diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index cb65b6f..29f142a 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -238,6 +238,10 @@ npm pack --dry-run
 
 ## Release notes
 
+### v5.0.4
+
+- Bumped package version from `5.0.3` to `5.0.4` to stay one patch ahead of the current npm published version.
+
 ### v5.0.3
 
 - Bumped package version from `5.0.2` to `5.0.3` for the next npm publish.
diff --git a/package-lock.json b/package-lock.json
index 27f927d..92f6de1 100644
--- a/package-lock.json
+++ b/package-lock.json
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 {
   "name": "@imdeadpool/guardex",
-  "version": "5.0.3",
+  "version": "5.0.4",
   "lockfileVersion": 3,
   "requires": true,
   "packages": {
     "": {
       "name": "@imdeadpool/guardex",
-      "version": "5.0.3",
+      "version": "5.0.4",
       "license": "MIT",
       "bin": {
         "guardex": "bin/multiagent-safety.js",
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 49b4b79..956b3fb 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@imdeadpool/guardex",
-  "version": "5.0.3",
+  "version": "5.0.4",
   "description": "GuardeX: the Guardian T-Rex for your repo, with hardened multi-agent git guardrails.",
   "license": "MIT",
   "preferGlobal": true,