diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/pre-release-demos-nightly.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/pre-release-demos-nightly.md
index 0b027a7..c32f0c9 100644
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/pre-release-demos-nightly.md
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/pre-release-demos-nightly.md
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ assignees: ''
 
 <!--
     Make sure to update the link in '.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/release.md' when
-    you change the front matter above.
+    you change the filename.
 -->
 
 <!--
@@ -20,7 +20,18 @@ assignees: ''
 
 Part of <https://github.com/stackabletech/issues/issues/TRACKING_ISSUE>
 
-For each demo, run the following commands:
+> [!CAUTION]
+> Ensure the [`next` branch is merged to `main`][1], otherwise you will be testing based on old product versions.
+>
+> This is needed until [stackablectl can deploy demos for a release][2].
+>
+> [1]: https://github.com/stackabletech/demos/compare/main...next
+> [2]: https://github.com/stackabletech/stackable-cockpit/issues/310
+
+This is testing:
+
+1. The demos documented in nightly (with the updated product versions) still work.
+2. That the operators can be upgraded from the current release to the nightly release and do not negatively impact the products.
 
 > [!NOTE]
 > Record any issues or anomalies during the process in a comment on this issue.
@@ -32,10 +43,46 @@ For each demo, run the following commands:
 > ...
 > ```
 
+Replace the items in the task lists below with the applicable Pull Requests (if any).
+
+<!--
+    The following list was generated by:
+
+    # go to the demos repository, then run:
+    yq '.demos | keys' demos/demos-v2.yaml \
+    | sed -e 's/- //g' \
+    | sort \
+    | xargs -I {} echo "- [ ] [{}](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/nightly/demos/{})"
+-->
+
+```[tasklist]
+### Testing Demos on Nightly
+- [ ] [airflow-scheduled-job](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/nightly/demos/airflow-scheduled-job)
+- [ ] [data-lakehouse-iceberg-trino-spark](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/nightly/demos/data-lakehouse-iceberg-trino-spark)
+- [ ] [end-to-end-security](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/nightly/demos/end-to-end-security)
+- [ ] [hbase-hdfs-load-cycling-data](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/nightly/demos/hbase-hdfs-load-cycling-data)
+- [ ] [jupyterhub-pyspark-hdfs-anomaly-detection-taxi-data](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/nightly/demos/jupyterhub-pyspark-hdfs-anomaly-detection-taxi-data)
+- [ ] [logging](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/nightly/demos/logging)
+- [ ] [nifi-kafka-druid-earthquake-data](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/nightly/demos/nifi-kafka-druid-earthquake-data)
+- [ ] [nifi-kafka-druid-water-level-data](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/nightly/demos/nifi-kafka-druid-water-level-data)
+- [ ] [signal-processing](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/nightly/demos/signal-processing)
+- [ ] [spark-k8s-anomaly-detection-taxi-data](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/nightly/demos/spark-k8s-anomaly-detection-taxi-data)
+- [ ] [trino-iceberg](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/nightly/demos/trino-iceberg)
+- [ ] [trino-taxi-data](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/nightly/demos/trino-taxi-data)
+```
+
+<details>
+<summary>Instructions</summary>
+
+These instructions are for deploying the nightly demo, as well as upgrading the operators and CRDS.
+
 ```shell
-# Install demo (stable)
+# Install demo (stable operators)
 stackablectl demo install <DEMO_NAME>
 
+# --- IMPORTANT ---
+# Run through the nightly demo instructions (refer to the tasklist below).
+
 # Get a list of installed operators
 stackablectl operator installed --output=plain
 
@@ -70,31 +117,6 @@ stackablectl operator install commons ...
 
 # Optionally update the product versions in the CRDs, e.g.:
 kubectl patch hbaseclusters/hbase --type='json' -p='[{"op": "replace", "path": "/spec/image/productVersion", "value":"x.x.x"}]' # changed
-
 ```
 
