OpenAutoDiagLabs · jdharuman · Jan 4, 2026 · Jan 4, 2026 · Jan 4, 2026
diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
@@ -41,3 +41,7 @@ test.dbc
 build/
 
 bin/
+
+# Release artifacts
+cangaroo-v*.tar.gz
+cangaroo-v*.tar.gz.sha256
diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+# Contributing to Cangaroo
+
+Thank you for your interest in contributing to Cangaroo! We welcome contributions from engineers, developers, and enthusiasts.
+
+## How Can I Contribute?
+
+### Reporting Bugs
+- Check the [Issues Tab](https://github.com/OpenAutoDiagLabs/cangaroo/issues) to see if the bug has already been reported.
+- If not, create a new issue. Include as much detail as possible, such as:
+    - Your OS and version.
+    - The CAN hardware you are using.
+    - Steps to reproduce the issue.
+    - Any error logs or screenshots.
+
+### Suggesting Features
+- We love hearing new ideas! Please start a [Discussion](https://github.com/OpenAutoDiagLabs/cangaroo/discussions) to talk about your feature request.
+
+### Submitting Pull Requests
+1.  **Fork the repository** and create your branch from `master`.
+2.  **Ensure your code builds** and follows the existing coding style (Qt/C++).
+3.  **Document your changes**: Update the README or headers if necessary.
+4.  **Open a Pull Request**: Provide a clear description of the problem you are solving or the feature you are adding.
+
+## Coding Standards
+- We use **Qt 6** (targeted at v6.10+).
+- Prefer range-based `for` loops over `foreach`.
+- Keep memory safety in mind (use smart pointers where appropriate).
+
+## Community
+Join the conversation in the [GitHub Discussions](https://github.com/OpenAutoDiagLabs/cangaroo/discussions).
+
+---
+
+By contributing, you agree that your contributions will be licensed under the project's **GPL-3.0+** license.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
@@ -1,135 +1,126 @@
-# <img src="src/cangaroo.ico" width="48" height="48"> CANgaroo - Professional CAN Bus Analysis
+# <img src="src/assets/cangaroo.png" width="48" height="48"> Cangaroo
+**Open-source CAN bus analyzer for Linux, Automotive, Robotics, and Industrial Applications**
 
-CANgaroo is a powerful, open-source CAN bus analyzer designed for engineers working in **Automotive**, **Robotics**, and **Industrial Automation**. Whether you are debugging a vehicle network, developing robot sensors, or monitoring industrial machinery, CANgaroo provides the tools you need to capture, decode, and analyze CAN traffic in real-time.
+[![Try Cangaroo Now](https://img.shields.io/badge/Try-Cangaroo-blue?style=for-the-badge)](https://github.com/OpenAutoDiagLabs/cangaroo/releases/latest)
 
-![Cangaroo Demo](test/output.gif)
+![GitHub stars](https://img.shields.io/github/stars/OpenAutoDiagLabs/cangaroo?style=social)
+![GitHub forks](https://img.shields.io/github/forks/OpenAutoDiagLabs/cangaroo?style=social)
+![GitHub issues](https://img.shields.io/github/issues/OpenAutoDiagLabs/cangaroo)
+![License](https://img.shields.io/github/license/OpenAutoDiagLabs/cangaroo)
+![Release](https://img.shields.io/github/v/release/OpenAutoDiagLabs/cangaroo)
 
----
-
-## 🚀 Key Features
+Cangaroo is a professional-grade CAN bus analyzer designed for engineers in **Automotive**, **Robotics**, and **Industrial Automation**. It facilitates real-time capture, decoding, and analysis of CAN and CAN‑FD traffic.
 
-- **Wide Hardware Support**: Works with SocketCAN (Linux), CANable (SLCAN), Candlelight, and CANblaster (UDP).
-- **CAN & CAN-FD**: Full support for both standard CAN and high-speed CAN-FD frames.
-- **Real-time DBC Decoding**: Load multiple DBC files to see signals and messages decoded instantly in the trace view.
-- **Integrated Graphics**: Graph signals over time to visualize sensor data and bus behavior.
-- **Advanced Filtering**: Quickly isolate relevant traffic with powerful live filters.
-- **Flexible Logging**: Export traces and logs to standard formats for offline analysis.
-- **Modern UI**: Streamlined interface with dockable windows for a customizable workspace.
+> **Works with SocketCAN (Linux), CANable, Candlelight, and CANblaster for immediate testing and real hardware connections.**
 
