diff --git a/.github/workflows/test.yaml b/.github/workflows/test.yaml
index f609fedc9..2f62e0182 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/test.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/test.yaml
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     outputs:
       changed: ${{ steps.changes.outputs.changed }}
+      app_changed: ${{ steps.changes.outputs.app_changed }}
       vendorsha: ${{ steps.changes.outputs.vendorsha }}
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
@@ -37,7 +38,8 @@ jobs:
               | xargs python3 -c "import sys; from pathlib import Path; print(any(Path(x).match(glob) for x in sys.argv[1:] for glob in '$*'.split(' ')))"
           }
 
-          echo changed=$(changed 'llama/server/**/*' 'LLAMA_CPP_VERSION' '.github/**/*') | tee -a $GITHUB_OUTPUT
+          echo changed=$(changed 'llama/server/**/*' 'llama/compat/**/*' 'LLAMA_CPP_VERSION' 'llama/llama.cpp/**/*' 'ml/backend/ggml/ggml/**/*' '.github/**/*') | tee -a $GITHUB_OUTPUT
+          echo app_changed=$(changed 'app/**' 'app/**/*') | tee -a $GITHUB_OUTPUT
           echo vendorsha=$(cat LLAMA_CPP_VERSION) | tee -a $GITHUB_OUTPUT
 
   linux:
@@ -285,6 +287,7 @@ jobs:
         run: go mod tidy --diff || (echo "Please run 'go mod tidy'." && exit 1)
 
   test:
+    needs: [changes]
     strategy:
       matrix:
         os: [ubuntu-latest, macos-latest, windows-latest]
@@ -319,6 +322,10 @@ jobs:
         if: always()
         run: go test -count=1 -benchtime=1x ./...
 
+      - name: go test app with live updater tag
+        if: ${{ needs.changes.outputs.app_changed == 'True' && contains(fromJSON('["macos-latest","windows-latest"]'), matrix.os) }}
+        run: go test -count=1 -tags updater_live ./app/...
+
       - uses: golangci/golangci-lint-action@v9
         with:
           only-new-issues: true
diff --git a/app/updater/updater.go b/app/updater/updater.go
index d2929d8a1..06b3fd8db 100644
--- a/app/updater/updater.go
+++ b/app/updater/updater.go
@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@ package updater
 import (
 	"context"
 	"crypto/rand"
+	"crypto/sha256"
+	"encoding/hex"
 	"encoding/json"
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
@@ -169,22 +171,20 @@ func (u *Updater) DownloadNewRelease(ctx context.Context, updateResp UpdateRespo
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("error checking update: %w", err)
 	}
+	resp.Body.Close()
 	if resp.StatusCode != http.StatusOK {
 		return fmt.Errorf("unexpected status attempting to download update %d", resp.StatusCode)
 	}
-	resp.Body.Close()
-	etag := strings.Trim(resp.Header.Get("etag"), "\"")
-	if etag == "" {
-		slog.Debug("no etag detected, falling back to filename based dedup")
-		etag = "_"
-	}
 	filename := Installer
 	_, params, err := mime.ParseMediaType(resp.Header.Get("content-disposition"))
-	if err == nil {
+	if err == nil && params["filename"] != "" {
 		filename = params["filename"]
 	}
 
-	stageFilename := filepath.Join(UpdateStageDir, etag, filename)
+	stageFilename, err := updateStagePath(UpdateStageDir, resp.Header.Get("etag"), filename)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
 
 	// Check to see if we already have it downloaded
 	_, err = os.Stat(stageFilename)
@@ -202,13 +202,14 @@ func (u *Updater) DownloadNewRelease(ctx context.Context, updateResp UpdateRespo
 		return fmt.Errorf("error checking update: %w", err)
 	}
 	defer resp.Body.Close()
-	etag = strings.Trim(resp.Header.Get("etag"), "\"")
-	if etag == "" {
-		slog.Debug("no etag detected, falling back to filename based dedup") // TODO probably can get rid of this redundant log
-		etag = "_"
+	if resp.StatusCode != http.StatusOK {
+		return fmt.Errorf("unexpected status attempting to download update %d", resp.StatusCode)
 	}
 
-	stageFilename = filepath.Join(UpdateStageDir, etag, filename)
+	stageFilename, err = updateStagePath(UpdateStageDir, resp.Header.Get("etag"), filename)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
 
 	_, err = os.Stat(filepath.Dir(stageFilename))
 	if errors.Is(err, os.ErrNotExist) {
@@ -225,10 +226,13 @@ func (u *Updater) DownloadNewRelease(ctx context.Context, updateResp UpdateRespo
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("write payload %s: %w", stageFilename, err)
 	}
-	defer fp.Close()
 	if n, err := fp.Write(payload); err != nil || n != len(payload) {
+		_ = fp.Close()
 		return fmt.Errorf("write payload %s: %d vs %d -- %w", stageFilename, n, len(payload), err)
 	}
+	if err := fp.Close(); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("close payload %s: %w", stageFilename, err)
+	}
 	slog.Info("new update downloaded " + stageFilename)
 
 	if err := VerifyDownload(); err != nil {
@@ -239,6 +243,61 @@ func (u *Updater) DownloadNewRelease(ctx context.Context, updateResp UpdateRespo
 	return nil
 }
 
+func updateStagePath(stageDir, etag, filename string) (string, error) {
+	filename, err := safeUpdateFilename(filename)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+
+	stageDir, err = filepath.Abs(stageDir)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("resolve update stage dir: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	stageFilename := filepath.Join(stageDir, updateStageETagDir(etag), filename)
+	if err := ensurePathInDir(stageDir, stageFilename); err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+
+	return stageFilename, nil
+}
+
+func safeUpdateFilename(filename string) (string, error) {
+	filename = strings.TrimSpace(filename)
+	if filename == "" {
+		return "", errors.New("missing update filename")
+	}
+	if filename == "." || filename == ".." ||
+		filepath.IsAbs(filename) || path.IsAbs(filename) ||
+		strings.ContainsAny(filename, `/\:`) ||
+		filepath.Base(filename) != filename || path.Base(filename) != filename {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("unsafe update filename %q", filename)
+	}
+	return filename, nil
+}
+
+func updateStageETagDir(etag string) string {
+	etag = strings.Trim(strings.TrimSpace(etag), "\"")
+	if etag == "" {
+		slog.Debug("no etag detected, falling back to filename based dedup")
+		return "_"
+	}
+
+	sum := sha256.Sum256([]byte(etag))
+	return hex.EncodeToString(sum[:])
+}
+
+func ensurePathInDir(dir, name string) error {
+	rel, err := filepath.Rel(dir, name)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("resolve update staging path: %w", err)
+	}
+	if rel == ".." || strings.HasPrefix(rel, ".."+string(filepath.Separator)) || filepath.IsAbs(rel) {
+		return fmt.Errorf("update staging path escapes stage dir: %s", name)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
 func cleanupOldDownloads(stageDir string) {
 	files, err := os.ReadDir(stageDir)
 	if err != nil && errors.Is(err, os.ErrNotExist) {
diff --git a/app/updater/updater_darwin.go b/app/updater/updater_darwin.go
index 2a9dfb01b..d2159d350 100644
--- a/app/updater/updater_darwin.go
+++ b/app/updater/updater_darwin.go
@@ -22,6 +22,15 @@ import (
 	"golang.org/x/sys/unix"
 )
 
