diff --git a/docs/code-bridge/archive/MSG-2026-04-12-current-version-empty.md b/docs/code-bridge/archive/MSG-2026-04-12-current-version-empty.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b36b6cf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/code-bridge/archive/MSG-2026-04-12-current-version-empty.md
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+# Chronicler Dispatch — current_version empty, widget shows NOT CONFIGURED
+
+**Date:** 2026-04-12
+**From:** Chronicler #84 — The Meridian
+**To:** Code
+
+---
+
+## State of modpackchecker_servers table
+
+```
+a0efbfe8 | curseforge | up_to_date | current=  | latest=FTB StoneBlock 4 1.10.0
+9310d0a6 | curseforge | up_to_date | current=  | latest=Society - Capital Hill - 0.20.0
+82e63949 | curseforge | up_to_date | current=  | latest=All the Mods 10-6.6
+```
+
+22 records created ✅ — detection working.
+
+## Two Issues
+
+**1. `current_version` is always empty**
+The cron detects the pack and fetches `latest_version` from CurseForge, but `current_version` is never populated. Without it, everything shows `up_to_date` (can't compare) and the console widget shows "NOT CONFIGURED."
+
+Where should `current_version` come from?
+- Egg variable `MODPACK_CURRENT_VERSION`? (requires egg change — not ideal)
+- A file on the server like `version.json` or `instance.json`?
+- The `modpack_installations` table — does it have a version column?
+
+**2. Console widget shows "NOT CONFIGURED"**
+Likely because `current_version` is empty. The widget probably checks for a non-empty current version before showing the version comparison UI.
+
+Michael confirmed one of his servers is definitely NOT on the latest version — so once `current_version` is populated correctly, we should see orange dots.
+
+*— Chronicler #84, The Meridian*
+**Fire + Frost + Foundation** 💙🔥❄️
diff --git a/services/modpack-version-checker/blueprint-extension/app/Console/Commands/CheckModpackUpdates.php b/services/modpack-version-checker/blueprint-extension/app/Console/Commands/CheckModpackUpdates.php
index fe68600..81ab7e7 100644
--- a/services/modpack-version-checker/blueprint-extension/app/Console/Commands/CheckModpackUpdates.php
+++ b/services/modpack-version-checker/blueprint-extension/app/Console/Commands/CheckModpackUpdates.php
@@ -221,15 +221,31 @@ class CheckModpackUpdates extends Command
     {
         try {
             $latestData = $this->apiService->fetchLatestVersion($platform, $modpackId);
+            $latestVersion = $latestData['version'] ?? 'Unknown';
+
+            // Get current_version: egg variable > existing DB record > seed with latest
             $currentVersion = $this->getVariable($server, 'MODPACK_CURRENT_VERSION');
-            $updateAvailable = $currentVersion && $currentVersion !== $latestData['version'];
+
+            if (empty($currentVersion)) {
+                $existing = DB::table('modpackchecker_servers')
+                    ->where('server_uuid', $server->uuid)
+                    ->first();
+                $currentVersion = $existing->current_version ?? null;
+            }
+
+            // First time seeing this server — seed current_version with latest
+            if (empty($currentVersion)) {
+                $currentVersion = $latestVersion;
+            }
+
+            $updateAvailable = $currentVersion !== $latestVersion;
 
             $this->updateDatabase($server, [
                 'platform' => $platform,
                 'modpack_id' => $modpackId,
                 'modpack_name' => $latestData['name'],
                 'current_version' => $currentVersion,
-                'latest_version' => $latestData['version'],
+                'latest_version' => $latestVersion,
                 'status' => $updateAvailable ? 'update_available' : 'up_to_date',
                 'detection_method' => $method,
                 'error_message' => null,
@@ -237,7 +253,7 @@ class CheckModpackUpdates extends Command
             ]);
 
             $icon = $updateAvailable ? '🟠 UPDATE' : '🟢 OK';
-            $this->info("  {$icon}: {$latestData['name']} — {$latestData['version']} [{$method}]");
+            $this->info("  {$icon}: {$latestData['name']} — current: {$currentVersion}, latest: {$latestVersion} [{$method}]");
 
         } catch (\Exception $e) {
             $this->error("  Error: {$e->getMessage()}");