 ---
 
-## 🛠️ Installation (Linux)
+## 🎥 Demo Gallery
+![Cangaroo Trace View](test/trace_view.gif)
+*Real-time capture and decoding of CAN traffic using DBC databases.*
+<!-- slide -->
+![Cangaroo Generator View](test/generator_view.gif)
+*Simulate CAN traffic with customizable periodic and manual transmissions.*
+<!-- slide -->
+![Cangaroo Overview](test/output.gif)
+*Flexible dockable workspace optimized for multi-monitor analysis.*
 
-The easiest way to get started on Linux is to use our automated installation script:
+---
 
-```bash
-git clone https://github.com/OpenAutoDiagLabs/cangaroo
-cd cangaroo
-./install_linux.sh
-```
+## 🚀 Key Features
 
-### Manual Installation by Distro
+*   **Real-time CAN/CAN-FD Decoding**: Support for standard and high-speed flexible data-rate frames.
+*   **Wide Hardware Compatibility**: Seamlessly works with **SocketCAN** (Linux), **CANable** (SLCAN), **Candlelight**, and **CANblaster** (UDP).
+*   **DBC Database Support**: Load multiple `.dbc` files to instantly decode frames into human-readable signals.
+*   **Data Visualization**: Integrated graphing tools to visualize signal changes over time.
+*   **Advanced Filtering & Logging**: Isolate critical data with live filters and export captures for offline analysis.
+*   **Modern Workspace**: A clean, dockable user interface optimized for multi-monitor setups.
 
-**Ubuntu / Debian / Mint**
-```bash
-sudo apt update
-sudo apt install qt6-base-dev libqt6charts6-dev libqt6serialport6-dev build-essential libnl-3-dev libnl-route-3-dev
-```
+---
 
-**Fedora**
-```bash
-sudo dnf install qt6-qtbase-devel qt6-qtcharts-devel qt6-qtserialport-devel libnl3-devel
-```
+## 🛠️ Installation & Setup (Linux)
+
+Getting started is as simple as running our automated setup script:
 
-**Arch Linux**
 ```bash
-sudo pacman -S qt6-base qt6-charts qt6-serialport libnl
+git clone https://github.com/OpenAutoDiagLabs/CANgaroo.git
+cd CANgaroo
+./install_linux.sh
 ```
 
----
+### Manual Installation
 
-## 🏗️ Building from Source
+| Distribution | Command |
+| :--- | :--- |
+| **Ubuntu / Debian** | `sudo apt install qt6-base-dev libqt6charts6-dev libqt6serialport6-dev build-essential libnl-3-dev libnl-route-3-dev` |
+| **Fedora** | `sudo dnf install qt6-qtbase-devel qt6-qtcharts-devel qt6-qtserialport-devel libnl3-devel` |
+| **Arch Linux** | `sudo pacman -S qt6-base qt6-charts qt6-serialport libnl` |
 
-Once dependencies are installed, follow these steps:
+### Building from Source
 
 ```bash
 cd src
 PKG_CONFIG_PATH=/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/pkgconfig qmake6 
 make -j$(nproc)
 ```
 
-The binary will be generated in `bin/cangaroo`.
-
 ---
 
-## 🚦 Getting Started
-
-### 1. Set up a Virtual CAN Interface (Linux)
-If you don't have hardware yet, you can test CANgaroo using a virtual interface:
+## 🚦 Quick Start Guide
 
+### 1. Zero-Hardware Testing (Virtual CAN)
 ```bash
 sudo modprobe vcan
 sudo ip link add dev vcan0 type vcan
 sudo ip link set up vcan0
 ```
 
-### 2. Connect to an Interface
-Launch CANgaroo, go to **Setup -> Interfaces**, and select your device (e.g., `vcan0` or a physical `can0`).
-
-### 3. Load a DBC File
-To decode messages, go to **Measurement -> Add CAN Database** and select your `.dbc` file. Signals will now appear in the Trace window.
+### 2. Quick Test with Example Data
+```bash
+# Launch Cangaroo with a virtual interface and fallback DBC
+./bin/cangaroo -i vcan0 -d examples/demo.dbc
+```
 
 ---
 
-## 📖 Examples
+## 📥 Downloads & Releases
 
-### Recording Traffic
-- Connect to your interface.
-- Hit the **Start** button.
-- Use **File -> Export Logs** to save the captured data.
+Download the latest release tarball from the [Releases Page](https://github.com/OpenAutoDiagLabs/cangaroo/releases).
 
