diff --git a/AUDIT_LOG.md b/AUDIT_LOG.md
index 06f3916..82c706b 100644
--- a/AUDIT_LOG.md
+++ b/AUDIT_LOG.md
@@ -2,15 +2,17 @@
 
 This log tracks all significant changes, updates, and versions in the PaperCache project.
 
-## 2026-06-27 (Settings & Onboarding Fixes)
-**Change:** feat: add Bug Report option and About section in Settings; fix Windows onboarding file path generation
+## 2026-06-27 (v0.5.5 Release & Smart Onboarding)
+**Change:** chore(release): bump version to 0.5.5; implement smart onboarding and release notes routing
 
 **Details/Why:**
-1. Added "Submit a Bug Report" button under Settings > System linking directly to GitHub Issues creation page (`https://github.com/VariableThe/PaperCache/issues/new`).
-2. Added dedicated "About" section in Settings featuring app logo (`/icon.png`), dynamic app version number (`getVersion`), check for updates button, Ko-fi support button (`https://ko-fi.com/thevariable`), and user thank you message.
-3. Resolved onboarding note generation and `/file` linking failures on Windows. Previously, `walk_dir` generated note IDs with backslashes on Windows (e.g. `onboarding\Editor.md`), causing internal `/file` links using forward slashes in `Welcome.md` to fail lookup and duplicate empty notes. Normalized path generation across Rust (`fs.rs`) and frontend (`useNoteStorage.ts`, `markdownPlugin.ts`, `GraphView.tsx`) to guarantee consistent forward slash IDs across all OS targets. Updated `write_onboarding_file` to regenerate onboarding files on version bumps.
+1. Bumped application version from 0.5.3 to 0.5.5 across `package.json`, `src-tauri/Cargo.toml`, and `src-tauri/tauri.conf.json`.
+2. Implemented smart onboarding routing: detected brand new installations vs existing user upgrades in `run_onboarding` (`fs.rs`). For new installs, release notes (`New Features in v0.5.5.md`) are suppressed and cleaned up so users open directly into a clean `Welcome.md`. For upgrading users, the release note is copied and opened automatically on startup via `checkVersion` (`App.tsx`).
+3. Consolidated settings UI by removing duplicate "Check for updates" option from System settings, keeping it inside the new About menu.
+4. Added "Submit a Bug Report" button and About section (logo, Ko-fi link, version display).
+5. Fixed Windows path normalization for note IDs and internal links.
 
-**Files changed:** `src/Settings.tsx`, `src/setupTests.ts`, `src-tauri/src/commands/fs.rs`, `src/hooks/useNoteStorage.ts`, `src/lib/editor/markdownPlugin.ts`, `src/GraphView.tsx`, `CHANGELOG.md`, `AUDIT_LOG.md`.
+**Files changed:** `package.json`, `src-tauri/Cargo.toml`, `src-tauri/tauri.conf.json`, `src/App.tsx`, `src/Settings.tsx`, `src/setupTests.ts`, `src-tauri/src/commands/fs.rs`, `src/hooks/useNoteStorage.ts`, `src/lib/editor/markdownPlugin.ts`, `src/GraphView.tsx`, `CHANGELOG.md`, `AUDIT_LOG.md`.
 
 ---
 
diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 182881f..3d78b43 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -5,9 +5,10 @@ All notable, user-facing changes to PaperCache will be documented in this file.
 The format is based on [Keep a Changelog](https://keepachangelog.com/en/1.1.0/),
 and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0.html).
 
-## [v0.5.4] - 2026-06-25
+## [v0.5.5] - 2026-06-27
 
 ### Added
+- **Smart Onboarding & New Features Note Routing**: Brand new installations now cleanly launch directly into `Welcome.md` without copying or showing release note files. Existing users upgrading from previous versions will automatically receive the release notes file and be taken directly to the `New Features in v0.5.5.md` note upon opening the app.
 - **Settings Bug Report & About Menu**: Added a "Submit a Bug Report" button under System settings linking directly to the GitHub issue creation form. Added a dedicated "About" section displaying the app logo, current version number, update checker, Ko-fi support link, and a thank you message.
 
