diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index cfd14992..edec4a39 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,5 +1,45 @@
 # novelWriter Changelog
 
+## Version 2.6 RC 1 [2025-01-09]
+
+### Release Notes
+
+This is a release candidate of the next release version, and is intended for testing purposes.
+Please be careful when using this version on live writing projects, and make sure you take frequent
+backups.
+
+### Detailed Changelog
+
+**New Features**
+
+* The session timer in the status bar can now be hidden by clicking on it. Issue #1029. PR #2149.
+* Status and importance labels can now be exported and imported. Issue #1847. PRs #2152 and #2153.
+
+**Bugfixes**
+
+* Fix a beta release bug where it was not possible to change the status or importance flag on
+  folders in the project tree. Issue #2145. PR #2147.
+* Fix an issue where the word counter would override the selection counter in the editor. This was
+  caused by the selection counter being on a much shorter timer than the word counter, so in some
+  cases the latter result came in after the former even if the user actions where the other way
+  around. The selection counter now takes precedence, always. Issue #2155. PRs #2156 and #2157.
+* Fix a minor issue where the search panel header background would not update colour when the theme
+  was changed. Issue #2162. PR #2167.
+
+**Improvements**
+
+* It is no longer necessary to click the "Apply" button when making changes to status and
+  importance labels, or auto-replace settings, in Project Settings. The changes are applied
+  directly to the listed items. They are not applied to the project until the Project Settings are
+  accepted. This is a more intuitive approach. Issue #2150. PR #2151.
+
+**Packaging and Installation**
+
+* MacOS packages are now built on the latest MacOS image available on GitHub. The x86_64 build was
+  previously locked to MacOS 12, which is no loner available. PR #2141.
+
+----
+
 ## Version 2.6 Beta 2 [2024-12-23]
 
 ### Release Notes
diff --git a/novelwriter/__init__.py b/novelwriter/__init__.py
index 822001a8..1ae7ed84 100644
--- a/novelwriter/__init__.py
+++ b/novelwriter/__init__.py
@@ -47,9 +47,9 @@ __license__    = "GPLv3"
 __author__     = "Veronica Berglyd Olsen"
 __maintainer__ = "Veronica Berglyd Olsen"
 __email__      = "code@vkbo.net"
-__version__    = "2.6b2"
-__hexversion__ = "0x020600b2"
-__date__       = "2024-12-23"
+__version__    = "2.6rc1"
+__hexversion__ = "0x020600c1"
+__date__       = "2025-01-09"
 __status__     = "Stable"
 __domain__     = "novelwriter.io"
 
diff --git a/sample/nwProject.nwx b/sample/nwProject.nwx
index a3c73560..edccaf43 100644
--- a/sample/nwProject.nwx
+++ b/sample/nwProject.nwx
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 <?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
-<novelWriterXML appVersion="2.6b2" hexVersion="0x020600b2" fileVersion="1.5" fileRevision="4" timeStamp="2024-12-29 16:15:38">
-  <project id="e2be99af-f9bf-4403-857a-c3d1ac25abea" saveCount="2141" autoCount="281" editTime="95426">
+<novelWriterXML appVersion="2.6rc1" hexVersion="0x020600c1" fileVersion="1.5" fileRevision="4" timeStamp="2025-01-09 22:53:56">
+  <project id="e2be99af-f9bf-4403-857a-c3d1ac25abea" saveCount="2148" autoCount="281" editTime="95620">
     <name>Sample Project</name>
     <author>Jane Smith</author>
   </project>
@@ -42,11 +42,11 @@
       <name status="sc24b8f" import="ia857f0">Novel</name>
     </item>
     <item handle="53b69b83cdafc" parent="7031beac91f75" root="7031beac91f75" order="0" type="FILE" class="NOVEL" layout="DOCUMENT">
-      <meta expanded="no" heading="H1" charCount="148" wordCount="29" paraCount="4" cursorPos="227" />
+      <meta expanded="no" heading="H1" charCount="148" wordCount="29" paraCount="4" cursorPos="178" />
       <name status="sc24b8f" import="ia857f0" active="yes">Title Page</name>
     </item>
     <item handle="974e400180a99" parent="7031beac91f75" root="7031beac91f75" order="1" type="FILE" class="NOVEL" layout="DOCUMENT">
-      <meta expanded="no" heading="H0" charCount="233" wordCount="47" paraCount="2" cursorPos="30" />
+      <meta expanded="no" heading="H0" charCount="233" wordCount="47" paraCount="2" cursorPos="194" />
       <name status="sf12341" import="ia857f0" active="yes">Page</name>
     </item>
     <item handle="edca4be2fcaf8" parent="7031beac91f75" root="7031beac91f75" order="2" type="FILE" class="NOVEL" layout="DOCUMENT">
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@
       <name status="sf24ce6" import="ia857f0" active="yes">Chapter One</name>
     </item>
     <item handle="636b6aa9b697b" parent="6a2d6d5f4f401" root="7031beac91f75" order="0" type="FILE" class="NOVEL" layout="DOCUMENT">
-      <meta expanded="no" heading="H3" charCount="2999" wordCount="530" paraCount="16" cursorPos="19" />
+      <meta expanded="no" heading="H3" charCount="2999" wordCount="530" paraCount="16" cursorPos="1035" />
       <name status="s90e6c9" import="ia857f0" active="yes">Making a Scene</name>
     </item>
     <item handle="bc0cbd2a407f3" parent="6a2d6d5f4f401" root="7031beac91f75" order="1" type="FILE" class="NOVEL" layout="DOCUMENT">
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@
       <name status="s90e6c9" import="ia857f0" active="yes">Another Scene</name>
     </item>
     <item handle="ba8a28a246524" parent="7031beac91f75" root="7031beac91f75" order="4" type="FILE" class="NOVEL" layout="DOCUMENT">
-      <meta expanded="no" heading="H2" charCount="617" wordCount="101" paraCount="3" cursorPos="1182" />
+      <meta expanded="no" heading="H2" charCount="649" wordCount="101" paraCount="3" cursorPos="1182" />
       <name status="s78ea90" import="ia857f0" active="yes">Interlude</name>
     </item>
     <item handle="96b68994dfa3d" parent="7031beac91f75" root="7031beac91f75" order="5" type="FILE" class="NOVEL" layout="NOTE">