diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index ee2fc2d5f4..631fa61bb5 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -17,8 +17,8 @@ Kindred Create is a fork of FreeCAD 1.0+ that integrates custom workbenches and
 **Key additions over base FreeCAD:**
 
 - **ztools Workbench** - Unified interface consolidating part design, assembly, and drawing tools with custom engineering features
-- **Silo Integration** - Parts database system for tracking, versioning, and managing CAD files across teams
-- **Catppuccin Mocha Theme** - Dark theme optimized for extended work sessions
+- **Silo Integration** - Parts database system for tracking, versioning, and managing CAD files across teams, with an interactive browsing panel for searching, opening, and inspecting parts directly from the dock
+- **Catppuccin Mocha Theme** - Dark theme with spanning tree branch indicators, optimized for extended work sessions
 
 Kindred Create is maintained by [Kindred Systems LLC](https://www.kindred-systems.com).
 
@@ -112,6 +112,7 @@ Silo is a parts database system designed for managing CAD files, part numbers, a
 - Open, save, and commit files directly to Silo
 - Pull latest revisions and push changes
 - View item metadata and revision history
+- **Database Activity Panel** - Interactive dock panel for browsing, searching, and opening parts without leaving the 3D viewport. Includes search filtering, type filtering (part/assembly), a details pane showing metadata (part number, description, type, revision, projects), and direct open/info actions.
 
 Silo documentation is available in the `mods/silo/` directory.
 
@@ -126,6 +127,7 @@ A comprehensive dark theme using the [Catppuccin Mocha](https://github.com/catpp
 - Spreadsheet backgrounds and text
 - Property editor and tree view
 - All dialog and widget styling
+- Tree view branch indicators using spanning lines (`├`, `└`, `│`) instead of disclosure arrows
 
 The theme is automatically applied when using Kindred Create.
 
@@ -135,7 +137,7 @@ The theme is automatically applied when using Kindred Create.
 
 ### Prebuilt Binaries
 
-Prebuilt packages for Linux are available on the [releases page](https://github.com/anthropics/create-0070/releases).
+Prebuilt packages for Linux are available on the [releases page](https://git.kindred-systems.com/kindred/create/releases).
 
 #### Debian/Ubuntu (.deb)
 
@@ -152,11 +154,51 @@ Or install directly with apt:
 sudo apt install ./kindred-create_*.deb
 ```
 
+#### AppImage
+
+Download the `.AppImage` file from the releases page, make it executable, and run:
+
+```bash
+chmod +x KindredCreate-*.AppImage
+./KindredCreate-*.AppImage
+```
+
 After installation, launch Kindred Create from your application menu or run `kindred-create` from the terminal.
 
 ### Building from Source
 
-Kindred Create uses the same build system as FreeCAD. Build instructions for each platform:
+Kindred Create uses [pixi](https://pixi.sh) for dependency management and CMake for building. Pixi handles all build dependencies automatically via conda packages.
+
+#### Prerequisites
+
+- [pixi](https://pixi.sh) (conda-based package manager)
+- Git with submodule support
+
+#### Build Steps
+
+```bash
+git clone --recursive ssh://git@git.kindred-systems.com:2222/kindred/create.git
+cd create
+pixi run configure
+pixi run build
+pixi run install
+```
+
+To launch the built application:
+
+```bash
+pixi run freecad
+```
+
+#### Platform Support
+
+CMake presets are available for:
+
+- **Linux** (x86-64, aarch64) - Clang compiler
+- **macOS** (Intel, Apple Silicon) - Clang compiler
+- **Windows** - MSVC compiler
+
+See `CMakePresets.json` for platform-specific configuration. For general FreeCAD build guidance:
 
 - [Linux](https://wiki.freecad.org/Compile_on_Linux)
 - [Windows](https://wiki.freecad.org/Compile_on_Windows)
@@ -193,22 +235,35 @@ Configure the FreeCAD workbench with environment variables:
 
