diff --git a/.github/CHANGELOG.md b/.github/CHANGELOG.md
index fc86e816cc..f6735aea26 100644
--- a/.github/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/.github/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -17,12 +17,15 @@
 
 <h3>Internal changes ⚙️</h3>
 
+- Update release script and use the Catalyst `rc` branch in CIs in the release season.
+  [(#1285)](https://github.com/PennyLaneAI/pennylane-lightning/pull/1285)
+
 - Updated CIs to use GCC 13.
   [(#1249)](https://github.com/PennyLaneAI/pennylane-lightning/pull/1249)
 
 - Bumped the seed for pytests.
   [(#1276)](https://github.com/PennyLaneAI/pennylane-lightning/pull/1276)
-    
+
 - `scipy-openblas32` dependency can be set manually when installing from source using the `ENABLE_SCIPY_OPENBLAS` cmake flag.
   [(#1220)](https://github.com/PennyLaneAI/pennylane-lightning/pull/1220)
 
@@ -68,7 +71,7 @@ Joseph Lee
 - Raise exception when calling normalize or collapse method with `lightning.qubit`, `lightning.kokkos` and `lightning.gpu` when norm is close to 0.
   [(#1257)](https://github.com/PennyLaneAI/pennylane-lightning/pull/1257)
 
-- Worksize preference in `cuTensorNet` can now be set and updated when using `lightning.tensor` device to reduce memory usage or improve stability. 
+- Worksize preference in `cuTensorNet` can now be set and updated when using `lightning.tensor` device to reduce memory usage or improve stability.
   [(#1238)](https://github.com/PennyLaneAI/pennylane-lightning/pull/1238)
 
 - **Migrated to Nanobind for Python bindings**, replacing pybind11 to enhance performance, modularity, and build system efficiency.
@@ -115,7 +118,7 @@ Joseph Lee
 - Dropped support for Python 3.10. Supported Python versions are now 3.11, 3.12 and 3.13.
   [(#1224)](https://github.com/PennyLaneAI/pennylane-lightning/pull/1224)
 
-- Dropped testing support for `tensorflow` interface after deprecation in Pennylane. 
+- Dropped testing support for `tensorflow` interface after deprecation in Pennylane.
   [(#1225)](github.com/PennyLaneAI/pennylane-lightning/pull/1225)
 
 <h3>Deprecations 👋</h3>
@@ -152,10 +155,10 @@ Joseph Lee
 - Updated test to skip MCM test for `lightning.tensor` and fix seed for deterministic test.
   [(#1281)](https://github.com/PennyLaneAI/pennylane-lightning/pull/1281)
 
-- Updated GitHub Actions to produce the release candidate wheels for all supported Python versions for MacOS-ARM. 
+- Updated GitHub Actions to produce the release candidate wheels for all supported Python versions for MacOS-ARM.
   [(#1273)](https://github.com/PennyLaneAI/pennylane-lightning/pull/1273)
 
-- Updated GitHub Actions to produce the release candidate wheels for all supported Python versions. 
+- Updated GitHub Actions to produce the release candidate wheels for all supported Python versions.
   [(#1264)](https://github.com/PennyLaneAI/pennylane-lightning/pull/1264)
 
 - Support building `lightning.gpu` and `lightning.tensor` from source with CUDA 13.
@@ -178,7 +181,7 @@ Joseph Lee
 - Updated Python to 3.12 and CIBuildWheel to 3.1.4 for CI.
   [(#1248)](https://github.com/PennyLaneAI/pennylane-lightning/pull/1248)
 
-- Updated decomposition stopping condition to no longer convert `C(SProd)` and `C(Exp)` to Qubit Unitary, since PennyLane can decompose these operators after [PR 8133](https://github.com/PennyLaneAI/pennylane/pull/8133). 
+- Updated decomposition stopping condition to no longer convert `C(SProd)` and `C(Exp)` to Qubit Unitary, since PennyLane can decompose these operators after [PR 8133](https://github.com/PennyLaneAI/pennylane/pull/8133).
   [(#1247)](https://github.com/PennyLaneAI/pennylane-lightning/pull/1247)
 
