diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 8127e4d..2f032ca 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@
     "input-otp": "^1.4.2",
     "lucide-react": "^0.485.0",
     "mermaid": "^11.16.0",
-    "next": "15.5.20",
+    "next": "15.5.21",
     "next-themes": "^0.4.6",
     "react": "^19.1.0",
     "react-day-picker": "^8.10.1",
diff --git a/pnpm-lock.yaml b/pnpm-lock.yaml
index 2169dc9..53b0378 100644
--- a/pnpm-lock.yaml
+++ b/pnpm-lock.yaml
@@ -144,8 +144,8 @@ importers:
         specifier: ^11.16.0
         version: 11.16.0
       next:
-        specifier: 15.5.20
-        version: 15.5.20(@types/node@24.13.3)(react-dom@19.1.0(react@19.1.0))(react@19.1.0)
+        specifier: 15.5.21
+        version: 15.5.21(@types/node@24.13.3)(react-dom@19.1.0(react@19.1.0))(react@19.1.0)
       next-themes:
         specifier: ^0.4.6
         version: 0.4.6(react-dom@19.1.0(react@19.1.0))(react@19.1.0)
@@ -757,70 +757,70 @@ packages:
       '@emnapi/core': ^1.7.1
       '@emnapi/runtime': ^1.7.1
 
-  '@next/env@15.5.20':
+  '@next/env@15.5.21':
     resolution:
-      { integrity: sha512-dXh51Wvddf8daEyBXryZZEe1FdVxEWx9lgaTseLZUtC1XP/W8Wri+Z+VPOElHlByk23CyqHdc2oVByX7wsTWsw== }
+      { integrity: sha512-hjJI/GfrjWHgNguRIBzItjRRu0m3Nrz17GhxsjuHfjIvg9hyg3239REd2dpI+bpMTFuVrVprHzEQ19m++cDtbw== }
 
   '@next/eslint-plugin-next@15.5.20':
     resolution:
       { integrity: sha512-MZUgFpVd9rGSZpb8bNceUWvkAZe6aQw/6h2SSqHQuYzKfaiEUEVPIO6mXqaBmiBEBSN1f1sOc1uV8GCM90oegg== }
 
-  '@next/swc-darwin-arm64@15.5.20':
+  '@next/swc-darwin-arm64@15.5.21':
     resolution:
-      { integrity: sha512-in0yXG7/pRBVjWeEl7f7ZZETpletSMFKXVS4GJgHENTPVrJFNJKPrYewa9rpZcvdjwFece5fZP0CK34G4PxowA== }
+      { integrity: sha512-ZfjqPEdi6TRC/fWx7UDbwb1fbVgyh2uD5tVTRKIDZDlYM+UNuE/LafDG2fwuAoZilADpABh46OY/F5qf9JjqLQ== }
     engines: { node: '>= 10' }
     cpu: [arm64]
     os: [darwin]
 
-  '@next/swc-darwin-x64@15.5.20':
+  '@next/swc-darwin-x64@15.5.21':
     resolution:
-      { integrity: sha512-0hsFshdPnTzGJdDTHeHJ+XPUShOpnyp9pUFDwDhqctsA0Cd8NcIVGRPtptYhgYY9DjkKgCDRkXxmgRc+CgT5Wg== }
+      { integrity: sha512-TlCf1NpxgQLzTrexuev75xwmNCJMd1/qkJpTVP1GRRcih93hlIBn1P72hkh8T0gnRFr6BmWksQtbyG3jT6jnww== }
     engines: { node: '>= 10' }
     cpu: [x64]
     os: [darwin]
 
-  '@next/swc-linux-arm64-gnu@15.5.20':
+  '@next/swc-linux-arm64-gnu@15.5.21':
     resolution:
-      { integrity: sha512-DMvkoBtAABOzE6pMZRW/xNm7sKqql3wzzzZJ1R/d/rp4BCxv6LykouD3tHjGY8WdQqGpZs11t+R9AtjPxvvljw== }
+      { integrity: sha512-LXRsq1p+HvHSi7ygwNcSEEcK0zuo5jS75ZlqFHtOH+LF7qntXAJVJxah+1Pi/GyBm7EpkwU7m4EgbvIKrMqm9A== }
     engines: { node: '>= 10' }
     cpu: [arm64]
     os: [linux]
     libc: [glibc]
 
