diff --git a/.github/AGENTS.md b/.github/AGENTS.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..3e5184a30
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/AGENTS.md
@@ -0,0 +1,312 @@
+# AGENTS.md - AI Coding Agent Guidelines for cuOpt
+
+> This file provides essential context for AI coding assistants (Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, etc.) working with the NVIDIA cuOpt codebase.
+
+---
+
+## Project Overview
+
+**cuOpt** is NVIDIA's GPU-accelerated optimization engine for:
+- **Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP)**
+- **Linear Programming (LP)**
+- **Quadratic Programming (QP)**
+- **Vehicle Routing Problems (VRP)** including TSP and PDP
+
+### Architecture
+
+```
+cuopt/
+├── cpp/                    # Core C++ engine (libcuopt, libmps_parser)
+│   ├── include/cuopt/      # Public C/C++ headers
+│   ├── src/                # Implementation (CUDA kernels, algorithms)
+│   └── tests/              # C++ unit tests (gtest)
+├── python/
+│   ├── cuopt/              # Python bindings and routing API
+│   ├── cuopt_server/       # REST API server
+│   ├── cuopt_self_hosted/  # Self-hosted deployment utilities
+│   └── libcuopt/           # Python wrapper for C library
+├── ci/                     # CI/CD scripts and Docker configurations
+├── conda/                  # Conda recipes and environment files
+├── docs/                   # Documentation source
+├── datasets/               # Test datasets for LP, MIP, routing
+└── notebooks/              # Example Jupyter notebooks
+```
+
+### Supported APIs
+
+| API Type | LP | MILP | QP | Routing |
+|----------|:--:|:----:|:--:|:-------:|
+| C API    | ✓  | ✓    | ✓  | ✗       |
+| C++ API  | ✓  | ✓    | ✓  | ✓       |
+| Python   | ✓  | ✓    | ✓  | ✓       |
+| Server   | ✓  | ✓    | ✓  | ✓       |
+
+---
+
+## Setup and Installation
+
+### System Requirements
+
+- **CUDA**: 12.5+ or 13.0+
+- **GPU**: Volta architecture or better (Compute Capability ≥7.0)
+- **Driver**: ≥525.60.13 (Linux), ≥527.41 (Windows)
+- **Python**: 3.10 - 3.13
+- **OS**: Linux (x86_64, aarch64), Windows via WSL2
+
+### Development Environment Setup
+
+```bash
+# Clone repository
+CUOPT_HOME=$(pwd)/cuopt
+git clone https://github.com/NVIDIA/cuopt.git $CUOPT_HOME
+cd $CUOPT_HOME
+
+# Create conda environment (recommended)
+conda env create --name cuopt_dev --file conda/environments/all_cuda-130_arch-$(uname -m).yaml
+conda activate cuopt_dev
+
+# Build all components
+./build.sh
+
+# Build specific components
+./build.sh libmps_parser libcuopt  # C++ libraries only
+./build.sh libcuopt -g              # Debug build
+```
+
+### Quick Install (Users)
+
+```bash
+# Pip (CUDA 12.x)
+pip install --extra-index-url=https://pypi.nvidia.com \
+  cuopt-server-cu12==25.12.* cuopt-sh-client==25.12.*
+
+# Conda
+conda install -c rapidsai -c conda-forge -c nvidia \
+  cuopt-server=25.12.* cuopt-sh-client=25.12.*
+```
+
+---
+
+## Testing Workflows
+
+### Running Tests
+
+```bash
+# Download test datasets first
+cd $CUOPT_HOME/datasets && ./get_test_data.sh
+cd $CUOPT_HOME && datasets/linear_programming/download_pdlp_test_dataset.sh
+datasets/mip/download_miplib_test_dataset.sh
+export RAPIDS_DATASET_ROOT_DIR=$CUOPT_HOME/datasets/
+
+# C++ tests (gtest)
+ctest --test-dir ${CUOPT_HOME}/cpp/build
+
+# Python tests (pytest)
+pytest -v ${CUOPT_HOME}/python/cuopt/cuopt/tests
+```
+
+### CI Scripts
+
+Located in `ci/` directory:
+- `build_cpp.sh` - Build C++ components
+- `build_python.sh` - Build Python packages
+- `test_cpp.sh` - Run C++ tests
+- `test_python.sh` - Run Python tests
+- `check_style.sh` - Code style verification
+
+---
+
+## Coding Style and Conventions
+
+### C++ Style