 - Removed `--no-deps` for Lightning Qubit CI tests for stable version.
@@ -189,7 +192,7 @@ Joseph Lee
 
 - Added script to automate the release process.
   [(#1231)](https://github.com/PennyLaneAI/pennylane-lightning/pull/1231)
-  
+
 - Stopped the wheels creation for no arch if the PR is draft.
   [(#1233)](https://github.com/PennyLaneAI/pennylane-lightning/pull/1233)
 
@@ -231,7 +234,7 @@ Amintor Dusko,
 David Ittah,
 Christina Lee,
 Joseph Lee,
-Rashid N H M, 
+Rashid N H M,
 Anton Naim Ibrahim,
 Luis Alfredo Nuñez Meneses,
 Andrija Paurevic,
@@ -270,9 +273,9 @@ Jake Zaia.
 <h3>Breaking changes 💔</h3>
 
 - The `LightningBaseStateVector`, `LightningBaseAdjointJacobian`, `LightningBaseMeasurements`,
-  `LightningInterpreter` and `QuantumScriptSerializer` base classes now can be found at `pennylane_lightning.lightning_base`.  
-  The new `lightning_base` module further enables the relocation of core files from `pennylane_lightning/core/src/*` to `pennylane_lightning/core/*`.  
-  The license classifier and `project.license` as a TOML table are deprecated in favor of a SPDX license expression and removed in `pyproject.toml`.  
+  `LightningInterpreter` and `QuantumScriptSerializer` base classes now can be found at `pennylane_lightning.lightning_base`.
+  The new `lightning_base` module further enables the relocation of core files from `pennylane_lightning/core/src/*` to `pennylane_lightning/core/*`.
+  The license classifier and `project.license` as a TOML table are deprecated in favor of a SPDX license expression and removed in `pyproject.toml`.
   To speedup the recompilation of C++ source code, `ccache` is also added to `Makefile`.
   [(#1098)](https://github.com/PennyLaneAI/pennylane-lightning/pull/1098)
 
@@ -304,23 +307,23 @@ Jake Zaia.
 - Fixed the implementation of multi-controlled gates with a single target wire for arbitrary control values in `lightning.tensor`.
   [(#1169)](https://github.com/PennyLaneAI/pennylane-lightning/pull/1169)
 
-- Updated requirements to only download JAX version 0.5.3 for non-X86 MacOS. 
+- Updated requirements to only download JAX version 0.5.3 for non-X86 MacOS.
   [(#1163)](https://github.com/PennyLaneAI/pennylane-lightning/pull/1163)
 
-- Fixed Docker build for `lighting.kokkos` with ROCM library for AMD GPUs. Updated ROCM from 5.7 to 6.2.4. 
+- Fixed Docker build for `lighting.kokkos` with ROCM library for AMD GPUs. Updated ROCM from 5.7 to 6.2.4.
   [(#1158)](https://github.com/PennyLaneAI/pennylane-lightning/pull/1158)
 
-- Fixed use of Torch with `AmplitudeEmbedding` by applying `qml.broadcast_expand` before decomposition in the preprocessing stage. 
+- Fixed use of Torch with `AmplitudeEmbedding` by applying `qml.broadcast_expand` before decomposition in the preprocessing stage.
   [(#1175)](https://github.com/PennyLaneAI/pennylane-lightning/pull/1175)
 
 <h3>Internal changes ⚙️</h3>
 
 - Updated tests with `device(..., shots=...)` to use `qml.set_shots` to ensure compatibility with the latest version of PennyLane.
   [(#1173)](https://github.com/PennyLaneAI/pennylane-lightning/pull/1173)
-  
+
 - Fixed `applyMultiRZ` for `lightning.kokkos` device to use Kokkos function instead of lambda.
   [(#1194)](https://github.com/PennyLaneAI/pennylane-lightning/pull/1194)
-  
+
 - Enabled `AmplitudeEmbedding` Python tests for `lightning.kokkos` and `lightning.gpu` devices.
   [(#1192)](https://github.com/PennyLaneAI/pennylane-lightning/pull/1192)
 
@@ -339,7 +342,7 @@ Jake Zaia.
 
