diff --git a/code/addons/a11y/package.json b/code/addons/a11y/package.json
index 64ea04c8446b..241ff397c985 100644
--- a/code/addons/a11y/package.json
+++ b/code/addons/a11y/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/addon-a11y",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Test component compliance with web accessibility standards",
   "keywords": [
     "a11y",
diff --git a/code/addons/actions/package.json b/code/addons/actions/package.json
index c4b7ecf2b5e1..6d2eb253a766 100644
--- a/code/addons/actions/package.json
+++ b/code/addons/actions/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/addon-actions",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Get UI feedback when an action is performed on an interactive element",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook",
diff --git a/code/addons/backgrounds/package.json b/code/addons/backgrounds/package.json
index 0fc992299fa2..79b74a21355d 100644
--- a/code/addons/backgrounds/package.json
+++ b/code/addons/backgrounds/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/addon-backgrounds",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Switch backgrounds to view components in different settings",
   "keywords": [
     "addon",
diff --git a/code/addons/controls/package.json b/code/addons/controls/package.json
index caa50d9f4452..afc65fd49a9c 100644
--- a/code/addons/controls/package.json
+++ b/code/addons/controls/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/addon-controls",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Interact with component inputs dynamically in the Storybook UI",
   "keywords": [
     "addon",
diff --git a/code/addons/docs/package.json b/code/addons/docs/package.json
index 75d615ed0bf1..be36cac9d744 100644
--- a/code/addons/docs/package.json
+++ b/code/addons/docs/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/addon-docs",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Document component usage and properties in Markdown",
   "keywords": [
     "addon",
diff --git a/code/addons/essentials/package.json b/code/addons/essentials/package.json
index fff67f242a6e..1d4576e56bc9 100644
--- a/code/addons/essentials/package.json
+++ b/code/addons/essentials/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/addon-essentials",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Curated addons to bring out the best of Storybook",
   "keywords": [
     "addon",
diff --git a/code/addons/gfm/package.json b/code/addons/gfm/package.json
index 9eacfc5f36e2..986ecbde8637 100644
--- a/code/addons/gfm/package.json
+++ b/code/addons/gfm/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/addon-mdx-gfm",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "GitHub Flavored Markdown in Storybook",
   "keywords": [
     "addon",
diff --git a/code/addons/highlight/package.json b/code/addons/highlight/package.json
index ba3b16097b8f..3b813f0fccc1 100644
--- a/code/addons/highlight/package.json
+++ b/code/addons/highlight/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/addon-highlight",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Highlight DOM nodes within your stories",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook-addons",
diff --git a/code/addons/interactions/package.json b/code/addons/interactions/package.json
index b33f6485b096..cd06277335a1 100644
--- a/code/addons/interactions/package.json
+++ b/code/addons/interactions/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/addon-interactions",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Automate, test and debug user interactions",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook-addons",
diff --git a/code/addons/jest/package.json b/code/addons/jest/package.json
index 13810a82bc80..c062b12f7397 100644
--- a/code/addons/jest/package.json
+++ b/code/addons/jest/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/addon-jest",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "React storybook addon that show component jest report",
   "keywords": [
     "addon",
diff --git a/code/addons/links/package.json b/code/addons/links/package.json
index 5ad7309d135e..956b44bb063b 100644
--- a/code/addons/links/package.json
+++ b/code/addons/links/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/addon-links",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Link stories together to build demos and prototypes with your UI components",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook-addons",
diff --git a/code/addons/measure/package.json b/code/addons/measure/package.json
index 5c55b27e8b33..f6916c90565a 100644
--- a/code/addons/measure/package.json
+++ b/code/addons/measure/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/addon-measure",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Inspect layouts by visualizing the box model",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook-addons",
diff --git a/code/addons/onboarding/package.json b/code/addons/onboarding/package.json
index 32c13f5ec840..6822f61b5903 100644
--- a/code/addons/onboarding/package.json
+++ b/code/addons/onboarding/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/addon-onboarding",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Storybook Addon Onboarding - Introduces a new onboarding experience",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook-addons",
diff --git a/code/addons/outline/package.json b/code/addons/outline/package.json
index 9134d40b5db8..f6506de40bff 100644
--- a/code/addons/outline/package.json
+++ b/code/addons/outline/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/addon-outline",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Outline all elements with CSS to help with layout placement and alignment",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook-addons",
diff --git a/code/addons/storysource/package.json b/code/addons/storysource/package.json
index a44b47831269..b6a8908ada11 100644
--- a/code/addons/storysource/package.json
