diff --git a/src/changelog.ts b/src/changelog.ts
index ce1ddba..3c9b60e 100644
--- a/src/changelog.ts
+++ b/src/changelog.ts
@@ -20,6 +20,20 @@ export interface ChangelogRelease {
 }
 
 export const CHANGELOG: ChangelogRelease[] = [
+    {
+        version: '1.3.0',
+        entries: [
+            { text: 'The plugin now speaks multiple languages — English, Traditional Chinese, and Simplified Chinese. It follows your Obsidian display language automatically, or you can pick one in Settings.', notable: true },
+            { text: 'Checking sync status is now much faster, especially in vaults with lots of files.', notable: true },
+            { text: 'Fixed a bug where a linked (symlinked) folder could be pulled incorrectly instead of being treated as a link.', notable: true },
+            { text: 'Added a setting to keep specific files or folders out of sync, in addition to what your repo\'s .gitignore already excludes.' },
+            { text: 'Settings now show your connection status at a glance, so you can tell right away if something needs attention.' },
+            { text: 'The conflict resolution window can now be resized to see more content at once.' },
+            { text: 'Picking your sync folders is easier now, with a folder browser instead of typing paths by hand.' },
+            { text: 'Connection errors now explain what went wrong in plain language instead of a raw technical error.' },
+            { text: 'You\'ll now see a short "what\'s new" summary right after updating, so you don\'t miss new features.' },
+        ],
+    },
     {
         version: '1.2.1',
         entries: [
diff --git a/src/i18n/index.ts b/src/i18n/index.ts
index 7f78619..50cba80 100644
--- a/src/i18n/index.ts
+++ b/src/i18n/index.ts
@@ -1,13 +1,26 @@
 import en, { TranslationKey } from './locales/en';
 import zhTw from './locales/zh-tw';
+import zhCn from './locales/zh-cn';
 
 export type { TranslationKey };
 
 const locales: Record<string, Partial<Record<TranslationKey, string>>> = {
 	en,
 	'zh-tw': zhTw,
+	'zh-cn': zhCn,
 };
 
+/** User-facing language choices exposed in the settings UI. 'system' follows Obsidian's display language. */
+export type LanguageSetting = 'system' | 'en' | 'zh-tw' | 'zh-cn';
+
+// Explicit language chosen in plugin settings, or 'system' (default) to follow
+// Obsidian's display language. Set once at load via setLanguageOverride().
+let languageOverride: LanguageSetting = 'system';
+
+export function setLanguageOverride(language: LanguageSetting): void {
+	languageOverride = language;
+}
+
 // Obsidian sets window.moment's locale to match the app's display language
 // before plugins load. Not typed in the `obsidian` package, so read it off
 // the global defensively.
@@ -24,11 +37,12 @@ function detectMomentLocale(): string {
 // English when there's no matching translation.
 function resolveLocale(rawLocale: string): string {
 	if (rawLocale in locales) return rawLocale;
-	if (rawLocale.startsWith('zh')) return 'zh-tw';
+	if (rawLocale.startsWith('zh')) return rawLocale.includes('cn') ? 'zh-cn' : 'zh-tw';
 	return 'en';
 }
 
 export function getActiveLocale(): string {
+	if (languageOverride !== 'system') return languageOverride;
 	return resolveLocale(detectMomentLocale());
 }
 
diff --git a/src/i18n/locales/en.ts b/src/i18n/locales/en.ts
index d2d35eb..c1839b0 100644
--- a/src/i18n/locales/en.ts
+++ b/src/i18n/locales/en.ts
@@ -6,6 +6,13 @@ const en = {
 	'settings.connectionStatus.disconnected': 'Not connected',
 	'settings.connectionStatus.withDetail': '{label} — {detail}',
 
+	'settings.language.name': 'Language',
+	'settings.language.desc': 'UI language for this plugin',
+	'settings.language.option.system': 'System default',
+	'settings.language.option.en': 'English',
+	'settings.language.option.zhTw': '繁體中文 (Traditional Chinese)',
+	'settings.language.option.zhCn': '简体中文 (Simplified Chinese)',
+
 	'settings.gitService.name': 'Git service',
 	'settings.gitService.desc': 'Choose your Git hosting service',
 