-  '@next/swc-linux-arm64-musl@15.5.20':
+  '@next/swc-linux-arm64-musl@15.5.21':
     resolution:
-      { integrity: sha512-RQmDfeYBtXV2FSId7dfA1hE6M/T6+g7wdbYnFQ47tw/gUBwV+CccLVejNmCGa9yLDitk83foeg8hl/3DjfYQ5g== }
+      { integrity: sha512-hyGixhFxpDKjqoev6l4KlcRBlt9AXWrGhDZwmwg49sMJM5tnKQPSi+SEj9+e5n+l/bthRGZUdh59GKIs6lQPRw== }
     engines: { node: '>= 10' }
     cpu: [arm64]
     os: [linux]
     libc: [musl]
 
-  '@next/swc-linux-x64-gnu@15.5.20':
+  '@next/swc-linux-x64-gnu@15.5.21':
     resolution:
-      { integrity: sha512-DkWLEdKajJwdGt27M3i1VEO2kelTvZrK6Pcb7JvW2BY+nofWm7FBsBNDj7g7Pr1NuQ5PLJvqEqYa20GTsBDnKQ== }
+      { integrity: sha512-qfE+YfOba6S2+13e8qn1/UozDVNZ2clBlrs8UtDoax4s8ediu6sq93z66OEHUYlb69Tffh5JTNkgtsAKiSuugg== }
     engines: { node: '>= 10' }
     cpu: [x64]
     os: [linux]
     libc: [glibc]
 
-  '@next/swc-linux-x64-musl@15.5.20':
+  '@next/swc-linux-x64-musl@15.5.21':
     resolution:
-      { integrity: sha512-rAO5b7pKHvX+ExdmJskusDXTNbiNZfptifIPZItbUx+AOXxxTydVBsPt7Oz84DRd5mY8e0DcE8kvLj3AIfjE6w== }
+      { integrity: sha512-BXLGG+EvIwp/Rrgl6HY8sqvD6BOUOIRz8/naDbeLNX7mlA5H2XRcL6MW/0IGnJISfj5BA9gNhFyJj5yOoiIDJQ== }
     engines: { node: '>= 10' }
     cpu: [x64]
     os: [linux]
     libc: [musl]
 
-  '@next/swc-win32-arm64-msvc@15.5.20':
+  '@next/swc-win32-arm64-msvc@15.5.21':
     resolution:
-      { integrity: sha512-Hp3zFsN8N8Kj9+vY6L4vnZ9EtA9eXyATu0q4EfGbZTiocgPUNSfz8NWhym6xvaOmHpJ8EuoypuU1WejCPsTFtg== }
+      { integrity: sha512-tNGNOlT0Wn7E4IMsSnufjXN/l2L2/AGdLLpa2vzS89SYCBuihgLn3ngLsIrvndAnWo9nAkus+4gZHTI/Ijx9HA== }
     engines: { node: '>= 10' }
     cpu: [arm64]
     os: [win32]
 
-  '@next/swc-win32-x64-msvc@15.5.20':
+  '@next/swc-win32-x64-msvc@15.5.21':
     resolution:
-      { integrity: sha512-T/L7CXpR1M0wij/xbF3rT1+7KvSkfOLr7C+ToHHWZTG2eKmb52C5WvsyGCBNtkVvDEUESWkRUbbqSH4rSbOCYQ== }
+      { integrity: sha512-DmIdWmC9p4rdNIiQqo8ap0+Cnj6kKtTZnuSCxoYydSc8sgpDgAg9wFhxplunak9imLV0pTvc5WVCOHwm5eHLtQ== }
     engines: { node: '>= 10' }
     cpu: [x64]
     os: [win32]
@@ -3909,9 +3909,9 @@ packages:
       react: ^16.8 || ^17 || ^18 || ^19 || ^19.0.0-rc
       react-dom: ^16.8 || ^17 || ^18 || ^19 || ^19.0.0-rc
 
