diff --git a/.size-limit.js b/.size-limit.js
index bdfe8a4397e2..10be2f3e92f3 100644
--- a/.size-limit.js
+++ b/.size-limit.js
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ module.exports = [
     path: 'packages/browser/build/npm/esm/index.js',
     import: createImport('init', 'browserTracingIntegration', 'replayIntegration', 'replayCanvasIntegration'),
     gzip: true,
-    limit: '78.1 KB',
+    limit: '80 KB',
   },
   {
     name: '@sentry/browser (incl. Tracing, Replay, Feedback)',
diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 4bb9478862cc..efc347c6ad8f 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -10,6 +10,26 @@
 
 - "You miss 100 percent of the chances you don't take. — Wayne Gretzky" — Michael Scott
 
+## 8.36.0-alpha.1
+
+This is considered an internal release and the following commit will never be released to production tag:
+
+- debug(replay): Remove noisy log that is causing event buffer overflow as well
+  ([#14069](https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript/pull/14069))
+
+## 8.36.0-alpha.0
+
+This is considered an internal release and the following commit will never be released to production tag:
+
+- **debug(replay): Add debugging statements around event buffer**
+  ([#14014](https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript/pull/14014))
+
+Also includes the following unreleased changes:
+
+- fix(nextjs): Await flush in api handlers ([#14023](https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript/pull/14023))
+- fix(solidstart): Use production server for e2e tests
+  ([#14033](https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript/pull/14033))
+
 ## 8.35.0
 
 ### Beta release of the official Nuxt Sentry SDK
@@ -108,6 +128,34 @@ Sentry will instrument streams via fetch.
 
 Work in this release was contributed by @ZakrepaShe and @zhiyan114. Thank you for your contributions!
 
+### Other Changes
+
+- chore(node): Bump `@opentelemetry/instrumentation-express` to `0.43.0`
+  ([#13948](https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript/pull/13948))
+- ci: Ensure we check correctly for bot users ([#13955](https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript/pull/13955))
+- dev(e2e): Fix nestjs version constraint ([#13964](https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript/pull/13964))
+- feat(node): Expose `suppressTracing` API ([#13875](https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript/pull/13875))
+- feat(node): Implement Sentry-specific http instrumentation
+  ([#13763](https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript/pull/13763))
+- feat(nuxt): Add Rollup plugin to wrap server entry with `import()`
+  ([#13945](https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript/pull/13945))
+- feat(replay): Do not log "timeout while trying to read resp body" as exception
+  ([#13965](https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript/pull/13965))
+- feat(vue): Add Pinia plugin ([#13841](https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript/pull/13841))
+- fix: Ensure type for `init` is correct in meta frameworks
+  ([#13938](https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript/pull/13938))
+- fix(module): keep version for node ESM package ([#13922](https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript/pull/13922))
+- fix(replay): Fix onError sampling when loading an expired buffered session
+  ([#13962](https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript/pull/13962))
+- ref: Add external contributor to CHANGELOG.md ([#13956](https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript/pull/13956))
+- ref: Add external contributor to CHANGELOG.md ([#13959](https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript/pull/13959))
+- test(browser): Add test for current DSC transaction name updating behavior
+  ([#13953](https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript/pull/13953))
+- test(loader): Update Loader Script & test error in `sentryOnLoad`
+  ([#13952](https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript/pull/13952))
+- test(node): Add tests for current DSC transaction name updating behavior
+  ([#13961](https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript/pull/13961))
+
 ## 8.34.0
 
 ### Important Changes
diff --git a/dev-packages/browser-integration-tests/package.json b/dev-packages/browser-integration-tests/package.json
index b791ba4fcca0..efbd38a31248 100644
--- a/dev-packages/browser-integration-tests/package.json
+++ b/dev-packages/browser-integration-tests/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@sentry-internal/browser-integration-tests",
-  "version": "8.35.0",
+  "version": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
   "main": "index.js",
   "license": "MIT",
   "engines": {
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@
     "@babel/preset-typescript": "^7.16.7",
     "@playwright/test": "^1.44.1",
     "@sentry-internal/rrweb": "2.11.0",
-    "@sentry/browser": "8.35.0",
+    "@sentry/browser": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
     "axios": "1.6.7",
     "babel-loader": "^8.2.2",
     "html-webpack-plugin": "^5.5.0",
diff --git a/dev-packages/bundle-analyzer-scenarios/package.json b/dev-packages/bundle-analyzer-scenarios/package.json
index 8733d3b578b0..6e311241d0f0 100644
--- a/dev-packages/bundle-analyzer-scenarios/package.json
+++ b/dev-packages/bundle-analyzer-scenarios/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@sentry-internal/bundle-analyzer-scenarios",
-  "version": "8.35.0",
+  "version": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Scenarios to test bundle analysis with",
   "repository": "git://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript.git",
   "homepage": "https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript/tree/master/dev-packages/bundle-analyzer-scenarios",
diff --git a/dev-packages/clear-cache-gh-action/package.json b/dev-packages/clear-cache-gh-action/package.json
index d5b119c125e8..487c22f1f127 100644
--- a/dev-packages/clear-cache-gh-action/package.json
+++ b/dev-packages/clear-cache-gh-action/package.json
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
   "name": "@sentry-internal/clear-cache-gh-action",
   "description": "An internal Github Action to clear GitHub caches.",
-  "version": "8.35.0",
+  "version": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
   "license": "MIT",
   "engines": {
     "node": ">=18"
diff --git a/dev-packages/e2e-tests/package.json b/dev-packages/e2e-tests/package.json
index 231ebadb3d85..91cedb6fa4d5 100644
--- a/dev-packages/e2e-tests/package.json
+++ b/dev-packages/e2e-tests/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@sentry-internal/e2e-tests",
-  "version": "8.35.0",
+  "version": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
   "license": "MIT",
   "private": true,
   "scripts": {
diff --git a/dev-packages/external-contributor-gh-action/package.json b/dev-packages/external-contributor-gh-action/package.json
index 998c5e86be00..1cb5cbc05d14 100644
--- a/dev-packages/external-contributor-gh-action/package.json
+++ b/dev-packages/external-contributor-gh-action/package.json
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
   "name": "@sentry-internal/external-contributor-gh-action",
   "description": "An internal Github Action to add external contributors to the CHANGELOG.md file.",
-  "version": "8.35.0",
+  "version": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
   "license": "MIT",
   "engines": {
     "node": ">=18"
diff --git a/dev-packages/node-integration-tests/package.json b/dev-packages/node-integration-tests/package.json
index 0870127845c7..047011453107 100644
--- a/dev-packages/node-integration-tests/package.json
+++ b/dev-packages/node-integration-tests/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@sentry-internal/node-integration-tests",
-  "version": "8.35.0",
+  "version": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
   "license": "MIT",
   "engines": {
     "node": ">=14.18"
@@ -31,10 +31,10 @@
     "@nestjs/core": "^10.3.3",
     "@nestjs/platform-express": "^10.3.3",
     "@prisma/client": "5.9.1",
-    "@sentry/aws-serverless": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/node": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/types": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/utils": "8.35.0",
+    "@sentry/aws-serverless": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/node": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/types": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/utils": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
     "@types/mongodb": "^3.6.20",
     "@types/mysql": "^2.15.21",
     "@types/pg": "^8.6.5",
diff --git a/dev-packages/overhead-metrics/package.json b/dev-packages/overhead-metrics/package.json
index 878b29487f54..0915d8d7d8fd 100644
--- a/dev-packages/overhead-metrics/package.json
+++ b/dev-packages/overhead-metrics/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "private": true,
-  "version": "8.35.0",
+  "version": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
   "name": "@sentry-internal/overhead-metrics",
   "main": "index.js",
   "author": "Sentry",
diff --git a/dev-packages/rollup-utils/package.json b/dev-packages/rollup-utils/package.json
index c0b4bb06e007..86c8160a792a 100644
--- a/dev-packages/rollup-utils/package.json
+++ b/dev-packages/rollup-utils/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@sentry-internal/rollup-utils",
-  "version": "8.35.0",
+  "version": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Rollup utilities used at Sentry for the Sentry JavaScript SDK",
   "repository": "git://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript.git",
   "homepage": "https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript/tree/master/packages/rollup-utils",
diff --git a/dev-packages/size-limit-gh-action/package.json b/dev-packages/size-limit-gh-action/package.json
index a35f2b23891e..f70a6acbf942 100644
--- a/dev-packages/size-limit-gh-action/package.json
+++ b/dev-packages/size-limit-gh-action/package.json
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
   "name": "@sentry-internal/size-limit-gh-action",
   "description": "An internal Github Action to compare the current size of a PR against the one on develop.",
-  "version": "8.35.0",
+  "version": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
   "license": "MIT",
   "engines": {
     "node": ">=18"
diff --git a/dev-packages/test-utils/package.json b/dev-packages/test-utils/package.json
index 70a3c5db3839..d58dc1691804 100644
--- a/dev-packages/test-utils/package.json
+++ b/dev-packages/test-utils/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "private": true,
-  "version": "8.35.0",
+  "version": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
   "name": "@sentry-internal/test-utils",
   "author": "Sentry",
   "license": "MIT",
@@ -45,8 +45,8 @@
   },
   "devDependencies": {
     "@playwright/test": "^1.44.1",
-    "@sentry/types": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/utils": "8.35.0"
+    "@sentry/types": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/utils": "8.36.0-alpha.0"
   },
   "volta": {
     "extends": "../../package.json"
diff --git a/lerna.json b/lerna.json
index a65090f2d3de..fc03b72d1b37 100644
--- a/lerna.json
+++ b/lerna.json
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 {
   "$schema": "node_modules/lerna/schemas/lerna-schema.json",
-  "version": "8.35.0",
+  "version": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
   "npmClient": "yarn"
 }
diff --git a/packages/angular/package.json b/packages/angular/package.json
index 4ef8a61bc3bd..2e3ae52f8e57 100644
--- a/packages/angular/package.json
+++ b/packages/angular/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@sentry/angular",
-  "version": "8.35.0",
+  "version": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Official Sentry SDK for Angular",
   "repository": "git://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript.git",
   "homepage": "https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript/tree/master/packages/angular",
@@ -21,10 +21,10 @@
     "rxjs": "^6.5.5 || ^7.x"
   },
   "dependencies": {
-    "@sentry/browser": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/core": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/types": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/utils": "8.35.0",
+    "@sentry/browser": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/core": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/types": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/utils": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
     "tslib": "^2.4.1"
   },
   "devDependencies": {
diff --git a/packages/astro/package.json b/packages/astro/package.json
index 8b53f185c7e7..4e622b095c14 100644
--- a/packages/astro/package.json
+++ b/packages/astro/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@sentry/astro",
-  "version": "8.35.0",
+  "version": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Official Sentry SDK for Astro",
   "repository": "git://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript.git",
   "homepage": "https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript/tree/master/packages/astro",
@@ -56,11 +56,11 @@
     "astro": ">=3.x || >=4.0.0-beta"
   },
   "dependencies": {
-    "@sentry/browser": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/core": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/node": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/types": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/utils": "8.35.0",
+    "@sentry/browser": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/core": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/node": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/types": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/utils": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
     "@sentry/vite-plugin": "^2.22.3"
   },
   "devDependencies": {
diff --git a/packages/aws-serverless/package.json b/packages/aws-serverless/package.json
index 76973f30944e..95052b16e1fc 100644
--- a/packages/aws-serverless/package.json
+++ b/packages/aws-serverless/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@sentry/aws-serverless",
-  "version": "8.35.0",
+  "version": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Official Sentry SDK for AWS Lambda and AWS Serverless Environments",
   "repository": "git://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript.git",
   "homepage": "https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript/tree/master/packages/serverless",
@@ -66,10 +66,10 @@
   "dependencies": {
     "@opentelemetry/instrumentation-aws-lambda": "0.44.0",
     "@opentelemetry/instrumentation-aws-sdk": "0.44.0",
-    "@sentry/core": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/node": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/types": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/utils": "8.35.0",
+    "@sentry/core": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/node": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/types": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/utils": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
     "@types/aws-lambda": "^8.10.62"
   },
   "devDependencies": {
diff --git a/packages/browser-utils/package.json b/packages/browser-utils/package.json
index 8e5990a3e0c4..98305b0b6dc5 100644
--- a/packages/browser-utils/package.json
+++ b/packages/browser-utils/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@sentry-internal/browser-utils",
-  "version": "8.35.0",
+  "version": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Browser Utilities for all Sentry JavaScript SDKs",
   "repository": "git://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript.git",
   "homepage": "https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript/tree/master/packages/browser-utils",
@@ -39,9 +39,9 @@
     "access": "public"
   },
   "dependencies": {
-    "@sentry/core": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/types": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/utils": "8.35.0"
+    "@sentry/core": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/types": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/utils": "8.36.0-alpha.0"
   },
   "scripts": {
     "build": "run-p build:transpile build:types",
diff --git a/packages/browser/package.json b/packages/browser/package.json
index d4a8b3f71b6a..0e482d60d2d5 100644
--- a/packages/browser/package.json
+++ b/packages/browser/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@sentry/browser",
-  "version": "8.35.0",
+  "version": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Official Sentry SDK for browsers",
   "repository": "git://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript.git",
   "homepage": "https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript/tree/master/packages/browser",
@@ -39,16 +39,16 @@
     "access": "public"
   },
   "dependencies": {
-    "@sentry-internal/browser-utils": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry-internal/feedback": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry-internal/replay": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry-internal/replay-canvas": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/core": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/types": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/utils": "8.35.0"
