diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
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+# Changelog
+
+All notable changes to this project will be documented in this file.
+
+The format is based on [Keep a Changelog](https://keepachangelog.com/en/1.0.0/),
+and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0.html).
+
+## [2.0.0-rc.1] - 2026-05-19
+
+### Added
+- **Nubenetes Elite Portal (V2)**: A high-density, agentic-curated edition of the archive.
+- **Automotive Container Metaphor**: New modernized visual identity with a custom PNG asset.
+- **Agentic AI Orchestration**: Multi-tier model coordination (Gemini Pro/Flash) with adaptive rate limiting.
+- **Maturity Taxonomy**: Professional 5-tier classification system for all Elite resources.
+- **Semantic Cross-Linking**: Autonomous identification of related architectural patterns.
+- **Platinum Maintenance Suite**: Automated triage, social preview cards, and dependency guarding.
+- **Real-time Web Grounding**: Live data verification using MCP-style search for high-precision curation.
+- **Industrial Learning Flow**: O'Reilly-style technical progression in V2 documentation.
+
+### Changed
+- **Unified Metadata Database**: Centralized all link lifecycle data in `data/inventory.yaml`.
+- **Global Currency Standard**: Adopted Euro (€) as the primary currency for all cost and economic analysis.
+- **Navigation Overhaul**: Flat, high-density navigation structure for the Elite portal.
+- **README Metrics Engine**: Transitioned to a fully database-driven metric extraction system.
+
+### Fixed
+- **Image Path Resolution**: Implemented flat asset routing to prevent broken relative paths.
+- **Markdown Rendering**: Fixed HTML/Markdown interop using `markdown="1"` attributes.
+- **Trigger Loop Prevention**: Hardened CI/CD workflows against infinite automation loops.
+- **URL Normalization**: Standardized canonical formats to prevent semantic drift.
+
+### Security
+- **Credential Protection**: Hardened environment variable management across all agentic scripts.
+- **License Guard**: Automated monitoring of permissive-to-restrictive license transitions.
+
+---
+*Generated by Nubenetes Agentic Intelligence*
diff --git a/GEMINI.md b/GEMINI.md
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@@ -131,6 +131,7 @@ This file contains the accumulated instructions and long-term vision for the aut
 - **V2 Index Visual Standard (Automotive Roots)**: The Nubenetes V2 Elite Portal index MUST feature a centered banner image linked to `kubernetes.io`, followed by the Horatio Nelson Jackson quote and the specific automotive container metaphor image (`images/container_with_cars_v2.png`). This image is a manually provided asset and MUST NOT be regenerated by AI to ensure the preservation of the project's established visual identity.
 - **V2 Index Footer Standard**: The V2 index MUST always conclude with the **Maturity Taxonomy** and **Technical Impact** explanation tables. These sections define the industrial-grade classification and visual code (Highlighting/Bold) used throughout the Elite portal and must be preserved across all automated regenerations.
 - **V2 Navigation Standard**: The top navigation bar in `v2-mkdocs.yml` MUST feature the "Agentic Elite Portal" link as the primary entry point to ensure professional consistency across the platform.
+42. **Version Control & Changelog Standard**: All significant milestones and architectural shifts MUST be versioned using **Semantic Versioning (SemVer)** and documented in [`CHANGELOG.md`](CHANGELOG.md) following the "Keep a Changelog" standard. This ensures full traceability of the ecosystem's evolution from historical archive to agentic portal.
 
 37. **Linguistic Uniformity**: All core documentation (index, README, GEMINI.md) and V2 portal summaries MUST be written in **Professional Technical English**. V1 descriptions remain in their native language (Mandate 10).