> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.broadstripes.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# What's new panel

> Stay current with recent Broadstripes updates from the What's new panel in the user menu.

# What's new panel

The **What's new** panel shows recent product updates -- new features and improvements -- directly inside Broadstripes. You can open it any time from the user menu, or let it open on its own when something new has been released.

## Opening the panel

1. Click your **user disc** (<Icon icon="circle-user" iconType="light" color="#545454" />) in the top-right corner to open the user menu.
2. Select **What's new** (<Icon icon="sparkles" iconType="light" color="#545454" />) from the menu.

The panel slides in from the right side of the screen.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/broadstripes/z72L3IvZymyTNA_z/images/customize/whats-new-menu-item.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=z72L3IvZymyTNA_z&q=85&s=0fa1f0bb60fbc54dfb27af66b7b3e858" alt="What's new menu item in the user menu" width="232" height="274" data-path="images/customize/whats-new-menu-item.png" />

## The unread indicator

When new updates have been released since you last opened the panel, a small blue dot appears on your avatar disc and a count badge appears next to the **What's new** menu item. The dot and badge clear the next time you open the panel.

## What the panel shows

Each update appears as a card with:

* A colored badge: **NEW** (blue) for new features or **IMPROVED** (green) for enhancements.
* The release month.
* A title and short description.
* An optional preview image.
* A **See how it works** link that opens the relevant help article.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/broadstripes/z72L3IvZymyTNA_z/images/customize/whats-new-panel.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=z72L3IvZymyTNA_z&q=85&s=20943f16e1bd013453b5059741dabc9b" alt="What's new panel showing announcement cards" width="448" height="900" data-path="images/customize/whats-new-panel.png" />

## Auto-open on the dashboard

The **What's new** panel can open on its own when you land on your project dashboard after a new release. This happens at most once per release and no more than once per week, so you won't see it on every visit.

A callout at the bottom of the panel explains why it opened automatically. You can dismiss the callout with the **X** button or turn off auto-opening entirely using the toggle described below.

## Controlling auto-open

A toggle at the bottom of the panel -- **Open automatically when there's something new** -- lets you turn auto-opening on or off without leaving the panel. The setting saves immediately.

You can also control this setting from your account settings:

1. Click your **user disc** and select **User settings**.
2. Scroll to the **Notification preferences** section.
3. Check or uncheck **Open the What's new panel automatically when there's something new**.
4. Click **Update preferences** to save.

## Full release notes

The panel footer includes a **Full release notes** link to the Broadstripes help site where you can browse the complete history of changes.