+    "@sentry-internal/browser-utils": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry-internal/feedback": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry-internal/replay": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry-internal/replay-canvas": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/core": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/types": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/utils": "8.36.0-alpha.0"
   },
   "devDependencies": {
-    "@sentry-internal/integration-shims": "8.35.0",
+    "@sentry-internal/integration-shims": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
     "fake-indexeddb": "^4.0.1"
   },
   "scripts": {
diff --git a/packages/bun/package.json b/packages/bun/package.json
index 7d20fea8255c..8fb1fa17dd02 100644
--- a/packages/bun/package.json
+++ b/packages/bun/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@sentry/bun",
-  "version": "8.35.0",
+  "version": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Official Sentry SDK for bun",
   "repository": "git://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript.git",
   "homepage": "https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript/tree/master/packages/bun",
@@ -39,11 +39,11 @@
     "access": "public"
   },
   "dependencies": {
-    "@sentry/core": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/node": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/opentelemetry": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/types": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/utils": "8.35.0"
+    "@sentry/core": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/node": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/opentelemetry": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/types": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/utils": "8.36.0-alpha.0"
   },
   "devDependencies": {
     "bun-types": "latest"
diff --git a/packages/cloudflare/package.json b/packages/cloudflare/package.json
index bc8b2c58a2c2..f70558e6e677 100644
--- a/packages/cloudflare/package.json
+++ b/packages/cloudflare/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@sentry/cloudflare",
-  "version": "8.35.0",
+  "version": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Offical Sentry SDK for Cloudflare Workers and Pages",
   "repository": "git://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript.git",
   "homepage": "https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript/tree/master/packages/cloudflare",
@@ -39,9 +39,9 @@
     "access": "public"
   },
   "dependencies": {
-    "@sentry/core": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/types": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/utils": "8.35.0"
+    "@sentry/core": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/types": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/utils": "8.36.0-alpha.0"
   },
   "optionalDependencies": {
     "@cloudflare/workers-types": "^4.x"
diff --git a/packages/core/package.json b/packages/core/package.json
index 49c76c794f93..661113dc434d 100644
--- a/packages/core/package.json
+++ b/packages/core/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@sentry/core",
-  "version": "8.35.0",
+  "version": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Base implementation for all Sentry JavaScript SDKs",
   "repository": "git://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript.git",
   "homepage": "https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript/tree/master/packages/core",
@@ -39,8 +39,8 @@
     "access": "public"
   },
   "dependencies": {
-    "@sentry/types": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/utils": "8.35.0"
+    "@sentry/types": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/utils": "8.36.0-alpha.0"
   },
   "scripts": {
     "build": "run-p build:transpile build:types",
diff --git a/packages/deno/package.json b/packages/deno/package.json
index ee65caec792c..e4e7b61b7853 100644
--- a/packages/deno/package.json
+++ b/packages/deno/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@sentry/deno",
-  "version": "8.35.0",
+  "version": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Official Sentry SDK for Deno",
   "repository": "git://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript.git",
   "homepage": "https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript/tree/master/packages/deno",
@@ -24,9 +24,9 @@
     "/build"
   ],
   "dependencies": {
-    "@sentry/core": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/types": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/utils": "8.35.0"
+    "@sentry/core": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/types": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/utils": "8.36.0-alpha.0"
   },
   "devDependencies": {
     "@rollup/plugin-typescript": "^11.1.5",
diff --git a/packages/ember/package.json b/packages/ember/package.json
index d75df71f7861..a18b63c6618c 100644
--- a/packages/ember/package.json
+++ b/packages/ember/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@sentry/ember",
-  "version": "8.35.0",
+  "version": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Official Sentry SDK for Ember.js",
   "repository": "git://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript.git",
   "homepage": "https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript/tree/master/packages/ember",
@@ -33,10 +33,10 @@
   "dependencies": {
     "@babel/core": "^7.24.4",
     "@embroider/macros": "^1.16.0",
-    "@sentry/browser": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/core": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/types": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/utils": "8.35.0",
+    "@sentry/browser": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/core": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/types": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/utils": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
     "ember-auto-import": "^2.7.2",
     "ember-cli-babel": "^8.2.0",
     "ember-cli-htmlbars": "^6.1.1",
diff --git a/packages/eslint-config-sdk/package.json b/packages/eslint-config-sdk/package.json
index f2f073d78036..01a23eb8e293 100644
--- a/packages/eslint-config-sdk/package.json
+++ b/packages/eslint-config-sdk/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@sentry-internal/eslint-config-sdk",
-  "version": "8.35.0",
+  "version": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Official Sentry SDK eslint config",
   "repository": "git://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript.git",
   "homepage": "https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript/tree/master/packages/eslint-config-sdk",
@@ -22,8 +22,8 @@
     "access": "public"
   },
   "dependencies": {
-    "@sentry-internal/eslint-plugin-sdk": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry-internal/typescript": "8.35.0",
+    "@sentry-internal/eslint-plugin-sdk": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry-internal/typescript": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
     "@typescript-eslint/eslint-plugin": "^5.48.0",
     "@typescript-eslint/parser": "^5.48.0",
     "eslint-config-prettier": "^6.11.0",
diff --git a/packages/eslint-plugin-sdk/package.json b/packages/eslint-plugin-sdk/package.json
index 3e4dfa389f47..b214eb6eb55f 100644
--- a/packages/eslint-plugin-sdk/package.json
+++ b/packages/eslint-plugin-sdk/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@sentry-internal/eslint-plugin-sdk",
-  "version": "8.35.0",
+  "version": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Official Sentry SDK eslint plugin",
   "repository": "git://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript.git",
   "homepage": "https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript/tree/master/packages/eslint-plugin-sdk",
diff --git a/packages/feedback/package.json b/packages/feedback/package.json
index a48086044948..33e2e0cad127 100644
--- a/packages/feedback/package.json
+++ b/packages/feedback/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@sentry-internal/feedback",
-  "version": "8.35.0",
+  "version": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Sentry SDK integration for user feedback",
   "repository": "git://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript.git",
   "homepage": "https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript/tree/master/packages/feedback",
@@ -39,9 +39,9 @@
     "access": "public"
   },
   "dependencies": {
-    "@sentry/core": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/types": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/utils": "8.35.0"
+    "@sentry/core": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/types": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/utils": "8.36.0-alpha.0"
   },
   "devDependencies": {
     "preact": "^10.19.4"
diff --git a/packages/gatsby/package.json b/packages/gatsby/package.json
index ad231e84fb1a..d542f11cb0ea 100644
--- a/packages/gatsby/package.json
+++ b/packages/gatsby/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@sentry/gatsby",
-  "version": "8.35.0",
+  "version": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Official Sentry SDK for Gatsby.js",
   "repository": "git://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript.git",
   "homepage": "https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript/tree/master/packages/gatsby",
@@ -45,10 +45,10 @@
     "access": "public"
   },
   "dependencies": {
-    "@sentry/core": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/react": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/types": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/utils": "8.35.0",
+    "@sentry/core": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/react": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/types": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/utils": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
     "@sentry/webpack-plugin": "2.22.3"
   },
   "peerDependencies": {
diff --git a/packages/google-cloud-serverless/package.json b/packages/google-cloud-serverless/package.json
index 084aa77101fd..bdece1d75944 100644
--- a/packages/google-cloud-serverless/package.json
+++ b/packages/google-cloud-serverless/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@sentry/google-cloud-serverless",
-  "version": "8.35.0",
+  "version": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Official Sentry SDK for Google Cloud Functions",
   "repository": "git://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript.git",
   "homepage": "https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript/tree/master/packages/google-cloud",
@@ -48,10 +48,10 @@
     "access": "public"
   },
   "dependencies": {
-    "@sentry/core": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/node": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/types": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/utils": "8.35.0",
+    "@sentry/core": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/node": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/types": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/utils": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
     "@types/express": "^4.17.14"
   },
   "devDependencies": {
diff --git a/packages/integration-shims/package.json b/packages/integration-shims/package.json
index 066797d6c911..abe38cd3c8a2 100644
--- a/packages/integration-shims/package.json
+++ b/packages/integration-shims/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@sentry-internal/integration-shims",
-  "version": "8.35.0",
+  "version": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Shims for integrations in Sentry SDK.",
   "main": "build/cjs/index.js",
   "module": "build/esm/index.js",
@@ -55,9 +55,9 @@
     "url": "https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript/issues"
   },
   "dependencies": {
-    "@sentry/core": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/types": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/utils": "8.35.0"
+    "@sentry/core": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/types": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/utils": "8.36.0-alpha.0"
   },
   "engines": {
     "node": ">=14.18"
diff --git a/packages/nestjs/package.json b/packages/nestjs/package.json
index d084e8cb4a41..69c10b5a5def 100644
--- a/packages/nestjs/package.json
+++ b/packages/nestjs/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@sentry/nestjs",
-  "version": "8.35.0",
+  "version": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Official Sentry SDK for NestJS",
   "repository": "git://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript.git",
   "homepage": "https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript/tree/master/packages/nestjs",
@@ -44,10 +44,10 @@
     "access": "public"
   },
   "dependencies": {
