diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index b0e355a9..b1f9806e 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -9,15 +9,12 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0
 
 ## [Unreleased]
 
+## [v0.0.23] - 2026-08-28
+
 ### Changed
 - Reduced background playback polling, paused-service lifetime, outro polling, and download notification wakeups while preserving active playback and Cast behavior. ([#1006](https://github.com/boxcreate/boxlore/pull/1006)) <!-- impact:user-impact-high --> <!-- copy:locked -->
 - Unified Your Shows scoring around one subscription-recency policy and added stable, lifecycle-aware Home order refreshes. ([#1006](https://github.com/boxcreate/boxlore/pull/1006)) <!-- impact:user-impact-high --> <!-- copy:locked -->
 
-<!-- readme-copy:start pr=1006 -->
-### Improved
-- boxlore now does less unnecessary background work during playback and downloads, helping reduce avoidable battery use.
-- Your Shows stays visually stable while you browse and refreshes gracefully when you return, matching your listening habits more consistently.
-<!-- readme-copy:end pr=1006 -->
 ## [v0.0.21] - 2026-08-27
 
 ### Added
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 044bb168..80e8ffc3 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
     <td width="16"></td>
     <td align="center" valign="middle">
 <!-- download-apk:start -->
-<a href="https://github.com/boxcreate/boxlore/releases/latest/download/boxlore-v0.0.21.apk"><img src="docs/images/card_github_v7.svg" width="260" height="80" alt="Download boxlore podcast app APK on GitHub"/></a>
+<a href="https://github.com/boxcreate/boxlore/releases/latest/download/boxlore-v0.0.23.apk"><img src="docs/images/card_github_v7.svg" width="260" height="80" alt="Download boxlore podcast app APK on GitHub"/></a>
 <!-- download-apk:end -->
     </td>
   </tr>
@@ -64,21 +64,19 @@ The smart catalog covers popular chart podcasts and grows daily — not every sh
 ### Upcoming
 
 <!-- release-upcoming:start -->
-<b>• Improved:</b>
-<ul align="left">
-<li>boxlore now does less unnecessary background work during playback and downloads, helping reduce avoidable battery use. <a href="https://github.com/boxcreate/boxlore/pull/1006"><img src="https://img.shields.io/badge/PR-1006-6750A4?style=flat-square" alt="PR #1006" height="18"/></a></li>
-<li>Your Shows stays visually stable while you browse and refreshes gracefully when you return, matching your listening habits more consistently. <a href="https://github.com/boxcreate/boxlore/pull/1006"><img src="https://img.shields.io/badge/PR-1006-6750A4?style=flat-square" alt="PR #1006" height="18"/></a></li>
-</ul>
+New features and improvements for the next release are currently in development.
+<p align="center"><sub><sub>AI-generated summary; may contain mistakes.<br/>Verify details in the <a href="CHANGELOG.md">changelog</a> and linked pull requests.</sub></sub></p>
 <!-- release-upcoming:end -->
 
 
-### What's New · `v0.0.21` · 2026-08-27
+### What's New · `v0.0.23` · 2026-08-28
 
 <!-- release-whats-new:start -->
-<!-- release-meta: version=v0.0.21 date=2026-08-27 -->
-<b>🆕 New features:</b>
+<!-- release-meta: version=v0.0.23 date=2026-08-28 -->
+<b>• Improved:</b>
 <ul align="left">
-<li>Listen on Chromecast from the expanded player while your queue, progress, and controls stay in sync. <a href="https://github.com/boxcreate/boxlore/pull/1004"><img src="https://img.shields.io/badge/PR-1004-6750A4?style=flat-square" alt="PR #1004" height="18"/></a></li>
+<li>boxlore now does less unnecessary background work during playback and downloads, helping reduce avoidable battery use. <a href="https://github.com/boxcreate/boxlore/pull/1006"><img src="https://img.shields.io/badge/PR-1006-6750A4?style=flat-square" alt="PR #1006" height="18"/></a></li>
+<li>Your Shows stays visually stable while you browse and refreshes gracefully when you return, matching your listening habits more consistently. <a href="https://github.com/boxcreate/boxlore/pull/1006"><img src="https://img.shields.io/badge/PR-1006-6750A4?style=flat-square" alt="PR #1006" height="18"/></a></li>
 </ul>
 <!-- release-whats-new:end -->
 
@@ -185,7 +183,7 @@ Get it on **Google Play** (primary), or sideload the latest **GitHub APK**. Live
       </td>
       <td width="16"></td>
       <td align="center" valign="middle">
-        <a href="https://github.com/boxcreate/boxlore/releases/latest/download/boxlore-v0.0.21.apk"><img src="docs/images/card_github_v7.svg" width="260" height="80" alt="Download boxlore podcast app APK on GitHub"/></a>
+        <a href="https://github.com/boxcreate/boxlore/releases/latest/download/boxlore-v0.0.23.apk"><img src="docs/images/card_github_v7.svg" width="260" height="80" alt="Download boxlore podcast app APK on GitHub"/></a>
       </td>
     </tr>
   </table>
diff --git a/app/build.gradle.kts b/app/build.gradle.kts
index 02d998f6..0bb2ff3d 100644
--- a/app/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/app/build.gradle.kts
@@ -57,8 +57,8 @@ android {
         applicationId = "cx.aswin.boxlore"
         minSdk = 31
         targetSdk = 36
-        versionCode = 22
-        versionName = "0.0.22"
+        versionCode = 23
+        versionName = "0.0.23"
 
         testInstrumentationRunner = "androidx.test.runner.AndroidJUnitRunner"
         vectorDrawables {