diff --git a/.github/workflows/coolify-next-build.yml b/.github/workflows/coolify-next-build.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..9985edb411
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/coolify-next-build.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,152 @@
+name: Build Coolify Next
+
+on:
+  push:
+    branches: [next]
+    paths-ignore:
+      - .github/workflows/coolify-helper.yml
+      - .github/workflows/coolify-helper-next.yml
+      - .github/workflows/coolify-realtime.yml
+      - .github/workflows/coolify-realtime-next.yml
+      - .github/workflows/pr-quality.yaml
+      - docker/coolify-helper/Dockerfile
+      - docker/coolify-realtime/Dockerfile
+      - docker/testing-host/Dockerfile
+      - templates/**
+      - CHANGELOG.md
+
+permissions:
+  contents: read
+  packages: write
+
+concurrency:
+  group: coolify-next-build
+  cancel-in-progress: false
+
+env:
+  GITHUB_REGISTRY: ghcr.io
+  DOCKER_REGISTRY: docker.io
+  IMAGE_NAME: coollabsio/coolify
+
+jobs:
+  prepare:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
+    outputs:
+      rc_version: ${{ steps.version.outputs.rc_version }}
+      short_sha: ${{ steps.version.outputs.short_sha }}
+      version: ${{ steps.version.outputs.version }}
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
+        with:
+          persist-credentials: false
+
+      - name: Resolve next version
+        id: version
+        run: |
+          RC_VERSION=$(jq -r '.coolify.nightly.version' versions.json)
+          if [[ ! "${RC_VERSION}" =~ ^[0-9]+\.[0-9]+-rc\.[0-9]+$ ]]; then
+            echo "Invalid next RC version: ${RC_VERSION}"
+            exit 1
+          fi
+
+          SHORT_SHA="${GITHUB_SHA::7}"
+          VERSION="${RC_VERSION}.${SHORT_SHA}"
+          echo "rc_version=${RC_VERSION}" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+          echo "short_sha=${SHORT_SHA}" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+          echo "version=${VERSION}" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+
+  build:
+    needs: prepare
+    strategy:
+      matrix:
+        include:
+          - arch: amd64
+            platform: linux/amd64
+            runner: ubuntu-24.04
+          - arch: aarch64
+            platform: linux/aarch64
+            runner: ubuntu-24.04-arm
+    runs-on: ${{ matrix.runner }}
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
+        with:
+          persist-credentials: false
+
+      - uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
+
+      - name: Login to ${{ env.GITHUB_REGISTRY }}
+        uses: docker/login-action@v3
+        with:
+          registry: ${{ env.GITHUB_REGISTRY }}
+          username: ${{ github.actor }}
+          password: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+
+      - name: Login to ${{ env.DOCKER_REGISTRY }}
+        uses: docker/login-action@v3
+        with:
+          registry: ${{ env.DOCKER_REGISTRY }}
+          username: ${{ secrets.DOCKERHUB_USERNAME }}
+          password: ${{ secrets.DOCKERHUB_TOKEN }}
+
+      - name: Build and push next image (${{ matrix.arch }})
+        uses: docker/build-push-action@v6
+        with:
+          context: .
