diff --git a/CHANGES b/CHANGES
index d32a94d8..b028e7d8 100644
--- a/CHANGES
+++ b/CHANGES
@@ -1,3 +1,7 @@
+CHANGES FROM 2.9 to X.X
+
+XXX
+
 CHANGES FROM 2.8 to 2.9
 
 * Add format variables for the default formats in the various modes
diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index 453e734b..1e7578ee 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # configure.ac
 
-AC_INIT([tmux], 2.9-rc)
+AC_INIT([tmux], next-3.0)
 AC_PREREQ([2.60])
 
 AC_CONFIG_AUX_DIR(etc)