diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yaml b/.github/workflows/release.yaml
index 437d6e8..71a83c8 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yaml
@@ -2,6 +2,16 @@ name: Create release
 run-name: "Release ${{ format('{0} (branch: {1})', inputs.tag, github.ref_name) }} "
 
 on:
+  workflow_call:
+    inputs:
+      tag:
+        description: "Tag to release (e.g. v1.0.0)"
+        required: true
+        type: string
+      latest:
+        description: "Whether to tag this release latest"
+        required: true
+        type: boolean
   workflow_dispatch:
     inputs:
       tag:
@@ -12,7 +22,6 @@ on:
         description: "Whether to tag this release latest"
         required: true
         type: boolean
-        default: false
 
 jobs:
   tests:
@@ -29,7 +38,7 @@ jobs:
       - uses: mukunku/tag-exists-action@v1.6.0
         id: check-tag
         with:
-          tag: ${{ github.event.inputs.tag }}
+          tag: ${{ inputs.tag }}
         env:
           GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
       - name: fail if tag already exists
@@ -39,7 +48,7 @@ jobs:
         id: parse-semver
         uses: booxmedialtd/ws-action-parse-semver@v1.4.7
         with:
-          input_string: ${{ github.event.inputs.tag }}
+          input_string: ${{ inputs.tag }}
           version_extractor_regex: 'v(.*)$'
 
   release:
@@ -56,16 +65,16 @@ jobs:
 
             See [changelog] for a complete list of changes.
             
-            [changelog]: https://github.com/${{ github.repository }}/blob/main/CHANGELOG.md#${{ github.event.inputs.tag }}
+            [changelog]: https://github.com/${{ github.repository }}/blob/main/CHANGELOG.md#${{ inputs.tag }}
             
             #### Install CRDs from all channels
             ```shell
-            kustomize build github.com/${{ github.repository }}/config/crd/gateway-operator\?ref=${{ github.event.inputs.tag }} | kubectl apply -f -
-            kustomize build github.com/${{ github.repository }}/config/crd/ingress-controller\?ref=${{ github.event.inputs.tag }} | kubectl apply -f -
-            kustomize build github.com/${{ github.repository }}/config/crd/ingress-controller-incubator\?ref=${{ github.event.inputs.tag }} | kubectl apply -f -
+            kustomize build github.com/${{ github.repository }}/config/crd/gateway-operator\?ref=${{ inputs.tag }} | kubectl apply -f -
+            kustomize build github.com/${{ github.repository }}/config/crd/ingress-controller\?ref=${{ inputs.tag }} | kubectl apply -f -
+            kustomize build github.com/${{ github.repository }}/config/crd/ingress-controller-incubator\?ref=${{ inputs.tag }} | kubectl apply -f -
             ```
           token: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
-          tag: ${{ github.event.inputs.tag }}
+          tag: ${{ inputs.tag }}
           commit: ${{ github.sha }}
           prerelease: ${{ needs.verify-tag.outputs.prerelease != '' }}
-          makeLatest: ${{ github.event.inputs.latest == 'true' }}
+          makeLatest: ${{ inputs.latest == 'true' }}
diff --git a/.github/workflows/release_on_version_change.yaml b/.github/workflows/release_on_version_change.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..467ca38
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/release_on_version_change.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+name: Trigger release based on VERSION file change
+
+on:
+  push:
+    paths:
+      - VERSION
+    branches:
+      - main
+
+jobs:
+  version:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    outputs:
+      version: ${{ steps.version.outputs.version }}
+      latest: ${{ steps.version.outputs.version == 'latest' }}
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - id: version
+        run: |
+          echo "version=$(head -1 VERSION)" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+          echo "latest=$(tail -1 VERSION)" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+      - name: Validate semver
+        uses: booxmedialtd/ws-action-parse-semver@v1.4.7
+        with:
+          input_string: ${{ steps.version.outputs.version }}
+          version_extractor_regex: 'v(.*)$'
+  trigger_release:
+    needs:
+    - version
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/release.yaml
+    with:
+      tag: ${{ needs.version.outputs.version }}
+      latest: ${{ needs.version.outputs.latest }}
diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 0c9fc1d..b3e1fbe 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ REPO_URL ?= github.com/kong/kubernetes-configuration
 # NOTE: this is not neeed now before v2, but will be needed in the future.
 #GO_MOD_MAJOR_VERSION ?= $(subst $(REPO_URL)/,,$(shell go list -m))
 REPO_INFO ?= $(shell git config --get remote.origin.url)
+VERSION ?= $(shell head -1 VERSION)
 
