# Netrinos Client v1.2.6 Release Notes

**Release Date**: 2026-01-09

## Overview

Version 1.2.6 dramatically improves startup speed. Peers are now detected in
seconds instead of minutes, thanks to a new WebSocket-based coordination system.

## What's Improved

### Real-Time Peer Discovery

A new WebSocket-based signal channel coordinates peer discovery in real-time.
After logging in, your peers are detected and connected within seconds.
When other peers come online, you're notified immediately.

**Result**: Peers detected in ~2 seconds instead of up to 2 minutes.

### Improved NAT Traversal

Peers known to be offline are now skipped during connection tests. This reduces
load on router NAT tables, improving reliability on consumer routers and other
low-end network equipment.

### Windows ACL Connection Tracking

Windows Access Control now tracks outbound connections, allowing return traffic
even when the remote peer is not in the ACL. This matches the Linux/macOS
behavior using nftables/pf connection state tracking.

## Fixes

- Fixed edge case where Windows gateway failed to connect on cold starts
- Fixed edge case where Windows gateway didn't route to local network devices
- Fixed rare connection delays when testing peers running older versions
- Fixed rare timeout when two peers tested each other simultaneously
- Fixed Windows NodeID case sensitivity causing peer discovery failures
- Added `relay` command to CLI help output

## Compatibility

- Works with v1.2.4 and v1.2.5 clients
- Mixed-version networks supported
- No configuration changes required

## Updating

Use your normal update process. No special steps required.