+++ b/code/addons/storysource/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/addon-storysource",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "View a story’s source code to see how it works and paste into your app",
   "keywords": [
     "addon",
diff --git a/code/addons/test/package.json b/code/addons/test/package.json
index ec9aadae7d6e..d8a5fbdd428e 100644
--- a/code/addons/test/package.json
+++ b/code/addons/test/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/experimental-addon-test",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Integrate Vitest with Storybook",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook-addons",
diff --git a/code/addons/themes/package.json b/code/addons/themes/package.json
index 623ff54e9934..b047aaba274c 100644
--- a/code/addons/themes/package.json
+++ b/code/addons/themes/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/addon-themes",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Switch between multiple themes for you components in Storybook",
   "keywords": [
     "css",
diff --git a/code/addons/toolbars/package.json b/code/addons/toolbars/package.json
index 77dd754a483b..d92c515955a4 100644
--- a/code/addons/toolbars/package.json
+++ b/code/addons/toolbars/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/addon-toolbars",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Create your own toolbar items that control story rendering",
   "keywords": [
     "addon",
diff --git a/code/addons/viewport/package.json b/code/addons/viewport/package.json
index e4b837359432..0f04eb171ae0 100644
--- a/code/addons/viewport/package.json
+++ b/code/addons/viewport/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/addon-viewport",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Build responsive components by adjusting Storybook’s viewport size and orientation",
   "keywords": [
     "addon",
diff --git a/code/builders/builder-vite/package.json b/code/builders/builder-vite/package.json
index 477bc689b203..eacdc89f3752 100644
--- a/code/builders/builder-vite/package.json
+++ b/code/builders/builder-vite/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/builder-vite",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "A plugin to run and build Storybooks with Vite",
   "homepage": "https://github.com/storybookjs/storybook/tree/next/code/builders/builder-vite/#readme",
   "bugs": {
diff --git a/code/builders/builder-webpack5/package.json b/code/builders/builder-webpack5/package.json
index ad7373b4e566..16934770aaf3 100644
--- a/code/builders/builder-webpack5/package.json
+++ b/code/builders/builder-webpack5/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/builder-webpack5",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Storybook framework-agnostic API",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook"
diff --git a/code/core/package.json b/code/core/package.json
index ae470e2068c9..64eba1c94157 100644
--- a/code/core/package.json
+++ b/code/core/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/core",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Storybook framework-agnostic API",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook"
diff --git a/code/core/src/common/versions.ts b/code/core/src/common/versions.ts
index 067e8ec05918..b0bc7b695f16 100644
--- a/code/core/src/common/versions.ts
+++ b/code/core/src/common/versions.ts
@@ -1,88 +1,88 @@
 // auto generated file, do not edit
 export default {
-  '@storybook/addon-a11y': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/addon-actions': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/addon-backgrounds': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/addon-controls': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/addon-docs': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/addon-essentials': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/addon-mdx-gfm': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/addon-highlight': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/addon-interactions': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/addon-jest': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/addon-links': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/addon-measure': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/addon-onboarding': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/addon-outline': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/addon-storysource': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/experimental-addon-test': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/addon-themes': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/addon-toolbars': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/addon-viewport': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/builder-vite': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/builder-webpack5': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/core': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/builder-manager': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/channels': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/client-logger': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/components': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/core-common': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/core-events': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/core-server': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/csf-tools': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/docs-tools': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/manager': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/manager-api': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/node-logger': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/preview': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/preview-api': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/router': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/telemetry': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/theming': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