+
+- **Naming**: `snake_case` for all names (except test cases which use PascalCase)
+- **Prefixes**:
+  - `d_` for device data variables
+  - `h_` for host data variables
+  - `_t` suffix for template type parameters
+  - `_` suffix for private member variables
+- **Formatting**: Enforced by `clang-format` (config: `cpp/.clang-format`)
+- **Include order**: Local → RAPIDS → Related libs → Dependencies → STL
+
+```cpp
+// Example naming conventions
+template <typename i_t>
+class locations_t {
+ private:
+  i_t n_locations_{};
+  i_t* d_locations_{};  // device pointer
+};
+```
+
+### File Extensions
+
+| Extension | Usage |
+|-----------|-------|
+| `.hpp`    | C++ headers |
+| `.cpp`    | C++ source |
+| `.cu`     | CUDA C++ source (nvcc required) |
+| `.cuh`    | CUDA headers with device code |
+
+### Python Style
+
+- Follow PEP 8 guidelines
+- Use type hints where applicable
+- Tests use `pytest` framework
+
+### Pre-commit Hooks
+
+```bash
+# Install pre-commit
+pip install pre-commit
+
+# Run all checks
+pre-commit run --all-files --show-diff-on-failure
+
+# Auto-run on commits
+pre-commit install
+```
+
+---
+
+## Pull Request Guidelines
+
+### Workflow
+
+1. Fork the repository and create a descriptive branch (`fix-documentation`, `add-feature-x`)
+2. Implement changes with appropriate unit tests
+3. Run pre-commit hooks: `pre-commit run --all-files`
+4. Sign off commits: `git commit -s -m "Your message"`
+5. Open PR (draft for CI testing without review)
+6. Ensure all CI checks pass
+7. Address reviewer feedback
+
+### Commit Signing (Required)
+
+All commits must be signed off to certify origin:
+
+```bash
+git commit -s -m "Add cool feature"
+# Results in: Signed-off-by: Your Name <your@email.com>
+```
+
+### Code Review Focus Areas
+
+- Correctness and performance
+- Memory management (use RMM, avoid raw pointers)
+- CUDA error handling (`RAFT_CUDA_TRY` macro)
+- Test coverage for new functionality
+- Documentation for public APIs
+
+---
+
+## Common Pitfalls and Troubleshooting
+
+### Build Issues
+
+| Problem | Solution |
+|---------|----------|
+| Cython changes not reflected | Rerun Python build: `./build.sh cuopt` |
+| Missing `nvcc` | Ensure CUDA toolkit in PATH or set `$CUDACXX` |
+| Conda environment issues | Update env: `conda env update --file conda/environments/...` |
+
+### Runtime Issues
+
+| Problem | Solution |
+|---------|----------|
+| CUDA out of memory | Reduce problem size or use streaming |
+| Slow library loading (debug) | Device debug symbols cause delay; use selectively |
+| Import errors | Verify `$CONDA_PREFIX` matches install location |
+
+### Debugging
+
+```bash
+# Debug build
+./build.sh libcuopt -g
+
+# CUDA debugging
+cuda-gdb -ex r --args python script.py
+
+# Memory checking
+compute-sanitizer --tool memcheck python script.py
+```
+
+### Adding Device Debug Symbols (Selectively)
+
+```cmake
+# In cpp/CMakeLists.txt - only for specific files
+set_source_files_properties(src/routing/data_model_view.cu
+  PROPERTIES COMPILE_OPTIONS "-G")
+```
+
+---
+
+## Key Files Reference
+
+| Purpose | Location |
+|---------|----------|
+| Main build script | `build.sh` |
+| Dependencies | `dependencies.yaml` |
+| C++ formatting | `cpp/.clang-format` |
+| Conda environments | `conda/environments/` |
+| Test data download | `datasets/get_test_data.sh` |
+| CI configuration | `ci/` |
+| Version info | `VERSION` |
+
+---
+
+## Error Handling Patterns
+
+### Runtime Assertions
+
+```cpp
+// Use CUOPT_EXPECTS for runtime checks
+CUOPT_EXPECTS(lhs.type() == rhs.type(), "Column type mismatch");
+
+// Use CUOPT_FAIL for unreachable code paths
+CUOPT_FAIL("This code path should not be reached.");
+```
+
