feat: upgrade banner with Upgrade All button, detect pre-existing backends

- Add upgrade banner on Backends page showing count and Upgrade All button
- Fix upgrade detection for backends installed before version tracking:
  flag as upgradeable when gallery has a version but installed has none
- Fix OCI digest check to flag backends with no stored digest as upgradeable

core/application/application.go

@@ -37,6 +37,9 @@ type Application struct {
 
 	// Distributed mode services (nil when not in distributed mode)
 	distributed *DistributedServices
+
+	// Upgrade checker (background service for detecting backend upgrades)
+	upgradeChecker *UpgradeChecker
 }
 
 func newApplication(appConfig *config.ApplicationConfig) *Application {
@@ -79,6 +82,19 @@ func (a *Application) AgentJobService() *agentpool.AgentJobService {
 	return a.agentJobService
 }
 
+func (a *Application) UpgradeChecker() *UpgradeChecker {
+	return a.upgradeChecker
+}
+
+// distributedDB returns the PostgreSQL database for distributed coordination,
+// or nil in standalone mode.
+func (a *Application) distributedDB() *gorm.DB {
+	if a.distributed != nil {
+		return a.authDB
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
 func (a *Application) AgentPoolService() *agentpool.AgentPoolService {
 	return a.agentPoolService.Load()
 }

core/application/config_file_watcher.go

@@ -335,6 +335,9 @@ func readRuntimeSettingsJson(startupAppConfig config.ApplicationConfig) fileHand
 			if settings.AutoloadBackendGalleries != nil && !envAutoloadBackendGalleries {
 				appConfig.AutoloadBackendGalleries = *settings.AutoloadBackendGalleries
 			}
+			if settings.AutoUpgradeBackends != nil {
+				appConfig.AutoUpgradeBackends = *settings.AutoUpgradeBackends
+			}
 			if settings.ApiKeys != nil {
 				// API keys from env vars (startup) should be kept, runtime settings keys replace all runtime keys
 				// If runtime_settings.json specifies ApiKeys (even if empty), it replaces all runtime keys

core/application/startup.go

@@ -231,6 +231,15 @@ func New(opts ...config.AppOption) (*Application, error) {
 		xlog.Error("error registering external backends", "error", err)
 	}
 
+	// Start background upgrade checker for backends.
+	// In distributed mode, uses PostgreSQL advisory lock so only one frontend
+	// instance runs periodic checks (avoids duplicate upgrades across replicas).
+	if len(options.BackendGalleries) > 0 {
+		uc := NewUpgradeChecker(options, application.ModelLoader(), application.distributedDB())
+		application.upgradeChecker = uc
+		go uc.Run(options.Context)
+	}
+
 	if options.ConfigFile != "" {
 		if err := application.ModelConfigLoader().LoadMultipleModelConfigsSingleFile(options.ConfigFile, configLoaderOpts...); err != nil {
 			xlog.Error("error loading config file", "error", err)

core/application/upgrade_checker.go

@@ -0,0 +1,198 @@
+package application
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"sync"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/mudler/LocalAI/core/config"
+	"github.com/mudler/LocalAI/core/gallery"
+	"github.com/mudler/LocalAI/core/services/advisorylock"
+	"github.com/mudler/LocalAI/pkg/model"
+	"github.com/mudler/LocalAI/pkg/system"
+	"github.com/mudler/xlog"
+	"gorm.io/gorm"
+)
+
+// UpgradeChecker periodically checks for backend upgrades and optionally
+// auto-upgrades them. It caches the last check results for API queries.
+//
+// In standalone mode it runs a simple ticker loop.
+// In distributed mode it uses a PostgreSQL advisory lock so that only one
+// frontend instance performs periodic checks and auto-upgrades at a time.
+type UpgradeChecker struct {
+	appConfig   *config.ApplicationConfig
+	modelLoader *model.ModelLoader
+	galleries   []config.Gallery
+	systemState *system.SystemState
+	db          *gorm.DB // non-nil in distributed mode
+
+	checkInterval time.Duration
+	stop          chan struct{}
+	done          chan struct{}
+	triggerCh     chan struct{}
+
+	mu            sync.RWMutex
+	lastUpgrades  map[string]gallery.UpgradeInfo
+	lastCheckTime time.Time
+}
+
+// NewUpgradeChecker creates a new UpgradeChecker service.
+// Pass db=nil for standalone mode, or a *gorm.DB for distributed mode
+// (uses advisory locks so only one instance runs periodic checks).
+func NewUpgradeChecker(appConfig *config.ApplicationConfig, ml *model.ModelLoader, db *gorm.DB) *UpgradeChecker {
+	return &UpgradeChecker{
+		appConfig:     appConfig,
+		modelLoader:   ml,
+		galleries:     appConfig.BackendGalleries,
+		systemState:   appConfig.SystemState,
+		db:            db,
+		checkInterval: 6 * time.Hour,
+		stop:          make(chan struct{}),
+		done:          make(chan struct{}),
+		triggerCh:     make(chan struct{}, 1),
+		lastUpgrades:  make(map[string]gallery.UpgradeInfo),
+	}
+}
+
+// Run starts the upgrade checker loop. It waits 30 seconds after startup,
+// performs an initial check, then re-checks every 6 hours.
+//
+// In distributed mode, periodic checks are guarded by a PostgreSQL advisory
+// lock so only one frontend instance runs them. On-demand triggers (TriggerCheck)
+// and the initial check always run locally for fast API response cache warming.
+func (uc *UpgradeChecker) Run(ctx context.Context) {
+	defer close(uc.done)
+
+	// Initial delay: don't slow down startup
+	select {
+	case <-ctx.Done():
+		return
+	case <-uc.stop:
+		return
+	case <-time.After(30 * time.Second):
+	}
+
+	// First check always runs locally (to warm the cache on this instance)
+	uc.runCheck(ctx)
+
+	if uc.db != nil {
+		// Distributed mode: use advisory lock for periodic checks.
+		// RunLeaderLoop ticks every checkInterval; only the lock holder executes.
+		go advisorylock.RunLeaderLoop(ctx, uc.db, advisorylock.KeyBackendUpgradeCheck, uc.checkInterval, func() {
+			uc.runCheck(ctx)
+		})
+
+		// Still listen for on-demand triggers (from API / settings change)
+		// and stop signal — these run on every instance.
+		for {
+			select {
+			case <-ctx.Done():
+				return
+			case <-uc.stop:
+				return
+			case <-uc.triggerCh:
+				uc.runCheck(ctx)
+			}
+		}
+	} else {
+		// Standalone mode: simple ticker loop
+		ticker := time.NewTicker(uc.checkInterval)
+		defer ticker.Stop()
+
+		for {
+			select {
+			case <-ctx.Done():
+				return
+			case <-uc.stop:
+				return
+			case <-ticker.C:
+				uc.runCheck(ctx)
+			case <-uc.triggerCh:
+				uc.runCheck(ctx)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// Shutdown stops the upgrade checker loop.
+func (uc *UpgradeChecker) Shutdown() {
+	close(uc.stop)
+	<-uc.done
+}
+
+// TriggerCheck forces an immediate upgrade check on this instance.
+func (uc *UpgradeChecker) TriggerCheck() {
+	select {
+	case uc.triggerCh <- struct{}{}:
+	default:
+		// Already triggered, skip
+	}
+}
+
+// GetAvailableUpgrades returns the cached upgrade check results.
+func (uc *UpgradeChecker) GetAvailableUpgrades() map[string]gallery.UpgradeInfo {
+	uc.mu.RLock()
+	defer uc.mu.RUnlock()
+
+	// Return a copy to avoid races
+	result := make(map[string]gallery.UpgradeInfo, len(uc.lastUpgrades))
+	for k, v := range uc.lastUpgrades {
+		result[k] = v
+	}
+	return result
+}
+
+func (uc *UpgradeChecker) runCheck(ctx context.Context) {
+	upgrades, err := gallery.CheckBackendUpgrades(ctx, uc.galleries, uc.systemState)
+
+	uc.mu.Lock()
+	uc.lastCheckTime = time.Now()
+	if err != nil {
+		xlog.Debug("Backend upgrade check failed", "error", err)
+		uc.mu.Unlock()
+		return
+	}
+	uc.lastUpgrades = upgrades
+	uc.mu.Unlock()
+
+	if len(upgrades) == 0 {
+		xlog.Debug("All backends up to date")
+		return
+	}
+
+	// Log available upgrades
+	for name, info := range upgrades {
+		if info.AvailableVersion != "" {
+			xlog.Info("Backend upgrade available",
+				"backend", name,
+				"installed", info.InstalledVersion,
+				"available", info.AvailableVersion)
+		} else {
+			xlog.Info("Backend upgrade available (new build)",
+				"backend", name)
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Auto-upgrade if enabled
+	if uc.appConfig.AutoUpgradeBackends {
+		for name, info := range upgrades {
+			xlog.Info("Auto-upgrading backend", "backend", name,
+				"from", info.InstalledVersion, "to", info.AvailableVersion)
+			if err := gallery.UpgradeBackend(ctx, uc.systemState, uc.modelLoader,
+				uc.galleries, name, nil); err != nil {
+				xlog.Error("Failed to auto-upgrade backend",
+					"backend", name, "error", err)
+			} else {
+				xlog.Info("Backend upgraded successfully", "backend", name,
+					"version", info.AvailableVersion)
+			}
+		}
+		// Re-check to update cache after upgrades
+		if freshUpgrades, err := gallery.CheckBackendUpgrades(ctx, uc.galleries, uc.systemState); err == nil {
+			uc.mu.Lock()
+			uc.lastUpgrades = freshUpgrades
+			uc.mu.Unlock()
+		}
+	}
+}

core/cli/backends.go

@@ -40,10 +40,17 @@ type BackendsUninstall struct {
 	BackendsCMDFlags `embed:""`
 }
 