 - Updated dev requirements to use JAX version 0.6.0 for CI tests.
   [(#1161)](https://github.com/PennyLaneAI/pennylane-lightning/pull/1161)
-  
+
 - Updated stable requirements to use JAX version 0.4.28 for CI tests.
   [(#1160)](https://github.com/PennyLaneAI/pennylane-lightning/pull/1160)
 
@@ -351,7 +354,7 @@ Jake Zaia.
 
 - Removed `max_workers` argument for `default.qubit` device in Python tests to reduce CI testing time.
   [(##1174)](https://github.com/PennyLaneAI/pennylane-lightning/pull/1174)
-  
+
 - Bumped Github action runner to use `Ubuntu-24.04` or `Ubuntu-latest`.
   Fixed all `ubuntu-latest` action runners to `ubuntu-24.04`.
   [(#1167)](https://github.com/PennyLaneAI/pennylane-lightning/pull/1167)
diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests_gpu_cpp.yml b/.github/workflows/tests_gpu_cpp.yml
index ffa8db3a6e..8677c1d547 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests_gpu_cpp.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests_gpu_cpp.yml
@@ -86,6 +86,15 @@ jobs:
           repository: PennyLaneAI/catalyst
           path: ${{ github.workspace}}/catalyst
 
+      - name: Switch to release build of Catalyst
+        if: inputs.lightning-version == 'release'
+        run: |
+          cd ${{ github.workspace}}/catalyst
+          git fetch --all
+          git checkout $(git branch -a --list "origin/v0.*rc*" | sort | tail -1)
+          git log -1 --format='%H'
+          cd ${{ github.workspace }}
+
       - uses: actions/setup-python@v5
         id: setup_python
         name: Setup Python
diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests_gpu_python.yml b/.github/workflows/tests_gpu_python.yml
index 4016f9e587..9bf9227a92 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests_gpu_python.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests_gpu_python.yml
@@ -97,6 +97,15 @@ jobs:
           repository: PennyLaneAI/catalyst
           path: ${{ github.workspace}}/catalyst
 
+      - name: Switch to release build of Catalyst
+        if: inputs.lightning-version == 'release'
+        run: |
+          cd ${{ github.workspace}}/catalyst
+          git fetch --all
+          git checkout $(git branch -a --list "origin/v0.*rc*" | sort | tail -1)
+          git log -1 --format='%H'
+          cd ${{ github.workspace }}
+
       - uses: actions/setup-python@v5
         id: setup_python
         name: Install Python
diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests_lgpumpi_cpp.yml b/.github/workflows/tests_lgpumpi_cpp.yml
index b2e6433775..415a08420c 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests_lgpumpi_cpp.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests_lgpumpi_cpp.yml
@@ -62,6 +62,15 @@ jobs:
           repository: PennyLaneAI/catalyst
           path: ${{ github.workspace}}/catalyst
 
+      - name: Switch to release build of Catalyst
+        if: inputs.lightning-version == 'release'
+        run: |
+          cd ${{ github.workspace}}/catalyst
+          git fetch --all
+          git checkout $(git branch -a --list "origin/v0.*rc*" | sort | tail -1)
+          git log -1 --format='%H'
+          cd ${{ github.workspace }}
+
       - name: Switch to stable build of Lightning-GPU
         if: inputs.lightning-version == 'stable'
         run: |
diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests_lgpumpi_python.yml b/.github/workflows/tests_lgpumpi_python.yml
index 8708edc7dd..b2f63bf40c 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests_lgpumpi_python.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests_lgpumpi_python.yml
@@ -64,6 +64,15 @@ jobs:
           repository: PennyLaneAI/catalyst
           path: ${{ github.workspace}}/catalyst
 
