feat(engine): one-shot What's-new card after updates (Phase I)

ObtainX updates install silently, so shipped features went unnoticed.
On the first launch where the running release differs from the new
Settings::last_seen_whats_new, a dismissible card summarises the
latest CHANGELOG.md section (embedded; its top version doubles as the
app's release identity — no build-time version plumbing). Internal
sections are dropped and bullets reduce to their bold lead sentence.

Launch beat: splash -> onboarding (first run) -> what's-new -> Home;
spawn_home_on_launch waits on the new WhatsNewPending resource. Fresh
installs never see the card — onboarding completion stamps the current
version silently. The seen-stamp persists on spawn, not dismissal, so
the card can never nag twice.

8 new tests (changelog parsing incl. the real embedded file, upgrade/
seen/fresh-install gating, dismissal). Workspace + clippy green.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Fable 5 <noreply@anthropic.com>

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -6,6 +6,36 @@ project follows [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/).
 
 ## [Unreleased]
 
+## [0.46.0] — 2026-07-13
+
+### Added
+
+- **Theme-store previews.** The store modal now shows each theme's
+  preview image next to its name — the server has advertised them since
+  the store launched; the client finally fetches them. Thumbnails load
+  in the background, pop in as they arrive, and are remembered for the
+  session. (#179)
+- **Hint ghost preview.** Asking for a hint now also plays a translucent
+  copy of the suggested card gliding to its destination (twice, then it
+  fades) alongside the usual highlights — you see the move, not just the
+  pieces. Automatically disabled when reduce-motion is on. (#179)
+
+### Changed
+
+- **One toast style, one place.** Queued info banners and instant
+  celebration/warning/error toasts now share a single bottom-anchored
+  stack that clears the touch action bar; simultaneous toasts stack
+  upward instead of overlapping. (#178)
+
+### Fixed
+
+- **Touch onboarding copy.** The how-to-play slide no longer tells touch
+  players to left/right-click; it now describes drag, double-tap, and
+  the bottom-bar Hint button. (#178)
+- **First launch shows one screen at a time.** On a fresh install the
+  Home screen no longer spawns underneath the welcome tour; the order is
+  now onboarding → Home → table. (#178)
+
 ## [0.45.0] — 2026-07-13
 
 ### Added

solitaire_data/src/settings.rs

@@ -257,6 +257,14 @@ pub struct Settings {
     /// deserialize cleanly to `GameMode::Classic` via `#[serde(default)]`.
     #[serde(default)]
     pub last_mode: GameMode,
+    /// The release version whose "What's new" card the player has already
+    /// seen (e.g. `"0.46.0"`). Empty on installs that predate the card,
+    /// which correctly reads as "there is news to show" after an upgrade;
+    /// fresh installs stamp it silently when onboarding completes. Older
+    /// `settings.json` files deserialize cleanly to `""` via
+    /// `#[serde(default)]`.
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub last_seen_whats_new: String,
     /// Custom public name displayed on the leaderboard. When `None`, the
     /// player's server `username` is used instead. Trimmed to 32 characters
     /// before submission. Older `settings.json` files written before this
@@ -425,6 +433,7 @@ impl Default for Settings {
             replay_move_interval_secs: default_replay_move_interval_secs(),
             last_difficulty: None,
             last_mode: GameMode::Classic,
+            last_seen_whats_new: String::new(),
             leaderboard_display_name: None,
             leaderboard_opted_in: false,
             take_from_foundation: true,

solitaire_data/src/theme_store_client.rs

@@ -19,6 +19,10 @@ use thiserror::Error;
 /// so downloading it is pure waste.
 pub const MAX_THEME_DOWNLOAD_BYTES: u64 = 20 * 1024 * 1024;
 
+/// Hard cap on a preview PNG download — previews are small decorative
+/// thumbnails; anything past this is a misconfigured server.
+pub const MAX_PREVIEW_BYTES: u64 = 512 * 1024;
+
 /// Errors surfaced by [`ThemeStoreClient`].
 #[derive(Debug, Error)]
 pub enum ThemeStoreError {
@@ -110,6 +114,42 @@ impl ThemeStoreClient {
         verify_archive(&bytes, entry)?;
         Ok(bytes.to_vec())
     }
+
+    /// Fetch the preview PNG the catalog advertises for `entry`.
+    ///
+    /// Returns `Http(404)` when the entry carries no `preview_url` —
+    /// the same shape the server answers with when the file is absent,
+    /// so callers only handle one "no preview" case. Previews are
+    /// decorative; unlike archives they carry no checksum, only the
+    /// [`MAX_PREVIEW_BYTES`] size cap.
+    pub async fn fetch_preview(
+        &self,
+        entry: &ThemeCatalogEntry,
+    ) -> Result<Vec<u8>, ThemeStoreError> {
+        let Some(path) = entry.preview_url.as_deref() else {
+            return Err(ThemeStoreError::Http(404));
+        };
+        let resp = self
+            .client
+            .get(format!("{}{}", self.base_url, path))
+            .send()
+            .await
+            .map_err(|e| ThemeStoreError::Network(e.to_string()))?;
+        if !resp.status().is_success() {
+            return Err(ThemeStoreError::Http(resp.status().as_u16()));
+        }
+        let bytes = resp
+            .bytes()
+            .await
+            .map_err(|e| ThemeStoreError::Network(e.to_string()))?;
+        if bytes.len() as u64 > MAX_PREVIEW_BYTES {
+            return Err(ThemeStoreError::Oversized {
+                expected: MAX_PREVIEW_BYTES,
+                got: bytes.len() as u64,
+            });
+        }
+        Ok(bytes.to_vec())
+    }
 }
 
 /// Checks downloaded `bytes` against the catalog `entry`'s declared

solitaire_engine/src/animation_plugin.rs

@@ -29,7 +29,9 @@ use crate::events::{
 use crate::game_plugin::GameMutation;
 use crate::layout::LayoutResource;
 use crate::pause_plugin::PausedResource;
+use crate::platform::USE_TOUCH_UI_LAYOUT;
 use crate::progress_plugin::LevelUpEvent;
+use crate::safe_area::SafeAreaAnchoredBottom;
 use crate::settings_plugin::{SettingsChangedEvent, SettingsResource};
 use crate::time_attack_plugin::TimeAttackEndedEvent;
 use crate::ui_theme::{
@@ -160,6 +162,68 @@ pub struct ActiveToast {
 /// Duration of each queued info-toast in seconds.
 const QUEUED_TOAST_SECS: f32 = 2.5;
 
+/// Marker on the persistent bottom-anchored flex column every toast
+/// spawns into (Phase H). Stacking through one container gives queued
+/// and immediate toasts a single shared anchor — simultaneous toasts
+/// stack upward instead of relying on the old staggered-percentage
+/// anchors to dodge each other.
+#[derive(Component, Debug)]
+pub struct ToastStackRoot;
+
+/// Marker on every toast card node (both paths). Freshly spawned toasts
+/// start `Visibility::Hidden` and unparented; [`adopt_toasts_into_stack`]
+/// re-parents them under [`ToastStackRoot`] and reveals them — one frame
+/// of latency, imperceptible at toast timescales, in exchange for the 14
+/// toast handlers keeping their `Commands`-only signatures.
+#[derive(Component, Debug)]
+pub struct ToastNode;
+
+/// Logical-pixel gap between the screen bottom and the toast stack,
+/// before safe-area insets. Clears the Phase F bottom action bar on
+/// touch (compact 44px buttons + primary 64px trio + bar padding);
+/// desktop's shorter bar needs less.
+const TOAST_STACK_BASE_BOTTOM_PX: f32 = if USE_TOUCH_UI_LAYOUT { 112.0 } else { 72.0 };
+
+/// Spawns the persistent [`ToastStackRoot`] container at startup.
+fn spawn_toast_stack_root(mut commands: Commands) {
+    commands.spawn((
+        ToastStackRoot,
+        Node {
+            position_type: PositionType::Absolute,
+            bottom: Val::Px(TOAST_STACK_BASE_BOTTOM_PX),
+            left: Val::Px(0.0),
+            width: Val::Percent(100.0),
+            // Newest toast sits nearest the bottom edge; older ones
+            // push upward.
+            flex_direction: FlexDirection::ColumnReverse,
+            align_items: AlignItems::Center,
+            row_gap: VAL_SPACE_2,
+            ..default()
+        },
+        SafeAreaAnchoredBottom {
+            base_bottom: TOAST_STACK_BASE_BOTTOM_PX,
+        },
+        ZIndex(Z_TOAST),
+    ));
+}
+
+/// Re-parents freshly spawned [`ToastNode`]s under the stack root and
+/// reveals them. No-op when every toast is already adopted.
+fn adopt_toasts_into_stack(
+    mut commands: Commands,
+    orphans: Query<Entity, (With<ToastNode>, Without<ChildOf>)>,
+    root: Query<Entity, With<ToastStackRoot>>,
+) {
+    let Ok(root) = root.single() else {
+        return;
+    };
+    for toast in &orphans {
+        commands
+            .entity(toast)
+            .insert((ChildOf(root), Visibility::Inherited));
+    }
+}
+
 /// Drives all linear card animations (`CardAnim`), toast notifications, deal stagger, win cascade, and the auto-complete card-slide sequence.
 pub struct AnimationPlugin;
 
