JUhalt · Sep 28, 2026 · Sep 28, 2026 · Sep 28, 2026
diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -2,9 +2,9 @@
 
 All notable changes to PaperRoute Tracker will be documented here.
 
-## [Unreleased] — v0.7 Deadline Center
+## [0.7.0] - 2026-09-28
 
-v0.7.0-rc.1 is available on the Preview channel. Development is tracked in [PR #78](https://github.com/JUhalt/PaperRoute-Tracker/pull/78) and the [v0.7 milestone](https://github.com/JUhalt/PaperRoute-Tracker/milestone/9).
+PaperRoute v0.7.0 — **Deadline Center** — was released on September 28, 2026 from [PR #78](https://github.com/JUhalt/PaperRoute-Tracker/pull/78), after the v0.7.0-rc.1 Preview. Certification is recorded in [#79](https://github.com/JUhalt/PaperRoute-Tracker/issues/79). v0.7 upgrades the library to Schema 7.
 
 ### Added
 
@@ -23,6 +23,9 @@ v0.7.0-rc.1 is available on the Preview channel. Development is tracked in [PR #
 
 - Revision deadlines now name their journal on the Deadlines page and in calendar exports.
 - The **First deadline** date in Add Manuscript shows in full at 150% display scaling ([#76](https://github.com/JUhalt/PaperRoute-Tracker/issues/76)).
+- The update prompt opens on **Download & Restart** instead of with its release notes selected.
+- About PaperRoute scales with the display instead of clipping its text at 150%, and describes PaperRoute in its one-line description.
+- Check for Publications says there is nothing to check yet when the library is empty, instead of that everything is already published.
 
 ## [0.6.0] - 2026-09-27
 

diff --git a/ManualCertification/V04Demo/Program.cs b/ManualCertification/V04Demo/Program.cs
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ private static void Main(string[] args)
             return;
         }
 
-        var surfaces = new[] { "vault", "readiness", "packet", "packet-new", "file", "file-new", "notes", "submission", "responses", "workflow", "board", "publications", "fill" };
+        var surfaces = new[] { "vault", "readiness", "packet", "packet-new", "file", "file-new", "notes", "submission", "responses", "workflow", "board", "publications", "fill", "about" };
         var positional = args.Where(argument => !argument.StartsWith("--")).ToArray();
         var surface = positional.FirstOrDefault()?.ToLowerInvariant() ?? "vault";
         var minimum = args.Contains("--minimum", StringComparer.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
@@ -78,6 +78,14 @@ private static void Main(string[] args)
                 return;
             }
 
+            if (surface == "about")
+            {
+                using var about = new AboutForm();
+                ConfigureDisplayEvidence(about, primary);
+                about.ShowDialog();
+                return;
+            }
+
             if (surface == "publications" || surface == "fill")
             {
                 using var check = PublicationDemo.Create(surface);

diff --git a/ManuscriptPipeline/Forms/AboutForm.vb b/ManuscriptPipeline/Forms/AboutForm.vb
@@ -23,6 +23,9 @@ Namespace Forms
             Me.FormBorderStyle = FormBorderStyle.FixedDialog
             Me.MaximizeBox = False
             Me.MinimizeBox = False
+            ' Sizes below are at 96 DPI and scale with the display; without the
+            ' base dimensions the text grew at 150% but the dialog did not.
+            Me.AutoScaleDimensions = New SizeF(96.0F, 96.0F)
             Me.ClientSize = New Size(640, 410)
             Me.Font = New Font("Segoe UI", 10.0F)
             Me.AutoScaleMode = AutoScaleMode.Dpi
@@ -92,7 +95,7 @@ Namespace Forms
 
             Dim lblDescription As New Label With {
                 .Text =
-                    "Track manuscripts from idea through submission, peer review, revision, publication—or the File Drawer—while keeping your workflow data on your own computer." &
+                    ProductInfo.Description &
                     Environment.NewLine & Environment.NewLine &
                     "Open source • Local first • Built for academic publishing workflows.",
                 .Dock = DockStyle.Fill,

diff --git a/ManuscriptPipeline/Forms/PublicationCheckForm.vb b/ManuscriptPipeline/Forms/PublicationCheckForm.vb
@@ -197,7 +197,9 @@ Namespace Forms
 
