diff --git a/CLAUDE.md b/CLAUDE.md
index 5864b121..3fd6da4d 100644
--- a/CLAUDE.md
+++ b/CLAUDE.md
@@ -125,7 +125,27 @@ For maintainers:
 - Tag `v<version>-tauri` **on `main`**, not on `beta`. The release workflow keys off the tag, but tagging on `main` keeps the release commit linear with the always-releasable line.
 - Avoid direct pushes to `main` outside the `beta → main` merge — it bypasses the smoke-test gate.
 
-Channel distribution (in progress): per-channel updater endpoints + a Settings toggle for "join Beta channel" are tracked as a separate change. Until that lands, every release reaches every user; treat all `v*-tauri` tags as Stable-grade for now and avoid tagging anything from `beta` directly.
+Channel distribution (manual-download opt-in):
+
+- **Tag convention.** `v<v>-tauri` → Stable release (GitHub `prerelease=false`, manifest `latest-{tgt}-{arch}.json`). `v<v>-beta-tauri` → Beta release (GitHub `prerelease=true`, manifest `latest-{tgt}-{arch}-beta.json`). The two manifest filenames never overlap, so the in-app updater endpoint (which is fixed at compile time to the no-suffix file) cannot pick up Beta releases. This is the **physical isolation** that guarantees Beta does not leak to Stable users.
+- **Why not auto-update for Beta.** `tauri-plugin-updater` 2.10's `Builder` does not expose `endpoints()` — endpoints are only readable from `tauri.conf.json` at build time and cannot be swapped at runtime. Rather than fork the plugin or write a custom updater (~500 lines, high risk), Beta opt-in is implemented as a manual-download flow: Settings → About has a "Join Beta channel" toggle that, when on, calls `fetch_latest_beta_release` (GitHub Releases API), shows the latest pre-release tag, and routes the user to the GitHub release page to download manually. No installer signing/install path needs to be re-implemented.
+- **Where the wiring lives.** Pref field: `UserPreferences::update_channel` (`types.rs`). IPC: `get_update_channel` / `set_update_channel` / `fetch_latest_beta_release` (`commands.rs`). UI: `BetaChannelControl` inside `AboutMini` (`SettingsModal.tsx`). i18n: `settings.about.betaChannel*` keys.
+
+### Release verification checklist (run after every tag push)
+
+Run after pushing **either** a `v*-tauri` or `v*-beta-tauri` tag, **before** announcing the release:
+
+1. **GitHub Release page** matches expectation:
+   - Stable tag: not marked `Pre-release`, in the `releases/latest` redirect.
+   - Beta tag: marked `Pre-release`, **not** the target of `releases/latest`.
+2. **Release assets** are channel-correct:
+   - Stable tag includes `latest-{darwin,windows,linux}-{aarch64,x86_64}.json` + their `-mirror.json` siblings, **without** `-beta` suffix.
+   - Beta tag includes `latest-{tgt}-{arch}-beta.json` + `-beta-mirror.json`, **without** the no-suffix variant.
+3. **Stable user flow.** Install a Stable build, click `Settings → About → Check for updates`. After a Stable release: should offer the new version. After a Beta release only: should report "up to date" (Beta must not appear).
+4. **Beta user flow.** In the same Stable build, toggle on `Join Beta channel`. The latest Beta tag should appear (or "no Beta released yet"). Clicking the download button should open the corresponding GitHub release page.
+5. **Updater endpoint sanity.** `curl -fsSL https://github.com/appergb/openless/releases/latest/download/latest-darwin-aarch64.json` returns the Stable manifest (version field matches the latest Stable tag). It should never return a Beta version, regardless of which tag was pushed most recently.
+
+If any step fails, do not announce the release; investigate `release-tauri.yml` channel detection (`endsWith(github.ref_name, '-beta-tauri')`) and the `OPENLESS_RELEASE_CHANNEL` env propagation in the run logs.
 
 ## Repo conventions
 
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 84c334fe..b00d2fb3 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -140,11 +140,16 @@ OpenLess does one thing: **turn speech into usable written text (especially AI p
 
 - Tauri 2 + Rust backend + React/TS frontend. macOS 12+, Windows 10+.
 - **Toggle and push-to-talk** recording modes. `Esc` cancels at any phase, including polish/insert.
-- Volcengine streaming ASR + OpenAI Whisper-compatible batch ASR; Ark / DeepSeek / OpenAI-compatible chat-completions for polish.
-- 4 output modes: raw, light polish, structured (**AI prompt mode**), formal.
+- **Cloud ASR**: Volcengine streaming ASR, OpenAI Whisper-compatible batch ASR, Apple Speech (macOS).
+- **Local ASR**: bundled Qwen3-ASR (0.6B / 1.7B) via vendored `antirez/qwen-asr`; Windows Foundry Local Whisper variants.
+- **Polish providers**: Ark / DeepSeek / OpenAI / Doubao / Anthropic-compatible chat-completions, plus any OpenAI-compatible endpoint you bring.
+- 4 output modes: raw, light polish, structured (**AI prompt mode**), formal. Plus a **translation hotkey** that converts speech directly into the configured target language ([#43](../../issues/43)).
+- **Selection-ask QA panel** — separate hotkey opens a floating panel that runs voice Q&A against the highlighted text in any app ([#118](../../issues/118)).
 - Main window: Overview / History / Vocab / Style / Settings. Persistent tray icon. Mini status capsule floating on screen.
-- **Bilingual UI** — Settings → Language switches between 简体中文 and English (auto-detects on first launch).
+- **Multilingual UI** — Settings → Language switches between 简体中文 / 繁體中文 / English / 日本語 / 한국어 (auto-detects on first launch).
 - **In-app auto-update** — Settings → About → Check button; signed updater artifacts via Tauri updater plugin.
+- **Beta channel (opt-in)** — Settings → About → Join Beta channel exposes the latest pre-release build for manual download; Beta releases never reach Stable users automatically (see [Contributing workflow](#contributing-workflow)).
+- **Distribution channels** — direct DMG/EXE from [Releases](../../releases), Homebrew Cask (`brew install --cask openless`), Windows installer.
 - **Single-instance lock** — prevents two OpenLess processes from racing the same hotkey edge.
 - Dictionary entries injected as Volcengine ASR `context.hotwords` and as semantic hints during polish; hits accumulate per session.
 - Platform-native global hotkey: CGEventTap on macOS, low-level keyboard hook (`WH_KEYBOARD_LL`) on Windows.
@@ -237,7 +242,7 @@ Rules of thumb:
 - **Beta work must not leak to Stable.** `main` only receives merges from `beta`, performed by maintainers after a successful two-platform smoke build. No direct pushes to `main`.
 - **Stable releases are cut from `main`** by pushing a `v<version>-tauri` tag — see the maintainer release checklist below.
 
