diff --git a/Package.swift b/Package.swift
index cd20cf2..cb03fec 100644
--- a/Package.swift
+++ b/Package.swift
@@ -21,7 +21,10 @@ let package = Package(
                 "GitKit",
                 .product(name: "Sparkle", package: "Sparkle"),
             ],
-            resources: [.copy("Resources/AppIcon.icns")]
+            resources: [
+                .copy("Resources/AppIcon.icns"),
+                .copy("Resources/CHANGELOG.md"),
+            ]
         ),
         // Full Xcode (XCTest / swift-testing) isn't installed, so the engine's
         // verification suite runs as a standalone executable harness instead.
diff --git a/Sources/Gitify/Model/AppDefaults.swift b/Sources/Gitify/Model/AppDefaults.swift
index 86bf9fd..9e2f078 100644
--- a/Sources/Gitify/Model/AppDefaults.swift
+++ b/Sources/Gitify/Model/AppDefaults.swift
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ enum AppDefaults {
 
     private static let terminalKey = "defaultTerminalBundleID"
     private static let editorKey = "defaultEditorBundleID"
+    private static let lastSeenVersionKey = "whatsNew.lastSeenVersion"
 
     // MARK: - Accessors
 
@@ -22,6 +23,12 @@ enum AppDefaults {
         set { UserDefaults.standard.set(newValue, forKey: editorKey) }
     }
 
+    /// The app version the user last saw the \u{201c}What\u{2019}s New\u{201d} sheet for.
+    static var lastSeenVersion: String? {
+        get { UserDefaults.standard.string(forKey: lastSeenVersionKey) }
+        set { UserDefaults.standard.set(newValue, forKey: lastSeenVersionKey) }
+    }
+
     /// Resolves a bundle identifier to an application URL, or `nil` if not installed.
     static func appURL(for bundleID: String) -> URL? {
         NSWorkspace.shared.urlsForApplications(withBundleIdentifier: bundleID).first
diff --git a/Sources/Gitify/Model/ChangelogParser.swift b/Sources/Gitify/Model/ChangelogParser.swift
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e0ea1b3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Sources/Gitify/Model/ChangelogParser.swift
@@ -0,0 +1,107 @@
+import Foundation
+
+/// A single release entry parsed from CHANGELOG.md.
+struct ReleaseEntry: Identifiable, Sendable {
+    let version: String
+    let date: String
+    let sections: [Section]
+
+    var id: String { version }
+
+    struct Section: Sendable {
+        let heading: String
+        let items: [String]
+    }
+}
+
+/// Parses a keep-a-changelog style CHANGELOG.md into structured release entries.
+enum ChangelogParser {
+
+    /// Parse the full changelog text and return releases in document order (newest first).
+    static func parse(_ text: String) -> [ReleaseEntry] {
+        let lines = text.components(separatedBy: "\n")
+        var entries: [ReleaseEntry] = []
+
+        var currentVersion: String?
+        var currentDate: String?
+        var currentSections: [ReleaseEntry.Section] = []
+        var currentHeading: String?
+        var currentItems: [String] = []
+
+        for line in lines {
+            // Release header: ## [1.12.0](url) (2026-06-30)
+            if line.hasPrefix("## [") {
+                // Flush previous entry
+                if let version = currentVersion, let date = currentDate {
+                    if let heading = currentHeading, !currentItems.isEmpty {
+                        currentSections.append(.init(heading: heading, items: currentItems))
+                    }
+                    entries.append(.init(version: version, date: date, sections: currentSections))
+                }
+
+                // Parse new header
+                let stripped = line.dropFirst(4) // remove "## ["
+                if let closeBracket = stripped.firstIndex(of: "]") {
+                    currentVersion = String(stripped[stripped.startIndex..<closeBracket])
+                } else {
+                    currentVersion = nil
+                }
+                // Date is in the last parentheses
+                if let lastOpen = line.lastIndex(of: "("),
+                   let lastClose = line.lastIndex(of: ")"),
+                   lastOpen < lastClose {
+                    let dateStart = line.index(after: lastOpen)
+                    currentDate = String(line[dateStart..<lastClose])
+                } else {
+                    currentDate = nil
+                }
+                currentSections = []
+                currentHeading = nil
+                currentItems = []
+                continue
+            }
+
+            // Section header: ### Features, ### Bug Fixes
+            if line.hasPrefix("### ") {
+                if let heading = currentHeading, !currentItems.isEmpty {
+                    currentSections.append(.init(heading: heading, items: currentItems))
+                }
+                currentHeading = String(line.dropFirst(4))
+                currentItems = []
+                continue
+            }
+
+            // Bullet item: * description ([#30](url)) ([hash](url))
+            if line.hasPrefix("* ") {
+                let cleaned = cleanItem(String(line.dropFirst(2)))
+                if !cleaned.isEmpty {
+                    currentItems.append(cleaned)
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        // Flush final entry
+        if let version = currentVersion, let date = currentDate {
+            if let heading = currentHeading, !currentItems.isEmpty {
+                currentSections.append(.init(heading: heading, items: currentItems))
+            }
+            entries.append(.init(version: version, date: date, sections: currentSections))
+        }
+
+        return entries
+    }
+
+    /// Strip markdown link references like ([#30](url)) and ([hash](url)) from an item.