 ifndef COMMIT
   COMMIT := $(shell git rev-parse --short HEAD)
@@ -155,7 +156,7 @@ generate.apitypes-funcs:
 .PHONY: generate.crds
 generate.crds: controller-gen ## Generate WebhookConfiguration and CustomResourceDefinition objects.
 	# Use gotypesalias=0 as a workaround for https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/controller-tools/issues/1088.
-	GODEBUG=gotypesalias=0 go run ./scripts/crds-generator
+	VERSION=$(VERSION) GODEBUG=gotypesalias=0 go run ./scripts/crds-generator
 
 .PHONY: generate.deepcopy
 generate.deepcopy: controller-gen
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 8b845b4..ea27035 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -80,10 +80,25 @@ When you add a new CRD make sure to
 
 ## How to release?
 
+Releases are driven by changes in the [`VERSION`](./VERSION) file.
+This file contains 2 lines:
+
+- The first line is the version number (e.g. `1.0.0`).
+- The second line indicates if the version should be marked as latest or not
+  (e.g. `latest` for latest, anything else is not marked as latest).
+
+To release a new version:
+
+- Pick a new version.
 - Make sure a changelog is updated with the new version, the release date, and all the changes.
-- Trigger a [release workflow]. This will create a tag a release in GitHub.
+- Update the [`VERSION`](./VERSION) file with said version and whether the version should be marked as latest.
+  This can be done in a separate PR or along with the PR that introduces the changes.
+
+The [`release_on_version_change.yaml`][release_on_change_workflow]
+workflow will be triggered when a commit changing the `VERSION` file is pushed to the `main` branch.
+Releases created with this approach will be marked as latest
 
-[release workflow]: https://github.com/Kong/kubernetes-configuration/actions/workflows/release.yaml
+[release_on_change_workflow]: .github/workflows/release_on_version_change.yaml
 