             If _eligible.Count = 0 Then
                 lstManuscripts.Enabled = False
-                lblSelected.Text = "Every manuscript is already on the Published shelf."
+                lblSelected.Text = If(_library.Count = 0,
+                                      "Add a manuscript first; there is nothing to check yet.",
+                                      "Every manuscript is already on the Published shelf.")
             End If
 
             UpdateSelection()

diff --git a/ManuscriptPipeline/Forms/UpdatePromptForm.vb b/ManuscriptPipeline/Forms/UpdatePromptForm.vb
@@ -123,6 +123,15 @@ Namespace Forms
 
             Me.AcceptButton = btnInstall
             Me.CancelButton = btnLater
+
+            ' The notes box is first in tab order, and a text box that takes
+            ' focus on opening selects all its text. Start on the default
+            ' button instead, with nothing selected.
+            AddHandler Me.Shown,
+                Sub(sender, e)
+                    Me.ActiveControl = btnInstall
+                    txtNotes.Select(0, 0)
+                End Sub
             Me.Controls.Add(root)
 
         End Sub

diff --git a/ManuscriptPipeline/ManuscriptPipeline.vbproj b/ManuscriptPipeline/ManuscriptPipeline.vbproj
@@ -1,15 +1,15 @@
 <Project Sdk="Microsoft.NET.Sdk">
 
   <PropertyGroup>
-    <Version>0.7.0-rc.1</Version>
+    <Version>0.7.0</Version>
     <AssemblyVersion>0.7.0.0</AssemblyVersion>
     <FileVersion>0.7.0.0</FileVersion>
     <AssemblyName>PaperRouteTracker</AssemblyName>
     <RootNamespace>ManuscriptPipeline</RootNamespace>
     <Product>PaperRoute Tracker</Product>
     <Title>PaperRoute Tracker</Title>
     <Authors>Joshua Uhalt</Authors>
-    <Description>Local-first academic manuscript tracking for researchers.</Description>
+    <Description>Local-first, privacy-focused app for tracking academic manuscripts from draft through submission, revision, and publication.</Description>
     <ApplicationIcon>Assets\PaperRoute.ico</ApplicationIcon>
     <Company>PaperRoute</Company>
     <Copyright>Copyright © Joshua Uhalt 2026</Copyright>

diff --git a/ManuscriptPipeline/Services/ProductInfo.vb b/ManuscriptPipeline/Services/ProductInfo.vb
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ Namespace Services
         Public Const DisplayName As String = "PaperRoute"
         Public Const ProductName As String = "PaperRoute Tracker"
         Public Const Tagline As String = "Track • Submit • Publish"
-        Public Const Description As String = "Local-first academic manuscript tracking for researchers."
+        Public Const Description As String = "Local-first, privacy-focused app for tracking academic manuscripts from draft through submission, revision, and publication."
 
         ' Current PaperRoute storage names.
         Public Const DataFolderName As String = "PaperRoute"

diff --git a/PaperRoute.Tests/UiTextMnemonicTests.vb b/PaperRoute.Tests/UiTextMnemonicTests.vb
@@ -53,6 +53,37 @@ Public Class UiTextMnemonicTests
 
