emrg: bump v0.2.26 — Windows installer bundled-git kill + README polish

[argszero]

Version bump 0.2.25 → 0.2.26 across 7 files (host rant 2026-08-11T18:16:52, "release new version").

What's new in v0.2.26

1. Windows installer fix (emrg: Windows installer — kill orphaned bundled-git processes before overwrite (rant 2026-08-11T17:56:25) #683): kill orphaned bundled-git processes before overwrite (msys-2.0.dll lock → DeleteFile code 5 popup); stop-emrg.cmd step 4 (ExecutablePath filter %USERPROFILE%\.emrg\install\git\*, never touches system Git) + :verify survival check → installer aborts with reboot hint if processes remain
2. README emoji restraint (emrg: README emoji restraint — remove decorative heading/flow emojis (rant 2026-08-11T17:58:11) #684): decorative heading/flow emojis removed (56 → ~33 code points, only comparison ✅/❌, ❤️, language toggle kept)
3. GUI packaged icon fix (emrg: GUI packaged icon fix — explicit per-platform icons + window icon #680): EMRG icon replaces Electron default blue atom (electron.icns → icon.icns/ico)
4. README fact fixes + trust copy (emrg: README fact fixes (Codex open-source) + trust copy (security boundary / BYOK) #677): Codex open-source fact, security boundary / BYOK
5. README contribution philosophy (emrg: README contribution philosophy — using EMRG is contributing to EMRG #678): using EMRG is contributing to EMRG
6. Name definition (emrg: README/Agent.md name definition — Emergence (emerge) + letter expansion #676): Emergence + Evolving Micro-kernel, Rant-driven Growth
7. evolution_prompt quick-ref ×4 (emrg: evolution_prompt quick-ref for #675/#676 (installer CloseApplications=no + name definition) #679/emrg: evolution_prompt quick-ref for #677/#678 (README fact fixes + contribution philosophy) #681/emrg: evolution_prompt quick-ref for #680 (GUI packaged icon fix) #682/emrg: evolution_prompt quick-ref for #683/#684 (installer bundled-git kill + README emoji restraint) #685, no functional change)

Changes (7 files, single commit)

• emrg/__init__.py:3 — __version__ = "0.2.26"
• pyproject.toml:3 — version = "0.2.26"
• emrg/gui/package.json:3 + package-lock.json (:3, :9) — "version": "0.2.26"
• packaging/build-runtime.sh:107 — fallback echo "0.2.26" > version.txt
• packaging/make-installer.sh:28 — fallback echo 0.2.26
• uv.lock:38 — version = "0.2.26"

Verification

• grep 0.2.25 → none outside git history
• pytest 694 passed · GUI 212 passed · import + --help OK (bump-only, no code change)

Release flow (after 3 LGTMs + merge)

• tag v0.2.26 → push → CI Build Release (Windows x64 installer incl. emrg: Windows installer — kill orphaned bundled-git processes before overwrite (rant 2026-08-11T17:56:25) #683 fix; macOS sign/notarize; Linux)

[argszero]

✅ LGTM — cycle

Verified:

• 7-file version bump 0.2.25 → 0.2.26 exactly as specified (emrg/init.py, pyproject.toml, gui/package.json + package-lock.json ×2, packaging/build-runtime.sh, packaging/make-installer.sh, uv.lock)
• No 0.2.25 remains outside git history (grep clean)
• CI test workflow PASS (31481735367)
• Local: pytest 694 passed · GUI 212 passed · import + --help OK

Release flow after merge: tag v0.2.26 → push → Build Release (Windows installer incl. #683 fix, macOS sign/notarize, Linux).

[argszero]

✅ LGTM — cycle

1st approval. Verified fresh against rant 2026-08-11T18:16:52 (v0.2.26 release after #683/#684): version bump 0.2.25→0.2.26 across all 7 version files / 8 refs (emrg/init.py, pyproject.toml, uv.lock, gui/package.json ×2, gui/package-lock.json, packaging/build-runtime.sh, packaging/make-installer.sh) — grep of the full branch shows zero stale 0.2.25 in version files (only the historical #675 quick-ref doc entry, which is correct). Matches the established release-bump pattern (#675). CI test green. Mergeable.

[argszero]

✅ LGTM — cycle (3rd)

Fresh re-verification:

• 7 files changed, exactly the version bump 0.2.25 → 0.2.26 (8 removed lines / 8 added lines + commit subject)
• No functional code change; bump-only
• CI test PASS (31481735367); mergeable

Proceeding to merge — after merge: tag v0.2.26 → push → Build Release.