diff --git a/.distignore b/.distignore
index 5f438ed69e..01435fbd8f 100644
--- a/.distignore
+++ b/.distignore
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 # Directories
 /.cache
+/.git
 /.github
 /.wordpress-org
 /.husky
diff --git a/config.php b/config.php
index fb076f747a..e6fb67aace 100644
--- a/config.php
+++ b/config.php
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 <?php
 // Plugin version.
 if ( ! defined( 'ATBDP_VERSION' ) ) {
-    define( 'ATBDP_VERSION', '8.6.2' );
+    define( 'ATBDP_VERSION', '8.6.3' );
 }
 // Plugin Folder Path.
 if ( ! defined( 'ATBDP_DIR' ) ) {
diff --git a/directorist-base.php b/directorist-base.php
index fa732b82fe..1fb0cae33e 100644
--- a/directorist-base.php
+++ b/directorist-base.php
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
  * Plugin Name: Directorist - Business Directory Solution
  * Plugin URI: https://wpwax.com
  * Description: A comprehensive solution to create professional looking directory site of any kind. Like Yelp, Foursquare, etc.
- * Version: 8.6.2
+ * Version: 8.6.3
  * Author: wpWax
  * Author URI: https://wpwax.com
  * License: GPLv3
diff --git a/readme.txt b/readme.txt
index ba4ae4e152..222cd04d54 100644
--- a/readme.txt
+++ b/readme.txt
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ Tags: business directory, listings, classifieds, directory plugin, directory
 Requires at least: 4.6
 Tested up to: 6.9
 Requires PHP: 7.0
-Stable tag: 8.6.2
+Stable tag: 8.6.3
 License: GPLv3
 License URI: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-3.0.html
 
@@ -306,7 +306,7 @@ Directorist comes with an AI-powered directory builder. Use the Create with AI o
 
 == Changelog ==
 
-= 8.6.2 - Mar 10, 2026 =
+= 8.6.3 - Mar 10, 2026 =
 
 **Improved**
  - Excluded `.wordpress-org` folder from distribution package to prevent WordPress.org repository assets from appearing in user installations.