diff --git a/.github/CODEOWNERS b/.github/CODEOWNERS
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..12da255d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/CODEOWNERS
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+# Code owners are automatically requested to review when a pull request
+# is opened (ready for review).
+# See https://search.brave.com/search?q=About+code+owners+-+GitHub+Docs
+
+# A Ruleset is created in this GitHub repository to automatically request
+# Copilot's review when pull requests are created as drafts or when they
+# are ready for review.
+# See https://github.com/iExecBlockchainComputing/PoCo/settings/rules/9055086
+
+*   @zguesmi @gfournieriExec @Le-Caignec
diff --git a/.github/workflows/deploy.yml b/.github/workflows/deploy.yml
index c5f8b53d..cc7644e2 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/deploy.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/deploy.yml
@@ -15,12 +15,11 @@ on:
         default: 'hardhat'
 
 jobs:
-  # Build and test before deploying.
-  build-and-test:
+  pre-deploy:
     uses: ./.github/workflows/main.yml
 
   deploy:
-    needs: build-and-test
+    needs: pre-deploy
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     environment: ${{ inputs.network }} # Use the selected environment
     permissions:
diff --git a/.github/workflows/publish.yml b/.github/workflows/publish.yml
index f6f1854e..591fb1d1 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/publish.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/publish.yml
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 # ⚠️ THIS WORKFLOW IS THE TRUSTED PUBLISHER CONFIGURED ON NPMJS.COM, DO NOT RENAME OR DELETE THIS FILE ⚠️
+
 name: Publish NPM Package
 
 on:
@@ -6,15 +7,31 @@ on:
     tags:
       - 'v*'
 
-permissions:
-  id-token: write # Required for OIDC
-  packages: write
-  contents: read
-
 jobs:
-  build-and-test:
+  pre-publish:
     uses: ./.github/workflows/main.yml
 
+  determine-dist-tag:
+    needs: pre-publish
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    outputs:
+      TAG: ${{ steps.set-dist-tag.outputs.TAG }}
+    steps:
+      - name: Determine package dist tag
+        id: set-dist-tag
+        run: |
+          if [[ "${GITHUB_REF#refs/tags/}" == *"-rc"* ]]; then
+            echo "TAG=rc" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
+          else
+            echo "TAG=latest" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
+          fi
+
   publish:
-    needs: build-and-test
+    needs: determine-dist-tag
+    permissions:
+      id-token: write # Required for OIDC
+      packages: write
+      contents: read
     uses: iExecBlockchainComputing/github-actions-workflows/.github/workflows/publish-npm.yml@publish-npm-v1.6.0
+    with:
+      tag: ${{ needs.determine-dist-tag.outputs.TAG }}
diff --git a/.github/workflows/upgrade-facets.yml b/.github/workflows/upgrade-facets.yml
index 6aa98f9b..c9967d91 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/upgrade-facets.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/upgrade-facets.yml
@@ -21,12 +21,11 @@ on:
         default: true
 
 jobs:
-  # Build and test before upgrading.
-  build-and-test:
+  pre-upgrade:
     uses: ./.github/workflows/main.yml
 
   upgrade:
-    needs: build-and-test
+    needs: pre-upgrade
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     environment: ${{ inputs.network }} # Use the selected environment
     permissions:
diff --git a/docs/README.md b/docs/README.md
index e7c15e9f..326bff94 100644
--- a/docs/README.md
+++ b/docs/README.md
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ npm run verify:all -- --network <your network name> # e.g. arbitrum
 This script automatically reads all deployed contract addresses and their constructor arguments from the deployment artifacts and verifies them on the relevant block explorer.
 
 
-### Formatting
+### Format
 
 Format a specific file or files in a directory:
 ```
@@ -189,3 +189,19 @@ To render only storage diagrams:
 ```
 npm run storage-to-diagrams
 ```
+
+### Release
+
+- **Final releases** are automated using [Release Please](https://github.com/googleapis/release-please). Major, minor, and patch versions should be published through the corresponding GitHub Actions workflows.
+- **Prereleases** (`vX.Y.Z-rc.*`) should be created manually using:
+    ```
+    npm run prerelease
+    ```
+    This command will:
+    - Bump the RC version in `package.json` and `package-lock.json` files.
+    - Create a new commit with the version bump.
+    - Generate the corresponding Git tag.
+
+    Running this command ensures that the version in package.json matches the Git tag. This alignment is required for correct package publication and to automatically determine the appropriate npm dist tag (see [publish.yml](../.github/workflows/publish.yml)).
+
+    > Note: There is no need to create a full GitHub release for prerelease versions, a Git tag is sufficient.
diff --git a/package-lock.json b/package-lock.json
index bc28e150..8d3a7ae7 100644
--- a/package-lock.json
+++ b/package-lock.json
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 {
   "name": "@iexec/poco",
-  "version": "6.1.0-contracts",
+  "version": "6.1.0-rc.5",
   "lockfileVersion": 2,
   "requires": true,
   "packages": {
     "": {
       "name": "@iexec/poco",
-      "version": "6.1.0-contracts",
+      "version": "6.1.0-rc.5",
       "license": "Apache-2.0",
       "dependencies": {
         "@iexec/interface": "3.0.35-8",
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 7f17ffcb..e487e850 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@iexec/poco",
-  "version": "6.1.0-contracts",
+  "version": "6.1.0-rc.5",
   "description": "iExec Proof of Contribution protocol smart contracts",
   "author": "iExec",
   "license": "Apache-2.0",
@@ -24,7 +24,8 @@
     "sol-to-uml": "npx zx scripts/tools/sol-to-uml.mjs",
     "puml-to-links": "npx zx scripts/tools/puml-to-links.mjs",
     "storage-to-diagrams": "bash scripts/tools/storage-to-diagrams.sh",
-    "doc": "npx hardhat docgen"
+    "doc": "npx hardhat docgen",
+    "prerelease": "npm version prerelease --preid=rc -m 'chore: v%s'"
   },
   "files": [
     "/abis",