diff --git a/.mokogitea/workflows/auto-release.yml b/.mokogitea/workflows/auto-release.yml
index 8be9b714..6f0e7ae0 100644
--- a/.mokogitea/workflows/auto-release.yml
+++ b/.mokogitea/workflows/auto-release.yml
@@ -196,7 +196,13 @@ jobs:
         run: |
           MOKO_API="/tmp/moko-platform-api/cli"
           php ${MOKO_API}/version_bump.php --path . --minor 2>&1 || true
+          # Strip any stability suffix — stable releases have no suffix
+          php ${MOKO_API}/version_set_platform.php --path . \
+            --version "$(php ${MOKO_API}/version_read.php --path .)" \
+            --stability stable 2>&1 || true
           VERSION=$(php ${MOKO_API}/version_read.php --path .)
+          # Ensure no suffix leaks into stable release version
+          VERSION="${VERSION%%-*}"
           echo "version=${VERSION}" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
           echo "Bumped to: ${VERSION}"
 
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index f189d421..c6bc3220 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
  DEFGROUP: Joomla.Plugin
  INGROUP: MokoWaaS
  REPO: https://git.mokoconsulting.tech/MokoConsulting/MokoWaaS
- VERSION: 02.16.00-dev
+ VERSION: 02.16.01-dev
  PATH: /README.md
  BRIEF: MokoWaaS platform plugin for Joomla
 -->
diff --git a/src/packages/com_mokowaas/mokowaas.xml b/src/packages/com_mokowaas/mokowaas.xml
index efc040b3..af994d56 100644
--- a/src/packages/com_mokowaas/mokowaas.xml
+++ b/src/packages/com_mokowaas/mokowaas.xml
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 	<license>GPL-3.0-or-later</license>
 	<authorEmail>hello@mokoconsulting.tech</authorEmail>
 	<authorUrl>https://mokoconsulting.tech</authorUrl>
-	<version>02.16.00-dev</version>
+	<version>02.16.01-dev</version>
 	<description>Minimal API-only component for MokoWaaS. Provides REST endpoints for site health, cache, updates, and backups.</description>
 	<namespace path="api/src">Moko\Component\MokoWaaS\Api</namespace>
 	<administration>
diff --git a/src/packages/plg_system_mokowaas/mokowaas.xml b/src/packages/plg_system_mokowaas/mokowaas.xml
index 0650ccf1..0db2d1e2 100644
--- a/src/packages/plg_system_mokowaas/mokowaas.xml
+++ b/src/packages/plg_system_mokowaas/mokowaas.xml
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@
 	<license>GNU General Public License version 3 or later; see LICENSE.md</license>
 	<authorEmail>hello@mokoconsulting.tech</authorEmail>
 	<authorUrl>https://mokoconsulting.tech</authorUrl>
-	<version>02.16.00-dev</version>
+	<version>02.16.01-dev</version>
 	<description>This plugin rebrands the Joomla system interface with MokoWaaS identity. It applies language overrides and ensures consistent branding across the platform.</description>
 	<namespace path=".">Moko\Plugin\System\MokoWaaS</namespace>
 	<scriptfile>script.php</scriptfile>
diff --git a/src/packages/plg_webservices_mokowaas/mokowaas.xml b/src/packages/plg_webservices_mokowaas/mokowaas.xml
index 3238172f..e8ea2d5a 100644
--- a/src/packages/plg_webservices_mokowaas/mokowaas.xml
+++ b/src/packages/plg_webservices_mokowaas/mokowaas.xml
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 	<license>GPL-3.0-or-later</license>
 	<authorEmail>hello@mokoconsulting.tech</authorEmail>
 	<authorUrl>https://mokoconsulting.tech</authorUrl>
-	<version>02.16.00-dev</version>
+	<version>02.16.01-dev</version>
 	<description>Joomla Web Services API routes for MokoWaaS site management — health checks, cache, updates, backups, and site info.</description>
 	<namespace path="src">Moko\Plugin\WebServices\MokoWaaS</namespace>
 	<files>
diff --git a/src/packages/plg_webservices_perfectpublisher/perfectpublisher.xml b/src/packages/plg_webservices_perfectpublisher/perfectpublisher.xml
index 12ae8fec..abf80207 100644
--- a/src/packages/plg_webservices_perfectpublisher/perfectpublisher.xml
+++ b/src/packages/plg_webservices_perfectpublisher/perfectpublisher.xml
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 	<license>GPL-3.0-or-later</license>
 	<authorEmail>hello@mokoconsulting.tech</authorEmail>
 	<authorUrl>https://mokoconsulting.tech</authorUrl>
-	<version>02.16.00-dev</version>
+	<version>02.16.01-dev</version>
 	<description>Joomla Web Services API routes for Perfect Publisher (com_autotweet) — channels, posts, requests, rules, and feeds.</description>
 	<namespace path="src">Moko\Plugin\WebServices\PerfectPublisher</namespace>
 	<files>
diff --git a/src/pkg_mokowaas.xml b/src/pkg_mokowaas.xml
index d2d34272..a9ed876a 100644
--- a/src/pkg_mokowaas.xml
+++ b/src/pkg_mokowaas.xml
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 <extension type="package" method="upgrade">
 	<name>MokoWaaS</name>
 	<packagename>mokowaas</packagename>
-	<version>02.16.00-dev</version>
+	<version>02.16.01-dev</version>
 	<creationDate>2026-05-23</creationDate>
 	<author>Moko Consulting</author>
 	<authorEmail>hello@mokoconsulting.tech</authorEmail>