-### Transmitting Data
-- Open the **Generator View**.
-- Define your message ID and data payload.
-- Click **Send** to inject the frame into the bus.
+### Verifying Your Download
+All official releases include a SHA256 checksum. Verify your download using:
+
+```bash
+sha256sum cangaroo-v0.4.1-linux-x86_64.tar.gz
+# Expected output: 
+# abc123def456...  cangaroo-v0.4.1-linux-x86_64.tar.gz
+```
 
 ---
 
-## 📜 Credits & Contributors
+## 🤝 Contribution & Community
 
-Original Author: Hubert Denkmair ([hubert@denkmair.de](mailto:hubert@denkmair.de))
-Lead Maintainer: [Jayachandran Dharuman](https://github.com/OpenAutoDiagLabs/cangaroo)
+We welcome contributions!
+*   **Report Bugs**: Open an issue on our [GitHub Tracker](https://github.com/OpenAutoDiagLabs/cangaroo/issues).
+*   **Suggest Features**: Start a discussion in the [Discussions Tab](https://github.com/OpenAutoDiagLabs/cangaroo/discussions).
+*   **Contribute Code**: See [CONTRIBUTING.md](CONTRIBUTING.md) for guidelines.
 
 ---
 
-## 📝 Changelog Summary (v0.4.1)
-- **Qt6 Migration**: Fully updated for Qt 6.10 compatibility.
-- **Enhanced Persistence**: Explicit workspace management (Save/Load).
-- **Improved Stability**: Fixed several critical segmentation faults in SocketCAN drivers.
-- **Trace Simplification**: Streamlined Trace View by removing redundant AutoScroll and Aggregation toggles (now active by default).
+## 📜 Credits
 
-*For a full history, see the [Changelog Section below](#full-changelog).*
+*   **Original Author**: Hubert Denkmair ([hubert@denkmair.de](mailto:hubert@denkmair.de))
+*   **Lead Maintainer**: [Jayachandran Dharuman](https://github.com/OpenAutoDiagLabs/cangaroo)
 
 ---
 
-<details>
-<summary><b>Click to expand Full Changelog</b></summary>
-
-### v0.4.1
-* Qt 6.10 Migration
-* Explicit Workspace Persistence
-* Fixed SocketCAN stability issues
-* UI Simplification (removed AutoScroll/Aggregate checkboxes)
+## 📝 Changelog Summary (v0.4.1)
+* **Qt 6.10 Migration**: Full support for the latest Qt framework.
+* **SocketCAN Stability**: Resolved driver crashes during interface discovery.
+* **UI Streamlining**: Removed redundant toggles for a cleaner analysis experience.
 
-### v0.3.0
-* Migrate to Qt6
-* Added GrIP driver
+---
 
-### v0.2.4.1
-* Add WeAct Studio Support
-* Initial Translation support
+**Keywords**: CAN bus analyzer Linux, SocketCAN GUI, CAN FD decoder, automotive diagnostic tool, open-source CAN tool.
 