+type BackendsUpgrade struct {
+	BackendArgs []string `arg:"" optional:"" name:"backends" help:"Backend names to upgrade (empty = upgrade all)"`
+
+	BackendsCMDFlags `embed:""`
+}
+
 type BackendsCMD struct {
 	List      BackendsList      `cmd:"" help:"List the backends available in your galleries" default:"withargs"`
 	Install   BackendsInstall   `cmd:"" help:"Install a backend from the gallery"`
 	Uninstall BackendsUninstall `cmd:"" help:"Uninstall a backend"`
+	Upgrade   BackendsUpgrade   `cmd:"" help:"Upgrade backends to latest versions"`
 }
 
 func (bl *BackendsList) Run(ctx *cliContext.Context) error {
@@ -64,11 +71,27 @@ func (bl *BackendsList) Run(ctx *cliContext.Context) error {
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
+
+	// Check for upgrades
+	upgrades, _ := gallery.CheckBackendUpgrades(context.Background(), galleries, systemState)
+
 	for _, backend := range backends {
+		versionStr := ""
+		if backend.Version != "" {
+			versionStr = " v" + backend.Version
+		}
 		if backend.Installed {
-			fmt.Printf(" * %s@%s (installed)\n", backend.Gallery.Name, backend.Name)
+			if info, ok := upgrades[backend.Name]; ok {
+				upgradeStr := info.AvailableVersion
+				if upgradeStr == "" {
+					upgradeStr = "new build"
+				}
+				fmt.Printf(" * %s@%s%s (installed, upgrade available: %s)\n", backend.Gallery.Name, backend.Name, versionStr, upgradeStr)
+			} else {
+				fmt.Printf(" * %s@%s%s (installed)\n", backend.Gallery.Name, backend.Name, versionStr)
+			}
 		} else {
-			fmt.Printf(" - %s@%s\n", backend.Gallery.Name, backend.Name)
+			fmt.Printf(" - %s@%s%s\n", backend.Gallery.Name, backend.Name, versionStr)
 		}
 	}
 	return nil
@@ -111,6 +134,79 @@ func (bi *BackendsInstall) Run(ctx *cliContext.Context) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
+func (bu *BackendsUpgrade) Run(ctx *cliContext.Context) error {
+	var galleries []config.Gallery
+	if err := json.Unmarshal([]byte(bu.BackendGalleries), &galleries); err != nil {
+		xlog.Error("unable to load galleries", "error", err)
+	}
+
+	systemState, err := system.GetSystemState(
+		system.WithBackendSystemPath(bu.BackendsSystemPath),
+		system.WithBackendPath(bu.BackendsPath),
+	)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	upgrades, err := gallery.CheckBackendUpgrades(context.Background(), galleries, systemState)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to check for upgrades: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	if len(upgrades) == 0 {
+		fmt.Println("All backends are up to date.")
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	// Filter to specified backends if args given
+	toUpgrade := upgrades
+	if len(bu.BackendArgs) > 0 {
+		toUpgrade = make(map[string]gallery.UpgradeInfo)
+		for _, name := range bu.BackendArgs {
+			if info, ok := upgrades[name]; ok {
+				toUpgrade[name] = info
+			} else {
+				fmt.Printf("Backend %s: no upgrade available\n", name)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
+	if len(toUpgrade) == 0 {
+		fmt.Println("No upgrades to apply.")
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	modelLoader := model.NewModelLoader(systemState)
+	for name, info := range toUpgrade {
+		versionStr := ""
+		if info.AvailableVersion != "" {
+			versionStr = " to v" + info.AvailableVersion
+		}
+		fmt.Printf("Upgrading %s%s...\n", name, versionStr)
+
+		progressBar := progressbar.NewOptions(
+			1000,
+			progressbar.OptionSetDescription(fmt.Sprintf("downloading %s", name)),
+			progressbar.OptionShowBytes(false),
+			progressbar.OptionClearOnFinish(),
+		)
+		progressCallback := func(fileName string, current string, total string, percentage float64) {
+			v := int(percentage * 10)
+			if err := progressBar.Set(v); err != nil {
+				xlog.Error("error updating progress bar", "error", err)
+			}
+		}
+
+		if err := gallery.UpgradeBackend(context.Background(), systemState, modelLoader, galleries, name, progressCallback); err != nil {
+			fmt.Printf("Failed to upgrade %s: %v\n", name, err)
+		} else {
+			fmt.Printf("Backend %s upgraded successfully\n", name)
+		}
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
 func (bu *BackendsUninstall) Run(ctx *cliContext.Context) error {
 	for _, backendName := range bu.BackendArgs {
 		xlog.Info("uninstalling backend", "backend", backendName)

core/cli/run.go

@@ -47,6 +47,7 @@ type RunCMD struct {
 	BackendImagesReleaseTag  string   `env:"LOCALAI_BACKEND_IMAGES_RELEASE_TAG,BACKEND_IMAGES_RELEASE_TAG" help:"Fallback release tag for backend images" group:"backends" default:"latest"`
 	BackendImagesBranchTag   string   `env:"LOCALAI_BACKEND_IMAGES_BRANCH_TAG,BACKEND_IMAGES_BRANCH_TAG" help:"Fallback branch tag for backend images" group:"backends" default:"master"`
 	BackendDevSuffix         string   `env:"LOCALAI_BACKEND_DEV_SUFFIX,BACKEND_DEV_SUFFIX" help:"Development suffix for backend images" group:"backends" default:"development"`
+	AutoUpgradeBackends      bool     `env:"LOCALAI_AUTO_UPGRADE_BACKENDS,AUTO_UPGRADE_BACKENDS" help:"Automatically upgrade backends when new versions are detected" group:"backends" default:"false"`
 	PreloadModels            string   `env:"LOCALAI_PRELOAD_MODELS,PRELOAD_MODELS" help:"A List of models to apply in JSON at start" group:"models"`
 	Models                   []string `env:"LOCALAI_MODELS,MODELS" help:"A List of model configuration URLs to load" group:"models"`
 	PreloadModelsConfig      string   `env:"LOCALAI_PRELOAD_MODELS_CONFIG,PRELOAD_MODELS_CONFIG" help:"A List of models to apply at startup. Path to a YAML config file" group:"models"`
@@ -490,6 +491,10 @@ func (r *RunCMD) Run(ctx *cliContext.Context) error {
 		opts = append(opts, config.EnableBackendGalleriesAutoload)
 	}
 
+	if r.AutoUpgradeBackends {
+		opts = append(opts, config.WithAutoUpgradeBackends(r.AutoUpgradeBackends))
+	}
+
 	if r.PreloadBackendOnly {
 		_, err := application.New(opts...)
 		return err

core/config/application_config.go

@@ -57,6 +57,7 @@ type ApplicationConfig struct {
 	ExternalGRPCBackends map[string]string
 
 	AutoloadGalleries, AutoloadBackendGalleries bool
+	AutoUpgradeBackends                         bool
 
 	SingleBackend           bool // Deprecated: use MaxActiveBackends = 1 instead
 	MaxActiveBackends       int  // Maximum number of active backends (0 = unlimited, 1 = single backend mode)
@@ -390,6 +391,10 @@ var EnableBackendGalleriesAutoload = func(o *ApplicationConfig) {
 	o.AutoloadBackendGalleries = true
 }
 
+func WithAutoUpgradeBackends(v bool) AppOption {
+	return func(o *ApplicationConfig) { o.AutoUpgradeBackends = v }
+}
+
 var EnableFederated = func(o *ApplicationConfig) {
 	o.Federated = true
 }
@@ -862,6 +867,7 @@ func (o *ApplicationConfig) ToRuntimeSettings() RuntimeSettings {
 	backendGalleries := o.BackendGalleries
 	autoloadGalleries := o.AutoloadGalleries
 	autoloadBackendGalleries := o.AutoloadBackendGalleries
+	autoUpgradeBackends := o.AutoUpgradeBackends
 	apiKeys := o.ApiKeys
 	agentJobRetentionDays := o.AgentJobRetentionDays
 
@@ -935,6 +941,7 @@ func (o *ApplicationConfig) ToRuntimeSettings() RuntimeSettings {
 		BackendGalleries:          &backendGalleries,
 		AutoloadGalleries:         &autoloadGalleries,
 		AutoloadBackendGalleries:  &autoloadBackendGalleries,
+		AutoUpgradeBackends:       &autoUpgradeBackends,
 		ApiKeys:                   &apiKeys,
 		AgentJobRetentionDays:     &agentJobRetentionDays,
 		OpenResponsesStoreTTL:     &openResponsesStoreTTL,
@@ -1083,6 +1090,9 @@ func (o *ApplicationConfig) ApplyRuntimeSettings(settings *RuntimeSettings) (req
 	if settings.AutoloadBackendGalleries != nil {
 		o.AutoloadBackendGalleries = *settings.AutoloadBackendGalleries
 	}
+	if settings.AutoUpgradeBackends != nil {
+		o.AutoUpgradeBackends = *settings.AutoUpgradeBackends
+	}
 	if settings.AgentJobRetentionDays != nil {
 		o.AgentJobRetentionDays = *settings.AgentJobRetentionDays
 	}

core/config/application_config_test.go

@@ -119,6 +119,13 @@ var _ = Describe("ApplicationConfig RuntimeSettings Conversion", func() {
 			Expect(*rs.AgentJobRetentionDays).To(Equal(30))
 		})
 
+		It("should include auto_upgrade_backends", func() {
+			appConfig := &ApplicationConfig{AutoUpgradeBackends: true}
+			rs := appConfig.ToRuntimeSettings()
+			Expect(rs.AutoUpgradeBackends).ToNot(BeNil())
+			Expect(*rs.AutoUpgradeBackends).To(BeTrue())
+		})
+
 		It("should use default timeouts when not set", func() {
 			appConfig := &ApplicationConfig{}
 
@@ -426,6 +433,14 @@ var _ = Describe("ApplicationConfig RuntimeSettings Conversion", func() {
 			Expect(appConfig.AutoloadBackendGalleries).To(BeTrue())
 		})
 
+		It("should apply auto_upgrade_backends setting", func() {
+			appConfig := &ApplicationConfig{}
+			v := true
+			rs := &RuntimeSettings{AutoUpgradeBackends: &v}
+			appConfig.ApplyRuntimeSettings(rs)
+			Expect(appConfig.AutoUpgradeBackends).To(BeTrue())
+		})
+
 		It("should apply agent settings", func() {
 			appConfig := &ApplicationConfig{}
 
@@ -465,6 +480,7 @@ var _ = Describe("ApplicationConfig RuntimeSettings Conversion", func() {
 				Federated:                true,
 				AutoloadGalleries:        true,
 				AutoloadBackendGalleries: false,
+				AutoUpgradeBackends:      true,
 				AgentJobRetentionDays:    60,
 			}
 