/types': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/angular': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/ember': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/experimental-nextjs-vite': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/html-vite': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/html-webpack5': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/nextjs': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/preact-vite': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/preact-webpack5': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/react-native-web-vite': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/react-vite': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/react-webpack5': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/server-webpack5': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/svelte-vite': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/svelte-webpack5': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/sveltekit': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/vue3-vite': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/vue3-webpack5': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/web-components-vite': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/web-components-webpack5': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/blocks': '8.5.0',
-  storybook: '8.5.0',
-  sb: '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/cli': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/codemod': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/core-webpack': '8.5.0',
-  'create-storybook': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/csf-plugin': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/instrumenter': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/react-dom-shim': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/source-loader': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/test': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/preset-create-react-app': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/preset-html-webpack': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/preset-preact-webpack': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/preset-react-webpack': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/preset-server-webpack': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/preset-svelte-webpack': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/preset-vue3-webpack': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/html': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/preact': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/react': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/server': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/svelte': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/vue3': '8.5.0',
-  '@storybook/web-components': '8.5.0',
+  '@storybook/addon-a11y': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/addon-actions': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/addon-backgrounds': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/addon-controls': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/addon-docs': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/addon-essentials': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/addon-mdx-gfm': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/addon-highlight': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/addon-interactions': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/addon-jest': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/addon-links': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/addon-measure': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/addon-onboarding': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/addon-outline': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/addon-storysource': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/experimental-addon-test': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/addon-themes': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/addon-toolbars': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/addon-viewport': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/builder-vite': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/builder-webpack5': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/core': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/builder-manager': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/channels': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/client-logger': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/components': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/core-common': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/core-events': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/core-server': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/csf-tools': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/docs-tools': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/manager': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/manager-api': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/node-logger': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/preview': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/preview-api': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/router': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/telemetry': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/theming': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/types': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/angular': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/ember': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/experimental-nextjs-vite': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/html-vite': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/html-webpack5': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/nextjs': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/preact-vite': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/preact-webpack5': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/react-native-web-vite': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/react-vite': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/react-webpack5': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/server-webpack5': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/svelte-vite': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/svelte-webpack5': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/sveltekit': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/vue3-vite': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/vue3-webpack5': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/web-components-vite': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/web-components-webpack5': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/blocks': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  storybook: '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  sb: '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/cli': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/codemod': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/core-webpack': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  'create-storybook': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/csf-plugin': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/instrumenter': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/react-dom-shim': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/source-loader': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/test': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/preset-create-react-app': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/preset-html-webpack': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/preset-preact-webpack': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/preset-react-webpack': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/preset-server-webpack': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/preset-svelte-webpack': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/preset-vue3-webpack': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/html': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/preact': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/react': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/server': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/svelte': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/vue3': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
+  '@storybook/web-components': '8.6.0-alpha.0',
 };
diff --git a/code/core/src/manager-api/version.ts b/code/core/src/manager-api/version.ts
index 856f38179184..705870a7f65b 100644
--- a/code/core/src/manager-api/version.ts
+++ b/code/core/src/manager-api/version.ts
@@ -1 +1 @@
-export const version = '8.5.0';
+export const version = '8.6.0-alpha.0';
diff --git a/code/deprecated/builder-manager/package.json b/code/deprecated/builder-manager/package.json
index c0cf20f93beb..32fb9b53f43c 100644
--- a/code/deprecated/builder-manager/package.json
+++ b/code/deprecated/builder-manager/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/builder-manager",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Storybook manager builder",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook"
diff --git a/code/deprecated/channels/package.json b/code/deprecated/channels/package.json
index ce3d874292ac..8333ad51d8dd 100644
--- a/code/deprecated/channels/package.json
+++ b/code/deprecated/channels/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/channels",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook"
diff --git a/code/deprecated/client-logger/package.json b/code/deprecated/client-logger/package.json
index cdfad277ee88..e584388663b3 100644
--- a/code/deprecated/client-logger/package.json
+++ b/code/deprecated/client-logger/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/client-logger",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook"
diff --git a/code/deprecated/components/package.json b/code/deprecated/components/package.json
index a6a6f4060fc6..a864e2a2d56c 100644
--- a/code/deprecated/components/package.json
+++ b/code/deprecated/components/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/components",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Core Storybook Components",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook"
diff --git a/code/deprecated/core-common/package.json b/code/deprecated/core-common/package.json
index 2eb9194a33d7..cd7e2345edb5 100644
--- a/code/deprecated/core-common/package.json
+++ b/code/deprecated/core-common/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/core-common",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Storybook framework-agnostic API",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook"
diff --git a/code/deprecated/core-events/package.json b/code/deprecated/core-events/package.json
index 25a723f400e2..9c2ec65a080d 100644
--- a/code/deprecated/core-events/package.json
+++ b/code/deprecated/core-events/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/core-events",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Event names used in storybook core",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook"
diff --git a/code/deprecated/core-server/package.json b/code/deprecated/core-server/package.json
index 59b0a038cbd3..663d58c1d7ee 100644
--- a/code/deprecated/core-server/package.json
+++ b/code/deprecated/core-server/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/core-server",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Storybook framework-agnostic API",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook"
diff --git a/code/deprecated/csf-tools/package.json b/code/deprecated/csf-tools/package.json
index 911625b642ca..e22f763a397a 100644
--- a/code/deprecated/csf-tools/package.json