-<!--
-    The following list was generated by:
-
-    # go to the demos repository, then run:
-    yq '.demos | keys' demos/demos-v2.yaml \
-    | sed -e 's/- //g' \
-    | sort \
-    | xargs -I {} echo "- [ ] [{}](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/nightly/demos/{})"
--->
-
-```[tasklist]
-### Testing Demos on Nightly
-- [ ] [airflow-scheduled-job](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/nightly/demos/airflow-scheduled-job)
-- [ ] [data-lakehouse-iceberg-trino-spark](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/nightly/demos/data-lakehouse-iceberg-trino-spark)
-- [ ] [end-to-end-security](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/nightly/demos/end-to-end-security)
-- [ ] [hbase-hdfs-load-cycling-data](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/nightly/demos/hbase-hdfs-load-cycling-data)
-- [ ] [jupyterhub-pyspark-hdfs-anomaly-detection-taxi-data](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/nightly/demos/jupyterhub-pyspark-hdfs-anomaly-detection-taxi-data)
-- [ ] [logging](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/nightly/demos/logging)
-- [ ] [nifi-kafka-druid-earthquake-data](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/nightly/demos/nifi-kafka-druid-earthquake-data)
-- [ ] [nifi-kafka-druid-water-level-data](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/nightly/demos/nifi-kafka-druid-water-level-data)
-- [ ] [signal-processing](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/nightly/demos/signal-processing)
-- [ ] [spark-k8s-anomaly-detection-taxi-data](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/nightly/demos/spark-k8s-anomaly-detection-taxi-data)
-- [ ] [trino-iceberg](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/nightly/demos/trino-iceberg)
-- [ ] [trino-taxi-data](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/nightly/demos/trino-taxi-data)
-```
+</details>
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/pre-release-getting-started-scripts.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/pre-release-getting-started-scripts.md
index de58bc2..928e998 100644
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/pre-release-getting-started-scripts.md
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/pre-release-getting-started-scripts.md
@@ -58,29 +58,30 @@ Replace the items in the task lists below with the applicable Pull Requests (if
 <!--
     The following list was generated by:
 