+    private static func cleanItem(_ text: String) -> String {
+        // Remove patterns like ([#30](url)) and ([hash](url))
+        var result = text
+        // Pattern: ([ ... ]( ... ))  — parenthesised markdown links
+        while let openParen = result.range(of: " \\(\\[[^\\]]*\\]\\([^)]*\\)\\)", options: .regularExpression) {
+            result.removeSubrange(openParen)
+        }
+        result = result.trimmingCharacters(in: .whitespaces)
+        // Capitalize first letter for display.
+        guard let first = result.first else { return result }
+        return first.uppercased() + result.dropFirst()
+    }
+}
diff --git a/Sources/Gitify/Model/SparkleController.swift b/Sources/Gitify/Model/SparkleController.swift
index b10303f..6bfc526 100644
--- a/Sources/Gitify/Model/SparkleController.swift
+++ b/Sources/Gitify/Model/SparkleController.swift
@@ -4,22 +4,39 @@ import Sparkle
 ///
 /// `SPUStandardUpdaterController` must be created and used on the main thread,
 /// so the entire class is confined to `@MainActor`.
-@MainActor
+@MainActor @Observable
 final class SparkleController {
     private let updaterController: SPUStandardUpdaterController
+    private var observation: NSKeyValueObservation?
 
     /// Whether the \u{201c}Check for Updates\u{2026}\u{201d} menu item should be enabled.
-    var canCheckForUpdates: Bool {
-        updaterController.updater.canCheckForUpdates
-    }
+    private(set) var canCheckForUpdates = false
 
     init() {
+        let startUpdater: Bool
+        #if DEBUG
+        startUpdater = false
+        #else
+        startUpdater = true
+        #endif
+
         updaterController = SPUStandardUpdaterController(
-            startingUpdater: true,
+            startingUpdater: startUpdater,
             updaterDelegate: nil,
             userDriverDelegate: nil
         )
-        
+
+        guard startUpdater else { return }
+
+        observation = updaterController.updater.observe(
+            \.canCheckForUpdates,
+            options: [.initial, .new]
+        ) { [weak self] updater, _ in
+            MainActor.assumeIsolated {
+                self?.canCheckForUpdates = updater.canCheckForUpdates
+            }
+        }
+
         // Quiet check on launch; surfaces a prompt only if a newer version exists.