@@ -496,6 +512,7 @@ var _ = Describe("ApplicationConfig RuntimeSettings Conversion", func() {
 			Expect(target.Federated).To(Equal(original.Federated))
 			Expect(target.AutoloadGalleries).To(Equal(original.AutoloadGalleries))
 			Expect(target.AutoloadBackendGalleries).To(Equal(original.AutoloadBackendGalleries))
+			Expect(target.AutoUpgradeBackends).To(Equal(original.AutoUpgradeBackends))
 			Expect(target.AgentJobRetentionDays).To(Equal(original.AgentJobRetentionDays))
 		})
 

core/config/runtime_settings.go

@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ type RuntimeSettings struct {
 	// Backend management
 	SingleBackend           *bool `json:"single_backend,omitempty"`      // Deprecated: use MaxActiveBackends = 1 instead
 	MaxActiveBackends       *int  `json:"max_active_backends,omitempty"` // Maximum number of active backends (0 = unlimited, 1 = single backend mode)
+	AutoUpgradeBackends     *bool `json:"auto_upgrade_backends,omitempty"` // Automatically upgrade backends when new versions are detected
 	// Memory Reclaimer settings (works with GPU if available, otherwise RAM)
 	MemoryReclaimerEnabled   *bool    `json:"memory_reclaimer_enabled,omitempty"`   // Enable memory threshold monitoring
 	MemoryReclaimerThreshold *float64 `json:"memory_reclaimer_threshold,omitempty"` // Threshold 0.0-1.0 (e.g., 0.95 = 95%)

core/gallery/backend_types.go

@@ -20,12 +20,19 @@ type BackendMetadata struct {
 	GalleryURL string `json:"gallery_url,omitempty"`
 	// InstalledAt is the timestamp when the backend was installed
 	InstalledAt string `json:"installed_at,omitempty"`
+	// Version is the version of the backend at install time
+	Version string `json:"version,omitempty"`
+	// URI is the original URI used to install the backend
+	URI string `json:"uri,omitempty"`
+	// Digest is the OCI image digest at install time (for upgrade detection)
+	Digest string `json:"digest,omitempty"`
 }
 
 type GalleryBackend struct {
 	Metadata        `json:",inline" yaml:",inline"`
 	Alias           string            `json:"alias,omitempty" yaml:"alias,omitempty"`
 	URI             string            `json:"uri,omitempty" yaml:"uri,omitempty"`
+	Version         string            `json:"version,omitempty" yaml:"version,omitempty"`
 	Mirrors         []string          `json:"mirrors,omitempty" yaml:"mirrors,omitempty"`
 	CapabilitiesMap map[string]string `json:"capabilities,omitempty" yaml:"capabilities,omitempty"`
 }

core/gallery/backends.go

@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/mudler/LocalAI/core/config"
 	"github.com/mudler/LocalAI/pkg/downloader"
 	"github.com/mudler/LocalAI/pkg/model"
+	"github.com/mudler/LocalAI/pkg/oci"
 	"github.com/mudler/LocalAI/pkg/system"
 	"github.com/mudler/xlog"
 	cp "github.com/otiai10/copy"
@@ -158,6 +159,7 @@ func InstallBackendFromGallery(ctx context.Context, galleries []config.Gallery,
 			Name:           name,
 			GalleryURL:     backend.Gallery.URL,
 			InstalledAt:    time.Now().Format(time.RFC3339),
+			Version:        bestBackend.Version,
 		}
 
 		if err := writeBackendMetadata(metaBackendPath, metaMetadata); err != nil {
@@ -279,6 +281,18 @@ func InstallBackend(ctx context.Context, systemState *system.SystemState, modelL
 		Name:        name,
 		GalleryURL:  config.Gallery.URL,
 		InstalledAt: time.Now().Format(time.RFC3339),
+		Version:     config.Version,
+		URI:         string(uri),
+	}
+
+	// Record the OCI digest for upgrade detection (non-fatal on failure)
+	if uri.LooksLikeOCI() {
+		digest, digestErr := oci.GetImageDigest(string(uri), "", nil, nil)
+		if digestErr != nil {
+			xlog.Warn("Failed to get OCI image digest for backend", "uri", string(uri), "error", digestErr)
+		} else {
+			metadata.Digest = digest
+		}
 	}
 
 	if config.Alias != "" {
@@ -373,11 +387,13 @@ func DeleteBackendFromSystem(systemState *system.SystemState, name string) error
 }
 
 type SystemBackend struct {
-	Name     string
-	RunFile  string
-	IsMeta   bool
-	IsSystem bool
-	Metadata *BackendMetadata
+	Name             string
+	RunFile          string
+	IsMeta           bool
+	IsSystem         bool
+	Metadata         *BackendMetadata
+	UpgradeAvailable bool   `json:"upgrade_available,omitempty"`
+	AvailableVersion string `json:"available_version,omitempty"`
 }
 
 type SystemBackends map[string]SystemBackend

core/gallery/backends_version_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,118 @@
+package gallery_test
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+
+	"github.com/mudler/LocalAI/core/gallery"
+	"github.com/mudler/LocalAI/pkg/model"
+	"github.com/mudler/LocalAI/pkg/system"
+	. "github.com/onsi/ginkgo/v2"
+	. "github.com/onsi/gomega"
+)
+
+var _ = Describe("Backend versioning", func() {
+	var tempDir string
+	var systemState *system.SystemState
+	var modelLoader *model.ModelLoader
+
+	BeforeEach(func() {
+		var err error
+		tempDir, err = os.MkdirTemp("", "gallery-version-*")
+		Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
+
+		systemState, err = system.GetSystemState(
+			system.WithBackendPath(tempDir),
+		)
+		Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
+		modelLoader = model.NewModelLoader(systemState)
+	})
+
+	AfterEach(func() {
+		os.RemoveAll(tempDir)
+	})
+
+	It("records version in metadata when installing a backend with a version", func() {
+		// Create a fake backend source directory with a run.sh
+		srcDir, err := os.MkdirTemp("", "gallery-version-src-*")
+		Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
+		defer os.RemoveAll(srcDir)
+		err = os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(srcDir, "run.sh"), []byte("#!/bin/sh\necho ok"), 0755)
+		Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
+
+		backend := &gallery.GalleryBackend{}
+		backend.Name = "test-backend"
+		backend.URI = srcDir
+		backend.Version = "1.2.3"
+
+		err = gallery.InstallBackend(context.Background(), systemState, modelLoader, backend, nil)
+		Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
+
+		// Read the metadata file and check version
+		metadataPath := filepath.Join(tempDir, "test-backend", "metadata.json")
+		data, err := os.ReadFile(metadataPath)
+		Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
+
+		var metadata map[string]any
+		err = json.Unmarshal(data, &metadata)
+		Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
+
+		Expect(metadata["version"]).To(Equal("1.2.3"))
+	})
+
+	It("records URI in metadata", func() {
+		srcDir, err := os.MkdirTemp("", "gallery-version-src-*")
+		Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
+		defer os.RemoveAll(srcDir)
+		err = os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(srcDir, "run.sh"), []byte("#!/bin/sh\necho ok"), 0755)
+		Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
+
+		backend := &gallery.GalleryBackend{}
+		backend.Name = "test-backend-uri"
+		backend.URI = srcDir
+		backend.Version = "2.0.0"
+
+		err = gallery.InstallBackend(context.Background(), systemState, modelLoader, backend, nil)
+		Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
+
+		metadataPath := filepath.Join(tempDir, "test-backend-uri", "metadata.json")
+		data, err := os.ReadFile(metadataPath)
+		Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
+
+		var metadata map[string]any
+		err = json.Unmarshal(data, &metadata)
+		Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
+
+		Expect(metadata["uri"]).To(Equal(srcDir))
+	})
+
+	It("omits version key when version is empty", func() {
+		srcDir, err := os.MkdirTemp("", "gallery-version-src-*")
+		Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
+		defer os.RemoveAll(srcDir)
+		err = os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(srcDir, "run.sh"), []byte("#!/bin/sh\necho ok"), 0755)
+		Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
+
+		backend := &gallery.GalleryBackend{}
+		backend.Name = "test-backend-noversion"
+		backend.URI = srcDir
+		// Version intentionally left empty
+
+		err = gallery.InstallBackend(context.Background(), systemState, modelLoader, backend, nil)
+		Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
+
+		metadataPath := filepath.Join(tempDir, "test-backend-noversion", "metadata.json")
+		data, err := os.ReadFile(metadataPath)
+		Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
+
+		var metadata map[string]any
+		err = json.Unmarshal(data, &metadata)
+		Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
+
+		// omitempty should exclude the version key entirely
+		_, hasVersion := metadata["version"]
+		Expect(hasVersion).To(BeFalse())
+	})
+})