-  next@15.5.20:
+  next@15.5.21:
     resolution:
-      { integrity: sha512-cvyS3/geydan1xLtE3FA8VCgdoQ/Gg/dlOldFkFCbB5VcVYJV7090hQLBnvTW2PwT76Z/dHdzDZCsVhZpoOlUA== }
+      { integrity: sha512-/TsdBtkWLhkl+NVL3Uqws2UphNd6IPzOtzSk1fHaf+0P7GQKLZDUytyhns/Ykbzdy9+YRjwG7ONvrHaaTDdFqQ== }
     engines: { node: ^18.18.0 || ^19.8.0 || >= 20.0.0 }
     hasBin: true
     peerDependencies:
@@ -5484,34 +5484,34 @@ snapshots:
       '@tybys/wasm-util': 0.10.3
     optional: true
 
-  '@next/env@15.5.20': {}
+  '@next/env@15.5.21': {}
 
   '@next/eslint-plugin-next@15.5.20':
     dependencies:
       fast-glob: 3.3.1
 
-  '@next/swc-darwin-arm64@15.5.20':
+  '@next/swc-darwin-arm64@15.5.21':
     optional: true
 
-  '@next/swc-darwin-x64@15.5.20':
+  '@next/swc-darwin-x64@15.5.21':
     optional: true
 
-  '@next/swc-linux-arm64-gnu@15.5.20':
+  '@next/swc-linux-arm64-gnu@15.5.21':
     optional: true
 
-  '@next/swc-linux-arm64-musl@15.5.20':
+  '@next/swc-linux-arm64-musl@15.5.21':
     optional: true
 
-  '@next/swc-linux-x64-gnu@15.5.20':
+  '@next/swc-linux-x64-gnu@15.5.21':
     optional: true
 
-  '@next/swc-linux-x64-musl@15.5.20':
+  '@next/swc-linux-x64-musl@15.5.21':
     optional: true
 
-  '@next/swc-win32-arm64-msvc@15.5.20':
+  '@next/swc-win32-arm64-msvc@15.5.21':
     optional: true
 
-  '@next/swc-win32-x64-msvc@15.5.20':
+  '@next/swc-win32-x64-msvc@15.5.21':
     optional: true
 
   '@nodelib/fs.scandir@2.1.5':
@@ -8245,9 +8245,9 @@ snapshots:
       react: 19.1.0
       react-dom: 19.1.0(react@19.1.0)
 