+      - name: Switch to release build of Catalyst
+        if: inputs.lightning-version == 'release'
+        run: |
+          cd ${{ github.workspace}}/catalyst
+          git fetch --all
+          git checkout $(git branch -a --list "origin/v0.*rc*" | sort | tail -1)
+          git log -1 --format='%H'
+          cd ${{ github.workspace }}
+
       - name: Switch to release build of Lightning
         if: inputs.lightning-version == 'release'
         run: |
diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests_linux_cpp.yml b/.github/workflows/tests_linux_cpp.yml
index 98c538ab4d..b1e47f8d50 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests_linux_cpp.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests_linux_cpp.yml
@@ -66,6 +66,15 @@ jobs:
           repository: PennyLaneAI/catalyst
           path: ${{ github.workspace}}/catalyst
 
+      - name: Switch to release build of Catalyst
+        if: inputs.lightning-version == 'release'
+        run: |
+          cd ${{ github.workspace}}/catalyst
+          git fetch --all
+          git checkout $(git branch -a --list "origin/v0.*rc*" | sort | tail -1)
+          git log -1 --format='%H'
+          cd ${{ github.workspace }}
+
       - name: Install dependencies
         run: |
             echo ${{ github.event_name }} && sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get -y -q install cmake gcc-$GCC_VERSION  g++-$GCC_VERSION ninja-build gcovr lcov
@@ -144,6 +153,15 @@ jobs:
           repository: PennyLaneAI/catalyst
           path: ${{ github.workspace}}/catalyst
 
+      - name: Switch to release build of Catalyst
+        if: inputs.lightning-version == 'release'
+        run: |
+          cd ${{ github.workspace}}/catalyst
+          git fetch --all
+          git checkout $(git branch -a --list "origin/v0.*rc*" | sort | tail -1)
+          git log -1 --format='%H'
+          cd ${{ github.workspace }}
+
       - name: Install dependencies
         run: |
           sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get -y -q install cmake gcc-$GCC_VERSION  g++-$GCC_VERSION libopenblas-dev ninja-build gcovr lcov
@@ -230,6 +248,15 @@ jobs:
           repository: PennyLaneAI/catalyst
           path: ${{ github.workspace}}/catalyst
 
+      - name: Switch to release build of Catalyst
+        if: inputs.lightning-version == 'release'
+        run: |
+          cd ${{ github.workspace}}/catalyst
+          git fetch --all
+          git checkout $(git branch -a --list "origin/v0.*rc*" | sort | tail -1)
+          git log -1 --format='%H'
+          cd ${{ github.workspace }}
+
       - name: Restoring cached dependencies
         id: kokkos-cache
         uses: actions/cache@v4
@@ -346,6 +373,15 @@ jobs:
           repository: PennyLaneAI/catalyst
           path: ${{ github.workspace}}/catalyst
 
+      - name: Switch to release build of Catalyst
+        if: inputs.lightning-version == 'release'
+        run: |
+          cd ${{ github.workspace}}/catalyst
+          git fetch --all
+          git checkout $(git branch -a --list "origin/v0.*rc*" | sort | tail -1)
+          git log -1 --format='%H'
+          cd ${{ github.workspace }}
+
       - name: Restoring cached dependencies
         id: kokkos-cache
         uses: actions/cache@v4
diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests_lkcpu_python.yml b/.github/workflows/tests_lkcpu_python.yml
index b781214484..fc862ead4a 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests_lkcpu_python.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests_lkcpu_python.yml
@@ -74,6 +74,15 @@ jobs:
           repository: PennyLaneAI/catalyst
           path: ${{ github.workspace}}/catalyst
 
+      - name: Switch to release build of Catalyst
+        if: inputs.lightning-version == 'release'
+        run: |
+          cd ${{ github.workspace}}/catalyst
+          git fetch --all
+          git checkout $(git branch -a --list "origin/v0.*rc*" | sort | tail -1)
+          git log -1 --format='%H'
+          cd ${{ github.workspace }}
+
       - name: Switch to release build of Lightning
         if: inputs.lightning-version == 'release'
         run: |
@@ -195,6 +204,15 @@ jobs:
           repository: PennyLaneAI/catalyst
           path: ${{ github.workspace}}/catalyst
 
