diff --git a/releases/v1.6.2/RELEASE_NOTES.md b/releases/v1.6.2/RELEASE_NOTES.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6825d9c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/releases/v1.6.2/RELEASE_NOTES.md
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+## What's New in 1.6.2
+
+### Fixes
+
+- **No more bogus "missing credentials" banner on Chat.** The orange "No AI provider credentials detected" warning was firing on the Chat tab whenever no session was selected, even for users whose credentials were configured and working. Root cause: the preflight check only inspected `~/.hermes/.env` and shell environment variables, missing the Credential Pools file at `~/.hermes/auth.json` (the in-app flow introduced in 1.6.0) and `api_key:` fields in `config.yaml`. The check now covers all four locations Hermes itself reads at runtime, so if you've added credentials via **Configure → Credential Pools**, the warning stays hidden.
+
+### Polish
+
+- Banner subtitle updated to point users at the in-app Credential Pools flow first, rather than prescribing `.env` edits.
+
+---
+
+**Upgrading from 1.6.1:** Sparkle will offer the update automatically. You can also trigger a check via **Scarf → Check for Updates…** or the menu bar icon.
diff --git a/scarf/scarf.xcodeproj/project.pbxproj b/scarf/scarf.xcodeproj/project.pbxproj
index 615b2b4..166041a 100644
--- a/scarf/scarf.xcodeproj/project.pbxproj
+++ b/scarf/scarf.xcodeproj/project.pbxproj
@@ -424,7 +424,7 @@
 				CODE_SIGN_ENTITLEMENTS = scarf/scarf.entitlements;
 				CODE_SIGN_STYLE = Automatic;
 				COMBINE_HIDPI_IMAGES = YES;
-				CURRENT_PROJECT_VERSION = 17;
+				CURRENT_PROJECT_VERSION = 18;
 				DEVELOPMENT_TEAM = 3Q6X2L86C4;
 				ENABLE_APP_SANDBOX = NO;
 				ENABLE_HARDENED_RUNTIME = YES;
@@ -436,7 +436,7 @@
 					"@executable_path/../Frameworks",
 				);
 				MACOSX_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET = 14.6;
-				MARKETING_VERSION = 1.6.1;
+				MARKETING_VERSION = 1.6.2;
 				PRODUCT_BUNDLE_IDENTIFIER = com.scarf.app;
 				PRODUCT_NAME = "$(TARGET_NAME)";
 				REGISTER_APP_GROUPS = YES;
@@ -458,7 +458,7 @@
 				CODE_SIGN_ENTITLEMENTS = scarf/scarf.entitlements;
 				CODE_SIGN_STYLE = Automatic;
 				COMBINE_HIDPI_IMAGES = YES;
-				CURRENT_PROJECT_VERSION = 17;
+				CURRENT_PROJECT_VERSION = 18;
 				DEVELOPMENT_TEAM = 3Q6X2L86C4;
 				ENABLE_APP_SANDBOX = NO;
 				ENABLE_HARDENED_RUNTIME = YES;
@@ -470,7 +470,7 @@
 					"@executable_path/../Frameworks",
 				);
 				MACOSX_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET = 14.6;
-				MARKETING_VERSION = 1.6.1;
+				MARKETING_VERSION = 1.6.2;
 				PRODUCT_BUNDLE_IDENTIFIER = com.scarf.app;
 				PRODUCT_NAME = "$(TARGET_NAME)";
 				REGISTER_APP_GROUPS = YES;
@@ -488,11 +488,11 @@
 			buildSettings = {
 				BUNDLE_LOADER = "$(TEST_HOST)";
 				CODE_SIGN_STYLE = Automatic;
-				CURRENT_PROJECT_VERSION = 17;
+				CURRENT_PROJECT_VERSION = 18;
 				DEVELOPMENT_TEAM = 3Q6X2L86C4;
 				GENERATE_INFOPLIST_FILE = YES;
 				MACOSX_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET = 26.2;
-				MARKETING_VERSION = 1.6.1;
+				MARKETING_VERSION = 1.6.2;
 				PRODUCT_BUNDLE_IDENTIFIER = com.scarfTests;
 				PRODUCT_NAME = "$(TARGET_NAME)";
 				STRING_CATALOG_GENERATE_SYMBOLS = NO;
@@ -509,11 +509,11 @@
 			buildSettings = {
 				BUNDLE_LOADER = "$(TEST_HOST)";
 				CODE_SIGN_STYLE = Automatic;
-				CURRENT_PROJECT_VERSION = 17;
+				CURRENT_PROJECT_VERSION = 18;
 				DEVELOPMENT_TEAM = 3Q6X2L86C4;
 				GENERATE_INFOPLIST_FILE = YES;
 				MACOSX_DEPLOYMENT_TARGET = 26.2;
-				MARKETING_VERSION = 1.6.1;
+				MARKETING_VERSION = 1.6.2;
 				PRODUCT_BUNDLE_IDENTIFIER = com.scarfTests;
 				PRODUCT_NAME = "$(TARGET_NAME)";
 				STRING_CATALOG_GENERATE_SYMBOLS = NO;
@@ -529,10 +529,10 @@
 			isa = XCBuildConfiguration;
 			buildSettings = {
 				CODE_SIGN_STYLE = Automatic;
-				CURRENT_PROJECT_VERSION = 17;
+				CURRENT_PROJECT_VERSION = 18;
 				DEVELOPMENT_TEAM = 3Q6X2L86C4;
 				GENERATE_INFOPLIST_FILE = YES;
-				MARKETING_VERSION = 1.6.1;
+				MARKETING_VERSION = 1.6.2;
 				PRODUCT_BUNDLE_IDENTIFIER = com.scarfUITests;
 				PRODUCT_NAME = "$(TARGET_NAME)";
 				STRING_CATALOG_GENERATE_SYMBOLS = NO;
@@ -548,10 +548,10 @@
 			isa = XCBuildConfiguration;
 			buildSettings = {
 				CODE_SIGN_STYLE = Automatic;
-				CURRENT_PROJECT_VERSION = 17;
+				CURRENT_PROJECT_VERSION = 18;
 				DEVELOPMENT_TEAM = 3Q6X2L86C4;
 				GENERATE_INFOPLIST_FILE = YES;
-				MARKETING_VERSION = 1.6.1;
+				MARKETING_VERSION = 1.6.2;
 				PRODUCT_BUNDLE_IDENTIFIER = com.scarfUITests;
 				PRODUCT_NAME = "$(TARGET_NAME)";
 				STRING_CATALOG_GENERATE_SYMBOLS = NO;