diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index fa5dc810..d64bcf2f 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -7,6 +7,30 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0
 
 ## [Unreleased]
 
+## [6.1.7] - 2026-09-04
+
+Veritas Kanban 6.1.7 corrects desktop and compact-window layout, popout interactions, and task-editing failures found during the broader UI audit.
+
+### Changed
+
+- Standardized page headings, action controls, Settings navigation, popout padding, and dialog sizing. Settings units now stay inside uniformly sized fields, and policy action labels remain readable (#1391-#1395, #1405, #1406, #1454).
+- Removed bottom Workbench docking. Board, Squad, and Task Chat share a consistent surface, while compact layouts collapse sidebars and adapt Chat without discarding drafts (#1390, #1397, #1422, #1466).
+- Made PDF work products download-only through the authorized artifact path. The app no longer attempts inline PDF rendering or automatically opens a downloaded file (#1448, #1449, #1458).
+- Require candidate-bound native and documentation-media evidence before release upload. Reviewed media can be published unchanged in a later documentation-only commit; application changes require a fresh build and capture (#1387, #1388, #1456, #1489).
+
+### Fixed
+
+- Kept task, Settings, workflow, approval, Git, and review popouts open while their requests settle, preserved failed-request context, and restored focus to visible controls after dismissal or responsive layout changes (#1424, #1436, #1444, #1445).
+- Prevented stale close cleanup from removing a rapidly reopened task workspace, and removed unintended reduced-motion layout transitions that changed footer geometry during resizing (#1482, #1490).
+- Contained mobile Board, Activity rows, tooltips, and enlarged-text navigation; kept status menus and Chat controls clear of task content (#1462, #1463, #1465, #1476, #1479).
+- Preserved template task fields, supported critical priority consistently in task creation, retained optional-field clearing, and protected configured workspace run budgets (#1410, #1419, #1429, #1431).
+- Drained active HTTP requests before disposing server storage during desktop shutdown (#1473).
+
+### Compatibility
+
+- All maintained packages move together to 6.1.7. The public REST API remains `v1`, with no new database migration; valid 6.1.6 workspaces remain compatible.
+- Legacy bottom-dock preferences resolve to supported Chat placement. PDF files remain downloadable deliverables and can be opened manually in the system viewer.
+
 ## [6.1.6] - 2026-09-03
 
 Veritas Kanban 6.1.6 is a focused desktop reliability and interface consistency release based on issues found while exercising the compiled 6.1.5 macOS app.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 5e47949a..f46ffa05 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ Start with a visual Kanban board. Add CLI, MCP, OpenClaw, Squad Chat webhooks, w
 
 [![CI](https://github.com/BradGroux/veritas-kanban/actions/workflows/ci.yml/badge.svg)](https://github.com/BradGroux/veritas-kanban/actions/workflows/ci.yml)
 [![License: MIT](https://img.shields.io/badge/License-MIT-yellow.svg)](LICENSE)
-[![Version](https://img.shields.io/badge/version-6.1.6-blue.svg)](CHANGELOG.md)
+[![Version](https://img.shields.io/badge/version-6.1.7-blue.svg)](CHANGELOG.md)
 [![TypeScript](https://img.shields.io/badge/TypeScript-6.0-blue.svg)](https://www.typescriptlang.org/)
 [![PRs Welcome](https://img.shields.io/badge/PRs-welcome-brightgreen.svg)](CONTRIBUTING.md)
 
