diff --git a/Neon Vision Editor.xcodeproj/project.pbxproj b/Neon Vision Editor.xcodeproj/project.pbxproj
index 5d07805..d8e17c5 100644
--- a/Neon Vision Editor.xcodeproj/project.pbxproj	
+++ b/Neon Vision Editor.xcodeproj/project.pbxproj	
@@ -361,7 +361,7 @@
 				CODE_SIGNING_ALLOWED = YES;
 				CODE_SIGN_IDENTITY = "Apple Development";
 				CODE_SIGN_STYLE = Automatic;
-				CURRENT_PROJECT_VERSION = 410;
+				CURRENT_PROJECT_VERSION = 411;
 				DEAD_CODE_STRIPPING = YES;
 				DEVELOPMENT_TEAM = CS727NF72U;
 				ENABLE_APP_SANDBOX = YES;
@@ -444,7 +444,7 @@
 				CODE_SIGNING_ALLOWED = YES;
 				CODE_SIGN_IDENTITY = "Apple Development";
 				CODE_SIGN_STYLE = Automatic;
-				CURRENT_PROJECT_VERSION = 410;
+				CURRENT_PROJECT_VERSION = 411;
 				DEAD_CODE_STRIPPING = YES;
 				DEVELOPMENT_TEAM = CS727NF72U;
 				ENABLE_APP_SANDBOX = YES;
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index d82b1da..716365c 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@
 
 
 > Status: **active release**  
-> Latest release: **v0.4.34**
+> Latest release: **v0.5.0**
 > Platform target: **macOS 26 (Tahoe)** compatible with **macOS Sequoia**
 > Apple Silicon: tested / Intel: not tested
 > Last updated (README): **2026-03-06** for release line **v0.4.34**
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@
 
 Prebuilt binaries are available on [GitHub Releases](https://github.com/h3pdesign/Neon-Vision-Editor/releases).
 
-- Latest release: **v0.4.34**
+- Latest release: **v0.5.0**
 - Channel: **Stable** (GitHub Releases)
 - Apple AppStore [On the AppStore](https://apps.apple.com/de/app/neon-vision-editor/id6758950965)
 - TestFlight beta: [Join here](https://testflight.apple.com/join/YWB2fGAP)
diff --git a/scripts/ci/release_preflight.sh b/scripts/ci/release_preflight.sh
index 5f2f3ba..26766ac 100755
--- a/scripts/ci/release_preflight.sh
+++ b/scripts/ci/release_preflight.sh
@@ -30,7 +30,11 @@ grep -nE "^- Latest release: \\*\\*${TAG}\\*\\*\\r?$" README.md >/dev/null
 grep -nE "^### ${TAG} \\(summary\\)\\r?$" README.md >/dev/null
 
 echo "Validating README download metrics freshness..."
-scripts/update_download_metrics.py --check
+if gh release view "$TAG" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+  scripts/update_download_metrics.py --check
+else
+  echo "Skipping metrics freshness check: ${TAG} is not published on GitHub releases yet."
+fi
 
 SAFE_TAG="$(echo "$TAG" | tr -c 'A-Za-z0-9_' '_')"
 WORK_DIR="/tmp/nve_release_preflight_${SAFE_TAG}"