-  next@15.5.20(@types/node@24.13.3)(react-dom@19.1.0(react@19.1.0))(react@19.1.0):
+  next@15.5.21(@types/node@24.13.3)(react-dom@19.1.0(react@19.1.0))(react@19.1.0):
     dependencies:
-      '@next/env': 15.5.20
+      '@next/env': 15.5.21
       '@swc/helpers': 0.5.15
       caniuse-lite: 1.0.30001743
       postcss: 8.5.21
@@ -8255,14 +8255,14 @@ snapshots:
       react-dom: 19.1.0(react@19.1.0)
       styled-jsx: 5.1.6(react@19.1.0)
     optionalDependencies:
-      '@next/swc-darwin-arm64': 15.5.20
-      '@next/swc-darwin-x64': 15.5.20
-      '@next/swc-linux-arm64-gnu': 15.5.20
-      '@next/swc-linux-arm64-musl': 15.5.20
-      '@next/swc-linux-x64-gnu': 15.5.20
-      '@next/swc-linux-x64-musl': 15.5.20
-      '@next/swc-win32-arm64-msvc': 15.5.20
-      '@next/swc-win32-x64-msvc': 15.5.20
+      '@next/swc-darwin-arm64': 15.5.21
+      '@next/swc-darwin-x64': 15.5.21
+      '@next/swc-linux-arm64-gnu': 15.5.21
+      '@next/swc-linux-arm64-musl': 15.5.21
+      '@next/swc-linux-x64-gnu': 15.5.21
+      '@next/swc-linux-x64-musl': 15.5.21
+      '@next/swc-win32-arm64-msvc': 15.5.21
+      '@next/swc-win32-x64-msvc': 15.5.21
       sharp: 0.35.3(@types/node@24.13.3)
     transitivePeerDependencies:
       - '@babel/core'
diff --git a/src/app/page.tsx b/src/app/page.tsx
index f0405af..e6e1812 100644
--- a/src/app/page.tsx
+++ b/src/app/page.tsx
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import { AnimatedTerminal } from '@/components/animated-terminal';
 import { AnnouncementBanner } from '@/components/announcement-banner';
 import { ContributorsSection } from '@/components/contributors-section';
 import { CopyButton } from '@/components/copy-button';
+import { DiscordIcon } from '@/components/discord-icon';
 import { EcosystemSection } from '@/components/ecosystem-section';
 import { FeaturedTemplate } from '@/components/featured-template';
 import { HeroSection } from '@/components/hero-section';
@@ -14,6 +15,7 @@ import { StatsBar } from '@/components/stats-bar';
 import { TemplateCategories } from '@/components/template-categories';
 import { Button } from '@/components/ui/button';
 import { Card, CardContent, CardDescription, CardFooter, CardHeader, CardTitle } from '@/components/ui/card';
+import { DISCORD_INVITE_URL } from '@/lib/community';
 import { getTemplatesData } from '@/lib/data';
 