+          file: docker/production/Dockerfile
+          platforms: ${{ matrix.platform }}
+          push: true
+          build-args: |
+            COOLIFY_VERSION=${{ needs.prepare.outputs.version }}
+          tags: |
+            ${{ env.GITHUB_REGISTRY }}/${{ env.IMAGE_NAME }}:next-build-${{ needs.prepare.outputs.short_sha }}-${{ matrix.arch }}
+            ${{ env.DOCKER_REGISTRY }}/${{ env.IMAGE_NAME }}:next-build-${{ needs.prepare.outputs.short_sha }}-${{ matrix.arch }}
+
+  publish:
+    needs: [prepare, build]
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
+    steps:
+      - uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
+
+      - name: Login to ${{ env.GITHUB_REGISTRY }}
+        uses: docker/login-action@v3
+        with:
+          registry: ${{ env.GITHUB_REGISTRY }}
+          username: ${{ github.actor }}
+          password: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+
+      - name: Login to ${{ env.DOCKER_REGISTRY }}
+        uses: docker/login-action@v3
+        with:
+          registry: ${{ env.DOCKER_REGISTRY }}
+          username: ${{ secrets.DOCKERHUB_USERNAME }}
+          password: ${{ secrets.DOCKERHUB_TOKEN }}
+
+      - name: Publish next manifest on ${{ env.GITHUB_REGISTRY }}
+        env:
+          REGISTRY: ${{ env.GITHUB_REGISTRY }}
+          SHA: ${{ needs.prepare.outputs.short_sha }}
+          VERSION: ${{ needs.prepare.outputs.version }}
+        run: |
+          IMAGE="${REGISTRY}/${IMAGE_NAME}"
+          SOURCE="next-build-${SHA}"
+          docker buildx imagetools create \
+            "${IMAGE}:${SOURCE}-amd64" \
+            "${IMAGE}:${SOURCE}-aarch64" \
+            --tag "${IMAGE}:sha-${SHA}" \
+            --tag "${IMAGE}:${VERSION}" \
+            --tag "${IMAGE}:next"
+
+      - name: Publish next manifest on ${{ env.DOCKER_REGISTRY }}
+        env:
+          REGISTRY: ${{ env.DOCKER_REGISTRY }}
+          SHA: ${{ needs.prepare.outputs.short_sha }}
+          VERSION: ${{ needs.prepare.outputs.version }}
+        run: |
+          IMAGE="${REGISTRY}/${IMAGE_NAME}"
+          SOURCE="next-build-${SHA}"
+          docker buildx imagetools create \
+            "${IMAGE}:${SOURCE}-amd64" \
+            "${IMAGE}:${SOURCE}-aarch64" \
+            --tag "${IMAGE}:sha-${SHA}" \
+            --tag "${IMAGE}:${VERSION}" \
+            --tag "${IMAGE}:next"
diff --git a/.github/workflows/coolify-rc-release.yml b/.github/workflows/coolify-rc-release.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..90005a97d2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/coolify-rc-release.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,304 @@
+name: Release Coolify RC
+run-name: ${{ inputs.tag }}
+
+on:
+  workflow_dispatch:
+    inputs:
+      tag:
+        description: Existing draft prerelease tag (for example, v4.4-rc.1)
+        required: true
+        type: string
+
+permissions: {}
+
+concurrency:
+  group: coolify-rc-release
+  cancel-in-progress: false
+
+env:
+  GITHUB_REGISTRY: ghcr.io
+  DOCKER_REGISTRY: docker.io
+  IMAGE_NAME: coollabsio/coolify
+
+jobs:
+  validate:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
+    permissions:
+      contents: write
+    outputs:
+      release_id: ${{ steps.draft.outputs.release_id }}
+      version: ${{ steps.version.outputs.version }}
+    steps:
+      - name: Reject releases outside next
+        if: ${{ github.ref != 'refs/heads/next' }}
+        run: |
+          echo "RC releases must run from the next branch, not ${{ github.ref }}."
+          exit 1
+
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
+        with:
+          fetch-depth: 0
+          persist-credentials: false
+
+      - name: Validate version
+        id: version
+        env:
+          TAG_NAME: ${{ inputs.tag }}
+        run: |
+          if [[ ! "${TAG_NAME}" =~ ^v[0-9]+\.[0-9]+-rc\.[0-9]+$ ]]; then
+            echo "Unsupported RC tag: ${TAG_NAME}"
+            exit 1
+          fi
+
+          VERSION="${TAG_NAME#v}"
+          CONFIG_VERSION=$(jq -r '.coolify.nightly.version' versions.json)
+          if [[ "${CONFIG_VERSION}" != "${VERSION}" ]]; then
+            echo "RC tag ${VERSION} does not match nightly version ${CONFIG_VERSION}."