-Beta release distribution (opt-in, not yet wired): Beta builds are intended for users who consciously join the Beta channel; the in-app updater currently treats every release as Stable, and a follow-up change will introduce per-channel updater endpoints + a Settings toggle.
+Beta release distribution (manual-download opt-in): the in-app updater always reads the Stable manifest, so regular users never get Beta builds via auto-update. Users who want to try Beta open **Settings → About**, flip "Join Beta channel", and download the latest Beta installer manually from the link the app fetches from GitHub. Tag convention: `v<version>-beta-tauri` produces the Beta release (marked GitHub pre-release; manifest written as `latest-{tgt}-{arch}-beta.json`); `v<version>-tauri` produces the Stable release. The two manifest files never overlap, so Stable users' updater feed cannot pick up Beta releases.
 
 ## Credentials
 
@@ -287,7 +292,7 @@ The main window is organized as Home / History / Dictionary / Settings. The Dict
 
 ## Architecture
 
-The active implementation is Tauri 2 (`openless-all/app/`). Auto-updates ride on the Tauri updater plugin; signed updater artifacts are produced by CI on every `v*-tauri` tag.
+The active implementation is Tauri 2 (`openless-all/app/`). Releases are split into two channels: **Stable** (`v<v>-tauri` tag, auto-updated to all users) and **Beta** (`v<v>-beta-tauri` tag, GitHub pre-release, manually downloaded by opt-in users). Signed updater artifacts are produced by CI on every release tag.
 
 **Tauri backend (Rust)** — each module depends only on `types.rs`:
 
@@ -323,10 +328,31 @@ Planned but not yet shipped:
 
 ## Maintainer release checklist
 
-- Bump version in `openless-all/app/package.json`, `src-tauri/tauri.conf.json`, and `src-tauri/Cargo.toml`.
+OpenLess ships two release channels. Branch name = channel name (see [Contributing workflow](#contributing-workflow)).
+
+### Common prep (both channels)
+
+- Bump version in **all five** files: `package.json`, `package-lock.json` (root + nested entry under `packages.""`), `src-tauri/tauri.conf.json`, `src-tauri/Cargo.toml`, `Cargo.lock` (look for the `name = "openless"` block). CI's `Verify version sync` step will fail the build otherwise.
 - Run `INSTALL=0 ./scripts/build-mac.sh` and confirm the `.app` launches.
-- Verify on a clean macOS box: permission flow, hotkey, recording, ASR, polish, insertion, clipboard fallback.
-- Push a `v<version>-tauri` tag — CI builds + signs the updater artifacts and the macOS `.dmg` + Windows `.msi`. The updater needs `TAURI_SIGNING_PRIVATE_KEY` repo secret (matching the pubkey in `tauri.conf.json`).
+- Smoke-test on a clean machine: permission flow, hotkey, recording, ASR, polish, insertion, clipboard fallback.
+- Confirm `TAURI_SIGNING_PRIVATE_KEY` and (for macOS) the Apple signing/notarization secrets are set on the repo.
+
+### Beta channel — `v<v>-beta-tauri`
+
+1. Land changes onto the `beta` branch via PR review.
+2. Push tag **on `beta`**: `git tag v<v>-beta-tauri && git push origin v<v>-beta-tauri`.
+3. CI tags the GitHub Release as `Pre-release` and uploads only `latest-{tgt}-{arch}-beta.json` updater manifests. Stable users' `releases/latest` redirect is unaffected.
+4. Announce in the appropriate channel (issue thread, QQ group) that opt-in Beta users can grab it from Settings → About → Join Beta channel.
+
+### Stable channel — `v<v>-tauri`
+
+1. Merge `beta → main` after the Beta release has soaked enough (or run a final two-platform smoke build directly).
+2. Push tag **on `main`**: `git tag v<v>-tauri && git push origin v<v>-tauri`.
+3. CI publishes a normal GitHub Release and uploads `latest-{tgt}-{arch}.json` (no `-beta` suffix). All Stable users get the update through the in-app updater.
+
+### Post-release verification (always run)
+
+Run the 5-step checklist in [`CLAUDE.md` → Branch & release-channel workflow → Channel distribution](CLAUDE.md): page status (pre-release flag), asset filename channel-correctness, Stable user flow, Beta opt-in flow, raw endpoint sanity.
 