+const updateArchiveRoot = "Ollama.app"
+
+type bundleEntryScope int
+
+const (
+	bundleEntryRelative bundleEntryScope = iota
+	bundleEntryWithArchiveRoot
+)
+
 var (
 	appBackupDir   string
 	SystemWidePath = "/Applications/Ollama.app"
@@ -167,8 +176,12 @@ func DoUpgrade(interactive bool) error {
 		}
 		name := s[1]
 		if strings.HasSuffix(name, "/") {
-			d := filepath.Join(BundlePath, name)
-			err := os.MkdirAll(d, 0o755)
+			d, err := bundleEntryPath(BundlePath, name, bundleEntryRelative)
+			if err != nil {
+				anyFailures = true
+				return err
+			}
+			err = os.MkdirAll(d, 0o755)
 			if err != nil {
 				anyFailures = true
 				return fmt.Errorf("failed to mkdir %s: %w", d, err)
@@ -181,30 +194,14 @@ func DoUpgrade(interactive bool) error {
 			continue
 		}
 
-		src, err := f.Open()
+		destName, err := bundleEntryPath(BundlePath, name, bundleEntryRelative)
 		if err != nil {
 			anyFailures = true
-			return fmt.Errorf("failed to open bundle file %s: %w", name, err)
+			return err
 		}
-		destName := filepath.Join(BundlePath, name)
-		// Verify directory first
-		d := filepath.Dir(destName)
-		if _, err := os.Stat(d); err != nil {
-			err := os.MkdirAll(d, 0o755)
-			if err != nil {
-				anyFailures = true
-				return fmt.Errorf("failed to mkdir %s: %w", d, err)
-			}
-		}
-		destFile, err := os.OpenFile(destName, os.O_WRONLY|os.O_CREATE|os.O_TRUNC, 0o755)
-		if err != nil {
+		if err := extractBundleFile(f, destName, name); err != nil {
 			anyFailures = true
-			return fmt.Errorf("failed to open output file %s: %w", destName, err)
-		}
-		defer destFile.Close()
-		if _, err := io.Copy(destFile, src); err != nil {
-			anyFailures = true
-			return fmt.Errorf("failed to open extract file %s: %w", destName, err)
+			return err
 		}
 	}
 	for _, f := range links {
@@ -225,16 +222,24 @@ func DoUpgrade(interactive bool) error {
 			return err
 		}
 		link := string(buf)
-		if link[0] == '/' {
+		if link == "" {
+			anyFailures = true
+			return fmt.Errorf("bundle contains empty symlink %s", f.Name)
+		}
+		if filepath.IsAbs(link) {
 			anyFailures = true
 			return fmt.Errorf("bundle contains absolute symlink %s -> %s", f.Name, link)
 		}
-		// Don't allow links outside of Ollama.app
-		if strings.HasPrefix(filepath.Join(filepath.Dir(name), link), "..") {
+		if !validBundleLinkTarget(name, link, bundleEntryRelative) {
 			anyFailures = true
-			return fmt.Errorf("bundle contains link outside of contents %s -> %s", f.Name, link)
+			return fmt.Errorf("bundle contains invalid symlink %s -> %s", f.Name, link)
 		}
-		if err = os.Symlink(link, filepath.Join(BundlePath, name)); err != nil {
+		destName, err := bundleEntryPath(BundlePath, name, bundleEntryRelative)
+		if err != nil {
+			anyFailures = true
+			return err
+		}
+		if err = os.Symlink(link, destName); err != nil {
 			anyFailures = true
 			return err
 		}
@@ -282,8 +287,11 @@ func verifyDownload() error {
 	links := []*zip.File{}
 	for _, f := range r.File {
 		if strings.HasSuffix(f.Name, "/") {
-			d := filepath.Join(dir, f.Name)
-			err := os.MkdirAll(d, 0o755)
+			d, err := bundleEntryPath(dir, f.Name, bundleEntryWithArchiveRoot)
+			if err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			err = os.MkdirAll(d, 0o755)
 			if err != nil {
 				return fmt.Errorf("failed to mkdir %s: %w", d, err)
 			}
@@ -294,26 +302,12 @@ func verifyDownload() error {
 			links = append(links, f)
 			continue
 		}
-		src, err := f.Open()
+		destName, err := bundleEntryPath(dir, f.Name, bundleEntryWithArchiveRoot)
 		if err != nil {
-			return fmt.Errorf("failed to open bundle file %s: %w", f.Name, err)
+			return err
 		}
-		destName := filepath.Join(dir, f.Name)
-		// Verify directory first
-		d := filepath.Dir(destName)
-		if _, err := os.Stat(d); err != nil {
-			err := os.MkdirAll(d, 0o755)
-			if err != nil {
-				return fmt.Errorf("failed to mkdir %s: %w", d, err)
-			}
-		}
-		destFile, err := os.OpenFile(destName, os.O_WRONLY|os.O_CREATE|os.O_TRUNC, 0o755)
-		if err != nil {
-			return fmt.Errorf("failed to open output file %s: %w", destName, err)
-		}
-		defer destFile.Close()
-		if _, err := io.Copy(destFile, src); err != nil {
-			return fmt.Errorf("failed to open extract file %s: %w", destName, err)
+		if err := extractBundleFile(f, destName, f.Name); err != nil {
+			return err
 		}
 	}
 	for _, f := range links {
@@ -326,13 +320,20 @@ func verifyDownload() error {
 			return err
 		}
 		link := string(buf)
-		if link[0] == '/' {
+		if link == "" {
+			return fmt.Errorf("bundle contains empty symlink %s", f.Name)
+		}
+		if filepath.IsAbs(link) {
 			return fmt.Errorf("bundle contains absolute symlink %s -> %s", f.Name, link)
 		}
-		if strings.HasPrefix(filepath.Join(filepath.Dir(f.Name), link), "..") {
-			return fmt.Errorf("bundle contains link outside of contents %s -> %s", f.Name, link)
+		if !validBundleLinkTarget(f.Name, link, bundleEntryWithArchiveRoot) {
+			return fmt.Errorf("bundle contains invalid symlink %s -> %s", f.Name, link)
 		}
-		if err = os.Symlink(link, filepath.Join(dir, f.Name)); err != nil {
+		destName, err := bundleEntryPath(dir, f.Name, bundleEntryWithArchiveRoot)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		if err = os.Symlink(link, destName); err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
 	}
@@ -343,6 +344,53 @@ func verifyDownload() error {
 	return nil
 }
 
