Show reconnect prompt after client update reload

client/public/changelog.json

@@ -3,6 +3,8 @@
     {
       "date": "February 22, 2026",
       "items": [
+        "Added volume adjustment for other users. Press left or right arrow from the user list.",
+        "Improved handling of audio streams so only nearby ones will be loaded, saves a ton of bandwidth.",
         "Moved Use item to Enter Key instead of u, moved speak users to U from Shift U.",
         "Added up/down arrows and page up/page down for numeric field adjustment.",
         "Added user volume control and calibration.",

client/public/version.js

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 // Maintainer-controlled web client version.
 // Format: YYYY.MM.DD Rn (example: 2026.02.20 R2)
-window.CHGRID_WEB_VERSION = "2026.02.22 R178";
+window.CHGRID_WEB_VERSION = "2026.02.22 R179";
 // Optional display timezone for timestamps. Falls back to America/Detroit if unset/invalid.
 window.CHGRID_TIME_ZONE = "America/Detroit";

client/src/main.ts

@@ -596,6 +596,12 @@ function reloadClientForVersion(version: string): void {
   window.location.replace(nextUrl.toString());
 }
 
+/** Returns true when this page load came from the version-mismatch reload flow. */
+function isVersionReloadedSession(): boolean {
+  const params = new URLSearchParams(window.location.search);
+  return params.has('v') && params.has('t');
+}
+
 /** Appends a chat/system line to the bounded status history buffer. */
 function pushChatMessage(message: string): void {
   messageBuffer.push(message);
@@ -2284,4 +2290,8 @@ if (storedNickname) {
 }
 updateConnectAvailability();
 updateDeviceSummary();
-updateStatus('Welcome to the Chat Grid. Press the Settings button to configure your audio, then Connect to join the grid.');
+updateStatus(
+  isVersionReloadedSession()
+    ? 'Client updated, please reconnect.'
+    : 'Welcome to the Chat Grid. Press the Settings button to configure your audio, then Connect to join the grid.',
+);