diff --git a/Documentation/RelNotes/2.53.0.adoc b/Documentation/RelNotes/2.53.0.adoc
index 35a1ab91ed..dcdebe8954 100644
--- a/Documentation/RelNotes/2.53.0.adoc
+++ b/Documentation/RelNotes/2.53.0.adoc
@@ -34,6 +34,10 @@ UI, Workflows & Features
  * More object database related information are shown in "git repo
    structure" output.
 
+ * Improve the error message when a bad argument is given to the
+   `--onto` option of "git replay".  Test coverage of "git replay" has
+   been improved.
+
 
 Performance, Internal Implementation, Development Support etc.
 --------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -92,6 +96,9 @@ Performance, Internal Implementation, Development Support etc.
  * Use hook API to replace ad-hoc invocation of hook scripts with the
    run_command() API.
 
+ * Import newer version of "clar", unit testing framework.
+   (merge 84071a6dea ps/clar-integers later to maint).
+
 
 Fixes since v2.52
 -----------------
diff --git a/GIT-VERSION-GEN b/GIT-VERSION-GEN
index 1f7af0328a..5adc4afd67 100755
--- a/GIT-VERSION-GEN
+++ b/GIT-VERSION-GEN
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 #!/bin/sh
 
-DEF_VER=v2.52.GIT
+DEF_VER=v2.53.0-rc0
 
 LF='
 '