 ## Acknowledgements
 
diff --git a/README.zh.md b/README.zh.md
index 3200da61..c72029b7 100644
--- a/README.zh.md
+++ b/README.zh.md
@@ -140,11 +140,16 @@ OpenLess 只做一件事：**把语音变成可用的书面文字（尤其是 AI
 
 - Tauri 2 + Rust 后端 + React/TS 前端；macOS 12+，Windows 10+。
 - **切换式 + 按住说话** 双模式录音；任意阶段按 `Esc` 都能取消（包括润色 / 插入中）。
-- 接入火山引擎流式 ASR + OpenAI Whisper 兼容批式 ASR；Ark / DeepSeek / OpenAI 兼容 Chat Completions 进行润色。
-- 4 种输出模式：原文、轻度润色、清晰结构（**AI prompt 模式**）、正式表达。
+- **云端 ASR**：火山引擎流式 ASR、OpenAI Whisper 兼容批式 ASR、Apple Speech（macOS）。
+- **本地 ASR**：内置 Qwen3-ASR（0.6B / 1.7B），通过 vendored `antirez/qwen-asr` 链接；Windows 端支持 Foundry Local Whisper。
+- **润色 Provider**：Ark / DeepSeek / OpenAI / Doubao / Anthropic 兼容的 Chat Completions，以及任意 OpenAI 兼容的自定义 endpoint。
+- 4 种输出模式：原文、轻度润色、清晰结构（**AI prompt 模式**）、正式表达。另含**翻译热键**——按下后说一段话直接转成目标语言插入（[#43](../../issues/43)）。
+- **划词语音问答（QA）面板** — 独立热键打开浮窗，对当前选中文本发起语音 Q&A（[#118](../../issues/118)）。
 - 主窗口按「概览 / 历史 / 词典 / 风格 / 设置」组织；托盘图标常驻；浮动状态胶囊。
-- **中英双语 UI** — 设置 → 语言 切换简体中文 / English（首启按系统语言自动）。
+- **多语言 UI** — 设置 → 语言 切换简体中文 / 繁體中文 / English / 日本語 / 한국어（首启按系统语言自动）。
 - **应用内自动更新** — 设置 → 关于 → 检查按钮；CI 用 Tauri updater 签名 manifest，客户端校验后下载安装。
+- **Beta 渠道（opt-in）** — 设置 → 关于 → 加入 Beta 渠道，会显示最新 prerelease 的下载入口供手动安装；Beta 包永远不会被自动推送给正式版用户（详见 [贡献流程](#贡献流程)）。
+- **分发渠道** — [Releases](../../releases) 直接下载 DMG/EXE，Homebrew Cask（`brew install --cask openless`），Windows 安装程序。
 - **单实例锁** — 防止两份 OpenLess 进程并存争抢同一热键边沿。
 - 词典条目作为 Volcengine ASR `context.hotwords` 注入 + 润色语义提示，每次会话累计命中数。
 - 平台原生全局快捷键：macOS 使用 CGEventTap，Windows 使用低层键盘钩子（`WH_KEYBOARD_LL`）。
@@ -240,7 +245,7 @@ OpenLess 采用 **Beta / 正式版** 双渠道分支模型。
 - **Beta 不能溢出到正式版。** `main` 只接收来自 `beta` 的合并，由维护者在双端冒烟测试通过后执行；任何人不要直接 push `main`。
 - **正式版 Release 从 `main` 切出**，通过推送 `v<版本>-tauri` tag 触发，详见下方"维护者：发布检查"。
 
-Beta 包的分发（opt-in，尚未接入）：Beta 包面向主动加入 Beta 渠道的用户；当前 App 内 updater 把所有 release 都当作正式版处理，后续会在设置页加入"加入 Beta 渠道"开关，并把 updater endpoint 按渠道拆开。
+Beta 包的分发（手动下载式 opt-in）：App 内自动更新永远只读正式版 manifest，普通用户拿不到 Beta 包。想试 Beta 的用户去 **设置 → 关于**，打开「加入 Beta 渠道」开关，App 会从 GitHub 拉到最新 Beta release 信息并展示下载入口，由用户手动下载安装。Tag 约定：`v<版本>-beta-tauri` 出 Beta release（GitHub 标 pre-release，manifest 写到 `latest-{tgt}-{arch}-beta.json`）；`v<版本>-tauri` 出正式版。两组 manifest 文件名物理隔离，正式版用户的 endpoint 永远拿不到 Beta release。
 
 ## 凭据
 
@@ -290,7 +295,7 @@ OpenLess 的润色模型只做文本整理，不做问答、不做任务执行
 
 ## 架构概览
 
-当前活跃实现是 Tauri 2（`openless-all/app/`）。自动更新走 Tauri updater 插件；CI 在每次 `v*-tauri` tag 自动签名 updater artifact + manifest。
+当前活跃实现是 Tauri 2（`openless-all/app/`）。Release 分两条渠道：**正式版**（`v<v>-tauri` tag，自动推送给所有用户）和 **Beta**（`v<v>-beta-tauri` tag，GitHub 标 pre-release，由 opt-in 用户手动下载）。CI 在每次 release tag 都签名 updater artifact + manifest。
 