     End Sub
 
+    ' Found while certifying v0.7.0-rc.1: the update prompt opened with its
+    ' release notes all selected.
+    <TestMethod>
+    Public Sub UpdatePrompt_OpensOnItsDefaultButtonWithNothingSelected()
+
+        Dim failure As Exception = Nothing
+        Dim thread As New Threading.Thread(
+            Sub()
+                Try
+                    Using prompt As New UpdatePromptForm("0.6.0", "0.7.0", "Stable", "First line." & Environment.NewLine & "Second line.")
+                        prompt.StartPosition = FormStartPosition.Manual
+                        prompt.Location = New Drawing.Point(-20000, -20000)
+                        prompt.ShowInTaskbar = False
+                        prompt.Show()
+                        Application.DoEvents()
+                        Dim notes As TextBox = Descendants(prompt).OfType(Of TextBox)().Single()
+                        Assert.AreEqual(0, notes.SelectionLength, "No text is selected.")
+                        Assert.AreEqual("Download & Restart", prompt.ActiveControl.Text.Replace("&&", "&"))
+                        prompt.Close()
+                    End Using
+                Catch ex As Exception
+                    failure = ex
+                End Try
+            End Sub)
+        thread.SetApartmentState(Threading.ApartmentState.STA)
+        thread.Start()
+        thread.Join()
+        If failure IsNot Nothing Then Runtime.ExceptionServices.ExceptionDispatchInfo.Capture(failure).Throw()
+
+    End Sub
+
     ' #71: names typed by the user keep their ampersands in dialogs.
     <TestMethod>
     Public Sub DialogsShowUserDataWithLiteralAmpersands()

diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
@@ -8,20 +8,24 @@
 [![Latest Release](https://img.shields.io/github/v/release/JUhalt/PaperRoute-Tracker)](https://github.com/JUhalt/PaperRoute-Tracker/releases/latest)
 [![License: GPL-3.0-only](https://img.shields.io/badge/License-GPL--3.0--only-blue.svg)](LICENSE.txt)
 
-**A local-first academic manuscript tracker for researchers.**
+**Local-first, privacy-focused app for tracking academic manuscripts from draft through submission, revision, and publication.**
 
 > **Track • Submit • Publish**
 
 PaperRoute Tracker helps researchers manage manuscripts from idea through submission, peer review, revision, publication—or the File Drawer—without requiring an account or sending the core workflow database to a cloud service.
 
 ## Current status
 
-- **Stable:** [v0.6.0 — Workspace](https://github.com/JUhalt/PaperRoute-Tracker/releases/tag/v0.6.0) brings PaperRoute into one main window with pages, a tabbed page for each manuscript with a single save step, and a calmer card-based design, with no change to your library. See the [release notes](docs/releases/0.6.0.md) and the [user guide](docs/USER_GUIDE.md).
-- **Preview:** [v0.7.0-rc.1 — Deadline Center](https://github.com/JUhalt/PaperRoute-Tracker/releases/tag/v0.7.0-rc.1) replaces Reminders with a **Deadlines** page for everything that needs action, and when, and adds a user-initiated **publication check**. It upgrades the library to Schema 7; read the [release notes](docs/releases/0.7.0-rc.1.md) and [upgrade notes](UPGRADE_NOTES.md) before trying it.
+- **Stable:** [v0.7.0 — Deadline Center](https://github.com/JUhalt/PaperRoute-Tracker/releases/tag/v0.7.0) puts everything that needs action, and when, on one **Deadlines** page, and adds a **publication check** that runs only when you ask. See the [release notes](docs/releases/0.7.0.md) and the [user guide](docs/USER_GUIDE.md).
+- **Next:** [v0.8 — Route Analytics & Reports](https://github.com/JUhalt/PaperRoute-Tracker/milestone/10): your own journal history, route statistics, shareable reports, and work types and tags.
 
-v0.6 uses the same Schema 6 library as v0.5, so upgrading from v0.5 changes no data. v0.7 moves the library to Schema 7, which v0.6 cannot open, so keep a backup made with v0.6 first. The [upgrade notes](UPGRADE_NOTES.md) explain the save and compatibility boundaries.
+v0.7 moves the library to Schema 7, which v0.6 cannot open, so keep a backup made with v0.6 before upgrading. The [upgrade notes](UPGRADE_NOTES.md) explain the save and compatibility boundaries.
 
-**New to PaperRoute?** Start with the [PaperRoute User Guide](https://github.com/JUhalt/PaperRoute-Tracker/blob/v0.6.0/docs/USER_GUIDE.md) for a Quick Start, feature tour, and task-oriented "How do I...?" reference.
+**New to PaperRoute?** Start with the [PaperRoute User Guide](https://github.com/JUhalt/PaperRoute-Tracker/blob/v0.7.0/docs/USER_GUIDE.md) for a Quick Start, feature tour, and task-oriented "How do I...?" reference.
+
+<p align="center">
+  <img src="docs/images/board.png" width="860" alt="The PaperRoute board: pipeline cards with stage, what needs attention, target journal, and each manuscript's route so far (fictional sample data)">
+</p>
 
 ## What PaperRoute does
 
@@ -33,6 +37,10 @@ v0.6 uses the same Schema 6 library as v0.5, so upgrading from v0.5 changes no d
 - **Visual Route View** showing submissions, decisions, revisions, and reroutes in order.
 - **Version History** with immutable managed snapshots, linked files, or metadata-only versions associated with submissions, decisions, and revision rounds.
 
