diff --git a/.release-please-manifest.json b/.release-please-manifest.json
index d59206f..0a77c66 100644
--- a/.release-please-manifest.json
+++ b/.release-please-manifest.json
@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
 {
-  ".": "1.43.2"
+  ".": "1.44.0"
 }
diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 8151a58..c8791c2 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,5 +1,12 @@
 # Changelog
 
+## [1.44.0](https://github.com/0xPlayerOne/code-foundry/compare/v1.43.2...v1.44.0) (2026-10-03)
+
+
+### Features
+
+* **pre-commit:** make the commit gate change-aware ([#702](https://github.com/0xPlayerOne/code-foundry/issues/702)) ([f5bca91](https://github.com/0xPlayerOne/code-foundry/commit/f5bca91c177b30b99f5d62287255d191617b4788))
+
 ## [1.43.2](https://github.com/0xPlayerOne/code-foundry/compare/v1.43.1...v1.43.2) (2026-10-03)
 
 
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index e858545..306f069 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "code-foundry",
-  "version": "1.43.2",
+  "version": "1.44.0",
   "description": "A fast, language-aware repository factory for agent-ready workflows, testing, security, and release automation.",
   "homepage": "https://github.com/0xPlayerOne/code-foundry#readme",
   "bugs": {