 const PRIMARY_COMMAND = 'uvx create-awesome-python-app my-app';
@@ -31,11 +33,14 @@ export default async function Home() {
     <div className="flex min-h-screen flex-col">
       <main className="flex-1">
         <AnnouncementBanner
+          icon={<DiscordIcon className="h-5 w-5 shrink-0 text-yellow-200" />}
+          label="NEW"
           message={
-            <>New: FastAPI Starter — production-ready API with uv, Ruff, pytest, and composable Python extensions.</>
+            <>Join Create Awesome on Discord — chat, good first issues, and collaboration across Node / Python / V.</>
           }
-          ctaHref="/templates/fastapi-starter"
-          ctaLabel="Explore template"
+          ctaHref={DISCORD_INVITE_URL}
+          ctaLabel="Join Discord"
+          ctaExternal
         />
         <HeroSection
           title={
diff --git a/src/components/announcement-banner.tsx b/src/components/announcement-banner.tsx
index db5180d..c872265 100644
--- a/src/components/announcement-banner.tsx
+++ b/src/components/announcement-banner.tsx
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ const bannerVariants = cva(
   {
     variants: {
       variant: {
-        gradient: 'bg-gradient-to-r from-blue-600 via-blue-500 to-green-600 text-white',
+        gradient: 'bg-gradient-to-r from-amber-600 via-amber-500 to-teal-600 text-white',
         subtle: 'bg-[hsl(var(--background))] border-b border-border/60 text-foreground/90 dark:text-foreground/80',
         accent: 'bg-[hsl(var(--primary)/0.15)] text-foreground',
       },
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ export interface AnnouncementBannerProps extends VariantProps<typeof bannerVaria
   message: ReactNode;
   ctaHref?: string;
   ctaLabel?: string;
+  ctaExternal?: boolean;
   className?: string;
   dismissible?: boolean; // future enhancement
 }
@@ -41,17 +42,37 @@ export function AnnouncementBanner({
   message,
   ctaHref,
   ctaLabel = 'Learn more',
+  ctaExternal = false,
   className,
   variant,
   size,
 }: AnnouncementBannerProps) {
+  const ctaClassName =
+    'inline-flex shrink-0 items-center gap-1 underline underline-offset-4 decoration-white/40 hover:decoration-white transition-colors group';
+  const ctaArrow = (
+    <svg
+      xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"
+      viewBox="0 0 24 24"
+      fill="none"
+      stroke="currentColor"
+      strokeWidth="2"
+      strokeLinecap="round"
+      strokeLinejoin="round"
+      className="h-4 w-4 group-hover:translate-x-1 transition-transform"
+      aria-hidden="true"
+    >
+      <path d="M5 12h14" />
+      <path d="m12 5 7 7-7 7" />
+    </svg>
+  );
+
   return (
     <div className={cn(bannerVariants({ variant, size }), className)}>
       <div className="absolute inset-0 pointer-events-none select-none overflow-hidden" aria-hidden>
         {variant === 'gradient' && (
           <>
             <div className="absolute inset-0 bg-[url('/grid.svg')] bg-center opacity-40 [mask-image:linear-gradient(180deg,white,rgba(255,255,255,0))]" />
-            <div className="absolute inset-0 bg-gradient-to-r from-blue-500/20 via-blue-400/15 to-green-500/20 animate-gradient-text" />
+            <div className="absolute inset-0 bg-gradient-to-r from-amber-500/20 via-amber-400/15 to-teal-500/20 animate-gradient-text" />
           </>
         )}
       </div>
@@ -63,27 +84,18 @@ export function AnnouncementBanner({
           </span>
         )}
         <span className="min-w-0 text-balance">{message}</span>
-        {ctaHref && (
-          <Link
-            href={ctaHref}
-            className="inline-flex shrink-0 items-center gap-1 underline underline-offset-4 decoration-white/40 hover:decoration-white transition-colors group"
-          >
-            {ctaLabel}
-            <svg
-              xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"
-              viewBox="0 0 24 24"
-              fill="none"
-              stroke="currentColor"
-              strokeWidth="2"
-              strokeLinecap="round"
-              strokeLinejoin="round"
-              className="h-4 w-4 group-hover:translate-x-1 transition-transform"
-            >
-              <path d="M5 12h14" />
-              <path d="m12 5 7 7-7 7" />
-            </svg>
-          </Link>
-        )}
+        {ctaHref &&
+          (ctaExternal ? (
+            <a href={ctaHref} target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" className={ctaClassName}>
+              {ctaLabel}
+              {ctaArrow}
+            </a>
+          ) : (
+            <Link href={ctaHref} className={ctaClassName}>
+              {ctaLabel}
+              {ctaArrow}
+            </Link>
+          ))}
       </div>
     </div>
   );
diff --git a/src/components/discord-icon.tsx b/src/components/discord-icon.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7bd7e35
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/components/discord-icon.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+import { cn } from '@/lib/utils';
+
+/** Discord brand mark (simple-icons path). */
+export function DiscordIcon({ className }: { className?: string }) {
+  return (
+    <svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" className={cn('h-5 w-5', className)}>
+      <path d="M20.317 4.37a19.8 19.8 0 0 0-4.885-1.515.074.074 0 0 0-.079.037c-.21.375-.444.864-.608 1.25a18.3 18.3 0 0 0-5.487 0 12.6 12.6 0 0 0-.617-1.25.077.077 0 0 0-.079-.037A19.7 19.7 0 0 0 3.677 4.37a.07.07 0 0 0-.032.027C.533 9.046-.32 13.58.099 18.057a.08.08 0 0 0 .031.057 19.9 19.9 0 0 0 5.993 3.03.078.078 0 0 0 .084-.028 14 14 0 0 0 1.226-1.994.076.076 0 0 0-.041-.106 13.1 13.1 0 0 1-1.872-.892.077.077 0 0 1-.008-.128 10.2 10.2 0 0 0 .372-.292.074.074 0 0 1 .077-.01c3.928 1.793 8.18 1.793 12.062 0a.074.074 0 0 1 .078.01c.12.098.246.198.373.292a.077.077 0 0 1-.006.127 12.3 12.3 0 0 1-1.873.892.077.077 0 0 0-.041.107c.36.698.772 1.362 1.225 1.993a.076.076 0 0 0 .084.028 19.8 19.8 0 0 0 6.002-3.03.077.077 0 0 0 .032-.054c.5-5.177-.838-9.674-3.548-13.66a.061.061 0 0 0-.031-.03zM8.02 15.33c-1.183 0-2.157-1.085-2.157-2.419 0-1.333.956-2.419 2.157-2.419 1.21 0 2.176 1.096 2.157 2.42 0 1.333-.956 2.418-2.157 2.418zm7.975 0c-1.183 0-2.157-1.085-2.157-2.419 0-1.333.955-2.419 2.157-2.419 1.21 0 2.176 1.096 2.157 2.42 0 1.333-.946 2.418-2.157 2.418z" />
+    </svg>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/src/components/layout-shell.tsx b/src/components/layout-shell.tsx
index 1e7ecbc..001e6c8 100644
--- a/src/components/layout-shell.tsx
+++ b/src/components/layout-shell.tsx
@@ -117,6 +117,7 @@ export function LayoutShell({ children }: { children: ReactNode }) {
                   <p className="text-xs font-semibold uppercase tracking-widest text-muted-foreground">Community</p>
                   <nav className="flex flex-col gap-2">
                     {[
+                      { href: 'https://discord.gg/bR5VyATgka', label: 'Discord Community', external: true },
                       { href: 'https://github.com/Create-Python-App', label: 'GitHub Organization', external: true },
                       {
                         href: 'https://pypi.org/project/create-awesome-python-app/',
diff --git a/src/components/saas-ai-banner.tsx b/src/components/saas-ai-banner.tsx
index 412b0a4..cc67dd4 100644
--- a/src/components/saas-ai-banner.tsx
+++ b/src/components/saas-ai-banner.tsx
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ export function SaasAiBanner() {
             {/* Badge */}
             <div className="inline-flex items-center gap-2 rounded-full border border-blue-400/30 bg-blue-500/10 px-4 py-1.5 text-sm font-medium text-blue-200 backdrop-blur-sm">
               <span>✨</span>
-              <span>Flagship Template</span>
+              <span>NEW · Flagship</span>
             </div>
 
