diff --git a/docs/changelog.rst b/docs/changelog.rst
index 4a58f2d51..1dab8765f 100644
--- a/docs/changelog.rst
+++ b/docs/changelog.rst
@@ -6,6 +6,12 @@ Changelog
 Starting with version 1.8.0, pybind11 releases use a `semantic versioning
 <http://semver.org>`_ policy.
 
+
+IN DEVELOPMENT
+--------------
+
+
+
 v2.8.0 (Oct 4, 2021)
 --------------------
 
diff --git a/docs/release.rst b/docs/release.rst
index e4f3d1902..7fa254eaf 100644
--- a/docs/release.rst
+++ b/docs/release.rst
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ To release a new version of pybind11:
       ``include/pybind11/detail/common.h``. PATCH should be a simple integer.
     - Update the version HEX just below, as well.
     - Update ``pybind11/_version.py`` (match above)
+    - Run ``nox -s tests_packaging``` to ensure this was done correctly.
     - Ensure that all the information in ``setup.cfg`` is up-to-date, like
       supported Python versions.
     - Add release date in ``docs/changelog.rst``.
@@ -64,6 +65,7 @@ To release a new version of pybind11:
     - Update version macros in ``include/pybind11/detail/common.h`` (set PATCH to
       ``0.dev1`` and increment MINOR).
     - Update ``_version.py`` to match
+    - Run ``nox -s tests_packaging``` to ensure this was done correctly.
     - Add a spot for in-development updates in ``docs/changelog.rst``.
     - ``git add``, ``git commit``, ``git push``
 
diff --git a/include/pybind11/detail/common.h b/include/pybind11/detail/common.h
index 31716e5bf..9ad305a4e 100644
--- a/include/pybind11/detail/common.h
+++ b/include/pybind11/detail/common.h
@@ -10,12 +10,12 @@
 #pragma once
 
 #define PYBIND11_VERSION_MAJOR 2
-#define PYBIND11_VERSION_MINOR 8
-#define PYBIND11_VERSION_PATCH 0
+#define PYBIND11_VERSION_MINOR 9
+#define PYBIND11_VERSION_PATCH 0.dev1
 
 // Similar to Python's convention: https://docs.python.org/3/c-api/apiabiversion.html
 // Additional convention: 0xD = dev
-#define PYBIND11_VERSION_HEX 0x02080000
+#define PYBIND11_VERSION_HEX 0x020900D1
 
 #define PYBIND11_NAMESPACE_BEGIN(name) namespace name {
 #define PYBIND11_NAMESPACE_END(name) }
diff --git a/pybind11/_version.py b/pybind11/_version.py
index 704191b98..ce894a774 100644
--- a/pybind11/_version.py
+++ b/pybind11/_version.py
@@ -8,5 +8,5 @@ def _to_int(s):
         return s
 
 
-__version__ = "2.8.0"
+__version__ = "2.9.0.dev1"
 version_info = tuple(_to_int(s) for s in __version__.split("."))