 **Tauri 后端（Rust）** — 各模块只依赖 `types.rs`：
 
@@ -326,10 +331,31 @@ commands.rs      Tauri IPC 接口
 
 ## 维护者：发布检查
 
-- 同步更新 `openless-all/app/package.json`、`src-tauri/tauri.conf.json`、`src-tauri/Cargo.toml` 中的版本号。
+OpenLess 走两条 release 渠道，分支名 = 渠道名（详见 [贡献流程](#贡献流程)）。
+
+### 通用准备（两条渠道都要做）
+
+- 同步更新**全部 5 处**版本号：`package.json`、`package-lock.json`（root + `packages.""` 嵌套项）、`src-tauri/tauri.conf.json`、`src-tauri/Cargo.toml`、`Cargo.lock`（找 `name = "openless"` 的那段）。CI 的 `Verify version sync` 步骤会拦截不同步的版本号。
 - 运行 `INSTALL=0 ./scripts/build-mac.sh`，确认 `.app` 可启动。
-- 在干净 macOS 机器上验证：权限引导、快捷键、录音、ASR、润色、插入、剪贴板兜底。
-- 推送 `v<version>-tauri` tag → CI 构建并签名 updater artifact + macOS `.dmg` + Windows `.msi`。需要 repo secret `TAURI_SIGNING_PRIVATE_KEY`（对应 `tauri.conf.json` 中的 pubkey）才能签名 updater 包。
+- 在干净机器上跑冒烟：权限引导、快捷键、录音、ASR、润色、插入、剪贴板兜底。
+- 确认 repo 已配置 `TAURI_SIGNING_PRIVATE_KEY`，macOS 还需 Apple 签名/公证 secrets。
+
+### Beta 渠道 — `v<v>-beta-tauri`
+
+1. 通过 PR review 把改动落到 `beta` 分支。
+2. **在 `beta` 上**打 tag：`git tag v<v>-beta-tauri && git push origin v<v>-beta-tauri`。
+3. CI 把 GitHub Release 标为 `Pre-release`，只上传 `latest-{tgt}-{arch}-beta.json` updater manifest；正式版用户的 `releases/latest` 重定向不受影响。
+4. 在合适的频道（issue 帖子、QQ 群）通知 opt-in Beta 用户：可以从 设置 → 关于 → 加入 Beta 渠道 拿到最新版本下载入口。
+
+### 正式版渠道 — `v<v>-tauri`
+
+1. Beta 经过足够时间 soak（或直接做最终的双端冒烟）后把 `beta` 合到 `main`。
+2. **在 `main` 上**打 tag：`git tag v<v>-tauri && git push origin v<v>-tauri`。
+3. CI 发布常规 GitHub Release 并上传 `latest-{tgt}-{arch}.json`（不带 `-beta` 后缀）。所有正式版用户通过应用内 updater 收到此版本。
+
+### 发版后验证（每次必跑）
+
+走 [`CLAUDE.md` → Branch & release-channel workflow → Channel distribution](CLAUDE.md) 里的 5 步 checklist：页面状态（pre-release 标记）、资产文件名按渠道正确、正式版用户流、Beta opt-in 流、原始 endpoint 抽查。
 
 ## 致谢
 
diff --git a/openless-all/app/src-tauri/src/commands.rs b/openless-all/app/src-tauri/src/commands.rs
index a7dd8ece..136c0340 100644
--- a/openless-all/app/src-tauri/src/commands.rs
+++ b/openless-all/app/src-tauri/src/commands.rs
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ use crate::recorder::{AudioConsumer, Recorder};
 use crate::types::{
     ChineseScriptPreference, ComboBinding, CredentialsStatus, DictationSession, DictionaryEntry,
     HotkeyCapability, HotkeyStatus, OutputLanguagePreference, PolishMode, ShortcutBinding,
-    UserPreferences, VocabPresetStore, WindowsImeStatus,
+    UpdateChannel, UserPreferences, VocabPresetStore, WindowsImeStatus,
 };
 
 type CoordinatorState<'a> = State<'a, Arc<Coordinator>>;
@@ -158,6 +158,100 @@ pub fn set_settings(
     Ok(())
 }
 
