release: v0.5.0 — free tier via GitHub sign-in + geoip raw-flag fix

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -6,8 +6,9 @@ Changes are tagged: **[wrapper]** for Python/JS wrapper, **[binary]** for Chromi
 
 ---
 
-## [Unreleased]
+## [0.5.0] — 2026-07-22
 
+- **[wrapper]** **Free tier via GitHub sign-in.** New `cloakbrowser login` command: sign in with GitHub to get a free license key (or save a paid key), `cloakbrowser logout` to revert. The launch banner and `cloakbrowser info` are now tier-aware (keyless / free / pro). Free keys always track the latest free build. Python, JavaScript, and .NET.
 - **[wrapper]** Fix `geoip=True` overriding a timezone or locale that was passed explicitly as a raw flag via `args=` (`--fingerprint-timezone`, `--lang`, `--fingerprint-locale`). A raw flag now counts as explicit and is preserved, matching the behavior of the `timezone=`/`locale=` parameters; GeoIP only fills the values you did not set. Python, JavaScript, and .NET.
 
 ## [0.4.13] — 2026-07-22

README.md

@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ page.goto("https://example.com")
 
 ---
 
-## Latest: v0.4.13 — 71 source-level stealth patches (Chromium 150.0.7871.114.3 — all platforms)
+## Latest: v0.5.0 — 71 source-level stealth patches (Chromium 150.0.7871.114.3 — all platforms)
 
 - **CloakBrowser Pro** — the latest binary (Chromium 150.0.7871.114.3, 71 source-level patches) is available to Pro subscribers on **Linux, Windows, and macOS**. Set a `license_key` (`licenseKey` in JS) or the `CLOAKBROWSER_LICENSE_KEY` env var and the wrapper fetches the latest build automatically. See [CloakBrowser Pro](#cloakbrowser-pro)
 - **.NET 8 / C# client** — CloakBrowser now ships as a NuGet package (`CloakBrowser`), mirroring the Python and JS wrappers.

cloakbrowser/_version.py

@@ -1 +1 @@
-__version__ = "0.4.13"
+__version__ = "0.5.0"

dotnet/README.md

@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ your code ──> HumanizedPage ──┬─ intercepted member ─> humanize en
 | **Persistent contexts** (profile reuse) | ✅ | `CloakLauncher.cs` |
 | **Humanize** - Bezier mouse, human typing, scrolling, actionability | ✅ | `Human/`, `Wrappers/` |
 | Transparent humanize via **source generator** | ✅ | `CloakBrowser.Generators/` |
-| **CLI** (`install` / `info` / `update` / `clear-cache`) | ✅ | `CloakBrowser.Cli/` |
+| **CLI** (`login` / `logout` / `install` / `info` / `update` / `clear-cache`) | ✅ | `CloakBrowser.Cli/` |
 
 ---
 
@@ -358,15 +358,15 @@ var page = await ctx.NewPageAsync();
 
 ### CloakBrowser Pro
 
-CloakBrowser ships in two tiers:
+The wrappers are MIT, free forever. The latest binary is **free to try**:
 
-- **Free (v146)** — free forever on [GitHub Releases](https://github.com/CloakHQ/cloakbrowser/releases). Unlimited sessions. Works today, goes stale as detection evolves.
-- **Pro (latest, v150)** — the newest patches and Chromium upgrades first, so detection stays green as anti-bot systems change. Linux, Windows, and macOS (Apple Silicon + Intel).
+- **Free, latest build (Chromium 150)** — the newest binary. Free with a GitHub sign-in, one concurrent session. Run `cloakbrowser login` or [grab your key](https://cloakbrowser.dev/free).
+- **Pro** — scale to **5, 20, 200, 2,000, or more concurrent sessions**, always first on the newest patches, with hands-on support. Linux, Windows, macOS. **[See plans and pricing →](https://cloakbrowser.dev)**
+- **v146** — the older build stays free on [GitHub Releases](https://github.com/CloakHQ/cloakbrowser/releases). A quick first look, but it ages fast as detection evolves.
 
-Pro plans → **[cloakbrowser.dev](https://cloakbrowser.dev)**
+Try the latest free → **[cloakbrowser.dev/free](https://cloakbrowser.dev/free)**  ·  Scale up on Pro → **[cloakbrowser.dev](https://cloakbrowser.dev)**
 