@@ -102,6 +109,9 @@ const en = {
 	'whatsNew.viewChangelog': 'View full changelog',
 	'whatsNew.gotIt': 'Got it',
 
+	'settings.whatsNewBanner.title': "What's new in v{version}",
+	'settings.whatsNewBanner.dismiss': 'Dismiss',
+
 	'syncStatus.viewTitle': 'Sync status',
 	'syncStatus.emptyPrompt': 'Click "Refresh" to check sync status',
 	'syncStatus.progress.checkingWithCount': 'Checking files… {current}/{total} ({pct}%)',
diff --git a/src/i18n/locales/zh-cn.ts b/src/i18n/locales/zh-cn.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ac984d7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/i18n/locales/zh-cn.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,200 @@
+import type { TranslationKey } from './en';
+
+// Only needs to cover the keys that have a translation; anything missing
+// falls back to en.ts at lookup time.
+const zhCn: Partial<Record<TranslationKey, string>> = {
+	'settings.connectionStatus.checking': '检查中…',
+	'settings.connectionStatus.connected': '已连接',
+	'settings.connectionStatus.disconnected': '未连接',
+	'settings.connectionStatus.withDetail': '{label} — {detail}',
+
+	'settings.language.name': '语言',
+	'settings.language.desc': '此插件的界面语言',
+	'settings.language.option.system': '系统默认',
+	'settings.language.option.en': 'English',
+	'settings.language.option.zhTw': '繁體中文',
+	'settings.language.option.zhCn': '简体中文',
+
+	'settings.gitService.name': 'Git 服务',
+	'settings.gitService.desc': '选择您的 Git 托管服务',
+
+	'settings.branch.name': '分支',
+	'settings.branch.desc': '要推送或拉取的分支',
+	'settings.branch.placeholder': 'Main',
+
+	'settings.rootPath.name': '根路径',
+	'settings.rootPath.desc': '选填：仓库中的子文件夹（例如「notes」）',
+	'settings.rootPath.placeholder': '输入子文件夹路径',
+
+	'settings.vaultFolder.name': '库文件夹',
+	'settings.vaultFolder.desc': '选填：仅同步此库文件夹内的文件（例如「sync」则只同步 sync 文件夹内的文件）',
+	'settings.vaultFolder.placeholder': '留空以同步所有文件',
+
+	'settings.ignorePatterns.name': '忽略规则',
+	'settings.ignorePatterns.desc': '选填：以 .gitignore 语法（每行一条）排除本机文件，会与远程仓库的 .gitignore 规则一并应用。',
+
+	'settings.symlinks.name': '符号链接',
+	'settings.symlinks.desc.supported': '符号链接的同步方式：「real」会在桌面端重建链接，移动端则改为同步目标内容；「follow」始终同步目标内容；「skip」则忽略符号链接。',
+	'settings.symlinks.desc.unsupported': '符号链接的同步方式：「follow」以普通文件同步目标内容，「skip」则忽略符号链接。真实符号链接仅支持 GitHub。',
+	'settings.symlinks.option.real': '真实符号链接（推荐）',
+	'settings.symlinks.option.follow': 'Follow（同步目标内容）',
+	'settings.symlinks.option.skip': 'Skip（忽略）',
+
+	'settings.testConnection.name': '测试连接',
+	'settings.testConnection.desc': '验证您的 {service} 设置',
+	'settings.testConnection.button': '测试连接',
+	'settings.testConnection.failed': '连接失败：{reason}',
+	'settings.testConnection.failed.unreachable': '无法连接到仓库',
+	'settings.testConnection.branchNotFound.badge': '找不到分支「{branch}」',
+	'settings.testConnection.branchNotFound.notice': '已连接，但找不到分支「{branch}」。请检查分支设置，或确认仓库中存在此分支。',
+	'settings.testConnection.success': '{service} 连接成功！',
+
+	'settings.token.placeholder': '输入您的令牌',
+	'settings.token.show': '显示令牌',
+	'settings.token.hide': '隐藏令牌',
+
+	'settings.gitlab.token.name': 'GitLab 个人访问令牌',
+	'settings.gitlab.token.desc': '请在 GitLab 用户设置 > access tokens 创建具有「API」范围的令牌',
+	'settings.gitlab.baseUrl.name': 'GitLab 基础 URL',
+	'settings.gitlab.baseUrl.desc': '默认为 https://gitlab.com',