+func bundleEntryPath(root, name string, scope bundleEntryScope) (string, error) {
+	cleanName := filepath.Clean(filepath.FromSlash(name))
+	if !filepath.IsLocal(cleanName) {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("bundle contains invalid path: %s", name)
+	}
+	if scope == bundleEntryWithArchiveRoot && cleanName != updateArchiveRoot &&
+		!strings.HasPrefix(cleanName, updateArchiveRoot+string(os.PathSeparator)) {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("bundle contains invalid path: %s", name)
+	}
+	return filepath.Join(root, cleanName), nil
+}
+
+func extractBundleFile(f *zip.File, destName, name string) error {
+	src, err := f.Open()
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to open bundle file %s: %w", name, err)
+	}
+	defer src.Close()
+
+	d := filepath.Dir(destName)
+	if _, err := os.Stat(d); err != nil {
+		if err := os.MkdirAll(d, 0o755); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("failed to mkdir %s: %w", d, err)
+		}
+	}
+
+	destFile, err := os.OpenFile(destName, os.O_WRONLY|os.O_CREATE|os.O_TRUNC, 0o755)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to open output file %s: %w", destName, err)
+	}
+	defer destFile.Close()
+
+	if _, err := io.Copy(destFile, src); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to open extract file %s: %w", destName, err)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func validBundleLinkTarget(name, link string, scope bundleEntryScope) bool {
+	cleanTarget := filepath.Clean(filepath.Join(filepath.Dir(filepath.FromSlash(name)), filepath.FromSlash(link)))
+	if !filepath.IsLocal(cleanTarget) {
+		return false
+	}
+	return scope == bundleEntryRelative || cleanTarget == updateArchiveRoot ||
+		strings.HasPrefix(cleanTarget, updateArchiveRoot+string(os.PathSeparator))
+}
+
 // If we detect an upgrade bundle, attempt to upgrade at startup
 func DoUpgradeAtStartup() error {
 	bundle := getStagedUpdate()
diff --git a/app/updater/updater_darwin_test.go b/app/updater/updater_darwin_test.go
index 74a323ba3..7cc80d617 100644
--- a/app/updater/updater_darwin_test.go
+++ b/app/updater/updater_darwin_test.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package updater
 
 import (
 	"archive/zip"
+	"errors"
 	"io/fs"
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
@@ -146,6 +147,46 @@ func TestDoUpgrade(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestDoUpgradeRejectsInvalidBundlePath(t *testing.T) {
+	tmpDir := t.TempDir()
+	BundlePath = filepath.Join(tmpDir, "Ollama.app")
+	appBackupDir = filepath.Join(tmpDir, "backup")
+	UpdateStageDir = filepath.Join(tmpDir, "updates")
+	UpgradeMarkerFile = filepath.Join(tmpDir, "upgraded")
+	bundle := filepath.Join(UpdateStageDir, "foo", "ollama-darwin.zip")
+	invalidTarget := filepath.Join(tmpDir, "invalid-entry")
+
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Join(BundlePath, "Contents", "MacOS"), 0o755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal("failed to create empty dirs")
+	}
+	if err := os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(BundlePath, "Contents", "MacOS", "Ollama"), []byte("old app"), 0o755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal("failed to create old app")
+	}
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(bundle), 0o755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal("failed to create empty dirs")
+	}
+	if err := zipCreationHelper(bundle, []testPayload{{
+		Name: "Ollama.app/../invalid-entry",
+		Body: []byte("payload"),
+	}}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	if err := DoUpgrade(false); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected failure with invalid bundle path")
+	} else if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "bundle contains invalid path") {
+		t.Fatalf("unexpected error with invalid bundle path: %s", err)
+	}
+	if _, err := os.Stat(invalidTarget); err == nil {
+		t.Fatalf("invalid bundle path wrote %s", invalidTarget)
+	} else if !errors.Is(err, os.ErrNotExist) {
+		t.Fatalf("unexpected stat error for %s: %s", invalidTarget, err)
+	}
+	if _, err := os.Stat(filepath.Join(BundlePath, "Contents", "MacOS", "Ollama")); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("old app was not restored: %s", err)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestDoUpgradeAtStartup(t *testing.T) {
 	tmpDir := t.TempDir()
 	BundlePath = filepath.Join(tmpDir, "Ollama.app")
@@ -203,7 +244,7 @@ func TestVerifyDownloadFailures(t *testing.T) {
 		in       []testPayload
 		expected string
 	}{
-		{"breakout", []testPayload{
+		{"invalid symlink target", []testPayload{
 			{
 				Name: "Ollama.app/",
 				Body: []byte{},
@@ -212,15 +253,34 @@ func TestVerifyDownloadFailures(t *testing.T) {
 				Body: []byte("cli payload here"),
 			}, {
 				Name: "Ollama.app/Contents/MacOS/Ollama",
-				Body: []byte("../../../../breakout"),
+				Body: []byte("../../../../invalid-target"),
 				Mode: os.ModeSymlink,
 			},
-		}, "bundle contains link outside"},
+		}, "bundle contains invalid symlink"},
+		{"invalid archive symlink target", []testPayload{
+			{
+				Name: "Ollama.app/Contents/MacOS/Ollama",
+				Body: []byte("../../../invalid-target"),
+				Mode: os.ModeSymlink,
+			},
+		}, "bundle contains invalid symlink"},
 		{"absolute", []testPayload{{
 			Name: "Ollama.app/Contents/MacOS/Ollama",
 			Body: []byte("/etc/foo"),
 			Mode: os.ModeSymlink,
 		}}, "bundle contains absolute"},
+		{"invalid relative file", []testPayload{{
+			Name: "Ollama.app/../invalid-entry",
+			Body: []byte("payload"),
+		}}, "bundle contains invalid path"},
+		{"invalid relative directory", []testPayload{{
+			Name: "Ollama.app/../invalid-entry/",
+			Body: []byte{},
+		}}, "bundle contains invalid path"},
+		{"absolute file", []testPayload{{
+			Name: filepath.Join(tmpDir, "invalid-entry"),
+			Body: []byte("payload"),
+		}}, "bundle contains invalid path"},
 		{"missing", []testPayload{{
 			Name: "Ollama.app/Contents/MacOS/Ollama",
 			Body: []byte("../nothere"),
@@ -242,6 +302,11 @@ func TestVerifyDownloadFailures(t *testing.T) {
 			if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), tt.expected) {
 				t.Fatalf("expected \"%s\" got %s", tt.expected, err)
 			}
+			if _, err := os.Stat(filepath.Join(tmpDir, "invalid-entry")); err == nil {
+				t.Fatal("invalid bundle path wrote unexpected file")
+			} else if !errors.Is(err, os.ErrNotExist) {
+				t.Fatalf("unexpected stat error for invalid file: %s", err)
+			}
 		})
 	}
 }
diff --git a/app/updater/updater_live_test.go b/app/updater/updater_live_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..eb18f7a79
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/updater/updater_live_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,127 @@
+//go:build (windows || darwin) && updater_live
+
+package updater
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"runtime"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/ollama/ollama/app/store"
+	"github.com/ollama/ollama/app/version"
+)
+
+// TestLiveAppUpdate exercises the production update endpoint and downloads the
+// current OS update artifact. It is intentionally excluded from normal test
+// runs because it depends on ollama.com and downloads a release artifact.
+//
+// Run with:
+//
+//	go test -tags updater_live -run TestLiveAppUpdate ./app/updater
+func TestLiveAppUpdate(t *testing.T) {
+	const spoofedVersion = "0.20.0"
+
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 10*time.Minute)
+	defer cancel()
+
+	oldUpdateStageDir := UpdateStageDir
+	oldUpdateDownloaded := UpdateDownloaded
+	oldVerifyDownload := VerifyDownload
+	oldVersion := version.Version
+	defer func() {
+		UpdateStageDir = oldUpdateStageDir
+		UpdateDownloaded = oldUpdateDownloaded
+		VerifyDownload = oldVerifyDownload
+		version.Version = oldVersion
+	}()
+
+	version.Version = spoofedVersion
+
+	expectedFilename := ""
+	switch runtime.GOOS {
+	case "windows":
+		t.Setenv("LOCALAPPDATA", t.TempDir())
+		expectedFilename = "OllamaSetup.exe"
+	case "darwin":
+		expectedFilename = "Ollama-darwin.zip"
+	default:
+		t.Fatalf("unsupported updater live test OS %q", runtime.GOOS)
+	}
+
+	UpdateStageDir = filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "updates")
+	UpdateDownloaded = false
+	verifyCalled := false
+	VerifyDownload = func() error {
+		verifyCalled = true
+		return verifyDownload()
+	}
+
+	updater := &Updater{Store: &store.Store{DBPath: filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "db.sqlite")}}
+	defer updater.Store.Close()
+
+	available, updateResp := updater.checkForUpdate(ctx)
+	if !available {
+		t.Fatalf("expected production update check to offer an update for spoofed version %s", spoofedVersion)
+	}
+	if updateResp.UpdateURL == "" {
+		t.Fatal("production update response did not include a download URL")
+	}
+	t.Logf("production update version=%q url=%q", updateResp.UpdateVersion, updateResp.UpdateURL)
+
+	if err := updater.DownloadNewRelease(ctx, updateResp); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("download production update: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	staged := getStagedUpdate()
+	if staged == "" {
+		t.Fatal("production update was not staged")
+	}
+	t.Logf("staged production update at %s", staged)
+
+	assertPathInsideDir(t, UpdateStageDir, staged)
+	if filepath.Base(staged) != expectedFilename {
+		t.Fatalf("expected staged %s update filename to be %q, got %q", runtime.GOOS, expectedFilename, filepath.Base(staged))
+	}
+	expectedExt := filepath.Ext(expectedFilename)
+	if filepath.Ext(staged) != expectedExt {
+		t.Fatalf("expected staged %s update to be a %s artifact, got %s", runtime.GOOS, expectedExt, staged)
+	}
+
+	info, err := os.Stat(staged)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("stat staged update: %v", err)
+	}
+	if info.Size() == 0 {
+		t.Fatal("staged production update is empty")
+	}
+
+	if !verifyCalled {
+		t.Fatal("DownloadNewRelease did not call VerifyDownload")
+	}
+	t.Logf("production updater download path verified staged %s update", runtime.GOOS)
+}
+
+func assertPathInsideDir(t *testing.T, dir, name string) {
+	t.Helper()
+
+	dir, err := filepath.Abs(dir)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	name, err = filepath.Abs(name)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	rel, err := filepath.Rel(dir, name)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if rel == ".." || strings.HasPrefix(rel, ".."+string(filepath.Separator)) || filepath.IsAbs(rel) {
+		t.Fatalf("staged update escaped update stage dir: %s", name)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/app/updater/updater_test.go b/app/updater/updater_test.go
index ae8292ebf..7673e9942 100644
--- a/app/updater/updater_test.go
+++ b/app/updater/updater_test.go
@@ -11,7 +11,9 @@ import (
 	"log/slog"
 	"net/http"
 	"net/http/httptest"
+	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
 	"sync/atomic"
 	"testing"
 	"time"
@@ -19,6 +21,52 @@ import (
 	"github.com/ollama/ollama/app/store"
 )
 
