diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 52d0d270..1a2eee1a 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -7,9 +7,9 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0
 
 ❤️ **Donate:** Enjoying MagicMirror²? [Please consider a donation!](https://magicmirror.builders/#donate) With your help we can continue to improve the MagicMirror².
 
-## [2.31.0-develop] - unreleased
+## [2.31.0] - 2025-04-01
 
-planned for 2025-04-01
+Thanks to: @Developer-Incoming, @eltociear, @geraki, @khassel, @KristjanESPERANTO, @MagMar94, @mixasgr, @n8many, @OWL4C, @rejas, @savvadam, @sdetweil.
 
 > ⚠️ This release needs nodejs version `v22.14.0 or higher`
 
@@ -1720,6 +1720,7 @@ It includes (but is not limited to) the following features:
 
 This was part of the blogpost: [https://michaelteeuw.nl/post/83916869600/magic-mirror-part-vi-production-of-the](https://michaelteeuw.nl/post/83916869600/magic-mirror-part-vi-production-of-the)
 
+[2.31.0]: https://github.com/MagicMirrorOrg/MagicMirror/compare/v2.30.0...v2.31.0
 [2.30.0]: https://github.com/MagicMirrorOrg/MagicMirror/compare/v2.29.0...v2.30.0
 [2.29.0]: https://github.com/MagicMirrorOrg/MagicMirror/compare/v2.28.0...v2.29.0
 [2.28.0]: https://github.com/MagicMirrorOrg/MagicMirror/compare/v2.27.0...v2.28.0
diff --git a/Collaboration.md b/Collaboration.md
index 31dd855d..435f1367 100644
--- a/Collaboration.md
+++ b/Collaboration.md
@@ -30,14 +30,16 @@ Are done by
 ### Deployment steps
 
 - [ ] pull latest `develop` branch
-- [ ] update `package.json` and `package-lock.json` to reflect correct version number `2.xx.0`
-- [ ] test `develop` branch
-- [ ] update `CHANGELOG.md`
-  - [ ] add all contributor names: `...`
-  - [ ] add min. node version: > ⚠️ This release needs nodejs version `v22.14.0` or higher
-  - [ ] check release link at the bottom of the file
-- [ ] commit and push all changes
-- [ ] after successful test run via github actions: merge pull request to `develop`
+- [ ] create `prep-release` branch from `develop`
+  - [ ] update `package.json` and `package-lock.json` to reflect correct version number `2.xx.0`
+  - [ ] test `prep-release` branch
+  - [ ] update `CHANGELOG.md`
+    - [ ] add all contributor names: `...`
+    - [ ] add min. node version: > ⚠️ This release needs nodejs version `v22.14.0` or higher
+    - [ ] check release link at the bottom of the file
+  - [ ] commit and push all changes
+  - [ ] create pull request from `prep-release` to `develop` branch with title `Prepare Release 2.xx.0`
+  - [ ] after successful test run via github actions: merge pull request to `develop`
 - [ ] after successful test run via github actions: create pull request from `develop` to `master` branch
   - [ ] add label `mastermerge`
   - [ ] title of the PR is `Release 2.xx.0`
diff --git a/package-lock.json b/package-lock.json
index da455afb..69eb8ed4 100644
--- a/package-lock.json
+++ b/package-lock.json
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 {
 	"name": "magicmirror",
-	"version": "2.31.0-develop",
+	"version": "2.31.0",
 	"lockfileVersion": 3,
 	"requires": true,
 	"packages": {
 		"": {
 			"name": "magicmirror",
-			"version": "2.31.0-develop",
+			"version": "2.31.0",
 			"hasInstallScript": true,
 			"license": "MIT",
 			"dependencies": {
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 66dee437..b97e604e 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
 	"name": "magicmirror",
-	"version": "2.31.0-develop",
+	"version": "2.31.0",
 	"description": "The open source modular smart mirror platform.",
 	"keywords": [
 		"magic mirror",