diff --git a/cli/package.json b/cli/package.json
index cf9d41c5..1057911a 100644
--- a/cli/package.json
+++ b/cli/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@veritas-kanban/cli",
-  "version": "6.1.6",
+  "version": "6.1.7",
   "description": "CLI for Veritas Kanban task management",
   "type": "module",
   "bin": {
diff --git a/desktop/package.json b/desktop/package.json
index 6321237d..76b781fa 100644
--- a/desktop/package.json
+++ b/desktop/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@veritas-kanban/desktop",
-  "version": "6.1.6",
+  "version": "6.1.7",
   "private": true,
   "homepage": "https://github.com/BradGroux/veritas-kanban",
   "description": "Veritas Kanban native desktop shell",
diff --git a/docs/releases/v6.1.7.md b/docs/releases/v6.1.7.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..5c235bad
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/releases/v6.1.7.md
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+Veritas Kanban 6.1.7 fixes layout and interaction problems across the desktop app, compact windows, task workspaces, and Settings. It follows the wider UI audit prompted by problems in the compiled macOS app.
+
+## What changed
+
+Chat now uses one consistent surface across Board, Squad, and Task Chat. Bottom Workbench docking is removed. Sidebars collapse as space becomes constrained, and Chat adapts to compact layouts without losing drafts. The header no longer presents duplicate-looking dock controls.
+
+Settings, page headings, action buttons, and popouts share consistent spacing and sizing. Units stay inside their input fields, dropdowns align with text inputs, and policy Edit and Test labels stay readable. Enlarged text and narrow windows no longer squeeze mobile navigation, Activity rows, tooltips, or Board controls beyond the viewport.
+
+Task confirmations retain their context while requests are pending or fail. Nested popouts restore focus to visible controls, and quickly closing and reopening a task no longer lets stale cleanup remove the new workspace. Reduced-motion mode no longer introduces unintended layout transitions during window or text-size changes.
+
+Templates preserve their task fields and consistently support critical priority. Workspace run-budget limits survive updates, and desktop shutdown drains active HTTP requests before disposing server storage. PDF work products remain authorized downloads; open the downloaded file manually in your system viewer instead of an inline preview.
+
+Release uploads require native verification and documentation captures tied to the packaged build. Reviewed captures can be published unchanged in a later documentation-only commit, but application changes require a new build and capture.
+
+## Install or upgrade
+
+Version 6.1.7 requires macOS 13 Ventura or later on Apple silicon. Back up the complete stopped-writer workspace before upgrading and retain the backup until the new runtime is accepted.
+
+```bash
+brew update
+brew upgrade --cask bradgroux/tap/veritas-kanban
+```
+
+For a first installation:
+
+```bash
+brew install --cask bradgroux/tap/veritas-kanban
+```
+
+Use the signed and notarized macOS arm64 DMG or ZIP from the release Assets section. Linux and Windows packages remain unsigned verification previews.
+
+## Compatibility and rollback
+
+The public REST API remains `v1`, and 6.1.7 adds no database migration. Valid 6.1.6 workspaces remain compatible. Saved bottom-dock preferences resolve to supported Chat placement. Roll back by reinstalling the complete 6.1.6 application bundle; do not mix package or bundled runtime versions.
+
+See the [changelog](https://github.com/BradGroux/veritas-kanban/blob/v6.1.7/CHANGELOG.md) for issue and pull-request traceability.
diff --git a/mcp/package.json b/mcp/package.json
index 38e564ed..cbe26e1b 100644
--- a/mcp/package.json
+++ b/mcp/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@veritas-kanban/mcp",
-  "version": "6.1.6",
+  "version": "6.1.7",
   "description": "MCP server for Veritas Kanban",
   "type": "module",
   "main": "./dist/index.js",
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 3ffed91d..fb2685b3 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "veritas-kanban",
-  "version": "6.1.6",
+  "version": "6.1.7",
   "private": true,
   "description": "Local-first task management and AI agent orchestration platform",
   "author": "Brad Groux <brad@digitalmeld.io>",
diff --git a/server/package.json b/server/package.json
index b5a43f77..02313804 100644
--- a/server/package.json
+++ b/server/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@veritas-kanban/server",
-  "version": "6.1.6",
+  "version": "6.1.7",
   "private": true,
   "type": "module",
   "main": "./dist/index.js",
diff --git a/shared/package.json b/shared/package.json
index bb64326a..7c036cba 100644
--- a/shared/package.json
+++ b/shared/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@veritas-kanban/shared",
-  "version": "6.1.6",
+  "version": "6.1.7",
   "private": true,
   "type": "module",
   "main": "./dist/index.js",
diff --git a/web/package.json b/web/package.json
index c45044f4..01771729 100644
--- a/web/package.json
+++ b/web/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@veritas-kanban/web",
-  "version": "6.1.6",
+  "version": "6.1.7",
   "private": true,
   "type": "module",
   "scripts": {