-    "@sentry/core": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/node": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/types": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/utils": "8.35.0"
+    "@sentry/core": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/node": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/types": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/utils": "8.36.0-alpha.0"
   },
   "devDependencies": {
     "@nestjs/common": "^8.0.0 || ^9.0.0 || ^10.0.0",
diff --git a/packages/nextjs/package.json b/packages/nextjs/package.json
index dbdd89f2b710..f622f4928680 100644
--- a/packages/nextjs/package.json
+++ b/packages/nextjs/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@sentry/nextjs",
-  "version": "8.35.0",
+  "version": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Official Sentry SDK for Next.js",
   "repository": "git://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript.git",
   "homepage": "https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript/tree/master/packages/nextjs",
@@ -79,14 +79,14 @@
     "@opentelemetry/instrumentation-http": "0.53.0",
     "@opentelemetry/semantic-conventions": "^1.27.0",
     "@rollup/plugin-commonjs": "26.0.1",
-    "@sentry-internal/browser-utils": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/core": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/node": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/opentelemetry": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/react": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/types": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/utils": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/vercel-edge": "8.35.0",
+    "@sentry-internal/browser-utils": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/core": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/node": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/opentelemetry": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/react": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/types": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/utils": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/vercel-edge": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
     "@sentry/webpack-plugin": "2.22.3",
     "chalk": "3.0.0",
     "resolve": "1.22.8",
diff --git a/packages/node/package.json b/packages/node/package.json
index 7d0239317d90..cc006045ac44 100644
--- a/packages/node/package.json
+++ b/packages/node/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@sentry/node",
-  "version": "8.35.0",
+  "version": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Sentry Node SDK using OpenTelemetry for performance instrumentation",
   "repository": "git://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript.git",
   "homepage": "https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript/tree/master/packages/node",
@@ -95,10 +95,10 @@
     "@opentelemetry/sdk-trace-base": "^1.26.0",
     "@opentelemetry/semantic-conventions": "^1.27.0",
     "@prisma/instrumentation": "5.19.1",
-    "@sentry/core": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/opentelemetry": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/types": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/utils": "8.35.0",
+    "@sentry/core": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/opentelemetry": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/types": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/utils": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
     "import-in-the-middle": "^1.11.2"
   },
   "devDependencies": {
diff --git a/packages/nuxt/package.json b/packages/nuxt/package.json
index 9f2bff0bf98c..5f855c26cbee 100644
--- a/packages/nuxt/package.json
+++ b/packages/nuxt/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@sentry/nuxt",
-  "version": "8.35.0",
+  "version": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Official Sentry SDK for Nuxt (EXPERIMENTAL)",
   "repository": "git://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript.git",
   "homepage": "https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript/tree/master/packages/nuxt",
@@ -43,15 +43,15 @@
   },
   "dependencies": {
     "@nuxt/kit": "^3.13.2",
-    "@sentry/browser": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/core": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/node": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/opentelemetry": "8.35.0",
+    "@sentry/browser": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/core": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/node": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/opentelemetry": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
     "@sentry/rollup-plugin": "2.22.3",
-    "@sentry/types": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/utils": "8.35.0",
+    "@sentry/types": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/utils": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
     "@sentry/vite-plugin": "2.22.3",
-    "@sentry/vue": "8.35.0"
+    "@sentry/vue": "8.36.0-alpha.0"
   },
   "devDependencies": {
     "@nuxt/module-builder": "^0.8.4",
diff --git a/packages/opentelemetry/package.json b/packages/opentelemetry/package.json
index 441431573495..3d36f2a19f03 100644
--- a/packages/opentelemetry/package.json
+++ b/packages/opentelemetry/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@sentry/opentelemetry",
-  "version": "8.35.0",
+  "version": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Official Sentry utilities for OpenTelemetry",
   "repository": "git://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript.git",
   "homepage": "https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript/tree/master/packages/opentelemetry",
@@ -39,9 +39,9 @@
     "access": "public"
   },
   "dependencies": {
-    "@sentry/core": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/types": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/utils": "8.35.0"
+    "@sentry/core": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/types": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/utils": "8.36.0-alpha.0"
   },
   "peerDependencies": {
     "@opentelemetry/api": "^1.9.0",
diff --git a/packages/profiling-node/package.json b/packages/profiling-node/package.json
index 8e75e11518d9..a30ded2b84e3 100644
--- a/packages/profiling-node/package.json
+++ b/packages/profiling-node/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@sentry/profiling-node",
-  "version": "8.35.0",
+  "version": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Official Sentry SDK for Node.js Profiling",
   "repository": "git://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript.git",
   "homepage": "https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript/tree/master/packages/profiling-node",
@@ -75,10 +75,10 @@
     "test": "cross-env SENTRY_PROFILER_BINARY_DIR=lib jest --config jest.config.js"
   },
   "dependencies": {
-    "@sentry/core": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/node": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/types": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/utils": "8.35.0",
+    "@sentry/core": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/node": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/types": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/utils": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
     "detect-libc": "^2.0.2",
     "node-abi": "^3.61.0"
   },
diff --git a/packages/react/package.json b/packages/react/package.json
index 42a512c53d92..a8f470eece65 100644
--- a/packages/react/package.json
+++ b/packages/react/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@sentry/react",
-  "version": "8.35.0",
+  "version": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Official Sentry SDK for React.js",
   "repository": "git://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript.git",
   "homepage": "https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript/tree/master/packages/react",
@@ -39,10 +39,10 @@
     "access": "public"
   },
   "dependencies": {
-    "@sentry/browser": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/core": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/types": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/utils": "8.35.0",
+    "@sentry/browser": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/core": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/types": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/utils": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
     "hoist-non-react-statics": "^3.3.2"
   },
   "peerDependencies": {
diff --git a/packages/remix/package.json b/packages/remix/package.json
index 088998855c6e..b93e9190c033 100644
--- a/packages/remix/package.json
+++ b/packages/remix/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@sentry/remix",
-  "version": "8.35.0",
+  "version": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Official Sentry SDK for Remix",
   "repository": "git://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript.git",
   "homepage": "https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript/tree/master/packages/remix",
@@ -54,12 +54,12 @@
   "dependencies": {
     "@remix-run/router": "1.x",
     "@sentry/cli": "^2.35.0",
-    "@sentry/core": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/node": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/opentelemetry": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/react": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/types": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/utils": "8.35.0",
+    "@sentry/core": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/node": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/opentelemetry": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/react": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/types": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/utils": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
     "glob": "^10.3.4",
     "opentelemetry-instrumentation-remix": "0.7.1",
     "yargs": "^17.6.0"
diff --git a/packages/replay-canvas/package.json b/packages/replay-canvas/package.json
index d8fbf21338de..9ad9d7a2cd3f 100644
--- a/packages/replay-canvas/package.json
+++ b/packages/replay-canvas/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@sentry-internal/replay-canvas",
-  "version": "8.35.0",
+  "version": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Replay canvas integration",
   "main": "build/npm/cjs/index.js",
   "module": "build/npm/esm/index.js",
@@ -68,10 +68,10 @@
     "@sentry-internal/rrweb": "2.28.0"
   },
   "dependencies": {
-    "@sentry-internal/replay": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/core": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/types": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/utils": "8.35.0"
+    "@sentry-internal/replay": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/core": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/types": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/utils": "8.36.0-alpha.0"
   },
   "engines": {
     "node": ">=14.18"
diff --git a/packages/replay-internal/package.json b/packages/replay-internal/package.json
index 6cff405725b5..28f83f131dd7 100644
--- a/packages/replay-internal/package.json
+++ b/packages/replay-internal/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@sentry-internal/replay",
-  "version": "8.35.0",
+  "version": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "User replays for Sentry",
   "main": "build/npm/cjs/index.js",
   "module": "build/npm/esm/index.js",
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@
   "homepage": "https://docs.sentry.io/platforms/javascript/session-replay/",
   "devDependencies": {
     "@babel/core": "^7.17.5",
-    "@sentry-internal/replay-worker": "8.35.0",
+    "@sentry-internal/replay-worker": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
     "@sentry-internal/rrweb": "2.28.0",
     "@sentry-internal/rrweb-snapshot": "2.28.0",
     "fflate": "^0.8.1",
@@ -76,10 +76,10 @@
     "jsdom-worker": "^0.2.1"
   },
   "dependencies": {
-    "@sentry-internal/browser-utils": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/core": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/types": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/utils": "8.35.0"
+    "@sentry-internal/browser-utils": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/core": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/types": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/utils": "8.36.0-alpha.0"
   },
   "engines": {
     "node": ">=14.18"
diff --git a/packages/replay-internal/src/eventBuffer/EventBufferCompressionWorker.ts b/packages/replay-internal/src/eventBuffer/EventBufferCompressionWorker.ts
index 90a54bbf07f3..007858d65d45 100644
--- a/packages/replay-internal/src/eventBuffer/EventBufferCompressionWorker.ts
+++ b/packages/replay-internal/src/eventBuffer/EventBufferCompressionWorker.ts
@@ -82,14 +82,20 @@ export class EventBufferCompressionWorker implements EventBuffer {
 
