diff --git a/scripts/release-approval-gate.js b/scripts/release-approval-gate.js
index a1c9e0de..18d81caf 100644
--- a/scripts/release-approval-gate.js
+++ b/scripts/release-approval-gate.js
@@ -5,13 +5,8 @@ const crypto = require('crypto');
 const fs = require('fs');
 const path = require('path');
 
-const RELEASE = '2.0.0-rc.1';
-const RELEASE_DIR = `docs/releases/${RELEASE}`;
 const SCHEMA_VERSION = 'ecc.release-approval-gate.v1';
 const SCRIPT_PATH = 'scripts/release-approval-gate.js';
-const OWNER_PACKET_PATH = `${RELEASE_DIR}/owner-approval-packet-2026-05-19.md`;
-const URL_LEDGER_PATH = `${RELEASE_DIR}/release-url-ledger-2026-05-19.md`;
-const PREVIEW_MANIFEST_PATH = `${RELEASE_DIR}/preview-pack-manifest.md`;
 const REQUIRED_COMMAND = 'npm run release:approval-gate -- --format json';
 
 const REQUIRED_DECISIONS = [
@@ -87,20 +82,19 @@ const REQUIRED_URL_SURFACES = [
   },
 ];
 
-const ANNOUNCEMENT_FILES = [
-  `${RELEASE_DIR}/release-notes.md`,
-  `${RELEASE_DIR}/x-thread.md`,
-  `${RELEASE_DIR}/linkedin-post.md`,
-  `${RELEASE_DIR}/article-outline.md`,
-  `${RELEASE_DIR}/partner-sponsor-talks-pack.md`,
-  'docs/business/social-launch-copy.md',
+const ANNOUNCEMENT_FILE_NAMES = [
+  'release-notes.md',
+  'x-thread.md',
+  'linkedin-post.md',
+  'article-outline.md',
+  'partner-sponsor-talks-pack.md',
 ];
 
 function usage() {
   console.log([
     'Usage: node scripts/release-approval-gate.js [--format <text|json>] [--root <dir>]',
     '',
-    'Final approval gate for ECC 2.0 rc.1 publication and outbound actions.',
+    'Final approval gate for the release version declared by package.json.',
     '',
     'Options:',
     '  --format <text|json>  Output format (default: text)',
@@ -195,6 +189,32 @@ function safeParseJson(text) {
   }
 }
 
+function resolveRelease(packageJson, options = {}) {
+  if (typeof options.release === 'string' && options.release.trim()) {
+    return options.release.trim();
+  }
+
+  return typeof packageJson.version === 'string' ? packageJson.version.trim() : '';
+}
+
+function releaseDirFor(release) {
+  return `docs/releases/${release}`;
+}
+
+function releasePathsFor(release) {
+  const releaseDir = releaseDirFor(release);
+
+  return {
+    ownerPacketPath: `${releaseDir}/owner-approval-packet-2026-05-19.md`,
+    urlLedgerPath: `${releaseDir}/release-url-ledger-2026-05-19.md`,
+    previewManifestPath: `${releaseDir}/preview-pack-manifest.md`,
+    announcementFiles: [
+      ...ANNOUNCEMENT_FILE_NAMES.map(fileName => `${releaseDir}/${fileName}`),
+      'docs/business/social-launch-copy.md',
+    ],
+  };
+}
+
 function normalizeLabel(value) {
   return String(value)
     .replace(/[`*_]/g, '')
@@ -366,11 +386,13 @@ function topActionsForChecks(checks) {
 function buildReport(options = {}) {
   const rootDir = path.resolve(options.root || process.cwd());
   const packageJson = safeParseJson(readText(rootDir, 'package.json')) || {};
+  const release = resolveRelease(packageJson, options);
+  const releasePaths = releasePathsFor(release);
   const packageScripts = packageJson.scripts || {};
   const packageFiles = Array.isArray(packageJson.files) ? packageJson.files : [];
-  const ownerPacket = readText(rootDir, OWNER_PACKET_PATH);
-  const ledger = readText(rootDir, URL_LEDGER_PATH);
-  const manifest = readText(rootDir, PREVIEW_MANIFEST_PATH);
+  const ownerPacket = readText(rootDir, releasePaths.ownerPacketPath);
+  const ledger = readText(rootDir, releasePaths.urlLedgerPath);
+  const manifest = readText(rootDir, releasePaths.previewManifestPath);
   const decisions = parseDecisionRegister(ownerPacket);
 