+	'settings.gitlab.projectId.name': '项目 ID',
+	'settings.gitlab.projectId.desc': '可在 GitLab 项目总览中找到',
+	'settings.gitlab.projectId.placeholder': '输入数字项目 ID',
+
+	'settings.gitea.token.name': 'Gitea 个人访问令牌',
+	'settings.gitea.token.desc': '请在用户设置 > applications > access tokens 创建令牌',
+	'settings.gitea.baseUrl.name': 'Gitea 基础 URL',
+	'settings.gitea.baseUrl.desc': '您的 Gitea 实例网址（例如 https://gitea.example.com）',
+
+	'settings.github.token.name': 'GitHub 个人访问令牌',
+	'settings.github.token.desc': '请在 GitHub 设置 > developer settings > personal access tokens 创建具有「repo」范围的令牌',
+
+	'settings.repoOwner.name': '仓库所有者',
+	'settings.repoOwner.desc.gitea': 'Gitea 用户名或组织名称',
+	'settings.repoOwner.desc.github': 'GitHub 用户名或组织名称',
+	'settings.repoOwner.placeholder': '用户名',
+
+	'settings.repoName.name': '仓库名称',
+	'settings.repoName.desc.gitea': '仓库的名称',
+	'settings.repoName.desc.github': 'GitHub 仓库的名称',
+	'settings.repoName.placeholder': '我的笔记',
+
+	'main.ribbon.openSyncStatus': '打开同步状态',
+	'main.ribbon.push': '推送',
+	'main.ribbon.pushTo': '推送至 {service}',
+	'main.command.openSyncStatus': '打开同步状态',
+	'main.command.pushCurrentFile': '推送当前文件',
+	'main.command.pullCurrentFile': '拉取当前文件',
+	'main.command.pushAllFiles': '推送所有文件',
+	'main.command.pullAllFiles': '拉取所有文件',
+	'main.notice.noActiveNote': '没有可推送的当前笔记',
+	'main.contextMenu.pushTo': '推送至 {service}',
+	'main.contextMenu.pullFrom': '从 {service} 拉取',
+	'main.notice.noFilesToRun': '设置的库文件夹中没有可{op}的文件',
+	'main.confirm.pushAll': '要推送 {count} 个文件至 {service} 吗？',
+	'main.confirm.pullAll': '要从 {service} 拉取 {count} 个文件吗？这将覆盖本机变更。',
+	'main.progress.running': '{verb} 0/{total} 个文件...',
+	'main.progress.step': '{verb} {current}/{total}：{fileName}',
+	'main.notice.runFailed': '{verb}失败：{message}',
+	'main.op.push': '推送',
+	'main.op.pull': '拉取',
+	'main.verb.pushing': '推送中',
+	'main.verb.pulling': '拉取中',
+	'main.verb.push': '推送',
+	'main.verb.pull': '拉取',
+
+	'confirmModal.title': '确认',
+	'confirmModal.confirm': '确认',
+	'confirmModal.cancel': '取消',
+
+	'whatsNew.title': '新功能',
+	'whatsNew.viewChangelog': '查看完整更新日志',
+	'whatsNew.gotIt': '知道了',
+
+	'settings.whatsNewBanner.title': 'v{version} 更新重点',
+	'settings.whatsNewBanner.dismiss': '关闭提示',
+
+	'syncStatus.viewTitle': '同步状态',
+	'syncStatus.emptyPrompt': '点击「刷新」以检查同步状态',
+	'syncStatus.progress.checkingWithCount': '检查文件中… {current}/{total}（{pct}%）',
+	'syncStatus.progress.checking': '检查文件中…',
+	'syncStatus.lastSync': '上次同步：{time}',
+	'syncStatus.tab.all': '全部',
+	'syncStatus.tab.synced': '已同步',
+	'syncStatus.tab.modified': '有变更',
+	'syncStatus.tab.unsynced': '仅本机',
+	'syncStatus.tab.remote-only': '远程',
+	'syncStatus.noFilesForFilter': '没有{filter}的文件',
+	'syncStatus.confirmDeleteLocal': '删除本机文件「{path}」？将依您库的「已删除文件」设置处理。',
+	'syncStatus.notice.deleted': '已删除 {path}',
+	'syncStatus.notice.deleteFailed': '删除失败：{message}',
+	'syncStatus.notice.opFailed': '{verb}失败：{message}',
+	'syncStatus.notice.alreadyRefreshing': '正在刷新中…',
+	'syncStatus.notice.refreshed': '已检查 {local} 个本机文件与 {remote} 个远程文件',
+	'syncStatus.notice.refreshFailed': '刷新失败：{message}',
+	'syncStatus.notice.noPushableFiles.selected': '未选取任何可推送的文件。',
+	'syncStatus.notice.noPushableFiles.found': '没有可推送的文件。',