+++ b/code/deprecated/csf-tools/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/csf-tools",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Parse and manipulate CSF and Storybook config files",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook"
diff --git a/code/deprecated/docs-tools/package.json b/code/deprecated/docs-tools/package.json
index 7ec761dc9b55..643fe0d62b26 100644
--- a/code/deprecated/docs-tools/package.json
+++ b/code/deprecated/docs-tools/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/docs-tools",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Shared utility functions for frameworks to implement docs",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook"
diff --git a/code/deprecated/manager-api/package.json b/code/deprecated/manager-api/package.json
index a7dcd2d90aa3..66e40d75e171 100644
--- a/code/deprecated/manager-api/package.json
+++ b/code/deprecated/manager-api/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/manager-api",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Core Storybook Manager API & Context",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook"
diff --git a/code/deprecated/manager/package.json b/code/deprecated/manager/package.json
index 1112b29ad817..8961324a9125 100644
--- a/code/deprecated/manager/package.json
+++ b/code/deprecated/manager/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/manager",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Core Storybook UI",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook"
diff --git a/code/deprecated/node-logger/package.json b/code/deprecated/node-logger/package.json
index e2a6af38d45e..68aaf969f158 100644
--- a/code/deprecated/node-logger/package.json
+++ b/code/deprecated/node-logger/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/node-logger",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook"
diff --git a/code/deprecated/preview-api/package.json b/code/deprecated/preview-api/package.json
index 934f6c441e19..f97e18f61a3d 100644
--- a/code/deprecated/preview-api/package.json
+++ b/code/deprecated/preview-api/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/preview-api",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook"
diff --git a/code/deprecated/preview/package.json b/code/deprecated/preview/package.json
index b51fd3d5f218..6edb37bef1a9 100644
--- a/code/deprecated/preview/package.json
+++ b/code/deprecated/preview/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/preview",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook"
diff --git a/code/deprecated/router/package.json b/code/deprecated/router/package.json
index 9b3561a54dbf..0833b7a6f419 100644
--- a/code/deprecated/router/package.json
+++ b/code/deprecated/router/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/router",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Core Storybook Router",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook"
diff --git a/code/deprecated/telemetry/package.json b/code/deprecated/telemetry/package.json
index 40e78b2d97ed..f3ef96f7115f 100644
--- a/code/deprecated/telemetry/package.json
+++ b/code/deprecated/telemetry/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/telemetry",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Telemetry logging for crash reports and usage statistics",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook"
diff --git a/code/deprecated/theming/package.json b/code/deprecated/theming/package.json
index baa6c52cc12c..7f9a3873b945 100644
--- a/code/deprecated/theming/package.json
+++ b/code/deprecated/theming/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/theming",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Core Storybook Components",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook"
diff --git a/code/deprecated/types/package.json b/code/deprecated/types/package.json
index 58d8006cd10d..ba03e53806be 100644
--- a/code/deprecated/types/package.json
+++ b/code/deprecated/types/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/types",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Core Storybook TS Types",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook"
diff --git a/code/frameworks/angular/package.json b/code/frameworks/angular/package.json
index 6bf2805f9bc6..598c49e38891 100644
--- a/code/frameworks/angular/package.json
+++ b/code/frameworks/angular/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/angular",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Storybook for Angular: Develop Angular components in isolation with hot reloading.",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook",
diff --git a/code/frameworks/ember/package.json b/code/frameworks/ember/package.json
index 5c9f3fb8c16d..9e308f6b5f6d 100644
--- a/code/frameworks/ember/package.json
+++ b/code/frameworks/ember/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/ember",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Storybook for Ember: Develop Ember Component in isolation with Hot Reloading.",
   "homepage": "https://github.com/storybookjs/storybook/tree/next/code/frameworks/ember",
   "bugs": {
diff --git a/code/frameworks/experimental-nextjs-vite/package.json b/code/frameworks/experimental-nextjs-vite/package.json
index 89681555c344..b5205345ed72 100644
--- a/code/frameworks/experimental-nextjs-vite/package.json
+++ b/code/frameworks/experimental-nextjs-vite/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/experimental-nextjs-vite",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Storybook for Next.js and Vite",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook",
diff --git a/code/frameworks/html-vite/package.json b/code/frameworks/html-vite/package.json
index a4d0582b32e5..804987dac1c7 100644
--- a/code/frameworks/html-vite/package.json
+++ b/code/frameworks/html-vite/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/html-vite",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Storybook for HTML and Vite: Develop HTML in isolation with Hot Reloading.",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook"
diff --git a/code/frameworks/html-webpack5/package.json b/code/frameworks/html-webpack5/package.json