+func TestUpdateStagePathRejectsUnsafeFilename(t *testing.T) {
+	stageDir := t.TempDir()
+	for _, tt := range []struct {
+		name     string
+		filename string
+	}{
+		{"empty", ""},
+		{"dot", "."},
+		{"dotdot", ".."},
+		{"posix_parent", "../OllamaSetup.exe"},
+		{"windows_parent", `..\OllamaSetup.exe`},
+		{"posix_absolute_tmp", "/tmp/OllamaSetup.exe"},
+		{"darwin_absolute_app", "/Applications/Ollama.app"},
+		{"darwin_bundle_path", "Ollama.app/Contents/MacOS/Ollama"},
+		{"darwin_user_download", "~/Downloads/Ollama-darwin.zip"},
+		{"windows_absolute", `C:\Users\Public\OllamaSetup.exe`},
+		{"colon", "Ollama:Setup.exe"},
+	} {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			if _, err := updateStagePath(stageDir, "etag", tt.filename); err == nil {
+				t.Fatal("expected unsafe filename to be rejected")
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestUpdateStagePathHashesETag(t *testing.T) {
+	stageDir := t.TempDir()
+	stageFilename, err := updateStagePath(stageDir, `../escaped`, "OllamaSetup.exe")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	rel, err := filepath.Rel(stageDir, stageFilename)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if rel == ".." || strings.HasPrefix(rel, ".."+string(filepath.Separator)) || filepath.IsAbs(rel) {
+		t.Fatalf("stage filename escaped stage dir: %s", stageFilename)
+	}
+	etagDir := filepath.Base(filepath.Dir(stageFilename))
+	if etagDir == ".." || etagDir == "escaped" || strings.ContainsAny(etagDir, `/\`) {
+		t.Fatalf("stage filename used raw etag path component: %s", stageFilename)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestIsNewReleaseAvailable(t *testing.T) {
 	slog.SetLogLoggerLevel(slog.LevelDebug)
 	var server *httptest.Server
@@ -47,6 +95,223 @@ func TestIsNewReleaseAvailable(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestDownloadNewReleaseRejectsUnsafeHeaderFilename(t *testing.T) {
+	UpdateStageDir = t.TempDir()
+	oldInstaller := Installer
+	oldVerifyDownload := VerifyDownload
+	oldUpdateDownloaded := UpdateDownloaded
+	defer func() {
+		Installer = oldInstaller
+		VerifyDownload = oldVerifyDownload
+		UpdateDownloaded = oldUpdateDownloaded
+	}()
+	Installer = "OllamaSetup.exe"
+	UpdateDownloaded = false
+	VerifyDownload = func() error {
+		t.Fatal("verification should not run for rejected downloads")
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	var getAttempted atomic.Bool
+	server := httptest.NewServer(http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		if r.Method == http.MethodHead {
+			w.Header().Set("ETag", `"safe"`)
+			w.Header().Set("Content-Disposition", `attachment; filename="../OllamaSetup.exe"`)
+			w.WriteHeader(http.StatusOK)
+			return
+		}
+		getAttempted.Store(true)
+		w.WriteHeader(http.StatusOK)
+	}))
+	defer server.Close()
+
+	updater := &Updater{}
+	err := updater.DownloadNewRelease(t.Context(), UpdateResponse{UpdateURL: server.URL + "/download"})
+	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "unsafe update filename") {
+		t.Fatalf("expected unsafe filename error, got %v", err)
+	}
+	if getAttempted.Load() {
+		t.Fatal("download should not continue after unsafe filename")
+	}
+	if _, err := os.Stat(filepath.Join(filepath.Dir(UpdateStageDir), "OllamaSetup.exe")); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("download escaped update stage dir")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestDownloadNewReleaseDoesNotUseRawETagAsPathComponent(t *testing.T) {
+	UpdateStageDir = t.TempDir()
+	oldInstaller := Installer
+	oldVerifyDownload := VerifyDownload
+	oldUpdateDownloaded := UpdateDownloaded
+	defer func() {
+		Installer = oldInstaller
+		VerifyDownload = oldVerifyDownload
+		UpdateDownloaded = oldUpdateDownloaded
+	}()
+	Installer = "OllamaSetup.exe"
+	UpdateDownloaded = false
+	VerifyDownload = func() error {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	payload := []byte("payload")
+	server := httptest.NewServer(http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		w.Header().Set("ETag", `"../escaped"`)
+		w.WriteHeader(http.StatusOK)
+		if r.Method == http.MethodGet {
+			_, _ = w.Write(payload)
+		}
+	}))
+	defer server.Close()
+
+	updater := &Updater{}
+	if err := updater.DownloadNewRelease(t.Context(), UpdateResponse{UpdateURL: server.URL + "/download"}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	if _, err := os.Stat(filepath.Join(filepath.Dir(UpdateStageDir), "escaped", Installer)); err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("download escaped update stage dir via etag")
+	}
+
+	entries, err := os.ReadDir(UpdateStageDir)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if len(entries) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected one staged update dir, got %d", len(entries))
+	}
+	stageFilename := filepath.Join(UpdateStageDir, entries[0].Name(), Installer)
+	got, err := os.ReadFile(stageFilename)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if string(got) != string(payload) {
+		t.Fatalf("unexpected staged payload %q", got)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestBackgroundCheckerSkipsAlreadyStagedETagDownload(t *testing.T) {
+	UpdateStageDir = t.TempDir()
+	oldInstaller := Installer
+	oldVerifyDownload := VerifyDownload
+	oldUpdateDownloaded := UpdateDownloaded
+	oldUpdateCheckInitialDelay := UpdateCheckInitialDelay
+	oldUpdateCheckInterval := UpdateCheckInterval
+	oldUpdateCheckURLBase := UpdateCheckURLBase
+	defer func() {
+		Installer = oldInstaller
+		VerifyDownload = oldVerifyDownload
+		UpdateDownloaded = oldUpdateDownloaded
+		UpdateCheckInitialDelay = oldUpdateCheckInitialDelay
+		UpdateCheckInterval = oldUpdateCheckInterval
+		UpdateCheckURLBase = oldUpdateCheckURLBase
+	}()
+	Installer = "OllamaSetup.exe"
+	UpdateDownloaded = false
+	UpdateCheckInitialDelay = time.Millisecond
+	UpdateCheckInterval = 5 * time.Millisecond
+
+	var verifyCount atomic.Int32
+	VerifyDownload = func() error {
+		verifyCount.Add(1)
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	headETag := `"old-update"`
+	getETag := `"download-response-etag"`
+	payload := []byte("payload")
+	var headCount atomic.Int32
+	var getCount atomic.Int32
+	var server *httptest.Server
+	server = httptest.NewServer(http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		switch r.URL.Path {
+		case "/update.json":
+			w.Write([]byte(
+				fmt.Sprintf(`{"version": "9.9.9", "url": "%s"}`,
+					server.URL+"/9.9.9/"+Installer)))
+		case "/9.9.9/" + Installer:
+			w.Header().Set("Content-Disposition", `attachment; filename="OllamaSetup.exe"`)
+			switch r.Method {
+			case http.MethodHead:
+				etag := headETag
+				if getCount.Load() > 0 {
+					etag = getETag
+				}
+				w.Header().Set("ETag", etag)
+				headCount.Add(1)
+				w.WriteHeader(http.StatusOK)
+			case http.MethodGet:
+				w.Header().Set("ETag", getETag)
+				getCount.Add(1)
+				w.WriteHeader(http.StatusOK)
+				_, _ = w.Write(payload)
+			default:
+				t.Errorf("unexpected request method %s", r.Method)
+				w.WriteHeader(http.StatusMethodNotAllowed)
+			}
+		default:
+			t.Errorf("unexpected request path %s", r.URL.Path)
+			w.WriteHeader(http.StatusNotFound)
+		}
+	}))
+	defer server.Close()
+	UpdateCheckURLBase = server.URL + "/update.json"
+
+	updater := &Updater{Store: &store.Store{DBPath: filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "test.db")}}
+	defer updater.Store.Close()
+	settings, err := updater.Store.Settings()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	settings.AutoUpdateEnabled = true
+	if err := updater.Store.SetSettings(settings); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(t.Context())
+	defer cancel()
+
+	callbacks := make(chan string, 4)
+	updater.StartBackgroundUpdaterChecker(ctx, func(ver string) error {
+		callbacks <- ver
+		return nil
+	})
+
+	for range 2 {
+		select {
+		case <-callbacks:
+		case <-time.After(5 * time.Second):
+			t.Fatal("timed out waiting for repeated update checks")
+		}
+	}
+	cancel()
+
+	stageFilename, err := updateStagePath(UpdateStageDir, getETag, Installer)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	got, err := os.ReadFile(stageFilename)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if string(got) != string(payload) {
+		t.Fatalf("unexpected staged payload %q", got)
+	}
+
+	if headCount.Load() < 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("HEAD count = %d, want at least 2", headCount.Load())
+	}
+	if getCount.Load() != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("GET count = %d, want 1", getCount.Load())
+	}
+	if verifyCount.Load() != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("verification count = %d, want 1", verifyCount.Load())
+	}
+	if !UpdateDownloaded {
+		t.Fatal("UpdateDownloaded should stay true for already staged update")
+	}
+}
+
 func TestBackgoundChecker(t *testing.T) {
 	UpdateStageDir = t.TempDir()
 	haveUpdate := false
diff --git a/app/updater/updater_windows.go b/app/updater/updater_windows.go
index e54aaa3b1..6fc28e6c9 100644
--- a/app/updater/updater_windows.go
+++ b/app/updater/updater_windows.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package updater
 
