diff --git a/VERSION b/VERSION
index c0d71d854..dfca892be 100644
--- a/VERSION
+++ b/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-2023.12
+2024.03-dev
diff --git a/src/App.php b/src/App.php
index a01a6bc6c..1938db076 100644
--- a/src/App.php
+++ b/src/App.php
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ class App
 {
 	const PLATFORM = 'Friendica';
 	const CODENAME = 'Yellow Archangel';
-	const VERSION  = '2023.12';
+	const VERSION  = '2024.03-dev';
 
 	// Allow themes to control internal parameters
 	// by changing App values in theme.php