+// ─────────────────────────── release channel (Beta opt-in) ───────────────────────────
+//
+// 渠道偏好的写入路径跟 set_settings 复用 persist_settings：保持热键兜底归一化
+// 跟其他 prefs 写入一致，且写完后 emit "prefs:changed"，让前端跨 webview 同步。
+//
+// 注意：plugin-updater 2.10 的 Builder 不暴露 endpoints() 运行时 API，因此切到 Beta
+// 渠道**不会**改变 in-app「检查更新」的行为——它仍然只看正式版 manifest。Beta 用户
+// 通过 `fetch_latest_beta_release` 获取最新 prerelease，由前端跳浏览器手动下载，
+// 物理隔离 Beta 包不会通过 auto-update 推到正式版用户。详见 PR-B-2 description 与
+// CLAUDE.md `Branch & release-channel workflow` 段落。
+
+#[tauri::command]
+pub fn get_update_channel(coord: CoordinatorState<'_>) -> UpdateChannel {
+    coord.prefs().get().update_channel
+}
+
+#[tauri::command]
+pub fn set_update_channel(
+    coord: CoordinatorState<'_>,
+    app: AppHandle,
+    channel: UpdateChannel,
+) -> Result<(), String> {
+    let mut prefs = coord.prefs().get();
+    if prefs.update_channel == channel {
+        return Ok(());
+    }
+    prefs.update_channel = channel;
+    persist_settings(&*coord, prefs.clone())?;
+    let _ = app.emit("prefs:changed", &prefs);
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Serialize)]
+#[serde(rename_all = "camelCase")]
+pub struct LatestBetaRelease {
+    pub tag_name: String,
+    pub html_url: String,
+    pub published_at: String,
+}
+
+/// 调 GitHub Releases API 拿最近 20 条 release，找出第一条 `prerelease=true` 且
+/// tag 以 `-beta-tauri` 结尾的。返回 `Ok(None)` 表示当前没有发布过 Beta 版。
+/// 网络/解析错误以 `Err(String)` 上报，让前端展示具体原因。
+#[tauri::command]
+pub async fn fetch_latest_beta_release() -> Result<Option<LatestBetaRelease>, String> {
+    let client = reqwest::Client::builder()
+        .timeout(std::time::Duration::from_secs(10))
+        .user_agent(concat!("OpenLess/", env!("CARGO_PKG_VERSION")))
+        .build()
+        .map_err(|e| format!("build http client: {e}"))?;
+    let resp = client
+        .get("https://api.github.com/repos/appergb/openless/releases?per_page=20")
+        .header("Accept", "application/vnd.github+json")
+        .send()
+        .await
+        .map_err(|e| format!("fetch releases: {e}"))?;
+    if !resp.status().is_success() {
+        return Err(format!("GitHub API status {}", resp.status()));
+    }
+    let releases: Vec<serde_json::Value> = resp
+        .json()
+        .await
+        .map_err(|e| format!("parse releases json: {e}"))?;
+    let latest = releases.into_iter().find(|r| {
+        let is_pre = r
+            .get("prerelease")
+            .and_then(|v| v.as_bool())
+            .unwrap_or(false);
+        let tag_ok = r
+            .get("tag_name")
+            .and_then(|v| v.as_str())
+            .map(|s| s.ends_with("-beta-tauri"))
+            .unwrap_or(false);
+        is_pre && tag_ok
+    });
+    Ok(latest.map(|r| LatestBetaRelease {
+        tag_name: r
+            .get("tag_name")
+            .and_then(|v| v.as_str())
+            .unwrap_or_default()
+            .to_string(),
+        html_url: r
+            .get("html_url")
+            .and_then(|v| v.as_str())
+            .unwrap_or_default()
+            .to_string(),
+        published_at: r
+            .get("published_at")
+            .and_then(|v| v.as_str())
+            .unwrap_or_default()
+            .to_string(),
+    }))
+}
+
 #[tauri::command]
 pub fn get_hotkey_status(coord: CoordinatorState<'_>) -> HotkeyStatus {
     coord.hotkey_status()
diff --git a/openless-all/app/src-tauri/src/lib.rs b/openless-all/app/src-tauri/src/lib.rs
index 3d79a17d..fe4e9708 100644
--- a/openless-all/app/src-tauri/src/lib.rs
+++ b/openless-all/app/src-tauri/src/lib.rs
@@ -222,6 +222,9 @@ pub fn run() {
         .invoke_handler(tauri::generate_handler![
             commands::get_settings,
             commands::set_settings,
+            commands::get_update_channel,
+            commands::set_update_channel,
+            commands::fetch_latest_beta_release,
             commands::get_hotkey_status,
             commands::get_hotkey_capability,
             commands::set_shortcut_recording_active,
diff --git a/openless-all/app/src-tauri/src/types.rs b/openless-all/app/src-tauri/src/types.rs
index 5c4b8ca3..80db02a8 100644
--- a/openless-all/app/src-tauri/src/types.rs
+++ b/openless-all/app/src-tauri/src/types.rs
@@ -45,6 +45,21 @@ pub enum OutputLanguagePreference {
     Ko,
 }
 
+/// Auto-update 渠道。决定 Settings → 关于 里展示哪一类版本信息。
+/// `Stable` 沿用 `tauri-plugin-updater` 的默认 endpoints（即 `tauri.conf.json`
+/// 里的 `latest-{{target}}-{{arch}}.json`），与发版 pipeline 对齐。
+/// `Beta` 不动 plugin endpoints —— 只解锁 Settings 里"手动下载最新 Beta"的入口
+/// （fetch GitHub `prerelease` + 跳浏览器），物理隔离 Beta 包不会通过 auto-update
+/// 推到正式版用户。详见 README 的"Contributing workflow"和 CLAUDE.md 的
+/// `Branch & release-channel workflow` 段落。
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, Serialize, Deserialize, PartialEq, Eq, Default)]
+#[serde(rename_all = "lowercase")]
+pub enum UpdateChannel {
+    #[default]
+    Stable,
+    Beta,
+}
+
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, Serialize, Deserialize, PartialEq, Eq)]
 #[serde(rename_all = "camelCase")]
 pub enum InsertStatus {
@@ -195,6 +210,10 @@ pub struct UserPreferences {
     /// Windows Foundry Local Whisper 模型在 runtime 中保持加载多久。
     #[serde(default = "default_local_asr_keep_loaded_secs")]
     pub foundry_local_asr_keep_loaded_secs: u32,
+    /// Auto-update 渠道偏好。stable = 跟正式版（默认）；beta = Settings 里多
+    /// 一个手动下载 Beta 的入口。不影响 plugin-updater 的自动检查路径。
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub update_channel: UpdateChannel,
 }
 
 fn default_local_asr_model() -> String {
@@ -264,6 +283,8 @@ struct UserPreferencesWire {
     foundry_local_asr_language_hint: String,
     #[serde(default = "default_local_asr_keep_loaded_secs")]
     foundry_local_asr_keep_loaded_secs: u32,
+    #[serde(default)]
+    update_channel: UpdateChannel,
 }
 
