diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 415a69c0e..3e0d256dc 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -2,6 +2,9 @@
 
 All notable changes to Bambuddy will be documented in this file.
 
+## [1.2.5.1b1] - Unreleased
+
+
 ## [1.2.5] - 2026-07-24
 
 ### Added
diff --git a/backend/app/core/config.py b/backend/app/core/config.py
index 0943b6a4d..144d5370f 100644
--- a/backend/app/core/config.py
+++ b/backend/app/core/config.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ from pydantic import Field
 from pydantic_settings import BaseSettings
 
 # Application version - single source of truth
-APP_VERSION = "1.2.5"
+APP_VERSION = "1.2.5.1b1"
 GITHUB_REPO = "maziggy/bambuddy"
 BUG_REPORT_RELAY_URL = os.environ.get("BUG_REPORT_RELAY_URL", "https://bambuddy.cool/api/bug-report")