+### CUDA Error Checking
+
+```cpp
+// Always wrap CUDA calls
+RAFT_CUDA_TRY(cudaMemcpy(&dst, &src, num_bytes));
+```
+
+---
+
+## Memory Management Guidelines
+
+- **Never use raw `new`/`delete`** - Use RMM allocators
+- **Prefer `rmm::device_uvector<T>`** for device memory
+- **All operations should be stream-ordered** - Accept `cuda_stream_view`
+- **Views (`*_view` suffix) are non-owning** - Don't manage their lifetime
+
+---
+
+## Quick Command Reference
+
+```bash
+# Build everything
+./build.sh
+
+# Build help
+./build.sh --help
+
+# Run style checks
+pre-commit run --all-files
+
+# Run C++ tests
+ctest --test-dir cpp/build
+
+# Run Python tests
+pytest -v python/cuopt/cuopt/tests
+
+# Debug build
+./build.sh libcuopt -g
+```
+
+---
+
+*Last updated: December 2024 | cuOpt v25.12*
diff --git a/.github/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md b/.github/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..563581d27
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+This project has adopted the [Contributor Covenant Code of Conduct](https://docs.rapids.ai/resources/conduct/).
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.md
index 9e493f77b..452117b53 100644
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.md
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.md
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 ---
-name: Bug report
+name: 🐛 Bug report
 about: Create a bug report to help us improve cuOpt
 title: "[BUG]"
 labels: "? - Needs Triage, bug"
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/documentation-request.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/documentation-request.md
index 89a026f34..140bef44d 100644
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/documentation-request.md
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/documentation-request.md
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 ---
-name: Documentation request
+name: 📚 Documentation request
 about: Report incorrect or needed documentation
 title: "[DOC]"
 labels: "? - Needs Triage, doc"
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature_request.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature_request.md
index 9bf7d8890..1a5d4e3f3 100644
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature_request.md
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature_request.md
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 ---
-name: Feature request
+name: 🚀 Feature request
 about: Suggest an idea for cuOpt
 title: "[FEA]"
 labels: "? - Needs Triage, feature request"
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/submit-question.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/submit-question.md
index 13271f601..973d9033d 100644
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/submit-question.md
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/submit-question.md
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 ---
-name: Submit question
+name: ❓ Submit question
 about: Ask a general question about cuOpt
 title: "[QST]"
 labels: "? - Needs Triage, question"
diff --git a/.github/SECURITY.md b/.github/SECURITY.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..2e6ba9ff7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/SECURITY.md
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+Security
+---------
+NVIDIA is dedicated to the security and trust of our software products and services, including all source code repositories managed through our organization.
+
+If you need to report a security issue, please use the appropriate contact points outlined below. Please do not report security vulnerabilities through GitHub/GitLab.
