diff --git a/.github/workflows/build_test.yml b/.github/workflows/build_test.yml
index 51e23eb..1890df3 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/build_test.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/build_test.yml
@@ -3,6 +3,8 @@ on:
   push:
     branches:
       - v2.x/master
+      - v2.x/staging
+      - v2.x/rc
   pull_request:
     types: [opened, reopened, synchronize]
   workflow_dispatch:
@@ -183,7 +185,7 @@ jobs:
         uses: zowe-actions/shared-actions/release@main
 
       - name: '[Release 2] NPM bump version (if necessary)' 
-        if: ${{ success() && github.event.inputs.PERFORM_RELEASE == 'true' && env.IS_RELEASE_BRANCH == 'true' && env.IS_FORMAL_RELEASE_BRANCH == 'true' && env.PRE_RELEASE_STRING == ''}}
+        if: ${{ success() && github.event.inputs.PERFORM_RELEASE == 'true' && env.IS_RELEASE_BRANCH == 'true' }}
         uses: zowe-actions/shared-actions/bump-version@main
         with:
           version: minor
diff --git a/manifest.yaml b/manifest.yaml
index 9a424bc..d139705 100644
--- a/manifest.yaml
+++ b/manifest.yaml
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ name: launcher
 # Component identifier. This identifier matches artifact path in Zowe Artifactory https://zowe.jfrog.io/.
 id: org.zowe.launcher
 # Component version
-version: 2.17.0
+version: 2.18.0
 # Human readable component name
 title: Zowe Launcher
 # Human readable component description