   const missingDecisions = [];
@@ -388,11 +410,11 @@ function buildReport(options = {}) {
     .filter(surface => !ledger.includes(surface.label))
     .map(surface => surface.label);
   const urlBlockers = ledgerBlockers(ledger);
-  const announcementOffenders = findAnnouncementOffenders(rootDir, ANNOUNCEMENT_FILES);
+  const announcementOffenders = findAnnouncementOffenders(rootDir, releasePaths.announcementFiles);
   const commandListedIn = [
-    ownerPacket.includes(REQUIRED_COMMAND) ? OWNER_PACKET_PATH : '',
-    ledger.includes(REQUIRED_COMMAND) ? URL_LEDGER_PATH : '',
-    manifest.includes(REQUIRED_COMMAND) ? PREVIEW_MANIFEST_PATH : '',
+    ownerPacket.includes(REQUIRED_COMMAND) ? releasePaths.ownerPacketPath : '',
+    ledger.includes(REQUIRED_COMMAND) ? releasePaths.urlLedgerPath : '',
+    manifest.includes(REQUIRED_COMMAND) ? releasePaths.previewManifestPath : '',
   ].filter(Boolean);
 
   const checks = [
@@ -440,7 +462,7 @@ function buildReport(options = {}) {
       'announcement-copy-finalized',
       announcementOffenders.length === 0 ? 'pass' : 'fail',
       announcementOffenders.length === 0
-        ? `${ANNOUNCEMENT_FILES.length} launch/outbound copy files have no placeholders or private paths`
+        ? `${releasePaths.announcementFiles.length} launch/outbound copy files have no placeholders or private paths`
         : `offenders: ${announcementOffenders.map(item => `${item.path}:${item.line}`).join(', ')}`,
       'Replace placeholders with live URLs and remove private local paths from launch/outbound copy.'
     ),
@@ -465,7 +487,7 @@ function buildReport(options = {}) {
 
   return {
     schema_version: SCHEMA_VERSION,
-    release: RELEASE,
+    release,
     ready: failed.length === 0,
     digest,
     summary: {
@@ -543,11 +565,12 @@ if (require.main === module) {
 }
 
 module.exports = {
-  ANNOUNCEMENT_FILES,
+  ANNOUNCEMENT_FILE_NAMES,
   REQUIRED_COMMAND,
   REQUIRED_DECISIONS,
   REQUIRED_URL_SURFACES,
   buildReport,
+  releasePathsFor,
   parseArgs,
   renderText,
 };
diff --git a/tests/scripts/release-approval-gate.test.js b/tests/scripts/release-approval-gate.test.js
index bc064ff3..a0655941 100644
--- a/tests/scripts/release-approval-gate.test.js
+++ b/tests/scripts/release-approval-gate.test.js
@@ -15,7 +15,12 @@ const {
   renderText,
 } = require(SCRIPT);
 
-const RELEASE_DIR = 'docs/releases/2.0.0-rc.1';
+const CURRENT_RELEASE = require(path.join(__dirname, '..', '..', 'package.json')).version;
+const RC_RELEASE = '2.0.0-rc.1';
+
+function releaseDirFor(release) {
+  return `docs/releases/${release}`;
+}
 
 function createTempDir(prefix) {
   return fs.mkdtempSync(path.join(os.tmpdir(), prefix));
@@ -31,14 +36,14 @@ function writeFile(rootDir, relativePath, content) {
   fs.writeFileSync(targetPath, content);
 }
 
-function approvedPacketContent(overrides = {}) {
+function approvedPacketContent(overrides = {}, release = CURRENT_RELEASE) {
   const decisions = new Map(REQUIRED_DECISIONS.map(decision => [decision.label, 'approve']));
   for (const [label, value] of Object.entries(overrides)) {
     decisions.set(label, value);
   }
 
   return [
-    '# ECC v2.0.0-rc.1 Owner Approval Packet',
+    `# ECC v${release} Owner Approval Packet`,
     '',
     '## Decision Register',
     '',
@@ -58,16 +63,16 @@ function approvedPacketContent(overrides = {}) {
   ].join('\n');
 }
 