-    # go to the stackable-templating repository, then run:
+    # go to the operator-templating repository, then run:
+    STACKABLE_RELEASE=24.11
     yq '.repositories[].name' config/repositories.yaml \
     | sort \
-    | xargs -I {} echo "- [ ] [Update getting-started script for {}](https://github.com/stackabletech/{}/compare/main..fix/getting-started-pre-$(date +%y.%-m)?quick_pull=1&template=pre-release-getting-started-script.md&title=fix%28docs%29%3A+Update+getting-started+script+pre-$(date +%y.%-m))"
+    | xargs -I {} echo "- [ ] [Update getting-started script for {}](https://github.com/stackabletech/{}/compare/main...fix/getting-started-pre-${STACKABLE_RELEASE}?quick_pull=1&template=pre-release-getting-started-script.md&title=fix%28docs%29%3A+Update+getting-started+script+pre-${STACKABLE_RELEASE})"
 -->
 
 ```[tasklist]
 ### Getting Started Script Checks and Updates
-- [ ] [Update getting-started script for airflow-operator](https://github.com/stackabletech/airflow-operator/compare/main..fix/getting-started-pre-24.7?quick_pull=1&template=pre-release-getting-started-script.md&title=fix%28docs%29%3A+Update+getting-started+script+pre-24.7)
-- [ ] [Update getting-started script for commons-operator](https://github.com/stackabletech/commons-operator/compare/main..fix/getting-started-pre-24.7?quick_pull=1&template=pre-release-getting-started-script.md&title=fix%28docs%29%3A+Update+getting-started+script+pre-24.7)
-- [ ] [Update getting-started script for druid-operator](https://github.com/stackabletech/druid-operator/compare/main..fix/getting-started-pre-24.7?quick_pull=1&template=pre-release-getting-started-script.md&title=fix%28docs%29%3A+Update+getting-started+script+pre-24.7)
-- [ ] [Update getting-started script for edc-operator](https://github.com/stackabletech/edc-operator/compare/main..fix/getting-started-pre-24.7?quick_pull=1&template=pre-release-getting-started-script.md&title=fix%28docs%29%3A+Update+getting-started+script+pre-24.7)
-- [ ] [Update getting-started script for hbase-operator](https://github.com/stackabletech/hbase-operator/compare/main..fix/getting-started-pre-24.7?quick_pull=1&template=pre-release-getting-started-script.md&title=fix%28docs%29%3A+Update+getting-started+script+pre-24.7)
-- [ ] [Update getting-started script for hdfs-operator](https://github.com/stackabletech/hdfs-operator/compare/main..fix/getting-started-pre-24.7?quick_pull=1&template=pre-release-getting-started-script.md&title=fix%28docs%29%3A+Update+getting-started+script+pre-24.7)
-- [ ] [Update getting-started script for hello-world-operator](https://github.com/stackabletech/hello-world-operator/compare/main..fix/getting-started-pre-24.7?quick_pull=1&template=pre-release-getting-started-script.md&title=fix%28docs%29%3A+Update+getting-started+script+pre-24.7)
-- [ ] [Update getting-started script for hive-operator](https://github.com/stackabletech/hive-operator/compare/main..fix/getting-started-pre-24.7?quick_pull=1&template=pre-release-getting-started-script.md&title=fix%28docs%29%3A+Update+getting-started+script+pre-24.7)
-- [ ] [Update getting-started script for kafka-operator](https://github.com/stackabletech/kafka-operator/compare/main..fix/getting-started-pre-24.7?quick_pull=1&template=pre-release-getting-started-script.md&title=fix%28docs%29%3A+Update+getting-started+script+pre-24.7)
-- [ ] [Update getting-started script for listener-operator](https://github.com/stackabletech/listener-operator/compare/main..fix/getting-started-pre-24.7?quick_pull=1&template=pre-release-getting-started-script.md&title=fix%28docs%29%3A+Update+getting-started+script+pre-24.7)
-- [ ] [Update getting-started script for nifi-operator](https://github.com/stackabletech/nifi-operator/compare/main..fix/getting-started-pre-24.7?quick_pull=1&template=pre-release-getting-started-script.md&title=fix%28docs%29%3A+Update+getting-started+script+pre-24.7)
-- [ ] [Update getting-started script for opa-operator](https://github.com/stackabletech/opa-operator/compare/main..fix/getting-started-pre-24.7?quick_pull=1&template=pre-release-getting-started-script.md&title=fix%28docs%29%3A+Update+getting-started+script+pre-24.7)
-- [ ] [Update getting-started script for secret-operator](https://github.com/stackabletech/secret-operator/compare/main..fix/getting-started-pre-24.7?quick_pull=1&template=pre-release-getting-started-script.md&title=fix%28docs%29%3A+Update+getting-started+script+pre-24.7)
-- [ ] [Update getting-started script for spark-k8s-operator](https://github.com/stackabletech/spark-k8s-operator/compare/main..fix/getting-started-pre-24.7?quick_pull=1&template=pre-release-getting-started-script.md&title=fix%28docs%29%3A+Update+getting-started+script+pre-24.7)
-- [ ] [Update getting-started script for superset-operator](https://github.com/stackabletech/superset-operator/compare/main..fix/getting-started-pre-24.7?quick_pull=1&template=pre-release-getting-started-script.md&title=fix%28docs%29%3A+Update+getting-started+script+pre-24.7)
-- [ ] [Update getting-started script for trino-operator](https://github.com/stackabletech/trino-operator/compare/main..fix/getting-started-pre-24.7?quick_pull=1&template=pre-release-getting-started-script.md&title=fix%28docs%29%3A+Update+getting-started+script+pre-24.7)
-- [ ] [Update getting-started script for zookeeper-operator](https://github.com/stackabletech/zookeeper-operator/compare/main..fix/getting-started-pre-24.7?quick_pull=1&template=pre-release-getting-started-script.md&title=fix%28docs%29%3A+Update+getting-started+script+pre-24.7)
