diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
index 4099d0f..155836d 100644
--- a/AGENTS.md
+++ b/AGENTS.md
@@ -25,16 +25,24 @@ This repo is a small Expo + React Native app (using Expo Router and NativeWind/T
 
 When you (or another AI agent) are asked to implement a change, prefer working through the existing route/components structure and the centralized SQLite data layer in `lib/dataStorage.ts`.
 
-## Before creating a PR
+## Git Workflow (every change, no exceptions)
 
-Always bump the version before opening a pull request. Choose the bump type based on the nature of the changes:
+Every change — no matter how small — must follow this exact sequence:
+
+1. **Create a new branch** off `master` (never commit directly to `master`)
+2. **Make your changes** and commit them to the branch
+3. **Bump the version** (`npm run bump:patch/minor/major`) and commit the version files
+4. **Push** the branch to remote
+5. **Open a pull request** targeting `master`
+
+Direct pushes to `master` are blocked by branch protection. CI enforces the version bump — a PR with the same version as `master` will fail.
+
+Choose the bump type based on the nature of the changes:
 
 - **patch** (`npm run bump:patch`) — bug fixes, small tweaks, copy changes
 - **minor** (`npm run bump:minor`) — new user-visible features, non-breaking additions
 - **major** (`npm run bump:major`) — breaking changes, major UX overhauls
 
-Run the bump command, then include the resulting `app.json` and `package.json` changes in the same commit or PR. Never open a PR without a version bump — the CI check enforces this.
-
 ## When implementing a feature (agent playbook)
 
 1. **Locate the route** to change/add under `app/`.
diff --git a/android/app/build.gradle b/android/app/build.gradle
index 8355ecf..5ed91aa 100644
--- a/android/app/build.gradle
+++ b/android/app/build.gradle
@@ -92,8 +92,8 @@ android {
         applicationId 'com.pgarr.simplenotepad'
         minSdkVersion rootProject.ext.minSdkVersion
         targetSdkVersion rootProject.ext.targetSdkVersion
-        versionCode 20
-        versionName "1.4.3"
+        versionCode 21
+        versionName "1.4.4"
 
         buildConfigField "String", "REACT_NATIVE_RELEASE_LEVEL", "\"${findProperty('reactNativeReleaseLevel') ?: 'stable'}\""
     }
diff --git a/app.json b/app.json
index fccaeb8..56d659a 100644
--- a/app.json
+++ b/app.json
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
   "expo": {
     "name": "simple-notepad",
     "slug": "simple-notepad",
-    "version": "1.4.3",
+    "version": "1.4.4",
     "orientation": "portrait",
     "icon": "./assets/images/icon.png",
     "scheme": "simple-notepad",
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@
         "backgroundColor": "#ffffff"
       },
       "package": "com.pgarr.simplenotepad",
-      "versionCode": 20
+      "versionCode": 21
     },
     "web": {
       "bundler": "metro",
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@
         "projectId": "9e3820b7-558b-4bd2-a1b2-e49561e741e6"
       }
     },
-    "runtimeVersion": "1.4.3",
+    "runtimeVersion": "1.4.4",
     "updates": {
       "url": "https://u.expo.dev/9e3820b7-558b-4bd2-a1b2-e49561e741e6"
     }
diff --git a/package-lock.json b/package-lock.json
index 86ec821..05ac08b 100644
--- a/package-lock.json
+++ b/package-lock.json
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 {
   "name": "simple-notepad",
-  "version": "1.4.3",
+  "version": "1.4.4",
   "lockfileVersion": 3,
   "requires": true,
   "packages": {
     "": {
       "name": "simple-notepad",
-      "version": "1.4.3",
+      "version": "1.4.4",
       "dependencies": {
         "@react-navigation/native": "^7.0.0",
         "@rn-primitives/portal": "~1.3.0",
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 9bc79cb..7635a98 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
   "name": "simple-notepad",
   "main": "expo-router/entry",
-  "version": "1.4.3",
+  "version": "1.4.4",
   "scripts": {
     "prebuild": "expo prebuild",
     "dev": "expo start",