diff --git a/.claude/settings.local.json b/.claude/settings.local.json
index 1f42c03..abe99cc 100644
--- a/.claude/settings.local.json
+++ b/.claude/settings.local.json
@@ -54,7 +54,9 @@
       "Bash(echo \"=== hexstrike remaining routes ===\" && jq '.routes[] | \"\\\\\\(.method\\) \\\\\\(.path\\) -> \\\\\\(.handler\\)\"' /tmp/cbm-test/patched-hex-arch.json && echo \"\" && echo \"=== hexstrike remaining api-layer packages ===\" && jq '.layers[] | select\\(.layer == \"api\"\\) | \"\\\\\\(.name\\): \\\\\\(.reason\\)\"' /tmp/cbm-test/patched-hex-arch.json | head -5)",
       "Bash(echo \"=== hexstrike baseline routes ===\" && jq '.routes[] | \"\\\\\\(.method\\) \\\\\\(.path\\) -> \\\\\\(.handler\\)\"' /tmp/cbm-test/baseline-hex-arch.json)",
       "Bash(echo \"=== CBM baseline routes ===\" && jq '.routes[] | \"\\\\\\(.method\\) \\\\\\(.path\\) -> \\\\\\(.handler\\)\"' /tmp/cbm-test/baseline-cbm-arch.json)",
-      "Bash(rm -f ~/.cache/codebase-memory-mcp/lump-apps-*.db* && cp ~/.cache/codebase-memory-mcp/baseline-snapshot/*.db ~/.cache/codebase-memory-mcp/ 2>/dev/null; echo \"DBs restored\")"
+      "Bash(rm -f ~/.cache/codebase-memory-mcp/lump-apps-*.db* && cp ~/.cache/codebase-memory-mcp/baseline-snapshot/*.db ~/.cache/codebase-memory-mcp/ 2>/dev/null; echo \"DBs restored\")",
+      "Bash(gh release:*)",
+      "Bash(gh api:*)"
     ]
   },
   "enableAllProjectMcpServers": true,
diff --git a/.github/workflows/build.yml b/.github/workflows/build.yml
index 8de661f..3c5b144 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/build.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/build.yml
@@ -24,9 +24,9 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ${{ matrix.os }}
 
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
 
-      - uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+      - uses: actions/setup-python@v6
         with:
           python-version: "3.11"
 
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ jobs:
         run: pyinstaller conv-tool.spec
 
       - name: Upload artifact
-        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v6
         with:
           name: ${{ matrix.artifact }}
           path: ${{ matrix.binary }}
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ jobs:
 
     steps:
       - name: Download all artifacts
-        uses: actions/download-artifact@v4
+        uses: actions/download-artifact@v7
         with:
           path: artifacts
 
diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests.yml b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
index d93cb1e..a60588a 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
@@ -11,9 +11,9 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
 
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
 
-      - uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+      - uses: actions/setup-python@v6
         with:
           python-version: "3.11"
 
diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 78f01a8..83982cb 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -3,7 +3,11 @@ conversations.json
 user.json
 *.zip
 output/
+output.bak/ 
 *.zip
+tmp/
+tmp_*/
+release_instructions.md
 
 # Sample data — tracked in git (screenshots for README)
 !sample_data/
diff --git a/BINARY_USAGE.md b/BINARY_USAGE.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d86eadb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/BINARY_USAGE.md
@@ -0,0 +1,95 @@
+# conv-tool — Binary Usage
+
+`conv-tool` is a self-contained executable (no Python required) that converts DeepSeek, Claude, and ChatGPT conversation exports into HTML, Markdown, or JSON.
+
+## Download
+
+Grab the latest binary for your platform from the [Releases page](https://github.com/ngallodev-software/conversation-export-workbench/releases/latest):
+
+| Platform | File |
+|---|---|
+| Linux (x86_64) | `conv-tool-linux` |
+| macOS | `conv-tool-macos` |
+| Windows | `conv-tool-windows.exe` |
+
+## Setup
+
+**Linux / macOS** — make executable once:
+```bash
+chmod +x conv-tool-linux   # or conv-tool-macos
+```
+
+**Windows** — double-click opens interactive mode, or run from a terminal:
+```cmd
+conv-tool-windows.exe [options]
+```
+
+## Interactive mode (recommended for first use)
+
+Drop the binary in the same folder as your export `.zip` or `conversations.json`, then run with no arguments:
+
+```bash
+./conv-tool-linux
+```
+
+The tool scans for archives and JSON files, prompts before each action, and optionally builds the SPA viewer at the end.
+
+## CLI reference
+
+```
+conv-tool [options]
+```
+
+| Option | Default | Description |
+|---|---|---|
+| `--input FILE` | `conversations.json` | Path to input JSON or `.zip` archive |
+| `--output DIR` | `output/<provider>/` | Where to write output files |
+| `--provider NAME` | auto-detected | Force provider: `deepseek` \| `claude` \| `chatgpt` |
+| `--format FORMAT` | `html` | Output format: `html` \| `md` \| `json` |
+| `--id ID` | all | Export only the conversation with this ID |
+| `--list` | — | Print all conversations with IDs and exit |
+| `--combined` | — | Write all conversations to a single file |
+| `--yes` / `-y` | prompt | Overwrite existing files without prompting |
+
+## Common examples
+
+```bash
+# List available conversations
+./conv-tool-linux --list
+
+# Export all as HTML (auto-detects provider)
+./conv-tool-linux --format html --yes
+
+# Export directly from a zip
+./conv-tool-linux --input ~/Downloads/claude-export.zip --format html --yes
+
+# Export a single conversation by ID
+./conv-tool-linux --id <uuid>
+
+# One combined HTML file for all conversations
+./conv-tool-linux --format html --combined --yes
+
+# Force provider when auto-detection is ambiguous
+./conv-tool-linux --provider deepseek --format md
+```
+
+## SPA viewer
+
+The binary also bundles the SPA generator. After exporting, build the interactive viewer:
+
+```bash
+./conv-tool-linux --spa --output output/ --yes
+```
+
+Then serve it (requires a real HTTP server for `fetch()`):
+
+```bash
+python3 -m http.server 8080 --directory output/
+# Open http://localhost:8080
+```
+
+## Notes
+
+- The binary is a PyInstaller bundle — no Python installation required.
+- Config and template files (`config/`, `provider_templates/`) are embedded; no extra files needed alongside the binary.
+- For source install, advanced configuration, or adding custom providers, see the [full README](README.md).
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 786a0f5..70590cb 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 A Python CLI with no Python package dependencies that converts **DeepSeek**, **Claude (Anthropic)**, and **ChatGPT (OpenAI)** conversation exports into styled HTML, Markdown, or cleaned JSON — with a built-in interactive single-page viewer.
 