+      - name: Switch to release build of Catalyst
+        if: inputs.lightning-version == 'release'
+        run: |
+          cd ${{ github.workspace}}/catalyst
+          git fetch --all
+          git checkout $(git branch -a --list "origin/v0.*rc*" | sort | tail -1)
+          git log -1 --format='%H'
+          cd ${{ github.workspace }}
+
       - uses: actions/download-artifact@v4
         with:
           name: ${{ matrix.pl_backend }}-${{ matrix.exec_model }}_name.txt
diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests_lkcuda_cpp.yml b/.github/workflows/tests_lkcuda_cpp.yml
index fd8e093ada..c15f53bf5c 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests_lkcuda_cpp.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests_lkcuda_cpp.yml
@@ -155,6 +155,15 @@ jobs:
           repository: PennyLaneAI/catalyst
           path: ${{ github.workspace}}/catalyst
 
+      - name: Switch to release build of Catalyst
+        if: inputs.lightning-version == 'release'
+        run: |
+          cd ${{ github.workspace}}/catalyst
+          git fetch --all
+          git checkout $(git branch -a --list "origin/v0.*rc*" | sort | tail -1)
+          git log -1 --format='%H'
+          cd ${{ github.workspace }}
+
       - uses: actions/setup-python@v5
         id: setup_python
         name: Install Python
diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests_lkcuda_python.yml b/.github/workflows/tests_lkcuda_python.yml
index 0ec9d021f2..8f1aba7ebf 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests_lkcuda_python.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests_lkcuda_python.yml
@@ -248,6 +248,15 @@ jobs:
           repository: PennyLaneAI/catalyst
           path: ${{ github.workspace}}/catalyst
 
+      - name: Switch to release build of Catalyst
+        if: inputs.lightning-version == 'release'
+        run: |
+          cd ${{ github.workspace}}/catalyst
+          git fetch --all
+          git checkout $(git branch -a --list "origin/v0.*rc*" | sort | tail -1)
+          git log -1 --format='%H'
+          cd ${{ github.workspace }}
+
       - name: Install ML libraries for interfaces
         run: |
           python -m pip install --upgrade torch==$TORCH_VERSION --index-url https://download.pytorch.org/whl/cpu
diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests_lkmpi_cuda_cpp.yml b/.github/workflows/tests_lkmpi_cuda_cpp.yml
index 1cc03bdac1..560ba9afe2 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests_lkmpi_cuda_cpp.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests_lkmpi_cuda_cpp.yml
@@ -64,6 +64,15 @@ jobs:
           repository: PennyLaneAI/catalyst
           path: ${{ github.workspace}}/catalyst
 
+      - name: Switch to release build of Catalyst
+        if: inputs.lightning-version == 'release'
+        run: |
+          cd ${{ github.workspace}}/catalyst
+          git fetch --all
+          git checkout $(git branch -a --list "origin/v0.*rc*" | sort | tail -1)
+          git log -1 --format='%H'
+          cd ${{ github.workspace }}
+
       - name: Switch to stable build of Lightning-Kokkos
         if: inputs.lightning-version == 'stable'
         run: |
diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests_lkmpi_cuda_python.yml b/.github/workflows/tests_lkmpi_cuda_python.yml
index 9e204c2558..2637182a52 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests_lkmpi_cuda_python.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests_lkmpi_cuda_python.yml
@@ -66,6 +66,15 @@ jobs:
           repository: PennyLaneAI/catalyst
           path: ${{ github.workspace}}/catalyst
 
+      - name: Switch to release build of Catalyst
+        if: inputs.lightning-version == 'release'
+        run: |
+          cd ${{ github.workspace}}/catalyst
+          git fetch --all
+          git checkout $(git branch -a --list "origin/v0.*rc*" | sort | tail -1)
+          git log -1 --format='%H'
+          cd ${{ github.workspace }}
+
       - name: Switch to release build of Lightning
         if: inputs.lightning-version == 'release'
         run: |
diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests_lqcpu_python.yml b/.github/workflows/tests_lqcpu_python.yml
index 10c38ea14f..329859cf02 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests_lqcpu_python.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests_lqcpu_python.yml
@@ -80,6 +80,15 @@ jobs:
           repository: PennyLaneAI/catalyst
           path: ${{ github.workspace}}/catalyst
 