core/gallery/upgrade.go

@@ -0,0 +1,237 @@
+package gallery
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/mudler/LocalAI/core/config"
+	"github.com/mudler/LocalAI/pkg/downloader"
+	"github.com/mudler/LocalAI/pkg/model"
+	"github.com/mudler/LocalAI/pkg/oci"
+	"github.com/mudler/LocalAI/pkg/system"
+	"github.com/mudler/xlog"
+	cp "github.com/otiai10/copy"
+)
+
+// UpgradeInfo holds details about an available backend upgrade.
+type UpgradeInfo struct {
+	BackendName      string `json:"backend_name"`
+	InstalledVersion string `json:"installed_version"`
+	AvailableVersion string `json:"available_version"`
+	InstalledDigest  string `json:"installed_digest,omitempty"`
+	AvailableDigest  string `json:"available_digest,omitempty"`
+}
+
+// CheckBackendUpgrades compares installed backends against gallery entries
+// and returns a map of backend names to UpgradeInfo for those that have
+// newer versions or different OCI digests available.
+func CheckBackendUpgrades(ctx context.Context, galleries []config.Gallery, systemState *system.SystemState) (map[string]UpgradeInfo, error) {
+	galleryBackends, err := AvailableBackends(galleries, systemState)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to list available backends: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	installedBackends, err := ListSystemBackends(systemState)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to list installed backends: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	result := make(map[string]UpgradeInfo)
+
+	for _, installed := range installedBackends {
+		// Skip system backends — they are managed outside the gallery
+		if installed.IsSystem {
+			continue
+		}
+		if installed.Metadata == nil {
+			continue
+		}
+
+		// Find matching gallery entry by metadata name
+		galleryEntry := FindGalleryElement(galleryBackends, installed.Metadata.Name)
+		if galleryEntry == nil {
+			continue
+		}
+
+		installedVersion := installed.Metadata.Version
+		galleryVersion := galleryEntry.Version
+
+		// If both sides have versions, compare them
+		if galleryVersion != "" && installedVersion != "" {
+			if galleryVersion != installedVersion {
+				result[installed.Metadata.Name] = UpgradeInfo{
+					BackendName:      installed.Metadata.Name,
+					InstalledVersion: installedVersion,
+					AvailableVersion: galleryVersion,
+				}
+			}
+			// Versions match — no upgrade needed
+			continue
+		}
+
+		// Gallery has a version but installed doesn't — this happens for backends
+		// installed before version tracking was added. Flag as upgradeable so
+		// users can re-install to pick up version metadata.
+		if galleryVersion != "" && installedVersion == "" {
+			result[installed.Metadata.Name] = UpgradeInfo{
+				BackendName:      installed.Metadata.Name,
+				InstalledVersion: "",
+				AvailableVersion: galleryVersion,
+			}
+			continue
+		}
+
+		// Fall back to OCI digest comparison when versions are unavailable
+		if downloader.URI(galleryEntry.URI).LooksLikeOCI() {
+			remoteDigest, err := oci.GetImageDigest(galleryEntry.URI, "", nil, nil)
+			if err != nil {
+				xlog.Warn("Failed to get remote OCI digest for upgrade check", "backend", installed.Metadata.Name, "error", err)
+				continue
+			}
+			// If we have a stored digest, compare; otherwise any remote digest
+			// means we can't confirm we're up to date — flag as upgradeable
+			if installed.Metadata.Digest == "" || remoteDigest != installed.Metadata.Digest {
+				result[installed.Metadata.Name] = UpgradeInfo{
+					BackendName:     installed.Metadata.Name,
+					InstalledDigest: installed.Metadata.Digest,
+					AvailableDigest: remoteDigest,
+				}
+			}
+		}
+		// No version info and non-OCI URI — cannot determine, skip
+	}
+
+	return result, nil
+}
+
+// UpgradeBackend upgrades a single backend to the latest gallery version using
+// an atomic swap with backup-based rollback on failure.
+func UpgradeBackend(ctx context.Context, systemState *system.SystemState, modelLoader *model.ModelLoader, galleries []config.Gallery, backendName string, downloadStatus func(string, string, string, float64)) error {
+	// Look up the installed backend
+	installedBackends, err := ListSystemBackends(systemState)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to list installed backends: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	installed, ok := installedBackends.Get(backendName)
+	if !ok {
+		return fmt.Errorf("backend %q: %w", backendName, ErrBackendNotFound)
+	}
+
+	if installed.IsSystem {
+		return fmt.Errorf("system backend %q cannot be upgraded via gallery", backendName)
+	}
+
+	// If this is a meta backend, recursively upgrade the concrete backend it points to
+	if installed.Metadata != nil && installed.Metadata.MetaBackendFor != "" {
+		xlog.Info("Meta backend detected, upgrading concrete backend", "meta", backendName, "concrete", installed.Metadata.MetaBackendFor)
+		return UpgradeBackend(ctx, systemState, modelLoader, galleries, installed.Metadata.MetaBackendFor, downloadStatus)
+	}
+
+	// Find the gallery entry
+	galleryBackends, err := AvailableBackends(galleries, systemState)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to list available backends: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	galleryEntry := FindGalleryElement(galleryBackends, backendName)
+	if galleryEntry == nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("no gallery entry found for backend %q", backendName)
+	}
+
+	backendPath := filepath.Join(systemState.Backend.BackendsPath, backendName)
+	tmpPath := backendPath + ".upgrade-tmp"
+	backupPath := backendPath + ".backup"
+
+	// Clean up any stale tmp/backup dirs from prior attempts
+	os.RemoveAll(tmpPath)
+	os.RemoveAll(backupPath)
+
+	// Step 1: Download the new backend into the tmp directory
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(tmpPath, 0750); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to create upgrade tmp dir: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	uri := downloader.URI(galleryEntry.URI)
+	if uri.LooksLikeDir() {
+		if err := cp.Copy(string(uri), tmpPath); err != nil {
+			os.RemoveAll(tmpPath)
+			return fmt.Errorf("failed to copy backend from directory: %w", err)
+		}
+	} else {
+		if err := uri.DownloadFileWithContext(ctx, tmpPath, "", 1, 1, downloadStatus); err != nil {
+			os.RemoveAll(tmpPath)
+			return fmt.Errorf("failed to download backend: %w", err)
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Step 2: Validate — check that run.sh exists in the new content
+	newRunFile := filepath.Join(tmpPath, runFile)
+	if _, err := os.Stat(newRunFile); os.IsNotExist(err) {
+		os.RemoveAll(tmpPath)
+		return fmt.Errorf("upgrade validation failed: run.sh not found in new backend")
+	}
+
+	// Step 3: Atomic swap — rename current to backup, then tmp to current
+	if err := os.Rename(backendPath, backupPath); err != nil {
+		os.RemoveAll(tmpPath)
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to move current backend to backup: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	if err := os.Rename(tmpPath, backendPath); err != nil {
+		// Restore backup on failure
+		xlog.Error("Failed to move new backend into place, restoring backup", "error", err)
+		if restoreErr := os.Rename(backupPath, backendPath); restoreErr != nil {
+			xlog.Error("Failed to restore backup", "error", restoreErr)
+		}
+		os.RemoveAll(tmpPath)
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to move new backend into place: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	// Step 4: Write updated metadata, preserving alias from old metadata
+	var oldAlias string
+	if installed.Metadata != nil {
+		oldAlias = installed.Metadata.Alias
+	}
+
+	newMetadata := &BackendMetadata{
+		Name:        backendName,
+		Version:     galleryEntry.Version,
+		URI:         galleryEntry.URI,
+		InstalledAt: time.Now().Format(time.RFC3339),
+		Alias:       oldAlias,
+	}
+
+	if galleryEntry.Gallery.URL != "" {
+		newMetadata.GalleryURL = galleryEntry.Gallery.URL
+	}
+
+	// Record OCI digest if applicable (non-fatal on failure)
+	if uri.LooksLikeOCI() {
+		digest, digestErr := oci.GetImageDigest(galleryEntry.URI, "", nil, nil)
+		if digestErr != nil {
+			xlog.Warn("Failed to get OCI image digest after upgrade", "uri", galleryEntry.URI, "error", digestErr)
+		} else {
+			newMetadata.Digest = digest
+		}
+	}
+
+	if err := writeBackendMetadata(backendPath, newMetadata); err != nil {
+		// Metadata write failure is not worth rolling back the entire upgrade
+		xlog.Error("Failed to write metadata after upgrade", "error", err)
+	}
+
+	// Step 5: Re-register backends so the model loader picks up any changes
+	if err := RegisterBackends(systemState, modelLoader); err != nil {
+		xlog.Warn("Failed to re-register backends after upgrade", "error", err)
+	}
+
+	// Step 6: Remove backup
+	os.RemoveAll(backupPath)
+
+	xlog.Info("Backend upgraded successfully", "backend", backendName, "version", galleryEntry.Version)
+	return nil
+}

core/gallery/upgrade_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,219 @@
+package gallery_test
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/mudler/LocalAI/core/config"
+	. "github.com/mudler/LocalAI/core/gallery"
+	"github.com/mudler/LocalAI/pkg/model"
+	"github.com/mudler/LocalAI/pkg/system"
+	. "github.com/onsi/ginkgo/v2"
+	. "github.com/onsi/gomega"
+	"gopkg.in/yaml.v3"
+)
+
+var _ = Describe("Upgrade Detection and Execution", func() {
+	var (
+		tempDir      string
+		backendsPath string
+		galleryPath  string
+		systemState  *system.SystemState
+		galleries    []config.Gallery
+	)
+
+	// installBackendWithVersion creates a fake installed backend directory with
+	// the given name, version, and optional run.sh content.
+	installBackendWithVersion := func(name, version string, runContent ...string) {
+		dir := filepath.Join(backendsPath, name)
+		Expect(os.MkdirAll(dir, 0750)).To(Succeed())
+
+		content := "#!/bin/sh\necho ok"
+		if len(runContent) > 0 {
+			content = runContent[0]
+		}
+		Expect(os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(dir, "run.sh"), []byte(content), 0755)).To(Succeed())
+
+		metadata := BackendMetadata{
+			Name:        name,
+			Version:     version,
+			InstalledAt: time.Now().Format(time.RFC3339),
+		}
+		data, err := json.MarshalIndent(metadata, "", "  ")
+		Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
+		Expect(os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(dir, "metadata.json"), data, 0644)).To(Succeed())
+	}
+
+	// writeGalleryYAML writes a gallery YAML file with the given backends.
+	writeGalleryYAML := func(backends []GalleryBackend) {
+		data, err := yaml.Marshal(backends)
+		Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
+		Expect(os.WriteFile(galleryPath, data, 0644)).To(Succeed())
+	}
+
+	BeforeEach(func() {
+		var err error
+		tempDir, err = os.MkdirTemp("", "upgrade-test-*")
+		Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
+
+		backendsPath = tempDir
+
+		galleryPath = filepath.Join(tempDir, "gallery.yaml")
+
+		// Write a default empty gallery
+		writeGalleryYAML([]GalleryBackend{})
+
+		galleries = []config.Gallery{
+			{
+				Name: "test-gallery",
+				URL:  "file://" + galleryPath,
+			},
+		}
+
+		systemState, err = system.GetSystemState(
+			system.WithBackendPath(backendsPath),
+		)
+		Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
+	})
+
+	AfterEach(func() {
+		os.RemoveAll(tempDir)
+	})
+
+	Describe("CheckBackendUpgrades", func() {
+		It("should detect upgrade when gallery version differs from installed version", func() {
+			// Install a backend at v1.0.0
+			installBackendWithVersion("my-backend", "1.0.0")
+
+			// Gallery advertises v2.0.0
+			writeGalleryYAML([]GalleryBackend{
+				{
+					Metadata: Metadata{
+						Name: "my-backend",
+					},
+					URI:     filepath.Join(tempDir, "some-source"),
+					Version: "2.0.0",
+				},
+			})
+
+			upgrades, err := CheckBackendUpgrades(context.Background(), galleries, systemState)
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
+			Expect(upgrades).To(HaveKey("my-backend"))
+			Expect(upgrades["my-backend"].InstalledVersion).To(Equal("1.0.0"))
+			Expect(upgrades["my-backend"].AvailableVersion).To(Equal("2.0.0"))
+		})
+
+		It("should NOT flag upgrade when versions match", func() {
+			installBackendWithVersion("my-backend", "2.0.0")
+
+			writeGalleryYAML([]GalleryBackend{
+				{
+					Metadata: Metadata{
+						Name: "my-backend",
+					},
+					URI:     filepath.Join(tempDir, "some-source"),
+					Version: "2.0.0",
+				},
+			})
+
+			upgrades, err := CheckBackendUpgrades(context.Background(), galleries, systemState)
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
+			Expect(upgrades).To(BeEmpty())
+		})
+
+		It("should skip backends without version info and without OCI digest", func() {
+			// Install without version
+			installBackendWithVersion("my-backend", "")
+
+			// Gallery also without version
+			writeGalleryYAML([]GalleryBackend{
+				{
+					Metadata: Metadata{
+						Name: "my-backend",
+					},
+					URI: filepath.Join(tempDir, "some-source"),
+				},
+			})
+
+			upgrades, err := CheckBackendUpgrades(context.Background(), galleries, systemState)
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
+			Expect(upgrades).To(BeEmpty())
+		})
+	})
+
+	Describe("UpgradeBackend", func() {
+		It("should replace backend directory and update metadata", func() {
+			// Install v1
+			installBackendWithVersion("my-backend", "1.0.0", "#!/bin/sh\necho v1")
+
+			// Create a source directory with v2 content
+			srcDir := filepath.Join(tempDir, "v2-source")
+			Expect(os.MkdirAll(srcDir, 0750)).To(Succeed())
+			Expect(os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(srcDir, "run.sh"), []byte("#!/bin/sh\necho v2"), 0755)).To(Succeed())
+
+			// Gallery points to the v2 source dir
+			writeGalleryYAML([]GalleryBackend{
+				{
+					Metadata: Metadata{
+						Name: "my-backend",
+					},
+					URI:     srcDir,
+					Version: "2.0.0",
+				},
+			})
+
+			ml := model.NewModelLoader(systemState)
+			err := UpgradeBackend(context.Background(), systemState, ml, galleries, "my-backend", nil)
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
+
+			// Verify run.sh was updated
+			content, err := os.ReadFile(filepath.Join(backendsPath, "my-backend", "run.sh"))
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
+			Expect(string(content)).To(Equal("#!/bin/sh\necho v2"))
+
+			// Verify metadata was updated
+			metaData, err := os.ReadFile(filepath.Join(backendsPath, "my-backend", "metadata.json"))
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
+			var meta BackendMetadata
+			Expect(json.Unmarshal(metaData, &meta)).To(Succeed())
+			Expect(meta.Version).To(Equal("2.0.0"))
+			Expect(meta.Name).To(Equal("my-backend"))
+		})
+
+		It("should restore backup on failure", func() {
+			// Install v1
+			installBackendWithVersion("my-backend", "1.0.0", "#!/bin/sh\necho v1")
+
+			// Gallery points to a nonexistent path (no run.sh will be found)
+			nonExistentDir := filepath.Join(tempDir, "does-not-exist")
+			writeGalleryYAML([]GalleryBackend{
+				{
+					Metadata: Metadata{
+						Name: "my-backend",
+					},
+					URI:     nonExistentDir,
+					Version: "2.0.0",
+				},
+			})
+
+			ml := model.NewModelLoader(systemState)
+			err := UpgradeBackend(context.Background(), systemState, ml, galleries, "my-backend", nil)
+			Expect(err).To(HaveOccurred())
+
+			// Verify v1 is still intact
+			content, err := os.ReadFile(filepath.Join(backendsPath, "my-backend", "run.sh"))
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
+			Expect(string(content)).To(Equal("#!/bin/sh\necho v1"))
+
+			// Verify metadata still says v1
+			metaData, err := os.ReadFile(filepath.Join(backendsPath, "my-backend", "metadata.json"))
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
+			var meta BackendMetadata
+			Expect(json.Unmarshal(metaData, &meta)).To(Succeed())
+			Expect(meta.Version).To(Equal("1.0.0"))
+		})
+	})
+})