 impl Default for UserPreferencesWire {
@@ -298,6 +319,7 @@ impl Default for UserPreferencesWire {
             foundry_local_asr_model: prefs.foundry_local_asr_model,
             foundry_local_asr_language_hint: prefs.foundry_local_asr_language_hint,
             foundry_local_asr_keep_loaded_secs: prefs.foundry_local_asr_keep_loaded_secs,
+            update_channel: prefs.update_channel,
         }
     }
 }
@@ -346,6 +368,7 @@ impl<'de> Deserialize<'de> for UserPreferences {
             foundry_local_asr_model: wire.foundry_local_asr_model,
             foundry_local_asr_language_hint: wire.foundry_local_asr_language_hint,
             foundry_local_asr_keep_loaded_secs: wire.foundry_local_asr_keep_loaded_secs,
+            update_channel: wire.update_channel,
         })
     }
 }
@@ -450,6 +473,7 @@ impl Default for UserPreferences {
             foundry_local_asr_model: default_foundry_local_asr_model(),
             foundry_local_asr_language_hint: String::new(),
             foundry_local_asr_keep_loaded_secs: default_local_asr_keep_loaded_secs(),
+            update_channel: UpdateChannel::default(),
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/openless-all/app/src/components/SettingsModal.tsx b/openless-all/app/src/components/SettingsModal.tsx
index bfaa23de..62e98e85 100644
--- a/openless-all/app/src/components/SettingsModal.tsx
+++ b/openless-all/app/src/components/SettingsModal.tsx
@@ -7,10 +7,18 @@
 import { useEffect, useRef, useState, type CSSProperties } from 'react';
 import { useTranslation } from 'react-i18next';
 import { Icon } from './Icon';
-import { AboutUpdateControl, Settings as SettingsContent, type SettingsSectionId } from '../pages/Settings';
+import { AboutUpdateControl, Settings as SettingsContent, Toggle, type SettingsSectionId } from '../pages/Settings';
 import { Row } from './ui/Row';
 import { readFontScale, setFontScale, type FontScaleId } from '../lib/fontScale';
-import { exportErrorLog, openExternal } from '../lib/ipc';
+import {
+  exportErrorLog,
+  fetchLatestBetaRelease,
+  getUpdateChannel,
+  openExternal,
+  setUpdateChannel,
+  type LatestBetaRelease,
+  type UpdateChannel,
+} from '../lib/ipc';
 import {
   FOLLOW_SYSTEM,
   getLocalePreference,
@@ -375,10 +383,108 @@ function AboutMini() {
       <Row label={t('modal.about.privacy')} desc={t('modal.about.privacyDesc')}>
         <span style={{ fontSize: 11, padding: '3px 8px', borderRadius: 999, background: 'var(--ol-blue-soft)', color: 'var(--ol-blue)', fontWeight: 500 }}>{t('modal.about.localFirst')}</span>
       </Row>
+      <BetaChannelControl />
     </div>
   );
 }
 
+// Beta 渠道开关：物理隔离的 opt-in，不接 auto-update。
+// - 关闭状态 = 正式版渠道，默认行为，用户从「检查更新」拿正式 release
+// - 打开 = 用户主动加入 Beta；写 prefs（无重启需要）+ 拉一次最新 prerelease 信息
+// - 点"打开 GitHub"跳浏览器到具体的 Beta release 页面，用户手动下载安装
+// 不在 Beta 渠道时不发起 GitHub API 请求，避免空切换浪费配额。
+function BetaChannelControl() {
+  const { t } = useTranslation();
+  const [channel, setChannel] = useState<UpdateChannel>('stable');
+  const [latest, setLatest] = useState<LatestBetaRelease | null>(null);
+  const [status, setStatus] = useState<'idle' | 'fetching' | 'empty' | 'error'>('idle');
+  const [errorMessage, setErrorMessage] = useState<string>('');
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    let cancelled = false;
+    void getUpdateChannel()
+      .then(c => { if (!cancelled) setChannel(c); })
+      .catch(() => { /* fall back to stable already in initial state */ });
+    return () => { cancelled = true; };
+  }, []);
+
+  const fetchBeta = async () => {
+    setStatus('fetching');
+    setErrorMessage('');
+    try {
+      const info = await fetchLatestBetaRelease();
+      if (info == null) {
+        setLatest(null);
+        setStatus('empty');
+      } else {
+        setLatest(info);
+        setStatus('idle');
+      }
+    } catch (err) {
+      setStatus('error');
+      setErrorMessage(err instanceof Error ? err.message : String(err));
+    }
+  };
+
+  const onToggle = async (next: boolean) => {
+    const target: UpdateChannel = next ? 'beta' : 'stable';
+    setChannel(target);
+    try {
+      await setUpdateChannel(target);
+    } catch (err) {
+      setStatus('error');
+      setErrorMessage(err instanceof Error ? err.message : String(err));
+      // 写入失败时回滚 UI，免得用户以为切成功了。
+      setChannel(target === 'beta' ? 'stable' : 'beta');
+      return;
+    }
+    if (target === 'beta') {
+      void fetchBeta();
+    } else {
+      setLatest(null);
+      setStatus('idle');
+      setErrorMessage('');
+    }
+  };
+
+  return (
+    <>
+      <Row label={t('settings.about.betaChannelLabel')} desc={t('settings.about.betaChannelDesc')}>
+        <Toggle on={channel === 'beta'} onToggle={onToggle} />
+      </Row>
+      {channel === 'beta' && (
+        <div style={{ fontSize: 11, color: 'var(--ol-ink-3)', marginTop: -4, marginBottom: 12, lineHeight: 1.6 }}>
+          {status === 'fetching' && <span>{t('settings.about.betaChannelFetching')}</span>}
+          {status === 'empty' && <span>{t('settings.about.betaChannelNoBeta')}</span>}
+          {status === 'error' && (
+            <span style={{ color: 'var(--ol-err)' }} title={errorMessage}>
+              {t('settings.about.betaChannelFetchError')}
+            </span>
+          )}
+          {status === 'idle' && latest && (
+            <div style={{ display: 'flex', alignItems: 'center', gap: 8, flexWrap: 'wrap' }}>
+              <span>
+                {t('settings.about.betaChannelLatestPrefix')} <code style={{ fontFamily: 'var(--ol-font-mono)' }}>{latest.tagName}</code>
+              </span>
+              <button style={btnGhost} onClick={() => openExternal(latest.htmlUrl)}>
+                {t('settings.about.betaChannelDownloadBtn')}
+              </button>
+              <button style={btnGhost} onClick={fetchBeta} title={t('settings.about.betaChannelRefresh')}>
+                <Icon name="refresh" size={12} />
+              </button>
+            </div>
+          )}
+          {status === 'idle' && !latest && (
+            <button style={btnGhost} onClick={fetchBeta}>
+              {t('settings.about.betaChannelFetchBtn')}
+            </button>
+          )}
+        </div>
+      )}
+    </>
+  );
+}
+
 const btnGhost: CSSProperties = {
   padding: '5px 10px', fontSize: 12, borderRadius: 6,
   border: '0.5px solid var(--ol-line-strong)',
diff --git a/openless-all/app/src/i18n/en.ts b/openless-all/app/src/i18n/en.ts
index 30843cd9..3261ef57 100644
--- a/openless-all/app/src/i18n/en.ts
+++ b/openless-all/app/src/i18n/en.ts
@@ -457,6 +457,15 @@ export const en: typeof zhCN = {
       privacy: 'Privacy',
       privacyDesc: 'All transcripts stay on this device. Cloud APIs are only called for real-time transcription/polish; no recordings are retained.',
       localFirst: 'Local-first',
+      betaChannelLabel: 'Join Beta channel',
+      betaChannelDesc: 'Stable channel is the default. Enabling this exposes a manual download link to the latest Beta below; Beta builds are NOT pushed to regular users via auto-update — you have to download and install them yourself. May be unstable, only recommended if you are willing to test pre-release builds and report issues.',
+      betaChannelFetching: 'Fetching the latest Beta…',
+      betaChannelFetchBtn: 'Look up latest Beta',
+      betaChannelLatestPrefix: 'Latest Beta:',
+      betaChannelDownloadBtn: 'Open download page',
+      betaChannelRefresh: 'Refresh',
+      betaChannelNoBeta: 'No Beta release has been published yet.',
+      betaChannelFetchError: 'Failed to fetch Beta release info. Please try again later.',
       updateDialog: {
         available: {
           title: 'Update available',
diff --git a/openless-all/app/src/i18n/ja.ts b/openless-all/app/src/i18n/ja.ts
index 27790919..3c3d56c6 100644
--- a/openless-all/app/src/i18n/ja.ts
+++ b/openless-all/app/src/i18n/ja.ts
@@ -459,6 +459,15 @@ export const ja: typeof zhCN = {
       privacy: 'プライバシー',
       privacyDesc: 'すべての認識結果はローカルにのみ保存されます。クラウド API はリアルタイム転写と整文にのみ使用され、録音は保持されません。',
       localFirst: 'ローカル優先',
+      betaChannelLabel: 'Beta チャンネルに参加',
+      betaChannelDesc: '既定は正式版です。オンにすると最新 Beta 版のダウンロードリンクが下に表示されます。Beta ビルドは自動更新で配布されず、手動でダウンロード・インストールする必要があります。不安定な場合があるため、検証とフィードバック協力に同意するユーザーのみ推奨。',
+      betaChannelFetching: '最新 Beta 版を取得中…',
+      betaChannelFetchBtn: '最新 Beta を確認',
+      betaChannelLatestPrefix: '最新 Beta：',
+      betaChannelDownloadBtn: 'ダウンロード ページを開く',
+      betaChannelRefresh: '再取得',
+      betaChannelNoBeta: 'まだ Beta リリースは公開されていません。',
+      betaChannelFetchError: 'Beta バージョン情報の取得に失敗しました。後で再試行してください。',
       updateDialog: {
         available: {
           title: '新しいバージョンがあります',
diff --git a/openless-all/app/src/i18n/ko.ts b/openless-all/app/src/i18n/ko.ts
index a517a03f..dbff73b1 100644
--- a/openless-all/app/src/i18n/ko.ts
+++ b/openless-all/app/src/i18n/ko.ts
@@ -459,6 +459,15 @@ export const ko: typeof zhCN = {
       privacy: '프라이버시',
       privacyDesc: '모든 인식 결과는 로컬에만 저장됩니다. 클라우드 API 는 실시간 전사와 정리에만 사용되며 녹음을 보관하지 않습니다.',
       localFirst: '로컬 우선',
+      betaChannelLabel: 'Beta 채널 참여',
+      betaChannelDesc: '기본은 정식 버전입니다. 켜면 최신 Beta 버전 다운로드 링크가 아래에 표시됩니다. Beta 빌드는 자동 업데이트로 배포되지 않으며 직접 다운로드해 설치해야 합니다. 불안정할 수 있으므로 사전 평가와 피드백을 제공할 의향이 있는 사용자에게만 권장합니다.',
+      betaChannelFetching: '최신 Beta 버전을 가져오는 중…',
+      betaChannelFetchBtn: '최신 Beta 확인',
+      betaChannelLatestPrefix: '최신 Beta:',
+      betaChannelDownloadBtn: '다운로드 페이지 열기',
+      betaChannelRefresh: '새로 고침',
+      betaChannelNoBeta: '아직 게시된 Beta 릴리스가 없습니다.',
+      betaChannelFetchError: 'Beta 릴리스 정보를 가져오지 못했습니다. 잠시 후 다시 시도하세요.',
       updateDialog: {
         available: {
           title: '새 버전 발견',
diff --git a/openless-all/app/src/i18n/zh-CN.ts b/openless-all/app/src/i18n/zh-CN.ts
index db99cebc..c667a714 100644
--- a/openless-all/app/src/i18n/zh-CN.ts
+++ b/openless-all/app/src/i18n/zh-CN.ts
@@ -455,6 +455,15 @@ export const zhCN = {
       privacy: '隐私',
       privacyDesc: '所有识别结果仅保存在本机。云端 API 仅用于实时转写与润色，不会保留你的录音。',
       localFirst: '本地优先',
+      betaChannelLabel: '加入 Beta 渠道',
+      betaChannelDesc: '默认拿到的是正式版。打开后可在下方看到最新 Beta 版的下载入口；Beta 包不会通过自动更新推到普通用户，需要手动下载安装。可能不稳定，仅推荐愿意尝鲜与反馈问题的用户开启。',
+      betaChannelFetching: '正在获取最新 Beta 版本…',
+      betaChannelFetchBtn: '查询最新 Beta',
+      betaChannelLatestPrefix: '最新 Beta：',
+      betaChannelDownloadBtn: '前往下载',
+      betaChannelRefresh: '重新查询',
+      betaChannelNoBeta: '暂无已发布的 Beta 版。',
+      betaChannelFetchError: '获取 Beta 版本信息失败，请稍后重试。',
       updateDialog: {
         available: {
           title: '发现新版本',
diff --git a/openless-all/app/src/i18n/zh-TW.ts b/openless-all/app/src/i18n/zh-TW.ts
index e457f8cb..d9ed08a8 100644
--- a/openless-all/app/src/i18n/zh-TW.ts
+++ b/openless-all/app/src/i18n/zh-TW.ts
@@ -457,6 +457,15 @@ export const zhTW: typeof zhCN = {
       privacy: '隱私',
       privacyDesc: '所有識別結果僅保存在本機。雲端 API 僅用於實時轉寫與潤色，不會保留你的錄音。',
       localFirst: '本地優先',
+      betaChannelLabel: '加入 Beta 渠道',
+      betaChannelDesc: '預設拿到的是正式版。打開後可在下方看到最新 Beta 版的下載入口；Beta 包不會通過自動更新推送給普通用戶，需要手動下載安裝。可能不穩定，僅推薦願意嘗鮮並回報問題的用戶開啟。',
+      betaChannelFetching: '正在獲取最新 Beta 版本…',
+      betaChannelFetchBtn: '查詢最新 Beta',
+      betaChannelLatestPrefix: '最新 Beta：',
+      betaChannelDownloadBtn: '前往下載',
+      betaChannelRefresh: '重新查詢',
+      betaChannelNoBeta: '尚未發佈過 Beta 版。',
+      betaChannelFetchError: '獲取 Beta 版本資訊失敗，請稍後重試。',
       updateDialog: {
         available: {
           title: '發現新版本',
diff --git a/openless-all/app/src/lib/ipc.ts b/openless-all/app/src/lib/ipc.ts
index 3807725b..4d383f63 100644
--- a/openless-all/app/src/lib/ipc.ts
+++ b/openless-all/app/src/lib/ipc.ts
@@ -152,6 +152,29 @@ export function setSettings(prefs: UserPreferences): Promise<void> {
   return invokeOrMock('set_settings', { prefs }, () => undefined);
 }
 
