diff --git a/VERSION b/VERSION
index 4044f9086..77903b35f 100644
--- a/VERSION
+++ b/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-12.0.0
+12.1.0
diff --git a/axiom/nr_version.c b/axiom/nr_version.c
index bc4c7d6c4..0a376f0bd 100644
--- a/axiom/nr_version.c
+++ b/axiom/nr_version.c
@@ -23,7 +23,6 @@
 /*
  * Current version naming scheme is gemstones
  *
- *   jasmine            08Mar2023 (10.7)
  *   kalmia             27Mar2023 (10.8)
  *   lilac              05Apr2023 (10.9)
  *   marigold           30May2023 (10.10)
@@ -50,8 +49,9 @@
  *   hiddenite          21Apr2025 (11.8)
  *   indicolite         13May2025 (11.9)
  *   jade               25Jun2025 (11.10)
+ *   kernite            11Aug2025 (12.0)
  */
-#define NR_CODENAME "kernite"
+#define NR_CODENAME "lizardite"
 
 const char* nr_version(void) {
   return NR_STR2(NR_VERSION);