core/http/endpoints/localai/backend.go

@@ -15,23 +15,31 @@ import (
 	"github.com/mudler/xlog"
 )
 
+// UpgradeInfoProvider is an interface for querying cached backend upgrade information.
+type UpgradeInfoProvider interface {
+	GetAvailableUpgrades() map[string]gallery.UpgradeInfo
+	TriggerCheck()
+}
+
 type BackendEndpointService struct {
 	galleries         []config.Gallery
 	backendPath       string
 	backendSystemPath string
 	backendApplier    *galleryop.GalleryService
+	upgradeChecker    UpgradeInfoProvider
 }
 
 type GalleryBackend struct {
 	ID string `json:"id"`
 }
 
-func CreateBackendEndpointService(galleries []config.Gallery, systemState *system.SystemState, backendApplier *galleryop.GalleryService) BackendEndpointService {
+func CreateBackendEndpointService(galleries []config.Gallery, systemState *system.SystemState, backendApplier *galleryop.GalleryService, upgradeChecker UpgradeInfoProvider) BackendEndpointService {
 	return BackendEndpointService{
 		galleries:         galleries,
 		backendPath:       systemState.Backend.BackendsPath,
 		backendSystemPath: systemState.Backend.BackendsSystemPath,
 		backendApplier:    backendApplier,
+		upgradeChecker:    upgradeChecker,
 	}
 }
 
@@ -146,6 +154,62 @@ func (mgs *BackendEndpointService) ListBackendGalleriesEndpoint() echo.HandlerFu
 	}
 }
 
+// GetUpgradesEndpoint returns the cached backend upgrade information
+// @Summary Get available backend upgrades
+// @Tags backends
+// @Success 200 {object} map[string]gallery.UpgradeInfo "Response"
+// @Router /backends/upgrades [get]
+func (mgs *BackendEndpointService) GetUpgradesEndpoint() echo.HandlerFunc {
+	return func(c echo.Context) error {
+		if mgs.upgradeChecker == nil {
+			return c.JSON(200, map[string]gallery.UpgradeInfo{})
+		}
+		return c.JSON(200, mgs.upgradeChecker.GetAvailableUpgrades())
+	}
+}
+
+// CheckUpgradesEndpoint forces an immediate upgrade check
+// @Summary Force backend upgrade check
+// @Tags backends
+// @Success 200 {object} map[string]gallery.UpgradeInfo "Response"
+// @Router /backends/upgrades/check [post]
+func (mgs *BackendEndpointService) CheckUpgradesEndpoint() echo.HandlerFunc {
+	return func(c echo.Context) error {
+		if mgs.upgradeChecker == nil {
+			return c.JSON(200, map[string]gallery.UpgradeInfo{})
+		}
+		mgs.upgradeChecker.TriggerCheck()
+		// Return current cached results (the triggered check runs async)
+		return c.JSON(200, mgs.upgradeChecker.GetAvailableUpgrades())
+	}
+}
+
+// UpgradeBackendEndpoint triggers an upgrade for a specific backend
+// @Summary Upgrade a backend
+// @Tags backends
+// @Param name path string true "Backend name"
+// @Success 200 {object} schema.BackendResponse "Response"
+// @Router /backends/upgrade/{name} [post]
+func (mgs *BackendEndpointService) UpgradeBackendEndpoint() echo.HandlerFunc {
+	return func(c echo.Context) error {
+		backendName := c.Param("name")
+
+		uuid, err := uuid.NewUUID()
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+
+		mgs.backendApplier.BackendGalleryChannel <- galleryop.ManagementOp[gallery.GalleryBackend, any]{
+			ID:                 uuid.String(),
+			GalleryElementName: backendName,
+			Galleries:          mgs.galleries,
+			Upgrade:            true,
+		}
+
+		return c.JSON(200, schema.BackendResponse{ID: uuid.String(), StatusURL: fmt.Sprintf("%sbackends/jobs/%s", middleware.BaseURL(c), uuid.String())})
+	}
+}
+
 // ListAvailableBackendsEndpoint list the available backends in the galleries configured in LocalAI
 // @Summary List all available Backends
 // @Tags backends

core/http/react-ui/src/pages/Backends.jsx

@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import { useOperations } from '../hooks/useOperations'
 import LoadingSpinner from '../components/LoadingSpinner'
 import { renderMarkdown } from '../utils/markdown'
 import ConfirmDialog from '../components/ConfirmDialog'
+import Toggle from '../components/Toggle'
 
 export default function Backends() {
   const { addToast } = useOutletContext()
@@ -26,6 +27,11 @@ export default function Backends() {
   const [expandedRow, setExpandedRow] = useState(null)
   const [confirmDialog, setConfirmDialog] = useState(null)
   const [allBackends, setAllBackends] = useState([])
+  const [upgrades, setUpgrades] = useState({})
+  const [upgradingAll, setUpgradingAll] = useState(false)
+  const [showAllBackends, setShowAllBackends] = useState(false)
+  const [showDevelopment, setShowDevelopment] = useState(false)
+  const [preferDevLoaded, setPreferDevLoaded] = useState(false)
 
   const fetchBackends = useCallback(async () => {
     try {
@@ -36,6 +42,11 @@ export default function Backends() {
       const list = Array.isArray(data?.backends) ? data.backends : Array.isArray(data) ? data : []
       setAllBackends(list)
       setInstalledCount(list.filter(b => b.installed).length)
+      // On first load, use server preference for development toggle
+      if (!preferDevLoaded && data?.preferDevelopmentBackends) {
+        setShowDevelopment(true)
+        setPreferDevLoaded(true)
+      }
     } catch (err) {
       addToast(`Failed to load backends: ${err.message}`, 'error')
     } finally {
@@ -52,17 +63,40 @@ export default function Backends() {
     if (!loading) fetchBackends()
   }, [operations.length])
 
-  // Client-side filtering by tag
-  const filteredBackends = filter
-    ? allBackends.filter(b => {
+  // Fetch available upgrades
+  useEffect(() => {
+    backendsApi.checkUpgrades()
+      .then(data => setUpgrades(data || {}))
+      .catch(() => {})
+  }, [operations.length])
+
+  // Client-side filtering by meta/development toggles and tag
+  const filteredBackends = (() => {
+    let result = allBackends
+
+    // Show only meta backends unless "Show all" is toggled
+    if (!showAllBackends) {
+      result = result.filter(b => b.isMeta)
+    }
+
+    // Hide development backends unless toggled on
+    if (!showDevelopment) {
+      result = result.filter(b => !b.isDevelopment)
+    }
+
+    // Apply tag filter
+    if (filter) {
+      result = result.filter(b => {
         const tags = (b.tags || []).map(t => t.toLowerCase())
         const name = (b.name || '').toLowerCase()
         const desc = (b.description || '').toLowerCase()
         const f = filter.toLowerCase()
-        // Match against tags, or name/description containing the filter keyword
         return tags.some(t => t.includes(f)) || name.includes(f) || desc.includes(f)
       })
-    : allBackends
+    }
+
+    return result
+  })()
 
   // Client-side pagination
   const ITEMS_PER_PAGE = 21
@@ -114,6 +148,31 @@ export default function Backends() {
     })
   }
 
+  const handleUpgrade = async (id) => {
+    try {
+      await backendsApi.upgrade(id)
+      addToast(`Upgrading ${id}...`, 'info')
+    } catch (err) {
+      addToast(`Upgrade failed: ${err.message}`, 'error')
+    }
+  }
+
+  const handleUpgradeAll = async () => {
+    const names = Object.keys(upgrades)
+    if (names.length === 0) return
+    setUpgradingAll(true)
+    try {
+      for (const name of names) {
+        await backendsApi.upgrade(name)
+      }
+      addToast(`Upgrading ${names.length} backend${names.length > 1 ? 's' : ''}...`, 'info')
+    } catch (err) {
+      addToast(`Upgrade failed: ${err.message}`, 'error')
+    } finally {
+      setUpgradingAll(false)
+    }
+  }
+
   const handleManualInstall = async (e) => {
     e.preventDefault()
     if (!manualUri.trim()) { addToast('Please enter a URI', 'warning'); return }
@@ -137,6 +196,9 @@ export default function Backends() {
     return operations.find(op => op.name === backend.name || op.name === backend.id) || null
   }
 
+  const handleToggleAllBackends = () => { setShowAllBackends(v => !v); setPage(1) }
+  const handleToggleDev = () => { setShowDevelopment(v => !v); setPage(1) }
+
   const FILTERS = [
     { key: '', label: 'All', icon: 'fa-layer-group' },
     { key: 'llm', label: 'LLM', icon: 'fa-brain' },
@@ -179,6 +241,14 @@ export default function Backends() {
                 <div style={{ color: 'var(--color-text-muted)' }}>Installed</div>
               </a>
             </div>
+            {Object.keys(upgrades).length > 0 && (
+              <div style={{ textAlign: 'center' }}>
+                <div style={{ fontSize: '1.25rem', fontWeight: 700, color: 'var(--color-warning)' }}>
+                  {Object.keys(upgrades).length}
+                </div>
+                <div style={{ color: 'var(--color-text-muted)' }}>Updates</div>
+              </div>
+            )}
           </div>
           <a className="btn btn-secondary btn-sm" href="https://localai.io/docs/getting-started/manual/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">
             <i className="fas fa-book" /> Docs
@@ -186,6 +256,33 @@ export default function Backends() {
         </div>
       </div>
 
