diff --git a/src/app/api/system/rollback-versions/route.test.ts b/src/app/api/system/rollback-versions/route.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e3ae714
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/api/system/rollback-versions/route.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+import { describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
+import { NextRequest } from "next/server";
+
+const mocks = vi.hoisted(() => ({
+  requireActor: vi.fn(() => ({ sub: "tester", role: "admin" as const })),
+  configApiFetch: vi.fn(),
+}));
+
+vi.mock("server-only", () => ({}));
+vi.mock("@/lib/server/actor", () => ({
+  requireActor: mocks.requireActor,
+  ActorError: class ActorError extends Error {
+    constructor(message: string, readonly status: number) {
+      super(message);
+    }
+  },
+}));
+vi.mock("@/lib/server/evoscientistConfigClient", () => ({
+  configApiFetch: mocks.configApiFetch,
+  ConfigApiError: class ConfigApiError extends Error {
+    constructor(
+      message: string,
+      readonly status: number,
+      readonly code: string | null = null,
+      readonly details: unknown[] = []
+    ) {
+      super(message);
+    }
+  },
+}));
+
+const { GET } = await import("./route");
+
+describe("GET /api/system/rollback-versions", () => {
+  it("proxies the backend rollback version list", async () => {
+    mocks.configApiFetch.mockResolvedValue({
+      status: 200,
+      body: { versions: [{ version: "0.2.9", published_at: "p", release_url: "u" }] },
+    });
+    const res = await GET(new NextRequest(new URL("http://localhost/api/system/rollback-versions")));
+    expect(res.status).toBe(200);
+    expect((await res.json()).versions[0].version).toBe("0.2.9");
+    expect(mocks.configApiFetch).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      expect.objectContaining({ sub: "tester" }),
+      "/internal/system/rollback-versions"
+    );
+  });
+});
diff --git a/src/app/api/system/rollback-versions/route.ts b/src/app/api/system/rollback-versions/route.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6bb45aa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/api/system/rollback-versions/route.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+import { type NextRequest, NextResponse } from "next/server";
+import { requireActor, type Actor } from "@/lib/server/actor";
+import { configApiFetch } from "@/lib/server/evoscientistConfigClient";
+import { isCrossOrigin } from "@/lib/server/workspace";
+import { NO_STORE, routeErrorResponse } from "@/lib/server/routeErrors";
+
+export const runtime = "nodejs";
+export const dynamic = "force-dynamic";
+
+export interface RollbackVersionsResult {
+  versions: { version: string; published_at: string | null; release_url: string | null }[];
+}
+
+/** Proxy the backend rollback version list. */
+export async function GET(request: NextRequest) {
+  let actor: Actor | undefined;
+  try {
+    if (isCrossOrigin(request)) {
+      return NextResponse.json(
+        { code: "FORBIDDEN", message: "Cross-origin access is not allowed." },
+        { status: 403, headers: NO_STORE }
+      );
+    }
+    actor = requireActor(request);
+    const { status, body } = await configApiFetch<RollbackVersionsResult>(
+      actor,
+      "/internal/system/rollback-versions"
+    );
+    return NextResponse.json(body, { status, headers: NO_STORE });
+  } catch (error) {
+    return routeErrorResponse(error, actor);
+  }
+}
diff --git a/src/app/api/system/self-rollback/route.test.ts b/src/app/api/system/self-rollback/route.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1da86cf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/api/system/self-rollback/route.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,60 @@
+import { describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
+import { NextRequest, NextResponse } from "next/server";
+
+const mocks = vi.hoisted(() => ({
+  requireActor: vi.fn(() => ({ sub: "tester", role: "admin" as const })),
+  isAllowedSelfRollback: vi.fn(),
+  startSelfApply: vi.fn(),
+  isNpxCacheInstall: vi.fn(() => false),
+}));
+
+vi.mock("server-only", () => ({}));
+vi.mock("@/lib/server/actor", () => ({
+  requireActor: mocks.requireActor,
+  ActorError: class ActorError extends Error {
+    constructor(message: string, readonly status: number) {
+      super(message);
+    }
+  },
+}));
