diff --git a/plugins/kyberforge/.claude-plugin/plugin.json b/plugins/kyberforge/.claude-plugin/plugin.json
index f96c066..564a101 100644
--- a/plugins/kyberforge/.claude-plugin/plugin.json
+++ b/plugins/kyberforge/.claude-plugin/plugin.json
@@ -8,5 +8,5 @@
   "keywords": [],
   "license": "MIT",
   "name": "kyberforge",
-  "version": "1.0.2"
+  "version": "1.0.3"
 }
diff --git a/plugins/kyberforge/plugin.json b/plugins/kyberforge/plugin.json
index b09e4d5..6a35333 100644
--- a/plugins/kyberforge/plugin.json
+++ b/plugins/kyberforge/plugin.json
@@ -13,5 +13,5 @@
   "skills": [
     "skills/"
   ],
-  "version": "1.0.2"
+  "version": "1.0.3"
 }
diff --git a/plugins/kyberforge/skills/marketplace-author/README.md b/plugins/kyberforge/skills/marketplace-author/README.md
index a7f3326..a5e92f8 100644
--- a/plugins/kyberforge/skills/marketplace-author/README.md
+++ b/plugins/kyberforge/skills/marketplace-author/README.md
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ Adds, removes, and updates plugin entries in the holocron marketplace manifest.
 
 ## What it does
 
-Manages entries in the `plugins[]` array of `marketplace.json`. Always updates both `.claude-plugin/marketplace.json` and `.github/plugin/marketplace.json` in the same edit pass — never one without the other. Routes automatically to add, remove, update, or create-from-scratch based on whether the files exist and whether the named plugin is already in the catalog. Runs `claude plugin validate .` after every mutating operation.
+Manages entries in the `plugins[]` array of `marketplace.json`. Always updates both `.claude-plugin/marketplace.json` and `.github/plugin/marketplace.json` in the same edit pass — never one without the other. Routes automatically to add, remove, update, or create-from-scratch based on whether the files exist and whether the named plugin is already in the catalog. Bumps the catalog version on every mutation (minor for ADD/REMOVE, patch for UPDATE). Runs `claude plugin validate .` after every mutating operation.
 
 ## Before you start
 
diff --git a/plugins/kyberforge/skills/marketplace-author/SKILL.md b/plugins/kyberforge/skills/marketplace-author/SKILL.md
index ee2ea74..6fae3d8 100644
--- a/plugins/kyberforge/skills/marketplace-author/SKILL.md
+++ b/plugins/kyberforge/skills/marketplace-author/SKILL.md
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ metadata:
 ## Gotchas
 
 - Both marketplace files must be identical after every operation — never update one without the other in the same edit pass.
+- Every catalog mutation (ADD, REMOVE, UPDATE) requires a catalog `version` bump in both files in the same edit pass. Clients cache the catalog and use the version to detect changes — skipping the bump means the new state is invisible until a forced refresh. Convention: ADD and REMOVE → minor bump (e.g. `0.1.1` → `0.2.0`); UPDATE → patch bump (e.g. `0.2.0` → `0.2.1`). The `version` field may be at the top level or nested inside `metadata` — bump whichever form is present.
 - `source` for local plugins is a relative path from the marketplace root, not the plugin directory name alone (e.g. `"./plugins/kyberforge"`, not `"kyberforge"`).
 - The `{ "source": "github", ... }` object form is only for GitHub. For GitLab, Gitea, or any other git host, use `{ "source": "git", "url": "https://..." }` with a full URL.
 
@@ -161,7 +162,11 @@ Append the new entry to the end of the `plugins[]` array in `.claude-plugin/mark
 
 Apply the identical addition to `.github/plugin/marketplace.json` in the same edit pass.
 
-### Step 4 — Validate
+### Step 4 — Bump catalog version
+
+Apply a **minor bump** to the `version` field in both files in the same edit pass (e.g. `0.1.1` → `0.2.0`). Find the field at the top level or inside `metadata` — bump whichever form is present.
+
+### Step 5 — Validate
 
 Follow the **VALIDATE** flow.
 
@@ -189,7 +194,11 @@ Remove the entry from `plugins[]` in `.claude-plugin/marketplace.json`.
 
 Apply the identical removal to `.github/plugin/marketplace.json` in the same edit pass.
 
-### Step 4 — Validate
+### Step 4 — Bump catalog version
+
+Apply a **minor bump** to the `version` field in both files in the same edit pass (e.g. `0.1.1` → `0.2.0`). Find the field at the top level or inside `metadata` — bump whichever form is present.
+
+### Step 5 — Validate
 
 Follow the **VALIDATE** flow.
 
@@ -211,7 +220,11 @@ State which fields will change and to what values, then edit `.claude-plugin/mar
 
 Apply the identical change to `.github/plugin/marketplace.json` in the same edit pass.
 
-### Step 3 — Validate
+### Step 3 — Bump catalog version
+
+Apply a **patch bump** to the `version` field in both files in the same edit pass (e.g. `0.2.0` → `0.2.1`). Find the field at the top level or inside `metadata` — bump whichever form is present.
+
+### Step 4 — Validate
 
 Follow the **VALIDATE** flow.