@@ -185,7 +249,7 @@ impl Plugin for AnimationPlugin {
             .init_resource::<EffectiveSlideDuration>()
             .init_resource::<ToastQueue>()
             .init_resource::<ActiveToast>()
-            .add_systems(Startup, init_slide_duration)
+            .add_systems(Startup, (init_slide_duration, spawn_toast_stack_root))
             .add_systems(
                 Update,
                 (
@@ -206,6 +270,7 @@ impl Plugin for AnimationPlugin {
                     handle_warning_toast,
                     tick_toasts,
                     (enqueue_toasts, drive_toast_display).chain(),
+                    adopt_toasts_into_stack,
                 )
                     .after(GameMutation),
             );
@@ -637,26 +702,14 @@ impl ToastVariant {
     }
 }
 
-/// Spawns a bottom-anchored `ToastEntity` for the queued toast system.
+/// Spawns a `ToastEntity` for the queued toast system.
 ///
 /// Queued toasts always carry [`ToastVariant::Info`] — the queue is fed
 /// by [`InfoToastEvent`] which is by definition neutral system info.
 /// Variants other than `Info` belong on the immediate-fire path
 /// ([`spawn_toast`]) where the call site knows the semantic intent.
 fn spawn_queued_toast(commands: &mut Commands, message: String) -> Entity {
-    spawn_toast_node(
-        commands,
-        ToastEntity,
-        message,
-        ToastVariant::Info,
-        // Slightly taller anchor than the immediate-fire path so a
-        // queued info banner doesn't collide with a celebration toast
-        // fired in the same frame.
-        Val::Percent(6.0),
-        Val::Percent(15.0),
-        Val::Percent(70.0),
-        UiRect::axes(VAL_SPACE_4, VAL_SPACE_2),
-    )
+    spawn_toast_node(commands, ToastEntity, message, ToastVariant::Info)
 }
 
 fn handle_xp_awarded_toast(mut commands: Commands, mut events: MessageReader<XpAwardedEvent>) {
@@ -744,12 +797,6 @@ fn spawn_toast(
         (ToastOverlay, ToastTimer(duration_secs)),
         message,
         variant,
-        // Sits above the queued banner so a celebration toast spawned
-        // alongside a queued info message remains readable.
-        Val::Percent(14.0),
-        Val::Percent(25.0),
-        Val::Percent(50.0),
-        UiRect::axes(VAL_SPACE_4, VAL_SPACE_3),
     );
 }
 
@@ -766,31 +813,25 @@ fn spawn_toast(
 ///   rungs; 18 is the closest rung that preserves the scale invariants
 ///   tested in `ui_theme::tests`.
 /// - [`RADIUS_MD`] corners.
-/// - Bottom-anchored absolute position; `bottom_pct` differs between
-///   queued and immediate paths so they layer instead of overlap.
-// The 8-argument signature is intentional — these are the per-toast
-// layout values that genuinely differ between the queued and fire-and-
-// forget call sites. A struct wrapper would just rename the same data.
-#[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
+///
+/// Layout is owned by [`ToastStackRoot`] (Phase H): the node spawns
+/// hidden and unpositioned, and [`adopt_toasts_into_stack`] slots it
+/// into the shared bottom-anchored column — one anchor for every toast,
+/// simultaneous toasts stack instead of overlapping.
 fn spawn_toast_node<B: Bundle>(
     commands: &mut Commands,
     bundle: B,
     message: String,
     variant: ToastVariant,
-    bottom_pct: Val,
-    left_pct: Val,
-    width_pct: Val,
-    padding: UiRect,
 ) -> Entity {
     commands
         .spawn((
             bundle,
+            ToastNode,
+            Visibility::Hidden,
             Node {
-                position_type: PositionType::Absolute,
-                left: left_pct,
-                bottom: bottom_pct,
-                width: width_pct,
-                padding,
+                max_width: Val::Percent(70.0),
+                padding: UiRect::axes(VAL_SPACE_4, VAL_SPACE_3),
                 justify_content: JustifyContent::Center,
                 align_items: AlignItems::Center,
                 border: UiRect::all(Val::Px(1.0)),
@@ -799,7 +840,6 @@ fn spawn_toast_node<B: Bundle>(
             },
             BackgroundColor(BG_ELEVATED),
             BorderColor::all(variant.border_color()),
-            ZIndex(Z_TOAST),
         ))
         .with_children(|b| {
             b.spawn((
@@ -1315,4 +1355,85 @@ mod tests {
     fn cascade_duration_instant_is_zero() {
         assert_eq!(cascade_duration_secs(AnimSpeed::Instant), 0.0);
     }
+
+    // -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+    // Phase H: unified toast stack
+    // -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+    /// Both toast paths must end up as visible children of the single
+    /// [`ToastStackRoot`] — the Phase H "one anchor" contract.
+    #[test]
+    fn queued_and_immediate_toasts_stack_under_one_root() {
+        let mut app = App::new();
+        app.add_plugins(MinimalPlugins).add_plugins(AnimationPlugin);
+        app.update(); // Startup: spawns the stack root.
+
+        // One immediate (error) toast + one queued (info) toast in the
+        // same frame — the exact collision case the old staggered
+        // anchors existed to dodge.
+        use solitaire_core::{KlondikePile, Tableau};
+        app.world_mut().write_message(MoveRejectedEvent {
+            from: KlondikePile::Tableau(Tableau::Tableau1),
+            to: KlondikePile::Tableau(Tableau::Tableau2),
+            count: 1,
+        });
+        app.world_mut()
+            .write_message(InfoToastEvent("stacked info".to_string()));
+        app.update(); // handlers spawn both toasts (hidden, unparented)
+        app.update(); // adopt_toasts_into_stack re-parents + reveals
+
+        let root = app
+            .world_mut()
+            .query_filtered::<Entity, With<ToastStackRoot>>()
+            .single(app.world())
+            .expect("exactly one ToastStackRoot must exist");
+
+        let toasts: Vec<(Entity, &ChildOf, &Visibility)> = app
+            .world_mut()
+            .query_filtered::<(Entity, &ChildOf, &Visibility), With<ToastNode>>()
+            .iter(app.world())
+            .collect();
+        assert_eq!(
+            toasts.len(),
+            2,
+            "both the immediate and the queued toast must be adopted"
+        );
+        for (entity, child_of, visibility) in toasts {
+            assert_eq!(
+                child_of.parent(),
+                root,
+                "toast {entity} must be a child of the shared stack root"
+            );
+            assert_eq!(
+                *visibility,
+                Visibility::Inherited,
+                "adopted toast {entity} must be revealed"
+            );
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Toast nodes must not carry their own absolute positioning — the
+    /// stack root owns layout (regression guard against reintroducing
+    /// per-path anchors).
+    #[test]
+    fn toast_nodes_have_no_absolute_position() {
+        let mut app = App::new();
+        app.add_plugins(MinimalPlugins).add_plugins(AnimationPlugin);
+        app.update();
+
+        app.world_mut()
+            .write_message(WarningToastEvent("layout check".to_string()));
+        app.update();
+
+        let node = app
+            .world_mut()
+            .query_filtered::<&Node, With<ToastNode>>()
+            .single(app.world())
+            .expect("warning toast must spawn a ToastNode");
+        assert_eq!(
+            node.position_type,
+            PositionType::Relative,
+            "toast nodes are flex children of the stack, not absolute overlays"
+        );
+    }
 }