 ## Available custom markers
 
diff --git a/VERSION b/VERSION
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..38bfbed
--- /dev/null
+++ b/VERSION
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+v1.0.1
+latest
diff --git a/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongcacertificates.yaml b/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongcacertificates.yaml
index 89ad746..80ec4e7 100644
--- a/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongcacertificates.yaml
+++ b/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongcacertificates.yaml
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ kind: CustomResourceDefinition
 metadata:
   annotations:
     kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/channels: gateway-operator
+    kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/version: v1.0.1
   name: kongcacertificates.configuration.konghq.com
 spec:
   group: configuration.konghq.com
diff --git a/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongcertificates.yaml b/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongcertificates.yaml
index 4e06b3d..bf9c089 100644
--- a/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongcertificates.yaml
+++ b/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongcertificates.yaml
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ kind: CustomResourceDefinition
 metadata:
   annotations:
     kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/channels: gateway-operator
+    kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/version: v1.0.1
   name: kongcertificates.configuration.konghq.com
 spec:
   group: configuration.konghq.com
diff --git a/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongconsumergroups.yaml b/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongconsumergroups.yaml
index e6bcc9b..8a31c1b 100644
--- a/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongconsumergroups.yaml
+++ b/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongconsumergroups.yaml
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ kind: CustomResourceDefinition
 metadata:
   annotations:
     kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/channels: ingress-controller,gateway-operator
+    kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/version: v1.0.1
   name: kongconsumergroups.configuration.konghq.com
 spec:
   group: configuration.konghq.com
diff --git a/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongconsumers.yaml b/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongconsumers.yaml
index a9858db..430dabc 100644
--- a/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongconsumers.yaml
+++ b/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongconsumers.yaml
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ kind: CustomResourceDefinition
 metadata:
   annotations:
     kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/channels: ingress-controller,gateway-operator
+    kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/version: v1.0.1
   name: kongconsumers.configuration.konghq.com
 spec:
   group: configuration.konghq.com
diff --git a/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongcredentialacls.yaml b/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongcredentialacls.yaml
index 08364c1..1a8dd1a 100644
--- a/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongcredentialacls.yaml
+++ b/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongcredentialacls.yaml
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ kind: CustomResourceDefinition
 metadata:
   annotations:
     kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/channels: gateway-operator
+    kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/version: v1.0.1
   name: kongcredentialacls.configuration.konghq.com
 spec:
   group: configuration.konghq.com
diff --git a/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongcredentialapikeys.yaml b/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongcredentialapikeys.yaml
index 2f4ca9c..f34e4a8 100644
--- a/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongcredentialapikeys.yaml
+++ b/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongcredentialapikeys.yaml
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ kind: CustomResourceDefinition
 metadata:
   annotations:
     kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/channels: gateway-operator
+    kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/version: v1.0.1
   name: kongcredentialapikeys.configuration.konghq.com
 spec:
   group: configuration.konghq.com
diff --git a/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongcredentialbasicauths.yaml b/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongcredentialbasicauths.yaml
index a25489c..79b8f17 100644
--- a/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongcredentialbasicauths.yaml
+++ b/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongcredentialbasicauths.yaml
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ kind: CustomResourceDefinition
 metadata:
   annotations:
     kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/channels: gateway-operator
+    kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/version: v1.0.1
   name: kongcredentialbasicauths.configuration.konghq.com
 spec:
   group: configuration.konghq.com
diff --git a/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongcredentialhmacs.yaml b/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongcredentialhmacs.yaml
index 320bfcc..ec49742 100644
--- a/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongcredentialhmacs.yaml
+++ b/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongcredentialhmacs.yaml
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ kind: CustomResourceDefinition
 metadata:
   annotations:
     kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/channels: gateway-operator
+    kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/version: v1.0.1
   name: kongcredentialhmacs.configuration.konghq.com
 spec:
   group: configuration.konghq.com
diff --git a/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongcredentialjwts.yaml b/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongcredentialjwts.yaml
index 0479318..63a63cd 100644
--- a/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongcredentialjwts.yaml
+++ b/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongcredentialjwts.yaml
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ kind: CustomResourceDefinition
 metadata:
   annotations:
     kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/channels: gateway-operator