 import (
+	"crypto/x509"
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"log/slog"
@@ -18,6 +19,30 @@ import (
 
 var runningInstaller string
 
+var (
+	crypt32              = windows.NewLazySystemDLL("crypt32.dll")
+	procCryptMsgGetParam = crypt32.NewProc("CryptMsgGetParam")
+	procCryptMsgClose    = crypt32.NewProc("CryptMsgClose")
+)
+
+const cmsgSignerInfoParam = 6
+
+type cmsgSignerInfo struct {
+	Version                 uint32
+	Issuer                  windows.CertNameBlob
+	SerialNumber            windows.CryptIntegerBlob
+	HashAlgorithm           windows.CryptAlgorithmIdentifier
+	HashEncryptionAlgorithm windows.CryptAlgorithmIdentifier
+	EncryptedHash           windows.CryptDataBlob
+	AuthAttrs               cryptAttributes
+	UnauthAttrs             cryptAttributes
+}
+
+type cryptAttributes struct {
+	Count      uint32
+	Attributes unsafe.Pointer
+}
+
 type OSVERSIONINFOEXW struct {
 	dwOSVersionInfoSize uint32
 	dwMajorVersion      uint32
@@ -99,6 +124,12 @@ func DoUpgrade(interactive bool) error {
 		return fmt.Errorf("failed to lookup downloads")
 	}
 
