diff --git a/docs/code-bridge/archive/MSG-2026-04-12-phase11d-badges-add-now.md b/docs/code-bridge/archive/MSG-2026-04-12-phase11d-badges-add-now.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f986b29
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/code-bridge/archive/MSG-2026-04-12-phase11d-badges-add-now.md
@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+# Chronicler Dispatch — Add Badge Build Now
+
+**Date:** 2026-04-12
+**From:** Chronicler #84 — The Meridian
+**To:** Code
+
+---
+
+## Decision: Add it now
+
+Michael wants to test on the live panel (which has additional Blueprint modules) as the real-world validation. If `yarn build:production` succeeds there, badges ship in v1.0.0 — not v1.1.0.
+
+Go ahead and add the Node version detection + badge build to build.sh now. Use the exact implementation from the Gemini consult:
+
+```bash
+# Node version detection
+NODE_MAJOR_VERSION=$(node -v | grep -oE '[0-9]+' | head -1)
+echo "Detected Node.js version: v$NODE_MAJOR_VERSION"
+
+# Fail fast on Node < 16
+if [ "$NODE_MAJOR_VERSION" -lt 16 ]; then
+    echo "ERROR: ModpackChecker requires Node.js 16 or higher."
+    echo "Please upgrade Node.js on your panel and try again."
+    exit 1
+fi
+
+# Apply OpenSSL legacy provider for Node 17+
+if [ "$NODE_MAJOR_VERSION" -ge 17 ]; then
+    echo "Applying OpenSSL legacy provider for Node 17+ compatibility..."
+    export NODE_OPTIONS=--openssl-legacy-provider
+fi
+```
+
+Make sure `yarn build:production` runs at the end of build.sh after all injections.
+
+Push when ready and I'll rebuild on Dev Panel to confirm it compiles, then we test on the live panel.
+
+*— Chronicler #84, The Meridian*
+**Fire + Frost + Foundation** 💙🔥❄️
diff --git a/services/modpack-version-checker/blueprint-extension/build.sh b/services/modpack-version-checker/blueprint-extension/build.sh
index 8697546..783d7af 100755
--- a/services/modpack-version-checker/blueprint-extension/build.sh
+++ b/services/modpack-version-checker/blueprint-extension/build.sh
@@ -27,6 +27,23 @@ fi
 
 echo "Using extension directory: $EXT_DIR"
 
+# ===========================================
+# 0. NODE VERSION DETECTION
+# ===========================================
+NODE_MAJOR_VERSION=$(node -v | grep -oE '[0-9]+' | head -1)
+echo "Detected Node.js version: v$NODE_MAJOR_VERSION"
+
+if [ "$NODE_MAJOR_VERSION" -lt 16 ]; then
+    echo "ERROR: ModpackChecker requires Node.js 16 or higher."
+    echo "Please upgrade Node.js on your panel and try again."
+    exit 1
+fi
+
+if [ "$NODE_MAJOR_VERSION" -ge 17 ]; then
+    echo "Applying OpenSSL legacy provider for Node 17+ compatibility..."
+    export NODE_OPTIONS=--openssl-legacy-provider
+fi
+
 # ===========================================
 # 1. CONSOLE WIDGET INJECTION (Right Column)
 # ===========================================
@@ -131,13 +148,24 @@ echo ""
 echo "--- Cache Clear ---"
 php artisan optimize:clear 2>/dev/null && echo "✓ Laravel caches cleared" || echo "⚠ Cache clear skipped (non-fatal)"
 
+# ===========================================
+# 6. COMPILE FRONTEND ASSETS
+# ===========================================
+echo ""
+echo "--- Frontend Build ---"
+if command -v yarn &>/dev/null; then
+    echo "Running yarn build:production (this may take 2-5 minutes)..."
+    yarn build:production 2>&1 && echo "✓ Frontend assets compiled" || echo "⚠ Frontend build failed — dashboard badges will not render, but admin + console features work fine"
+else
+    echo "⚠ yarn not found — skipping frontend build. Dashboard badges require manual yarn build:production"
+fi
+
 echo ""
 echo "=========================================="
-echo "ModpackChecker injection complete!"
+echo "ModpackChecker build complete!"
 echo "=========================================="
 echo ""
 echo "Next steps:"
-echo "  1. Run: yarn build:production"
-echo "  2. Restart: systemctl restart php8.3-fpm"
-echo "  3. Test cron: php artisan modpackchecker:check"
+echo "  1. Restart: systemctl restart php8.3-fpm"
+echo "  2. Test cron: php artisan modpackchecker:check"
 echo ""