Release OSDCloud 26.9.8.1

.github/copilot-instructions.md

@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ Functions are procedural and single-call, not pipeline-aware. Skip the blocks un
 ### Global state
 
 `Initialize-*` functions populate `$global:OSDCloud*` variables; `Invoke-*` and `Get-*` functions read them.
-Key globals: `$global:OSDCoreDevice`, `$global:OSDCloudDeploy`, `$global:OSDCloudWorkflowTasks`, `$global:OSDCloudWorkflowInvoke`, `$global:Architecture`, `$global:IsWinPE`, `$global:IsVM`, `$global:IsOnBattery`.
+Key globals: `$global:OSDCoreDevice`, `$global:OSDCloudDeploy`, `$global:OSDCloudWorkflowTasks`, `$global:OSDCloudWorkflowInvoke`.
 Document any new global variables added.
 
 ### Naming
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ Document any new global variables added.
 
 ### WinPE-specific code
 
-- Guard WinPE-only logic with `$env:SystemDrive -eq 'X:'` or the `$global:IsWinPE` flag
+- Guard WinPE-only logic with `$env:SystemDrive -eq 'X:'` flag
 - Place WinPE-only exported functions in `public/WinPE/`
 
 ## Workflows
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ Version follows `YY.M.D.revision` format – update `ModuleVersion` in `OSDCloud
 ## Common pitfalls
 
 - `public/WinPE/` functions are **not loaded outside WinPE** – do not call them in normal-environment code.
-- The module requires `curl.exe` to be present for download operations – validated in `Initialize-OSDCloudDeploy`.
+- The module requires `curl.exe` to be present for download operations – validated in `Initialize-DeployOSDCloud`.
 - `HtmlAgilityPack.dll` type is loaded once; re-importing silently skips the Add-Type call but may conflict if another version is loaded first.
 - Analytics events (PostHog) are sent during workflow execution – see [PRIVACY.md](../PRIVACY.md) for opt-out details.
 - Commit scopes: `workflow`, `driver-packs`, `pe-startup`, `deployment`, `classes`, `catalog`, `core`, `wi-fi`, `main`.

.github/instructions/osdcloud-catalog-update.instructions.md

@@ -219,4 +219,4 @@ Key differences:
 - **Omitting the build switch case** — a new OS XML will load without errors but produce zero OS options in the UX because every `<File>` hits the `default { continue }` branch.
 - **Stale `surface.json` driver URLs** — `Get-OSDCoreDriverPackCatalogSurface` serves MSI URLs from `OSDCloud/core/driverpacks/surface.json`; if `UpdatePage` links change and the automated workflow has not run, deployed drivers may point to outdated or removed files. Run `.github/scripts/Update-MicrosoftCatalog.ps1` manually to refresh.
 - **Editing OEM XML snapshots manually** — Dell/HP/Lenovo XML is replaced wholesale from upstream; manual edits will be lost on the next snapshot refresh.
-- **Adding a Windows version string to workflow configs without the catalog XML** — the UX will offer the version but `Get-OSDCloudCoreOperatingSystems` will return no matching ESD entries, causing `Initialize-OSDCloudDeploy` to throw.
+- **Adding a Windows version string to workflow configs without the catalog XML** — the UX will offer the version but `Get-OSDCloudCoreOperatingSystems` will return no matching ESD entries, causing `Initialize-DeployOSDCloud` to throw.

.github/instructions/workflow-tasks.instructions.md

@@ -139,8 +139,7 @@ function step-phase-action {
 
     #endregion
     #=================================================
-    $Message = "[$(Get-Date -format s)] [$($MyInvocation.MyCommand.Name)] End"
-    Write-Verbose -Message $Message; Write-Debug -Message $Message
+    Write-Verbose -Message "[$(Get-Date -format s)] [$($MyInvocation.MyCommand.Name)] End"
     #=================================================
 }
 ```

.github/skills/osdcore-operating-system-cloud-object/SKILL.md

@@ -0,0 +1,100 @@
+---
+name: osdcore-operating-system-cloud-object
+description: "Use when identifying, mapping, reviewing, or changing $OSDCoreOperatingSystemCloudObject, Set-OSDCoreOperatingSystemCloudObject, Get-OSDCoreOperatingSystems, or Get-OSDCloudCoreOperatingSystems across the OSD and OSDCloud PowerShell modules."
+argument-hint: "OS filters or code path, for example: Windows 11 25H2 amd64 Retail en-us"
+---
+
+# OSD Core Operating System Cloud Object
+
+Use this skill when working on `$global:OSDCoreOperatingSystemCloudObject` or `Set-OSDCoreOperatingSystemCloudObject` in code shared by the `OSD` and `OSDCloud` PowerShell modules.
+
+The important rule: the selected global object is module-native. Do not assume one property schema works everywhere.
+
+## Object Shape Detection
+
+Identify the selected object by its properties before consuming it:
+
+| Module shape | Strong indicators | Provider |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| `OSD` | `Name`, `Version`, `ReleaseID`, `Architecture`, `Language`, `Activation`, `Build`, `Url`, `SHA1`, `SHA256` | `Get-OSDCoreOperatingSystems` |
+| `OSDCloud` | `Id`, `OperatingSystem`, `OSName`, `OSVersion`, `OSArchitecture`, `OSActivation`, `OSLanguageCode`, `OSBuild`, `OSBuildVersion`, `FilePath`, `Sha1`, `Sha256` | `Get-OSDCloudCoreOperatingSystems` |
+
+Prefer module context when it is available:
+
+```powershell
+$moduleName = $MyInvocation.MyCommand.Module.Name
+```
+
+Use property detection when an object is passed into helper code:
+
+```powershell
+if ($OperatingSystemCloudObject.PSObject.Properties.Name -contains 'OSArchitecture') {
+    $objectShape = 'OSDCloud'
+}
+elseif ($OperatingSystemCloudObject.PSObject.Properties.Name -contains 'Architecture') {
+    $objectShape = 'OSD'
+}
+else {
+    throw 'Unable to identify operating system cloud object shape.'
+}
+```
+
+## Equivalent Properties
+
+Use these equivalences when filtering, sorting, logging, or copying values into deployment globals.
+
+| Concept | OSD property | OSDCloud property |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| Display id/name | `Name` | `Id` |
+| Windows family | `Version` | `OSName` |
+| Release id | `ReleaseID` | `OSVersion` |
+| Architecture | `Architecture` | `OSArchitecture` |
+| Language code | `Language` | `OSLanguageCode` |
+| Activation | `Activation` | `OSActivation` |
+| Full build | `Build` | `OSBuildVersion` |
+| Major build | derive from `Build` | `OSBuild` |
+| Download URL | `Url` | `FilePath` |
+| SHA-1 | `SHA1` | `Sha1` |
+| SHA-256 | `SHA256` | `Sha256` |
+| File name | `FileName` | `FileName` |
+
+PowerShell property lookup is case-insensitive, but preserve the native property names when creating or serializing objects.
+
+## Selection Workflow
+
+1. Read `OSDCloud/private/core-operatingsystem/Set-OSDCoreOperatingSystemCloudObject.ps1` and the provider functions before editing.
+2. Determine whether the call is running in `OSD`, `OSDCloud`, or helper/test code without a module name.
+3. Load the matching catalog provider:
+   - `OSD`: `Get-OSDCoreOperatingSystems`
+   - `OSDCloud`: `Get-OSDCloudCoreOperatingSystems`
+4. Normalize input filters before comparing: architecture and language should be lowercase; map `x64` to `amd64` where user input or catalog data can contain either spelling.
+5. Filter with equivalent properties, not a single module schema.
+6. Sort by the full build equivalent: `Build` for `OSD`, `OSBuildVersion` for `OSDCloud`.
+7. Assign the original selected object to `$global:OSDCoreOperatingSystemCloudObject`. Do not reshape it unless the caller explicitly needs a separate compatibility object.
+8. Log using the module-native name, build, and file name properties.
+9. Validate with at least one `OSD`-shape object and one `OSDCloud`-shape object when practical.
+
+## Safe Access Pattern
+
+For shared consumer code, resolve values through a small local adapter instead of directly reading one schema:
+
+```powershell
+$selectedOperatingSystem = $global:OSDCoreOperatingSystemCloudObject
+
+$operatingSystemName = if ($selectedOperatingSystem.OSName) { $selectedOperatingSystem.OSName } else { $selectedOperatingSystem.Version }