+      - name: Switch to release build of Catalyst
+        if: inputs.lightning-version == 'release'
+        run: |
+          cd ${{ github.workspace}}/catalyst
+          git fetch --all
+          git checkout $(git branch -a --list "origin/v0.*rc*" | sort | tail -1)
+          git log -1 --format='%H'
+          cd ${{ github.workspace }}
+
       - name: Install System dependencies
         run: |
           sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get -y -q install cmake gcc-$GCC_VERSION g++-$GCC_VERSION libopenblas-dev
diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests_windows_cpp.yml b/.github/workflows/tests_windows_cpp.yml
index 00bca45c10..acd53f43f9 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests_windows_cpp.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests_windows_cpp.yml
@@ -44,6 +44,15 @@ jobs:
           repository: PennyLaneAI/catalyst
           path: ${{ github.workspace}}/catalyst
 
+      - name: Switch to release build of Catalyst
+        if: inputs.lightning-version == 'release'
+        run: |
+          cd ${{ github.workspace}}/catalyst
+          git fetch --all
+          git checkout $(git branch -a --list "origin/v0.*rc*" | sort | tail -1)
+          git log -1 --format='%H'
+          cd ${{ github.workspace }}
+
       - name: Kokkos execution strategy
         id: exec_model
         run: echo "exec_model=[\"SERIAL\"]" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT # We may also adopt [OPENMP, THREADS] in later iterations
diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests_without_binary.yml b/.github/workflows/tests_without_binary.yml
index ad217b8d09..82123f84e8 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests_without_binary.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests_without_binary.yml
@@ -109,6 +109,15 @@ jobs:
           repository: PennyLaneAI/catalyst
           path: ${{ github.workspace}}/catalyst
 
+      - name: Switch to release build of Catalyst
+        if: inputs.lightning-version == 'release'
+        run: |
+          cd ${{ github.workspace}}/catalyst
+          git fetch --all
+          git checkout $(git branch -a --list "origin/v0.*rc*" | sort | tail -1)
+          git log -1 --format='%H'
+          cd ${{ github.workspace }}
+
       - name: Install the pennylane_lightning core package (lightning_qubit)
         env:
           SKIP_COMPILATION: True
diff --git a/pennylane_lightning/core/_version.py b/pennylane_lightning/core/_version.py
index c05160fdaf..6eddbe3e1c 100644
--- a/pennylane_lightning/core/_version.py
+++ b/pennylane_lightning/core/_version.py
@@ -16,4 +16,4 @@
 Version number (major.minor.patch[-label])
 """
 
-__version__ = "0.44.0-dev8"
+__version__ = "0.44.0-dev9"
diff --git a/scripts/compare_changelog_commits.sh b/scripts/compare_changelog_commits.sh
index 9b713015ee..96f0361fec 100644
--- a/scripts/compare_changelog_commits.sh
+++ b/scripts/compare_changelog_commits.sh
@@ -4,8 +4,8 @@
 # It prints the authors of the merged PRs and the PRs in the CHANGELOG, and highlights any discrepancies.
 
 # Usage:
-# Run the script with 
-# bash compare_changelog_commits.sh 
+# Run the script with
+# bash compare_changelog_commits.sh
 
 # Root directory, should be the location of the pennylane-lightning repo
 ROOT_DIR="."
@@ -43,9 +43,9 @@ contributors_begin=$(grep -n "<h3>Contributors ✍️</h3>" "${CHANGELOG_FILE}"
 
 extract_contributors_from_changelog() {
     # Extract the list of contributors from the CHANGELOG
-    contribution_list=$(sed -n "$((contributors_begin + 4)),$((changelog_lower_bound - 2))p" "${CHANGELOG_FILE}") 
+    contribution_list=$(sed -n "$((contributors_begin + 4)),$((changelog_lower_bound - 2))p" "${CHANGELOG_FILE}")
     # Sort and format the contribution list
-    contribution_list=$(echo "$contribution_list" | sort | sed 's/.$/,/ ; s/,//; s/$/,/')
+    contribution_list=$(echo "$contribution_list" | sort | sed 's/.$/,/ ; s/,//')
     echo "$contribution_list"
 }
 