+	if err := VerifyDownload(); err != nil {
+		_ = os.Remove(bundle)
+		slog.Warn("verification failure", "bundle", bundle, "error", err)
+		return fmt.Errorf("staged update verification failed: %w", err)
+	}
+
 	// We move the installer to ensure we don't race with multiple apps starting in quick succession
 	if err := os.Rename(bundle, runningInstaller); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("unable to rename %s -> %s : %w", bundle, runningInstaller, err)
@@ -184,6 +215,150 @@ func DoPostUpgradeCleanup() error {
 }
 
 func verifyDownload() error {
+	bundle := getStagedUpdate()
+	if bundle == "" {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to lookup downloads")
+	}
+	slog.Debug("verifying update", "bundle", bundle)
+
+	if err := verifyWindowsInstallerSignature(bundle); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("signature verification failed: %w", err)
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func verifyWindowsInstallerSignature(filename string) error {
+	filename16, err := windows.UTF16PtrFromString(filename)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	data := &windows.WinTrustData{
+		Size:             uint32(unsafe.Sizeof(windows.WinTrustData{})),
+		UIChoice:         windows.WTD_UI_NONE,
+		RevocationChecks: windows.WTD_REVOKE_WHOLECHAIN,
+		UnionChoice:      windows.WTD_CHOICE_FILE,
+		StateAction:      windows.WTD_STATEACTION_VERIFY,
+		UIContext:        windows.WTD_UICONTEXT_INSTALL,
+		FileOrCatalogOrBlobOrSgnrOrCert: unsafe.Pointer(&windows.WinTrustFileInfo{
+			Size:     uint32(unsafe.Sizeof(windows.WinTrustFileInfo{})),
+			FilePath: filename16,
+		}),
+	}
+
+	verifyErr := windows.WinVerifyTrustEx(windows.InvalidHWND, &windows.WINTRUST_ACTION_GENERIC_VERIFY_V2, data)
+	data.StateAction = windows.WTD_STATEACTION_CLOSE
+	closeErr := windows.WinVerifyTrustEx(windows.InvalidHWND, &windows.WINTRUST_ACTION_GENERIC_VERIFY_V2, data)
+	if verifyErr != nil {
+		return verifyErr
+	}
+	if closeErr != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("close WinVerifyTrust state: %w", closeErr)
+	}
+
+	subject, err := windowsInstallerSignerSubject(filename)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	slog.Debug("verified update signature", "subject", subject)
+	return nil
+}
+
+func windowsInstallerSignerSubject(filename string) (string, error) {
+	filename16, err := windows.UTF16PtrFromString(filename)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+
+	var certStore windows.Handle
+	var msg windows.Handle
+	if err := windows.CryptQueryObject(
+		windows.CERT_QUERY_OBJECT_FILE,
+		unsafe.Pointer(filename16),
+		windows.CERT_QUERY_CONTENT_FLAG_PKCS7_SIGNED_EMBED,
+		windows.CERT_QUERY_FORMAT_FLAG_BINARY,
+		0,
+		nil,
+		nil,
+		nil,
+		&certStore,
+		&msg,
+		nil,
+	); err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	defer windows.CertCloseStore(certStore, 0) //nolint:errcheck
+	defer cryptMsgClose(msg)                   //nolint:errcheck
+
+	var signerInfoSize uint32
+	if err := cryptMsgGetParam(msg, cmsgSignerInfoParam, 0, nil, &signerInfoSize); err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	if signerInfoSize == 0 {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("missing signer info")
+	}
+
+	signerInfoBuf := make([]byte, signerInfoSize)
+	if err := cryptMsgGetParam(msg, cmsgSignerInfoParam, 0, unsafe.Pointer(&signerInfoBuf[0]), &signerInfoSize); err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	signerInfo := (*cmsgSignerInfo)(unsafe.Pointer(&signerInfoBuf[0]))
+	certInfo := windows.CertInfo{
+		Issuer:       signerInfo.Issuer,
+		SerialNumber: signerInfo.SerialNumber,
+	}
+
+	cert, err := windows.CertFindCertificateInStore(
+		certStore,
+		windows.X509_ASN_ENCODING|windows.PKCS_7_ASN_ENCODING,
+		0,
+		windows.CERT_FIND_SUBJECT_CERT,
+		unsafe.Pointer(&certInfo),
+		nil,
+	)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	defer windows.CertFreeCertificateContext(cert) //nolint:errcheck
+
+	parsed, err := x509.ParseCertificate(unsafe.Slice(cert.EncodedCert, cert.Length))
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+
+	for _, org := range parsed.Subject.Organization {
+		if org == "Ollama Inc." {
+			return parsed.Subject.String(), nil
+		}
+	}
+	return "", fmt.Errorf("unexpected signer: %s", parsed.Subject.String())
+}
+
+func cryptMsgGetParam(msg windows.Handle, paramType, index uint32, data unsafe.Pointer, size *uint32) error {
+	r1, _, e1 := procCryptMsgGetParam.Call(
+		uintptr(msg),
+		uintptr(paramType),
+		uintptr(index),
+		uintptr(data),
+		uintptr(unsafe.Pointer(size)),
+	)
+	if r1 == 0 {
+		if e1 != syscall.Errno(0) {
+			return e1
+		}
+		return syscall.EINVAL
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func cryptMsgClose(msg windows.Handle) error {
+	r1, _, e1 := procCryptMsgClose.Call(uintptr(msg))
+	if r1 == 0 {
+		if e1 != syscall.Errno(0) {
+			return e1
+		}
+		return syscall.EINVAL
+	}
 	return nil
 }
 
diff --git a/app/updater/updater_windows_test.go b/app/updater/updater_windows_test.go
index 9c665be35..de86b279f 100644
--- a/app/updater/updater_windows_test.go
+++ b/app/updater/updater_windows_test.go
@@ -1,13 +1,85 @@
-//go:build windows || darwin
+//go:build windows
 
 package updater
 
 import (
 	"log/slog"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
 	"testing"
 )
 
