diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 3ace6dbba0..70f82be622 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,3 +1,17 @@
+# [2.0.0-rc.0](https://github.com/vuepress/vuepress-next/compare/v2.0.0-beta.68...v2.0.0-rc.0) (2023-11-16)
+
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+* support links with custom protocol (close [#1404](https://github.com/vuepress/vuepress-next/issues/1404)) ([#1421](https://github.com/vuepress/vuepress-next/issues/1421)) ([518fd7d](https://github.com/vuepress/vuepress-next/commit/518fd7d5db3220b92893a94438d9f9422093e403))
+
+
+### Features
+
+* upgrade to vite 5 and esbuild 0.19 ([e1e9ec3](https://github.com/vuepress/vuepress-next/commit/e1e9ec3fc615f8e11bb2400a0aeb4179413125f9))
+
+
+
 # [2.0.0-beta.68](https://github.com/vuepress/vuepress-next/compare/v2.0.0-beta.67...v2.0.0-beta.68) (2023-11-10)
 
 
diff --git a/ecosystem/plugin-active-header-links/package.json b/ecosystem/plugin-active-header-links/package.json
index 8884ea6197..7412b71c01 100644
--- a/ecosystem/plugin-active-header-links/package.json
+++ b/ecosystem/plugin-active-header-links/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@vuepress/plugin-active-header-links",
-  "version": "2.0.0-beta.68",
+  "version": "2.0.0-rc.0",
   "description": "VuePress plugin - active header links",
   "keywords": [
     "vuepress-plugin",
diff --git a/ecosystem/plugin-back-to-top/package.json b/ecosystem/plugin-back-to-top/package.json
index 66ff2ad062..040bb9ea1d 100644
--- a/ecosystem/plugin-back-to-top/package.json
+++ b/ecosystem/plugin-back-to-top/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@vuepress/plugin-back-to-top",
-  "version": "2.0.0-beta.68",
+  "version": "2.0.0-rc.0",
   "description": "VuePress plugin - back to top",
   "keywords": [
     "vuepress-plugin",
diff --git a/ecosystem/plugin-container/package.json b/ecosystem/plugin-container/package.json
index d03a941e39..a93d617547 100644
--- a/ecosystem/plugin-container/package.json
+++ b/ecosystem/plugin-container/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@vuepress/plugin-container",
-  "version": "2.0.0-beta.68",
+  "version": "2.0.0-rc.0",
   "description": "VuePress plugin - markdown container",
   "keywords": [
     "vuepress-plugin",
diff --git a/ecosystem/plugin-docsearch/package.json b/ecosystem/plugin-docsearch/package.json
index c0fbeb5f40..484b32130e 100644
--- a/ecosystem/plugin-docsearch/package.json
+++ b/ecosystem/plugin-docsearch/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@vuepress/plugin-docsearch",
-  "version": "2.0.0-beta.68",
+  "version": "2.0.0-rc.0",
   "description": "VuePress plugin - docsearch",
   "keywords": [
     "vuepress-plugin",
diff --git a/ecosystem/plugin-external-link-icon/package.json b/ecosystem/plugin-external-link-icon/package.json
index 68d1c9eeb1..5995a7da73 100644
--- a/ecosystem/plugin-external-link-icon/package.json
+++ b/ecosystem/plugin-external-link-icon/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@vuepress/plugin-external-link-icon",
-  "version": "2.0.0-beta.68",
+  "version": "2.0.0-rc.0",
   "description": "VuePress plugin - external link icon",
   "keywords": [
     "vuepress-plugin",
diff --git a/ecosystem/plugin-git/package.json b/ecosystem/plugin-git/package.json
index 929aaa4350..aaae26e0b9 100644
--- a/ecosystem/plugin-git/package.json
+++ b/ecosystem/plugin-git/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@vuepress/plugin-git",
-  "version": "2.0.0-beta.68",
+  "version": "2.0.0-rc.0",
   "description": "VuePress plugin - git",
   "keywords": [
     "vuepress-plugin",
diff --git a/ecosystem/plugin-google-analytics/package.json b/ecosystem/plugin-google-analytics/package.json
index de41953523..2223b9865c 100644
--- a/ecosystem/plugin-google-analytics/package.json
+++ b/ecosystem/plugin-google-analytics/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@vuepress/plugin-google-analytics",
-  "version": "2.0.0-beta.68",
+  "version": "2.0.0-rc.0",
   "description": "VuePress plugin - google-analytics",
   "keywords": [
     "vuepress-plugin",
diff --git a/ecosystem/plugin-medium-zoom/package.json b/ecosystem/plugin-medium-zoom/package.json
index 6cb574b3a0..9be79c8da7 100644
--- a/ecosystem/plugin-medium-zoom/package.json
+++ b/ecosystem/plugin-medium-zoom/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@vuepress/plugin-medium-zoom",
-  "version": "2.0.0-beta.68",
+  "version": "2.0.0-rc.0",
   "description": "VuePress plugin - medium-zoom",
   "keywords": [
     "vuepress-plugin",
diff --git a/ecosystem/plugin-nprogress/package.json b/ecosystem/plugin-nprogress/package.json
index b3e6faaf67..6f2232090c 100644