solitaire_engine/src/core_game_plugin.rs

@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ use crate::{
     SafeAreaInsetsPlugin, SelectionPlugin, SettingsPlugin, SolutionPlaybackPlugin, SplashPlugin,
     StatsPlugin, SyncProvider, TablePlugin, ThemePlugin, ThemeRegistryPlugin, TimeAttackPlugin,
     TouchSelectionPlugin, UiFocusPlugin, UiModalPlugin, UiTooltipPlugin, WeeklyGoalsPlugin,
-    WinSummaryPlugin,
+    WhatsNewPlugin, WinSummaryPlugin,
 };
 #[cfg(not(target_arch = "wasm32"))]
 use crate::{
@@ -115,6 +115,7 @@ impl Plugin for CoreGamePlugin {
             .add_plugins(PausePlugin)
             .add_plugins(SettingsPlugin::default())
             .add_plugins(OnboardingPlugin)
+            .add_plugins(WhatsNewPlugin)
             .add_plugins(WinSummaryPlugin)
             .add_plugins(UiModalPlugin)
             .add_plugins(UiFocusPlugin)

solitaire_engine/src/feedback_anim_plugin.rs

@@ -49,10 +49,11 @@ use solitaire_core::klondike_adapter::foundation_from_slot;
 use solitaire_data::AnimSpeed;
 
 use crate::animation_plugin::CardAnim;
-use crate::card_plugin::CardEntity;
+use crate::card_animation::{MotionCurve, sample_curve};
+use crate::card_plugin::{CardEntity, CardEntityIndex};
 use crate::events::{
-    DrawRequestEvent, FoundationCompletedEvent, MoveRejectedEvent, MoveRequestEvent,
-    NewGameRequestEvent,
+    DrawRequestEvent, FoundationCompletedEvent, HintVisualEvent, MoveRejectedEvent,
+    MoveRequestEvent, NewGameRequestEvent, StateChangedEvent,
 };
 use crate::game_plugin::GameMutation;
 use crate::layout::LayoutResource;
@@ -207,6 +208,8 @@ impl Plugin for FeedbackAnimPlugin {
             .add_message::<MoveRejectedEvent>()
             .add_message::<NewGameRequestEvent>()
             .add_message::<FoundationCompletedEvent>()
+            .add_message::<HintVisualEvent>()
+            .add_message::<StateChangedEvent>()
             .add_message::<RequestRedraw>()
             .add_systems(
                 Update,
@@ -224,6 +227,20 @@ impl Plugin for FeedbackAnimPlugin {
                     start_deal_anim.after(GameMutation),
                     start_foundation_flourish.after(GameMutation),
                 ),
+            )
+            // Hint ghost (Phase H): the spawn reads card Transform/Sprite,
+            // so it orders after the board painters; the tick only touches
+            // ghost entities (Without<CardEntity>) and stays conflict-free.
+            .add_systems(
+                Update,
+                (
+                    spawn_hint_ghost
+                        .after(GameMutation)
+                        .after(crate::card_plugin::BoardVisuals),
+                    tick_hint_ghosts,
+                    despawn_hint_ghosts_on_state_change.after(GameMutation),
+                )
+                    .chain(),
             );
     }
 }
@@ -664,6 +681,147 @@ fn pile_cards(
     }
 }
 
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Phase H — hint ghost-motion preview
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+/// Duration of one ghost glide from the hinted card to its destination.
+const HINT_GHOST_PASS_SECS: f32 = 0.7;
+/// How many glides one hint plays before the ghost despawns. Two reads
+/// as "this move, over there" without outstaying the 2 s static
+/// highlight it accompanies.
+const HINT_GHOST_PASSES: f32 = 2.0;
+/// Ghost translucency — clearly a projection, never mistakable for the
+/// real card.
+const HINT_GHOST_ALPHA: f32 = 0.45;
+/// Ghost render depth: above every settled pile (~1.04 max) and the
+/// in-flight `CardAnim` lift (50), below a dragged card (500).
+const HINT_GHOST_Z: f32 = 400.0;
+
+/// A translucent copy of the hinted card gliding to the suggested
+/// destination (Phase H). Purely decorative — despawned by timer, by a
+/// newer hint, or by any state change.
+#[derive(Component, Debug)]
+pub struct HintGhost {
+    start: Vec3,
+    target: Vec3,
+    elapsed: f32,
+}
+
+/// Normalised progress of the current glide pass, restarting from the
+/// source each pass. Pure for unit testing.
+fn hint_ghost_pass_t(elapsed: f32) -> f32 {
+    (elapsed % HINT_GHOST_PASS_SECS) / HINT_GHOST_PASS_SECS
+}
+
+/// Ghost alpha at `pass_t` — full strength for most of the glide, then
+/// fading over the last 20 % so the loop restart reads as a repeat
+/// rather than a teleport. Pure for unit testing.
+fn hint_ghost_alpha(pass_t: f32) -> f32 {
+    let fade_in_tail = ((pass_t - 0.8) / 0.2).clamp(0.0, 1.0);
+    HINT_GHOST_ALPHA * (1.0 - fade_in_tail)
+}
+
+/// Spawns the ghost when a hint fires. The static highlights (source
+/// card + gold destination pile) still spawn regardless; under
+/// reduce-motion they are the whole story and no ghost appears
+/// (`design-system.md` §Accessibility).
+#[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
+fn spawn_hint_ghost(
+    mut events: MessageReader<HintVisualEvent>,
+    settings: Option<Res<SettingsResource>>,
+    index: Option<Res<CardEntityIndex>>,
+    layout: Option<Res<LayoutResource>>,
+    cards: Query<(&Transform, &Sprite), With<CardEntity>>,
+    existing: Query<Entity, With<HintGhost>>,
+    mut commands: Commands,
+) {
+    if events.is_empty() {
+        return;
+    }
+    if settings.is_some_and(|s| s.0.reduce_motion_mode) {
+        events.clear();
+        return;
+    }
+    let (Some(index), Some(layout)) = (index, layout) else {
+        events.clear();
+        return;
+    };
+    for ev in events.read() {
+        // A fresh hint replaces any ghost still in flight.
+        for entity in &existing {
+            commands.entity(entity).despawn();
+        }
+        let Some(card_entity) = index.get(&ev.source_card) else {
+            continue;
+        };
+        let Ok((transform, sprite)) = cards.get(card_entity) else {
+            continue;
+        };
+        let Some(&dest) = layout.0.pile_positions.get(&ev.dest_pile) else {
+            continue;
+        };
+        let start = transform.translation.truncate().extend(HINT_GHOST_Z);
+        let mut ghost_sprite = sprite.clone();
+        ghost_sprite.color = ghost_sprite.color.with_alpha(HINT_GHOST_ALPHA);
+        commands.spawn((
+            HintGhost {
+                start,
+                target: dest.extend(HINT_GHOST_Z),
+                elapsed: 0.0,
+            },
+            ghost_sprite,
+            Transform::from_translation(start),
+        ));
+    }
+}
+
+/// Advances every ghost: eased glide per pass, tail fade, despawn after
+/// [`HINT_GHOST_PASSES`]. Frozen while paused, like every other
+/// decorative animation.
+#[allow(clippy::type_complexity)]
+fn tick_hint_ghosts(
+    time: Res<Time>,
+    paused: Option<Res<PausedResource>>,
+    mut ghosts: Query<
+        (Entity, &mut HintGhost, &mut Transform, &mut Sprite),
+        (Without<CardEntity>, Without<PileMarker>),
+    >,
+    mut commands: Commands,
+) {
+    if paused.is_some_and(|p| p.0) {
+        return;
+    }
+    let dt = time.delta_secs();
+    for (entity, mut ghost, mut transform, mut sprite) in ghosts.iter_mut() {
+        ghost.elapsed += dt;
+        if ghost.elapsed >= HINT_GHOST_PASS_SECS * HINT_GHOST_PASSES {
+            commands.entity(entity).despawn();
+            continue;
+        }
+        let pass_t = hint_ghost_pass_t(ghost.elapsed);
+        let eased = sample_curve(MotionCurve::SmoothSnap, pass_t);
+        transform.translation = ghost.start.lerp(ghost.target, eased);
+        sprite.color = sprite.color.with_alpha(hint_ghost_alpha(pass_t));
+    }
+}
+
+/// A ghost previews a move against the *current* board; the moment the
+/// board changes (move, undo, draw, new game) it is stale and vanishes.
+fn despawn_hint_ghosts_on_state_change(
+    mut events: MessageReader<StateChangedEvent>,
+    ghosts: Query<Entity, With<HintGhost>>,
+    mut commands: Commands,
+) {
+    if events.is_empty() {
+        return;
+    }
+    events.clear();
+    for entity in &ghosts {
+        commands.entity(entity).despawn();
+    }
+}
+
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Unit tests (pure functions only — no Bevy world required)
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -955,4 +1113,147 @@ mod tests {
             "FoundationFlourish must not be inserted under reduce-motion"
         );
     }
+
+    // -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+    // Phase H — hint ghost-motion preview
+    // -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+    #[test]
+    fn hint_ghost_pass_t_restarts_each_pass() {
+        assert_eq!(hint_ghost_pass_t(0.0), 0.0);
+        // Just past one full pass, progress wraps back near zero.
+        assert!(hint_ghost_pass_t(HINT_GHOST_PASS_SECS + 0.01) < 0.1);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn hint_ghost_alpha_fades_only_in_the_tail() {
+        assert_eq!(hint_ghost_alpha(0.0), HINT_GHOST_ALPHA);
+        assert_eq!(hint_ghost_alpha(0.79), HINT_GHOST_ALPHA);
+        assert!(hint_ghost_alpha(0.9) < HINT_GHOST_ALPHA);
+        assert!(hint_ghost_alpha(1.0).abs() < 1e-6);
+    }
+
+    /// App with one indexed card entity and a real layout, ready to
+    /// receive `HintVisualEvent`s.
+    fn ghost_app(reduce_motion: bool) -> (App, Card) {
+        use solitaire_core::{Deck, Rank, Suit};
+
+        let mut app = App::new();
+        app.add_plugins(MinimalPlugins)
+            .add_plugins(FeedbackAnimPlugin);
+        // Sibling systems in the plugin take GameStateResource
+        // non-optionally; give them a fresh deal.
+        app.insert_resource(GameStateResource(
+            solitaire_core::game_state::GameState::new(1, solitaire_core::DrawStockConfig::DrawOne),
+        ));
+        app.insert_resource(SettingsResource(solitaire_data::Settings {
+            reduce_motion_mode: reduce_motion,
+            ..Default::default()
+        }));
+
+        let card = Card::new(Deck::Deck1, Suit::Spades, Rank::Ace);
+        let entity = app
+            .world_mut()
+            .spawn((
+                CardEntity { card: card.clone() },
+                Sprite::default(),
+                Transform::from_xyz(-100.0, 40.0, 1.0),
+            ))
+            .id();
+        let mut index = CardEntityIndex::default();
+        index.0.insert(card.clone(), entity);
+        app.insert_resource(index);
+        app.insert_resource(LayoutResource(crate::layout::compute_layout(
+            Vec2::new(1280.0, 720.0),
+            0.0,
+            0.0,
+            true,
+        )));
+        app.update();
+        (app, card)
+    }
+
+    fn fire_hint(app: &mut App, card: Card) {
+        use solitaire_core::Tableau;
+        app.world_mut().write_message(HintVisualEvent {
+            source_card: card,
+            dest_pile: KlondikePile::Tableau(Tableau::Tableau2),
+        });
+        app.update();
+    }
+
+    fn ghost_count(app: &mut App) -> usize {
+        app.world_mut()
+            .query::<&HintGhost>()
+            .iter(app.world())
+            .count()
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn hint_event_spawns_one_ghost_at_the_source_card() {
+        let (mut app, card) = ghost_app(false);
+        fire_hint(&mut app, card);
+
+        assert_eq!(ghost_count(&mut app), 1, "hint must spawn one ghost");
+        let transform = app
+            .world_mut()
+            .query_filtered::<&Transform, With<HintGhost>>()
+            .single(app.world())
+            .expect("ghost transform");
+        // The tick system may have advanced the ghost by one real-time
+        // frame already; assert it is still essentially at the source.
+        assert!(
+            transform
+                .translation
+                .truncate()
+                .distance(Vec2::new(-100.0, 40.0))
+                < 5.0,
+            "ghost must start at the hinted card, got {:?}",
+            transform.translation
+        );
+        assert_eq!(transform.translation.z, HINT_GHOST_Z);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn hint_ghost_suppressed_under_reduce_motion() {
+        let (mut app, card) = ghost_app(true);
+        fire_hint(&mut app, card);
+
+        assert_eq!(
+            ghost_count(&mut app),
+            0,
+            "no ghost may spawn under reduce-motion; the static highlight is the whole story"
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn state_change_despawns_the_ghost() {
+        let (mut app, card) = ghost_app(false);
+        fire_hint(&mut app, card);
+        assert_eq!(ghost_count(&mut app), 1);
+
+        app.world_mut().write_message(StateChangedEvent);
+        app.update();
+        app.update();
+
+        assert_eq!(
+            ghost_count(&mut app),
+            0,
+            "a board change makes the previewed move stale — the ghost must vanish"
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn second_hint_replaces_the_first_ghost() {
+        let (mut app, card) = ghost_app(false);
+        fire_hint(&mut app, card.clone());
+        fire_hint(&mut app, card);
+        app.update();
+
+        assert_eq!(
+            ghost_count(&mut app),
+            1,
+            "re-hinting must replace the in-flight ghost, not stack a second"
+        );
+    }
 }