+	'syncStatus.notice.noPullableFiles.selected': '未选取任何可拉取的文件。',
+	'syncStatus.notice.noPullableFiles.found': '没有可拉取的文件。',
+	'syncStatus.confirm.pushSelected': '要推送 {count} 个文件至 {service} 吗？',
+	'syncStatus.confirm.pullSelected': '要从 {service} 拉取 {count} 个文件吗？这将覆盖本机变更。',
+	'syncStatus.notice.opCompleted': '{verb}完成，刷新中…',
+	'syncStatus.notice.nothingToDelete': '没有可删除的项目',
+	'syncStatus.notice.noFilesSelected': '尚未选取任何文件',
+	'syncStatus.confirmDelete.localAndRemote': '要删除 {local} 个本机文件（依库的回收站设置处理）与 {remote} 个远程文件（无法恢复）吗？',
+	'syncStatus.confirmDelete.localOnly': '要删除 {local} 个本机文件吗？将依您库的「已删除文件」设置处理。',
+	'syncStatus.confirmDelete.remoteOnly': '要删除 {remote} 个远程文件吗？此操作无法恢复。',
+	'syncStatus.notice.deleteResult.partial': '已删除 {succeeded}/{total} 个，{failed} 个失败。',
+	'syncStatus.notice.deleteResult.partialWithMessage': '已删除 {succeeded}/{total} 个，{failed} 个失败：{message}',
+	'syncStatus.notice.deleteResult.success': '已删除 {total} 个文件',
+	'syncStatus.progress.deleting': '删除中 0/{total} 个文件…',
+	'syncStatus.progress.pushing': '推送中 {current}/{total}：{name}',
+	'syncStatus.progress.pulling': '拉取中 {current}/{total}：{name}',
+	'syncStatus.progress.deletingLocal': '删除本机 {current}/{total}：{path}',
+	'syncStatus.progress.deletingRemote': '删除远程 {current}/{total}：{path}',
+
+	'actionBar.select': '选取',
+	'actionBar.refresh': ' 刷新',
+	'actionBar.refreshAll': '刷新所有状态',
+	'actionBar.pushCount': ' 推送（{count}）',
+	'actionBar.pushFiles': '推送 {count} 个文件',
+	'actionBar.pullCount': ' 拉取（{count}）',
+	'actionBar.pullFiles': '拉取 {count} 个文件',
+	'actionBar.deleteCount': ' 删除（{count}）',
+	'actionBar.deleteFiles': '删除 {count} 个文件',
+
+	'syncStatus.status.checking': '检查中',
+
+	'fileListItem.action.push': ' 推送',
+	'fileListItem.action.pull': ' 拉取',
+	'fileListItem.action.remove': ' 移除',
+	'fileListItem.action.diff': ' 差异',
+	'fileListItem.action.hide': ' 隐藏',
+	'fileListItem.tooltip.pushToRemote': '推送至远程',
+	'fileListItem.tooltip.pullFromRemote': '从远程拉取',
+	'fileListItem.tooltip.deleteLocalFile': '删除本机文件',
+	'fileListItem.tooltip.toggleDiff': '切换差异视图',
+	'fileListItem.diff.symlinkChanged': '符号链接目标已变更',
+	'fileListItem.diff.loading': '加载差异中…',
+	'fileListItem.diff.clickToLoad': '点击「差异」以加载…',
+	'fileListItem.diff.binaryChanged': '二进制文件已变更',
+
+	'diffPanel.remote': '远程',
+	'diffPanel.local': '本机',
+
+	'syncConflictModal.title': '{fileName} 发生冲突',
+	'syncConflictModal.description': '远程文件内容有所不同。请查看差异并选择要保留的版本。',
+	'syncConflictModal.tab.diff': '差异',
+	'syncConflictModal.tab.local': '本机',
+	'syncConflictModal.tab.remote': '远程',
+	'syncConflictModal.localVersion': '本机版本',
+	'syncConflictModal.remoteVersion': '远程版本',
+	'syncConflictModal.differences': '差异',
+	'syncConflictModal.keepLocal': '保留本机',
+	'syncConflictModal.keepLocal.tooltip': '以本机内容覆盖远程',
+	'syncConflictModal.keepRemote': '保留远程',
+	'syncConflictModal.keepRemote.tooltip': '以远程内容覆盖本机',
+	'syncConflictModal.cancel': '取消',
+};
+
+export default zhCn;
diff --git a/src/i18n/locales/zh-tw.ts b/src/i18n/locales/zh-tw.ts
index a536f94..c0968b2 100644
--- a/src/i18n/locales/zh-tw.ts
+++ b/src/i18n/locales/zh-tw.ts
@@ -8,6 +8,13 @@ const zhTw: Partial<Record<TranslationKey, string>> = {
 	'settings.connectionStatus.disconnected': '未連線',
 	'settings.connectionStatus.withDetail': '{label} — {detail}',
 