+    kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/version: v1.0.1
   name: kongcredentialjwts.configuration.konghq.com
 spec:
   group: configuration.konghq.com
diff --git a/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongdataplaneclientcertificates.yaml b/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongdataplaneclientcertificates.yaml
index e1824fe..6849d57 100644
--- a/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongdataplaneclientcertificates.yaml
+++ b/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongdataplaneclientcertificates.yaml
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ kind: CustomResourceDefinition
 metadata:
   annotations:
     kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/channels: gateway-operator
+    kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/version: v1.0.1
   name: kongdataplaneclientcertificates.configuration.konghq.com
 spec:
   group: configuration.konghq.com
diff --git a/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongkeys.yaml b/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongkeys.yaml
index c2c458c..27be046 100644
--- a/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongkeys.yaml
+++ b/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongkeys.yaml
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ kind: CustomResourceDefinition
 metadata:
   annotations:
     kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/channels: gateway-operator
+    kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/version: v1.0.1
   name: kongkeys.configuration.konghq.com
 spec:
   group: configuration.konghq.com
diff --git a/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongkeysets.yaml b/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongkeysets.yaml
index 02d4b01..292f878 100644
--- a/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongkeysets.yaml
+++ b/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongkeysets.yaml
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ kind: CustomResourceDefinition
 metadata:
   annotations:
     kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/channels: gateway-operator
+    kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/version: v1.0.1
   name: kongkeysets.configuration.konghq.com
 spec:
   group: configuration.konghq.com
diff --git a/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_konglicenses.yaml b/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_konglicenses.yaml
index 0bab85e..55291ae 100644
--- a/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_konglicenses.yaml
+++ b/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_konglicenses.yaml
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ kind: CustomResourceDefinition
 metadata:
   annotations:
     kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/channels: ingress-controller,gateway-operator
+    kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/version: v1.0.1
   name: konglicenses.configuration.konghq.com
 spec:
   group: configuration.konghq.com
diff --git a/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongpluginbindings.yaml b/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongpluginbindings.yaml
index 3a0a7f0..fa8d44a 100644
--- a/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongpluginbindings.yaml
+++ b/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongpluginbindings.yaml
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ kind: CustomResourceDefinition
 metadata:
   annotations:
     kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/channels: gateway-operator
+    kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/version: v1.0.1
   name: kongpluginbindings.configuration.konghq.com
 spec:
   group: configuration.konghq.com
diff --git a/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongplugins.yaml b/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongplugins.yaml
index f8a2bdc..0d99ac1 100644
--- a/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongplugins.yaml
+++ b/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongplugins.yaml
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ kind: CustomResourceDefinition
 metadata:
   annotations:
     kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/channels: ingress-controller,gateway-operator
+    kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/version: v1.0.1
   name: kongplugins.configuration.konghq.com
 spec:
   group: configuration.konghq.com
diff --git a/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongroutes.yaml b/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongroutes.yaml
index daae4b8..fc7914f 100644
--- a/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongroutes.yaml
+++ b/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongroutes.yaml
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ kind: CustomResourceDefinition
 metadata:
   annotations:
     kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/channels: gateway-operator
+    kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/version: v1.0.1
   name: kongroutes.configuration.konghq.com
 spec:
   group: configuration.konghq.com
diff --git a/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongservices.yaml b/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongservices.yaml
index 299d18a..943219b 100644
--- a/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongservices.yaml
+++ b/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongservices.yaml
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ kind: CustomResourceDefinition
 metadata:
   annotations:
     kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/channels: gateway-operator
+    kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/version: v1.0.1
   name: kongservices.configuration.konghq.com
 spec:
   group: configuration.konghq.com
diff --git a/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongsnis.yaml b/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongsnis.yaml
index 0d28b2f..a1be7ac 100644
--- a/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongsnis.yaml
+++ b/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongsnis.yaml
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ kind: CustomResourceDefinition
 metadata:
   annotations:
     kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/channels: gateway-operator
+    kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/version: v1.0.1
   name: kongsnis.configuration.konghq.com
 spec:
   group: configuration.konghq.com
diff --git a/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongtargets.yaml b/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongtargets.yaml