         updaterController.updater.checkForUpdatesInBackground()
     }
diff --git a/Sources/Gitify/Resources/CHANGELOG.md b/Sources/Gitify/Resources/CHANGELOG.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8f5bd23
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Sources/Gitify/Resources/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -0,0 +1,150 @@
+# Changelog
+
+## [1.12.0](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/compare/v1.11.0...v1.12.0) (2026-06-30)
+
+
+### Features
+
+* add image diff viewer ([#30](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/issues/30)) ([a3129f4](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/commit/a3129f4378918bc1dcd06f9aaa7b094518db1bde))
+
+## [1.11.0](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/compare/v1.10.0...v1.11.0) (2026-06-27)
+
+
+### Features
+
+* add "scan folders" to allow bulk import of repositories ([#28](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/issues/28)) ([94f2352](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/commit/94f2352dd6b5402f8f9ffe5fe5d2f8c5b7737a48))
+
+## [1.10.0](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/compare/v1.9.1...v1.10.0) (2026-06-24)
+
+
+### Features
+
+* add remote SSH git repository management ([#26](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/issues/26)) ([4fb4bf1](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/commit/4fb4bf13db9ec857ed3c10922edbcea5201b5cbf))
+
+## [1.9.1](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/compare/v1.9.0...v1.9.1) (2026-06-23)
+
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+* merge conflicts not visible when changes are staged ([#24](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/issues/24)) ([fa20ee4](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/commit/fa20ee49ca4cad67e2f875539b1e3df3891deddc))
+
+## [1.9.0](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/compare/v1.8.3...v1.9.0) (2026-06-20)
+
+
+### Features
+
+* add automerge ([#22](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/issues/22)) ([6b290b1](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/commit/6b290b14fee0e41208471fe5068692479abb725d))
+
+## [1.8.3](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/compare/v1.8.2...v1.8.3) (2026-06-20)
+
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+* add debugging to deployment script ([#20](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/issues/20)) ([556fed0](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/commit/556fed0268261e0115411126588383e4f76ca671))
+
+## [1.8.2](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/compare/v1.8.1...v1.8.2) (2026-06-20)
+
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+* access to sparkle key file ([#18](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/issues/18)) ([723f659](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/commit/723f6591ea18b14d3e24b7da08efed150c0b0f77))
+
+## [1.8.1](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/compare/v1.8.0...v1.8.1) (2026-06-20)
+
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+* download sparkle release as part of CI ([#16](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/issues/16)) ([251c71a](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/commit/251c71a3c5ab4b8fc3e3134e505d82f197affe97))
+
+## [1.8.0](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/compare/v1.7.0...v1.8.0) (2026-06-20)
+
+
+### Features
+
+* add sidebar push/pull buttons ([#13](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/issues/13)) ([308ef97](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/commit/308ef976c959ad7c7e734cc82d66904f1fb44287))
+* fix deploy issue ([#12](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/issues/12)) ([8ffc097](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/commit/8ffc097a181415b5c9b3274325f5b64215e4d7d6))
+
+## [1.7.0](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/compare/v1.6.0...v1.7.0) (2026-06-19)
+
+
+### Features
+
+* automatic software updates using sparkle ([#10](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/issues/10)) ([2276fe0](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/commit/2276fe007d87d82f7f23ad7b20c5156929081ea2))
+
+## [1.6.0](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/compare/v1.5.0...v1.6.0) (2026-06-19)
+
+
+### Features
+
+* liquid glass interface added ([#8](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/issues/8)) ([dc7ccff](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/commit/dc7ccff1fab3a1dd56574e19249fa822f10fa1a4))
+
+## [1.5.0](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/compare/v1.4.2...v1.5.0) (2026-06-19)
+
+
+### Features
+
+* continue and skip rebase ([06a5099](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/commit/06a5099a3e7b6a7e2f87d1ce515bc5ce5ba4ab2f))
+* continue and skip rebase ([#6](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/issues/6)) ([06a5099](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/commit/06a5099a3e7b6a7e2f87d1ce515bc5ce5ba4ab2f))
+
+## [1.4.2](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/compare/v1.4.1...v1.4.2) (2026-06-18)
+
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+* copy SwiftPM resource bundle into .app to prevent launch crash ([67e9d5b](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/commit/67e9d5bab42cb16b7815e8f0428a87d26f79be41))
+
+## [1.4.1](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/compare/v1.4.0...v1.4.1) (2026-06-18)
+
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+* versioning system ([f8899ee](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/commit/f8899eedd958da6b8bd5fee1c44f7f6fb8469305))
+
+## [1.4.0](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/compare/v1.3.0...v1.4.0) (2026-06-18)
+
+
+### Features
+
+* ability to remove repos from gitify ([ee1e39d](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/commit/ee1e39d2d1e96806fec9e1f3445eacc3ac09e35d))
