Added

Python 3.13 Support: webchanges now supports Python 3.13, but complete testing is pending due to dependencies such has lxml not having yet published installation packages ("wheels") for 3.13.
Glob Pattern Support for Hooks Files: The --hooks command-line argument now accepts glob patterns for flexible hook file selection.
Multiple Hook Specifications: Specify multiple hook files or glob patterns by repeating the --hooks argument.
Enhanced Version Information: --detailed-versions now displays the system's default value for --max-threads.
Optional zstd Compression: URL jobs without browser: true can now utilize zstd compression for improved efficiency (requires pip install -U webchanges[zstd]).
ai_google Differ Enhancements (BETA):
- New additions_only Subdirective: When set to true, generates AI-powered summaries of only the added text. This is particularly helpful for monitoring pages with regularly added content (e.g., press releases).
- New unified_diff_new Field: Added to the prompt directive.

Changed

Relaxed Security for Job and Hook Files: The ownership requirement for files containing command jobs, shellpipe filters, or hook files has been expanded to include root ownership, in addition to the current user.
ai_google Differ Refinements (BETA):
- Renamed Prompt Fields (⚠ BETA breaking change): For clarity, old_data and new_data fields in the prompt directive have been renamed to old_text and new_text, respectively.
- Improved Output Quality: Significantly enhanced output quality by revising the default values for system_instructions and prompt.
- Updated Documentation.

Markdown Handling: Improved handling of links with empty text in the Markdown to HTML converter.
image Differ Formatting: Fixed HTML formatting issues within the image differ.

Python 3.9 Support: Support for Python 3.9 has been dropped. As a reminder, older Python versions are supported for 3 years after being superseded by a new major release (i.e. approximately 4 years after their initial release).