solitaire_engine/src/home_plugin.rs

@@ -475,6 +475,15 @@ fn persist_last_mode(
 ///   must be empty — when the player has a saved in-progress game the
 ///   restore prompt takes precedence; the home picker would compete
 ///   with it for attention.
+/// * First-run onboarding must be finished (`Settings.first_run_complete`
+///   and no `OnboardingScreen` open) — on a fresh profile the onboarding
+///   owns the launch beat; Home appearing underneath it stacked two
+///   modals (Phase H fix; spotted in the v0.44.0 emulator smoke). Home
+///   spawns on the first frame after the player finishes or skips.
+/// * The What's-new card (Phase I) must have had its beat —
+///   [`crate::whats_new_plugin::WhatsNewPending`] released — so an
+///   upgrade's release notes get read before the mode picker lands on
+///   top of them.
 /// * `HomeScreen` must not already exist (defensive — e.g. the player
 ///   pressed `M` between ticks).
 /// * `LaunchHomeShown` flips to `true` after the first spawn so this
@@ -488,6 +497,8 @@ fn spawn_home_on_launch(
     splash: Query<(), With<crate::splash_plugin::SplashRoot>>,
     restore_prompts: Query<(), With<crate::game_plugin::RestorePromptScreen>>,
     pending_restore: Option<Res<crate::game_plugin::PendingRestoredGame>>,
+    onboarding: Query<(), With<crate::onboarding_plugin::OnboardingScreen>>,
+    whats_new: Option<Res<crate::whats_new_plugin::WhatsNewPending>>,
     existing: Query<(), With<HomeScreen>>,
     sources: HomeSpawnSources,
     mut deal_expanded: ResMut<DealOptionsExpanded>,
@@ -496,6 +507,12 @@ fn spawn_home_on_launch(
         || !splash.is_empty()
         || !restore_prompts.is_empty()
         || pending_restore.as_ref().is_some_and(|p| p.0.is_some())
+        || !onboarding.is_empty()
+        || whats_new.as_ref().is_some_and(|w| w.0)
+        || sources
+            .settings
+            .as_ref()
+            .is_some_and(|s| !s.0.first_run_complete)
         || !existing.is_empty()
     {
         return;

solitaire_engine/src/lib.rs

@@ -64,6 +64,7 @@ pub mod ui_modal;
 pub mod ui_theme;
 pub mod ui_tooltip;
 pub mod weekly_goals_plugin;
+pub mod whats_new_plugin;
 pub mod win_summary_plugin;
 pub mod you_hub_plugin;
 
@@ -194,6 +195,7 @@ pub use ui_modal::{
 };
 pub use ui_tooltip::{Tooltip, UiTooltipPlugin};
 pub use weekly_goals_plugin::{WeeklyGoalCompletedEvent, WeeklyGoalsPlugin};
+pub use whats_new_plugin::{WhatsNewPending, WhatsNewPlugin, WhatsNewScreen};
 pub use win_summary_plugin::{
     ScreenShakeResource, SessionAchievements, WinSummaryPending, WinSummaryPlugin, format_win_time,
 };

solitaire_engine/src/onboarding_plugin.rs

@@ -313,6 +313,10 @@ fn complete_onboarding(
     despawn_screen(commands, screens);
     if let Some(s) = settings {
         s.0.first_run_complete = true;
+        // A fresh install has nothing "new" to announce — stamp the
+        // running release so the What's-new card (Phase I) only ever
+        // fires after an actual upgrade.
+        s.0.last_seen_whats_new = crate::whats_new_plugin::current_release_version();
         persist(path.map(|p| &p.0), &s.0);
     }
 }
@@ -382,20 +386,27 @@ fn spawn_slide_welcome(commands: &mut Commands, font_res: Option<&FontResource>)
     });
 }
 