+vi.mock("@/lib/server/selfUpdate", () => ({
+  isAllowedSelfRollback: mocks.isAllowedSelfRollback,
+}));
+vi.mock("@/lib/server/selfApply", () => ({
+  startSelfApply: mocks.startSelfApply,
+  isNpxCacheInstall: mocks.isNpxCacheInstall,
+}));
+
+const { POST } = await import("./route");
+
+function req(body: unknown): NextRequest {
+  return new NextRequest(new URL("http://localhost/api/system/self-rollback"), {
+    method: "POST",
+    headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json" },
+    body: JSON.stringify(body),
+  });
+}
+
+describe("POST /api/system/self-rollback", () => {
+  it("rejects a missing version", async () => {
+    const res = await POST(req({}));
+    expect(res.status).toBe(400);
+  });
+
+  it("rejects versions outside the rollback list", async () => {
+    mocks.isAllowedSelfRollback.mockResolvedValue(false);
+    const res = await POST(req({ version: "0.0.1" }));
+    expect(res.status).toBe(400);
+    expect((await res.json()).code).toBe("ROLLBACK_VERSION_NOT_ALLOWED");
+  });
+
+  it("starts the apply pipeline for allowed versions", async () => {
+    mocks.isAllowedSelfRollback.mockResolvedValue(true);
+    mocks.startSelfApply.mockResolvedValue(
+      NextResponse.json({ status: "applying" }, { status: 202 })
+    );
+    const res = await POST(req({ version: "0.1.7" }));
+    expect(res.status).toBe(202);
+    expect(mocks.startSelfApply).toHaveBeenCalledWith("0.1.7");
+  });
+});
diff --git a/src/app/api/system/self-rollback/route.ts b/src/app/api/system/self-rollback/route.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7909026
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/api/system/self-rollback/route.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,58 @@
+import { type NextRequest, NextResponse } from "next/server";
+import { requireActor, type Actor } from "@/lib/server/actor";
+import { isCrossOrigin } from "@/lib/server/workspace";
+import { NO_STORE, routeErrorResponse } from "@/lib/server/routeErrors";
+import { isAllowedSelfRollback } from "@/lib/server/selfUpdate";
+import { isNpxCacheInstall, startSelfApply } from "@/lib/server/selfApply";
+
+export const runtime = "nodejs";
+export const dynamic = "force-dynamic";
+
+/** Roll the WebUI package back to an allowed older version. */
+export async function POST(request: NextRequest) {
+  let actor: Actor | undefined;
+  try {
+    if (isCrossOrigin(request)) {
+      return NextResponse.json(
+        { code: "FORBIDDEN", message: "Cross-origin access is not allowed." },
+        { status: 403, headers: NO_STORE }
+      );
+    }
+    actor = requireActor(request);
+    if (isNpxCacheInstall()) {
+      return NextResponse.json(
+        {
+          status: "manual",
+          guidance:
+            "This Web UI runs from an npx cache and cannot be rolled back in place; " +
+            "run: npx @evoscientist/webui@<version>",
+        },
+        { headers: NO_STORE }
+      );
+    }
+    const body: unknown = await request.json().catch(() => null);
+    const version =
+      body && typeof body === "object" && "version" in body
+        ? (body as { version: unknown }).version
+        : undefined;
+    if (typeof version !== "string" || !version.trim()) {
+      return NextResponse.json(
+        { code: "VERSION_REQUIRED", message: 'body must be {"version": "x.y.z"}' },
+        { status: 400, headers: NO_STORE }
+      );
+    }
+    const target = version.trim().replace(/^[vV]/, "");
+    if (!(await isAllowedSelfRollback(target))) {
+      return NextResponse.json(
+        {
+          code: "ROLLBACK_VERSION_NOT_ALLOWED",
+          message: `${target} is not in the rollback list`,
+        },
+        { status: 400, headers: NO_STORE }
+      );
+    }
+    return await startSelfApply(target);
+  } catch (error) {
+    return routeErrorResponse(error, actor);
+  }
+}
diff --git a/src/app/api/system/self-update/route.test.ts b/src/app/api/system/self-update/route.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..09fd99d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/api/system/self-update/route.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,72 @@
+import { describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
+import { NextRequest, NextResponse } from "next/server";
+
+const mocks = vi.hoisted(() => ({
+  requireActor: vi.fn(() => ({ sub: "tester", role: "admin" as const })),