+* add a push after merge option ([92295ee](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/commit/92295ee22d135dd8bd7266ec5e7afb893820db4e))
+* add merge rebase option if that merge error occurs ([09ebf84](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/commit/09ebf84698d513580ed7faad7e0ba2770cfc4cf3))
+* add next/previous arrows to scroll through conflicts in conflict editor ([f9f11f8](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/commit/f9f11f840b8388eb85ffa584ceb65eb417350ded))
+* add push/pull counter indicators to sidebar. ([b99c241](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/commit/b99c241718205da8543a303209724f668f808f9a))
+* Add tree view for remote branches. ([58a6b58](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/commit/58a6b5822ccd8aefc1b645386140e94099156de4))
+* commit inspect, commit context menu, overview stats, remote push, stash diff and conflict resolution ([735f4fb](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/commit/735f4fb22486f66176624eff2c71ed4c72e9efa0))
+* Markdown rendering of readme.md on overview page ([02c42c9](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/commit/02c42c94d55abb850aeb29b84e3b1c40babbe0f6))
+* Merge current branch to another branch ([11911fb](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/commit/11911fb25da85bb82529eab6b89a6b185d2470dd))
+* search filter and submodules ([e67ae2d](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/commit/e67ae2de92bd7ab5aea666d179096bb2ad449dd1))
+* sidebar status saved on exit and restored on start. ([6daa1e7](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/commit/6daa1e7f931a54c7b9e905b3a8cd9935a79a71ed))
+* syntax highlighting added in conflict editor ([92151d3](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/commit/92151d343942b0671c52c5aaf4e9374803e89760))
+
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+* commit diff layout not showing when files staged. ([a884ff8](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/commit/a884ff86c97d6b616cdecfddbc0c1d4fe7c6513e))
+* delete branch after merge conflict ([d9ed59b](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/commit/d9ed59bd85889737808bb33ef1d6ecc95a5d8a8a))
+* The merge with push was reloading the merge window. This is now fixed. ([75b7cf9](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/commit/75b7cf965081b2033c0cde859d8b9adc03eb3a4b))
+* warning banner header colour no longer spills into the sidebar. ([381abe0](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/commit/381abe0fdb978d8f0af8bbfd0a8fa3cb75aef012))
+
+## [1.3.0](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/compare/v1.2.0...v1.3.0) (2026-06-18)
+
+
+### Features
+
+* add a push after merge option ([92295ee](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/commit/92295ee22d135dd8bd7266ec5e7afb893820db4e))
+* add merge rebase option if that merge error occurs ([09ebf84](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/commit/09ebf84698d513580ed7faad7e0ba2770cfc4cf3))
+
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+* The merge with push was reloading the merge window. This is now fixed. ([75b7cf9](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/commit/75b7cf965081b2033c0cde859d8b9adc03eb3a4b))
+
+## [1.2.0](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/compare/v1.1.0...v1.2.0) (2026-06-18)
+
+
+### Features
+
+* ability to remove repos from gitify ([ee1e39d](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/commit/ee1e39d2d1e96806fec9e1f3445eacc3ac09e35d))
+* add next/previous arrows to scroll through conflicts in conflict editor ([f9f11f8](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/commit/f9f11f840b8388eb85ffa584ceb65eb417350ded))
+* add push/pull counter indicators to sidebar. ([b99c241](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/commit/b99c241718205da8543a303209724f668f808f9a))
+* syntax highlighting added in conflict editor ([92151d3](https://github.com/craigharman/gitify/commit/92151d343942b0671c52c5aaf4e9374803e89760))
diff --git a/Sources/Gitify/Views/RootView.swift b/Sources/Gitify/Views/RootView.swift
index 1ff0446..851472d 100644
--- a/Sources/Gitify/Views/RootView.swift
+++ b/Sources/Gitify/Views/RootView.swift
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import SwiftUI
 struct RootView: View {
     @Environment(AppModel.self) private var model
     @State private var showSSHServers = false
+    @State private var whatsNewEntries: WhatsNewContent?
 
     var body: some View {
         Group {
@@ -44,5 +45,26 @@ struct RootView: View {
             }
         }
         .sheet(isPresented: $showSSHServers) { SSHServersView(model: model) }
+        .sheet(item: $whatsNewEntries) { entries in
+            WhatsNewView(entries: entries.items)
+        }
+        .onChange(of: whatsNewEntries?.id) { old, new in
+            if old != nil, new == nil {
+                AppDefaults.lastSeenVersion = currentAppVersion
+            }
+        }
+        .task {
+            let version = currentAppVersion
+            guard version != AppDefaults.lastSeenVersion else { return }
+            guard let url = Bundle.module.url(forResource: "CHANGELOG", withExtension: "md"),
+                  let text = try? String(contentsOf: url, encoding: .utf8) else { return }
+            let entries = ChangelogParser.parse(text)
+            guard !entries.isEmpty else { return }
+            whatsNewEntries = WhatsNewContent(items: entries)
+        }
+    }
+
+    private var currentAppVersion: String {
+        Bundle.main.infoDictionary?["CFBundleShortVersionString"] as? String ?? "0"
     }
 }
diff --git a/Sources/Gitify/Views/WhatsNewView.swift b/Sources/Gitify/Views/WhatsNewView.swift
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9657ae6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Sources/Gitify/Views/WhatsNewView.swift
@@ -0,0 +1,113 @@
+import SwiftUI
+
+/// Wrapper to satisfy `Identifiable` for the `sheet(item:)` API.