+            exit 1
+          fi
+
+          echo "version=${VERSION}" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+
+      - name: Validate and pin draft prerelease
+        id: draft
+        uses: actions/github-script@v8
+        env:
+          TAG_NAME: ${{ inputs.tag }}
+        with:
+          script: |
+            const releases = await github.paginate(github.rest.repos.listReleases, {
+              owner: context.repo.owner,
+              repo: context.repo.repo,
+              per_page: 100,
+            });
+            const release = releases.find((candidate) => candidate.tag_name === process.env.TAG_NAME);
+
+            if (!release) {
+              core.setFailed(`Create a draft prerelease for ${process.env.TAG_NAME} before running this workflow.`);
+              return;
+            }
+            if (!release.draft) {
+              core.setFailed(`Release ${process.env.TAG_NAME} must still be a draft.`);
+              return;
+            }
+            if (!release.prerelease) {
+              core.setFailed(`RC release ${process.env.TAG_NAME} must be marked as a prerelease.`);
+              return;
+            }
+            if (!release.body?.trim()) {
+              core.setFailed(`Draft prerelease ${process.env.TAG_NAME} must contain reviewed release notes.`);
+              return;
+            }
+
+            try {
+              await github.rest.git.getRef({
+                owner: context.repo.owner,
+                repo: context.repo.repo,
+                ref: `tags/${process.env.TAG_NAME}`,
+              });
+              core.setFailed(`Git tag ${process.env.TAG_NAME} already exists.`);
+              return;
+            } catch (error) {
+              if (error.status !== 404) throw error;
+            }
+
+            await github.rest.repos.updateRelease({
+              owner: context.repo.owner,
+              repo: context.repo.repo,
+              release_id: release.id,
+              tag_name: process.env.TAG_NAME,
+              target_commitish: context.sha,
+              prerelease: true,
+            });
+            core.setOutput('release_id', release.id);
+
+  build:
+    needs: validate
+    permissions:
+      contents: read
+      packages: write
+    strategy:
+      matrix:
+        include:
+          - arch: amd64
+            platform: linux/amd64
+            runner: ubuntu-24.04
+          - arch: aarch64
+            platform: linux/aarch64
+            runner: ubuntu-24.04-arm
+    runs-on: ${{ matrix.runner }}
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
+        with:
+          persist-credentials: false
+
+      - uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
+
+      - name: Login to ${{ env.GITHUB_REGISTRY }}
+        uses: docker/login-action@v3
+        with:
+          registry: ${{ env.GITHUB_REGISTRY }}
+          username: ${{ github.actor }}
+          password: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+
+      - name: Login to ${{ env.DOCKER_REGISTRY }}
+        uses: docker/login-action@v3
+        with:
+          registry: ${{ env.DOCKER_REGISTRY }}
+          username: ${{ secrets.DOCKERHUB_USERNAME }}
+          password: ${{ secrets.DOCKERHUB_TOKEN }}
+
+      - name: Build and push RC image (${{ matrix.arch }})
+        uses: docker/build-push-action@v6
+        with:
+          context: .
+          file: docker/production/Dockerfile
+          platforms: ${{ matrix.platform }}
+          push: true
+          build-args: |
+            COOLIFY_VERSION=${{ needs.validate.outputs.version }}
+          tags: |
+            ${{ env.GITHUB_REGISTRY }}/${{ env.IMAGE_NAME }}:rc-release-${{ needs.validate.outputs.version }}-${{ github.sha }}-${{ matrix.arch }}
+            ${{ env.DOCKER_REGISTRY }}/${{ env.IMAGE_NAME }}:rc-release-${{ needs.validate.outputs.version }}-${{ github.sha }}-${{ matrix.arch }}
+
+  revalidate:
+    needs: [validate, build]
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
+    permissions:
+      contents: read
+    steps:
+      - name: Revalidate draft prerelease