-function finalLedgerContent(extra = '') {
+function finalLedgerContent(extra = '', release = CURRENT_RELEASE) {
   return [
-    '# ECC v2.0.0-rc.1 Release URL Ledger',
+    `# ECC v${release} Release URL Ledger`,
     '',
     '## Final Published URLs',
     '',
     '| Surface | URL | Verification |',
     '| --- | --- | --- |',
     ...REQUIRED_URL_SURFACES.map(surface => (
-      `| ${surface.label} | ${surface.exampleUrl} | readback from final release commit |`
+      `| ${surface.label} | ${surface.exampleUrl.split(RC_RELEASE).join(release)} | readback from final release commit |`
     )),
     '',
     '## Final Verification Commands',
@@ -80,9 +85,9 @@ function finalLedgerContent(extra = '') {
   ].join('\n');
 }
 
-function manifestContent() {
+function manifestContent(release = CURRENT_RELEASE) {
   return [
-    '# ECC v2.0.0-rc.1 Preview Pack Manifest',
+    `# ECC v${release} Preview Pack Manifest`,
     '',
     '| Artifact | Role | Gate |',
     '| --- | --- | --- |',
@@ -96,23 +101,26 @@ function manifestContent() {
   ].join('\n');
 }
 
-function seedRepo(rootDir, overrides = {}) {
+function seedRepo(rootDir, overrides = {}, options = {}) {
+  const release = options.release || CURRENT_RELEASE;
+  const releaseDir = releaseDirFor(release);
   const files = {
     'package.json': JSON.stringify({
+      version: release,
       files: ['scripts/release-approval-gate.js'],
       scripts: {
         'release:approval-gate': 'node scripts/release-approval-gate.js',
       },
     }, null, 2),
     'scripts/release-approval-gate.js': 'release approval gate script',
-    [`${RELEASE_DIR}/owner-approval-packet-2026-05-19.md`]: approvedPacketContent(),
-    [`${RELEASE_DIR}/release-url-ledger-2026-05-19.md`]: finalLedgerContent(),
-    [`${RELEASE_DIR}/preview-pack-manifest.md`]: manifestContent(),
-    [`${RELEASE_DIR}/release-notes.md`]: 'Release notes with final URLs.',
-    [`${RELEASE_DIR}/x-thread.md`]: 'X post with final URLs.',
-    [`${RELEASE_DIR}/linkedin-post.md`]: 'LinkedIn post with final URLs.',
-    [`${RELEASE_DIR}/article-outline.md`]: 'Article outline with final URLs.',
-    [`${RELEASE_DIR}/partner-sponsor-talks-pack.md`]: 'Outbound copy with final URLs.',
+    [`${releaseDir}/owner-approval-packet-2026-05-19.md`]: approvedPacketContent({}, release),
+    [`${releaseDir}/release-url-ledger-2026-05-19.md`]: finalLedgerContent('', release),
+    [`${releaseDir}/preview-pack-manifest.md`]: manifestContent(release),
+    [`${releaseDir}/release-notes.md`]: 'Release notes with final URLs.',
+    [`${releaseDir}/x-thread.md`]: 'X post with final URLs.',
+    [`${releaseDir}/linkedin-post.md`]: 'LinkedIn post with final URLs.',
+    [`${releaseDir}/article-outline.md`]: 'Article outline with final URLs.',
+    [`${releaseDir}/partner-sponsor-talks-pack.md`]: 'Outbound copy with final URLs.',
     'docs/business/social-launch-copy.md': 'Business launch copy with final URLs.',
   };
 
@@ -189,6 +197,7 @@ function runTests() {
       const report = buildReport({ root: rootDir });
 
       assert.strictEqual(report.schema_version, 'ecc.release-approval-gate.v1');
+      assert.strictEqual(report.release, CURRENT_RELEASE);
       assert.strictEqual(report.ready, true);
       assert.strictEqual(report.summary.failed, 0);
       assert.deepStrictEqual(report.top_actions, []);
@@ -202,12 +211,27 @@ function runTests() {
     }
   })) passed++; else failed++;
 