+      {/* Upgrade Banner */}
+      {Object.keys(upgrades).length > 0 && (
+        <div className="card" style={{
+          marginBottom: 'var(--spacing-md)',
+          display: 'flex', alignItems: 'center', justifyContent: 'space-between',
+          padding: 'var(--spacing-sm) var(--spacing-md)',
+          background: 'var(--color-warning-bg, #fef3cd)',
+          border: '1px solid var(--color-warning, #ffc107)',
+          borderRadius: 'var(--radius-md)',
+        }}>
+          <div style={{ display: 'flex', alignItems: 'center', gap: 'var(--spacing-sm)' }}>
+            <i className="fas fa-arrow-up" style={{ color: 'var(--color-warning, #856404)' }} />
+            <span style={{ color: 'var(--color-warning, #856404)', fontWeight: 500, fontSize: '0.875rem' }}>
+              {Object.keys(upgrades).length} backend{Object.keys(upgrades).length > 1 ? 's have' : ' has'} updates available
+            </span>
+          </div>
+          <button
+            className="btn btn-primary btn-sm"
+            onClick={handleUpgradeAll}
+            disabled={upgradingAll}
+          >
+            <i className={`fas ${upgradingAll ? 'fa-spinner fa-spin' : 'fa-arrow-up'}`} style={{ marginRight: 4 }} />
+            Upgrade All
+          </button>
+        </div>
+      )}
+
       {/* Manual Install */}
       <div style={{ marginBottom: 'var(--spacing-md)' }}>
         <button className="btn btn-secondary btn-sm" onClick={() => setShowManualInstall(!showManualInstall)}>
@@ -227,17 +324,30 @@ export default function Backends() {
         </div>
       </div>
 
-      <div className="filter-bar" style={{ marginBottom: 'var(--spacing-md)' }}>
-        {FILTERS.map(f => (
-          <button
-            key={f.key}
-            className={`filter-btn ${filter === f.key ? 'active' : ''}`}
-            onClick={() => { setFilter(f.key); setPage(1) }}
-          >
+      <div style={{ display: 'flex', alignItems: 'center', gap: 'var(--spacing-md)', marginBottom: 'var(--spacing-md)', flexWrap: 'wrap' }}>
+        <div className="filter-bar" style={{ margin: 0, flex: 1 }}>
+          {FILTERS.map(f => (
+            <button
+              key={f.key}
+              className={`filter-btn ${filter === f.key ? 'active' : ''}`}
+              onClick={() => { setFilter(f.key); setPage(1) }}
+            >
             <i className={`fas ${f.icon}`} style={{ marginRight: 4 }} />
             {f.label}
           </button>
         ))}
+        </div>
+
+        <div style={{ display: 'flex', gap: 'var(--spacing-md)', alignItems: 'center', borderLeft: '1px solid var(--color-border-subtle)', paddingLeft: 'var(--spacing-md)' }}>
+          <label style={{ display: 'flex', alignItems: 'center', gap: 'var(--spacing-xs)', fontSize: '0.75rem', color: 'var(--color-text-secondary)', cursor: 'pointer', userSelect: 'none', whiteSpace: 'nowrap' }}>
+            <Toggle checked={showAllBackends} onChange={handleToggleAllBackends} />
+            Show all
+          </label>
+          <label style={{ display: 'flex', alignItems: 'center', gap: 'var(--spacing-xs)', fontSize: '0.75rem', color: 'var(--color-text-secondary)', cursor: 'pointer', userSelect: 'none', whiteSpace: 'nowrap' }}>
+            <Toggle checked={showDevelopment} onChange={handleToggleDev} />
+            Development
+          </label>
+        </div>
       </div>
 
       {/* Table */}
@@ -300,6 +410,11 @@ export default function Backends() {
                     {/* Name */}
                     <td>
                       <span style={{ fontWeight: 500 }}>{b.name || b.id}</span>
+                      {b.version && (
+                        <span className="badge" style={{ fontSize: '0.625rem', marginLeft: 4, background: 'var(--color-bg-tertiary)', color: 'var(--color-text-secondary)' }}>
+                          v{b.version}
+                        </span>
+                      )}
                     </td>
 
                     {/* Description */}
@@ -346,9 +461,17 @@ export default function Backends() {
                           </span>
                         </div>
                       ) : b.installed ? (
-                        <span className="badge badge-success">
-                          <i className="fas fa-check" style={{ fontSize: '0.5rem', marginRight: 2 }} /> Installed
-                        </span>
+                        <div style={{ display: 'flex', gap: 4, alignItems: 'center', flexWrap: 'wrap' }}>
+                          <span className="badge badge-success">
+                            <i className="fas fa-check" style={{ fontSize: '0.5rem', marginRight: 2 }} /> Installed
+                          </span>
+                          {upgrades[b.name] && (
+                            <span className="badge" style={{ fontSize: '0.625rem', background: '#fef3cd', color: '#856404' }}>
+                              <i className="fas fa-arrow-up" style={{ fontSize: '0.5rem', marginRight: 2 }} />
+                              {upgrades[b.name].available_version ? `v${upgrades[b.name].available_version}` : 'Update'}
+                            </span>
+                          )}
+                        </div>
                       ) : (
                         <span className="badge" style={{ background: 'var(--color-bg-tertiary)', color: 'var(--color-text-muted)' }}>
                           <i className="fas fa-circle" style={{ fontSize: '0.5rem', marginRight: 2 }} /> Not Installed
@@ -361,9 +484,15 @@ export default function Backends() {
                       <div style={{ display: 'flex', gap: 'var(--spacing-xs)', justifyContent: 'flex-end' }} onClick={e => e.stopPropagation()}>
                         {b.installed ? (
                           <>
-                            <button className="btn btn-secondary btn-sm" onClick={() => handleInstall(b.name || b.id)} title="Reinstall" disabled={isProcessing}>
-                              <i className={`fas ${isProcessing ? 'fa-spinner fa-spin' : 'fa-rotate'}`} />
-                            </button>
+                            {upgrades[b.name] ? (
+                              <button className="btn btn-primary btn-sm" onClick={() => handleUpgrade(b.name || b.id)} title={`Upgrade to ${upgrades[b.name]?.available_version ? 'v' + upgrades[b.name].available_version : 'latest'}`} disabled={isProcessing}>
+                                <i className={`fas ${isProcessing ? 'fa-spinner fa-spin' : 'fa-arrow-up'}`} />
+                              </button>
+                            ) : (
+                              <button className="btn btn-secondary btn-sm" onClick={() => handleInstall(b.name || b.id)} title="Reinstall" disabled={isProcessing}>
+                                <i className={`fas ${isProcessing ? 'fa-spinner fa-spin' : 'fa-rotate'}`} />
+                              </button>
+                            )}
                             <button className="btn btn-danger btn-sm" onClick={() => handleDelete(b.name || b.id)} title="Delete" disabled={isProcessing}>
                               <i className="fas fa-trash" />
                             </button>

core/http/react-ui/src/pages/Manage.jsx

@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ export default function Manage() {
   const [backendsLoading, setBackendsLoading] = useState(true)
   const [reloading, setReloading] = useState(false)
   const [reinstallingBackends, setReinstallingBackends] = useState(new Set())
+  const [upgrades, setUpgrades] = useState({})
   const [confirmDialog, setConfirmDialog] = useState(null)
   const [distributedMode, setDistributedMode] = useState(false)
   const [togglingModels, setTogglingModels] = useState(new Set())
@@ -62,6 +63,15 @@ export default function Manage() {
     nodesApi.list().then(() => setDistributedMode(true)).catch(() => {})
   }, [fetchLoadedModels, fetchBackends])
 
+  // Fetch available backend upgrades
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (activeTab === 'backends') {
+      backendsApi.checkUpgrades()
+        .then(data => setUpgrades(data || {}))
+        .catch(() => {})
+    }
+  }, [activeTab])
+
   const handleStopModel = (modelName) => {
     setConfirmDialog({
       title: 'Stop Model',
@@ -169,6 +179,22 @@ export default function Manage() {
     }
   }
 
+  const handleUpgradeBackend = async (name) => {
+    try {
+      setReinstallingBackends(prev => new Set(prev).add(name))
+      await backendsApi.upgrade(name)
+      addToast(`Upgrading ${name}...`, 'info')
+    } catch (err) {
+      addToast(`Failed to upgrade: ${err.message}`, 'error')
+    } finally {
+      setReinstallingBackends(prev => {
+        const next = new Set(prev)
+        next.delete(name)
+        return next
+      })
+    }
+  }
+
   const handleDeleteBackend = (name) => {
     setConfirmDialog({
       title: 'Delete Backend',
@@ -471,6 +497,17 @@ export default function Manage() {
                             For: <span style={{ color: 'var(--color-accent)' }}>{backend.Metadata.meta_backend_for}</span>
                           </span>
                         )}
+                        {backend.Metadata?.version && (
+                          <span>
+                            <i className="fas fa-code-branch" style={{ fontSize: '0.5rem', marginRight: 4 }} />
+                            Version: <span style={{ color: 'var(--color-text-primary)' }}>v{backend.Metadata.version}</span>
+                            {upgrades[backend.Name] && (
+                              <span style={{ color: '#856404', marginLeft: 4 }}>
+                                → v{upgrades[backend.Name].available_version}
+                              </span>
+                            )}
+                          </span>
+                        )}
                         {backend.Metadata?.installed_at && (
                           <span>
                             <i className="fas fa-calendar" style={{ fontSize: '0.5rem', marginRight: 4 }} />
@@ -485,12 +522,12 @@ export default function Manage() {
                         {!backend.IsSystem ? (
                           <>
                             <button
-                              className="btn btn-secondary btn-sm"
-                              onClick={() => handleReinstallBackend(backend.Name)}
+                              className={`btn ${upgrades[backend.Name] ? 'btn-primary' : 'btn-secondary'} btn-sm`}
+                              onClick={() => upgrades[backend.Name] ? handleUpgradeBackend(backend.Name) : handleReinstallBackend(backend.Name)}
                               disabled={reinstallingBackends.has(backend.Name)}
-                              title="Reinstall"
+                              title={upgrades[backend.Name] ? `Upgrade to v${upgrades[backend.Name]?.available_version || 'latest'}` : 'Reinstall'}
                             >
-                              <i className={`fas ${reinstallingBackends.has(backend.Name) ? 'fa-spinner fa-spin' : 'fa-rotate'}`} />
+                              <i className={`fas ${reinstallingBackends.has(backend.Name) ? 'fa-spinner fa-spin' : upgrades[backend.Name] ? 'fa-arrow-up' : 'fa-rotate'}`} />
                             </button>
                             <button
                               className="btn btn-danger btn-sm"

core/http/react-ui/src/pages/Settings.jsx

@@ -266,6 +266,9 @@ export default function Settings() {
               <SettingRow label="Max Active Backends" description="Maximum models to keep loaded simultaneously (0 = unlimited)">
                 <input className="input" type="number" style={{ width: 120 }} value={settings.max_active_backends ?? ''} onChange={(e) => update('max_active_backends', parseInt(e.target.value) || 0)} placeholder="0" />
               </SettingRow>
+              <SettingRow label="Auto-upgrade Backends" description="Automatically upgrade backends when new versions are detected">
+                <Toggle checked={settings.auto_upgrade_backends} onChange={(v) => update('auto_upgrade_backends', v)} />
+              </SettingRow>
             </div>
           </div>
 

core/http/react-ui/src/utils/api.js

@@ -120,6 +120,9 @@ export const backendsApi = {
   installExternal: (body) => postJSON(API_CONFIG.endpoints.installExternalBackend, body),
   getJob: (uid) => fetchJSON(API_CONFIG.endpoints.backendJob(uid)),
   deleteInstalled: (name) => postJSON(API_CONFIG.endpoints.deleteInstalledBackend(name), {}),
+  checkUpgrades: () => fetchJSON(API_CONFIG.endpoints.backendsUpgrades),
+  forceCheckUpgrades: () => postJSON(API_CONFIG.endpoints.backendsUpgradesCheck, {}),
+  upgrade: (name) => postJSON(API_CONFIG.endpoints.upgradeBackend(name), {}),
 }
 