+<p align="center">
+  <img src="docs/images/deadlines.png" width="860" alt="The Deadlines page: overdue, today, next 7 days, later, and undated items, each with its own actions (fictional sample data)">
+</p>
+
 ### Prepare and submit
 
 - **Journal submission history** with manuscript numbers, dates, notes, and publisher portal links.
@@ -188,8 +196,8 @@ PaperRoute is an independent, open-source project. Its implementation, local-fir
 | --- | --- | --- |
 | **Released** | v0.5 — Reviewer Response Workflow | Response matrix, drafting, and Markdown export |
 | **Released** | v0.6 — Workspace | One window, manuscript pages, one save step, calmer design |
-| **Preview** | [v0.7 — Deadline Center](https://github.com/JUhalt/PaperRoute-Tracker/milestone/9) | Everything that needs action, and when; the publication check |
-| **Then** | [v0.8 — Route Analytics & Reports](https://github.com/JUhalt/PaperRoute-Tracker/milestone/10) | Your own turnaround data, route and status reports, types and tags |
+| **Released** | v0.7 — Deadline Center | Everything that needs action, and when; the publication check |
+| **Now** | [v0.8 — Route Analytics & Reports](https://github.com/JUhalt/PaperRoute-Tracker/milestone/10) | Your own turnaround data, route and status reports, types and tags |
 | | [v0.9 — 1.0 Hardening](https://github.com/JUhalt/PaperRoute-Tracker/milestone/11) | Onboarding, accessibility, recovery, certification |
 | **Goal** | [v1.0 — Trusted Research Workflow](https://github.com/JUhalt/PaperRoute-Tracker/milestone/12) | "I trust this application with my research workflow." |
 

diff --git a/ROADMAP.md b/ROADMAP.md
@@ -52,8 +52,8 @@ Targets are directional rather than promises. Data integrity, migrations, backup
 | **v0.4** | Submission Readiness ✅ | What exactly am I preparing and sending to this journal? |
 | **v0.5** | Reviewer Response Workflow ✅ | What did the journal ask me to change, and how am I responding? |
 | **v0.6** | Workspace UI ✅ | Can I find and act on everything from one calm, uncluttered workspace? |
-| **v0.7** | **Deadline Center — active** | What requires action, and when? |
-| **v0.8** | Route Analytics & Reports | What does this publication journey show me—and how can I communicate it? |
+| **v0.7** | Deadline Center ✅ | What requires action, and when? |
+| **v0.8** | **Route Analytics & Reports — next** | What does this publication journey show me—and how can I communicate it? |
 | **v0.9** | 1.0 Hardening | Is the entire workflow polished, resilient, and certifiable? |
 | **v1.0** | Trusted Research Workflow | Would I trust this with my real publication pipeline? |
 
@@ -275,7 +275,7 @@ PaperRoute v0.6.0 was released on September 27, 2026 from [PR #75](https://githu
 
 ---
 
-# ACTIVE — v0.7 Deadline Center
+## COMPLETE — v0.7 Deadline Center
 
 Milestone: **[v0.7.0 — Deadline Center](https://github.com/JUhalt/PaperRoute-Tracker/milestone/9)**
 
@@ -299,7 +299,7 @@ Planned slices, tracked in the v0.7 integration PR:
 4. **Carry-over:** [#76](https://github.com/JUhalt/PaperRoute-Tracker/issues/76).
 5. **Certification and release.** Preview, then Stable, using the v0.6 procedure: in-app updater only, an unlocked host for VM checks, and snapshots before each VM step.
 