+        uses: actions/github-script@v8
+        env:
+          RELEASE_ID: ${{ needs.validate.outputs.release_id }}
+          TAG_NAME: ${{ inputs.tag }}
+        with:
+          script: |
+            const releaseId = Number(process.env.RELEASE_ID);
+            const { data: release } = await github.rest.repos.getRelease({
+              owner: context.repo.owner,
+              repo: context.repo.repo,
+              release_id: releaseId,
+            });
+
+            if (release.tag_name !== process.env.TAG_NAME || !release.draft || !release.prerelease) {
+              core.setFailed(`Draft prerelease ${process.env.TAG_NAME} changed while the images were building.`);
+              return;
+            }
+            if (!release.body?.trim()) {
+              core.setFailed(`Draft prerelease ${process.env.TAG_NAME} no longer contains release notes.`);
+              return;
+            }
+            if (release.target_commitish !== context.sha) {
+              core.setFailed(`Draft prerelease ${process.env.TAG_NAME} no longer targets ${context.sha}.`);
+              return;
+            }
+
+            try {
+              await github.rest.git.getRef({
+                owner: context.repo.owner,
+                repo: context.repo.repo,
+                ref: `tags/${process.env.TAG_NAME}`,
+              });
+              core.setFailed(`Git tag ${process.env.TAG_NAME} was created while the images were building.`);
+            } catch (error) {
+              if (error.status !== 404) throw error;
+            }
+
+  publish:
+    needs: [validate, build, revalidate]
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
+    permissions:
+      contents: write
+      packages: write
+    steps:
+      - uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
+
+      - name: Login to ${{ env.GITHUB_REGISTRY }}
+        uses: docker/login-action@v3
+        with:
+          registry: ${{ env.GITHUB_REGISTRY }}
+          username: ${{ github.actor }}
+          password: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+
+      - name: Login to ${{ env.DOCKER_REGISTRY }}
+        uses: docker/login-action@v3
+        with:
+          registry: ${{ env.DOCKER_REGISTRY }}
+          username: ${{ secrets.DOCKERHUB_USERNAME }}
+          password: ${{ secrets.DOCKERHUB_TOKEN }}
+
+      - name: Publish RC and next on ${{ env.GITHUB_REGISTRY }}
+        env:
+          REGISTRY: ${{ env.GITHUB_REGISTRY }}
+          VERSION: ${{ needs.validate.outputs.version }}
+        run: |
+          IMAGE="${REGISTRY}/${IMAGE_NAME}"
+          SOURCE="rc-release-${VERSION}-${GITHUB_SHA}"
+          docker buildx imagetools create \
+            "${IMAGE}:${SOURCE}-amd64" \
+            "${IMAGE}:${SOURCE}-aarch64" \
+            --tag "${IMAGE}:${VERSION}" \
+            --tag "${IMAGE}:next"
+
+      - name: Publish RC and next on ${{ env.DOCKER_REGISTRY }}
+        env:
+          REGISTRY: ${{ env.DOCKER_REGISTRY }}
+          VERSION: ${{ needs.validate.outputs.version }}
+        run: |
+          IMAGE="${REGISTRY}/${IMAGE_NAME}"
+          SOURCE="rc-release-${VERSION}-${GITHUB_SHA}"
+          docker buildx imagetools create \
+            "${IMAGE}:${SOURCE}-amd64" \
+            "${IMAGE}:${SOURCE}-aarch64" \
+            --tag "${IMAGE}:${VERSION}" \
+            --tag "${IMAGE}:next"
+
+      - name: Publish reviewed draft prerelease
+        uses: actions/github-script@v8
+        env:
+          RELEASE_ID: ${{ needs.validate.outputs.release_id }}
+          TAG_NAME: ${{ inputs.tag }}
+        with:
+          script: |
+            const releaseId = Number(process.env.RELEASE_ID);
+            const { data: release } = await github.rest.repos.getRelease({
+              owner: context.repo.owner,
+              repo: context.repo.repo,
+              release_id: releaseId,
+            });
+
+            if (release.tag_name !== process.env.TAG_NAME || !release.draft || !release.prerelease) {
+              core.setFailed(`Draft prerelease ${process.env.TAG_NAME} changed while the images were building.`);
+              return;
+            }