   /** @inheritdoc */
   public clear(): void {
+    DEBUG_BUILD && logger.info(`Clearing event buffer (${this._totalSize})`);
     this._earliestTimestamp = null;
     this._totalSize = 0;
     this.hasCheckout = false;
 
     // We do not wait on this, as we assume the order of messages is consistent for the worker
-    this._worker.postMessage('clear').then(null, e => {
-      DEBUG_BUILD && logger.exception(e, 'Sending "clear" message to worker failed', e);
-    });
+    this._worker.postMessage('clear').then(
+      () => {
+        DEBUG_BUILD && logger.info('Event buffer cleared within worker');
+      },
+      e => {
+        DEBUG_BUILD && logger.exception(e, 'Sending "clear" message to worker failed', e);
+      },
+    );
   }
 
   /** @inheritdoc */
diff --git a/packages/replay-internal/src/eventBuffer/EventBufferProxy.ts b/packages/replay-internal/src/eventBuffer/EventBufferProxy.ts
index ea81365b66a9..b311e2152a3d 100644
--- a/packages/replay-internal/src/eventBuffer/EventBufferProxy.ts
+++ b/packages/replay-internal/src/eventBuffer/EventBufferProxy.ts
@@ -115,6 +115,7 @@ export class EventBufferProxy implements EventBuffer {
     // Wait for original events to be re-added before resolving
     try {
       await Promise.all(addEventPromises);
+      DEBUG_BUILD && logger.info('Finished switching to compression worker');
 