+	'settings.language.name': '語言',
+	'settings.language.desc': '此外掛的介面語言',
+	'settings.language.option.system': '系統預設',
+	'settings.language.option.en': 'English',
+	'settings.language.option.zhTw': '繁體中文',
+	'settings.language.option.zhCn': '简体中文',
+
 	'settings.gitService.name': 'Git 服務',
 	'settings.gitService.desc': '選擇您的 Git 代管服務',
 
@@ -104,6 +111,9 @@ const zhTw: Partial<Record<TranslationKey, string>> = {
 	'whatsNew.viewChangelog': '查看完整更新日誌',
 	'whatsNew.gotIt': '知道了',
 
+	'settings.whatsNewBanner.title': 'v{version} 更新重點',
+	'settings.whatsNewBanner.dismiss': '關閉提示',
+
 	'syncStatus.viewTitle': '同步狀態',
 	'syncStatus.emptyPrompt': '點擊「重新整理」以檢查同步狀態',
 	'syncStatus.progress.checkingWithCount': '檢查檔案中… {current}/{total}（{pct}%）',
diff --git a/src/main.ts b/src/main.ts
index 459571d..55d48f7 100644
--- a/src/main.ts
+++ b/src/main.ts
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ import { ConfirmModal } from './ui/ConfirmModal';
 import { WhatsNewModal } from './ui/WhatsNewModal';
 import { CHANGELOG, getUnseenReleases } from './changelog';
 import { compareVersions } from './utils/version';
-import { t } from './i18n';
+import { t, setLanguageOverride } from './i18n';
 
 export type ConnectionStatusState = 'checking' | 'connected' | 'disconnected';
 