+            if (!release.body?.trim()) {
+              core.setFailed(`Draft prerelease ${process.env.TAG_NAME} no longer contains release notes.`);
+              return;
+            }
+            if (release.target_commitish !== context.sha) {
+              core.setFailed(`Draft prerelease ${process.env.TAG_NAME} no longer targets ${context.sha}.`);
+              return;
+            }
+
+            try {
+              await github.rest.git.getRef({
+                owner: context.repo.owner,
+                repo: context.repo.repo,
+                ref: `tags/${process.env.TAG_NAME}`,
+              });
+              core.setFailed(`Git tag ${process.env.TAG_NAME} was created while the images were building.`);
+              return;
+            } catch (error) {
+              if (error.status !== 404) throw error;
+            }
+
+            await github.rest.repos.updateRelease({
+              owner: context.repo.owner,
+              repo: context.repo.repo,
+              release_id: Number(process.env.RELEASE_ID),
+              tag_name: process.env.TAG_NAME,
+              target_commitish: context.sha,
+              prerelease: true,
+              draft: false,
+            });
diff --git a/.github/workflows/coolify-staging-build.yml b/.github/workflows/coolify-staging-build.yml
deleted file mode 100644
index ccbd141295..0000000000
--- a/.github/workflows/coolify-staging-build.yml
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,134 +0,0 @@
-name: Staging Build
-
-on:
-  push:
-    branches-ignore:
-      - main
-      - v3.x
-      - '**v5.x**'
-    paths-ignore:
-        - .github/workflows/coolify-helper.yml
-        - .github/workflows/coolify-helper-next.yml
-        - .github/workflows/coolify-realtime.yml
-        - .github/workflows/coolify-realtime-next.yml
-        - .github/workflows/pr-quality.yaml
-        - docker/coolify-helper/Dockerfile
-        - docker/coolify-realtime/Dockerfile
-        - docker/testing-host/Dockerfile
-        - templates/**
-        - CHANGELOG.md
-
-permissions:
-  contents: read
-  packages: write
-
-env:
-  GITHUB_REGISTRY: ghcr.io
-  DOCKER_REGISTRY: docker.io
-  IMAGE_NAME: "coollabsio/coolify"
-
-jobs:
-  build-push:
-    strategy:
-      matrix:
-        include:
-          - arch: amd64
-            platform: linux/amd64
-            runner: ubuntu-24.04
-          - arch: aarch64
-            platform: linux/aarch64
-            runner: ubuntu-24.04-arm
-    runs-on: ${{ matrix.runner }}
-    steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
-        with:
-          persist-credentials: false
-
-      - name: Sanitize branch name for Docker tag
-        id: sanitize
-        run: |
-          # Replace slashes and other invalid characters with dashes
-          SANITIZED_NAME=$(echo "${{ github.ref_name }}" | sed 's/[\/]/-/g')
-          echo "tag=${SANITIZED_NAME}" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
-
-      - name: Set up Docker Buildx
-        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
-
-      - name: Login to ${{ env.GITHUB_REGISTRY }}
-        uses: docker/login-action@v3
-        with:
-          registry: ${{ env.GITHUB_REGISTRY }}
-          username: ${{ github.actor }}
-          password: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN  }}
-
-      - name: Login to ${{ env.DOCKER_REGISTRY }}
-        uses: docker/login-action@v3
-        with:
-          registry: ${{ env.DOCKER_REGISTRY }}
-          username: ${{ secrets.DOCKERHUB_USERNAME }}
-          password: ${{ secrets.DOCKERHUB_TOKEN }}
-
-      - name: Build and Push Image (${{ matrix.arch }})
-        uses: docker/build-push-action@v6
-        with:
-          context: .
-          file: docker/production/Dockerfile
-          platforms: ${{ matrix.platform }}
-          push: true
-          tags: |
-            ${{ env.DOCKER_REGISTRY }}/${{ env.IMAGE_NAME }}:${{ steps.sanitize.outputs.tag }}-${{ matrix.arch }}
-            ${{ env.GITHUB_REGISTRY }}/${{ env.IMAGE_NAME }}:${{ steps.sanitize.outputs.tag }}-${{ matrix.arch }}
-          cache-from: |