+func TestVerifyDownloadRejectsUnsignedWindowsInstaller(t *testing.T) {
+	oldUpdateStageDir := UpdateStageDir
+	defer func() {
+		UpdateStageDir = oldUpdateStageDir
+	}()
+
+	t.Setenv("LOCALAPPDATA", t.TempDir())
+	UpdateStageDir = t.TempDir()
+	bundle := filepath.Join(UpdateStageDir, "etag", "OllamaSetup.exe")
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(bundle), 0o755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := os.WriteFile(bundle, []byte("not a signed installer"), 0o755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	err := verifyDownload()
+	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "signature verification failed") {
+		t.Fatalf("expected signature verification failure, got %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestDoUpgradeAtStartupRejectsUnsignedWindowsInstaller(t *testing.T) {
+	oldUpdateStageDir := UpdateStageDir
+	oldRunningInstaller := runningInstaller
+	oldUpgradeLogFile := UpgradeLogFile
+	oldUpgradeMarkerFile := UpgradeMarkerFile
+	oldVerifyDownload := VerifyDownload
+	defer func() {
+		UpdateStageDir = oldUpdateStageDir
+		runningInstaller = oldRunningInstaller
+		UpgradeLogFile = oldUpgradeLogFile
+		UpgradeMarkerFile = oldUpgradeMarkerFile
+		VerifyDownload = oldVerifyDownload
+	}()
+
+	t.Setenv("LOCALAPPDATA", t.TempDir())
+	UpdateStageDir = t.TempDir()
+	runDir := t.TempDir()
+	runningInstaller = filepath.Join(runDir, "OllamaSetup.exe")
+	UpgradeLogFile = filepath.Join(runDir, "upgrade.log")
+	UpgradeMarkerFile = filepath.Join(runDir, "upgraded")
+	VerifyDownload = verifyDownload
+
+	bundle := filepath.Join(UpdateStageDir, "etag", "OllamaSetup.exe")
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(bundle), 0o755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := os.WriteFile(bundle, []byte("not a signed installer"), 0o755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	err := DoUpgradeAtStartup()
+	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "signature verification failed") {
+		t.Fatalf("expected signature verification failure, got %v", err)
+	}
+	if _, err := os.Stat(runningInstaller); !os.IsNotExist(err) {
+		t.Fatalf("unsigned installer was moved before verification failed: %v", err)
+	}
+	if _, err := os.Stat(bundle); !os.IsNotExist(err) {
+		t.Fatalf("unsigned staged installer was not removed after verification failure: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestIsInstallerRunning(t *testing.T) {
+	oldInstaller := Installer
+	defer func() {
+		Installer = oldInstaller
+	}()
+
 	slog.SetLogLoggerLevel(slog.LevelDebug)
 	Installer = "go.exe"
 	if !isInstallerRunning() {
diff --git a/envconfig/test_home_test.go b/envconfig/test_home_test.go
index 993f1c0aa..9cae6bf9d 100644
--- a/envconfig/test_home_test.go
+++ b/envconfig/test_home_test.go
@@ -6,5 +6,6 @@ func setTestHome(t *testing.T, home string) {
 	t.Helper()
 	t.Setenv("HOME", home)
 	t.Setenv("USERPROFILE", home)
+	t.Setenv("OLLAMA_MODELS", "")
 	ReloadServerConfig()
 }
diff --git a/server/routes.go b/server/routes.go
index f64d5e7c7..fbfadf9a4 100644
--- a/server/routes.go
+++ b/server/routes.go
@@ -3127,8 +3127,12 @@ func (s *Server) handleImageGenerate(c *gin.Context, req api.GenerateRequest, mo
 		s.sched.expireRunnersForRuntimeOOM(m, err)
 		// Only send JSON error if streaming hasn't started yet
 		// (once streaming starts, headers are committed and we can't change status code)
-		if !streamStarted {
+		if !isStreaming || !streamStarted {
 			c.JSON(http.StatusInternalServerError, gin.H{"error": err.Error()})
+		} else {
+			data, _ := json.Marshal(gin.H{"error": err.Error()})
+			c.Writer.Write(append(data, '\n'))
+			c.Writer.Flush()
 		}
 		return
 	}
diff --git a/server/routes_generate_test.go b/server/routes_generate_test.go
index 489e3e78b..56837b58e 100644
--- a/server/routes_generate_test.go
+++ b/server/routes_generate_test.go
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import (
 	"bytes"
 	"context"
 	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
 	"io"
 	"net/http"
 	"net/http/httptest"
@@ -2989,3 +2990,120 @@ func TestImageGenerateStreamFalse(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Errorf("expected done=true")
 	}
 }
+
+func newImageGenerateTestServer(t *testing.T, mock *mockRunner) Server {
+	t.Helper()
+
+	t.Setenv("OLLAMA_CONTEXT_LENGTH", "4096")
+	gin.SetMode(gin.TestMode)
+
+	p := t.TempDir()
+	t.Setenv("OLLAMA_MODELS", p)
+
+	n := model.ParseName("test-image")
+	cfg := model.ConfigV2{Capabilities: []string{"image"}}
+	var b bytes.Buffer
+	if err := json.NewEncoder(&b).Encode(&cfg); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	configLayer, err := manifest.NewLayer(&b, "application/vnd.docker.container.image.v1+json")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := manifest.WriteManifest(n, configLayer, nil); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	loadedModel, err := GetModel("test-image")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	opts := api.DefaultOptions()
+	s := Server{
+		sched: &Scheduler{
+			pendingReqCh:  make(chan *LlmRequest, 1),
+			finishedReqCh: make(chan *LlmRequest, 1),
+			expiredCh:     make(chan *runnerRef, 1),
+			unloadedCh:    make(chan any, 1),
+			loaded: map[string]*runnerRef{
+				schedulerModelKey(loadedModel): {
+					llama:       mock,
+					Options:     &opts,
+					model:       loadedModel,
+					isImagegen:  true,
+					numParallel: 1,
+				},
+			},
+			newServerFn:     newMockServer(mock),
+			getGpuFn:        getGpuFn,
+			getSystemInfoFn: getSystemInfoFn,
+		},
+	}
+
+	go s.sched.Run(t.Context())
+	return s
+}
+
+func TestImageGenerateStreamFalseErrorAfterProgress(t *testing.T) {
+	mock := mockRunner{}
+	mock.CompletionFn = func(ctx context.Context, r llm.CompletionRequest, fn func(r llm.CompletionResponse)) error {
+		fn(llm.CompletionResponse{Step: 1, TotalSteps: 3, Done: false})
+		return errors.New("runner died")
+	}
+	s := newImageGenerateTestServer(t, &mock)
+
+	streamFalse := false
+	w := createRequest(t, s.GenerateHandler, api.GenerateRequest{
+		Model:  "test-image",
+		Prompt: "test prompt",
+		Stream: &streamFalse,
+	})
+
+	if w.Code != http.StatusInternalServerError {
+		t.Fatalf("expected status 500, got %d: %s", w.Code, w.Body.String())
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(w.Body.String(), "runner died") {
+		t.Fatalf("expected runner error in body, got %q", w.Body.String())
+	}
+}
+
+func TestImageGenerateStreamingErrorAfterProgress(t *testing.T) {
+	mock := mockRunner{}
+	mock.CompletionFn = func(ctx context.Context, r llm.CompletionRequest, fn func(r llm.CompletionResponse)) error {
+		fn(llm.CompletionResponse{Step: 1, TotalSteps: 3, Done: false})
+		return errors.New("runner died")
+	}
+	s := newImageGenerateTestServer(t, &mock)
+
+	w := createRequest(t, s.GenerateHandler, api.GenerateRequest{
+		Model:  "test-image",
+		Prompt: "test prompt",
+	})
+
+	if w.Code != http.StatusOK {
+		t.Fatalf("expected status 200 after streaming started, got %d: %s", w.Code, w.Body.String())
+	}
+	lines := strings.Split(strings.TrimSpace(w.Body.String()), "\n")
+	if len(lines) != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected progress and error lines, got %d:\n%s", len(lines), w.Body.String())
+	}
+
+	var progress api.GenerateResponse
+	if err := json.Unmarshal([]byte(lines[0]), &progress); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to parse progress response: %v", err)
+	}
+	if progress.Completed != 1 || progress.Total != 3 || progress.Done {
+		t.Fatalf("progress response = %+v", progress)
+	}
+
+	var errorResponse struct {
+		Error string `json:"error"`
+	}
+	if err := json.Unmarshal([]byte(lines[1]), &errorResponse); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to parse error response: %v", err)
+	}
+	if errorResponse.Error != "runner died" {
+		t.Fatalf("error = %q, want runner died", errorResponse.Error)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/server/test_home_test.go b/server/test_home_test.go
index 7a0393684..3f724c910 100644
--- a/server/test_home_test.go
+++ b/server/test_home_test.go
@@ -10,5 +10,6 @@ func setTestHome(t *testing.T, home string) {
 	t.Helper()
 	t.Setenv("HOME", home)
 	t.Setenv("USERPROFILE", home)
+	t.Setenv("OLLAMA_MODELS", "")
 	envconfig.ReloadServerConfig()
 }
diff --git a/x/imagegen/runner.go b/x/imagegen/runner.go
index d92b59059..59a84e915 100644
--- a/x/imagegen/runner.go
+++ b/x/imagegen/runner.go
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/ollama/ollama/envconfig"
 	"github.com/ollama/ollama/x/imagegen/mlx"
+	"github.com/ollama/ollama/x/internal/mlxthread"
 )
 