+  getSelfUpdateInfo: vi.fn(),
+  startSelfApply: vi.fn(),
+  isNpxCacheInstall: vi.fn(() => false),
+}));
+
+vi.mock("server-only", () => ({}));
+vi.mock("@/lib/server/actor", () => ({
+  requireActor: mocks.requireActor,
+  ActorError: class ActorError extends Error {
+    constructor(message: string, readonly status: number) {
+      super(message);
+    }
+  },
+}));
+vi.mock("@/lib/server/selfUpdate", () => ({
+  getSelfUpdateInfo: mocks.getSelfUpdateInfo,
+}));
+vi.mock("@/lib/server/selfApply", () => ({
+  startSelfApply: mocks.startSelfApply,
+  isNpxCacheInstall: mocks.isNpxCacheInstall,
+}));
+
+const { POST } = await import("./route");
+
+function req(): NextRequest {
+  return new NextRequest(new URL("http://localhost/api/system/self-update"), {
+    method: "POST",
+    headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json" },
+    body: "{}",
+  });
+}
+
+describe("POST /api/system/self-update", () => {
+  it("returns 409 when already up to date", async () => {
+    mocks.getSelfUpdateInfo.mockResolvedValue({
+      current_version: "0.1.9",
+      latest_version: "0.1.9",
+      has_update: false,
+    });
+    const res = await POST(req());
+    expect(res.status).toBe(409);
+    expect((await res.json()).code).toBe("ALREADY_UP_TO_DATE");
+  });
+
+  it("returns manual guidance for npx cache installs", async () => {
+    mocks.isNpxCacheInstall.mockReturnValueOnce(true);
+    const res = await POST(req());
+    expect(res.status).toBe(200);
+    const body = await res.json();
+    expect(body.status).toBe("manual");
+    expect(body.guidance).toContain("npx");
+  });
+
+  it("starts the apply pipeline when an update exists", async () => {
+    mocks.getSelfUpdateInfo.mockResolvedValue({
+      current_version: "0.1.8",
+      latest_version: "0.1.9",
+      has_update: true,
+    });
+    mocks.startSelfApply.mockResolvedValue(
+      NextResponse.json({ status: "applying" }, { status: 202 })
+    );
+    const res = await POST(req());
+    expect(res.status).toBe(202);
+    expect(mocks.startSelfApply).toHaveBeenCalledWith("0.1.9");
+  });
+});
diff --git a/src/app/api/system/self-update/route.ts b/src/app/api/system/self-update/route.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b3ce5d7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/api/system/self-update/route.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+import { type NextRequest, NextResponse } from "next/server";
+import { requireActor, type Actor } from "@/lib/server/actor";
+import { isCrossOrigin } from "@/lib/server/workspace";
+import { NO_STORE, routeErrorResponse } from "@/lib/server/routeErrors";
+import { getSelfUpdateInfo } from "@/lib/server/selfUpdate";
+import { isNpxCacheInstall, startSelfApply } from "@/lib/server/selfApply";
+
+export const runtime = "nodejs";
+export const dynamic = "force-dynamic";
+
+/** One-click in-place update of the WebUI package itself. */
+export async function POST(request: NextRequest) {
+  let actor: Actor | undefined;
+  try {
+    if (isCrossOrigin(request)) {
+      return NextResponse.json(
+        { code: "FORBIDDEN", message: "Cross-origin access is not allowed." },
+        { status: 403, headers: NO_STORE }
+      );
+    }
+    actor = requireActor(request);
+    if (isNpxCacheInstall()) {
+      return NextResponse.json(
+        {
+          status: "manual",
+          guidance:
+            "This Web UI runs from an npx cache and cannot be updated in place; " +
+            "run: npx @evoscientist/webui@latest",
+        },
+        { headers: NO_STORE }
+      );
+    }
+    const info = await getSelfUpdateInfo({ force: true });
+    if (!info.has_update) {
+      return NextResponse.json(
+        {
+          code: "ALREADY_UP_TO_DATE",
+          current_version: info.current_version,
+          latest_version: info.latest_version,
+        },
+        { status: 409, headers: NO_STORE }
+      );
+    }
+    return await startSelfApply(info.latest_version);
+  } catch (error) {
+    return routeErrorResponse(error, actor);
+  }
+}
diff --git a/src/app/api/system/self-version/route.test.ts b/src/app/api/system/self-version/route.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ddbb19d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/api/system/self-version/route.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+import { describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