+$operatingSystemVersion = if ($selectedOperatingSystem.OSVersion) { $selectedOperatingSystem.OSVersion } else { $selectedOperatingSystem.ReleaseID }
+$operatingSystemArchitecture = if ($selectedOperatingSystem.OSArchitecture) { $selectedOperatingSystem.OSArchitecture } else { $selectedOperatingSystem.Architecture }
+$operatingSystemBuildVersion = if ($selectedOperatingSystem.OSBuildVersion) { $selectedOperatingSystem.OSBuildVersion } else { $selectedOperatingSystem.Build }
+$operatingSystemUrl = if ($selectedOperatingSystem.FilePath) { $selectedOperatingSystem.FilePath } else { $selectedOperatingSystem.Url }
+```
+
+Keep this adapter close to the consumer unless multiple consumers need it. If multiple consumers repeat the same mapping, add a private helper with comment-based help and `[CmdletBinding()]` following the repo PowerShell instructions.
+
+## Review Checklist
+
+- The function still supports both `OSD` and `OSDCloud` module contexts.
+- It does not sort `OSDCloud` records only by `Build`, because that property belongs to the `OSD` shape.
+- It does not use `.FilePath` for `OSD` objects or `.Url` for `OSDCloud` objects without a fallback.
+- It does not overwrite `$global:OSDCoreOperatingSystemCloudObject` with a cross-module normalized object unless all callers have been reviewed.
+- Error messages include the requested release, architecture, activation, language, and OS family/version.
+- Any new PowerShell function follows the repo requirements: `[CmdletBinding()]`, comment-based help, `$Error.Clear()`, full cmdlet names, and the standard verbose timestamp pattern.

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -2,6 +2,78 @@
 
 All notable changes to this project will be documented in this file.
 
+## 26.9.8.1 - September 8, 2026
+
+### Added
+
+- Added deployment disk selection and expanded deployment disk validation.
+- Added OSDeploy license registration, license state management, and license help output.
+- Added verbose workflow step diagnostics for deployment troubleshooting.
+- Added WinPE startup profiles for restart and shutdown actions.
+- Added a WinPEStartup guide and updated deployment, troubleshooting, and unattended USB documentation.
+
+### Changed
+
+- Module version bumped to `26.9.8.1`.
+- Consolidated deployment, workflow, and device state objects used across deployment execution.
+- Improved operating system and driver pack cache object handling, including deployment catalog state scoping and registered catalog refresh behavior.
+- Preserved operating system language selections through deployment parameter resolution.
+- Improved device identity handling and hashed the device identifier used for telemetry.
+- Renamed device identity and license properties to use the current core naming conventions.
+- Refreshed WinPEStartup initialization, command execution, module update, Wi-Fi, USB, and device error handling paths.
+- Updated workflow step logging, status output, target disk checks, driver pack checks, and Windows image validation.
+- Refactored driver pack catalog retrieval and update functions across Dell, HP, Lenovo, Panasonic, and Surface catalogs.
+- Updated Windows 11 25H2 operating system catalog content to build `26200.9168`.
+- Refreshed Dell and HP driver pack catalogs and Surface driver pack URLs.
+- Updated deployment, feature, privacy, and workflow documentation and standardized Recast status messages.
+
+### Removed
+
+- Removed retired workflow assets and legacy workflow UI projects from unused channels.
+
+## 26.8.10.1 - August 10, 2026
+
+### Added
+
+- Added `Initialize-DeployOSDCloud` as the new deployment initialization implementation with expanded deployment/device state handling and validation flow.
+- Added cache and validation helpers across core systems:
+  - `Initialize-OSDCoreCache`
+  - `Get-OSDCoreDriverPackCacheObject`
+  - `Get-OSDCoreOperatingSystemCacheObject`
+  - `Test-OSDCoreDriverPackCloudObject`
+  - `Test-OSDCoreOperatingSystemCloudObject`
+- Added workflow operating system helper functions:
+  - `Get-OSDCloudWorkflowSettingsOSFile`
+  - `Resolve-OSDCloudWorkflowOSActivation`
+  - `Test-OSDCloudWorkflowSettingsOS`
+- Added deployment hardware override support for workflow-driven operating system selection constraints.
+- Added deployment and device state snapshot exports for the revised deployment initialization flow.
+- Added module driver pack catalog export support for temporary XML snapshots.
+- Added repository documentation pages `docs/about_osdcorecache.md`, `docs/about_osdcoredevice.md`, and `docs/about_winpestartup.md`.
+- Added the `osdcore-operating-system-cloud-object` Copilot skill for core operating system object mapping and maintenance.
+
+### Changed
+
+- Module version bumped to `26.8.10.1`.