+
+Reporting Potential Security Vulnerability in NVIDIA cuOpt
+----------------------------------------------------------
+To report a potential security vulnerability in NVIDIA cuOpt:
+
+- Web: [Security Vulnerability Submission Form](https://www.nvidia.com/object/submit-security-vulnerability.html)
+- E-Mail: [psirt@nvidia.com](mailto:psirt@nvidia.com)
+- We encourage you to use the following PGP key for secure email communication: [NVIDIA public PGP Key for communication](https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/security/pgp-key)
+- Please include the following information:
+    - Product/Driver name and version/branch that contains the vulnerability
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 7924c7b82..b300e6604 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,6 +1,15 @@
 # cuOpt - GPU accelerated Optimization Engine
 
 [![Build Status](https://github.com/NVIDIA/cuopt/actions/workflows/build.yaml/badge.svg)](https://github.com/NVIDIA/cuopt/actions/workflows/build.yaml)
+[![Version](https://img.shields.io/badge/version-26.02.00-blue)](https://github.com/NVIDIA/cuopt/releases)
+[![Documentation](https://img.shields.io/badge/docs-latest-brightgreen)](https://docs.nvidia.com/cuopt/user-guide/latest/introduction.html)
+[![Docker Hub](https://img.shields.io/badge/docker-nvidia%2Fcuopt-blue?logo=docker)](https://hub.docker.com/r/nvidia/cuopt)
+[![Examples](https://img.shields.io/badge/examples-cuopt--examples-orange)](https://github.com/NVIDIA/cuopt-examples)
+[![Open In Colab](https://colab.research.google.com/assets/colab-badge.svg)](https://colab.research.google.com/github/NVIDIA/cuopt-examples/blob/cuopt_examples_launcher/cuopt_examples_launcher.ipynb)
+[![NVIDIA Launchable](https://img.shields.io/badge/NVIDIA-Launchable-76b900?logo=nvidia)](https://brev.nvidia.com/launchable/deploy?launchableID=env-2qIG6yjGKDtdMSjXHcuZX12mDNJ)
+[![Videos and Tutorials](https://img.shields.io/badge/Videos_and_Tutorials-red?logo=youtube)](https://docs.nvidia.com/cuopt/user-guide/latest/resources.html#cuopt-examples-and-tutorials-videos)
+
+
 
 NVIDIA® cuOpt™ is a GPU-accelerated optimization engine that excels in mixed integer linear programming (MILP), linear programming (LP), and vehicle routing problems (VRP). It enables near real-time solutions for large-scale challenges with millions of variables and constraints, offering
 easy integration into existing solvers and seamless deployment across hybrid and multi-cloud environments.
@@ -146,13 +155,3 @@ For current release timelines and dates, refer to the [RAPIDS Maintainers Docs](
 ## Contributing Guide
 
 Review the [CONTRIBUTING.md](CONTRIBUTING.md) file for information on how to contribute code and issues to the project.
-
-## Resources
-
-- [libcuopt (C) documentation](https://docs.nvidia.com/cuopt/user-guide/latest/cuopt-c/index.html)
-- [cuopt (Python) documentation](https://docs.nvidia.com/cuopt/user-guide/latest/cuopt-python/index.html)
-- [cuopt (Server) documentation](https://docs.nvidia.com/cuopt/user-guide/latest/cuopt-server/index.html)
-- [Examples and Notebooks](https://github.com/NVIDIA/cuopt-examples)
-- [Test cuopt with NVIDIA Launchable](https://brev.nvidia.com/launchable/deploy?launchableID=env-2qIG6yjGKDtdMSjXHcuZX12mDNJ): Examples notebooks are pulled and hosted on [NVIDIA Launchable](https://docs.nvidia.com/brev/latest/).
-- [Test cuopt on Google Colab](https://colab.research.google.com/github/nvidia/cuopt-examples/): Examples notebooks can be opened in Google Colab. Please note that you need to choose a `Runtime` as `GPU` in order to run the notebooks.
-- [cuOpt Examples and Tutorial Videos](https://docs.nvidia.com/cuopt/user-guide/latest/resources.html#cuopt-examples-and-tutorials-videos)
diff --git a/ci/release/update-version.sh b/ci/release/update-version.sh
index 24124ad56..eb85c4a12 100755
--- a/ci/release/update-version.sh
+++ b/ci/release/update-version.sh
@@ -131,6 +131,9 @@ done
 PROJECT_FILE="docs/cuopt/source/project.json"
 sed_runner 's/\("version": "\)[0-9][0-9]\.[0-9][0-9]\.[0-9][0-9]"/\1'${NEXT_FULL_TAG}'"/g' "${PROJECT_FILE}"
 
+# Update README.md version badge
+sed_runner 's/badge\/version-[0-9]\+\.[0-9]\+\.[0-9]\+-blue/badge\/version-'${NEXT_FULL_TAG}'-blue/g' README.md
+
 # Update nightly
 sed_runner 's/'"cuopt_version: \"[0-9][0-9].[0-9][0-9]\""'/'"cuopt_version: \"${NEXT_SHORT_TAG}\""'/g' .github/workflows/nightly.yaml