index ff4b8d0..3164df8 100644
--- a/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongtargets.yaml
+++ b/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongtargets.yaml
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ kind: CustomResourceDefinition
 metadata:
   annotations:
     kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/channels: gateway-operator
+    kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/version: v1.0.1
   name: kongtargets.configuration.konghq.com
 spec:
   group: configuration.konghq.com
diff --git a/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongupstreams.yaml b/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongupstreams.yaml
index 0369b90..60130e6 100644
--- a/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongupstreams.yaml
+++ b/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongupstreams.yaml
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ kind: CustomResourceDefinition
 metadata:
   annotations:
     kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/channels: gateway-operator
+    kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/version: v1.0.1
   name: kongupstreams.configuration.konghq.com
 spec:
   group: configuration.konghq.com
diff --git a/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongvaults.yaml b/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongvaults.yaml
index 26b463b..83e0667 100644
--- a/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongvaults.yaml
+++ b/config/crd/gateway-operator/configuration.konghq.com_kongvaults.yaml
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ kind: CustomResourceDefinition
 metadata:
   annotations:
     kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/channels: ingress-controller,gateway-operator
+    kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/version: v1.0.1
   name: kongvaults.configuration.konghq.com
 spec:
   group: configuration.konghq.com
diff --git a/config/crd/gateway-operator/konnect.konghq.com_konnectapiauthconfigurations.yaml b/config/crd/gateway-operator/konnect.konghq.com_konnectapiauthconfigurations.yaml
index 88a8758..5e900c2 100644
--- a/config/crd/gateway-operator/konnect.konghq.com_konnectapiauthconfigurations.yaml
+++ b/config/crd/gateway-operator/konnect.konghq.com_konnectapiauthconfigurations.yaml
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ kind: CustomResourceDefinition
 metadata:
   annotations:
     kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/channels: gateway-operator
+    kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/version: v1.0.1
   name: konnectapiauthconfigurations.konnect.konghq.com
 spec:
   group: konnect.konghq.com
diff --git a/config/crd/gateway-operator/konnect.konghq.com_konnectgatewaycontrolplanes.yaml b/config/crd/gateway-operator/konnect.konghq.com_konnectgatewaycontrolplanes.yaml
index f1442ab..5c2ece6 100644
--- a/config/crd/gateway-operator/konnect.konghq.com_konnectgatewaycontrolplanes.yaml
+++ b/config/crd/gateway-operator/konnect.konghq.com_konnectgatewaycontrolplanes.yaml
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ kind: CustomResourceDefinition
 metadata:
   annotations:
     kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/channels: gateway-operator
+    kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/version: v1.0.1
   name: konnectgatewaycontrolplanes.konnect.konghq.com
 spec:
   group: konnect.konghq.com
diff --git a/config/crd/ingress-controller-incubator/incubator.ingress-controller.konghq.com_kongservicefacades.yaml b/config/crd/ingress-controller-incubator/incubator.ingress-controller.konghq.com_kongservicefacades.yaml
index fd5f70e..2ff1e9d 100644
--- a/config/crd/ingress-controller-incubator/incubator.ingress-controller.konghq.com_kongservicefacades.yaml
+++ b/config/crd/ingress-controller-incubator/incubator.ingress-controller.konghq.com_kongservicefacades.yaml
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ kind: CustomResourceDefinition
 metadata:
   annotations:
     kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/channels: ingress-controller-incubator
+    kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/version: v1.0.1
   name: kongservicefacades.incubator.ingress-controller.konghq.com
 spec:
   group: incubator.ingress-controller.konghq.com
diff --git a/config/crd/ingress-controller/configuration.konghq.com_ingressclassparameterses.yaml b/config/crd/ingress-controller/configuration.konghq.com_ingressclassparameterses.yaml
index 99533cd..b957d93 100644
--- a/config/crd/ingress-controller/configuration.konghq.com_ingressclassparameterses.yaml
+++ b/config/crd/ingress-controller/configuration.konghq.com_ingressclassparameterses.yaml
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ kind: CustomResourceDefinition
 metadata:
   annotations:
     kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/channels: ingress-controller
+    kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/version: v1.0.1
   name: ingressclassparameterses.configuration.konghq.com
 spec:
   group: configuration.konghq.com
diff --git a/config/crd/ingress-controller/configuration.konghq.com_kongclusterplugins.yaml b/config/crd/ingress-controller/configuration.konghq.com_kongclusterplugins.yaml
index d37b4be..7894288 100644
--- a/config/crd/ingress-controller/configuration.konghq.com_kongclusterplugins.yaml
+++ b/config/crd/ingress-controller/configuration.konghq.com_kongclusterplugins.yaml
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ kind: CustomResourceDefinition
 metadata:
   annotations:
     kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/channels: ingress-controller
+    kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/version: v1.0.1
   name: kongclusterplugins.configuration.konghq.com
 spec:
   group: configuration.konghq.com
diff --git a/config/crd/ingress-controller/configuration.konghq.com_kongconsumergroups.yaml b/config/crd/ingress-controller/configuration.konghq.com_kongconsumergroups.yaml
index e6bcc9b..8a31c1b 100644
--- a/config/crd/ingress-controller/configuration.konghq.com_kongconsumergroups.yaml
+++ b/config/crd/ingress-controller/configuration.konghq.com_kongconsumergroups.yaml
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ kind: CustomResourceDefinition
 metadata:
   annotations:
     kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/channels: ingress-controller,gateway-operator
+    kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/version: v1.0.1
   name: kongconsumergroups.configuration.konghq.com
 spec:
   group: configuration.konghq.com
diff --git a/config/crd/ingress-controller/configuration.konghq.com_kongconsumers.yaml b/config/crd/ingress-controller/configuration.konghq.com_kongconsumers.yaml