--- a/ecosystem/plugin-nprogress/package.json
+++ b/ecosystem/plugin-nprogress/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@vuepress/plugin-nprogress",
-  "version": "2.0.0-beta.68",
+  "version": "2.0.0-rc.0",
   "description": "VuePress plugin - nprogress",
   "keywords": [
     "vuepress-plugin",
diff --git a/ecosystem/plugin-palette/package.json b/ecosystem/plugin-palette/package.json
index 10e5196947..731d677981 100644
--- a/ecosystem/plugin-palette/package.json
+++ b/ecosystem/plugin-palette/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@vuepress/plugin-palette",
-  "version": "2.0.0-beta.68",
+  "version": "2.0.0-rc.0",
   "description": "VuePress plugin - palette",
   "keywords": [
     "vuepress-plugin",
diff --git a/ecosystem/plugin-prismjs/package.json b/ecosystem/plugin-prismjs/package.json
index e05a05937f..1c5a9487d9 100644
--- a/ecosystem/plugin-prismjs/package.json
+++ b/ecosystem/plugin-prismjs/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@vuepress/plugin-prismjs",
-  "version": "2.0.0-beta.68",
+  "version": "2.0.0-rc.0",
   "description": "VuePress plugin - prismjs",
   "keywords": [
     "vuepress-plugin",
diff --git a/ecosystem/plugin-pwa-popup/package.json b/ecosystem/plugin-pwa-popup/package.json
index db7af83b92..ffb12480ab 100644
--- a/ecosystem/plugin-pwa-popup/package.json
+++ b/ecosystem/plugin-pwa-popup/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@vuepress/plugin-pwa-popup",
-  "version": "2.0.0-beta.68",
+  "version": "2.0.0-rc.0",
   "description": "VuePress plugin - PWA popup",
   "keywords": [
     "vuepress-plugin",
diff --git a/ecosystem/plugin-pwa/package.json b/ecosystem/plugin-pwa/package.json
index 8baabe89b2..7ffb4da914 100644
--- a/ecosystem/plugin-pwa/package.json
+++ b/ecosystem/plugin-pwa/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@vuepress/plugin-pwa",
-  "version": "2.0.0-beta.68",
+  "version": "2.0.0-rc.0",
   "description": "VuePress plugin - progressive web application",
   "keywords": [
     "vuepress-plugin",
diff --git a/ecosystem/plugin-register-components/package.json b/ecosystem/plugin-register-components/package.json
index 8d4756e1e2..56575cb70b 100644
--- a/ecosystem/plugin-register-components/package.json
+++ b/ecosystem/plugin-register-components/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@vuepress/plugin-register-components",
-  "version": "2.0.0-beta.68",
+  "version": "2.0.0-rc.0",
   "description": "VuePress plugin - register-components",
   "keywords": [
     "vuepress-plugin",
diff --git a/ecosystem/plugin-search/package.json b/ecosystem/plugin-search/package.json
index 82fca850c3..a24809ba75 100644
--- a/ecosystem/plugin-search/package.json
+++ b/ecosystem/plugin-search/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@vuepress/plugin-search",
-  "version": "2.0.0-beta.68",
+  "version": "2.0.0-rc.0",
   "description": "VuePress plugin - built-in search",
   "keywords": [
     "vuepress-plugin",
diff --git a/ecosystem/plugin-shiki/package.json b/ecosystem/plugin-shiki/package.json
index d271771fe2..e7c5618668 100644
--- a/ecosystem/plugin-shiki/package.json
+++ b/ecosystem/plugin-shiki/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@vuepress/plugin-shiki",
-  "version": "2.0.0-beta.68",
+  "version": "2.0.0-rc.0",
   "description": "VuePress plugin - shiki",
   "keywords": [
     "vuepress-plugin",
diff --git a/ecosystem/plugin-theme-data/package.json b/ecosystem/plugin-theme-data/package.json
index d1a290bc10..c1166d5243 100644
--- a/ecosystem/plugin-theme-data/package.json
+++ b/ecosystem/plugin-theme-data/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@vuepress/plugin-theme-data",
-  "version": "2.0.0-beta.68",
+  "version": "2.0.0-rc.0",
   "description": "VuePress plugin - theme data",
   "keywords": [
     "vuepress-plugin",
diff --git a/ecosystem/plugin-toc/package.json b/ecosystem/plugin-toc/package.json
index 7c43080d03..a6793754ac 100644
--- a/ecosystem/plugin-toc/package.json
+++ b/ecosystem/plugin-toc/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@vuepress/plugin-toc",
-  "version": "2.0.0-beta.68",
+  "version": "2.0.0-rc.0",
   "description": "VuePress plugin - toc",
   "keywords": [
     "vuepress-plugin",
diff --git a/ecosystem/theme-default/package.json b/ecosystem/theme-default/package.json
index c12d3ab59e..40bc2e7104 100644
--- a/ecosystem/theme-default/package.json
+++ b/ecosystem/theme-default/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@vuepress/theme-default",
-  "version": "2.0.0-beta.68",
+  "version": "2.0.0-rc.0",
   "description": "Default theme of VuePress",
   "keywords": [
     "vuepress-theme",