 > **Quick start:** see [QUICKSTART.md](QUICKSTART.md)
+> **Pre-built binary (no Python needed):** see [BINARY_USAGE.md](BINARY_USAGE.md)
 
 ![All providers view](readme_assets/sample-all.png)
 
@@ -27,7 +28,21 @@ A Python CLI with no Python package dependencies that converts **DeepSeek**, **C
 
 ---
 
-## Requirements
+## Download pre-built binary
+
+No Python required. Grab the latest `conv-tool` binary for your platform from the [Releases page](https://github.com/ngallodev-software/conversation-export-workbench/releases/latest):
+
+| Platform | File |
+|---|---|
+| Linux (x86_64) | `conv-tool-linux` |
+| macOS | `conv-tool-macos` |
+| Windows | `conv-tool-windows.exe` |
+
+See [BINARY_USAGE.md](BINARY_USAGE.md) for setup and usage instructions.
+
+---
+
+## Requirements (source install)
 
 - Python **3.10 or newer** (uses `match`-free type hints; no third-party packages)
 
diff --git a/format_conversations.py b/format_conversations.py
index 61088b9..af4b8eb 100644
--- a/format_conversations.py
+++ b/format_conversations.py
@@ -151,17 +151,21 @@ def _extract_zip(zip_path: Path, cwd: Path) -> list[Path]:
     return found
 
 
-def _process_json(json_path: Path, fmt: str, yes: bool):
+def _process_json(json_path: Path, fmt: str, yes: bool, allow_prompt: bool = True):
     """Load, detect, and export a single conversations.json."""
     print(f"\nProcessing {json_path} …")
     data = load_conversations(str(json_path))
     fmt_mod = detect_provider(data)
     if not fmt_mod:
         print(f"  Could not auto-detect provider.")
-        ans = input("  Enter provider [deepseek/claude/chatgpt]: ").strip().lower()
-        fmt_mod = {"deepseek": deepseek, "claude": claude, "chatgpt": chatgpt}.get(ans)
-        if not fmt_mod:
-            print("  Unknown provider — skipping.")
+        if allow_prompt and sys.stdin.isatty():
+            ans = input("  Enter provider [deepseek/claude/chatgpt]: ").strip().lower()
+            fmt_mod = {"deepseek": deepseek, "claude": claude, "chatgpt": chatgpt}.get(ans)
+            if not fmt_mod:
+                print("  Unknown provider — skipping.")
+                return
+        else:
+            print("  Non-interactive mode: skipping file. Use --provider with --input to force.")
             return
 
     print(f"  Provider: {fmt_mod.PROVIDER}  ({len(data)} conversations)")
@@ -208,6 +212,36 @@ def output_stem(conv: dict, idx: int, used: set[str]) -> str:
         safe_write(out_path, content, yes)
 
