-checked; not yet

docs/ROADMAP-v2.md

@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ sold — trustworthy (POPIA), flexible (multi-day events, several payment
 providers), maintainable (tests, CI, typed backend, versioned API), and with
 **AI helpers** as the headline feature (§15).
 
-**Status (2026-10-23):** all features in this document are approved. Shipped
+**Status (2026-10-27):** all features in this document are approved. Shipped
 so far: 1.32.0 early-bird ribbon on event cards; 1.33.0 multi-day events
 phase A (sessions, late joining, per-session check-in, attendance register,
 reminders, certificates); 1.34.0 job queue (pg-boss), Playwright E2E tests, Gitea CI
@@ -22,8 +22,11 @@ picker at the door and session choice on "All sessions" tickets; 1.36.0 payment
 1.37.1 "Pay online" hidden when it can't be used; 1.37.2 payment status checks for missing
 notifications. SnapScan and Zapper are dropped — Yoco and PayFast are enough (2026-10-23);
 1.38.0 POPIA toolkit part 1 (privacy page, unsubscribe, WhatsApp STOP, data requests); 1.39.0 part 2 (privacy notice editor and versions, operator register, consent and access logs); 1.40.0 part 3 (retention policies and job, breach register, children’s-data flags, readiness page).
-1.41.0 the Hub connection (licence, heartbeat, read-only mode, `/health`, install script) with Hub 1.0.0 (`joshua/events-hub`).
-**Next: 1.42.0 Multi-campus.**
+1.41.0 the Hub connection (licence, heartbeat, read-only mode, `/health`, install script) with Hub 1.0.0 (`joshua/events-hub`);
+1.41.1–1.41.2 licence and job-time fixes; 1.41.3 renamed **Hope Events → Cross Events** (Hub 1.0.1:
+Cross Events Hub); 1.42.0 **Request update** button instead of the deploy command, with Hub 1.1.0
+(update requests). Later versions moved up by one (2026-10-27).
+**Next: 1.43.0 Multi-campus.**
 
 **Repositories:**
 
@@ -601,11 +604,11 @@ whether they're healthy, basic usage stats, and their **licence** status.
 - Same stack (Next.js + Express + Prisma + Postgres) so it's familiar.
 - **What lives where:**
   - Hub repo: dashboard, customers, licences, licence **signing** (private
-    key — only ever on the Hub server), `/api/installs/register` and
-    `/api/installs/heartbeat` endpoints, alerts.
+    key — only ever on the Hub server), `/api/installs/register`,
+    `/api/installs/heartbeat` and `/api/installs/update-request` endpoints, alerts.
   - Cross Events repo: the Hub **client** — licence step in `/setup`,
     "Connect to Hub" in Site settings, heartbeat job, licence verification
-    with the Hub's **public** key, read-only mode, banners.
+    with the Hub's **public** key, read-only mode, banners, "Request update".
 - **The contract between them** (register / heartbeat payloads, licence token
   format) is versioned with a `protocolVersion` field and documented in both
   repos (`docs/hub-protocol.md`). The Hub accepts the current and previous
@@ -661,7 +664,9 @@ All later calls are signed with the install secret (HMAC) and go over HTTPS.
 - **Alerts** (email/WhatsApp to Joshua): install offline > 1 h, backup
   failed or older than 48 h, disk low, errors spiking, licence expiring.
 - **Releases:** latest version and changelog; installs see "Update
-  available" in their admin.
+  available" in their admin with a **Request update** button (1.42.0 / Hub 1.1.0).
+  The request is signed like a heartbeat, shows as an alert (emailed once) and
+  clears when the install reports a newer version. Joshua does the update.
 - **Customers:** contact details, plan, licence(s), billing notes.
 
 ### Licences
@@ -695,7 +700,8 @@ All later calls are signed with the install secret (HMAC) and go over HTTPS.
 - The Hub should not offer remote commands (run updates, impersonate,
   database access) in v1: it's the most valuable target an attacker could
   hit, so keeping it read-only toward installs keeps every church safe if it
-  is ever compromised. Remote "trigger update" can be revisited later.
+  is ever compromised. Updates stay that way: the install *asks* (Request update)
+  and Joshua updates the server; the Hub never runs anything on an install.
 - The Hub itself needs 2FA, backups and the same audit log approach.
 
 ### Data model (Hub, sketch)
@@ -707,7 +713,7 @@ model Install  { id, customerId, licenceId, name, url, secretHash, version,
                  lastHeartbeatAt, health Json, registeredAt }
 model Heartbeat { id, installId, receivedAt, version, health Json, stats Json }
                  // rolled up to daily after 30 days
-model InstallEvent { id, installId, type, message, createdAt } // alerts, version changes
+model InstallEvent { id, installId, type, message, createdAt } // alerts, version changes, update requests
 // 2.0, AI (§15): Licence gets aiMonthlyCapCents; usage per call, no prompt/response text
 model AiUsage   { id, installId, helper, model, inputTokens, outputTokens, costCents, createdAt }
 ```
@@ -869,12 +875,12 @@ income justify the hardware:
 | 3 | 1.35.0 ✅ | Multi-day events — phase B (pick sessions, per-session capacity) | Builds on phase A, now with E2E coverage |
 | 4 | 1.36.0 ✅ – 1.37.2 | Payment provider interface (Yoco moved behind it) → PayFast, then hiding "Pay online" when it can't be used and payment status checks (SnapScan and Zapper dropped) | Payment code gets split out of the big controller as part of this |
 | 5 | 1.38.0 ✅ 1.39.0 ✅ 1.40.0 ✅ | **POPIA toolkit** (1.38.0: user privacy centre, unsubscribe, WhatsApp STOP, data requests inbox; 1.39.0: privacy notice editor + versions, operator register, consent log, access log; 1.40.0: retention jobs, breach register, children’s-data flags, readiness page) | Main selling point; retention jobs use the job queue |
-| 6 | 1.41.0 ✅ + Hub v1 ✅ | Install/update scripts, `/health`, licence step in `/setup`, "Connect to Hub", heartbeat, licence states — plus the **Hub** app (separate repo) | Must exist before the first church is sold; Hope Family Church registers as install #1 |
-| 7 | 1.42.0 | **Multi-campus** | Kids rooms and volunteer roles are per campus, so campuses come first |
-| 8 | 1.43.0 – 1.44.0 | Kids check-in, Volunteer rosters | Depend on sessions and campuses |
-| 9 | 1.45.0 – 1.47.0 | Event series & cloning, Wallet passes, Outbound webhooks | Smaller, independent wins |
-| 10 | 1.48.0 – 1.50.0 | Admin dashboard/Ctrl+K/bulk actions, Afrikaans, Accessibility pass | Polish before the big release |
-| 11 | 1.51.0 | TypeScript backend + OpenAPI + `/api/v2` alongside v1 | The breaking-change groundwork |
+| 6 | 1.41.0 ✅ – 1.42.0 ✅ + Hub 1.0 ✅ – 1.1 ✅ | Install/update scripts, `/health`, licence step in `/setup`, "Connect to Hub", heartbeat, licence states — plus the **Hub** app (separate repo); rename to Cross Events (1.41.3); Request update (1.42.0 / Hub 1.1.0) | Must exist before the first church is sold; Hope Family Church registers as install #1 |
+| 7 | 1.43.0 | **Multi-campus** | Kids rooms and volunteer roles are per campus, so campuses come first |
+| 8 | 1.44.0 – 1.45.0 | Kids check-in, Volunteer rosters | Depend on sessions and campuses |
+| 9 | 1.46.0 – 1.48.0 | Event series & cloning, Wallet passes, Outbound webhooks | Smaller, independent wins |
+| 10 | 1.49.0 – 1.51.0 | Admin dashboard/Ctrl+K/bulk actions, Afrikaans, Accessibility pass | Polish before the big release |
+| 11 | 1.52.0 | TypeScript backend + OpenAPI + `/api/v2` alongside v1 | The breaking-change groundwork |
 | 12 | **2.0.0** | **AI helpers** (§15 — headline feature: draft an event, summarise reports and feedback, draft messages, improve text; through the Hub with a rand cap per licence), v1 API removed, migration guide, marketing site/docs for selling | The release. AI needs the Hub (phase 6) for the key, metering and caps |
 
 Each phase should add matching help content (`frontend/src/content/help/`),
@@ -920,6 +926,8 @@ feature.
 | — | POPIA: privacy notice | Today's notice becomes the starting template, one editable box per section; org name, Information Officer, retention periods and the operator list fill in automatically. Publishing saves a numbered version (2026-10-23) |
 | — | POPIA: re-accepting the notice | The admin decides per version ("significant change — ask everyone to accept again"); people are asked once after login (2026-10-23) |
 | — | POPIA: inactive accounts | Anonymised after 5 years without a login or registration, **on by default**, with a warning email 30 days before; staff/supervisor/admin accounts never (2026-10-23) |