+import { NextRequest } from "next/server";
+
+const mocks = vi.hoisted(() => ({
+  requireActor: vi.fn(() => ({ sub: "tester", role: "admin" as const })),
+  getSelfUpdateInfo: vi.fn(),
+}));
+
+vi.mock("server-only", () => ({}));
+vi.mock("@/lib/server/actor", () => ({
+  requireActor: mocks.requireActor,
+  ActorError: class ActorError extends Error {
+    constructor(message: string, readonly status: number) {
+      super(message);
+    }
+  },
+}));
+vi.mock("@/lib/server/selfUpdate", () => ({
+  getSelfUpdateInfo: mocks.getSelfUpdateInfo,
+}));
+
+const { GET } = await import("./route");
+
+const INFO = {
+  current_version: "0.1.8",
+  latest_version: "0.1.9",
+  has_update: true,
+  release_url: "https://example/rel",
+  release_notes: "notes",
+  published_at: "2026-01-01",
+  cached: false,
+  warning: null,
+};
+
+describe("GET /api/system/self-version", () => {
+  it("returns the WebUI's own update info", async () => {
+    mocks.getSelfUpdateInfo.mockResolvedValue(INFO);
+    const res = await GET(new NextRequest(new URL("http://localhost/api/system/self-version")));
+    expect(res.status).toBe(200);
+    expect(await res.json()).toEqual(INFO);
+  });
+
+  it("passes force=true through", async () => {
+    mocks.getSelfUpdateInfo.mockResolvedValue(INFO);
+    await GET(new NextRequest(new URL("http://localhost/api/system/self-version?force=true")));
+    expect(mocks.getSelfUpdateInfo).toHaveBeenCalledWith({ force: true });
+  });
+});
diff --git a/src/app/api/system/self-version/route.ts b/src/app/api/system/self-version/route.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b538e87
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/api/system/self-version/route.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+import { type NextRequest, NextResponse } from "next/server";
+import { requireActor, type Actor } from "@/lib/server/actor";
+import { isCrossOrigin } from "@/lib/server/workspace";
+import { NO_STORE, routeErrorResponse } from "@/lib/server/routeErrors";
+import { getSelfUpdateInfo } from "@/lib/server/selfUpdate";
+
+export const runtime = "nodejs";
+export const dynamic = "force-dynamic";
+
+/** The WebUI's own version check against the shared Gitea release. */
+export async function GET(request: NextRequest) {
+  let actor: Actor | undefined;
+  try {
+    if (isCrossOrigin(request)) {
+      return NextResponse.json(
+        { code: "FORBIDDEN", message: "Cross-origin access is not allowed." },
+        { status: 403, headers: NO_STORE }
+      );
+    }
+    actor = requireActor(request);
+    const force = request.nextUrl.searchParams.get("force") === "true";
+    const info = await getSelfUpdateInfo({ force });
+    return NextResponse.json(info, { headers: NO_STORE });
+  } catch (error) {
+    return routeErrorResponse(error, actor);
+  }
+}
diff --git a/src/app/api/system/update/rollback/route.test.ts b/src/app/api/system/update/rollback/route.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2ffed4d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/api/system/update/rollback/route.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,71 @@
+import { beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
+import { NextRequest } from "next/server";
+
+const mocks = vi.hoisted(() => ({
+  requireActor: vi.fn(() => ({ sub: "tester", role: "admin" as const })),
+  configApiFetch: vi.fn(),
+}));
+
+vi.mock("server-only", () => ({}));
+vi.mock("@/lib/server/actor", () => ({
+  requireActor: mocks.requireActor,
+  ActorError: class ActorError extends Error {
+    constructor(message: string, readonly status: number) {
+      super(message);
+    }
+  },
+}));
+vi.mock("@/lib/server/evoscientistConfigClient", () => ({
+  configApiFetch: mocks.configApiFetch,
+  ConfigApiError: class ConfigApiError extends Error {
+    constructor(
+      message: string,
+      readonly status: number,
+      readonly code: string | null = null,
+      readonly details: unknown[] = []
+    ) {
+      super(message);
+    }
+  },
+}));
+
+const { POST } = await import("./route");
+const { ConfigApiError } = await import("@/lib/server/evoscientistConfigClient");
+
+function req(body: unknown): NextRequest {
+  return new NextRequest(new URL("http://localhost/api/system/update/rollback"), {
+    method: "POST",
+    headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json" },