-Activate with a license key — the `LicenseKey` option, the `CLOAKBROWSER_LICENSE_KEY`
-env var, or `~/.cloakbrowser/license.key`:
+Get a key: run `cloakbrowser login` (GitHub sign-in for a free key, or paste a paid key), or set it directly via the `LicenseKey` option, the `CLOAKBROWSER_LICENSE_KEY` env var, or `~/.cloakbrowser/license.key`:
 
 ```csharp
 await using var browser = await CloakLauncher.LaunchAsync(new LaunchOptions

dotnet/src/CloakBrowser/CloakBrowser.csproj

@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
 
     <!-- NuGet packaging metadata -->
     <PackageId>CloakBrowser</PackageId>
-    <Version>0.4.13</Version>
+    <Version>0.5.0</Version>
     <Authors>CloakHQ</Authors>
     <Description>Stealth Chromium that passes every bot detection test. Drop-in Playwright (.NET) replacement with source-level fingerprint patches.</Description>
     <PackageLicenseExpression>MIT</PackageLicenseExpression>

dotnet/src/CloakBrowser/CloakVersion.cs

@@ -4,5 +4,5 @@ namespace CloakBrowser;
 public static class CloakVersion
 {
     /// <summary>The CloakBrowser .NET wrapper version.</summary>
-    public const string Version = "0.4.13";
+    public const string Version = "0.5.0";
 }

js/README.md

@@ -157,12 +157,16 @@ const browser = await launch({ proxy: 'http://proxy:8080', geoip: true, timezone
 Pre-download the binary or check installation status from the command line:
 
 ```bash
+npx cloakbrowser login        # Get a free key via GitHub, or save a paid key
+npx cloakbrowser logout        # Remove the saved key (revert to the free binary)
 npx cloakbrowser install      # Download binary with progress output
 npx cloakbrowser info         # Show version, path, platform
 npx cloakbrowser update       # Check for and download newer binary
 npx cloakbrowser clear-cache  # Remove cached binaries
 ```
 
+`login` with no argument prompts you to paste a license key or press Enter to get a free key via a GitHub sign-in; `login <key>` saves a key directly. Both validate the key, then store it at `~/.cloakbrowser/license.key` so every launch picks it up.
+
 ### Utilities
 
 ```javascript
@@ -243,25 +247,23 @@ const page = await browser.newPage();
 
 ## CloakBrowser Pro
 
-The wrapper (Python + JS) is MIT, free forever. The binary uses a delayed
-free-release model:
+The wrappers (Python, JS, .NET) are MIT, free forever. The latest binary is **free to try** — throw it at your hardest target today.
 
-- **Free (v146)** — free forever on [GitHub Releases](https://github.com/CloakHQ/cloakbrowser/releases). Unlimited sessions. Works today, goes stale as detection evolves.
-- **Pro (latest, v150)** — the newest patches and Chromium upgrades first, so the [test results](#test-results) stay green as anti-bot systems change. Linux, Windows, and macOS (Apple Silicon + Intel).
+Anti-bot systems change every week and an older binary quietly degrades. The latest build is the one that keeps passing. **Try it free, then upgrade when you're running for real.**
 
-Anti-bot detection updates constantly — an older binary degrades within weeks.
-Pro keeps you on the build that's actively maintained against it.
+- **Free, latest build (Chromium 150)** — the newest binary, the exact one that stays [green against live detection](#test-results). Free with a GitHub sign-in, one concurrent session. [Grab your key](https://cloakbrowser.dev/free) or run `cloakbrowser login`, then point it at the site that's been blocking you.
+- **Pro** — when it's part of production scraping, QA, monitoring, or automation: scale to **5, 20, 200, 2,000, or more concurrent sessions**, always first on the newest patches, with hands-on support. Linux, Windows, macOS. **[See plans and pricing →](https://cloakbrowser.dev)**
+- **v146** — the older build stays free on [GitHub Releases](https://github.com/CloakHQ/cloakbrowser/releases). A quick first look, but it ages fast as detection evolves.
 
-**Pro ships the latest binary (Chromium 150) with the newest anti-bot patches** — see how it
-performs against your targets.
-
-Activate with your license key (env var, `licenseKey` option, or `~/.cloakbrowser/license.key`):
+Get a key and activate it:
 
 ```bash
+cloakbrowser login          # GitHub sign-in for a free key, or paste a paid key
+# ...or set it directly (env var, licenseKey option, or ~/.cloakbrowser/license.key):
 export CLOAKBROWSER_LICENSE_KEY=cb_xxxxxxxx
 ```
 
-Pro plans → **[cloakbrowser.dev](https://cloakbrowser.dev)**
+Try the latest free → **[cloakbrowser.dev/free](https://cloakbrowser.dev/free)**  ·  Scale up on Pro → **[cloakbrowser.dev](https://cloakbrowser.dev)**
 
 ## Requirements
 

js/package-lock.json

@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 {
   "name": "cloakbrowser",
-  "version": "0.4.13",
+  "version": "0.5.0",
   "lockfileVersion": 3,
   "requires": true,
   "packages": {
     "": {
       "name": "cloakbrowser",
-      "version": "0.4.13",
+      "version": "0.5.0",
       "license": "MIT",
       "dependencies": {
         "tar": "^7.0.0"

js/package.json

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "cloakbrowser",
-  "version": "0.4.13",
+  "version": "0.5.0",
   "description": "Stealth Chromium that passes every bot detection test. Drop-in Playwright/Puppeteer replacement with source-level fingerprint patches.",
   "type": "module",
   "main": "dist/index.js",