-            type=gha,scope=build-${{ matrix.arch }}
-            type=registry,ref=${{ env.GITHUB_REGISTRY }}/${{ env.IMAGE_NAME }}:buildcache-${{ matrix.arch }}
-          cache-to: type=gha,mode=max,scope=build-${{ matrix.arch }}
-
-  merge-manifest:
-    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
-    needs: build-push
-    steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
-        with:
-          persist-credentials: false
-
-      - name: Sanitize branch name for Docker tag
-        id: sanitize
-        run: |
-          # Replace slashes and other invalid characters with dashes
-          SANITIZED_NAME=$(echo "${{ github.ref_name }}" | sed 's/[\/]/-/g')
-          echo "tag=${SANITIZED_NAME}" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
-
-      - uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
-
-      - name: Login to ${{ env.GITHUB_REGISTRY }}
-        uses: docker/login-action@v3
-        with:
-          registry: ${{ env.GITHUB_REGISTRY }}
-          username: ${{ github.actor }}
-          password: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN  }}
-
-      - name: Login to ${{ env.DOCKER_REGISTRY }}
-        uses: docker/login-action@v3
-        with:
-          registry: ${{ env.DOCKER_REGISTRY }}
-          username: ${{ secrets.DOCKERHUB_USERNAME }}
-          password: ${{ secrets.DOCKERHUB_TOKEN }}
-
-      - name: Create & publish manifest on ${{ env.GITHUB_REGISTRY }}
-        run: |
-         docker buildx imagetools create \
-         ${{ env.GITHUB_REGISTRY }}/${{ env.IMAGE_NAME }}:${{ steps.sanitize.outputs.tag }}-amd64 \
-         ${{ env.GITHUB_REGISTRY }}/${{ env.IMAGE_NAME }}:${{ steps.sanitize.outputs.tag }}-aarch64 \
-         --tag ${{ env.GITHUB_REGISTRY }}/${{ env.IMAGE_NAME }}:${{ steps.sanitize.outputs.tag }}
-
-      - name: Create & publish manifest on ${{ env.DOCKER_REGISTRY }}
-        run: |
-          docker buildx imagetools create \
-          ${{ env.DOCKER_REGISTRY }}/${{ env.IMAGE_NAME }}:${{ steps.sanitize.outputs.tag }}-amd64 \
-          ${{ env.DOCKER_REGISTRY }}/${{ env.IMAGE_NAME }}:${{ steps.sanitize.outputs.tag }}-aarch64 \
-          --tag ${{ env.DOCKER_REGISTRY }}/${{ env.IMAGE_NAME }}:${{ steps.sanitize.outputs.tag }}
-
-      - uses: sarisia/actions-status-discord@v1
-        if: always()
-        with:
-          webhook: ${{ secrets.DISCORD_WEBHOOK_DEV_RELEASE_CHANNEL  }}
diff --git a/RELEASE.md b/RELEASE.md
index d278d76902..3733392a48 100644
--- a/RELEASE.md
+++ b/RELEASE.md
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
 | `feature/*` | New features based on and merged into `next` |
 | `hotfix/X.Y.Z` | Production fixes based on `main` |
 
-Release workflows never edit or commit versions. Set the intended version in `config/constants.php` before running a release workflow.
+Release workflows never edit or commit versions. Stable versions come from `config/constants.php`; RC versions come from `coolify.nightly.version` in `versions.json` and `other/nightly/versions.json`.
 
 ## Where changes go
 
@@ -25,11 +25,12 @@ feature/* → next → RC
 ```
 
 1. Merge feature branches into `next`.
-2. Set the intended RC version on `next`, such as `4.4-rc.1`.
-3. Regular builds publish `sha-<commit>`, `4.4-rc.1.<short-sha>`, and the moving `next` tag.
+2. Set `coolify.nightly.version` in both version files to the intended RC, such as `4.4-rc.1`.
+3. Regular `next` builds publish `sha-<short-sha>`, `4.4-rc.1.<short-sha>`, and the moving `next` tag. They never publish the exact `4.4-rc.1` tag.
 4. Create a reviewed draft GitHub Release named `v4.4-rc.1` and mark it as a prerelease.
-5. Run the RC workflow from `next`. It publishes `4.4-rc.1`, updates `next`, and publishes the draft.
-6. Advance `next` to the next intended RC version.
+5. Run **Release Coolify RC** manually from `next` and enter `v4.4-rc.1`.
+6. The workflow validates the draft and configured nightly version, builds the exact RC, publishes `4.4-rc.1`, updates `next`, and publishes the draft prerelease.
+7. Advance `coolify.nightly.version` to the next intended RC version.