+/// How-to-play body copy, phrased for the platform's input vocabulary —
+/// a touch player never left-clicks (Phase H polish; spotted in the
+/// emulator smoke of v0.44.0).
+#[cfg(target_os = "android")]
+const HOW_TO_PLAY_BODY: &str = "Drag any face-up card to move it between piles. \
+     You can drag a whole column at once by grabbing the topmost card \
+     you want to move. Double-tap a face-up card to send it to a \
+     foundation pile automatically (when the move is legal). \
+     Tap Hint in the bottom bar for a suggested move.";
+#[cfg(not(target_os = "android"))]
+const HOW_TO_PLAY_BODY: &str = "Left-click and drag any face-up card to move it between piles. \
+     You can drag a whole column at once by grabbing the topmost card \
+     you want to move. Double-click a face-up card to send it to a \
+     foundation pile automatically (when the move is legal). \
+     Right-click a card for a hint — valid destinations will highlight.";
+
 /// Slide 2 — How to play.
 fn spawn_slide_how_to_play(commands: &mut Commands, font_res: Option<&FontResource>) {
     spawn_modal(commands, OnboardingScreen, Z_ONBOARDING, |card| {
         spawn_modal_header(card, "Drag cards to play", font_res);
-        spawn_modal_body_text(
-            card,
-            "Left-click and drag any face-up card to move it between piles. \
-             You can drag a whole column at once by grabbing the topmost card \
-             you want to move. Double-click a face-up card to send it to a \
-             foundation pile automatically (when the move is legal). \
-             Right-click a card for a hint — valid destinations will highlight.",
-            TEXT_SECONDARY,
-            font_res,
-        );
+        spawn_modal_body_text(card, HOW_TO_PLAY_BODY, TEXT_SECONDARY, font_res);
         spawn_modal_actions(card, |actions| {
             spawn_modal_button(
                 actions,

solitaire_engine/src/theme_store_plugin.rs

@@ -14,6 +14,9 @@
 //! filesystem-based; the plugin is gated out on wasm32 alongside
 //! `SyncPlugin`.
 
+use std::collections::HashMap;
+
+use bevy::asset::RenderAssetUsages;
 use bevy::prelude::*;
 use bevy::tasks::{AsyncComputeTaskPool, Task, futures_lite::future};
 use thiserror::Error;
@@ -105,6 +108,21 @@ struct InstallTask(Option<(String, Task<InstallResult>)>);
 #[derive(Resource, Default)]
 struct StoreBaseUrl(Option<String>);
 
+/// Decoded preview thumbnails by theme id (Phase H). Session-lifetime:
+/// previews survive closing and reopening the store, so a revisit
+/// renders instantly without refetching.
+#[derive(Resource, Default)]
+struct PreviewCache(HashMap<String, Handle<Image>>);
+
+/// One in-flight preview download: raw PNG bytes or the fetch error.
+type PreviewFetch = Task<Result<Vec<u8>, ThemeStoreError>>;
+
+/// In-flight preview downloads, one per catalog entry that advertises
+/// a `preview_url` not already in [`PreviewCache`]. `String` is the
+/// theme id the bytes belong to.
+#[derive(Resource, Default)]
+struct PreviewTasks(Vec<(String, PreviewFetch)>);
+
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Plugin
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -118,6 +136,8 @@ impl Plugin for ThemeStorePlugin {
             .init_resource::<CatalogTask>()
             .init_resource::<InstallTask>()
             .init_resource::<StoreBaseUrl>()
+            .init_resource::<PreviewCache>()
+            .init_resource::<PreviewTasks>()
             // Esc-close reads keyboard input; register defensively so
             // the plugin works under MinimalPlugins in tests.
             .init_resource::<ButtonInput<KeyCode>>()
@@ -129,6 +149,7 @@ impl Plugin for ThemeStorePlugin {
                 (
                     handle_open_request,
                     poll_catalog_task,
+                    poll_preview_tasks,
                     handle_install_buttons,
                     poll_install_task,
                     handle_close_button,
@@ -176,6 +197,7 @@ fn handle_open_request(
     mut catalog_task: ResMut<CatalogTask>,
     mut store_base: ResMut<StoreBaseUrl>,
     mut warning_toast: MessageWriter<WarningToastEvent>,
+    previews: Res<PreviewCache>,
     mut commands: Commands,
     font_res: Option<Res<FontResource>>,
 ) {
@@ -207,16 +229,28 @@ fn handle_open_request(
         rt.block_on(async { ThemeStoreClient::new(base_url).fetch_catalog().await })
     }));
 
-    spawn_store_modal(&mut commands, &catalog_state, None, font_res.as_deref());
+    spawn_store_modal(
+        &mut commands,
+        &catalog_state,
+        None,
+        &previews,
+        font_res.as_deref(),
+    );
 }
 
-/// Polls the catalog fetch; on completion updates [`CatalogState`] and
+/// Polls the catalog fetch; on completion updates [`CatalogState`],
+/// kicks off preview downloads for entries not yet in the cache, and
 /// rebuilds the modal if it is still open.
+#[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
 fn poll_catalog_task(
     mut catalog_task: ResMut<CatalogTask>,
     mut catalog_state: ResMut<CatalogState>,
     screens: Query<Entity, With<ThemeStoreScreen>>,
     registry: Option<Res<ThemeRegistry>>,
+    rt: Option<Res<TokioRuntimeResource>>,
+    store_base: Res<StoreBaseUrl>,
+    previews: Res<PreviewCache>,
+    mut preview_tasks: ResMut<PreviewTasks>,
     mut commands: Commands,
     font_res: Option<Res<FontResource>>,
 ) {
@@ -229,7 +263,29 @@ fn poll_catalog_task(
     catalog_task.0 = None;
 
     *catalog_state = match result {
-        Ok(entries) => CatalogState::Loaded(entries),
+        Ok(entries) => {
+            // Fetch previews for anything new. Decorative — failures
+            // just leave the row text-only, so errors only log.
+            if let (Some(rt), Some(base_url)) = (rt.as_ref(), store_base.0.as_deref()) {
+                for entry in entries
+                    .iter()
+                    .filter(|e| e.preview_url.is_some() && !previews.0.contains_key(&e.id))
+                {
+                    let rt = rt.0.clone();
+                    let base_url = base_url.to_owned();
+                    let entry = entry.clone();
+                    preview_tasks.0.push((
+                        entry.id.clone(),
+                        AsyncComputeTaskPool::get().spawn(async move {
+                            rt.block_on(async {
+                                ThemeStoreClient::new(base_url).fetch_preview(&entry).await
+                            })
+                        }),
+                    ));
+                }
+            }
+            CatalogState::Loaded(entries)
+        }
         Err(e) => {
             warn!("theme store: catalog fetch failed: {e}");
             CatalogState::Error(e.to_string())
@@ -241,10 +297,69 @@ fn poll_catalog_task(
         &mut commands,
         &catalog_state,
         registry.as_deref(),
+        &previews,
         font_res.as_deref(),
     );
 }
 
+/// Polls in-flight preview downloads. Each finished PNG is decoded into
+/// an [`Image`] asset and cached by theme id; the open modal rebuilds
+/// once per frame that added at least one preview, so thumbnails pop in
+/// as they arrive. Failures log and leave the row text-only. Skipped
+/// entirely when `Assets<Image>` is absent (`MinimalPlugins` tests).
+#[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
+fn poll_preview_tasks(
+    mut preview_tasks: ResMut<PreviewTasks>,
+    mut previews: ResMut<PreviewCache>,
+    images: Option<ResMut<Assets<Image>>>,
+    catalog_state: Res<CatalogState>,
+    screens: Query<Entity, With<ThemeStoreScreen>>,
+    registry: Option<Res<ThemeRegistry>>,
+    mut commands: Commands,
+    font_res: Option<Res<FontResource>>,
+) {
+    if preview_tasks.0.is_empty() {
+        return;
+    }
+    let Some(mut images) = images else {
+        return;
+    };
+
+    let mut added = false;
+    preview_tasks.0.retain_mut(|(id, task)| {
+        let Some(result) = future::block_on(future::poll_once(task)) else {
+            return true; // still downloading
+        };
+        match result {
+            Ok(bytes) => match image::load_from_memory(&bytes) {
+                Ok(dyn_img) => {
+                    let handle = images.add(Image::from_dynamic(
+                        dyn_img,
+                        true,
+                        RenderAssetUsages::RENDER_WORLD,
+                    ));
+                    previews.0.insert(id.clone(), handle);
+                    added = true;
+                }
+                Err(e) => warn!("theme store: preview for '{id}' failed to decode: {e}"),
+            },
+            Err(e) => warn!("theme store: preview fetch for '{id}' failed: {e}"),
+        }
+        false
+    });
+
+    if added {
+        rebuild_open_modal(
+            &screens,
+            &mut commands,
+            &catalog_state,
+            registry.as_deref(),
+            &previews,
+            font_res.as_deref(),
+        );
+    }
+}
+
 /// Starts a download + import task when an Install button is pressed.
 /// One install at a time; repeat clicks while busy are ignored.
 fn handle_install_buttons(
@@ -308,6 +423,7 @@ fn poll_install_task(
     screens: Query<Entity, With<ThemeStoreScreen>>,
     mut info_toast: MessageWriter<InfoToastEvent>,
     mut warning_toast: MessageWriter<WarningToastEvent>,
+    previews: Res<PreviewCache>,
     mut commands: Commands,
     font_res: Option<Res<FontResource>>,
 ) {
@@ -343,6 +459,7 @@ fn poll_install_task(
         &mut commands,
         &catalog_state,
         registry.as_deref(),
+        &previews,
         font_res.as_deref(),
     );
 }
@@ -378,11 +495,12 @@ fn rebuild_open_modal(
     commands: &mut Commands,
     catalog_state: &CatalogState,
     registry: Option<&ThemeRegistry>,
+    previews: &PreviewCache,
     font_res: Option<&FontResource>,
 ) {
     for entity in screens {
         commands.entity(entity).despawn();
-        spawn_store_modal(commands, catalog_state, registry, font_res);
+        spawn_store_modal(commands, catalog_state, registry, previews, font_res);
     }
 }
 