 // Chat API (non-streaming)

core/http/react-ui/src/utils/config.js

@@ -23,6 +23,9 @@ export const API_CONFIG = {
     installExternalBackend: '/api/backends/install-external',
     backendJob: (uid) => `/api/backends/job/${uid}`,
     deleteInstalledBackend: (name) => `/api/backends/system/delete/${name}`,
+    backendsUpgrades: '/api/backends/upgrades',
+    backendsUpgradesCheck: '/api/backends/upgrades/check',
+    upgradeBackend: (name) => `/api/backends/upgrade/${name}`,
 
     // Resources
     resources: '/api/resources',

core/http/routes/localai.go

@@ -59,13 +59,17 @@ func RegisterLocalAIRoutes(router *echo.Echo,
 		backendGalleryEndpointService := localai.CreateBackendEndpointService(
 			appConfig.BackendGalleries,
 			appConfig.SystemState,
-			galleryService)
+			galleryService,
+			app.UpgradeChecker())
 		router.POST("/backends/apply", backendGalleryEndpointService.ApplyBackendEndpoint(), adminMiddleware)
 		router.POST("/backends/delete/:name", backendGalleryEndpointService.DeleteBackendEndpoint(), adminMiddleware)
 		router.GET("/backends", backendGalleryEndpointService.ListBackendsEndpoint(), adminMiddleware)
 		router.GET("/backends/available", backendGalleryEndpointService.ListAvailableBackendsEndpoint(appConfig.SystemState), adminMiddleware)
 		router.GET("/backends/galleries", backendGalleryEndpointService.ListBackendGalleriesEndpoint(), adminMiddleware)
 		router.GET("/backends/jobs/:uuid", backendGalleryEndpointService.GetOpStatusEndpoint(), adminMiddleware)
+		router.GET("/backends/upgrades", backendGalleryEndpointService.GetUpgradesEndpoint(), adminMiddleware)
+		router.POST("/backends/upgrades/check", backendGalleryEndpointService.CheckUpgradesEndpoint(), adminMiddleware)
+		router.POST("/backends/upgrade/:name", backendGalleryEndpointService.UpgradeBackendEndpoint(), adminMiddleware)
 		// Custom model import endpoint
 		router.POST("/models/import", localai.ImportModelEndpoint(cl, appConfig), adminMiddleware)
 

core/http/routes/ui_api.go

@@ -929,6 +929,7 @@ func RegisterUIAPIRoutes(app *echo.Echo, cl *config.ModelConfigLoader, ml *model
 				"tags":        b.Tags,
 				"gallery":     b.Gallery.Name,
 				"installed":   b.Installed,
+				"version":     b.Version,
 				"processing":  currentlyProcessing,
 				"jobID":       jobID,
 				"isDeletion":  isDeletionOp,
@@ -1194,6 +1195,49 @@ func RegisterUIAPIRoutes(app *echo.Echo, cl *config.ModelConfigLoader, ml *model
 		})
 	}, adminMiddleware)
 
+	// Backend upgrade APIs
+	app.GET("/api/backends/upgrades", func(c echo.Context) error {
+		if applicationInstance == nil || applicationInstance.UpgradeChecker() == nil {
+			return c.JSON(200, map[string]any{})
+		}
+		return c.JSON(200, applicationInstance.UpgradeChecker().GetAvailableUpgrades())
+	}, adminMiddleware)
+
+	app.POST("/api/backends/upgrades/check", func(c echo.Context) error {
+		if applicationInstance == nil || applicationInstance.UpgradeChecker() == nil {
+			return c.JSON(200, map[string]any{})
+		}
+		applicationInstance.UpgradeChecker().TriggerCheck()
+		return c.JSON(200, applicationInstance.UpgradeChecker().GetAvailableUpgrades())
+	}, adminMiddleware)
+
+	app.POST("/api/backends/upgrade/:name", func(c echo.Context) error {
+		backendName := c.Param("name")
+		backendName, err := url.QueryUnescape(backendName)
+		if err != nil {
+			return c.JSON(http.StatusBadRequest, map[string]any{
+				"error": "invalid backend name",
+			})
+		}
+
+		uid, err := uuid.NewUUID()
+		if err != nil {
+			return c.JSON(http.StatusInternalServerError, map[string]any{"error": err.Error()})
+		}
+
+		galleryService.BackendGalleryChannel <- galleryop.ManagementOp[gallery.GalleryBackend, any]{
+			ID:                 uid.String(),
+			GalleryElementName: backendName,
+			Galleries:          appConfig.BackendGalleries,
+			Upgrade:            true,
+		}
+
+		return c.JSON(200, map[string]any{
+			"uuid":      uid.String(),
+			"statusUrl": fmt.Sprintf("/api/backends/job/%s", uid.String()),
+		})
+	}, adminMiddleware)
+
 	// P2P APIs
 	app.GET("/api/p2p/workers", func(c echo.Context) error {
 		llamaNodes := p2p.GetAvailableNodes(p2p.NetworkID(appConfig.P2PNetworkID, p2p.LlamaCPPWorkerID))

core/http/routes/ui_api_backends_test.go

@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/mudler/LocalAI/pkg/system"
 	. "github.com/onsi/ginkgo/v2"
 	. "github.com/onsi/gomega"
+	"gopkg.in/yaml.v3"
 )
 
 func TestRoutes(t *testing.T) {
@@ -176,6 +177,161 @@ var _ = Describe("Backend API Routes", func() {
 			Expect(response["processed"]).To(Equal(false))
 		})
 	})
+
+	Describe("Backend upgrade API", func() {
+		var (
+			galleryFile        string
+			upgradeApp         *echo.Echo
+			upgradeGallerySvc  *galleryop.GalleryService
+		)
+
+		BeforeEach(func() {
+			// Place gallery file inside backends dir so it passes trusted root checks
+			galleryFile = filepath.Join(systemState.Backend.BackendsPath, "test-gallery.yaml")
+
+			// Create a fake "v1" backend on disk (simulates a previously installed backend)
+			backendDir := filepath.Join(systemState.Backend.BackendsPath, "test-upgrade-backend")
+			err := os.MkdirAll(backendDir, 0750)
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
+			err = os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(backendDir, "run.sh"), []byte("#!/bin/sh\necho v1"), 0755)
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
+
+			// Write metadata.json for the installed backend (v1)
+			metadata := map[string]string{
+				"name":         "test-upgrade-backend",
+				"version":      "1.0.0",
+				"installed_at": "2024-01-01T00:00:00Z",
+			}
+			metadataBytes, err := json.MarshalIndent(metadata, "", "  ")
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
+			err = os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(backendDir, "metadata.json"), metadataBytes, 0644)
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
+
+			// Create a "v2" source directory (the upgrade target)
+			// Must be inside backends path to pass trusted root checks
+			v2SrcDir := filepath.Join(systemState.Backend.BackendsPath, "v2-backend-src")
+			err = os.MkdirAll(v2SrcDir, 0750)
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
+			err = os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(v2SrcDir, "run.sh"), []byte("#!/bin/sh\necho v2"), 0755)
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
+
+			// Write gallery YAML pointing to v2
+			galleryData := []map[string]any{
+				{
+					"name":    "test-upgrade-backend",
+					"uri":     v2SrcDir,
+					"version": "2.0.0",
+				},
+			}
+			yamlBytes, err := yaml.Marshal(galleryData)
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
+			err = os.WriteFile(galleryFile, yamlBytes, 0644)
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
+
+			// Configure the gallery in appConfig BEFORE creating the gallery service
+			// so the backend manager captures the correct galleries
+			appConfig.BackendGalleries = []config.Gallery{
+				{Name: "test", URL: "file://" + galleryFile},
+			}
+
+			// Create a fresh gallery service with the upgrade gallery configured
+			upgradeGallerySvc = galleryop.NewGalleryService(appConfig, modelLoader)
+			err = upgradeGallerySvc.Start(context.Background(), configLoader, systemState)
+			Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
+
+			// Register routes with the upgrade-aware gallery service
+			upgradeApp = echo.New()
+			opcache := galleryop.NewOpCache(upgradeGallerySvc)
+			noopMw := func(next echo.HandlerFunc) echo.HandlerFunc { return next }
+			routes.RegisterUIAPIRoutes(upgradeApp, configLoader, modelLoader, appConfig, upgradeGallerySvc, opcache, nil, noopMw)
+		})
+
+		Describe("GET /api/backends/upgrades", func() {
+			It("should return available upgrades", func() {
+				req := httptest.NewRequest(http.MethodGet, "/api/backends/upgrades", nil)
+				rec := httptest.NewRecorder()
+
+				upgradeApp.ServeHTTP(rec, req)
+
+				Expect(rec.Code).To(Equal(http.StatusOK))
+
+				var response map[string]any
+				err := json.Unmarshal(rec.Body.Bytes(), &response)
+				Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
+				// Response is empty (upgrade checker not running in test),
+				// but the endpoint should not error
+			})
+		})
+
+		Describe("POST /api/backends/upgrade/:name", func() {
+			It("should accept upgrade request and return job ID", func() {
+				req := httptest.NewRequest(http.MethodPost, "/api/backends/upgrade/test-upgrade-backend", nil)
+				req.Header.Set("Content-Type", "application/json")
+				rec := httptest.NewRecorder()
+
+				upgradeApp.ServeHTTP(rec, req)
+
+				Expect(rec.Code).To(Equal(http.StatusOK))
+
+				var response map[string]any
+				err := json.Unmarshal(rec.Body.Bytes(), &response)
+				Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
+				Expect(response["uuid"]).NotTo(BeEmpty())
+				Expect(response["statusUrl"]).NotTo(BeEmpty())
+			})
+
+			It("should upgrade the backend and update metadata", func() {
+				req := httptest.NewRequest(http.MethodPost, "/api/backends/upgrade/test-upgrade-backend", nil)
+				req.Header.Set("Content-Type", "application/json")
+				rec := httptest.NewRecorder()
+
+				upgradeApp.ServeHTTP(rec, req)
+				Expect(rec.Code).To(Equal(http.StatusOK))
+
+				var response map[string]any
+				err := json.Unmarshal(rec.Body.Bytes(), &response)
+				Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
+				jobID := response["uuid"].(string)
+
+				// Wait for the upgrade job to complete
+				Eventually(func() bool {
+					jobReq := httptest.NewRequest(http.MethodGet, "/api/backends/job/"+jobID, nil)
+					jobRec := httptest.NewRecorder()
+					upgradeApp.ServeHTTP(jobRec, jobReq)
+
+					var jobResp map[string]any
+					json.Unmarshal(jobRec.Body.Bytes(), &jobResp)
+
+					processed, _ := jobResp["processed"].(bool)
+					return processed
+				}, "10s", "200ms").Should(BeTrue())
+
+				// Verify the backend was upgraded: run.sh should now contain "v2"
+				runContent, err := os.ReadFile(filepath.Join(
+					systemState.Backend.BackendsPath, "test-upgrade-backend", "run.sh"))
+				Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
+				Expect(string(runContent)).To(ContainSubstring("v2"))
+
+				// Verify metadata was updated with new version
+				metadataContent, err := os.ReadFile(filepath.Join(
+					systemState.Backend.BackendsPath, "test-upgrade-backend", "metadata.json"))
+				Expect(err).NotTo(HaveOccurred())
+				Expect(string(metadataContent)).To(ContainSubstring(`"version": "2.0.0"`))
+			})
+		})
+
+		Describe("POST /api/backends/upgrades/check", func() {
+			It("should trigger an upgrade check and return 200", func() {
+				req := httptest.NewRequest(http.MethodPost, "/api/backends/upgrades/check", nil)
+				req.Header.Set("Content-Type", "application/json")
+				rec := httptest.NewRecorder()
+
+				upgradeApp.ServeHTTP(rec, req)
+
+				Expect(rec.Code).To(Equal(http.StatusOK))
+			})
+		})
+	})
 })
 