+struct WhatsNewContent: Identifiable {
+    let id = UUID()
+    let items: [ReleaseEntry]
+}
+
+/// Shows release notes for the current version and recent prior releases.
+struct WhatsNewView: View {
+    let entries: [ReleaseEntry]
+    @Environment(\.dismiss) private var dismiss
+
+    var body: some View {
+        VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 0) {
+            header
+            Divider()
+            scrollContent
+            Divider()
+            footer
+        }
+        .frame(width: 520, height: 480)
+    }
+
+    // MARK: - Header
+
+    private var header: some View {
+        HStack(spacing: 14) {
+            Image(systemName: "sparkles")
+                .font(.system(size: 30))
+                .foregroundStyle(.tint)
+                .frame(width: 44, height: 44)
+            VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 4) {
+                if let latest = entries.first {
+                    Text("What\u{2019}s New in \(latest.version)")
+                        .font(.title2.bold())
+                    Text(latest.date)
+                        .foregroundStyle(.secondary)
+                } else {
+                    Text("What\u{2019}s New")
+                        .font(.title2.bold())
+                }
+            }
+            Spacer()
+        }
+        .padding(24)
+    }
+
+    // MARK: - Scrollable content
+
+    private var scrollContent: some View {
+        ScrollView {
+            VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 20) {
+                // Latest release
+                if let latest = entries.first {
+                    releaseSection(latest)
+                }
+
+                // Recent updates (up to 3 prior releases)
+                let recent = Array(entries.dropFirst().prefix(3))
+                if !recent.isEmpty {
+                    Text("Recent Updates")
+                        .font(.title3.bold())
+                        .padding(.top, 4)
+
+                    ForEach(recent) { entry in
+                        VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 8) {
+                            HStack(alignment: .firstTextBaseline) {
+                                Text(entry.version).font(.headline)
+                                Text(entry.date).font(.caption).foregroundStyle(.secondary)
+                            }
+                            releaseSection(entry)
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+            .padding(24)
+            .frame(maxWidth: .infinity, alignment: .leading)
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Renders the sections (Features, Bug Fixes, etc.) for a single release.
+    private func releaseSection(_ entry: ReleaseEntry) -> some View {
+        VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 12) {
+            ForEach(Array(entry.sections.enumerated()), id: \.offset) { _, section in
+                VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 6) {
+                    Label(section.heading, systemImage: section.heading.lowercased().contains("fix") ? "ladybug" : "star")
+                        .font(.subheadline.bold())
+                        .foregroundStyle(section.heading.lowercased().contains("fix") ? .orange : .blue)
+
+                    ForEach(section.items, id: \.self) { item in
+                        HStack(alignment: .top, spacing: 8) {
+                            Text("\u{2022}").foregroundStyle(.secondary)
+                            Text(item)
+                        }
+                        .padding(.leading, 20)
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    // MARK: - Footer
+
+    private var footer: some View {
+        HStack {
+            Spacer()
+            Button("Continue") { dismiss() }
+                .keyboardShortcut(.defaultAction)
+        }
+        .padding(24)
+    }
+}
diff --git a/scripts/build-app.sh b/scripts/build-app.sh
index 8010335..6dc9490 100755
--- a/scripts/build-app.sh
+++ b/scripts/build-app.sh
@@ -9,6 +9,9 @@ CONFIG="${1:-release}"
 ROOT="$(cd "$(dirname "$0")/.." && pwd)"
 APP="${ROOT}/build/Gitify.app"
 
+# Keep the bundled changelog in sync with the repo root copy.
+cp "${ROOT}/CHANGELOG.md" "${ROOT}/Sources/Gitify/Resources/CHANGELOG.md"
+
 echo "==> Building Gitify (${CONFIG})"
 swift build --product Gitify -c "${CONFIG}"