+- [ ] [Update getting-started script for airflow-operator](https://github.com/stackabletech/airflow-operator/compare/main...fix/getting-started-pre-24.11?quick_pull=1&template=pre-release-getting-started-script.md&title=fix%28docs%29%3A+Update+getting-started+script+pre-24.11)
+- [ ] [Update getting-started script for commons-operator](https://github.com/stackabletech/commons-operator/compare/main...fix/getting-started-pre-24.11?quick_pull=1&template=pre-release-getting-started-script.md&title=fix%28docs%29%3A+Update+getting-started+script+pre-24.11)
+- [ ] [Update getting-started script for druid-operator](https://github.com/stackabletech/druid-operator/compare/main...fix/getting-started-pre-24.11?quick_pull=1&template=pre-release-getting-started-script.md&title=fix%28docs%29%3A+Update+getting-started+script+pre-24.11)
+- [ ] [Update getting-started script for edc-operator](https://github.com/stackabletech/edc-operator/compare/main...fix/getting-started-pre-24.11?quick_pull=1&template=pre-release-getting-started-script.md&title=fix%28docs%29%3A+Update+getting-started+script+pre-24.11)
+- [ ] [Update getting-started script for hbase-operator](https://github.com/stackabletech/hbase-operator/compare/main...fix/getting-started-pre-24.11?quick_pull=1&template=pre-release-getting-started-script.md&title=fix%28docs%29%3A+Update+getting-started+script+pre-24.11)
+- [ ] [Update getting-started script for hdfs-operator](https://github.com/stackabletech/hdfs-operator/compare/main...fix/getting-started-pre-24.11?quick_pull=1&template=pre-release-getting-started-script.md&title=fix%28docs%29%3A+Update+getting-started+script+pre-24.11)
+- [ ] [Update getting-started script for hello-world-operator](https://github.com/stackabletech/hello-world-operator/compare/main...fix/getting-started-pre-24.11?quick_pull=1&template=pre-release-getting-started-script.md&title=fix%28docs%29%3A+Update+getting-started+script+pre-24.11)
+- [ ] [Update getting-started script for hive-operator](https://github.com/stackabletech/hive-operator/compare/main...fix/getting-started-pre-24.11?quick_pull=1&template=pre-release-getting-started-script.md&title=fix%28docs%29%3A+Update+getting-started+script+pre-24.11)
+- [ ] [Update getting-started script for kafka-operator](https://github.com/stackabletech/kafka-operator/compare/main...fix/getting-started-pre-24.11?quick_pull=1&template=pre-release-getting-started-script.md&title=fix%28docs%29%3A+Update+getting-started+script+pre-24.11)
+- [ ] [Update getting-started script for listener-operator](https://github.com/stackabletech/listener-operator/compare/main...fix/getting-started-pre-24.11?quick_pull=1&template=pre-release-getting-started-script.md&title=fix%28docs%29%3A+Update+getting-started+script+pre-24.11)
+- [ ] [Update getting-started script for nifi-operator](https://github.com/stackabletech/nifi-operator/compare/main...fix/getting-started-pre-24.11?quick_pull=1&template=pre-release-getting-started-script.md&title=fix%28docs%29%3A+Update+getting-started+script+pre-24.11)
+- [ ] [Update getting-started script for opa-operator](https://github.com/stackabletech/opa-operator/compare/main...fix/getting-started-pre-24.11?quick_pull=1&template=pre-release-getting-started-script.md&title=fix%28docs%29%3A+Update+getting-started+script+pre-24.11)
+- [ ] [Update getting-started script for secret-operator](https://github.com/stackabletech/secret-operator/compare/main...fix/getting-started-pre-24.11?quick_pull=1&template=pre-release-getting-started-script.md&title=fix%28docs%29%3A+Update+getting-started+script+pre-24.11)
+- [ ] [Update getting-started script for spark-k8s-operator](https://github.com/stackabletech/spark-k8s-operator/compare/main...fix/getting-started-pre-24.11?quick_pull=1&template=pre-release-getting-started-script.md&title=fix%28docs%29%3A+Update+getting-started+script+pre-24.11)
+- [ ] [Update getting-started script for superset-operator](https://github.com/stackabletech/superset-operator/compare/main...fix/getting-started-pre-24.11?quick_pull=1&template=pre-release-getting-started-script.md&title=fix%28docs%29%3A+Update+getting-started+script+pre-24.11)
+- [ ] [Update getting-started script for trino-operator](https://github.com/stackabletech/trino-operator/compare/main...fix/getting-started-pre-24.11?quick_pull=1&template=pre-release-getting-started-script.md&title=fix%28docs%29%3A+Update+getting-started+script+pre-24.11)
+- [ ] [Update getting-started script for zookeeper-operator](https://github.com/stackabletech/zookeeper-operator/compare/main...fix/getting-started-pre-24.11?quick_pull=1&template=pre-release-getting-started-script.md&title=fix%28docs%29%3A+Update+getting-started+script+pre-24.11)
 ```
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/release.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/release.md
index bd55ac6..dffbf2e 100644
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/release.md
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/release.md
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 ---
-name: Release
-about: This template can be used to track the release process at Stackable
-title: Release XX.(X)X
+name: Release Tracking
+about: This template can be used to track the progress of the SDP
+title: "chore(tracking): Release SDP XX.(X)X"
 labels: ['epic']
 assignees: ''
 