@@ -58,17 +58,18 @@ extract_contributors_from_git() {
 }
 
 # Print list of Authors from Changelog and Git
-echo "Authors in CHANGELOG       /  Authors in Git"
+echo "Authors in CHANGELOG       |  Authors in Git"
 echo "---------------------------|---------------------------"
+# Add | in the middle of the two columns
 paste <(extract_contributors_from_changelog) \
       <(extract_contributors_from_git) \
-      | column -t -s ','
+      | sed 's/\t/ ,| /' | column -s ',' -t
 echo "---------------------------|---------------------------"
 echo "--------------------------------------------------------------------------------"
 
 # Create the list of merged PR
 list_merged_PRs(){
-    # Get the list of merged PRs to master 
+    # Get the list of merged PRs to master
     list_PRs=$(gh pr list --state merged --base master --search "merged:>=$LAST_RELEASE_DATE" -L 1000 )
     # Extract the PR number and title, format it, and sort it
     list_PRs=$(echo "$list_PRs" | awk -F 'MERGED' '{print $1}' | sort -h)
@@ -83,7 +84,7 @@ list_entries_in_changelog(){
     # Format the list of PRs, replace 'pull/' with 'pull/_', and remove trailing parentheses
     list_entries=$(echo "$list_entries" | sed 's/--/\n/g; s|pull/|pull/_ |g ; s/)//g')
     # Add the PR number at the beginning of the line
-    list_entries=$(echo "$list_entries" |  awk '{print $NF, "  ", $0}') 
+    list_entries=$(echo "$list_entries" |  awk '{print $NF, "  ", $0}')
     # Remove the PR link and sort the entries
     list_entries=$(echo "$list_entries" | sed 's|\[(.*||' | sort -h -k1)
     echo "$list_entries" > release_list_PR_in_changelog.txt
@@ -91,7 +92,7 @@ list_entries_in_changelog(){
 
 # Create the list of entries in the CHANGELOG and the merged PRs
 list_entries_in_changelog
-list_merged_PRs 
+list_merged_PRs
 
 interleave_rows(){
     file1="$1"
diff --git a/scripts/create_lightning_rc.sh b/scripts/create_lightning_rc.sh
index 8c66f1998e..7b28a99aae 100644
--- a/scripts/create_lightning_rc.sh
+++ b/scripts/create_lightning_rc.sh
@@ -3,15 +3,34 @@
 # Exit immediately if a command exits with a non-zero status
 set -e
 
-# This script creates a release candidate branch for PennyLane-Lightning
-# How to use:
-# 1. Make sure you have the latest changes from the main branch
-# 2. Run the script with the desired options. For example:
+# This script automates the creation of a release candidate branch for PennyLane-Lightning.
 #
-#    bash scripts/create_lightning_rc.sh -s 0.42.0 -r 0.43.99 -n 0.44.99 --create_rc
-#    bash scripts/create_lightning_rc.sh -s 0.42.0 -r 0.43.99 -n 0.44.99 --lightning_test
-#    bash scripts/create_lightning_rc.sh -s 0.42.0 -r 0.43.99 -n 0.44.99 --release
-#    bash scripts/create_lightning_rc.sh -s 0.42.0 -r 0.43.99 -n 0.44.99 --release_assets
+# Prerequisites:
+# - Be on the latest master branch in the root directory of pennylane-lightning/
+# - Have 'gh' CLI installed and authenticated with GitHub
+# - Have 'jq' installed for JSON processing
+#
+# Usage Instructions:
+# The script supports different phases of the release process. The script should run on the root
+# directory of the pennylane-lightning repository and in master branch.
+# Run them in sequence:
+#
+# 1. Create Release Candidate (creates branches and PRs):
+#    bash scripts/create_lightning_rc.sh -s 0.42.0 -r 0.43.0 -n 0.44.0 --create_rc
+#
+# 2. Test Lightning Installation (validates RC build):
+#    bash scripts/create_lightning_rc.sh -s 0.42.0 -r 0.43.0 -n 0.44.0 --lightning_test
+#
+# 3. Create Release (creates GitHub release):
+#    bash scripts/create_lightning_rc.sh -s 0.42.0 -r 0.43.0 -n 0.44.0 --release
+#
+# 4. Handle Release Assets (upload wheels and source distributions):
+#    bash scripts/create_lightning_rc.sh -s 0.42.0 -r 0.43.0 -n 0.44.0 --release_assets
+#
+# Version flags:
+# -s/--stable_version: Current stable release (e.g., 0.42.0)
+# -r/--release_version: Version being released (e.g., 0.43.0)
+# -n/--next_version: Next development version (e.g., 0.44.0)
 #
 # Use the --help option to see all available options.
 