 // Helper function to make POST request

core/services/advisorylock/keys.go

@@ -9,5 +9,6 @@ const (
 	KeyGalleryDedup     int64 = 102
 	KeyAgentScheduler   int64 = 103
 	KeyHealthCheck      int64 = 104
-	KeySchemaMigrate    int64 = 105
+	KeySchemaMigrate        int64 = 105
+	KeyBackendUpgradeCheck  int64 = 106
 )

core/services/galleryop/backends.go

@@ -69,7 +69,9 @@ func (g *GalleryService) backendHandler(op *ManagementOp[gallery.GalleryBackend,
 	}
 
 	var err error
-	if op.Delete {
+	if op.Upgrade {
+		err = g.backendManager.UpgradeBackend(ctx, op.GalleryElementName, progressCallback)
+	} else if op.Delete {
 		err = g.backendManager.DeleteBackend(op.GalleryElementName)
 	} else {
 		err = g.backendManager.InstallBackend(ctx, op, progressCallback)

core/services/galleryop/managers.go

@@ -15,9 +15,11 @@ type ModelManager interface {
 	DeleteModel(name string) error
 }
 
-// BackendManager handles backend install, delete, and listing lifecycle.
+// BackendManager handles backend install, delete, upgrade, and listing lifecycle.
 type BackendManager interface {
 	InstallBackend(ctx context.Context, op *ManagementOp[gallery.GalleryBackend, any], progressCb ProgressCallback) error
 	DeleteBackend(name string) error
 	ListBackends() (gallery.SystemBackends, error)
+	UpgradeBackend(ctx context.Context, name string, progressCb ProgressCallback) error
+	CheckUpgrades(ctx context.Context) (map[string]gallery.UpgradeInfo, error)
 }

core/services/galleryop/managers_local.go

@@ -92,6 +92,14 @@ func (b *LocalBackendManager) ListBackends() (gallery.SystemBackends, error) {
 	return gallery.ListSystemBackends(b.systemState)
 }
 
+func (b *LocalBackendManager) UpgradeBackend(ctx context.Context, name string, progressCb ProgressCallback) error {
+	return gallery.UpgradeBackend(ctx, b.systemState, b.modelLoader, b.backendGalleries, name, progressCb)
+}
+
+func (b *LocalBackendManager) CheckUpgrades(ctx context.Context) (map[string]gallery.UpgradeInfo, error) {
+	return gallery.CheckBackendUpgrades(ctx, b.backendGalleries, b.systemState)
+}
+
 func (b *LocalBackendManager) InstallBackend(ctx context.Context, op *ManagementOp[gallery.GalleryBackend, any], progressCb ProgressCallback) error {
 	if op.ExternalURI != "" {
 		return InstallExternalBackend(ctx, b.backendGalleries, b.systemState, b.modelLoader,

core/services/galleryop/operation.go

@@ -29,6 +29,9 @@ type ManagementOp[T any, E any] struct {
 	ExternalURI   string // The OCI image, URL, or path
 	ExternalName  string // Custom name for the backend
 	ExternalAlias string // Custom alias for the backend
+
+	// Upgrade is true if this is an upgrade operation (not a fresh install)
+	Upgrade bool
 }
 
 type OpStatus struct {

core/services/nodes/managers_distributed.go

@@ -49,17 +49,19 @@ func (d *DistributedModelManager) InstallModel(ctx context.Context, op *galleryo
 // DistributedBackendManager wraps a local BackendManager and adds NATS fan-out
 // for backend deletion so worker nodes clean up stale files.
 type DistributedBackendManager struct {
-	local    galleryop.BackendManager
-	adapter  *RemoteUnloaderAdapter
-	registry *NodeRegistry
+	local            galleryop.BackendManager
+	adapter          *RemoteUnloaderAdapter
+	registry         *NodeRegistry
+	backendGalleries []config.Gallery
 }
 
 // NewDistributedBackendManager creates a DistributedBackendManager.
 func NewDistributedBackendManager(appConfig *config.ApplicationConfig, ml *model.ModelLoader, adapter *RemoteUnloaderAdapter, registry *NodeRegistry) *DistributedBackendManager {
 	return &DistributedBackendManager{
-		local:    galleryop.NewLocalBackendManager(appConfig, ml),
-		adapter:  adapter,
-		registry: registry,
+		local:            galleryop.NewLocalBackendManager(appConfig, ml),
+		adapter:          adapter,
+		registry:         registry,
+		backendGalleries: appConfig.BackendGalleries,
 	}
 }
 
@@ -172,3 +174,43 @@ func (d *DistributedBackendManager) InstallBackend(ctx context.Context, op *gall
 	}
 	return nil
 }
+
+// UpgradeBackend fans out a backend upgrade to all healthy worker nodes.
+// TODO: Add dedicated NATS subject for upgrade (currently reuses install with force flag)
+func (d *DistributedBackendManager) UpgradeBackend(ctx context.Context, name string, progressCb galleryop.ProgressCallback) error {
+	allNodes, err := d.registry.List(context.Background())
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	galleriesJSON, _ := json.Marshal(d.backendGalleries)
+	var errs []error
+
+	for _, node := range allNodes {
+		if node.Status != StatusHealthy {
+			continue
+		}
+		// Reuse install endpoint which will re-download the backend (force mode)
+		reply, err := d.adapter.InstallBackend(node.ID, name, "", string(galleriesJSON))
+		if err != nil {
+			if errors.Is(err, nats.ErrNoResponders) {
+				xlog.Warn("No NATS responders for node during upgrade, marking unhealthy", "node", node.Name, "nodeID", node.ID)
+				d.registry.MarkUnhealthy(context.Background(), node.ID)
+				continue
+			}
+			errs = append(errs, fmt.Errorf("node %s: %w", node.Name, err))
+			continue
+		}
+		if !reply.Success {
+			errs = append(errs, fmt.Errorf("node %s: %s", node.Name, reply.Error))
+		}
+	}
+
+	return errors.Join(errs...)
+}
+
+// CheckUpgrades checks for available backend upgrades.
+// Gallery comparison is global (not per-node), so we delegate to the local manager.
+func (d *DistributedBackendManager) CheckUpgrades(ctx context.Context) (map[string]gallery.UpgradeInfo, error) {
+	return d.local.CheckUpgrades(ctx)
+}

pkg/oci/image.go

@@ -188,6 +188,56 @@ func GetImage(targetImage, targetPlatform string, auth *registrytypes.AuthConfig
 	return image, err
 }
 
+// GetImageDigest returns the OCI image digest for the given image reference without downloading it.
+// It uses remote.Head to fetch only the descriptor, which is much cheaper than pulling the full image.
+func GetImageDigest(targetImage, targetPlatform string, auth *registrytypes.AuthConfig, t http.RoundTripper) (string, error) {
+	var platform *v1.Platform
+	var err error
+
+	if targetPlatform != "" {
+		platform, err = v1.ParsePlatform(targetPlatform)
+		if err != nil {
+			return "", err
+		}
+	} else {
+		platform, err = v1.ParsePlatform(fmt.Sprintf("%s/%s", runtime.GOOS, runtime.GOARCH))
+		if err != nil {
+			return "", err
+		}
+	}
+
+	ref, err := name.ParseReference(targetImage)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+
+	if t == nil {
+		t = http.DefaultTransport
+	}
+
+	tr := transport.NewRetry(t,
+		transport.WithRetryBackoff(defaultRetryBackoff),
+		transport.WithRetryPredicate(defaultRetryPredicate),
+	)
+
+	opts := []remote.Option{
+		remote.WithTransport(tr),
+		remote.WithPlatform(*platform),
+	}
+	if auth != nil {
+		opts = append(opts, remote.WithAuth(staticAuth{auth}))
+	} else {
+		opts = append(opts, remote.WithAuthFromKeychain(authn.DefaultKeychain))
+	}
+
+	desc, err := remote.Head(ref, opts...)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+
+	return desc.Digest.String(), nil
+}
+
 func GetOCIImageSize(targetImage, targetPlatform string, auth *registrytypes.AuthConfig, t http.RoundTripper) (int64, error) {
 	var size int64
 	var img v1.Image

pkg/oci/image_test.go

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import (
 	"os"
 	"runtime"
 
+	"github.com/mudler/LocalAI/pkg/oci"
 	. "github.com/mudler/LocalAI/pkg/oci" // Update with your module path
 	. "github.com/onsi/ginkgo/v2"
 	. "github.com/onsi/gomega"
@@ -36,3 +37,10 @@ var _ = Describe("OCI", func() {
 		})
 	})
 })
+
+var _ = Describe("GetImageDigest", func() {
+	It("returns an error for an invalid image reference", func() {
+		_, err := oci.GetImageDigest("!!!invalid-ref!!!", "", nil, nil)
+		Expect(err).To(HaveOccurred())
+	})
+})