diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 24f094d85..da1fe7f31 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ pip3 install "dapr @ git+https://github.com/dapr/python-sdk.git@main"
 pip3 install "dapr[grpc,fastapi] @ git+https://github.com/dapr/python-sdk.git@main"
 ```
 
-Replace `@main` with a commit SHA or release branch (e.g. `@release-1.18`)
+Replace `@main` with a commit SHA or release branch (e.g. `@release-1.19`)
 to pin to a specific point in history.
 
 ### Try out examples
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ The generated files will be found in `docs/_build`.
 
 ```sh
 uv sync --all-packages --group dev
-export DAPR_BRANCH=release-1.18 # Optional, defaults to master
+export DAPR_BRANCH=release-1.19 # Optional, defaults to master
 uv run ./tools/regen_grpcclient.sh
 ```
 
diff --git a/VERSION b/VERSION
index 42e7d7a06..db2479c6e 100644
--- a/VERSION
+++ b/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-1.19.0.dev
\ No newline at end of file
+1.19.0rc1
\ No newline at end of file