+    body: JSON.stringify(body),
+  });
+}
+
+describe("POST /api/system/update/rollback", () => {
+  beforeEach(() => vi.clearAllMocks());
+
+  it("forwards the target version to the backend", async () => {
+    mocks.configApiFetch.mockResolvedValue({ status: 202, body: { status: "applying" } });
+    const res = await POST(req({ version: "0.2.9" }));
+    expect(res.status).toBe(202);
+    expect(mocks.configApiFetch).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      expect.objectContaining({ sub: "tester" }),
+      "/internal/system/update/rollback",
+      expect.objectContaining({ method: "POST", body: { version: "0.2.9" } })
+    );
+  });
+
+  it("rejects a missing version before proxying", async () => {
+    const res = await POST(req({}));
+    expect(res.status).toBe(400);
+    expect(mocks.configApiFetch).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+
+  it("forwards backend 400 for disallowed versions", async () => {
+    mocks.configApiFetch.mockRejectedValue(
+      new ConfigApiError("not allowed", 400, "ROLLBACK_VERSION_NOT_ALLOWED")
+    );
+    const res = await POST(req({ version: "0.0.1" }));
+    expect(res.status).toBe(400);
+    expect((await res.json()).code).toBe("ROLLBACK_VERSION_NOT_ALLOWED");
+  });
+});
diff --git a/src/app/api/system/update/rollback/route.ts b/src/app/api/system/update/rollback/route.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9586988
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/api/system/update/rollback/route.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+import { type NextRequest, NextResponse } from "next/server";
+import { requireActor, type Actor } from "@/lib/server/actor";
+import { configApiFetch } from "@/lib/server/evoscientistConfigClient";
+import { isCrossOrigin } from "@/lib/server/workspace";
+import { NO_STORE, routeErrorResponse } from "@/lib/server/routeErrors";
+
+export const runtime = "nodejs";
+export const dynamic = "force-dynamic";
+
+/** Proxy a backend rollback request. */
+export async function POST(request: NextRequest) {
+  let actor: Actor | undefined;
+  try {
+    if (isCrossOrigin(request)) {
+      return NextResponse.json(
+        { code: "FORBIDDEN", message: "Cross-origin access is not allowed." },
+        { status: 403, headers: NO_STORE }
+      );
+    }
+    actor = requireActor(request);
+    const body: unknown = await request.json().catch(() => null);
+    const version =
+      body && typeof body === "object" && "version" in body
+        ? (body as { version: unknown }).version
+        : undefined;
+    if (typeof version !== "string" || !version.trim()) {
+      return NextResponse.json(
+        { code: "VERSION_REQUIRED", message: 'body must be {"version": "x.y.z"}' },
+        { status: 400, headers: NO_STORE }
+      );
+    }
+    const { status, body: result } = await configApiFetch<Record<string, unknown>>(
+      actor,
+      "/internal/system/update/rollback",
+      { method: "POST", body: { version: version.trim() } }
+    );
+    return NextResponse.json(result, { status, headers: NO_STORE });
+  } catch (error) {
+    return routeErrorResponse(error, actor);
+  }
+}
diff --git a/src/app/api/system/update/route.test.ts b/src/app/api/system/update/route.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bfdd9a9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/api/system/update/route.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,86 @@
+import { describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
+import { NextRequest } from "next/server";
+
+const mocks = vi.hoisted(() => ({
+  requireActor: vi.fn(() => ({ sub: "tester", role: "admin" as const })),
+  configApiFetch: vi.fn(),
+}));
+
+vi.mock("server-only", () => ({}));
+vi.mock("@/lib/server/actor", () => ({
+  requireActor: mocks.requireActor,
+  ActorError: class ActorError extends Error {
+    constructor(message: string, readonly status: number) {
+      super(message);
+    }
+  },
+}));
+vi.mock("@/lib/server/evoscientistConfigClient", () => ({
+  configApiFetch: mocks.configApiFetch,
+  ConfigApiError: class ConfigApiError extends Error {
+    constructor(
+      message: string,
+      readonly status: number,
+      readonly code: string | null = null,
+      readonly details: unknown[] = []
+    ) {
+      super(message);
+    }
+  },
+}));
+
+const { POST } = await import("./route");