index 4f3c0b7dd148..03cd0ce7cfc2 100644
--- a/code/frameworks/html-webpack5/package.json
+++ b/code/frameworks/html-webpack5/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/html-webpack5",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Storybook for HTML: View HTML snippets in isolation with Hot Reloading.",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook"
diff --git a/code/frameworks/nextjs/package.json b/code/frameworks/nextjs/package.json
index 0f946a0d5459..a440c6b17a17 100644
--- a/code/frameworks/nextjs/package.json
+++ b/code/frameworks/nextjs/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/nextjs",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Storybook for Next.js",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook",
diff --git a/code/frameworks/preact-vite/package.json b/code/frameworks/preact-vite/package.json
index 19c9eccaf9fb..5b146f3a9bbf 100644
--- a/code/frameworks/preact-vite/package.json
+++ b/code/frameworks/preact-vite/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/preact-vite",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Storybook for Preact and Vite: Develop Preact components in isolation with Hot Reloading.",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook"
diff --git a/code/frameworks/preact-webpack5/package.json b/code/frameworks/preact-webpack5/package.json
index 25c6f3f28a11..5f0290ffcebc 100644
--- a/code/frameworks/preact-webpack5/package.json
+++ b/code/frameworks/preact-webpack5/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/preact-webpack5",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Storybook for Preact: Develop Preact Component in isolation.",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook"
diff --git a/code/frameworks/react-native-web-vite/package.json b/code/frameworks/react-native-web-vite/package.json
index f49cea37f453..da31ba3bca39 100644
--- a/code/frameworks/react-native-web-vite/package.json
+++ b/code/frameworks/react-native-web-vite/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/react-native-web-vite",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Develop react-native components an isolated web environment with hot reloading.",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook"
diff --git a/code/frameworks/react-vite/package.json b/code/frameworks/react-vite/package.json
index 94b39d10afe0..d871585cf42c 100644
--- a/code/frameworks/react-vite/package.json
+++ b/code/frameworks/react-vite/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/react-vite",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Storybook for React and Vite: Develop React components in isolation with Hot Reloading.",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook"
diff --git a/code/frameworks/react-webpack5/package.json b/code/frameworks/react-webpack5/package.json
index 30e769341a9a..c6c05892a81f 100644
--- a/code/frameworks/react-webpack5/package.json
+++ b/code/frameworks/react-webpack5/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/react-webpack5",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Storybook for React: Develop React Component in isolation with Hot Reloading.",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook"
diff --git a/code/frameworks/server-webpack5/package.json b/code/frameworks/server-webpack5/package.json
index 14c3523c3085..ef6b005495c5 100644
--- a/code/frameworks/server-webpack5/package.json
+++ b/code/frameworks/server-webpack5/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/server-webpack5",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Storybook for Server: View HTML snippets from a server in isolation with Hot Reloading.",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook"
diff --git a/code/frameworks/svelte-vite/package.json b/code/frameworks/svelte-vite/package.json
index db3c8e2988d0..5007a4d2ff35 100644
--- a/code/frameworks/svelte-vite/package.json
+++ b/code/frameworks/svelte-vite/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/svelte-vite",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Storybook for Svelte and Vite: Develop Svelte components in isolation with Hot Reloading.",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook"
diff --git a/code/frameworks/svelte-webpack5/package.json b/code/frameworks/svelte-webpack5/package.json
index 1f1193b35d51..78b652a38c07 100644
--- a/code/frameworks/svelte-webpack5/package.json
+++ b/code/frameworks/svelte-webpack5/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/svelte-webpack5",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Storybook for Svelte: Develop Svelte Component in isolation with Hot Reloading.",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook"
diff --git a/code/frameworks/sveltekit/package.json b/code/frameworks/sveltekit/package.json
index fd6aa4cc80a8..6165990d8b1e 100644
--- a/code/frameworks/sveltekit/package.json
+++ b/code/frameworks/sveltekit/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/sveltekit",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Storybook for SvelteKit",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook",
diff --git a/code/frameworks/vue3-vite/package.json b/code/frameworks/vue3-vite/package.json
index 275a570930ea..8d9b0f427a6a 100644
--- a/code/frameworks/vue3-vite/package.json
+++ b/code/frameworks/vue3-vite/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/vue3-vite",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Storybook for Vue3 and Vite: Develop Vue3 components in isolation with Hot Reloading.",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook"
diff --git a/code/frameworks/vue3-webpack5/package.json b/code/frameworks/vue3-webpack5/package.json
index e787519d81b3..b08859e0a714 100644
--- a/code/frameworks/vue3-webpack5/package.json
+++ b/code/frameworks/vue3-webpack5/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/vue3-webpack5",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Storybook for Vue 3: Develop Vue 3 Components in isolation with Hot Reloading.",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook"