       // Can now clear fallback buffer as it's no longer necessary
       this._fallback.clear();
diff --git a/packages/replay-internal/src/replay.ts b/packages/replay-internal/src/replay.ts
index cfd8a2a45c33..26fd57cbf54e 100644
--- a/packages/replay-internal/src/replay.ts
+++ b/packages/replay-internal/src/replay.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,13 @@
 /* eslint-disable max-lines */ // TODO: We might want to split this file up
 import { EventType, record } from '@sentry-internal/rrweb';
-import { SEMANTIC_ATTRIBUTE_SENTRY_SOURCE, getActiveSpan, getClient, getRootSpan, spanToJSON } from '@sentry/core';
+import {
+  SEMANTIC_ATTRIBUTE_SENTRY_SOURCE,
+  getActiveSpan,
+  getClient,
+  getRootSpan,
+  setTag,
+  spanToJSON,
+} from '@sentry/core';
 import type { ReplayRecordingMode, Span } from '@sentry/types';
 import { logger } from './util/logger';
 
@@ -445,7 +452,9 @@ export class ReplayContainer implements ReplayContainerInterface {
     this._isEnabled = false;
 
     try {
-      DEBUG_BUILD && logger.info(`Stopping Replay${reason ? ` triggered by ${reason}` : ''}`);
+      DEBUG_BUILD &&
+        reason !== 'addEventSizeExceeded' &&
+        logger.info(`Stopping Replay${reason ? ` triggered by ${reason}` : ''}`);
 
       resetReplayIdOnDynamicSamplingContext();
 
@@ -1226,28 +1235,14 @@ export class ReplayContainer implements ReplayContainerInterface {
       return;
     }
 
-    const start = this.session.started;
-    const now = Date.now();
-    const duration = now - start;
-
     // A flush is about to happen, cancel any queued flushes
     this._debouncedFlush.cancel();
 
-    // If session is too short, or too long (allow some wiggle room over maxReplayDuration), do not send it
-    // This _should_ not happen, but it may happen if flush is triggered due to a page activity change or similar
-    const tooShort = duration < this._options.minReplayDuration;
-    const tooLong = duration > this._options.maxReplayDuration + 5_000;
-    if (tooShort || tooLong) {
-      DEBUG_BUILD &&
-        logger.info(
-          `Session duration (${Math.floor(duration / 1000)}s) is too ${
-            tooShort ? 'short' : 'long'
-          }, not sending replay.`,
-        );
+    const isValidDuration = this._checkReplayDurationDuringFlush();
 
-      if (tooShort) {
-        this._debouncedFlush();
-      }
+    // XXX: disregard durations for buffer mode for debug purposes
+    if (!isValidDuration && this.recordingMode !== 'buffer') {
+      DEBUG_BUILD && logger.info('Invalid duration while buffering');
       return;
     }
 
@@ -1283,6 +1278,47 @@ export class ReplayContainer implements ReplayContainerInterface {
     }
   };
 
+  /**
+   * Checks to see if replay duration is within bounds during a flush. If it is
+   * too short, will queue up a new flush to prevent short replays.
+   *
+   * Returns true if duration is ok, false otherwise
+   */
+  private _checkReplayDurationDuringFlush(): boolean {
+    if (!this.session) {
+      return false;
+    }
+
+    const start = this.session.started;
+    const now = Date.now();
+    const duration = now - start;
+
+    // If session is too short, or too long (allow some wiggle room over maxReplayDuration), do not send it
+    // This _should_ not happen, but it may happen if flush is triggered due to a page activity change or similar
+    const tooShort = duration < this._options.minReplayDuration;
+    const tooLong = duration > this._options.maxReplayDuration + 5_000;
+    if (tooShort || tooLong) {
+      DEBUG_BUILD &&
+        logger.info(
+          `Session duration (${Math.floor(duration / 1000)}s) is too ${
+            tooShort ? 'short' : 'long'
+          }, not sending replay.`,
+        );
+
+      if (tooShort) {
+        this._debouncedFlush();
+      }
+
+      // XXX: disregard durations for buffer mode for debug purposes
+      if (this.recordingMode === 'buffer') {
+        setTag(`replay.${tooShort ? 'tooShort' : 'tooLong'}`, true);
+      }
+      return false;
+    }
+
+    return true;
+  }
+
   /** Save the session, if it is sticky */
   private _maybeSaveSession(): void {
     if (this.session && this._options.stickySession) {
diff --git a/packages/replay-internal/src/util/handleRecordingEmit.ts b/packages/replay-internal/src/util/handleRecordingEmit.ts
index 4f4637276116..d5aa5826c9f4 100644
--- a/packages/replay-internal/src/util/handleRecordingEmit.ts
+++ b/packages/replay-internal/src/util/handleRecordingEmit.ts
@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@ export function getHandleRecordingEmit(replay: ReplayContainer): RecordingEmitCa
       // dependent on this reset.
       if (replay.recordingMode === 'buffer' && isCheckout) {
         replay.setInitialState();
+        DEBUG_BUILD && logger.info(`Adding checkout event while in buffer mode (${JSON.stringify(event).length})`);
       }
 
       // If the event is not added (e.g. due to being paused, disabled, or out of the max replay duration),
@@ -74,7 +75,11 @@ export function getHandleRecordingEmit(replay: ReplayContainer): RecordingEmitCa
       // When in buffer mode, make sure we adjust the session started date to the current earliest event of the buffer
       // this should usually be the timestamp of the checkout event, but to be safe...
       if (replay.recordingMode === 'buffer' && session && replay.eventBuffer) {
+        DEBUG_BUILD &&
+          logger.info('Attempting to fetch earliest event from event buffer type: ', replay.eventBuffer.type);
+
         const earliestEvent = replay.eventBuffer.getEarliestTimestamp();
+
         if (earliestEvent) {
           DEBUG_BUILD &&
             logger.info(`Updating session start time to earliest event in buffer to ${new Date(earliestEvent)}`);
@@ -84,6 +89,9 @@ export function getHandleRecordingEmit(replay: ReplayContainer): RecordingEmitCa
           if (replay.getOptions().stickySession) {
             saveSession(session);
           }
+        } else {
+          // XXX(billy): debugging
+          DEBUG_BUILD && logger.warn('Unable to find earliest event in event buffer');
         }
       }
 
diff --git a/packages/replay-worker/package.json b/packages/replay-worker/package.json
index d6b2bc41dfce..2a7b062e25da 100644
--- a/packages/replay-worker/package.json
+++ b/packages/replay-worker/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@sentry-internal/replay-worker",
-  "version": "8.35.0",
+  "version": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Worker for @sentry-internal/replay",
   "main": "build/esm/index.js",
   "module": "build/esm/index.js",
diff --git a/packages/solid/package.json b/packages/solid/package.json
index 1b4934594ebf..f13b4ef3b29e 100644
--- a/packages/solid/package.json
+++ b/packages/solid/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@sentry/solid",
-  "version": "8.35.0",
+  "version": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Official Sentry SDK for Solid",
   "repository": "git://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript.git",
   "homepage": "https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript/tree/master/packages/solid",
@@ -44,10 +44,10 @@
     "access": "public"
   },
   "dependencies": {
-    "@sentry/browser": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/core": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/types": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/utils": "8.35.0"
+    "@sentry/browser": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/core": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/types": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/utils": "8.36.0-alpha.0"
   },
   "peerDependencies": {
     "@solidjs/router": "^0.13.4",
diff --git a/packages/solidstart/package.json b/packages/solidstart/package.json
index bdafc4e2738d..4520bb8dd3d2 100644
--- a/packages/solidstart/package.json
+++ b/packages/solidstart/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@sentry/solidstart",
-  "version": "8.35.0",
+  "version": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Official Sentry SDK for Solid Start",
   "repository": "git://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript.git",
   "homepage": "https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript/tree/master/packages/solidstart",
@@ -67,12 +67,12 @@
   },
   "dependencies": {
     "@opentelemetry/instrumentation": "^0.53.0",
-    "@sentry/core": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/node": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/opentelemetry": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/solid": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/types": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/utils": "8.35.0",
+    "@sentry/core": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/node": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/opentelemetry": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/solid": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/types": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/utils": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
     "@sentry/vite-plugin": "2.22.3"
   },
   "devDependencies": {
diff --git a/packages/svelte/package.json b/packages/svelte/package.json
index 5debdbdf993d..4852e7bf64d1 100644
--- a/packages/svelte/package.json
+++ b/packages/svelte/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@sentry/svelte",
-  "version": "8.35.0",
+  "version": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Official Sentry SDK for Svelte",
   "repository": "git://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript.git",
   "homepage": "https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript/tree/master/packages/svelte",
@@ -39,10 +39,10 @@
     "access": "public"
   },
   "dependencies": {
-    "@sentry/browser": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/core": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/types": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/utils": "8.35.0",
+    "@sentry/browser": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/core": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/types": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/utils": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
     "magic-string": "^0.30.0"
   },
   "peerDependencies": {
diff --git a/packages/sveltekit/package.json b/packages/sveltekit/package.json
index 51c04c80ebd5..4428abe67610 100644
--- a/packages/sveltekit/package.json
+++ b/packages/sveltekit/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@sentry/sveltekit",
-  "version": "8.35.0",
+  "version": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Official Sentry SDK for SvelteKit",
   "repository": "git://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript.git",
   "homepage": "https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript/tree/master/packages/sveltekit",
@@ -40,12 +40,12 @@
     }
   },
   "dependencies": {
-    "@sentry/core": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/node": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/opentelemetry": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/svelte": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/types": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/utils": "8.35.0",
+    "@sentry/core": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/node": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/opentelemetry": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/svelte": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/types": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/utils": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
     "@sentry/vite-plugin": "2.22.3",
     "magic-string": "0.30.7",
     "magicast": "0.2.8",
diff --git a/packages/types/package.json b/packages/types/package.json
index 146797237a7b..08f4d31541fe 100644
--- a/packages/types/package.json
+++ b/packages/types/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@sentry/types",
-  "version": "8.35.0",
+  "version": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Types for all Sentry JavaScript SDKs",
   "repository": "git://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript.git",
   "homepage": "https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript/tree/master/packages/types",
diff --git a/packages/typescript/package.json b/packages/typescript/package.json
index b4daf3e7f060..a3965a7ac68e 100644
--- a/packages/typescript/package.json
+++ b/packages/typescript/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@sentry-internal/typescript",
-  "version": "8.35.0",
+  "version": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Typescript configuration used at Sentry",
   "repository": "git://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript.git",
   "homepage": "https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript/tree/master/packages/typescript",
diff --git a/packages/utils/package.json b/packages/utils/package.json
index 308e313c8118..67451228e54b 100644
--- a/packages/utils/package.json
+++ b/packages/utils/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@sentry/utils",
-  "version": "8.35.0",
+  "version": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Utilities for all Sentry JavaScript SDKs",
   "repository": "git://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript.git",
   "homepage": "https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript/tree/master/packages/utils",
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@
     "access": "public"
   },
   "dependencies": {
-    "@sentry/types": "8.35.0"
+    "@sentry/types": "8.36.0-alpha.0"
   },
   "devDependencies": {
     "@types/array.prototype.flat": "^1.2.1",
diff --git a/packages/utils/src/version.ts b/packages/utils/src/version.ts
index 062606fbb935..507e013a709e 100644
--- a/packages/utils/src/version.ts
+++ b/packages/utils/src/version.ts
@@ -1 +1 @@
-export const SDK_VERSION = '8.35.0';
+export const SDK_VERSION = '8.36.0-alpha.0';
diff --git a/packages/vercel-edge/package.json b/packages/vercel-edge/package.json
index 448ae6250f4a..5edfbb756839 100644
--- a/packages/vercel-edge/package.json
+++ b/packages/vercel-edge/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@sentry/vercel-edge",
-  "version": "8.35.0",
+  "version": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Offical Sentry SDK for the Vercel Edge Runtime",
   "repository": "git://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript.git",
   "homepage": "https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript/tree/master/packages/vercel-edge",
@@ -39,9 +39,9 @@
     "access": "public"
   },
   "dependencies": {
-    "@sentry/core": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/types": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/utils": "8.35.0"
+    "@sentry/core": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/types": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/utils": "8.36.0-alpha.0"
   },
   "devDependencies": {
     "@edge-runtime/types": "3.0.1"
diff --git a/packages/vue/package.json b/packages/vue/package.json
index ee20dfcc478c..5d2fabb61839 100644
--- a/packages/vue/package.json
+++ b/packages/vue/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@sentry/vue",
-  "version": "8.35.0",
+  "version": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Official Sentry SDK for Vue.js",
   "repository": "git://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript.git",
   "homepage": "https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript/tree/master/packages/vue",
@@ -39,10 +39,10 @@
     "access": "public"
   },
   "dependencies": {
-    "@sentry/browser": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/core": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/types": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/utils": "8.35.0"
+    "@sentry/browser": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/core": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/types": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/utils": "8.36.0-alpha.0"
   },
   "peerDependencies": {
     "pinia": "2.x",
diff --git a/packages/wasm/package.json b/packages/wasm/package.json
index 748b26b553cc..6854ca8b2ebe 100644
--- a/packages/wasm/package.json
+++ b/packages/wasm/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@sentry/wasm",
-  "version": "8.35.0",
+  "version": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Support for WASM.",
   "repository": "git://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript.git",
   "homepage": "https://github.com/getsentry/sentry-javascript/tree/master/packages/wasm",
@@ -39,10 +39,10 @@
     "access": "public"
   },
   "dependencies": {
-    "@sentry/browser": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/core": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/types": "8.35.0",
-    "@sentry/utils": "8.35.0"
+    "@sentry/browser": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/core": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/types": "8.36.0-alpha.0",
+    "@sentry/utils": "8.36.0-alpha.0"
   },
   "scripts": {
     "build": "run-p build:transpile build:bundle build:types",