TheStreamCode · TheStreamCode · Aug 8, 2026 · Aug 8, 2026
@@ -2,7 +2,9 @@
 
 ## [Unreleased]
 
-- Refreshed the public project presentation with a current dashboard screenshot rendered from the real webview using synthetic values, a custom GitHub social preview, clearer installation links, and a more user-focused README introduction.
+## 0.5.5 — 2026-08-08
+
+- Refreshed the public project presentation and Marketplace metadata with a current dashboard screenshot rendered from the real webview using synthetic values, a custom GitHub social preview, clearer installation links, PAYG-focused discoverability, and a more user-focused README introduction.
 - Cleared the `fast-uri` and `undici` development dependency advisories with an npm-managed lockfile refresh.
 - Stopped persisting dashboard account snapshots in webview state. Only the Plan Limits collapsed preference is retained, and the cache schema is now version 3.
 - Removed the unrelated `/pricing` request. Plan reference prices and PAYG discounts are clearly identified as public references, while account-specific limits are shown only when returned for the current plan; unavailable values use `--`.

@@ -7,6 +7,6 @@ authors:
     given-names: Michael
 url: "https://github.com/TheStreamCode/chutes-usage-vscode"
 repository-code: "https://github.com/TheStreamCode/chutes-usage-vscode"
-version: "0.5.4"
-date-released: "2026-08-01"
+version: "0.5.5"
+date-released: "2026-08-08"
 license: MIT
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ Settings changes for refresh interval and status bar visibility apply immediatel
 
 ## Latest Changes
 
-- `Unreleased` clears dependency advisories, removes persisted usage snapshots and the unrelated pricing request, tightens the webview boundary, and improves accessibility.
+- `0.5.5` removes persisted usage snapshots and the unrelated pricing request, clears dependency advisories, tightens the webview boundary, improves accessibility, and refreshes the public project presentation.
 - `0.5.4` trims dashboard state, removes dead code, synchronizes release metadata, and expands the project documentation.
 - `0.5.3` strengthens webview security, repository quality gates, cross-platform cleanup, and API compatibility.
 

@@ -1,12 +1,8 @@
 # Support
 
-Use GitHub Issues for reproducible bug reports and feature requests:
+Use [GitHub Issues](https://github.com/TheStreamCode/chutes-usage-vscode/issues) for reproducible bug reports and feature requests.
 
-- `https://github.com/TheStreamCode/chutes-usage-vscode/issues`
-
-Use GitHub Discussions for setup help and usage questions:
-
-- `https://github.com/TheStreamCode/chutes-usage-vscode/discussions`
+Use [GitHub Discussions](https://github.com/TheStreamCode/chutes-usage-vscode/discussions) for setup help and usage questions.
 
 ## Before Opening An Issue
 

@@ -4,12 +4,13 @@ This directory contains the public project documentation for `Chutes Usage Monit
 
 ## Index
 
-- `user-guide.md`: end-user setup, commands, settings, and day-to-day usage
-- `troubleshooting.md`: common issues, refresh behavior notes, API behavior notes, and support guidance
+- [User guide](user-guide.md): end-user setup, commands, settings, privacy, and day-to-day usage
+- [Troubleshooting](troubleshooting.md): common issues, refresh behavior notes, API behavior notes, and support guidance
 
 ## Related Files
 
-- `../README.md`: repository overview and quick start
-- `../CONTRIBUTING.md`: development workflow and pull request expectations
-- `../SUPPORT.md`: support and issue reporting
-- `../SECURITY.md`: vulnerability reporting and data handling guidance
+- [Repository overview](../README.md): project presentation and quick start
+- [Contributing](../CONTRIBUTING.md): development workflow and pull request expectations
+- [Support](../SUPPORT.md): support and issue reporting
+- [Security](../SECURITY.md): vulnerability reporting and data handling guidance
+- [GitHub Discussions](https://github.com/TheStreamCode/chutes-usage-vscode/discussions): setup questions and community help
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ If the extension shows an error state:
 - reopen the dashboard to trigger a fresh visibility refresh
 - switch back to VS Code after changing network or account state to trigger a focus refresh
 
-The extension preserves the last successful snapshot when possible, so a temporary API failure may still leave previous data visible.
+While the extension host remains active, it preserves the last successful snapshot in memory when possible, so a temporary API failure may still leave previous data visible. The webview does not persist account snapshots.
 
 If the dashboard still shows onboarding after replacing a key, run `Chutes Usage Monitor: Refresh` once to confirm the new key is valid.
 
@@ -80,6 +80,10 @@ using an authenticated Chutes account. All required and optional dashboard
 endpoints returned compatible payloads. The test retained neither the API key nor
 account payloads.
 
+Version `0.5.5` keeps the same account-data endpoints, removes the unrelated
+background `/pricing` request, and adds stricter normalization and message-boundary
+tests without publishing or retaining live account payloads.
+
 ## Reporting An Issue
 
 Open an issue at:

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 ## Overview
 
-`Chutes Usage Monitor` helps you monitor subscription usage and request quotas without leaving VS Code.
+`Chutes Usage Monitor` helps you monitor subscription usage, rolling limits, request quotas, and PAYG credit without leaving VS Code.
 
 The extension provides:
 
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ The extension contributes these commands:
 
 ## Refresh Behavior
 
-The extension refreshes data in three ways:
+The extension refreshes data in four ways:
 
 - manual refresh through the command or dashboard action
 - automatic refresh on the configured interval
@@ -69,6 +69,13 @@ Use `chutesUsageVscode.refreshIntervalSeconds` to control the refresh interval.
 
 While the extension host remains active, reopening the dashboard can reuse its in-memory snapshot before refreshing. The webview itself persists only whether the Plan Limits section is collapsed and never stores usage or account values.
 
+## Privacy Model
+
+- The API key is stored only in VS Code `SecretStorage` and is never sent to the webview.
+- Usage and account responses remain in extension-host memory and are not logged or written to a usage history.
+- The webview persists only whether the `Plan Limits` section is collapsed.
+- Removing the API key deletes it from `SecretStorage`; uninstall cleanup also removes extension storage on a best-effort basis.
+
 ## Usage Data Shown
 
 Depending on the API responses available for your account, the extension can display:

@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 {
   "name": "chutes-usage-vscode",
   "displayName": "Chutes Usage Monitor — Track Chutes API Usage & Quotas",
-  "description": "Monitor your Chutes AI usage, rolling limits, and request quotas in a VS Code sidebar dashboard and status bar — secure key storage, auto-refresh, theme-aware. Unofficial third-party extension.",
-  "version": "0.5.4",
+  "description": "Monitor Chutes AI usage, rolling limits, request quotas, and PAYG credit in a VS Code sidebar and status bar — read-only, secure key storage, auto-refresh. Unofficial third-party extension.",
+  "version": "0.5.5",
   "publisher": "mikesoft",
   "author": {
     "name": "Michael Gasperini",
@@ -36,6 +36,8 @@
     "quota",
     "rolling limits",
     "billing",
+    "payg",
+    "credits",
     "dashboard",
     "api",
     "monitor",