docs: finalize next release docs

refs #354

refs #439

1 files changed, 16 insertions, 0 deletions

diff --git a/website/src/content/docs/install.mdx b/website/src/content/docs/install.mdx
index 409b0d50..52b3e056 100644
--- a/website/src/content/docs/install.mdx
+++ b/website/src/content/docs/install.mdx
@@ -43,6 +43,22 @@ herdr update
 
 `herdr update` is for installs managed by Herdr's own installer. Homebrew and Nix installs are updated through those package managers instead.
 
+Herdr uses the stable update channel by default. To opt into preview builds from `master`, set the channel:
+
+```bash
+herdr channel set preview
+```
+
+Switch back to stable the same way:
+
+```bash
+herdr channel set stable
+```
+
+For direct installs, changing channels also checks that channel and installs its latest binary. If that update fails, run `herdr update` to retry from the configured channel.
+
+Preview builds are GitHub prereleases published from the current development branch. They are useful when you want fixes before the next stable release, but they can regress. Homebrew and Nix installs do not use the preview channel.
+
 By default, `herdr update` installs the new binary and leaves compatible running sessions alone. If an update changes Herdr's client/server protocol, Herdr asks whether to stop the old server after installing. Stop the old server to use the new version. Stopping exits pane processes. For the default session, run `herdr server stop`, then run `herdr` again. For a named session, run `herdr session stop <name>`, then run `herdr session attach <name>` again.
 
 To opt into experimental live server handoff for supported running sessions, run: