diff --git a/RELEASE.md b/RELEASE.md
index af7792c..d3eec58 100644
--- a/RELEASE.md
+++ b/RELEASE.md
@@ -1,9 +1,17 @@
 # Release process
 
-1. Update the `version` in `build.gradle`
-   - Push this to `main` (optionally with a PR)
-2. Create a new release on github: [direct link](https://github.com/getyourguide/openapi-validation-java/releases/new)
-   - Choose a tag `v....` (the new version)
-   - Select "Create new tag"
-   - Press "Generate release notes"
-   - Publish release
+- Create a new release on github: [direct link](https://github.com/getyourguide/openapi-validation-java/releases/new)
+- Choose a tag `v....` (the new version)
+- Select "Create new tag"
+- Press "Generate release notes"
+- Publish release
+
+## Release SNAPSHOT version from branch
+
+- Create a new release on github: [direct link](https://github.com/getyourguide/openapi-validation-java/releases/new)
+- Choose a tag `v....` (the new version)
+- Select "Create new tag"
+- **Choose your branch as target**
+- Press "Generate release notes"
+- **Check "Set as a pre-release"**
+- Publish release
diff --git a/build.gradle b/build.gradle
index 602cc5e..22924cf 100644
--- a/build.gradle
+++ b/build.gradle
@@ -12,7 +12,8 @@ apply from: "${rootDir}/gradle/publish-root.gradle"
 allprojects {
     group = 'com.getyourguide.openapi.validation'
     description = 'OpenAPI Validation library'
-    version = '3.3.2'
+    // Use version from GitHub tag if provided, otherwise use default version
+    version = project.hasProperty('gh_tag') ? project.property('gh_tag').replaceFirst('^v', '') : '0-SNAPSHOT'
 
     java {
         toolchain {