-### v0.2.4
-* Add initial support for CANFD
-* Add live filtering of CAN messages in trace view
-</details>
+**License**: [GPL-3.0+](LICENSE)
diff --git a/create_release.sh b/create_release.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+# 1. CHECK INPUT
+if [ -z "$1" ]; then
+    echo "Usage: $0 <version>"
+    echo "Example: $0 0.4.1"
+    exit 1
+fi
+
+VERSION=$1
+APP_NAME="cangaroo"
+BINARY_PATH="./bin/${APP_NAME}" 
+ARCH=$(uname -m)
+OS=$(uname -s | tr '[:upper:]' '[:lower:]')
+RELEASE_NAME="${APP_NAME}-v${VERSION}-${OS}-${ARCH}"
+TAR_FILE="${RELEASE_NAME}.tar.gz"
+
+# 2. CHECK IF BINARY EXISTS
+if [ ! -f "$BINARY_PATH" ]; then
+    echo "Error: Binary not found at $BINARY_PATH"
+    echo "Please build the project first."
+    exit 1
+fi
+
+echo "Packaging ${APP_NAME} version ${VERSION}..."
+
+# 3. CREATE STAGING DIRECTORY
+mkdir -p release_stage
+cp "$BINARY_PATH" release_stage/
+cp README.md release_stage/
+cp LICENSE release_stage/
+cp CONTRIBUTING.md release_stage/
+
+# 4. CREATE TARBALL
+# -C changes directory so the tar doesn't include the 'release_stage' parent folder path
+tar -czf "$TAR_FILE" -C release_stage .
+
+# 5. GENERATE CHECKSUM
+sha256sum "$TAR_FILE" > "${TAR_FILE}.sha256"
+
+# 6. CLEANUP & OUTPUT
+rm -rf release_stage
+
+echo "-------------------------------------------------------"
+echo "Release Created Successfully:"
+echo "Package:  $TAR_FILE"
+echo "Checksum: ${TAR_FILE}.sha256"
+echo "-------------------------------------------------------"
+echo "SHA256 Output:"
+cat "${TAR_FILE}.sha256"
+echo "-------------------------------------------------------"
diff --git a/examples/demo.dbc b/examples/demo.dbc
@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+VERSION ""
+
+NS_ : 
+	NS_DESC_
+	CM_
+	BA_DEF_
+	BA_
+	VAL_
+	CAT_DEF_
+	CAT_
+	FILTER
+	BA_DEF_DEF_
+	EV_DATA_
+	ENVVAR_DATA_
+	SGTYPE_
+	SGTYPE_VAL_
+	BA_DEF_SGTYPE_
+	BA_SGTYPE_
+	SIG_TYPE_REF_
+	VAL_TABLE_
+	SIG_GROUP_
+	SIG_VALTYPE_
+	SIG_UNIT_
+	SG_MUL_VAL_
+
+BS_:
+
+BU_: EngineECU TransmissionECU DisplayECU
+
+BO_ 256 EngineData: 8 EngineECU
+ SG_ EngineSpeed : 0|16@0+ (1,0) [0|8000] "rpm" DisplayECU
+ SG_ EngineTemp : 16|8@0+ (1,-40) [-40|215] "degC" DisplayECU
+ SG_ OilPressure : 24|8@0+ (0.1,0) [0|25] "bar" DisplayECU
+
+BO_ 512 TransmissionData: 4 TransmissionECU
+ SG_ GearPos : 0|4@0+ (1,0) [0|15] "" DisplayECU
+ SG_ VehicleSpeed : 4|12@0+ (0.1,0) [0|400] "km/h" DisplayECU
+
+BO_ 768 AmbientData: 2 SensorECU
+ SG_ OutsideTemp : 0|8@0+ (1,-40) [-40|100] "degC" DisplayECU
+ SG_ Humidity : 8|8@0+ (0.5,0) [0|100] "%" DisplayECU
+
+CM_ BO_ 256 "Engine status information";
+CM_ SG_ 256 EngineSpeed "Current engine rotations per minute";
+CM_ BO_ 512 "Transmission status and vehicle speed";
+CM_ BO_ 768 "Environment sensor data";
+
+VAL_ 512 GearPos 0 "Neutral" 1 "First" 2 "Second" 3 "Third" 4 "Fourth" 5 "Fifth" 6 "Sixth" 7 "Reverse" 15 "Error" ;
diff --git a/src/core/Backend.cpp b/src/core/Backend.cpp
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@
 #include "LogModel.h"
 
 #include <QDateTime>
+#include <QFileInfo>
 
 #include <core/CanTrace.h>
 #include <core/MeasurementSetup.h>
@@ -247,13 +248,26 @@ CanInterface *Backend::getInterfaceByDriverAndName(QString driverName, QString d
 
 }
 
-pCanDb Backend::loadDbc(QString filename)
+pCanDb Backend::loadDbc(QString filename, QString *errorMsg)
 {
     DbcParser parser;
 
+    QFileInfo info(filename);
+    if (!info.exists() || !info.isReadable()) {
+        if (errorMsg) {
+            *errorMsg = tr("File not found or not readable.");
+        }
+        return pCanDb();
+    }
+
     QFile *dbc = new QFile(filename);
+
     pCanDb candb(new CanDb());
-    parser.parseFile(dbc, *candb);
+    if (!parser.parseFile(dbc, *candb)) {
+        if (errorMsg) {
+            *errorMsg = tr("Failed to parse DBC file. Please check the log for details.");
+        }
+    }
     delete dbc;
 
     return candb;

diff --git a/src/core/Backend.h b/src/core/Backend.h
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ class Backend : public QObject
     CanDriver *getDriverByName(QString driverName);
     CanInterface *getInterfaceByDriverAndName(QString driverName, QString deviceName);
 
-    pCanDb loadDbc(QString filename);
+    pCanDb loadDbc(QString filename, QString *errorMsg = 0);
 
     void clearLog();
     LogModel &getLogModel() const;