 // Execute is the entry point for the unified MLX runner subprocess.
@@ -45,17 +46,30 @@ func Execute(args []string) error {
 		return fmt.Errorf("imagegen runner only supports image generation models")
 	}
 
-	// Initialize MLX only for image generation mode.
-	if err := mlx.InitMLX(); err != nil {
-		slog.Error("unable to initialize MLX", "error", err)
+	worker, err := mlxthread.Start("imagegen", func() error {
+		if err := mlx.InitMLX(); err != nil {
+			slog.Error("unable to initialize MLX", "error", err)
+			return err
+		}
+		slog.Info("MLX library initialized")
+		return nil
+	})
+	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	slog.Info("MLX library initialized")
 
 	// Create and start server
-	server, err := newServer(*modelName, *port)
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("failed to create server: %w", err)
+	var server *server
+	if err := worker.Do(context.Background(), func() error {
+		var err error
+		server, err = newServer(*modelName, *port)
+		if err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("failed to create server: %w", err)
+		}
+		server.mlxThread = worker
+		return nil
+	}); err != nil {
+		return err
 	}
 
 	// Set up HTTP handlers
@@ -77,7 +91,17 @@ func Execute(args []string) error {
 		slog.Info("shutting down mlx runner")
 		ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 5*time.Second)
 		defer cancel()
-		httpServer.Shutdown(ctx)
+		if err := httpServer.Shutdown(ctx); err != nil {
+			slog.Warn("graceful shutdown timed out", "error", err)
+			if err := httpServer.Close(); err != nil {
+				slog.Warn("failed to close http server", "error", err)
+			}
+		}
+		if err := worker.Stop(ctx, func() {
+			mlx.ClearCache()
+		}); err != nil {
+			slog.Warn("failed to stop mlx worker", "error", err)
+		}
 		close(done)
 	}()
 
@@ -110,6 +134,7 @@ func detectModelMode(modelName string) ModelMode {
 type server struct {
 	modelName string
 	port      int
+	mlxThread *mlxthread.Thread
 
 	// Image generation model.
 	imageModel ImageModel
@@ -147,5 +172,10 @@ func (s *server) completionHandler(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 		return
 	}
 
-	s.handleImageCompletion(w, r, req)
+	if err := s.mlxThread.Do(r.Context(), func() error {
+		s.handleImageCompletion(w, r, req)
+		return nil
+	}); err != nil && r.Context().Err() == nil {
+		http.Error(w, err.Error(), http.StatusInternalServerError)
+	}
 }
diff --git a/x/imagegen/server.go b/x/imagegen/server.go
index 3c74ae519..6017f0602 100644
--- a/x/imagegen/server.go
+++ b/x/imagegen/server.go
@@ -367,9 +367,16 @@ func (s *Server) Completion(ctx context.Context, req llm.CompletionRequest, fn f
 	// Check if subprocess is still alive
 	if s.HasExited() {
 		slog.Error("mlx subprocess has exited unexpectedly")
+		if errMsg := s.getLastErr(); errMsg != "" {
+			return fmt.Errorf("mlx runner closed response before completion: %s", errMsg)
+		}
 	}
 
-	return scanErr
+	if scanErr != nil {
+		return scanErr
+	}
+
+	return errors.New("mlx runner closed response before completion")
 }
 
 func (s *Server) Chat(ctx context.Context, req llm.ChatRequest, fn func(llm.ChatResponse)) error {
diff --git a/x/imagegen/server_test.go b/x/imagegen/server_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..8f2938297
--- /dev/null
+++ b/x/imagegen/server_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,102 @@
+package imagegen
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"io"
+	"net/http"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/ollama/ollama/llm"
+)
+
+type roundTripFunc func(*http.Request) (*http.Response, error)
+
+func (fn roundTripFunc) RoundTrip(req *http.Request) (*http.Response, error) {
+	return fn(req)
+}
+
+func newCompletionTestServer(handler func(*http.Request) string) *Server {
+	return &Server{
+		port: 11434,
+		done: make(chan error, 1),
+		client: &http.Client{
+			Transport: roundTripFunc(func(req *http.Request) (*http.Response, error) {
+				body := handler(req)
+				return &http.Response{
+					StatusCode: http.StatusOK,
+					Header:     make(http.Header),
+					Body:       io.NopCloser(strings.NewReader(body)),
+					Request:    req,
+				}, nil
+			}),
+		},
+	}
+}
+
+func TestCompletionReturnsImageData(t *testing.T) {
+	s := newCompletionTestServer(func(r *http.Request) string {
+		if r.URL.Path != "/completion" {
+			t.Fatalf("path = %q, want /completion", r.URL.Path)
+		}
+
+		var req Request
+		if err := json.NewDecoder(r.Body).Decode(&req); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		if req.Prompt != "test prompt" || req.Width != 512 || req.Height != 256 || req.Steps != 7 || req.Seed != 42 {
+			t.Fatalf("unexpected request: %+v", req)
+		}
+		if len(req.Images) != 1 || string(req.Images[0]) != "input-image" {
+			t.Fatalf("images = %q, want input-image", req.Images)
+		}
+
+		return `{"step":1,"total":2}` + "\n" +
+			`{"done":true,"image":"base64png"}` + "\n"
+	})
+
+	var responses []llm.CompletionResponse
+	err := s.Completion(context.Background(), llm.CompletionRequest{
+		Prompt: "test prompt",
+		Width:  512,
+		Height: 256,
+		Steps:  7,
+		Seed:   42,
+		Images: []llm.ImageData{{Data: []byte("input-image")}},
+	}, func(resp llm.CompletionResponse) {
+		responses = append(responses, resp)
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if len(responses) != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("responses = %d, want 2", len(responses))
+	}
+	if responses[0].Step != 1 || responses[0].TotalSteps != 2 || responses[0].Done {
+		t.Fatalf("progress response = %+v", responses[0])
+	}
+	if !responses[1].Done || responses[1].Image != "base64png" {
+		t.Fatalf("final response = %+v", responses[1])
+	}
+}
+
+func TestCompletionEOFBeforeDoneReturnsError(t *testing.T) {
+	s := newCompletionTestServer(func(r *http.Request) string {
+		return `{"step":1,"total":2}` + "\n"
+	})
+
+	var responses []llm.CompletionResponse
+	err := s.Completion(context.Background(), llm.CompletionRequest{Prompt: "test prompt"}, func(resp llm.CompletionResponse) {
+		responses = append(responses, resp)
+	})
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected error")
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "closed response before completion") {
+		t.Fatalf("error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if len(responses) != 1 || responses[0].Done {
+		t.Fatalf("responses = %+v, want one non-done progress response", responses)
+	}
+}