 
+def non_interactive_mode():
+    """
+    Zero-args non-interactive mode:
+    auto-discover zips/conversations.json and process all with defaults.
+    """
+    cwd = Path(".")
+    print("No arguments given — non-interactive auto mode (format=html, overwrite=yes).\n")
+
+    zips = sorted(cwd.glob("*.zip"))
+    json_candidates: list[Path] = []
+    if zips:
+        print(f"Found {len(zips)} zip file(s):")
+        for z in zips:
+            print(f"  {z.name}")
+            json_candidates.extend(_extract_zip(z, cwd))
+        print()
+
+    all_json = list(cwd.glob("conversations.json"))
+    for p in json_candidates:
+        if p not in all_json:
+            all_json.append(p)
+
+    if not all_json:
+        print("No conversations.json files found. Nothing to do.")
+        return
+
+    for json_path in all_json:
+        _process_json(json_path, fmt="html", yes=True, allow_prompt=False)
+
+
 def interactive_mode():
     """Zero-args interactive mode: discover zips and json files, prompt to process."""
     cwd = Path(".")
@@ -271,14 +305,10 @@ def interactive_mode():
 def main():
     # Zero-args → interactive mode
     if len(sys.argv) == 1:
-        if not sys.stdin.isatty():
-            print(
-                "No arguments provided and no interactive input is available. "
-                "Use --input <conversations.json|zip> and --yes for non-interactive runs.",
-                file=sys.stderr,
-            )
-            sys.exit(2)
-        interactive_mode()
+        if sys.stdin.isatty():
+            interactive_mode()
+        else:
+            non_interactive_mode()
         return
 
     parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(
diff --git a/formatters/chatgpt.py b/formatters/chatgpt.py
index 0c47ed0..16c42db 100644
--- a/formatters/chatgpt.py
+++ b/formatters/chatgpt.py
@@ -165,9 +165,9 @@ def conv_to_html_body(conv: dict) -> str:
     ]
 
     for msg in messages:
-        html = _message_to_html(msg)
-        if html:
-            parts.append(html)
+        message_html = _message_to_html(msg)
+        if message_html:
+            parts.append(message_html)
 
     return "\n".join(parts)
 
diff --git a/formatters/claude.py b/formatters/claude.py
index 9b337f0..e2a30d1 100644
--- a/formatters/claude.py
+++ b/formatters/claude.py
@@ -91,8 +91,8 @@ def conv_to_html_body(conv: dict) -> str:
                         "</div>"
                     )
                 elif btype == "text":
-                    html = markdown_to_html(block.get("text", ""))
-                    inner_parts.append(f'<div class="content">{html}</div>')
+                    rendered_html = markdown_to_html(block.get("text", ""))
+                    inner_parts.append(f'<div class="content">{rendered_html}</div>')
                 # tool_use / tool_result blocks silently skipped
             inner = "\n".join(inner_parts) or "<em>(empty)</em>"
             parts.append(
diff --git a/tests/test_regressions.py b/tests/test_regressions.py
index c9b513b..bd43afd 100644
--- a/tests/test_regressions.py
+++ b/tests/test_regressions.py
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
     sys.path.insert(0, str(ROOT))
 
 import format_conversations
-from formatters import deepseek
+from formatters import chatgpt, claude, deepseek
 
 
 def test_load_conversations_accepts_zip_input(tmp_path: Path):
@@ -33,16 +33,59 @@ def test_deepseek_fragment_search_no_unboundlocalerror():
     assert "https://example.com" in rendered
 
 
-def test_main_zero_args_non_interactive_exits_cleanly(monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch, capsys):
-    monkeypatch.setattr(sys, "argv", ["format_conversations.py"])
-    monkeypatch.setattr(sys.stdin, "isatty", lambda: False)
+def test_claude_html_body_renders_without_unboundlocalerror():
+    conv = {
+        "name": "Claude Test",
+        "created_at": "2026-03-01T00:00:00",
+        "updated_at": "2026-03-01T00:01:00",
+        "chat_messages": [
+            {
+                "sender": "assistant",
+                "created_at": "2026-03-01T00:01:00",
+                "content": [{"type": "text", "text": "hello"}],
+            }
+        ],
+    }
+    body = claude.conv_to_html_body(conv)
+    assert "Claude" in body
+    assert "hello" in body
+
+
+def test_chatgpt_html_body_renders_without_unboundlocalerror():
+    conv = {
+        "id": "id-1",
+        "title": "ChatGPT Test",
+        "create_time": 1700000000.0,
+        "update_time": 1700000060.0,
+        "current_node": "node-1",
+        "mapping": {
+            "node-1": {
+                "parent": None,
+                "message": {
+                    "author": {"role": "assistant"},
+                    "weight": 1,
+                    "create_time": 1700000060.0,
+                    "content": {"content_type": "text", "parts": ["hello"]},
+                },
+            }
+        },
+    }
+    body = chatgpt.conv_to_html_body(conv)
+    assert "ChatGPT" in body
+    assert "hello" in body
 
-    with pytest.raises(SystemExit) as exc:
-        format_conversations.main()
 
-    assert exc.value.code == 2
-    stderr = capsys.readouterr().err
-    assert "No arguments provided and no interactive input is available." in stderr
+def test_main_zero_args_non_interactive_dispatches_auto_mode(monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch):
+    called = {"auto": False}
+
+    def _auto():
+        called["auto"] = True
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(format_conversations, "non_interactive_mode", _auto)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(sys, "argv", ["format_conversations.py"])
+    monkeypatch.setattr(sys.stdin, "isatty", lambda: False)
+    format_conversations.main()
+    assert called["auto"] is True
 
 
 def test_main_provider_prompt_skipped_non_interactive(monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch):