Skip to main content
N.O.M.A.D. has two distinct update paths: software updates for the Command Center itself, and content and app updates for the tools and data you’ve installed. Both are managed from within the Settings area.
Run updates while you have internet access. Once you go offline, you can’t pull new versions until you reconnect.

Software updates

Software updates upgrade the N.O.M.A.D. Command Center and its core dependencies.

Checking for and installing an update

1

Open the update page

Go to Settings → Check for Updates.
2

Check for available updates

The page shows your current version and checks whether a newer release is available.
3

Install the update

If an update is available, click to install it. N.O.M.A.D. downloads the update and restarts automatically.
4

Wait for the restart to complete

The server restart typically takes 2–5 minutes. Your browser connection will drop briefly during the restart — this is expected. Refresh the page after a minute or two to reconnect.
If an update fails, the previous version should continue running. Try again later, or check Settings → System for any error messages.

Early Access Channel

The Early Access Channel lets you opt in to receive release candidate builds — the latest features and improvements before they reach the stable release. To enable it, go to Settings → Check for Updates and turn on the Early Access Channel toggle.
Early access builds may contain bugs. If you need maximum stability, stay on the stable channel. You can switch back to stable from the same page at any time.

App updates

Installed apps (AI Assistant, Information Library, Education Platform, etc.) are updated separately from the core software. Starting in v1.29, N.O.M.A.D. automatically checks for newer versions of your installed apps each night. When updates are available, notifications appear on the Settings → Apps page.

Applying an app update

1

Open the Apps page

Go to Settings → Apps.
2

Find tools with available updates

Tools with pending updates are flagged with an update indicator. Select the version you want to apply.
3

Apply the update

Click the update action. N.O.M.A.D. pulls the updated container image and recreates the container. The tool is briefly unavailable during the process.
See Apps Manager for full details on managing installed tools.

Content updates

Content updates (Wikipedia snapshots, map regions, ZIM files) are managed separately:
  • ZIM content (Wikipedia, references, ebooks) — update via Settings → Content Explorer. Check for newer versions of your installed files and download them.
  • Map regions — map data does not have an automatic update check. Re-download a region from Settings → Maps Manager to get the latest version.
  • Educational content — Kolibri manages its own content channels. Open Kolibri, sign in as admin, and go to Device → Channels to update course content.

Summary: what updates what

WhatWhere to update
N.O.M.A.D. Command CenterSettings → Check for Updates
Installed apps (AI, Kiwix, Kolibri, etc.)Settings → Apps
ZIM content (Wikipedia, references)Settings → Content Explorer
Map regionsSettings → Maps Manager
Educational channelsKolibri → Device → Channels

Apps Manager

Install, manage, and update individual tools.

Content Manager

Manage and update ZIM content files.

Helper Scripts

Update the Command Center from the command line when the web interface is unavailable.