diff --git a/.ai-context/PROJECT.md b/.ai-context/PROJECT.md
index c4ca9e4..03a9ded 100644
--- a/.ai-context/PROJECT.md
+++ b/.ai-context/PROJECT.md
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 
 - Name: Base
 - Repository: `github.com/basefoundry/base`
-- Current release: `1.3.0`
+- Current release: `1.4.0`
 - Primary platform: macOS
 - Linux posture: active runtime and CI rollout; full Linux bootstrap support
   remains narrower and is tracked in `docs/linux-support.md`.
diff --git a/.ai-context/STATUS.md b/.ai-context/STATUS.md
index 6f98177..e50c951 100644
--- a/.ai-context/STATUS.md
+++ b/.ai-context/STATUS.md
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 ## Current Release
 
-Base `1.3.0` is the current release. The repo-root `VERSION` file is updated
+Base `1.4.0` is the current release. The repo-root `VERSION` file is updated
 only during release-prep PRs, not on every ordinary PR.
 
 ## Current Implemented Areas
@@ -35,9 +35,9 @@ The current command surface covers:
 
 ## Active Development Direction
 
-The `v1.3.0` release is complete. Future work is tracked in GitHub Issues,
+The `v1.4.0` release is complete. Future work is tracked in GitHub Issues,
 with Linux runtime support, Docker/service artifacts, broader prompt ergonomics,
-and broader setup policy work remaining outside the 1.3 release contract.
+and broader setup policy work remaining outside the 1.4 release contract.
 
 The Homebrew bottle and consumer upgrade contract has passed the #526 rehearsal.
 Supported macOS installs should continue to use bottled Homebrew packages, with
@@ -68,6 +68,7 @@ Recent released work includes:
 - Homebrew upgrade path preservation for explicit `BASE_HOME` and shell startup
   snippets
 - stale readonly `BASE_HOME` recovery guidance after Homebrew upgrades
+- Homebrew Command Line Tools staleness warnings in `basectl check`
 - Homebrew `basectl update` handoff and package-aware `basectl test base`
 - Base `1.0.1` AGPL license cleanup and release artifacts
 - explicit uv-managed Python setup and command runner support
diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 9c5d3e8..57c9077 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@ and Base versions are tracked in the repo-root `VERSION` file.
 
 ## [Unreleased]
 
+## [1.4.0] - 2026-07-01
+
 ### Fixed
 
 - Made `basectl check` warn when Homebrew reports installed Xcode Command Line
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index ed5816e..c48705e 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 ![Tests](https://github.com/basefoundry/base/actions/workflows/tests.yml/badge.svg)
 ![Lint](https://github.com/basefoundry/base/actions/workflows/pylint.yml/badge.svg)
 ![Platform: macOS](https://img.shields.io/badge/platform-macOS-lightgrey)
-![Version](https://img.shields.io/badge/version-1.3.0-blue)
+![Version](https://img.shields.io/badge/version-1.4.0-blue)
 
 Base is a workspace control plane for developers who keep multiple repositories
 checked out side by side.
@@ -843,11 +843,11 @@ See [docs/local-config.md](docs/local-config.md).
 Inspect release readiness for a Base-managed repository with:
 
 ```bash
-basectl release check --version 1.3.0
-basectl release plan --version 1.3.0
-basectl release notes --version 1.3.0
-basectl release publish --version 1.3.0 --dry-run
-basectl release publish --version 1.3.0 --yes
+basectl release check --version 1.4.0
+basectl release plan --version 1.4.0
+basectl release notes --version 1.4.0
+basectl release publish --version 1.4.0 --dry-run
+basectl release publish --version 1.4.0 --yes
 ```
 
 `basectl release check|plan|notes` are read-only. They validate the manifest
@@ -1519,7 +1519,7 @@ Base follows a few simple principles.
 
 ## Current Status
 
-Base `1.3.0` is the current release. The implemented command surface covers
+Base `1.4.0` is the current release. The implemented command surface covers
 setup, checks, diagnostics, project discovery, project activation, project test
 execution, mise integration, cleanup, updates, onboarding, repository baseline
 creation, CI-safe setup/check/doctor entry points, release readiness inspection,
@@ -1527,7 +1527,8 @@ guarded GitHub release publishing, GitHub workflow helpers, workspace
 status/check/doctor/init/clone/pull/configure flows, local AI context exports,
 repo-owned prompt rendering, the `basectl docs` documentation shortcut,
 external reusable Bash library consumption, and explicit prerequisite profiles
-for developer, SRE, and AI tooling.
+for developer, SRE, and AI tooling. The `basectl check` diagnostics also warn
+when Homebrew reports outdated or incomplete Xcode Command Line Tools.
 
 For the documentation map and naming convention, see
 [docs/README.md](docs/README.md). For accepted product requirements, see
diff --git a/VERSION b/VERSION
index f0bb29e..88c5fb8 100644
--- a/VERSION
+++ b/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-1.3.0
+1.4.0