@@ -16,22 +16,43 @@ assignees: ''
 
 > [!IMPORTANT]
 > Important dates:
-> - 
+> - ... - Release planning
+> - ... - Lock product versions
+> - ... - Target release date
 
 ## Release checklists
 
+Replace the items in the task lists below with the applicable Pull Requests / Issues
+
+### General Pre-Requisites (before Feature Freeze)
+
+> [!TIP]
+> These tasks should be done earlier in the process to lessen the burden at Pre-release time.
+
 ```[tasklist]
-### General pre-requisites (before feature freeze)
-- [ ] Bump operator-rs to latest version in all operators. This should be done early in the release cycle to leave sufficient time for testing etc.
-- [ ] Check Rust and e.g. cargo deps versions
-- [ ] Run/check getting-started scripts
-- [ ] Run/check demos with dev release and main branch and create draft PR for release-related changes
-- [ ] Update demo docs and screenshots
+### Early Pre-release tasks
+- [ ] [Update and release operator-rs workspace members](https://github.com/stackabletech/operator-rs/issues/new?template=release-workspace-members.md)
+- [ ] [Update Rust toolchain of operators](https://github.com/stackabletech/operator-templating/issues/new?template=pre-release.md)
+- [ ] [Update Rust dependencies of operators](https://github.com/stackabletech/issues/issues/new?template=pre-release-operator-rust-deps.md)
+- [ ] [Update Container Images](https://github.com/stackabletech/docker-images/issues/new?template=pre-release.md)
+```
+
+> [!TIP]
+> These tasks should be done a week or so before the release date.
+
+```[tasklist]
+### Pre-release
+- [ ] Run all of the test suites in Jenkins (with all product versions, not just "nightly")
+- [ ] [Check and update getting-started script](https://github.com/stackabletech/issues/issues/new?template=pre-release-getting-started-scripts.md)
+- [ ] [Test and update demos stable to nightly](https://github.com/stackabletech/issues/issues/new?template=pre-release-demos-nightly.md)
 - [ ] Ensure integration tests are successful on OpenShift
-- [ ] Test SDP release upgrade against several demos (i.e. install release, run demo, bump release, check what needs to be patched)
-- [ ] Run all of the test suites (with all product versions, not just "nightly")
+- [ ] Check stackable-utils scripts in dry-run mode work
 ```
 
+### Other Pre-Requisites (before Feature Freeze)
+
+Search for open issues labeleded with [`scheduled-for/20XX-X`](https://github.com/search?q=org%3Astackabletech+label%3Ascheduled-for%2F20XX-X&type=issues&state=open)
+
 ```[tasklist]
 ### Other release-specific pre-requisites
 - [ ] ...
@@ -45,20 +66,18 @@ This will not be so crucial with release branches, but is nonetheless sensible a
 
 ```[tasklist]
 #### Technical tasks
-- [ ] Test stackable-utils scripts in dry-run mode (this can be done a week or so before the release)
 - [ ] Temporarily remove branch protection before pushing the release branches/tags
 - [ ] Create release branches for docker-images (see stackable-utils for script to create branches)
 - [ ] Create release tag(s) for docker-images (see stackable-utils for scripts to create tags)
 - [ ] Create release branches for operators (see stackable-utils for script to create branches)
 - [ ] Create release tag(s) for operators (see stackable-utils for scripts to create tags)
 - [ ] Create release tag for stackable-cockpit (optional, highly experimental, requires manual tag creation)
-- [ ] Update changelogs in main branches (see stackable-utils for script to do this)
+- [ ] Update release version in changelogs on main branches (see stackable-utils for script to do this)
 - [ ] Generate CRD docs [website](https://crds.stackable.tech/) for the new release by following these [instructions](https://github.com/stackabletech/crddocs)
-- [ ] Check (selected) integration tests
-- [ ] Check getting started scripts (use a table in Nuclino)
-- [ ] Run/check getting-started scripts
-- [ ] Run/check demos with dev release and main branch and create draft PR for release-related changes
-- [ ] Test with locally updated (to new release number) `releases.yaml`
+- [ ] Check (selected) integration tests on the new release branches
+- [ ] Run/Check getting started scripts, ensure image pulls for the release works
+- [ ] Run/Check demos with dev release and main branch and create draft PR for release-related changes
+- [ ] Test `stackablectl` with locally updated (to new release number) `releases.yaml`
 - [ ] Update `release.yaml` in https://github.com/stackabletech/release/blob/main/releases.yaml
 - [ ] Check that an upgrade can be performed on an existing cluster without data loss.
 - [ ] Run all of the test suites
@@ -73,7 +92,8 @@ This will not be so crucial with release branches, but is nonetheless sensible a
 - [ ] Upgrade guide: List dropped supported product versions (if there are some)
 - [ ] Upgrade guide: List dropped supported operators (if there are some)
 - [ ] Upgrade guide: List supported k8s versions
-- [ ] Update version of main documentation repo
+- [ ] Update version of main documentation repo (antora.yml on the release branch)
+- [ ] Update SDP release version in documentation/modules/ROOT/pages/getting-started.adoc
 - [ ] Set the release to "Released" in the Feature Tracker and create a new release
 - [ ] Update the getting-started page in the main docs and check it works with this release: https://github.com/stackabletech/documentation/blob/main/modules/ROOT/pages/getting-started.adoc
 ```