+| — | Product name | **Cross Events** (was Hope Events), Hub: **Cross Events Hub**. UI text and docs renamed in 1.41.3; technical identifiers (`hope-events` repo, storage keys, encryption salt, migrations, PM2/nginx names) stay, so installs and sign-ins keep working (2026-10-27) |
+| — | Updates | Sites show **Request update**, never the deploy command: the request goes to the Hub, which tells Joshua; he updates the server. 1.42.0 / Hub 1.1.0; Multi-campus and everything after moves up by one (2026-10-27) |
 | — | POPIA: WhatsApp STOP | In 1.38.0, via WAWP's incoming `message` webhook with a secret in the URL (WAWP doesn't sign webhooks) (2026-10-23) |
 
 ## Still open

docs/hub-protocol.md

@@ -110,6 +110,27 @@ X-Hub-Signature: <hex HMAC-SHA256(installSecret, timestamp + "." + rawBody)>
   `R1 001–R5 000`, `R5 001–R20 000`, `R20 001–R50 000`, `R50 001–R100 000`, `over R100 000`.
 - The Hub keeps every heartbeat for 30 days, then one per install per day.
 
+## 3a. Update request
+
+Sent when a site admin presses **Request update** (Site settings → Licence). Installs never update
+themselves and never show the deploy command; the request tells Joshua, who updates the server.
+Signed exactly like the heartbeat.
+
+```
+POST /api/installs/update-request
+X-Hub-Install / X-Hub-Timestamp / X-Hub-Signature   (as in §3)
+{ "protocolVersion": 1, "version": "1.41.2" }
+→ 201 { "requestedAt": "2026-10-27T09:00:00.000Z", "version": "1.42.0", "alreadyRequested": false }
+→ 200 { …, "alreadyRequested": true }    // a request is already open: not emailed again
+```
+
+- The Hub opens an `update_requested` alert on the install (shown under Alerts) and emails the
+  alert address once. It is resolved when a heartbeat reports a newer version than before.
+- `409 UP_TO_DATE` — the install already runs the Hub's latest version (or none is set).
+- Errors as in §3 (`INSTALL_NOT_FOUND`, `STALE_REQUEST`, `BAD_SIGNATURE`). Rate-limited (10 an
+  hour per IP). A Hub older than this section answers `404 NOT_FOUND`.
+- No personal information: not who pressed the button (the Hub already has the admin contact).
+
 ## 4. Licence token
 
 `hel1.<payload>.<signature>` — `payload` is base64url JSON, `signature` is the base64url

frontend/package-lock.json

@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 {
   "name": "hope-events-frontend",
-  "version": "1.41.3",
+  "version": "1.42.0",
   "lockfileVersion": 3,
   "requires": true,
   "packages": {
     "": {
       "name": "hope-events-frontend",
-      "version": "1.41.3",
+      "version": "1.42.0",
       "dependencies": {
         "@dnd-kit/core": "^6.3.1",
         "@hookform/resolvers": "^5.2.1",

frontend/package.json

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "hope-events-frontend",
-  "version": "1.41.3",
+  "version": "1.42.0",
   "private": true,
   "scripts": {
     "dev": "next dev --turbopack",

frontend/src/app/dashboard/admin/audit-log/page.tsx

@@ -96,6 +96,7 @@ const ACTION_LABELS: Record<string, string> = {
   breach_recorded: "Security compromise recorded",
   breach_updated: "Security compromise updated",
   hub_connected: "Connected to the Cross Events Hub",
+  hub_update_requested: "Asked the Hub for an update",
 };
 
 interface AuditLogEntry {

frontend/src/components/admin/LicenceTab.tsx

@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ export type HubStatus = {
   version: string;
   latestVersion: string | null;
   updateAvailable: boolean;
+  updateRequest: { requestedAt: string; version: string } | null;
 };
 
 const STATE: Record<HubStatus["state"], { label: string; tone: string; text: string }> = {
@@ -93,6 +94,19 @@ export function LicenceTab({ active }: { active: boolean }) {
     }
   };
 
+  const requestUpdate = async () => {
+    setBusy(true);
+    setMsg(null);
+    try {
+      setStatus(await apiFetch<HubStatus>("/api/hub/update-request", { method: "POST", authToken: token }));
+      setMsg({ type: "ok", text: "Update requested. Your provider has been told and will update the site." });
+    } catch (e) {
+      setMsg({ type: "err", text: errorMessage(e) || "The Hub could not be reached." });
+    } finally {
+      setBusy(false);
+    }
+  };
+
   if (!status) return msg ? <p className="text-sm text-red-700">{msg.text}</p> : <p className="text-sm text-gray-400">Loading…</p>;
   const st = STATE[status.state];
 
@@ -148,11 +162,20 @@ export function LicenceTab({ active }: { active: boolean }) {
