How Bitfield Creek Labs signs Windows software
Bitfield Creek Labs Windows installers are digitally signed using Microsoft Azure Artifact Signing. The certificate is issued to Halo Softworks LLC, the legal name of the company behind Bitfield Creek Labs, so that is the publisher Windows shows. A valid signature confirms that the installer was published by us and has not been modified since it was signed.
Download installers only from www.bitfieldcreek.com or product download pages linked from this site. Product pages show the expected filename, version, SHA-512 checksum, and release date for the current installer.
Why SmartScreen may warn about a new publisher
Microsoft Defender SmartScreen uses reputation signals associated with downloaded files and software publishers. New publishers may not yet have enough download history for Windows to recognize their software immediately.
A SmartScreen message saying an app is unrecognized is different from a malware detection. You should still verify the publisher and signature before continuing.
Bitfield Creek Labs does not recommend disabling SmartScreen. Instead, verify that:
- The installer came from
bitfieldcreek.com - The publisher is shown as Halo Softworks LLC
- The digital signature is valid
- The SHA-512 checksum matches the value on the download page
How to verify the publisher and digital signature
Option A: Windows Explorer
- Right-click the downloaded installer.
- Select Properties.
- Open the Digital Signatures tab.
- Select the Halo Softworks LLC signature.
- Choose Details.
- Confirm that Windows reports that the digital signature is valid.
Option B: PowerShell
Get-AuthenticodeSignature .\YourInstaller.exe | Format-List *Expected result:
Status: Valid- Signer certificate subject or publisher: Halo Softworks LLC
How to verify a SHA-512 checksum
Each product download page lists the SHA-512 digest published with the release channel manifest for that installer. In PowerShell:
Get-FileHash .\YourInstaller.exe -Algorithm SHA512
Compare the Hash value with the checksum shown on the
Aura Wire AI Command Center or
Aura Terran Knowledge download page
(case-insensitive).
Why the Aura Wire AI Command Center Windows installer may request administrator permission
These prompts belong to Capture, the Windows add-on that puts Cursor’s native chat and other programs through the local pipeline. The VS Code extension never asks for them.
Aura Wire AI Command Center can install a local certificate so Capture can inspect allowlisted AI traffic sent through its local proxy. Windows requires administrator approval before a trusted certificate can be added. Aura Wire AI Command Center does not install this certificate silently; you must explicitly approve the operation.
The installer also sets up a one-time elevated redirect service so selected programs can be
routed through the local proxy without writing http.proxy settings. That install
requires administrator approval; per-editor switches afterward do not. See the
setup guide for details.
What Bitfield Creek Labs does not recommend
- Do not disable Microsoft Defender SmartScreen to install software.
- Do not run an installer if the publisher is not Halo Softworks LLC.
- Do not run an installer with an invalid or missing digital signature.
- Do not trust downloads from URLs outside Bitfield Creek Labs–controlled domains.
Report a suspicious or damaged download
Do not run the installer if the publisher is not Halo Softworks LLC, the signature is invalid, or the checksum does not match. Contact Bitfield Creek Labs support and include the product name, filename, and the exact Windows message you received.
Contact support or email contact@bitfieldcreek.com.
FAQ
Why does Windows say the app is unrecognized?
Bitfield Creek Labs is a new software publisher, so Microsoft Defender SmartScreen may not yet have enough reputation data for every installer or release. Installers are digitally signed. Confirm that the publisher is Halo Softworks LLC and that the digital signature is valid before continuing.
Why does the publisher say Halo Softworks LLC and not Bitfield Creek Labs?
Halo Softworks LLC is the registered legal name of the company that operates Bitfield Creek Labs. Code-signing certificates are issued to the legal entity, so Windows shows that name rather than the brand. Both refer to the same company.
Is the installer digitally signed?
Yes. Bitfield Creek Labs signs Windows installers using Microsoft Azure Artifact Signing. You can verify the signature from the file’s Properties dialog under Digital Signatures.
Should I disable SmartScreen?
No. Bitfield Creek Labs does not recommend disabling SmartScreen. Verify the publisher, digital signature, download domain, and SHA-512 checksum instead.
Why does Aura Wire AI Command Center ask to install a certificate?
Only the Windows installer does, for Capture. Aura Wire AI Command Center uses a local certificate to inspect allowlisted HTTPS traffic sent through its local AI proxy. Windows requires administrator approval to trust that certificate. The app explains the action before requesting approval and does not install the certificate silently. Capturing editors also requires a one-time elevated redirect service install (UAC); per-editor switches afterward do not. The VS Code extension needs neither.
What should I do if the publisher is not Halo Softworks LLC?
Do not run the installer. Delete it and download a fresh copy directly from the Bitfield Creek Labs website. Contact support if the problem continues.