diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 7b5b5d3..65bfa3f 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -11,6 +11,19 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0
- **Recipe scraps tips** — During cooking steps, detect "waste" generated (peels, cores, bones, eggshells, coffee grounds, citrus zest, etc.) and surface AI-powered tips on how to reuse them (compost, natural cleaner, broth, candied peel, etc.). Could be shown as an optional collapsible hint card below the step that generates the scrap.
+## [1.7.23] - 2026-05-18
+
+### Added
+- **⚙️ Generali tab** — new first tab in Settings groups all global settings: language, currency, theme, screensaver, zero-waste tips, inventory export. Old Language tab removed.
+- **DB auto-cleanup** — `RECIPE_RETENTION_DAYS` (default 7) and `TRANSACTION_RETENTION_DAYS` (default 7) added to `.env`; old rows are deleted automatically every cron cycle, followed by `VACUUM` to compact the database. Manual trigger: `GET /api/?action=db_cleanup`.
+- **Vacuum-sealed expiry grace period** — `VACUUM_EXPIRY_EXTENSION_DAYS` (default 30): vacuum-sealed products are only flagged as expired N days *after* the printed date, preventing false alarms on long-lasting items like cured meats.
+- **Gemini AI usage tracking** — monthly and yearly token/cost stats now shown in Settings → ℹ️ Info tab, using tracked data from `data/ai_usage.json`. Cost rates configurable via `GEMINI_COST_25F_IN/OUT` and `GEMINI_COST_20F_IN/OUT` in `.env`.
+
+### Changed
+- **Auto theme is now time-based** — "Automatico" mode switches to dark at 20:00 and back to light at 07:00, based on server/device clock (not OS preference). Re-evaluates every 5 minutes; ideal for always-on kiosk displays.
+- **`dispensa.db` auto-deleted** — if the legacy empty `dispensa.db` file appears alongside `evershelf.db`, it is now removed automatically by the health check.
+- **ZeroWaste tips and screensaver timeout** — these settings were not being persisted to `.env` on save (missing from POST payload); fixed.
+
## [1.7.22] - 2026-05-17
### Fixed
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index f048c1f..3a3d128 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -38,10 +38,11 @@
## ✨ Features
-> ♻️ **New in v1.7.19 — Zero-waste cooking tips**
-> During cooking, EverShelf shows a contextual ♻️ tip card for each step that generates reusable scraps — peels, cooking water, egg whites, cheese rinds, bread crusts and more.
-> Tips are generated by Gemini *as part of the recipe* at zero extra API cost, shown inline in cooking mode, and dismissible per step.
-> Enable the toggle in **Settings → Zero-waste tips** (default: off).
+> ⚙️ **New in v1.7.23 — Global settings tab, DB auto-cleanup, vacuum-sealed expiry**
+> A new **Generali** tab groups all global settings (language, currency, theme, screensaver, zero-waste, export) in one place.
+> Recipes older than `RECIPE_RETENTION_DAYS` and transactions older than `TRANSACTION_RETENTION_DAYS` are deleted automatically every cron cycle, followed by a SQLite `VACUUM` to keep the database small.
+> Vacuum-sealed products get an extended grace period (`VACUUM_EXPIRY_EXTENSION_DAYS`, default 30 days) before being flagged as expired.
+> Auto theme now follows **time of day** (dark 20:00–07:00) instead of the OS setting, making it server-friendly.
### 📦 Inventory Management
- **Export inventory** — Download the full inventory as a UTF-8 CSV (Excel-compatible) or open a print-ready page to save as PDF; export button always visible in the inventory page header
@@ -50,7 +51,7 @@
- **Smart locations** — Track items across Pantry, Fridge, Freezer, and custom locations
- **Expiry tracking** — Automatic shelf-life estimation based on product type and storage
- **Opened product tracking** — Reduced shelf-life calculation when packages are opened; opened-product expiry is now also checked when building banner alerts (not just the dashboard section)
-- **Vacuum-sealed support** — Extended expiry dates for vacuum-sealed items
+- **Vacuum-sealed support** — Extended expiry dates for vacuum-sealed items; products sealed under vacuum are only flagged as expired after a configurable grace period past the printed date (`VACUUM_EXPIRY_EXTENSION_DAYS`, default 30 days, configurable in `.env`)
- **Anomaly detection** — Banner alerts for suspicious quantities and consumption predictions with inline correction; dismiss button now shows the current inventory quantity so the action is unambiguous ("Quantity is correct (2 pcs)")
### 🤖 AI-Powered (Google Gemini)
@@ -98,9 +99,15 @@
- **Quick-access buttons** — Recently used and most popular products shown on the inventory page for fast access
### 🌙 Appearance
-- **Dark mode** — Three modes: Light, Dark, and Auto (follows the OS/browser setting); theme is applied before the first render to prevent a white flash on dark-mode systems; toggle in Settings → Appearance
+- **Dark mode** — Three modes: Light, Dark, and Auto (time-based: dark from 20:00 to 07:00, light otherwise); applies immediately without page reload; auto mode re-evaluates every 5 minutes, so night/day transitions happen automatically even on always-on kiosk displays; theme is applied before the first render to prevent a white flash
+- **Global settings tab** — A dedicated **⚙️ Generali** tab groups all system-wide settings (language, currency, theme, screensaver, zero-waste tips, export) at the top of the Settings panel
-### 📱 Progressive Web App
+### �️ Database Maintenance
+- **Automatic cleanup** — Recipes older than `RECIPE_RETENTION_DAYS` (default 7) and transactions older than `TRANSACTION_RETENTION_DAYS` (default 7) are deleted automatically on every cron cycle; SQLite `VACUUM` runs after each cleanup to keep the file compact
+- **Manual cleanup** — Trigger immediately via `GET /api/?action=db_cleanup`
+- **Compact by default** — Fresh installs stay small; large accumulated databases shrink back to a few hundred KB within one cron cycle
+
+### �📱 Progressive Web App
- **Mobile-first design** — Optimized for phones, works on tablets and desktop
- **Installable** — Add to home screen for a native app experience
- **Multi-device** — All user data (shopping tags, pinned items, location preferences, scan history) is stored server-side in SQLite and shared across every device on the same instance; no data is siloed in a single browser's localStorage
@@ -192,6 +199,19 @@ TTS_URL=http://your-home-assistant:8123/api/events/tts_speak
TTS_TOKEN=your_long_lived_token
TTS_ENABLED=true
+# Optional: DB retention and cleanup (applied automatically each cron cycle)
+RECIPE_RETENTION_DAYS=7 # delete recipe plans older than N days
+TRANSACTION_RETENTION_DAYS=7 # delete stock transactions older than N days
+
+# Optional: Vacuum-sealed expiry grace period
+VACUUM_EXPIRY_EXTENSION_DAYS=30 # extra days before vacuum-sealed items are flagged expired
+
+# Optional: Gemini cost rates (USD per million tokens, for the Info tab cost estimate)
+GEMINI_COST_25F_IN=0.15
+GEMINI_COST_25F_OUT=0.60
+GEMINI_COST_20F_IN=0.10
+GEMINI_COST_20F_OUT=0.40
+
# Optional: Security — protect the save_settings endpoint
# Set a strong random string; the Settings UI will ask for it before saving
SETTINGS_TOKEN=
diff --git a/index.html b/index.html
index 02e4a52..f5eb4a3 100644
--- a/index.html
+++ b/index.html
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@
- v1.7.22
+ v1.7.23
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@