@@ -391,6 +509,7 @@ fn spawn_store_modal(
     commands: &mut Commands,
     catalog_state: &CatalogState,
     registry: Option<&ThemeRegistry>,
+    previews: &PreviewCache,
     font_res: Option<&FontResource>,
 ) {
     let body_font = TextFont {
@@ -433,7 +552,15 @@ fn spawn_store_modal(
                 for entry in entries {
                     let installed =
                         registry.is_some_and(|registry| registry.find(&entry.id).is_some());
-                    spawn_store_row(card, entry, installed, &body_font, &caption_font, font_res);
+                    spawn_store_row(
+                        card,
+                        entry,
+                        installed,
+                        previews.0.get(&entry.id),
+                        &body_font,
+                        &caption_font,
+                        font_res,
+                    );
                 }
             }
         }
@@ -452,12 +579,20 @@ fn spawn_store_modal(
     commands.entity(scrim).insert(ScrimDismissible);
 }
 
-/// One catalog row: name + author/size caption on the left, Install
-/// button (or "Installed" caption) on the right.
+/// Height of a row's preview thumbnail in logical pixels; the width
+/// follows the theme's own `card_aspect` so a preview is never
+/// stretched.
+const PREVIEW_THUMB_HEIGHT_PX: f32 = 72.0;
+
+/// One catalog row: preview thumbnail (when downloaded) + name +
+/// author/size caption on the left, Install button (or "Installed"
+/// caption) on the right.
+#[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
 fn spawn_store_row(
     parent: &mut ChildSpawnerCommands,
     entry: &ThemeCatalogEntry,
     installed: bool,
+    preview: Option<&Handle<Image>>,
     body_font: &TextFont,
     caption_font: &TextFont,
     font_res: Option<&FontResource>,
@@ -477,6 +612,25 @@ fn spawn_store_row(
         ))
         .with_children(|row| {
             row.spawn(Node {
+                flex_direction: FlexDirection::Row,
+                align_items: AlignItems::Center,
+                column_gap: VAL_SPACE_3,
+                ..default()
+            })
+            .with_children(|left| {
+                if let Some(handle) = preview {
+                    let (aw, ah) = entry.card_aspect;
+                    let width = PREVIEW_THUMB_HEIGHT_PX * aw.max(1) as f32 / ah.max(1) as f32;
+                    left.spawn((
+                        ImageNode::new(handle.clone()),
+                        Node {
+                            width: Val::Px(width),
+                            height: Val::Px(PREVIEW_THUMB_HEIGHT_PX),
+                            ..default()
+                        },
+                    ));
+                }
+                left.spawn(Node {
                     flex_direction: FlexDirection::Column,
                     row_gap: VAL_SPACE_2,
                     ..default()
@@ -497,6 +651,7 @@ fn spawn_store_row(
                         TextColor(TEXT_SECONDARY),
                     ));
                 });
+            });
             if installed {
                 row.spawn((
                     Text::new("Installed"),
@@ -661,4 +816,85 @@ mod tests {
         ));
         assert_eq!(screen_count(&mut app), 1);
     }
+
+    // -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+    // Phase H part 2: preview thumbnails
+    // -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+    fn catalog_entry(id: &str, preview: bool) -> ThemeCatalogEntry {
+        ThemeCatalogEntry {
+            id: id.into(),
+            name: id.into(),
+            author: "Test".into(),
+            version: "1.0.0".into(),
+            card_aspect: (2, 3),
+            size_bytes: 1024,
+            sha256: "00".into(),
+            download_url: format!("/api/themes/{id}/download"),
+            preview_url: preview.then(|| format!("/api/themes/{id}/preview")),
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// A row whose theme id is in the [`PreviewCache`] renders an
+    /// `ImageNode` thumbnail; a row without one stays text-only.
+    #[test]
+    fn loaded_row_shows_preview_thumbnail_only_when_cached() {
+        let mut app = headless_app();
+        let cached = catalog_entry("with-preview", true);
+        let uncached = catalog_entry("without-preview", false);
+
+        let mut cache = PreviewCache::default();
+        cache
+            .0
+            .insert(cached.id.clone(), Handle::<Image>::default());
+        let state = CatalogState::Loaded(vec![cached, uncached]);
+
+        {
+            let world = app.world_mut();
+            let mut commands = world.commands();
+            spawn_store_modal(&mut commands, &state, None, &cache, None);
+        }
+        app.update();
+
+        let thumbs = app
+            .world_mut()
+            .query::<&ImageNode>()
+            .iter(app.world())
+            .count();
+        assert_eq!(
+            thumbs, 1,
+            "exactly the cached entry must render a preview thumbnail"
+        );
+    }
+
+    /// The thumbnail width follows the theme's own card aspect so a
+    /// preview never renders stretched.
+    #[test]
+    fn preview_thumbnail_width_follows_card_aspect() {
+        let mut app = headless_app();
+        let mut entry = catalog_entry("wide", true);
+        entry.card_aspect = (1, 1); // square theme art
+        let mut cache = PreviewCache::default();
+        cache.0.insert(entry.id.clone(), Handle::<Image>::default());
+        let state = CatalogState::Loaded(vec![entry]);
+
+        {
+            let world = app.world_mut();
+            let mut commands = world.commands();
+            spawn_store_modal(&mut commands, &state, None, &cache, None);
+        }
+        app.update();
+
+        let node = app
+            .world_mut()
+            .query_filtered::<&Node, With<ImageNode>>()
+            .single(app.world())
+            .expect("thumbnail node must exist");
+        assert_eq!(node.height, Val::Px(PREVIEW_THUMB_HEIGHT_PX));
+        assert_eq!(
+            node.width,
+            Val::Px(PREVIEW_THUMB_HEIGHT_PX),
+            "a 1:1 aspect must yield a square thumbnail"
+        );
+    }
 }

