diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index b08f709..730b1f7 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,5 +1,10 @@
 # Changelog
 
+## 0.45.12 - 2026-05-26
+
+- Changed `ani-cli-web` runtime version reporting to load directly from the project `VERSION` file instead of a duplicated hardcoded constant, which keeps Runtime info, API version responses, and startup logs in sync with release metadata.
+- Added regression coverage to ensure the loaded runtime version matches the checked-in `VERSION` file.
+
 ## 0.45.11 - 2026-05-26
 
 - Fixed watchlist auto-download queueing so the first manual or scheduled refresh after adding a `Watching` series can pick up already-available missing episodes instead of waiting for a later refresh cycle.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 7b6f37a..8220c5f 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 Small local web UI for a system-wide `ani-cli` install.
 
-Current version: `0.45.11`
+Current version: `0.45.12`
 
 ## Project Layout
 
@@ -199,6 +199,7 @@ Layout:
 - `Dependencies` stays at the top as a full-width runtime status card.
 - The remaining Config sections use two columns on larger screens and collapse to one column at `1080px` width and below.
 - Runtime info shows both the `ani-cli-web` version and the installed `ani-cli` version.
+- The `ani-cli-web` Runtime info version is read directly from the project `VERSION` file so the UI and startup logs stay aligned with release metadata.
 - Path fields include `Browse` buttons that open a host-side folder picker modal in the browser.
 
 Saved settings are written to `.ani-cli-web/config.json`.
diff --git a/VERSION b/VERSION
index a1cf49f..cbb488e 100644
--- a/VERSION
+++ b/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-0.45.11
+0.45.12
diff --git a/app_support.py b/app_support.py
index 324a504..c5c5f5f 100644
--- a/app_support.py
+++ b/app_support.py
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ from uuid import uuid4
 PROJECT_ROOT = Path(__file__).resolve().parent
 ANI_CLI = os.environ.get("ANI_CLI_BIN") or shutil.which("ani-cli") or "ani-cli"
 APP_NAME = "ani-cli-web"
-VERSION = "0.45.10"
+VERSION_FILE = PROJECT_ROOT / "VERSION"
 ALLANIME_BASE = "allanime.day"
 ALLANIME_API = f"https://api.{ALLANIME_BASE}"
 ALLANIME_REFERER = "https://allmanga.to"
@@ -79,6 +79,17 @@ REMOTE_ACCESS_SESSION_TTL_SECONDS = 30 * 24 * 60 * 60
 REMOTE_SESSION_STORE_LOCK = threading.RLock()
 
 
+def load_app_version(default="0.0.0"):
+    try:
+        version = VERSION_FILE.read_text(encoding="utf-8").strip()
+    except OSError:
+        return default
+    return version or default
+
+
+VERSION = load_app_version()
+
+
 def env_flag(name, default=False):
     raw = os.environ.get(name)
     if raw is None:
diff --git a/test_app.py b/test_app.py
index fa63ca3..72d44c0 100644
--- a/test_app.py
+++ b/test_app.py
@@ -2685,6 +2685,10 @@ class HandlerRouteTests(unittest.TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(handler.json_payload["version"], APP.VERSION)
         self.assertIn("ani_cli_version", handler.json_payload)
 
+    def test_loaded_runtime_version_matches_version_file(self):
+        expected_version = (ROOT / "VERSION").read_text(encoding="utf-8").strip()
+        self.assertEqual(APP.VERSION, expected_version)
+
     def test_filesystem_browse_route_lists_directories(self):
         with tempfile.TemporaryDirectory() as temp_root:
             Path(temp_root, "folder-a").mkdir()