 ### Fixed
diff --git a/notes/New Features in v0.5.5.md b/notes/New Features in v0.5.5.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5732dc3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/notes/New Features in v0.5.5.md	
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+# New Features in v0.5.5
+
+Welcome to PaperCache v0.5.5!
+
+Here are the new features and improvements implemented in this release:
+- **Settings Bug Report & About Menu**: Added a "Submit a Bug Report" option in Settings to quickly open GitHub Issues, plus a dedicated "About" menu with the app logo, version number, update checker, and support link.
+- **Windows Onboarding & Link Fixes**: Fixed a bug on Windows where backslashes in generated note IDs caused internal `/file` links in `Welcome.md` to fail.
+- **Window Position Persistence**: Window size and position now reliably persist across app restarts on all platforms.
+- **macOS Login Item Sync**: The "Launch at Startup" toggle now registers as a proper Login Item and stays in sync with macOS System Settings.
+- **Overlay Escape Handling**: Pressing ESC now cleanly closes open panels (like Graph View or Timers) before hiding the application window.
+- **UI & Formatting Polish**: Hidden persistent scrollbars in editor and settings on Windows/Linux, centered shortcut pill separators, and improved IPC error handling.
+
+*(If you have read this note, feel free to delete it)*
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index a317d73..158b2f1 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
   "name": "papercache",
   "private": true,
-  "version": "0.5.3",
+  "version": "0.5.5",
   "type": "module",
   "scripts": {
     "dev": "vite",
diff --git a/src-tauri/Cargo.lock b/src-tauri/Cargo.lock
index 2cdab6b..7a2daf1 100644
--- a/src-tauri/Cargo.lock
+++ b/src-tauri/Cargo.lock
@@ -2926,7 +2926,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "papercache"
-version = "0.5.3"
+version = "0.5.5"
 dependencies = [
  "aes-gcm",
  "base64 0.22.1",
diff --git a/src-tauri/Cargo.toml b/src-tauri/Cargo.toml
index 4e04991..f45b6af 100644
--- a/src-tauri/Cargo.toml
+++ b/src-tauri/Cargo.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "papercache"
-version = "0.5.3"
+version = "0.5.5"
 description = "A PaperCache Tauri App"
 authors = ["Aditya Sharma"]
 edition = "2021"
diff --git a/src-tauri/src/commands/fs.rs b/src-tauri/src/commands/fs.rs
index 75aaade..628e23a 100644
--- a/src-tauri/src/commands/fs.rs
+++ b/src-tauri/src/commands/fs.rs
@@ -234,6 +234,30 @@ pub fn remove_onboarding_files() -> Result<(), String> {
     Ok(())
 }
 
+fn has_user_notes(dir: &Path) -> bool {
+    if let Ok(entries) = fs::read_dir(dir) {
+        for entry in entries.filter_map(Result::ok) {
+            let path = entry.path();
+            if path.is_dir() {
+                if has_user_notes(&path) {
+                    return true;
+                }
+            } else if path.is_file() {
+                if let Some(name) = path.file_name().and_then(|n| n.to_str()) {
+                    if name.ends_with(".md")
+                        && !name.starts_with("Welcome")
+                        && !name.starts_with("New Features")
+                        && !name.starts_with("Shortcuts")
+                    {
+                        return true;
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    false
+}
+
 pub fn run_onboarding(app: &AppHandle) {
     let is_hyprland = std::env::var("HYPRLAND_INSTANCE_SIGNATURE").is_ok() || std::env::var("HYPRLAND_CMD").is_ok();
     let mod_key = if is_hyprland { "Alt" } else { "Command/Ctrl" };
@@ -242,6 +266,7 @@ pub fn run_onboarding(app: &AppHandle) {
         let version = app.package_info().version.to_string();
         let version_marker = base.join(".onboarding_version");
         let last_version = fs::read_to_string(&version_marker).ok();
+        let is_existing_user = version_marker.exists() || has_user_notes(&base);
         let is_new_version = last_version.as_deref() != Some(&version);
 
         if is_new_version {
@@ -432,12 +457,15 @@ pub fn run_onboarding(app: &AppHandle) {
         let note_filename = format!("New Features in v{}.md", version);
         let note_target_path = base.join(&note_filename);
 
-        if !note_target_path.exists() {
+        if is_existing_user && is_new_version && !note_target_path.exists() {
             if let Ok(entries) = fs::read_dir(&base) {
                 for entry in entries.filter_map(Result::ok) {
                     let path = entry.path();
                     if let Some(name) = path.file_name().and_then(|n| n.to_str()) {
-                        if name.starts_with("New Features in v") && name.ends_with(".md") && name != note_filename.as_str() {
+                        if name.starts_with("New Features in v")
+                            && name.ends_with(".md")
+                            && name != note_filename.as_str()
+                        {
                             let _ = fs::remove_file(&path);
                         }
                     }
@@ -446,13 +474,25 @@ pub fn run_onboarding(app: &AppHandle) {
 
