[Feature Request]: Display warning when frontend version mismatches backend requirements

[christian-byrne]

Is there an existing issue for this?

• I have searched the existing issues and checked the recent builds/commits

What would your feature do?

Add a warning notification system that alerts users when there's a version mismatch between the ComfyUI frontend and the backend's required frontend version. This will help prevent compatibility issues and improve user experience by proactively notifying users when they need to update their frontend.

Currently:

• The frontend version is available via app.config.app_version (from __COMFYUI_FRONTEND_VERSION__)
• The backend ComfyUI version is available through systemStatsStore.comfyui_version
• There's no mechanism to check if these versions are compatible

Proposed workflow

1. Backend would need to expose a new field in the system stats API (e.g., required_frontend_version or frontend_version_range)
2. Frontend would check this value against its own version on app initialization or when systemStatsStore is refreshed
3. If versions don't match:
   • Display a warning message using the existing Message/Toast system
   • Show current frontend version vs. required version
   • Provide action buttons to update or dismiss

Example warning scenarios:

• "Frontend version 1.24.0 is outdated. Backend requires version 1.25.0 or higher."
• "Frontend version 1.26.0 may not be compatible with backend version 1.24.0."

Additional information

Implementation Options:

1. Persistent Warning Banner (recommended):

   • Use PrimeVue's Message component like existing FirstTimeUIMessage or MissingModelsWarning
   • Display at the top of the UI when version mismatch is detected
   • Include "Update Now" and "Dismiss" actions

2. Toast Notification:

   • Use the existing toast system for a less intrusive notification
   • Could show on app startup or when backend connection is established

3. Modal Dialog:

   • For critical incompatibilities that might break functionality
   • Similar to LoadWorkflowWarning implementation

Technical Details:

The frontend already has all the necessary infrastructure:

• Version info available in app.config.app_version
• System stats store for backend communication
• Multiple warning/notification UI patterns to choose from
• Existing examples of version-aware features (e.g., migration toasts)

This feature would improve user experience by preventing issues caused by version mismatches and guide users to keep their frontend updated with the backend requirements.

┆Issue is synchronized with this Notion page by Unito

[shivansh-gupta4]

Can I get this issue assigned?

[christian-byrne]

Would you like to do this as part of the bounty program? If so, can you email bounty@comfy.org?

[shivansh-gupta4]

Thanks for the acknowledgement. Sent an email with all the specific details.

[officialasishkumar]

what's the bounty amount on this @christian-byrne ?

[robinjhuang]

This Issues has been set to be bounty, here is the link on how to sign up for this bounty: https://comfyorg.notion.site/ComfyUI-Bounty-Tasks-1fb6d73d36508064af76d05b3f35665f or click here to sign up

[shivansh-gupta4]

Did the sign up process. Waiting for the confirmation on the same.

[shivansh-gupta4]

Hi @christian-byrne, I’ve opened PR #4363 that addresses this issue. Let me know if any changes are needed. Thanks!