diff --git a/code/frameworks/web-components-vite/package.json b/code/frameworks/web-components-vite/package.json
index f198f5846298..92a76784a0aa 100644
--- a/code/frameworks/web-components-vite/package.json
+++ b/code/frameworks/web-components-vite/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/web-components-vite",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Storybook for web-components and Vite: Develop Web Components in isolation with Hot Reloading.",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook"
diff --git a/code/frameworks/web-components-webpack5/package.json b/code/frameworks/web-components-webpack5/package.json
index 60162e8dac46..aa4281ef433e 100644
--- a/code/frameworks/web-components-webpack5/package.json
+++ b/code/frameworks/web-components-webpack5/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/web-components-webpack5",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Storybook for web-components: View web components snippets in isolation with Hot Reloading.",
   "keywords": [
     "lit",
diff --git a/code/lib/blocks/package.json b/code/lib/blocks/package.json
index 8e629ef5f455..09ebe9af7839 100644
--- a/code/lib/blocks/package.json
+++ b/code/lib/blocks/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/blocks",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Storybook Doc Blocks",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook"
diff --git a/code/lib/cli-sb/package.json b/code/lib/cli-sb/package.json
index 37882bd69e1f..b222588c908b 100644
--- a/code/lib/cli-sb/package.json
+++ b/code/lib/cli-sb/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "sb",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Storybook CLI",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook"
diff --git a/code/lib/cli-storybook/package.json b/code/lib/cli-storybook/package.json
index b682857ba419..931146d117ba 100644
--- a/code/lib/cli-storybook/package.json
+++ b/code/lib/cli-storybook/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/cli",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Storybook CLI",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook"
diff --git a/code/lib/cli/package.json b/code/lib/cli/package.json
index 2bd50035916e..0d89a7e9e096 100644
--- a/code/lib/cli/package.json
+++ b/code/lib/cli/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "storybook",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Storybook's CLI - install, dev, build, upgrade, and more",
   "keywords": [
     "cli",
diff --git a/code/lib/codemod/package.json b/code/lib/codemod/package.json
index 7d4d38d8d3c8..c201a87afe61 100644
--- a/code/lib/codemod/package.json
+++ b/code/lib/codemod/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/codemod",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "A collection of codemod scripts written with JSCodeshift",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook"
diff --git a/code/lib/core-webpack/package.json b/code/lib/core-webpack/package.json
index 45837df83c5c..662d1b51c0d2 100644
--- a/code/lib/core-webpack/package.json
+++ b/code/lib/core-webpack/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/core-webpack",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Storybook framework-agnostic API",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook"
diff --git a/code/lib/create-storybook/package.json b/code/lib/create-storybook/package.json
index 4059712dcc7c..10d37e7e4284 100644
--- a/code/lib/create-storybook/package.json
+++ b/code/lib/create-storybook/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "create-storybook",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Initialize Storybook into your project",
   "homepage": "https://github.com/storybookjs/storybook/tree/next/code/lib/create-storybook",
   "bugs": {
diff --git a/code/lib/csf-plugin/package.json b/code/lib/csf-plugin/package.json
index c1ad5967533b..c9431de814c0 100644
--- a/code/lib/csf-plugin/package.json
+++ b/code/lib/csf-plugin/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/csf-plugin",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Enrich CSF files via static analysis",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook"
diff --git a/code/lib/instrumenter/package.json b/code/lib/instrumenter/package.json
index fac1e0abf552..a3ac37045fa0 100644
--- a/code/lib/instrumenter/package.json
+++ b/code/lib/instrumenter/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/instrumenter",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook"
diff --git a/code/lib/react-dom-shim/package.json b/code/lib/react-dom-shim/package.json
index 2d20c28701d7..0846b17f2781 100644
--- a/code/lib/react-dom-shim/package.json
+++ b/code/lib/react-dom-shim/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/react-dom-shim",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook"
diff --git a/code/lib/source-loader/package.json b/code/lib/source-loader/package.json
index 220d33552d10..049aae45f760 100644
--- a/code/lib/source-loader/package.json
+++ b/code/lib/source-loader/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/source-loader",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Source loader",
   "keywords": [
     "lib",
diff --git a/code/lib/test/package.json b/code/lib/test/package.json
index b758b7da90d3..a96f5b0fe11f 100644
--- a/code/lib/test/package.json
+++ b/code/lib/test/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/test",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook"
diff --git a/code/package.json b/code/package.json
index 67cb5f223969..7787b8c82cf2 100644
--- a/code/package.json
+++ b/code/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/root",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "private": true,
   "description": "Storybook root",
   "homepage": "https://storybook.js.org/",
@@ -294,6 +294,5 @@
         "Dependency Upgrades"
       ]
     ]
-  },
-  "deferredNextVersion": "8.6.0-alpha.0"
+  }
 }