index a9858db..430dabc 100644
--- a/config/crd/ingress-controller/configuration.konghq.com_kongconsumers.yaml
+++ b/config/crd/ingress-controller/configuration.konghq.com_kongconsumers.yaml
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ kind: CustomResourceDefinition
 metadata:
   annotations:
     kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/channels: ingress-controller,gateway-operator
+    kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/version: v1.0.1
   name: kongconsumers.configuration.konghq.com
 spec:
   group: configuration.konghq.com
diff --git a/config/crd/ingress-controller/configuration.konghq.com_kongcustomentities.yaml b/config/crd/ingress-controller/configuration.konghq.com_kongcustomentities.yaml
index 25ae59e..91d3028 100644
--- a/config/crd/ingress-controller/configuration.konghq.com_kongcustomentities.yaml
+++ b/config/crd/ingress-controller/configuration.konghq.com_kongcustomentities.yaml
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ kind: CustomResourceDefinition
 metadata:
   annotations:
     kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/channels: ingress-controller
+    kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/version: v1.0.1
   name: kongcustomentities.configuration.konghq.com
 spec:
   group: configuration.konghq.com
diff --git a/config/crd/ingress-controller/configuration.konghq.com_kongingresses.yaml b/config/crd/ingress-controller/configuration.konghq.com_kongingresses.yaml
index ab55608..8b70818 100644
--- a/config/crd/ingress-controller/configuration.konghq.com_kongingresses.yaml
+++ b/config/crd/ingress-controller/configuration.konghq.com_kongingresses.yaml
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ kind: CustomResourceDefinition
 metadata:
   annotations:
     kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/channels: ingress-controller
+    kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/version: v1.0.1
   name: kongingresses.configuration.konghq.com
 spec:
   group: configuration.konghq.com
diff --git a/config/crd/ingress-controller/configuration.konghq.com_konglicenses.yaml b/config/crd/ingress-controller/configuration.konghq.com_konglicenses.yaml
index 0bab85e..55291ae 100644
--- a/config/crd/ingress-controller/configuration.konghq.com_konglicenses.yaml
+++ b/config/crd/ingress-controller/configuration.konghq.com_konglicenses.yaml
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ kind: CustomResourceDefinition
 metadata:
   annotations:
     kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/channels: ingress-controller,gateway-operator
+    kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/version: v1.0.1
   name: konglicenses.configuration.konghq.com
 spec:
   group: configuration.konghq.com
diff --git a/config/crd/ingress-controller/configuration.konghq.com_kongplugins.yaml b/config/crd/ingress-controller/configuration.konghq.com_kongplugins.yaml
index f8a2bdc..0d99ac1 100644
--- a/config/crd/ingress-controller/configuration.konghq.com_kongplugins.yaml
+++ b/config/crd/ingress-controller/configuration.konghq.com_kongplugins.yaml
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ kind: CustomResourceDefinition
 metadata:
   annotations:
     kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/channels: ingress-controller,gateway-operator
+    kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/version: v1.0.1
   name: kongplugins.configuration.konghq.com
 spec:
   group: configuration.konghq.com
diff --git a/config/crd/ingress-controller/configuration.konghq.com_kongupstreampolicies.yaml b/config/crd/ingress-controller/configuration.konghq.com_kongupstreampolicies.yaml
index 860a1c7..3bc9b21 100644
--- a/config/crd/ingress-controller/configuration.konghq.com_kongupstreampolicies.yaml
+++ b/config/crd/ingress-controller/configuration.konghq.com_kongupstreampolicies.yaml
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ kind: CustomResourceDefinition
 metadata:
   annotations:
     kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/channels: ingress-controller
+    kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/version: v1.0.1
   labels:
     gateway.networking.k8s.io/policy: direct
   name: kongupstreampolicies.configuration.konghq.com
diff --git a/config/crd/ingress-controller/configuration.konghq.com_kongvaults.yaml b/config/crd/ingress-controller/configuration.konghq.com_kongvaults.yaml
index 26b463b..83e0667 100644
--- a/config/crd/ingress-controller/configuration.konghq.com_kongvaults.yaml
+++ b/config/crd/ingress-controller/configuration.konghq.com_kongvaults.yaml
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ kind: CustomResourceDefinition
 metadata:
   annotations:
     kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/channels: ingress-controller,gateway-operator
+    kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/version: v1.0.1
   name: kongvaults.configuration.konghq.com
 spec:
   group: configuration.konghq.com
diff --git a/config/crd/ingress-controller/configuration.konghq.com_tcpingresses.yaml b/config/crd/ingress-controller/configuration.konghq.com_tcpingresses.yaml
index 02f2562..7e99ca0 100644
--- a/config/crd/ingress-controller/configuration.konghq.com_tcpingresses.yaml
+++ b/config/crd/ingress-controller/configuration.konghq.com_tcpingresses.yaml
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ kind: CustomResourceDefinition
 metadata:
   annotations:
     kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/channels: ingress-controller
+    kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/version: v1.0.1
   name: tcpingresses.configuration.konghq.com
 spec:
   group: configuration.konghq.com
diff --git a/config/crd/ingress-controller/configuration.konghq.com_udpingresses.yaml b/config/crd/ingress-controller/configuration.konghq.com_udpingresses.yaml
index af78a19..56f1736 100644
--- a/config/crd/ingress-controller/configuration.konghq.com_udpingresses.yaml
+++ b/config/crd/ingress-controller/configuration.konghq.com_udpingresses.yaml
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ kind: CustomResourceDefinition
 metadata:
   annotations:
     kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/channels: ingress-controller
+    kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/version: v1.0.1
   name: udpingresses.configuration.konghq.com
 spec:
   group: configuration.konghq.com
diff --git a/scripts/crds-generator/main.go b/scripts/crds-generator/main.go
index 0315781..6167402 100644
--- a/scripts/crds-generator/main.go
+++ b/scripts/crds-generator/main.go
@@ -31,6 +31,9 @@ const (
 
