diff --git a/.release-please-manifest.json b/.release-please-manifest.json
index 193f420..9212877 100644
--- a/.release-please-manifest.json
+++ b/.release-please-manifest.json
@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
 {
-	".": "0.1.8"
+	".": "0.1.9"
 }
diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index f9da151..6147560 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,5 +1,18 @@
 # Changelog
 
+## [0.1.9](https://github.com/WordPress/presence-api/compare/v0.1.8...v0.1.9) (2026-07-25)
+
+
+### Features
+
+* aggregate props from merged PRs onto release PR ([05441f1](https://github.com/WordPress/presence-api/commit/05441f154299304a7d67966705f9ac43e3b440f7))
+
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+* default presence widgets to top of dashboard on fresh install ([6432478](https://github.com/WordPress/presence-api/commit/643247849919909f3808b78b9fb8f34918db128a))
+* use inline script to load aggregate-props from workspace ([a2231d0](https://github.com/WordPress/presence-api/commit/a2231d0c268afed9c5101d3f65c84c9b78cb3c97))
+
 ## [0.1.8](https://github.com/WordPress/presence-api/compare/v0.1.7...v0.1.8) (2026-07-24)
 
 
diff --git a/presence-api.php b/presence-api.php
index c4befb2..7810247 100644
--- a/presence-api.php
+++ b/presence-api.php
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 /**
  * Plugin Name: Presence API
  * Description: System-wide presence and awareness for WordPress.
- * Version: 0.1.8
+ * Version: 0.1.9
  * Requires at least: 7.0
  * Requires PHP: 7.4
  * Author: WordPress Core Team
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ function () {
 	return;
 }
 
-define( 'WP_PRESENCE_VERSION', '0.1.8' );
+define( 'WP_PRESENCE_VERSION', '0.1.9' );
 define( 'WP_PRESENCE_DB_VERSION', '1' );
 define( 'WP_PRESENCE_PLUGIN_DIR', plugin_dir_path( __FILE__ ) );
 define( 'WP_PRESENCE_PLUGIN_URL', plugin_dir_url( __FILE__ ) );
diff --git a/readme.txt b/readme.txt
index 1725566..ecdf0a9 100644
--- a/readme.txt
+++ b/readme.txt
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ Contributors: joefusco, intenzi, ashishjii
 Tags: presence, awareness, heartbeat, real-time
 Requires at least: 7.0
 Tested up to: 7.0
-Stable tag: 0.1.8
+Stable tag: 0.1.9
 Requires PHP: 7.4
 License: GPLv2 or later
 License URI: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html
@@ -53,6 +53,11 @@ Or [try it in WordPress Playground](https://playground.wordpress.net/?blueprint-
 
 == Changelog ==
 
+= 0.1.9 =
+* Aggregate props from merged PRs onto release PR.
+* Default presence widgets to top of dashboard on fresh install.
+* Use inline script to load aggregate-props from workspace.
+
 = 0.1.8 =
 * Add AI Tools disclosure to automated contributor PR body.
 * Add concurrency group, use default_branch instead of hardcoded main.