diff --git a/.github/dependabot.yml b/.github/dependabot.yml
index 999028f8..68ff57e7 100644
--- a/.github/dependabot.yml
+++ b/.github/dependabot.yml
@@ -6,6 +6,9 @@ updates:
       - "/processor"
     schedule:
       interval: "weekly"
+    labels:
+      - "dependencies"
+      - "java"
     groups:
       # Group all library dependencies together (excluding plugins)
       dependencies:
diff --git a/.github/release.yml b/.github/release.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..7a8a287f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/release.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+changelog:
+  exclude:
+    labels:
+      - ignore-for-release
+      - pipeline
+    authors:
+      # Exclude bots from being mentioned as contributors
+      - dependabot
+      - dependabot[bot]
+  
+  categories:
+    - title: 🚀 Features
+      labels:
+        - enhancement
+        
+    - title: 🐛 Bug Fixes
+      labels:
+        - bug
+        
+    - title: 📚 Documentation
+      labels:
+        - documentation
+        
+    - title: 🔧 Maintenance
+      labels:
+        - maintenance
+        - refactor
+      
+    - title: Other Changes
+      labels:
+        - "*"
+
+footer: |
+  ---
+  
+  ## 📦 Maven Central
+  
+  This release is available on Maven Central:
+  
+  **Core Module:**
+  ```xml
+  <dependency>
+    <groupId>io.github.java-helpers</groupId>
+    <artifactId>simple-builders-core</artifactId>
+    <version>$RESOLVED_VERSION</version>
+  </dependency>
+  ```
+  🔗 [View on Maven Central](https://central.sonatype.com/artifact/io.github.java-helpers/simple-builders-core/$RESOLVED_VERSION)
+  
+  **Processor Module:**
+  ```xml
+  <dependency>
+    <groupId>io.github.java-helpers</groupId>
+    <artifactId>simple-builders-processor</artifactId>
+    <version>$RESOLVED_VERSION</version>
+    <scope>provided</scope>
+  </dependency>
+  ```
+  🔗 [View on Maven Central](https://central.sonatype.com/artifact/io.github.java-helpers/simple-builders-processor/$RESOLVED_VERSION)
diff --git a/.github/workflows/maven-central-release.yml b/.github/workflows/maven-central-release.yml
index 1d60e598..83285e49 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/maven-central-release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/maven-central-release.yml
@@ -133,10 +133,28 @@ jobs:
               PRERELEASE_FLAG="--prerelease"
             fi
             
-            # Create draft release with auto-generated notes
+            # Generate release notes and replace version placeholder
+            gh api repos/java-helpers/simple-builders/releases/generate-notes \
+              -f tag_name="v$VERSION" \
+              -f target_commitish="main" \
+              --jq '.body' > release_notes.md
+            
+            # Replace version placeholder in generated notes
+            sed -i "s/\$RESOLVED_VERSION/$VERSION/g" release_notes.md
+            
+            # Create draft release with custom notes and attach artifacts
             gh release create "v$VERSION" \
               --title "Release $VERSION" \
               --draft \
-              --generate-notes \
-              $PRERELEASE_FLAG
+              --notes-file release_notes.md \
+              $PRERELEASE_FLAG \
+              core/target/simple-builders-core-${VERSION}.jar \
+              core/target/simple-builders-core-${VERSION}-sources.jar \
+              core/target/simple-builders-core-${VERSION}-javadoc.jar \
+              processor/target/simple-builders-processor-${VERSION}.jar \
+              processor/target/simple-builders-processor-${VERSION}-sources.jar \
+              processor/target/simple-builders-processor-${VERSION}-javadoc.jar
+            
+            # Clean up
+            rm -f release_notes.md
           fi