V1 semver via project(VERSION), ext-state version stamp first-wave. V2 plain -beta suffix. V3 console line + panel readout. V4 reverses prior rec: beta ships as a separate coexisting binary with isolated ext-state namespace + command-id prefix.
Add docs/product/versioning-and-release.md and a PLAN.md Phase V pointer laying out release versioning and the beta side-channel as decidable options (V1-V4, unsettled - awaiting Daniel).