 	// ChannelsAnnotation is the annotation key that's used to mark the channels a CRD belongs to.
 	ChannelsAnnotation = "kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/channels"
+
+	// VersionAnnotation is the annotation key that's used to mark the version of the CRD.
+	VersionAnnotation = "kubernetes-configuration.konghq.com/version"
 )
 
 // AllChannels is a list of all available channels.
@@ -38,6 +41,11 @@ var AllChannels = []ChannelType{IngressControllerChannelType, IngressControllerI
 
 // Code is inspired by https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/gateway-api/blob/1fe2b9f8ee99a6475a65eedd1ce060f363a8634d/pkg/generator/main.go.
 func main() {
+	version := os.Getenv("VERSION")
+	if version == "" {
+		log.Fatalf("VERSION environment variable is required")
+	}
+
 	roots, err := loader.LoadRoots(
 		// Needed to parse generated register functions.
 		"k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/runtime/schema",
@@ -71,6 +79,7 @@ func main() {
 	yamlOpts := []*genall.WriteYAMLOptions{
 		genall.WithTransform(transformRemoveCRDStatus),
 		genall.WithTransform(genall.TransformRemoveCreationTimestamp),
+		genall.WithTransform(addVersion(version)),
 	}
 
 	generator := &crd.Generator{}
@@ -141,7 +150,6 @@ kind: Kustomization
 resources:
 %s`
 		resources := strings.Join(lo.Map(crdFiles, func(f string, _ int) string {
-
 			return fmt.Sprintf("  - %s", filepath.Base(f))
 		}), "\n")
 		kustomizeContent := fmt.Sprintf(kustomizeFileTemplate, resources)
@@ -192,3 +200,21 @@ func transformRemoveCRDStatus(obj map[string]interface{}) error {
 	delete(obj, "status")
 	return nil
 }
+
+// addVersion adds the version annotation to the CRD.
+func addVersion(version string) func(obj map[string]interface{}) error {
+	return func(obj map[string]interface{}) error {
+		metadata, ok := obj["metadata"]
+		if !ok {
+			metadata = map[string]interface{}{}
+			obj["metadata"] = metadata
+		}
+		annotations, ok := metadata.(map[interface{}]interface{})["annotations"]
+		if !ok {
+			annotations = map[string]interface{}{}
+			obj["metadata"].(map[string]interface{})["annotations"] = metadata
+		}
+		annotations.(map[interface{}]interface{})[VersionAnnotation] = version
+		return nil
+	}
+}