+const { ConfigApiError } = await import("@/lib/server/evoscientistConfigClient");
+
+function req(url = "http://localhost/api/system/update"): NextRequest {
+  return new NextRequest(new URL(url), {
+    method: "POST",
+    headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json" },
+    body: "{}",
+  });
+}
+
+describe("POST /api/system/update", () => {
+  it("proxies to the backend and returns the 202 payload", async () => {
+    mocks.configApiFetch.mockResolvedValue({
+      status: 202,
+      body: { operation_id: "upd-0.3.0", status: "applying", need_restart: true },
+    });
+    const res = await POST(req());
+    expect(res.status).toBe(202);
+    expect(mocks.configApiFetch).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      expect.objectContaining({ sub: "tester" }),
+      "/internal/system/update",
+      expect.objectContaining({ method: "POST" })
+    );
+  });
+
+  it("forwards confirm_breaking query param", async () => {
+    mocks.configApiFetch.mockResolvedValue({ status: 202, body: { status: "applying" } });
+    await POST(req("http://localhost/api/system/update?confirm_breaking=true"));
+    expect(mocks.configApiFetch).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      expect.anything(),
+      "/internal/system/update?confirm_breaking=true",
+      expect.objectContaining({ method: "POST" })
+    );
+  });
+
+  it("forwards backend 409 codes", async () => {
+    mocks.configApiFetch.mockRejectedValue(
+      new ConfigApiError("no update", 409, "ALREADY_UP_TO_DATE")
+    );
+    const res = await POST(req());
+    expect(res.status).toBe(409);
+    expect((await res.json()).code).toBe("ALREADY_UP_TO_DATE");
+  });
+
+  it("returns manual guidance for docker deployments", async () => {
+    mocks.configApiFetch.mockResolvedValue({
+      status: 200,
+      body: { status: "manual", guidance: "docker compose pull && docker compose up -d" },
+    });
+    const res = await POST(req());
+    expect(res.status).toBe(200);
+    expect((await res.json()).status).toBe("manual");
+  });
+});
diff --git a/src/app/api/system/update/route.ts b/src/app/api/system/update/route.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9b06423
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/api/system/update/route.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+import { type NextRequest, NextResponse } from "next/server";
+import { requireActor, type Actor } from "@/lib/server/actor";
+import { configApiFetch } from "@/lib/server/evoscientistConfigClient";
+import { isCrossOrigin } from "@/lib/server/workspace";
+import { NO_STORE, routeErrorResponse } from "@/lib/server/routeErrors";
+
+export const runtime = "nodejs";
+export const dynamic = "force-dynamic";
+
+export interface SystemUpdateApplyResult {
+  operation_id?: string;
+  status: "applying" | "manual";
+  need_restart?: boolean;
+  guidance?: string;
+}
+
+/** Proxy the backend one-click update. */
+export async function POST(request: NextRequest) {
+  let actor: Actor | undefined;
+  try {
+    if (isCrossOrigin(request)) {
+      return NextResponse.json(
+        { code: "FORBIDDEN", message: "Cross-origin access is not allowed." },
+        { status: 403, headers: NO_STORE }
+      );
+    }
+    actor = requireActor(request);
+    const confirmBreaking = request.nextUrl.searchParams.get("confirm_breaking") === "true";
+    const path = confirmBreaking
+      ? "/internal/system/update?confirm_breaking=true"
+      : "/internal/system/update";
+    const { status, body } = await configApiFetch<SystemUpdateApplyResult>(actor, path, {
+      method: "POST",
+      body: {},
+    });
+    return NextResponse.json(body, { status, headers: NO_STORE });
+  } catch (error) {
+    return routeErrorResponse(error, actor);
+  }
+}
diff --git a/src/app/api/system/update/status/route.test.ts b/src/app/api/system/update/status/route.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..26bf6fc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/api/system/update/status/route.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+import { describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
+import { NextRequest } from "next/server";
+
+const mocks = vi.hoisted(() => ({
+  requireActor: vi.fn(() => ({ sub: "tester", role: "admin" as const })),
+  configApiFetch: vi.fn(),
+}));
+
+vi.mock("server-only", () => ({}));
+vi.mock("@/lib/server/actor", () => ({
