diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
index 09ab82d..13ee3c5 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -36,6 +36,14 @@ jobs:
               exit 1
             fi
           fi
+
+      - name: ensure version is not already released
+        run: |
+          if git ls-remote --tags origin | grep -q "refs/tags/$VERSION"; then
+            echo "Version $VERSION already exists"
+            exit 1
+          fi
+
       - name: configure git with the bot credentials
         run: |
           mkdir -p ~/.ssh
@@ -58,6 +66,18 @@ jobs:
 
           git rev-parse --short HEAD
 
+      - name: bump version in version file
+        run: |
+          echo $VERSION > VERSION
+        working-directory: ./go-mip
+
+      - name: commit version bump
+        run: |
+          git add VERSION
+          git commit -m "Bumping version to $VERSION"
+          git push origin ${{ github.ref_name }}
+        working-directory: ./go-mip
+
       - name: push release tag
         run: |
           git tag $VERSION
diff --git a/VERSION b/VERSION
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b7c0a9b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/VERSION
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+v1.6.0
diff --git a/version.go b/version.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..97aecb2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/version.go
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+// © 2019-present nextmv.io inc
+
+package mip
+
+import (
+	_ "embed"
+	"strings"
+)
+
+//go:embed VERSION
+var version string
+
+// Version returns the version of the mip module.
+func Version() string {
+	return strings.TrimSpace(version)
+}