What is installed

• Application: %LOCALAPPDATA%\OldGodsCompanion\App
• Shortcuts: Desktop and Start Menu
• Uninstaller: Windows Settings > Apps > Installed apps
• Updates: checked at startup and with Check Updates

Build an unsigned test release

Run from the repository root and increase the version for every release:

powershell.exe -NoProfile -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File OldGodsCompanion\scripts\Publish-OldGodsCompanion.ps1 -PackageDownloads -Version 1.1.0

Deploy artifacts\oldgods-companion-publish\server to IIS.

Configure code signing

Purchase an Authenticode certificate from a trusted certificate authority and install the Windows 10/11 SDK signing tools. Keep the certificate and password outside Git. Signing helps Windows identify the publisher, but SmartScreen reputation can still take time to develop.

PFX certificate

$env:OLDGODS_SIGNING_PASSWORD = "your-PFX-password"
powershell.exe -NoProfile -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File OldGodsCompanion\scripts\Publish-OldGodsCompanion.ps1 -PackageDownloads -Version 1.1.0 -SigningCertificatePath "C:\secure\OldGodsCodeSigning.pfx"
Remove-Item Env:\OLDGODS_SIGNING_PASSWORD

Certificate-store thumbprint

powershell.exe -NoProfile -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File OldGodsCompanion\scripts\Publish-OldGodsCompanion.ps1 -PackageDownloads -Version 1.1.0 -SigningCertificateThumbprint "YOUR_CERTIFICATE_THUMBPRINT"

The script signs and verifies the desktop EXE and installer EXE before calculating package hashes.

Deployment checks

1. Deploy the complete generated server folder.
2. Confirm /downloads/manifest.json returns HTTP 200.
3. Confirm its versioned installer and Windows ZIP URLs return HTTP 200.
4. Check the installer Properties > Digital Signatures tab.
5. Install and confirm the app is listed in Windows Installed apps.

Update smoke test

1. Install a lower version.
2. Publish a higher version and deploy the new manifest and files.
3. Reopen the old app and confirm Install Update appears.
4. Install the update and confirm the app closes, updates, and relaunches.
5. Confirm the new version reports current.