+  requireActor: mocks.requireActor,
+  ActorError: class ActorError extends Error {
+    constructor(message: string, readonly status: number) {
+      super(message);
+    }
+  },
+}));
+vi.mock("@/lib/server/evoscientistConfigClient", () => ({
+  configApiFetch: mocks.configApiFetch,
+  ConfigApiError: class ConfigApiError extends Error {
+    constructor(
+      message: string,
+      readonly status: number,
+      readonly code: string | null = null,
+      readonly details: unknown[] = []
+    ) {
+      super(message);
+    }
+  },
+}));
+
+const { GET } = await import("./route");
+
+describe("GET /api/system/update/status", () => {
+  it("proxies the backend status endpoint", async () => {
+    mocks.configApiFetch.mockResolvedValue({ status: 200, body: { status: "none" } });
+    const res = await GET(new NextRequest(new URL("http://localhost/api/system/update/status")));
+    expect(res.status).toBe(200);
+    expect(await res.json()).toEqual({ status: "none" });
+    expect(mocks.configApiFetch).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      expect.objectContaining({ sub: "tester" }),
+      "/internal/system/update/status"
+    );
+  });
+});
diff --git a/src/app/api/system/update/status/route.ts b/src/app/api/system/update/status/route.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3c5140d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/api/system/update/status/route.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+import { type NextRequest, NextResponse } from "next/server";
+import { requireActor, type Actor } from "@/lib/server/actor";
+import { configApiFetch } from "@/lib/server/evoscientistConfigClient";
+import { isCrossOrigin } from "@/lib/server/workspace";
+import { NO_STORE, routeErrorResponse } from "@/lib/server/routeErrors";
+
+export const runtime = "nodejs";
+export const dynamic = "force-dynamic";
+
+/** Proxy the backend update-status endpoint. */
+export async function GET(request: NextRequest) {
+  let actor: Actor | undefined;
+  try {
+    if (isCrossOrigin(request)) {
+      return NextResponse.json(
+        { code: "FORBIDDEN", message: "Cross-origin access is not allowed." },
+        { status: 403, headers: NO_STORE }
+      );
+    }
+    actor = requireActor(request);
+    const { status, body } = await configApiFetch<Record<string, unknown>>(
+      actor,
+      "/internal/system/update/status"
+    );
+    return NextResponse.json(body, { status, headers: NO_STORE });
+  } catch (error) {
+    return routeErrorResponse(error, actor);
+  }
+}
diff --git a/src/lib/server/selfApply.test.ts b/src/lib/server/selfApply.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..319b4e0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/lib/server/selfApply.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,81 @@
+import { afterEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
+import { mkdtempSync, readFileSync, existsSync } from "node:fs";
+import { tmpdir } from "node:os";
+import { join, sep } from "node:path";
+
+const mocks = vi.hoisted(() => ({
+  downloadSelfUpdate: vi.fn(),
+  selfStagingDir: vi.fn(),
+  spawn: vi.fn(() => ({ unref: () => {} })),
+}));
+
+vi.mock("server-only", () => ({}));
+vi.mock("@/lib/server/selfUpdate", () => ({
+  downloadSelfUpdate: mocks.downloadSelfUpdate,
+  selfStagingDir: mocks.selfStagingDir,
+}));
+vi.mock("node:child_process", () => ({ spawn: mocks.spawn }));
+
+const { startSelfApply, isNpxCacheInstall } = await import("./selfApply");
+
+describe("startSelfApply", () => {
+  afterEach(() => vi.clearAllMocks());
+
+  it("writes plan.json, copies the updater, spawns it and schedules exit", async () => {
+    const dir = mkdtempSync(join(tmpdir(), "selfapply-"));
+    mocks.selfStagingDir.mockReturnValue(dir);
+    mocks.downloadSelfUpdate.mockResolvedValue({
+      version: "0.1.9",
+      file: "evoscientist-webui-0.1.9.tgz",
+      path: join(dir, "v0.1.9", "evoscientist-webui-0.1.9.tgz"),
+      suggested_command: "npm install -g ...",
+    });
+    const exitSpy = vi.spyOn(process, "exit").mockImplementation(() => undefined as never);
+    vi.useFakeTimers();
+    try {
+      const res = await startSelfApply("0.1.9");
+      expect(res.status).toBe(202);
+
+      const planPath = join(dir, "v0.1.9", "plan.json");
+      const plan = JSON.parse(readFileSync(planPath, "utf-8"));
+      expect(plan.version).toBe("0.1.9");