diff --git a/code/presets/create-react-app/package.json b/code/presets/create-react-app/package.json
index 3e12e3da83c8..8a83372629cc 100644
--- a/code/presets/create-react-app/package.json
+++ b/code/presets/create-react-app/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/preset-create-react-app",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Storybook for Create React App preset",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook"
diff --git a/code/presets/html-webpack/package.json b/code/presets/html-webpack/package.json
index 57488db0fd96..e6f1b8a0b898 100644
--- a/code/presets/html-webpack/package.json
+++ b/code/presets/html-webpack/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/preset-html-webpack",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Storybook for HTML: View HTML snippets in isolation with Hot Reloading.",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook"
diff --git a/code/presets/preact-webpack/package.json b/code/presets/preact-webpack/package.json
index 77d27aaf7815..f02f1b1133d2 100644
--- a/code/presets/preact-webpack/package.json
+++ b/code/presets/preact-webpack/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/preset-preact-webpack",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Storybook for Preact: Develop Preact Component in isolation.",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook"
diff --git a/code/presets/react-webpack/package.json b/code/presets/react-webpack/package.json
index 85aeedc52bef..e0d903233c1a 100644
--- a/code/presets/react-webpack/package.json
+++ b/code/presets/react-webpack/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/preset-react-webpack",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Storybook for React: Develop React Component in isolation with Hot Reloading",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook"
diff --git a/code/presets/server-webpack/package.json b/code/presets/server-webpack/package.json
index dc0e67d129c7..69687a2c3586 100644
--- a/code/presets/server-webpack/package.json
+++ b/code/presets/server-webpack/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/preset-server-webpack",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Storybook for Server: View HTML snippets from a server in isolation with Hot Reloading.",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook"
diff --git a/code/presets/svelte-webpack/package.json b/code/presets/svelte-webpack/package.json
index 60e365c290f6..8134e089f227 100644
--- a/code/presets/svelte-webpack/package.json
+++ b/code/presets/svelte-webpack/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/preset-svelte-webpack",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Storybook for Svelte: Develop Svelte Component in isolation with Hot Reloading.",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook"
diff --git a/code/presets/vue3-webpack/package.json b/code/presets/vue3-webpack/package.json
index 2c717d952dda..f60c1951cc6a 100644
--- a/code/presets/vue3-webpack/package.json
+++ b/code/presets/vue3-webpack/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/preset-vue3-webpack",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Storybook for Vue 3: Develop Vue 3 Components in isolation with Hot Reloading.",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook"
diff --git a/code/renderers/html/package.json b/code/renderers/html/package.json
index 9dfb7d69495d..e5662ce4c54e 100644
--- a/code/renderers/html/package.json
+++ b/code/renderers/html/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/html",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Storybook HTML renderer",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook"
diff --git a/code/renderers/preact/package.json b/code/renderers/preact/package.json
index 7581a6d7c8aa..51bd35c9c2ce 100644
--- a/code/renderers/preact/package.json
+++ b/code/renderers/preact/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/preact",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Storybook Preact renderer",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook"
diff --git a/code/renderers/react/package.json b/code/renderers/react/package.json
index eeb102069152..0f09ec198a7e 100644
--- a/code/renderers/react/package.json
+++ b/code/renderers/react/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/react",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Storybook React renderer",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook"
diff --git a/code/renderers/server/package.json b/code/renderers/server/package.json
index 9b18ce031293..cc0bbe56a320 100644
--- a/code/renderers/server/package.json
+++ b/code/renderers/server/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/server",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Storybook Server renderer",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook"
diff --git a/code/renderers/svelte/package.json b/code/renderers/svelte/package.json
index 244d3ff6924a..3b841b6cfe92 100644
--- a/code/renderers/svelte/package.json
+++ b/code/renderers/svelte/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/svelte",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Storybook Svelte renderer",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook"
diff --git a/code/renderers/vue3/package.json b/code/renderers/vue3/package.json
index 1eb7cdf0a38c..8330c105fa57 100644
--- a/code/renderers/vue3/package.json
+++ b/code/renderers/vue3/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/vue3",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Storybook Vue 3 renderer",
   "keywords": [
     "storybook"
diff --git a/code/renderers/web-components/package.json b/code/renderers/web-components/package.json
index 03ac712af2d6..4f248b1c9896 100644
--- a/code/renderers/web-components/package.json
+++ b/code/renderers/web-components/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@storybook/web-components",
-  "version": "8.5.0",
+  "version": "8.6.0-alpha.0",
   "description": "Storybook web-components renderer",
   "keywords": [
     "lit",