Update version_branch.yml

.github/workflows/version_branch.yml

@@ -320,7 +320,13 @@ jobs:
             exit 2
           fi
 
-      $1          import json
+      - name: Bump versions and update manifest dates (targeted, excluding .github)
+        run: |
+          source "$CI_HELPERS"
+          moko_init "Version bump"
+
+          python3 - <<'PY'
+import json
 import os
 import re
 from pathlib import Path
@@ -335,6 +341,7 @@ jobs:
 stamp = datetime.now(timezone.utc).strftime("%Y-%m-%d")
 root = Path(".").resolve()
 
+# Use escape sequences only. Do not introduce literal tab characters.
 header_re = re.compile(r"(?im)(VERSION[ \t]*:[ \t]*)([0-9]{2}[.][0-9]{2}[.][0-9]{2})")
 manifest_marker_re = re.compile(r"(?is)<extension\b")
 xml_version_re = re.compile(r"(?is)(<version[ \t]*>)([^<]*?)(</version[ \t]*>)")