+      expect(plan.install_command).toEqual([
+        "npm",
+        "install",
+        "-g",
+        join(dir, "v0.1.9", "evoscientist-webui-0.1.9.tgz"),
+      ]);
+      expect(plan.respawn_command[0]).toBe(process.execPath);
+
+      const updaterCopy = join(dir, "v0.1.9", "updater.mjs");
+      expect(existsSync(updaterCopy)).toBe(true);
+
+      expect(mocks.spawn).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+        process.execPath,
+        [updaterCopy, "--plan", planPath, "--parent-pid", String(process.pid)],
+        expect.objectContaining({ detached: true })
+      );
+
+      expect(exitSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+      vi.advanceTimersByTime(600);
+      expect(exitSpy).toHaveBeenCalledWith(0);
+    } finally {
+      vi.useRealTimers();
+      exitSpy.mockRestore();
+    }
+  });
+});
+
+describe("isNpxCacheInstall", () => {
+  it("detects the npm _npx cache path", () => {
+    const original = process.argv[1];
+    try {
+      process.argv[1] = `/home/u/.npm/_npx/abc123${sep}node_modules${sep}.bin${sep}webui`;
+      expect(isNpxCacheInstall()).toBe(true);
+      process.argv[1] = "/usr/local/lib/node_modules/@evoscientist/webui/dist/server.js";
+      expect(isNpxCacheInstall()).toBe(false);
+    } finally {
+      process.argv[1] = original;
+    }
+  });
+});
diff --git a/src/lib/server/selfApply.ts b/src/lib/server/selfApply.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..420aa2a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/lib/server/selfApply.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,68 @@
+import "server-only";
+
+import { spawn } from "node:child_process";
+import { copyFileSync, existsSync, mkdirSync, readFileSync, writeFileSync } from "node:fs";
+import { dirname, join, resolve, sep } from "node:path";
+import { NextResponse } from "next/server";
+import { downloadSelfUpdate, selfStagingDir } from "./selfUpdate";
+import { NO_STORE } from "./routeErrors";
+
+export function isNpxCacheInstall(): boolean {
+  const entry = process.argv[1] ?? "";
+  return entry.includes(`${sep}_npx${sep}`);
+}
+
+function findPackageRoot(): string {
+  // Walk up from the entry script to the @evoscientist/webui package root,
+  // which ships bin/updater.mjs (works both in the repo and installed).
+  let dir = dirname(resolve(process.argv[1] ?? process.cwd()));
+  for (let i = 0; i < 8; i++) {
+    const candidate = join(dir, "package.json");
+    if (existsSync(candidate)) {
+      try {
+        const pkg = JSON.parse(readFileSync(candidate, "utf-8")) as { name?: string };
+        if (pkg.name === "@evoscientist/webui") return dir;
+      } catch {
+        // keep walking up
+      }
+    }
+    const parent = dirname(dir);
+    if (parent === dir) break;
+    dir = parent;
+  }
+  throw new Error("could not locate the @evoscientist/webui package root");
+}
+
+export async function startSelfApply(version: string): Promise<NextResponse> {
+  const staged = await downloadSelfUpdate(version);
+  const dir = join(selfStagingDir(), `v${staged.version}`);
+  mkdirSync(dir, { recursive: true });
+  const plan = {
+    version: staged.version,
+    artifact: staged.path,
+    install_command: ["npm", "install", "-g", staged.path],
+    respawn_command: [process.execPath, process.argv[1], ...process.argv.slice(2)],
+    cwd: process.cwd(),
+    previous_version: process.env.npm_package_version ?? "",
+    result_path: join(dir, "update-result.json"),
+    log_path: join(dir, "updater.log"),
+  };
+  const planPath = join(dir, "plan.json");
+  writeFileSync(planPath, JSON.stringify(plan, null, 2));
+  // Run the updater from a copy: the install replaces the package on disk.
+  const updaterCopy = join(dir, "updater.mjs");
+  copyFileSync(join(findPackageRoot(), "bin", "updater.mjs"), updaterCopy);
+  const child = spawn(
+    process.execPath,
+    [updaterCopy, "--plan", planPath, "--parent-pid", String(process.pid)],
+    { detached: true, stdio: "ignore" }
+  );
+  child.unref();
+  // Next.js lazy-loads chunks from disk, so the install must happen after
+  // this process is gone; give the 202 response time to flush first.
+  setTimeout(() => process.exit(0), 500).unref();
+  return NextResponse.json(
+    { operation_id: `upd-${staged.version}`, status: "applying", need_restart: true },
+    { status: 202, headers: NO_STORE }
+  );
+}