Well I registered just to ask some questions I'm sure you've already been asked.
This current version you're working on will have all the functionality as the other versions but you're using Dfhack in order to speed up the time required to make it compatible with newer versions of dwarf fortress and for easier implementation of new features?
As examples that I can remember off the top of my head "it's been a while since I have used the program" is the ability to change skills which included agility, strength, and another one that escapes me. If you have plans on keeping this function with the new release could you possibly add a feature where you could increase all skills on the dwarf you are editing by 5, 10, 50, and 100? I say this because if I recall I had to manually edit each skill which is not to time consuming but requires some time on those who have a lot of skills listed. I think I ran one fort with the starter dwarves and I used cheat engine to freeze the skills point and gave the starter dwarves every skill which after embarking I would load your program in order to max their skills further and to speed them up in order to get the gear secure. I would use Dwarf therapist as well to set orders so that my specific goals would get finished quicker.
I know some people who frown upon this but I've always done this with my starter dwarves just to get a head start before the migrations and for food purposes.
So basically any and all functionality you keep from the older version would be a blessing and I'm sure you are. I always liked changing some animals to certain types as well and hope that is in the new release.
Will you be doing some type of change log when you release this new version and future releases?
Yea the main issue I'm having with DF right now is those invincible baddies you come across from time to time. Like stuff made completely out of living metal, or worse yet, something made completely of harmless gas.
So I guess what I'm trying to say is the "Check these boxes to kill whatever it is yer looking at" boxes would help me out alot. Of course, it's yer project though, and if I recall correctly you weren't originally sure about adding cheat functionality. So it's up to you when/if you add it.
I always just set bleeding to say 20 on the creature so it would bleed to death and that works most of the time but I never tried that on special types.