 
 ## Stable release flow
 
diff --git a/other/nightly/versions.json b/other/nightly/versions.json
index ae1ecfae54..440ad36160 100644
--- a/other/nightly/versions.json
+++ b/other/nightly/versions.json
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
             "version": "4.3.10"
         },
         "nightly": {
-            "version": "4.3.11"
+            "version": "4.4-rc.1"
         },
         "helper": {
             "version": "1.0.15"
diff --git a/tests/Unit/ProductionImageWorkflowTest.php b/tests/Unit/ProductionImageWorkflowTest.php
index 738b501d57..5fcada3091 100644
--- a/tests/Unit/ProductionImageWorkflowTest.php
+++ b/tests/Unit/ProductionImageWorkflowTest.php
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ it('publishes v4 branch builds under the commit sha with a traceable internal ve
         ->and($constants)
         ->toContain("'version' => env('COOLIFY_VERSION') ?: '4.3.10'")
         ->and($versions['coolify']['v4']['version'])->toBe('4.3.10')
-        ->and($versions['coolify']['nightly']['version'])->toBe('4.3.11')
+        ->and($versions['coolify']['nightly']['version'])->toBe('4.4-rc.1')
         ->and($nightlyVersions)->toBe($versions);
 });
 
@@ -34,6 +34,12 @@ it('orders a maintenance development build before its stable release', function
         ->and(version_compare('4.3.2', '4.3.2-dev.d64cbda3e', '>'))->toBeTrue();
 });
 
+it('orders rolling and exact release candidates before the stable release', function () {
+    expect(version_compare('4.4-rc.1.d64cbda', '4.4-rc.1', '<'))->toBeTrue()
+        ->and(version_compare('4.4-rc.1', '4.4-rc.2', '<'))->toBeTrue()
+        ->and(version_compare('4.4-rc.2', '4.4.0', '<'))->toBeTrue();
+});
+
 it('requires a reviewed draft release before building a stable version', function () {
     $workflow = file_get_contents(dirname(__DIR__, 2).'/.github/workflows/coolify-release.yml');
 
@@ -104,12 +110,45 @@ it('generates the production changelog from main', function () {
         ->not->toContain('v4.x');
 });
 
-it('excludes main from staging builds', function () {
-    $workflow = file_get_contents(dirname(__DIR__, 2).'/.github/workflows/coolify-staging-build.yml');
+it('publishes traceable rolling builds from next without creating an exact rc tag', function () {
+    $workflow = file_get_contents(dirname(__DIR__, 2).'/.github/workflows/coolify-next-build.yml');
 
     expect($workflow)
-        ->toContain('      - main')
-        ->not->toContain('      - v4.x');
+        ->toContain('name: Build Coolify Next')
+        ->toContain('branches: [next]')
+        ->toContain('group: coolify-next-build')
+        ->toContain("jq -r '.coolify.nightly.version' versions.json")
+        ->toContain('VERSION="${RC_VERSION}.${SHORT_SHA}"')
+        ->toContain('COOLIFY_VERSION=${{ needs.prepare.outputs.version }}')
+        ->toContain('--tag "${IMAGE}:sha-${SHA}"')
+        ->toContain('--tag "${IMAGE}:${VERSION}"')
+        ->toContain('--tag "${IMAGE}:next"')
+        ->not->toContain('--tag "${IMAGE}:${RC_VERSION}"')
+        ->not->toContain('--tag "${IMAGE}:latest"');
+});
+
+it('requires a reviewed draft prerelease before publishing an exact rc', function () {
+    $workflow = file_get_contents(dirname(__DIR__, 2).'/.github/workflows/coolify-rc-release.yml');
+
+    expect($workflow)
+        ->toContain('name: Release Coolify RC')
+        ->toContain('run-name: ${{ inputs.tag }}')
+        ->toContain("github.ref != 'refs/heads/next'")
+        ->toContain('group: coolify-rc-release')
+        ->toContain('^v[0-9]+\\.[0-9]+-rc\\.[0-9]+$')
+        ->toContain("jq -r '.coolify.nightly.version' versions.json")
+        ->toContain('release.draft')
+        ->toContain('!release.prerelease')
+        ->toContain('release.body?.trim()')
+        ->toContain('revalidate:')
+        ->toContain('needs: [validate, build, revalidate]')
+        ->toContain('COOLIFY_VERSION=${{ needs.validate.outputs.version }}')
+        ->toContain('--tag "${IMAGE}:${VERSION}"')
+        ->toContain('--tag "${IMAGE}:next"')
+        ->toContain('prerelease: true')
+        ->toContain('actions/github-script@v8')
+        ->not->toContain('--tag "${IMAGE}:latest"')
+        ->not->toContain('environment:');
 });
 
 it('rebuilds stable images and publishes the reviewed draft after both architectures succeed', function () {
diff --git a/versions.json b/versions.json
index ae1ecfae54..440ad36160 100644
--- a/versions.json
+++ b/versions.json
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
             "version": "4.3.10"
         },
         "nightly": {
-            "version": "4.3.11"
+            "version": "4.4-rc.1"
         },
         "helper": {
             "version": "1.0.15"