+- Refactored deployment initialization by replacing `Initialize-OSDCloudDeploy` usage with `Initialize-DeployOSDCloud` across deployment entry points (`Deploy-OSDCloud`, `Deploy-OSDCloudCLI`, and `Deploy-OSDCloudGUI`).
+- Renamed module catalog initializer functions to align naming and intent:
+  - `Get-ModuleCoreDriverPacks` -> `Initialize-ModuleCoreDriverPacks`
+  - `Get-ModuleCoreOperatingSystems` -> `Initialize-ModuleCoreOperatingSystems`
+- Centralized and reorganized cache handling by moving cache helpers from `private/core-device/` to `private/core-cache/` and improving USB cache object refresh behavior.
+- Improved deployment startup behavior by continuing after initialization, removing unreachable initialization code, using resolved operating system cloud objects, and warning when custom workflow settings are supplied.
+- Improved core operating system and driver pack selection reliability by validating cloud/cache objects, normalizing schema handling, and supporting file-path based operating system URL checks.
+- Improved cache, operating system URL, device identity, and catalog initialization status logging for clearer troubleshooting.
+- Improved workflow operating system resolution and parameter flow by centralizing OS settings selection and activation resolution logic.
+- Updated workflow and task execution scripts with standardized informational logging markers and aligned step/test behavior for target disk, driver pack, and Windows image validation.
+- Updated WinPEStartup components, including Wi-Fi and USB drive-letter initialization paths, to align with the revised deployment/core orchestration flow.
+- Updated Microsoft Update Catalog save helpers and related driver workflow step behavior to match revised validation and logging patterns.
+- Updated workflow UI `MainWindow` scripts across classic, default, dev, insiders, and vNext channels for consistency with the updated deployment flow.
+- Updated repository guidance in Copilot instruction assets and catalog update instructions.
+
+### Removed
+
+- Removed legacy `Initialize-OSDCloudDeploy.ps1` in favor of `Initialize-DeployOSDCloud.ps1`.
+
 ## 26.8.18.1 - August 18, 2026
 
 ### Added
@@ -68,7 +140,7 @@ All notable changes to this project will be documented in this file.
 
 ### Added
 
-- Added WinPE startup profiles for `Deploy-OSDCloud` and `Show-OSDCloudDeviceInfo`.
+- Added WinPEStartup profiles for `Deploy-OSDCloud` and `Show-OSDCloudDeviceInfo`.
 
 ### Changed
 
@@ -262,7 +334,7 @@ All notable changes to this project will be documented in this file.
     add `INPUTS`/`OUTPUTS`/`NOTES` sections, and cross-link related pages.
 - Conceptual guides in `docs/`:
   - `getting-started.md` — installation, quick start, and cmdlet overview.
-  - `winpe-startup.md` — WinPE startup sequence, script hooks, USB profiles,
+  - `winpe-startup.md` — WinPEStartup sequence, script hooks, USB profiles,
     and `InvokeXxxCommand` behaviour.
   - `psoptions.md` — two-layer `PSDefaultParameterValues` system with full
     key reference table and override examples.

CONTRIBUTING.md

@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ single-call and procedural.
 
 **WinPE-only code:**
 
-- Guard any WinPE-only logic with `$env:SystemDrive -eq 'X:'` or `$global:IsWinPE`.
+- Guard any WinPE-only logic with `$env:SystemDrive -eq 'X:'`.
 - Place WinPE-only exported functions in `public/WinPE/`. Functions in this
   directory are **not loaded** in a normal Windows session.
 

FEATURES.md

@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 
 ---
 
-## WinPE Startup Orchestration
+## WinPEStartup Orchestration
 
 `Invoke-WinPEStartup` automates everything between power-on and deployment — loading drivers, connecting to the network, and auto-updating OSDCloud — in a single command. Drop a JSON profile on a USB drive for site-specific settings without touching the boot image. Extend the sequence with custom PowerShell or a HTTPS URL at any phase.
 

OSDCloud/OSDCloud.psd1

@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 @{
     # --- Identity ---
     RootModule        = 'OSDCloud.psm1'
-    ModuleVersion     = '26.8.18.1'
+    ModuleVersion     = '26.9.8.1'
     CompatiblePSEditions = @('Core','Desktop')
     GUID              = '2fbd5c65-79c7-4561-9a2e-c4a4eebc89c7'
 
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
     CompanyName       = 'Recast Software'
     Copyright         = '(c) 2026 Recast Software. All rights reserved.'
     Description          = @'
-PowerShell module for OSDCloud v2 deployment automation and WinPE Startup from recastsoftware.com.
+PowerShell module for OSDCloud v2 deployment automation and WinPEStartup from recastsoftware.com.
 Includes operating system, driver pack, and device provisioning workflows.
 '@