       <div className="border rounded-xl p-4 text-sm">
         <div className="flex items-center gap-2 font-medium text-gray-900 mb-1"><ArrowUpCircle className="w-4 h-4" /> Version</div>
         <p>This site runs Cross Events <strong>{status.version}</strong>.{status.latestVersion && !status.updateAvailable && " It's up to date."}</p>
-        {status.updateAvailable && (
-          <p className="mt-1 text-brand-700">
-            Version {status.latestVersion} is available. On the server: <code className="bg-gray-100 px-1 rounded">bash scripts/deploy.sh v{status.latestVersion}</code>
+        {status.updateAvailable && (status.updateRequest ? (
+          <p className="mt-1 text-gray-600">
+            Version {status.latestVersion} is available. Update requested on {fmt(status.updateRequest.requestedAt)} — your provider will install it.
           </p>
-        )}
+        ) : (
+          <div className="mt-2 flex flex-wrap items-center gap-3">
+            <p className="text-brand-700">Version {status.latestVersion} is available.</p>
+            {status.connected && (
+              <button onClick={requestUpdate} disabled={busy} className="inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 px-3 py-1.5 rounded-lg bg-brand-600 text-white text-sm font-medium hover:bg-brand-700 disabled:opacity-50">
+                <ArrowUpCircle className="w-4 h-4" /> {busy ? "Requesting…" : "Request update"}
+              </button>
+            )}
+          </div>
+        ))}
       </div>
 
       {msg && <div className={`p-3 rounded-lg text-sm ${msg.type === "ok" ? "bg-green-50 text-green-800 border border-green-200" : "bg-red-50 text-red-800 border border-red-200"}`}>{msg.text}</div>}

frontend/src/components/shared/LicenceBanner.tsx

@@ -50,11 +50,12 @@ export function LicenceBanner() {
       </div>
     );
   }
-  if (status.updateAvailable) {
+  // Once an update has been requested there's nothing more for the admin to do.
+  if (status.updateAvailable && !status.updateRequest) {
     return (
       <div role="status" className="bg-brand-50 border-b border-brand-100 text-brand-800 text-sm px-4 py-2 flex items-center gap-2">
         <ArrowUpCircle className="w-4 h-4 shrink-0" />
-        <span>Cross Events {status.latestVersion} is available (this site runs {status.version}). {link}</span>
+        <span>Cross Events {status.latestVersion} is available (this site runs {status.version}). Request the update in {link}</span>
       </div>
     );
   }

frontend/src/content/help/site-settings.tsx

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import React from "react";
-import { Building2, Palette, Bell, Mail, Scale, MessageCircle, LayoutDashboard, Timer, Play, CreditCard, ArrowUpDown, KeyRound } from "lucide-react";
+import { Building2, Palette, Bell, Mail, Scale, MessageCircle, LayoutDashboard, Timer, Play, CreditCard, ArrowUpDown, KeyRound, ArrowUpCircle } from "lucide-react";
 import { GuideItem } from "@/components/shared/GuideItem";
 import type { HelpContent } from "./types";
 
@@ -156,6 +156,9 @@ export const siteSettingsHelpContent: HelpContent = {
             <GuideItem icon={Scale} title="Read-only" tone="gray">
               When a licence is suspended, revoked or past its grace period, nothing new can be added — no events, registrations or payments. Tickets for events people already paid for still scan, and all data can still be viewed and exported.
             </GuideItem>
+            <GuideItem icon={ArrowUpCircle} title="Updates" tone="brand">
+              When a new version is out, press Request update. Your provider is told and updates the site for you — there&apos;s nothing to run yourself.
+            </GuideItem>
           </div>
         </div>
       ),

package-lock.json

@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 {
   "name": "hope-events",
-  "version": "1.41.3",
+  "version": "1.42.0",
   "lockfileVersion": 3,
   "requires": true,
   "packages": {
     "": {
       "name": "hope-events",
-      "version": "1.41.3",
+      "version": "1.42.0",
       "license": "ISC",
       "devDependencies": {
         "@playwright/test": "^1.64.0",

package.json

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "hope-events",
-  "version": "1.41.3",
+  "version": "1.42.0",
   "main": "index.js",
   "scripts": {
     "dev:backend": "cd backend && npm run dev",