+  if (test('release override keeps rc.1 approval fixtures testable', () => {
+    const rootDir = createTempDir('release-approval-rc-');
+
+    try {
+      seedRepo(rootDir, {}, { release: RC_RELEASE });
+      const report = buildReport({ root: rootDir, release: RC_RELEASE });
+
+      assert.strictEqual(report.release, RC_RELEASE);
+      assert.strictEqual(report.ready, true);
+    } finally {
+      cleanup(rootDir);
+    }
+  })) passed++; else failed++;
+
   if (test('deferred owner decisions keep the publication gate blocked', () => {
     const rootDir = createTempDir('release-approval-deferred-');
 
     try {
+      const releaseDir = releaseDirFor(CURRENT_RELEASE);
       seedRepo(rootDir, {
-        [`${RELEASE_DIR}/owner-approval-packet-2026-05-19.md`]: approvedPacketContent({
+        [`${releaseDir}/owner-approval-packet-2026-05-19.md`]: approvedPacketContent({
           'GitHub prerelease': 'defer',
           'Sponsor, partner, consulting, conference, podcast outreach': 'block',
         }),
@@ -230,15 +254,16 @@ function runTests() {
     const rootDir = createTempDir('release-approval-ledger-');
 
     try {
+      const releaseDir = releaseDirFor(CURRENT_RELEASE);
       seedRepo(rootDir, {
-        [`${RELEASE_DIR}/release-url-ledger-2026-05-19.md`]: [
-          '# ECC v2.0.0-rc.1 Release URL Ledger',
+        [`${releaseDir}/release-url-ledger-2026-05-19.md`]: [
+          `# ECC v${CURRENT_RELEASE} Release URL Ledger`,
           '',
           '## Approval-Gated URLs',
           '',
           '| Surface | Intended URL or command | Gate before use |',
           '| --- | --- | --- |',
-          '| GitHub prerelease | https://github.com/affaan-m/ECC/releases/tag/v2.0.0-rc.1 | must return the prerelease |',
+          `| GitHub prerelease | https://github.com/affaan-m/ECC/releases/tag/v${CURRENT_RELEASE} | must return the prerelease |`,
         ].join('\n'),
       });
 
@@ -257,8 +282,9 @@ function runTests() {
     const rootDir = createTempDir('release-approval-copy-');
 
     try {
+      const releaseDir = releaseDirFor(CURRENT_RELEASE);
       seedRepo(rootDir, {
-        [`${RELEASE_DIR}/x-thread.md`]: 'Ship copy with <video-url> and /Users/affaan/raw-footage.',
+        [`${releaseDir}/x-thread.md`]: 'Ship copy with <video-url> and /Users/affaan/raw-footage.',
       });
 
       const report = buildReport({ root: rootDir });
@@ -266,7 +292,7 @@ function runTests() {
 
       assert.strictEqual(report.ready, false);
       assert.strictEqual(copy.status, 'fail');
-      assert.ok(copy.evidence.includes(`${RELEASE_DIR}/x-thread.md:1`));
+      assert.ok(copy.evidence.includes(`${releaseDir}/x-thread.md:1`));
     } finally {
       cleanup(rootDir);
     }
@@ -280,10 +306,12 @@ function runTests() {
       const stdout = run(['--format=json', `--root=${rootDir}`], { cwd: rootDir });
       const parsed = JSON.parse(stdout);
       assert.strictEqual(parsed.ready, true);
+      assert.strictEqual(parsed.release, CURRENT_RELEASE);
 
+      const releaseDir = releaseDirFor(CURRENT_RELEASE);
       writeFile(
         rootDir,
-        `${RELEASE_DIR}/owner-approval-packet-2026-05-19.md`,
+        `${releaseDir}/owner-approval-packet-2026-05-19.md`,
         approvedPacketContent({ 'Video upload': 'defer' })
       );
       const failedRun = runProcess(['--format=json', `--root=${rootDir}`], { cwd: rootDir });