             {/* Heading */}
diff --git a/src/components/site-header.tsx b/src/components/site-header.tsx
index a71c28c..8da3318 100644
--- a/src/components/site-header.tsx
+++ b/src/components/site-header.tsx
@@ -4,10 +4,12 @@ import { Gauge, Github, Menu, Package, Search } from 'lucide-react';
 import Link from 'next/link';
 import { usePathname } from 'next/navigation';
 import { useEffect, useState } from 'react';
+import { DiscordIcon } from '@/components/discord-icon';
 import { usePerformanceMode } from '@/components/performance-provider';
 import { ThemeToggle } from '@/components/theme-toggle';
 import { Button } from '@/components/ui/button';
 import { Sheet, SheetContent, SheetHeader, SheetTitle, SheetTrigger } from '@/components/ui/sheet';
+import { DISCORD_INVITE_URL } from '@/lib/community';
 import { cn } from '@/lib/utils';
 
 interface NavItem {
@@ -139,6 +141,11 @@ export function SiteHeader({ onOpenCommand }: { onOpenCommand?: () => void }) {
               <Package className="h-5 w-5" />
             </Button>
           </Link>
+          <Link href={DISCORD_INVITE_URL} target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" aria-label="Discord Community">
+            <Button variant="ghost" size="icon" className="hidden sm:inline-flex">
+              <DiscordIcon className="h-5 w-5" />
+            </Button>
+          </Link>
           <Link href="https://github.com/Create-Python-App" target="_blank" aria-label="GitHub">
             <Button variant="ghost" size="icon">
               <Github className="h-5 w-5" />
diff --git a/src/lib/community.ts b/src/lib/community.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2e2ca90
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/lib/community.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+/** Canonical Create Awesome Discord invite (shared across CNA / CPA / CVA). */
+export const DISCORD_INVITE_URL = 'https://discord.gg/bR5VyATgka';