             if let Ok(resource_dir) = app.path().resource_dir() {
                 let bundled_note = resource_dir.join("notes").join(&note_filename);
-                let bundled_note_up = resource_dir.join("_up_").join("notes").join(&note_filename);
+                let bundled_note_up =
+                    resource_dir.join("_up_").join("notes").join(&note_filename);
                 if bundled_note.exists() {
                     let _ = fs::copy(&bundled_note, &note_target_path);
                 } else if bundled_note_up.exists() {
                     let _ = fs::copy(&bundled_note_up, &note_target_path);
                 }
             }
+        } else if !is_existing_user {
+            if let Ok(entries) = fs::read_dir(&base) {
+                for entry in entries.filter_map(Result::ok) {
+                    let path = entry.path();
+                    if let Some(name) = path.file_name().and_then(|n| n.to_str()) {
+                        if name.starts_with("New Features in v") && name.ends_with(".md") {
+                            let _ = fs::remove_file(&path);
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+            }
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/src-tauri/tauri.conf.json b/src-tauri/tauri.conf.json
index 3526acd..e0dae98 100644
--- a/src-tauri/tauri.conf.json
+++ b/src-tauri/tauri.conf.json
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
   "$schema": "https://schema.tauri.app/2.0.0/tauri.schema.json",
   "productName": "PaperCache",
-  "version": "0.5.3",
+  "version": "0.5.5",
   "identifier": "com.variablethe.papercache",
   "build": {
     "beforeDevCommand": "npm run dev",
diff --git a/src/App.tsx b/src/App.tsx
index 37ab484..4518332 100644
--- a/src/App.tsx
+++ b/src/App.tsx
@@ -109,24 +109,25 @@ function App() {
       const currentVersion = await getVersion()
       const lastSeenVersion = localStorage.getItem('papercache-last-seen-version')
 
-      if (lastSeenVersion === null) {
-        localStorage.setItem('papercache-last-seen-version', currentVersion)
-        const welcomeIndex = notes.findIndex((n) => {
-          const filename = n.id.split('/').pop() || ''
-          return filename === 'Welcome.md'
-        })
-        if (welcomeIndex !== -1) {
-          setCurrentNoteIndex(welcomeIndex)
-        }
-      } else if (lastSeenVersion !== currentVersion) {
-        localStorage.setItem('papercache-last-seen-version', currentVersion)
+      if (lastSeenVersion !== currentVersion) {
         const targetId = `New Features in v${currentVersion}.md`
         const targetIndex = notes.findIndex((n) => {
           const filename = n.id.split('/').pop() || ''
           return filename === targetId
         })
+
         if (targetIndex !== -1) {
+          localStorage.setItem('papercache-last-seen-version', currentVersion)
           setCurrentNoteIndex(targetIndex)
+        } else if (lastSeenVersion === null) {
+          const welcomeIndex = notes.findIndex((n) => {
+            const filename = n.id.split('/').pop() || ''
+            return filename === 'Welcome.md'
+          })
+          if (welcomeIndex !== -1) {
+            localStorage.setItem('papercache-last-seen-version', currentVersion)
+            setCurrentNoteIndex(welcomeIndex)
+          }
         }
       }
     }
diff --git a/src/Settings.tsx b/src/Settings.tsx
index 0a698e6..1bb389d 100644
--- a/src/Settings.tsx
+++ b/src/Settings.tsx
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ export default function Settings({ onClose }: { onClose?: () => void }) {
     })
   }, [])
 
-  const [appVersion, setAppVersion] = useState('0.5.3')
+  const [appVersion, setAppVersion] = useState('0.5.5')
   useEffect(() => {
     getVersion()
       .then((ver) => setAppVersion(ver))
@@ -240,24 +240,6 @@ export default function Settings({ onClose }: { onClose?: () => void }) {
               style={{ width: 'auto', marginRight: 'auto' }}
             />
           </div>
-          <div className="setting-group">
-            <label>Auto-Updates</label>
-            <button
-              onClick={() => window.electronAPI.checkForUpdates()}
-              style={{
-                padding: '6px 12px',
-                background: 'rgba(128,128,128,0.1)',
-                border: '1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.2)',
-                borderRadius: '6px',
-                cursor: 'pointer',
-                color: 'inherit',
-                fontFamily: 'inherit',
-                margin: '0 auto',
-              }}
-            >
-              Check for Updates Now
-            </button>
-          </div>
           <div className="setting-group">
             <label>Submit a Bug Report</label>
             <button
diff --git a/src/setupTests.ts b/src/setupTests.ts
index eaa73d6..c506b7c 100644
--- a/src/setupTests.ts
+++ b/src/setupTests.ts
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import { vi, afterEach } from 'vitest'
 import type { ElectronAPI } from './types'
 
 vi.mock('@tauri-apps/api/app', () => ({
-  getVersion: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue('0.5.3'),
+  getVersion: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue('0.5.5'),
 }))
 
 // Mock matchMedia which is not present in jsdom but might be needed by some components