+// ── Release channel (Beta opt-in) ──────────────────────────────────────
+// 渠道偏好与 fetch_latest_beta_release 实际效果只在 Tauri runtime 内有意义；
+// 浏览器开发模式下走 mock，避免设置页因 invoke 抛错而白屏。
+export type UpdateChannel = 'stable' | 'beta';
+
+export interface LatestBetaRelease {
+  tagName: string;
+  htmlUrl: string;
+  publishedAt: string;
+}
+
+export function getUpdateChannel(): Promise<UpdateChannel> {
+  return invokeOrMock('get_update_channel', undefined, () => 'stable' as UpdateChannel);
+}
+
+export function setUpdateChannel(channel: UpdateChannel): Promise<void> {
+  return invokeOrMock('set_update_channel', { channel }, () => undefined);
+}
+
+export function fetchLatestBetaRelease(): Promise<LatestBetaRelease | null> {
+  return invokeOrMock('fetch_latest_beta_release', undefined, () => null);
+}
+
 export function getHotkeyStatus(): Promise<HotkeyStatus> {
   return invokeOrMock('get_hotkey_status', undefined, () => mockHotkeyStatus);
 }
diff --git a/openless-all/app/src/pages/Settings.tsx b/openless-all/app/src/pages/Settings.tsx
index 2146c641..4c14a3a7 100644
--- a/openless-all/app/src/pages/Settings.tsx
+++ b/openless-all/app/src/pages/Settings.tsx
@@ -1010,7 +1010,7 @@ function AutostartRow() {
   );
 }
 
-function Toggle({ on, onToggle }: { on: boolean; onToggle?: (next: boolean) => void }) {
+export function Toggle({ on, onToggle }: { on: boolean; onToggle?: (next: boolean) => void }) {
   return (
     <button
       onClick={() => onToggle?.(!on)}