diff --git a/server/scripts/release.js b/server/scripts/release.js
index 90421414a2..02ae24053c 100644
--- a/server/scripts/release.js
+++ b/server/scripts/release.js
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@ const { execSync } = require("child_process");
 const fs = require("fs");
 const path = require("path");
 const { exit } = require("process");
+const readline = require("readline");
+const semver = require("semver");
 const { addYears } = require("date-fns/addYears");
 
 const input = process.argv.slice(2);
@@ -19,38 +21,83 @@ const opts = {
   stdio: "inherit",
 };
 
-try {
-  execSync(`npm version ${input.join(" ")} --no-git-tag-version`, opts);
-} catch (err) {
-  console.log("Error updating version:", err.message);
+// Read current package.json
+const packagePath = path.resolve(root, "package.json");
+const packageJson = require(packagePath);
+const currentVersion = packageJson.version;
+
+// Calculate new version based on input
+let newVersion;
+const versionType = input[0].toLowerCase();
+
+if (
+  versionType === "major" ||
+  versionType === "minor" ||
+  versionType === "patch"
+) {
+  newVersion = semver.inc(currentVersion, versionType);
+} else if (semver.valid(versionType)) {
+  newVersion = versionType;
+} else {
+  console.log(
+    "Error: Invalid version type. Use major, minor, patch, or a specific version like 1.2.3"
+  );
   exit(1);
 }
 
-const package = require(path.resolve(root, "package.json"));
+console.log(`\nCurrent version: ${currentVersion}`);
+console.log(`New version: ${newVersion}\n`);
 
-const newVersion = package.version;
-const license = fs.readFileSync(path.resolve(root, "LICENSE"), "utf8", opts);
-const newDate = addYears(new Date(), 4).toISOString().split("T")[0];
+// Create readline interface for confirmation
+const rl = readline.createInterface({
+  input: process.stdin,
+  output: process.stdout,
+});
 
-// Update license
-const newLicense = license
-  // Update version number
-  .replace(
-    /Licensed Work: {8}Outline (.*)/,
-    `Licensed Work:        Outline ${newVersion}`
-  )
-  // Update change date
-  .replace(/Change Date: {9}(.*)/, `Change Date:          ${newDate}`)
-  // Update current year
-  .replace(/\(c\) \d{4}/, `(c) ${new Date().getFullYear()}`);
+rl.question("Do you want to proceed with this release? (Y/n): ", (answer) => {
+  rl.close();
 
-fs.writeFileSync(path.resolve(root, "LICENSE"), newLicense);
+  const response = answer.trim().toLowerCase();
+  if (response === "n" || response === "no") {
+    console.log("Release cancelled.");
+    exit(0);
+  }
 
-execSync(`git add package.json`, opts);
-execSync(`git add LICENSE`, opts);
-execSync(`git commit -m "v${newVersion}" --no-verify`, opts);
-execSync(`git tag v${newVersion} -m v${newVersion}`, opts);
-execSync(`git push origin v${newVersion}`, opts);
-execSync(`git push origin main`, opts);
+  try {
+    // Update package.json
+    packageJson.version = newVersion;
+    fs.writeFileSync(packagePath, JSON.stringify(packageJson, null, 2) + "\n");
+    console.log("Updated package.json");
 
-console.log(`Released v${newVersion} 🚀`);
+    // Update LICENSE
+    const license = fs.readFileSync(path.resolve(root, "LICENSE"), "utf8");
+    const newDate = addYears(new Date(), 4).toISOString().split("T")[0];
+
+    const newLicense = license
+      // Update version number
+      .replace(
+        /Licensed Work: {8}Outline (.*)/,
+        `Licensed Work:        Outline ${newVersion}`
+      )
+      // Update change date
+      .replace(/Change Date: {9}(.*)/, `Change Date:          ${newDate}`)
+      // Update current year
+      .replace(/\(c\) \d{4}/, `(c) ${new Date().getFullYear()}`);
+
+    fs.writeFileSync(path.resolve(root, "LICENSE"), newLicense);
+    console.log("Updated LICENSE");
+
+    // Git operations
+    execSync(`git add package.json`, opts);
+    execSync(`git add LICENSE`, opts);
+    execSync(`git commit -m "v${newVersion}" --no-verify`, opts);
+    execSync(`git tag v${newVersion} -m v${newVersion}`, opts);
+    execSync(`git push origin v${newVersion}`, opts);
+    execSync(`git push origin main`, opts);
+
+    console.log(`\nReleased v${newVersion} 🚀`);
+  } catch (err) {
+    console.log("Error during release:", err.message);
+    exit(1);
+  }
+});