@@ -422,6 +422,7 @@ export default class GitLabFilesPush extends Plugin {
 
 	async loadSettings() {
 		this.settings = Object.assign({}, DEFAULT_SETTINGS, await this.loadData() as Partial<GitLabFilesPushSettings>);
+		setLanguageOverride(this.settings.language);
 	}
 
 	async saveSettings() {
diff --git a/src/settings.ts b/src/settings.ts
index fba6861..1d4370a 100644
--- a/src/settings.ts
+++ b/src/settings.ts
@@ -2,7 +2,8 @@ import {App, PluginSettingTab, Setting, Notice, TextComponent} from 'obsidian';
 import GitLabFilesPush, { type ConnectionStatus } from "./main";
 import {FolderSuggest} from "./ui/FolderSuggest";
 import {RemoteFolderSuggest} from "./ui/RemoteFolderSuggest";
-import { t } from "./i18n";
+import { t, setLanguageOverride, type LanguageSetting } from "./i18n";
+import { CHANGELOG } from "./changelog";
 
 // Minimal shape of Obsidian >= 1.13's SettingDefinitionItem. Declared locally so
 // the plugin still type-checks against older Obsidian typings (minAppVersion
@@ -51,6 +52,10 @@ export interface GitLabFilesPushSettings {
     ignorePatterns: string;
     /** Plugin version last seen by this vault, used to show a "what's new" tip after an update. */
     lastSeenVersion: string;
+    /** Version whose "what's new" banner in the settings tab has been dismissed, if any. */
+    bannerDismissedVersion: string;
+    /** UI language. 'system' follows Obsidian's display language, falling back to English if unsupported. */
+    language: LanguageSetting;
 }
 
 export function getServiceName(settings: GitLabFilesPushSettings): string {
@@ -90,7 +95,9 @@ export const DEFAULT_SETTINGS: GitLabFilesPushSettings = {
 	vaultFolder: '',
 	symlinkHandling: 'real',
 	ignorePatterns: '',
-	lastSeenVersion: ''
+	lastSeenVersion: '',
+	bannerDismissedVersion: '',
+	language: 'system'
 }
 
 const CONNECTION_TEST_DEBOUNCE_MS = 800;
@@ -151,6 +158,41 @@ export class GitLabSyncSettingTab extends PluginSettingTab {
 	// badge element is instead created once per renderSettings pass and
 	// updated in place by setStatusBadge(), driven by the plugin's shared
 	// connection status (see main.ts) so it stays in sync with the status bar.
+	// Persistent (until dismissed) banner surfacing the current version's notable
+	// highlights right at the top of the settings tab, so users who dismissed or
+	// never saw the WhatsNewModal (see main.ts) can still find them. Separate
+	// from `lastSeenVersion` — that gate controls the once-per-upgrade modal,
+	// this one just tracks whether the banner itself was dismissed.
+	private renderWhatsNewBanner(containerEl: HTMLElement): void {
+		const currentVersion = this.plugin.manifest.version;
+		if (this.plugin.settings.bannerDismissedVersion === currentVersion) return;
+
+		const release = CHANGELOG.find(r => r.version === currentVersion);
+		const notableEntries = release?.entries.filter(entry => entry.notable) ?? [];
+		if (notableEntries.length === 0) return;
+
+		const banner = containerEl.createDiv({ cls: 'gfs-whats-new-banner' });
+		const textEl = banner.createDiv({ cls: 'gfs-whats-new-banner-text' });
+		textEl.createEl('strong', { text: t('settings.whatsNewBanner.title', { version: currentVersion }) });
+		const list = textEl.createEl('ul', { cls: 'gfs-whats-new-banner-list' });
+		for (const entry of notableEntries) {
+			list.createEl('li', { text: entry.text });
+		}
+
+		const dismissBtn = banner.createEl('button', {
+			cls: 'gfs-whats-new-banner-dismiss',
+			text: '×',
+			attr: { 'aria-label': t('settings.whatsNewBanner.dismiss') }
+		});
+		dismissBtn.addEventListener('click', () => {
+			void (async () => {
+				this.plugin.settings.bannerDismissedVersion = currentVersion;
+				await this.plugin.saveSettings();
+				this.refresh();
+			})();
+		});
+	}
+
 	private renderConnectionStatus(containerEl: HTMLElement): void {
 		this.statusBadgeEl = containerEl.createDiv({ cls: 'gfs-connection-status' });
 		this.unsubscribeConnectionStatus?.();
@@ -188,8 +230,25 @@ export class GitLabSyncSettingTab extends PluginSettingTab {
 	private renderSettings(containerEl: HTMLElement): void {
 		containerEl.empty();
 