-Slices 1–4 are complete in [PR #78](https://github.com/JUhalt/PaperRoute-Tracker/pull/78). v0.7.0-rc.1 is the Preview candidate; certification is tracked in the v0.7 release-certification issue.
+PaperRoute v0.7.0 was released on September 28, 2026 from [PR #78](https://github.com/JUhalt/PaperRoute-Tracker/pull/78), after the v0.7.0-rc.1 Preview. It moved the library to Schema 7 with a marker-only upgrade. Certification (published-asset verification, an installed v0.6.0 upgraded through the live Preview updater with byte-identical data files, clean installation, and the live Stable updater) is recorded in [#79](https://github.com/JUhalt/PaperRoute-Tracker/issues/79).
 
 ---
 

diff --git a/UPGRADE_NOTES.md b/UPGRADE_NOTES.md
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ Use **Settings → Backup Library...** to create a portable backup. In v0.5 and
 
 ## Moving from v0.6 to v0.7
 
-PaperRoute v0.7 replaces the Reminders page with **Deadlines** and adds the publication check. It upgrades the library to **Schema 7**, which remembers possible publications you have reviewed.
+PaperRoute v0.7 replaces the Reminders page with **Deadlines** and adds the publication check. **v0.7.0 is the current Stable release.** It upgrades the library to **Schema 7**, which remembers possible publications you have reviewed.
 
 Before upgrading, create a portable ZIP backup with v0.6 (**Settings → Backup Library...**) and keep it separately.
 
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ After upgrading:
 
 ## Moving from v0.5 to v0.6
 
-PaperRoute v0.6 changes where things live and how they look. **v0.6.0 is the current Stable release.** It does **not** migrate your data: the library stays on **Schema 6**, so v0.5 can still open a library that v0.6 has used, and portable backups made by either version restore in both. A backup before upgrading is still a sensible precaution.
+PaperRoute v0.6 changes where things live and how they look. It does **not** migrate your data: the library stays on **Schema 6**, so v0.5 can still open a library that v0.6 has used, and portable backups made by either version restore in both. A backup before upgrading is still a sensible precaution.
 
 What to expect after upgrading:
 

diff --git a/docs/USER_GUIDE.md b/docs/USER_GUIDE.md
@@ -862,16 +862,14 @@ PaperRoute ships a local copy of this guide. Open it with **Help** at the bottom
 
 ---
 
-## What Comes After v0.5?
+## What Comes Next?
 
-The Route, Version History, readiness profiles, submission packets, and reviewer responses form one connected manuscript record. Later releases build on that record:
+The Route, Version History, readiness profiles, submission packets, reviewer responses, and Deadlines form one connected manuscript record. Later releases build on that record:
 
-- **v0.6 — Workspace UI:** one main window with pages for the Board, Library, Journals, Reminders (now Deadlines), and Import & Export; each manuscript opens as a tabbed page with a single Save / Discard step; a calmer card-based design; and faster Add Manuscript from a pasted title page.
-- **v0.7 — Deadline Center:** richer action and deadline management, plus user-initiated checks for publications and missing metadata.
-- **v0.8 — Route Analytics & Reports:** timing analytics, your history with each journal, printable route and pipeline-status reports, and work types and tags.
+- **v0.8 — Route Analytics & Reports:** your own history with each journal, route statistics from recorded dates, printable route and pipeline-status reports, and work types and tags.
 - **v0.9 — 1.0 Hardening:** guided onboarding, accessibility, consistency, recovery, and release certification.
 
-Optional AI assistance for extracting reviewer actions remains a proposal for after 1.0. Planned releases are directional and may change; see the [roadmap](https://github.com/JUhalt/PaperRoute-Tracker/blob/master/ROADMAP.md).
+Planned releases are directional and may change; see the [roadmap](https://github.com/JUhalt/PaperRoute-Tracker/blob/master/ROADMAP.md).
 
 The in-app `?` guidance is intentionally reusable so a future guided tutorial can teach the same concepts without maintaining a second vocabulary.
 

diff --git a/docs/images/board.png b/docs/images/board.png
diff --git a/docs/images/deadlines.png b/docs/images/deadlines.png