solitaire_engine/src/whats_new_plugin.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,527 @@
+//! One-shot "What's new" card on the first launch after an update
+//! (Phase I of the 2026-07 UI redesign).
+//!
+//! ObtainX updates install silently, so shipped features go unnoticed —
+//! nobody found the theme store on their own. On the first launch where
+//! the running release differs from `Settings::last_seen_whats_new`,
+//! this plugin shows a single dismissible card summarising the latest
+//! changelog section, then records the version so the card never
+//! repeats. Fresh installs never see it: onboarding completion stamps
+//! the current version silently, so the card only ever describes an
+//! *upgrade*.
+//!
+//! # Launch beat
+//!
+//! Splash → (first run only: onboarding) → **what's new** → Home →
+//! table. `spawn_home_on_launch` waits on [`WhatsNewPending`] the same
+//! way it waits for the onboarding modal.
+//!
+//! # Version source
+//!
+//! The embedded `CHANGELOG.md`'s topmost release section provides both
+//! the card's content and the "current version" for change detection —
+//! one source of truth, no build-time version plumbing. (The APK
+//! `versionName` comes from the release tag at package time and never
+//! reaches Rust; the workspace `Cargo.toml` version is static.)
+
+use bevy::input::ButtonInput;
+use bevy::prelude::*;
+use solitaire_data::save_settings_to;
+
+use crate::font_plugin::FontResource;
+use crate::onboarding_plugin::OnboardingScreen;
+use crate::settings_plugin::{SettingsResource, SettingsStoragePath};
+use crate::ui_modal::{
+    ButtonVariant, ModalScrim, spawn_modal, spawn_modal_actions, spawn_modal_button,
+    spawn_modal_header,
+};
+use crate::ui_theme::{
+    TEXT_PRIMARY, TEXT_SECONDARY, TYPE_BODY, TYPE_CAPTION, VAL_SPACE_1, VAL_SPACE_2, Z_MODAL_PANEL,
+};
+
+/// The changelog ships inside the binary — small, changes only at
+/// release cadence, and the card must work offline (§4.2).
+const CHANGELOG: &str = include_str!("../../CHANGELOG.md");
+
+/// Most bullets shown on the card; a giant release stays skimmable.
+const MAX_CARD_BULLETS: usize = 8;
+
+/// Marker on the What's-new modal's scrim root.
+#[derive(Component, Debug)]
+pub struct WhatsNewScreen;
+
+/// Marker on the card's "Got it" button.
+#[derive(Component, Debug)]
+struct WhatsNewCloseButton;
+
+/// `true` until this plugin has made its launch-beat decision — either
+/// the card was shown and dismissed, or there was nothing to show.
+/// `spawn_home_on_launch` waits on this so the card gets the beat
+/// before Home.
+#[derive(Resource, Debug)]
+pub struct WhatsNewPending(pub bool);
+
+impl Default for WhatsNewPending {
+    fn default() -> Self {
+        Self(true)
+    }
+}
+
+/// One display line of the card.
+#[derive(Debug, PartialEq, Eq)]
+enum NoteLine {
+    /// A `###` section heading ("Added", "Fixed", …).
+    Heading(String),
+    /// The lead sentence of one changelog bullet.
+    Bullet(String),
+}
+
+/// The changelog's topmost release section, reduced to card content.
+#[derive(Debug)]
+struct ReleaseNotes {
+    /// Version string without the `v` prefix, e.g. `"0.46.0"`.
+    version: String,
+    lines: Vec<NoteLine>,
+}
+
+/// The version of the topmost changelog release — the engine's notion
+/// of "the running release". Empty only if the changelog is malformed.
+pub fn current_release_version() -> String {
+    parse_latest_release(CHANGELOG).map_or_else(String::new, |notes| notes.version)
+}
+
+/// Parses the first `## [x.y.z]` section of `changelog` into card
+/// content. `## [Unreleased]` is skipped; `### Internal` subsections
+/// are dropped (players don't care about CI); each bullet is reduced
+/// to its lead sentence with markdown emphasis stripped.
+fn parse_latest_release(changelog: &str) -> Option<ReleaseNotes> {
+    let mut lines_iter = changelog.lines();
+    let mut version = None;
+    for line in lines_iter.by_ref() {
+        if let Some(rest) = line.strip_prefix("## [") {
+            let (v, _) = rest.split_once(']')?;
+            if v.eq_ignore_ascii_case("Unreleased") {
+                continue;
+            }
+            version = Some(v.to_string());
+            break;
+        }
+    }
+    let version = version?;
+
+    let mut lines = Vec::new();
+    let mut skipping_section = false;
+    let mut current_bullet: Option<String> = None;
+
+    let flush = |bullet: &mut Option<String>, lines: &mut Vec<NoteLine>| {
+        if let Some(text) = bullet.take() {
+            lines.push(NoteLine::Bullet(lead_sentence(&text)));
+        }
+    };
+
+    for line in lines_iter {
+        if line.starts_with("## [") {
+            break; // next (older) release section
+        }
+        if let Some(heading) = line.strip_prefix("### ") {
+            flush(&mut current_bullet, &mut lines);
+            skipping_section = heading.trim().eq_ignore_ascii_case("internal");
+            if !skipping_section {
+                lines.push(NoteLine::Heading(heading.trim().to_string()));
+            }
+            continue;
+        }
+        if skipping_section {
+            continue;
+        }
+        if let Some(rest) = line.strip_prefix("- ") {
+            flush(&mut current_bullet, &mut lines);
+            current_bullet = Some(rest.trim().to_string());
+        } else if current_bullet.is_some() && !line.trim().is_empty() {
+            // Wrapped continuation of the current bullet.
+            if let Some(bullet) = current_bullet.as_mut() {
+                bullet.push(' ');
+                bullet.push_str(line.trim());
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    flush(&mut current_bullet, &mut lines);
+
+    Some(ReleaseNotes { version, lines })
+}
+
+/// Strips markdown emphasis / code ticks and truncates to the first
+/// sentence — changelog bullets lead with a bold summary sentence, and
+/// that is exactly the card-sized version.
+fn lead_sentence(bullet: &str) -> String {
+    let stripped: String = bullet.replace("**", "").replace('`', "");
+    // Trailing "(#123)" references never survive the sentence cut, but
+    // guard against a bullet that is only a reference.
+    let end = stripped.find(". ").map_or(stripped.len(), |i| i + 1);
+    stripped[..end].trim().trim_end_matches('.').to_string()
+}
+
+/// Registers the launch-gate spawn system and the dismiss handlers.
+pub struct WhatsNewPlugin;
+
+impl Plugin for WhatsNewPlugin {
+    fn build(&self, app: &mut App) {
+        app.init_resource::<WhatsNewPending>()
+            .init_resource::<ButtonInput<KeyCode>>()
+            .add_systems(
+                Update,
+                (maybe_spawn_whats_new, handle_whats_new_close).chain(),
+            );
+    }
+}
+
+/// Shows the card once the launch surface is clear, or stands down when
+/// there is nothing to show. See the module docs for the exact beat.
+///
+/// The seen-version stamp persists on *spawn*, not dismissal — if the
+/// app dies with the card open the player has still seen it once, and
+/// the card must never nag.
+#[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
+fn maybe_spawn_whats_new(
+    mut commands: Commands,
+    mut pending: ResMut<WhatsNewPending>,
+    splash: Query<(), With<crate::splash_plugin::SplashRoot>>,
+    onboarding: Query<(), With<OnboardingScreen>>,
+    restore_prompts: Query<(), With<crate::game_plugin::RestorePromptScreen>>,
+    pending_restore: Option<Res<crate::game_plugin::PendingRestoredGame>>,
+    other_scrims: Query<(), With<ModalScrim>>,
+    mut settings: Option<ResMut<SettingsResource>>,
+    storage_path: Option<Res<SettingsStoragePath>>,
+    font_res: Option<Res<FontResource>>,
+    screens: Query<(), With<WhatsNewScreen>>,
+) {
+    if !pending.0 {
+        return;
+    }
+    if !screens.is_empty() {
+        // Card already open — the seen-version stamp landed on spawn,
+        // so without this guard the next frame would read "already
+        // seen" and release the beat under the open card.
+        return;
+    }
+    if !splash.is_empty()
+        || !onboarding.is_empty()
+        || !restore_prompts.is_empty()
+        || pending_restore.as_ref().is_some_and(|p| p.0.is_some())
+    {
+        return;
+    }
+    let Some(settings) = settings.as_mut() else {
+        // Headless / no settings wired: nothing to compare against.
+        pending.0 = false;
+        return;
+    };
+    if !settings.0.first_run_complete {
+        // Fresh install mid-onboarding — completion stamps the version
+        // itself (see `complete_onboarding`), which resolves this gate
+        // on a later frame without ever showing the card.
+        return;
+    }
+    let Some(notes) = parse_latest_release(CHANGELOG) else {
+        pending.0 = false;
+        return;
+    };
+    if settings.0.last_seen_whats_new == notes.version {
+        pending.0 = false;
+        return;
+    }
+    if !other_scrims.is_empty() {
+        // Another modal owns the beat right now; try again next frame.
+        return;
+    }
+
+    spawn_whats_new_card(&mut commands, &notes, font_res.as_deref());
+
+    settings.0.last_seen_whats_new = notes.version.clone();
+    if let Some(p) = storage_path
+        && let Some(path) = p.0.as_deref()
+        && let Err(e) = save_settings_to(path, &settings.0)
+    {
+        warn!("whats-new: failed to persist seen version: {e}");
+    }
+    // `pending` stays true until dismissal so Home keeps waiting.
+}
+
+/// Dismisses the card on "Got it" or Esc and releases the launch beat.