 ```
 kindred-create/
-├── src/                    # FreeCAD core source
-├── Mod/                    # FreeCAD modules
-├── mods/                   # Kindred Create addon modules (git submodules)
-│   ├── ztools/             # ztools workbench
-│   │   ├── ztools/         # Workbench package
-│   │   │   ├── InitGui.py  # Workbench registration
-│   │   │   └── ztools/     # Commands and resources
-│   │   └── CatppuccinMocha/ # Theme preference pack
-│   └── silo/               # Silo parts database
-│       ├── cmd/            # Go entry points
-│       ├── internal/       # Go packages
-│       ├── pkg/freecad/    # FreeCAD workbench
-│       └── deployments/    # Docker configuration
-└── resources/              # Branding and preferences
-    ├── branding/           # Splash screens and logos
-    └── preferences/        # Default preference packs
+├── src/                        # FreeCAD core source
+│   ├── App/                    # Core application logic
+│   ├── Base/                   # Base classes and utilities
+│   ├── Gui/                    # GUI framework
+│   │   └── Stylesheets/       # Theme stylesheets and assets
+│   ├── Mod/                    # FreeCAD modules (PartDesign, Assembly, Sketcher, etc.)
+│   │   └── Create/            # Kindred Create module (loads addon workbenches)
+│   └── 3rdParty/              # Vendored dependencies (OndselSolver, GSL)
+├── mods/                       # Kindred Create addon modules (git submodules)
+│   ├── ztools/                # ztools workbench
+│   │   ├── ztools/            # Workbench package
+│   │   │   ├── InitGui.py     # Workbench registration
+│   │   │   └── ztools/        # Commands and resources
+│   │   └── CatppuccinMocha/   # Theme preference pack
+│   └── silo/                  # Silo parts database
+│       ├── cmd/               # Go server entry points
+│       ├── internal/          # Go API, database, storage packages
+│       ├── pkg/freecad/       # FreeCAD workbench (Python)
+│       ├── deployments/       # Docker configuration
+│       └── migrations/        # PostgreSQL migrations
+├── resources/                  # Branding and preferences
+│   ├── branding/              # Splash screens and logos
+│   ├── preferences/           # Default preference packs
+│   └── icons/                 # Application icons (16x16 to 512x512)
+├── package/                    # Packaging (debian, AppImage)
+├── .gitea/workflows/           # CI/CD workflows (build, release)
+├── CMakeLists.txt              # Root CMake configuration
+├── CMakePresets.json           # Platform-specific CMake presets
+└── pixi.toml                   # Pixi environment and dependency definition
 ```
 
 The `mods/ztools` and `mods/silo` directories are git submodules. After cloning, initialize them with:
@@ -221,7 +276,9 @@ git submodule update --init --recursive
 
 ## Reporting Issues
 
-When reporting issues:
+Report issues at [git.kindred-systems.com/kindred/create/issues](https://git.kindred-systems.com/kindred/create/issues).
+
+When reporting:
 
 1. Specify whether the issue is with Kindred Create additions (ztools, Silo, theme) or base FreeCAD functionality
 2. Include version info from `Help > About FreeCAD > Copy to clipboard`
diff --git a/mods/silo b/mods/silo
index 17a10ab1b6..3a67d2082b 160000
--- a/mods/silo
+++ b/mods/silo
@@ -1 +1 @@
-Subproject commit 17a10ab1b68d13227d2b90e92163353f68e7fdc1
+Subproject commit 3a67d2082b93173195e073ffc974c22e3db6a370
diff --git a/mods/ztools b/mods/ztools
index 9dde3ad67b..d2f94c3d78 160000
--- a/mods/ztools
+++ b/mods/ztools
@@ -1 +1 @@
-Subproject commit 9dde3ad67bab82bafff8cb34ea74b4ffde2cbd6a
+Subproject commit d2f94c3d78976aa63882f5e7e25eca8177302b74
diff --git a/src/Mod/Create/InitGui.py b/src/Mod/Create/InitGui.py
index c9d0016c6b..f22b18f52f 100644
--- a/src/Mod/Create/InitGui.py
+++ b/src/Mod/Create/InitGui.py
@@ -115,6 +115,8 @@ def _setup_silo_auth_panel():
         panel = QtWidgets.QDockWidget("Database Auth", mw)
         panel.setObjectName("SiloDatabaseAuth")
         panel.setWidget(auth.widget)
+        # Keep the auth object alive so its QTimer isn't destroyed while running
+        panel._auth = auth
         mw.addDockWidget(QtCore.Qt.RightDockWidgetArea, panel)
     except Exception as e:
         FreeCAD.Console.PrintLog(f"Create: Silo auth panel skipped: {e}\n")