diff --git a/ecosystem/vuepress-vite/package.json b/ecosystem/vuepress-vite/package.json
index 2eac45ac1d..05feedb6d8 100644
--- a/ecosystem/vuepress-vite/package.json
+++ b/ecosystem/vuepress-vite/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "vuepress-vite",
-  "version": "2.0.0-beta.68",
+  "version": "2.0.0-rc.0",
   "description": "Vue-powered Static Site Generator",
   "keywords": [
     "documentation",
diff --git a/ecosystem/vuepress-webpack/package.json b/ecosystem/vuepress-webpack/package.json
index 639d835ab6..9a94171d21 100644
--- a/ecosystem/vuepress-webpack/package.json
+++ b/ecosystem/vuepress-webpack/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "vuepress-webpack",
-  "version": "2.0.0-beta.68",
+  "version": "2.0.0-rc.0",
   "description": "Vue-powered Static Site Generator",
   "keywords": [
     "documentation",
diff --git a/ecosystem/vuepress/package.json b/ecosystem/vuepress/package.json
index 2be57cd3bb..94b29d764c 100644
--- a/ecosystem/vuepress/package.json
+++ b/ecosystem/vuepress/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "vuepress",
-  "version": "2.0.0-beta.68",
+  "version": "2.0.0-rc.0",
   "description": "Vue-powered Static Site Generator",
   "keywords": [
     "documentation",
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 1704a1c16f..35abe7f7c5 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@vuepress/monorepo",
-  "version": "2.0.0-beta.68",
+  "version": "2.0.0-rc.0",
   "private": true,
   "type": "module",
   "scripts": {
diff --git a/packages/bundler-vite/package.json b/packages/bundler-vite/package.json
index 48371bbfab..76520835d1 100644
--- a/packages/bundler-vite/package.json
+++ b/packages/bundler-vite/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@vuepress/bundler-vite",
-  "version": "2.0.0-beta.68",
+  "version": "2.0.0-rc.0",
   "description": "Bundler vite package of VuePress",
   "keywords": [
     "vuepress-bundler",
diff --git a/packages/bundler-webpack/package.json b/packages/bundler-webpack/package.json
index 5ed0921019..f086af0a20 100644
--- a/packages/bundler-webpack/package.json
+++ b/packages/bundler-webpack/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@vuepress/bundler-webpack",
-  "version": "2.0.0-beta.68",
+  "version": "2.0.0-rc.0",
   "description": "Bundler webpack package of VuePress",
   "keywords": [
     "vuepress-bundler",
diff --git a/packages/cli/package.json b/packages/cli/package.json
index 7f98c75b64..7d484ae83e 100644
--- a/packages/cli/package.json
+++ b/packages/cli/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@vuepress/cli",
-  "version": "2.0.0-beta.68",
+  "version": "2.0.0-rc.0",
   "description": "CLI package of VuePress",
   "keywords": [
     "vuepress",
diff --git a/packages/client/package.json b/packages/client/package.json
index 5aef69fc78..38436fbfed 100644
--- a/packages/client/package.json
+++ b/packages/client/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@vuepress/client",
-  "version": "2.0.0-beta.68",
+  "version": "2.0.0-rc.0",
   "description": "Client package of VuePress",
   "keywords": [
     "vuepress",
diff --git a/packages/core/package.json b/packages/core/package.json
index 29190014ea..16ae394a49 100644
--- a/packages/core/package.json
+++ b/packages/core/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@vuepress/core",
-  "version": "2.0.0-beta.68",
+  "version": "2.0.0-rc.0",
   "description": "Core package of VuePress",
   "keywords": [
     "vuepress",
diff --git a/packages/markdown/package.json b/packages/markdown/package.json
index 52e4224552..9ac4ff34a8 100644
--- a/packages/markdown/package.json
+++ b/packages/markdown/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@vuepress/markdown",
-  "version": "2.0.0-beta.68",
+  "version": "2.0.0-rc.0",
   "description": "Markdown package of VuePress",
   "keywords": [
     "vuepress",
diff --git a/packages/shared/package.json b/packages/shared/package.json
index bac18fea58..33369db0b6 100644
--- a/packages/shared/package.json
+++ b/packages/shared/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@vuepress/shared",
-  "version": "2.0.0-beta.68",
+  "version": "2.0.0-rc.0",
   "description": "Utils that shared between VuePress node and client",
   "keywords": [
     "vuepress",
diff --git a/packages/utils/package.json b/packages/utils/package.json
index 1c8e597c19..9851ed4234 100644
--- a/packages/utils/package.json
+++ b/packages/utils/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@vuepress/utils",
-  "version": "2.0.0-beta.68",
+  "version": "2.0.0-rc.0",
   "description": "Utils package of VuePress",
   "keywords": [
     "vuepress",