+fn handle_whats_new_close(
+    mut commands: Commands,
+    keys: Option<Res<ButtonInput<KeyCode>>>,
+    buttons: Query<&Interaction, (With<WhatsNewCloseButton>, Changed<Interaction>)>,
+    screens: Query<Entity, With<WhatsNewScreen>>,
+    other_scrims: Query<(), (With<ModalScrim>, Without<WhatsNewScreen>)>,
+    mut pending: ResMut<WhatsNewPending>,
+) {
+    if screens.is_empty() {
+        return;
+    }
+    let click = buttons.iter().any(|i| *i == Interaction::Pressed);
+    let esc = keys.is_some_and(|k| k.just_pressed(KeyCode::Escape)) && other_scrims.is_empty();
+    if !click && !esc {
+        return;
+    }
+    for entity in &screens {
+        commands.entity(entity).despawn();
+    }
+    pending.0 = false;
+}
+
+/// Spawns the card: header with the version, the parsed changelog
+/// lines, and a "Got it" action.
+fn spawn_whats_new_card(
+    commands: &mut Commands,
+    notes: &ReleaseNotes,
+    font_res: Option<&FontResource>,
+) {
+    let font_handle = font_res.map(|f| f.0.clone()).unwrap_or_default();
+    let font_heading = TextFont {
+        font: font_handle.clone(),
+        font_size: TYPE_CAPTION,
+        ..default()
+    };
+    let font_bullet = TextFont {
+        font: font_handle,
+        font_size: TYPE_BODY,
+        ..default()
+    };
+
+    // Deliberately NOT ScrimDismissible: scrim-tap despawns without
+    // running the close handler, which would leave the launch beat
+    // held and Home never spawning. Esc and "Got it" both release it.
+    let title = format!("What's new in v{}", notes.version);
+    spawn_modal(commands, WhatsNewScreen, Z_MODAL_PANEL, |card| {
+        spawn_modal_header(card, &title, font_res);
+
+        card.spawn(Node {
+            flex_direction: FlexDirection::Column,
+            row_gap: VAL_SPACE_2,
+            width: Val::Percent(100.0),
+            max_height: Val::Vh(60.0),
+            overflow: Overflow::scroll_y(),
+            ..default()
+        })
+        .with_children(|body| {
+            let mut bullets_shown = 0usize;
+            for line in &notes.lines {
+                match line {
+                    NoteLine::Heading(heading) => {
+                        body.spawn((
+                            Text::new(heading.clone()),
+                            font_heading.clone(),
+                            TextColor(TEXT_SECONDARY),
+                            Node {
+                                margin: UiRect::top(VAL_SPACE_1),
+                                ..default()
+                            },
+                        ));
+                    }
+                    NoteLine::Bullet(text) => {
+                        if bullets_shown >= MAX_CARD_BULLETS {
+                            continue;
+                        }
+                        bullets_shown += 1;
+                        body.spawn((
+                            Text::new(format!("\u{2022} {text}")),
+                            font_bullet.clone(),
+                            TextColor(TEXT_PRIMARY),
+                        ));
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+        });
+
+        spawn_modal_actions(card, |actions| {
+            spawn_modal_button(
+                actions,
+                WhatsNewCloseButton,
+                "Got it",
+                None,
+                ButtonVariant::Primary,
+                font_res,
+            );
+        });
+    });
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+    use solitaire_data::Settings;
+
+    const SAMPLE: &str = "# Changelog\n\n## [Unreleased]\n\n## [0.46.0] — 2026-07-13\n\n\
+### Added\n\n- **Theme-store previews.** The store modal now shows each theme's\n  \
+preview image next to its name. (#179)\n- **Hint ghost preview.** You see the move. (#179)\n\n\
+### Internal\n\n- **CI is faster.** Nobody cares in-game. (#176)\n\n\
+### Fixed\n\n- **Touch onboarding copy.** No more left-click. (#178)\n\n\
+## [0.45.0] — 2026-07-13\n\n### Added\n\n- Old stuff.\n";
+
+    #[test]
+    fn parses_top_section_version_and_skips_unreleased() {
+        let notes = parse_latest_release(SAMPLE).expect("sample must parse");
+        assert_eq!(notes.version, "0.46.0");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn drops_internal_sections_and_older_releases() {
+        let notes = parse_latest_release(SAMPLE).expect("sample must parse");
+        let headings: Vec<&str> = notes
+            .lines
+            .iter()
+            .filter_map(|l| match l {
+                NoteLine::Heading(h) => Some(h.as_str()),
+                _ => None,
+            })
+            .collect();
+        assert_eq!(headings, vec!["Added", "Fixed"]);
+        assert!(
+            !notes
+                .lines
+                .iter()
+                .any(|l| matches!(l, NoteLine::Bullet(b) if b.contains("CI is faster"))),
+            "Internal bullets must not reach the card"
+        );
+        assert!(
+            !notes
+                .lines
+                .iter()
+                .any(|l| matches!(l, NoteLine::Bullet(b) if b.contains("Old stuff"))),
+            "older release sections must not bleed in"
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn bullets_reduce_to_their_lead_sentence() {
+        let notes = parse_latest_release(SAMPLE).expect("sample must parse");
+        assert!(
+            notes
+                .lines
+                .contains(&NoteLine::Bullet("Theme-store previews".to_string()))
+        );
+        assert!(
+            notes
+                .lines
+                .contains(&NoteLine::Bullet("Hint ghost preview".to_string()))
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn embedded_changelog_parses_to_a_nonempty_version() {
+        let version = current_release_version();
+        assert!(
+            !version.is_empty(),
+            "the real CHANGELOG.md must yield a version"
+        );
+        assert!(
+            version.chars().next().is_some_and(|c| c.is_ascii_digit()),
+            "version must be bare (no v prefix): {version}"
+        );
+    }
+
+    fn app_with(settings: Settings) -> App {
+        let mut app = App::new();
+        app.add_plugins(MinimalPlugins).add_plugins(WhatsNewPlugin);
+        app.insert_resource(SettingsResource(settings));
+        app.update();
+        app
+    }
+
+    fn card_count(app: &mut App) -> usize {
+        app.world_mut()
+            .query::<&WhatsNewScreen>()
+            .iter(app.world())
+            .count()
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn upgrade_shows_card_and_stamps_version() {
+        let mut app = app_with(Settings {
+            first_run_complete: true,
+            last_seen_whats_new: "0.1.0".into(),
+            ..Settings::default()
+        });
+        app.update();
+
+        assert_eq!(card_count(&mut app), 1, "an upgrade must show the card");
+        assert_eq!(
+            app.world()
+                .resource::<SettingsResource>()
+                .0
+                .last_seen_whats_new,
+            current_release_version(),
+            "the seen version must stamp on spawn"
+        );
+        assert!(
+            app.world().resource::<WhatsNewPending>().0,
+            "the launch beat stays held until dismissal"
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn seen_version_shows_nothing_and_releases_the_beat() {
+        let mut app = app_with(Settings {
+            first_run_complete: true,
+            last_seen_whats_new: current_release_version(),
+            ..Settings::default()
+        });
+        app.update();
+
+        assert_eq!(card_count(&mut app), 0);
+        assert!(
+            !app.world().resource::<WhatsNewPending>().0,
+            "nothing to show must release the launch beat"
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn fresh_install_waits_for_onboarding_and_never_shows() {
+        let mut app = app_with(Settings {
+            first_run_complete: false,
+            ..Settings::default()
+        });
+        app.update();
+        assert_eq!(card_count(&mut app), 0);
+        assert!(
+            app.world().resource::<WhatsNewPending>().0,
+            "mid-onboarding the beat stays held"
+        );
+
+        // Onboarding completion stamps the version (mirrored from
+        // complete_onboarding) — afterwards the card must stand down.
+        {
+            let mut settings = app.world_mut().resource_mut::<SettingsResource>();
+            settings.0.first_run_complete = true;
+            settings.0.last_seen_whats_new = current_release_version();
+        }
+        app.update();
+        assert_eq!(card_count(&mut app), 0, "fresh installs never see the card");
+        assert!(!app.world().resource::<WhatsNewPending>().0);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn got_it_dismisses_and_releases_the_beat() {
+        let mut app = app_with(Settings {
+            first_run_complete: true,
+            ..Settings::default()
+        });
+        app.update();
+        assert_eq!(card_count(&mut app), 1);
+
+        let button = app
+            .world_mut()
+            .query_filtered::<Entity, With<WhatsNewCloseButton>>()
+            .single(app.world())
+            .expect("Got it button must exist");
+        app.world_mut()
+            .entity_mut(button)
+            .insert(Interaction::Pressed);
+        app.update();
+        app.update();
+
+        assert_eq!(card_count(&mut app), 0, "Got it must dismiss the card");
+        assert!(!app.world().resource::<WhatsNewPending>().0);
+    }
+}