+		this.renderWhatsNewBanner(containerEl);
 		this.renderConnectionStatus(containerEl);
 
+		new Setting(containerEl)
+			.setName(t('settings.language.name'))
+			.setDesc(t('settings.language.desc'))
+			.addDropdown(dropdown => dropdown
+				.addOption('system', t('settings.language.option.system'))
+				.addOption('en', t('settings.language.option.en'))
+				.addOption('zh-tw', t('settings.language.option.zhTw'))
+				.addOption('zh-cn', t('settings.language.option.zhCn'))
+				.setValue(this.plugin.settings.language)
+				.onChange((value: string) => {
+					this.plugin.settings.language = value as LanguageSetting;
+					void this.plugin.saveSettings();
+					setLanguageOverride(this.plugin.settings.language);
+					this.refresh();
+				}));
+
 		new Setting(containerEl)
 			.setName(t('settings.gitService.name'))
 			.setDesc(t('settings.gitService.desc'))
diff --git a/styles.css b/styles.css
index 2580410..28599bf 100644
--- a/styles.css
+++ b/styles.css
@@ -762,3 +762,40 @@
 .ssv-whats-new-notable {
     font-weight: 600;
 }
+
+/* ── Settings "what's new" banner ──────────────────────────────── */
+.gfs-whats-new-banner {
+    display: flex;
+    align-items: flex-start;
+    justify-content: space-between;
+    gap: 12px;
+    padding: 10px 12px;
+    margin-bottom: 12px;
+    border-radius: 8px;
+    background: var(--background-secondary);
+    border: 1px solid var(--background-modifier-border);
+}
+
+.gfs-whats-new-banner-text {
+    flex: 1;
+}
+
+.gfs-whats-new-banner-list {
+    margin: 4px 0 0;
+    padding-left: 20px;
+}
+
+.gfs-whats-new-banner-dismiss {
+    background: none;
+    border: none;
+    box-shadow: none;
+    cursor: pointer;
+    color: var(--text-muted);
+    font-size: 1.1em;
+    line-height: 1;
+    padding: 2px 4px;
+}
+
+.gfs-whats-new-banner-dismiss:hover {
+    color: var(--text-normal);
+}
diff --git a/tests/logic/sync-manager-mapping.test.ts b/tests/logic/sync-manager-mapping.test.ts
index b8fe60b..2f5cc04 100644
--- a/tests/logic/sync-manager-mapping.test.ts
+++ b/tests/logic/sync-manager-mapping.test.ts
@@ -55,6 +55,8 @@ const mockSettings: GitLabFilesPushSettings = {
     symlinkHandling: 'real',
     ignorePatterns: '',
     lastSeenVersion: '',
+    bannerDismissedVersion: '',
+    language: 'system',
 };
 
 describe('SyncManager Mapping', () => {
diff --git a/tests/logic/sync-manager.test.ts b/tests/logic/sync-manager.test.ts
index e68fcca..5c9ed26 100644
--- a/tests/logic/sync-manager.test.ts
+++ b/tests/logic/sync-manager.test.ts
@@ -61,7 +61,9 @@ const mockSettings: GitLabFilesPushSettings = {
     vaultFolder: '',
     symlinkHandling: 'real',
     ignorePatterns: '',
-    lastSeenVersion: ''
+    lastSeenVersion: '',
+    bannerDismissedVersion: '',
+    language: 'system'
 };
 
 describe('SyncManager', () => {
diff --git a/tests/ui/SettingsConnectionStatus.test.ts b/tests/ui/SettingsConnectionStatus.test.ts
index dea319a..6da4ce4 100644
--- a/tests/ui/SettingsConnectionStatus.test.ts
+++ b/tests/ui/SettingsConnectionStatus.test.ts
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ function createPluginStub(testConnection: () => Promise<ConnectionTestResult>):
 
   return {
     settings: { ...DEFAULT_SETTINGS },
+    manifest: { version: '0.0.0-test' },
     saveSettings: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(undefined),
     initializeGitService: vi.fn(),
     gitService: { testConnection },