@@ -25,13 +44,16 @@ IS_TEST=true
 # Debug option
 # To avoid pushing any branch or PR to GitHub. Set to true
 LOCAL_TEST=true
-# To avoid publishing to TestPyPI. Set to false
-PUSH_TESTPYPI=false
 
-# Check if gh CLI is installed
+# Check if gh CLI, and jq are installed
 if ! command -v gh &> /dev/null; then
     echo "gh CLI could not be found"
-    exit
+    exit 1
+fi
+
+if ! command -v jq &> /dev/null; then
+    echo "jq could not be found"
+    exit 1
 fi
 
 # --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -53,7 +75,7 @@ help(){
     echo "  -h, --help                        Show this help message"
 }
 
-ROOT_DIR="$(pwd)"
+ROOT_DIR="."
 
 if [ ! -d "${ROOT_DIR}/.git" ]; then
     echo "You should to run the script on the root directory of the repository"
@@ -71,21 +93,25 @@ use_dry_run(){
     if [ "$LOCAL_TEST" == "true" ]; then
         dry_run="--dry-run"
     fi
-    
+
     echo $dry_run
 }
 
-branch_name(){
-    version=$1
-    suffix=$2
+branch_name() {
+    local version=$1
+    local suffix=$2
+    local branch
 
-    branch=$(echo "v${version}_${suffix}" | tr '[:upper:]' '[:lower:]')
+    # The expression ${suffix:+_${suffix}} adds "_$suffix" ONLY if suffix is not empty.
+    branch="v${version}${suffix:+_${suffix}}"
 
     if [ "$IS_TEST" == "true" ]; then
-        branch="test_v${version}_${suffix}_alpha"
+        # The same logic applies here for the test branch.
+        branch="test_v${version}${suffix:+_${suffix}}_alpha"
     fi
 
-    echo $branch
+    # Convert to lowercase at the end.
+    echo "$branch" | tr '[:upper:]' '[:lower:]'
 }
 
 test_pennylane_version(){
@@ -128,6 +154,17 @@ create_release_notes(){
     sed -i 's|^- |* |' ${ROOT_DIR}/release_notes.md
 }
 
+add_CHANGELOG_entry(){
+    # Add a new entry to the CHANGELOG
+    local changelog_entry=$1
+    local PR_number=$2
+
+sed -i "/<h3>Internal changes ⚙️<\/h3>/a \\
+\\
+- $changelog_entry\\
+  [(#${PR_number})](https://github.com/PennyLaneAI/pennylane-lightning/pull/${PR_number})" $CHANGELOG_FILE
+}
+
 # Release functions
 
 create_release_candidate_branch() {
@@ -138,7 +175,7 @@ create_release_candidate_branch() {
     git checkout master
     git pull origin master
 
-    # Create branches 
+    # Create branches
     for branch in base docs rc; do
         git checkout -b $(branch_name ${RELEASE_VERSION} ${branch})
         if [ "$LOCAL_TEST" == "false" ]; then
@@ -175,19 +212,6 @@ create_release_candidate_branch() {
     git add ${ROOT_DIR}/cmake/support_catalyst.cmake
     git commit -m "Set Catalyst dependency in cmake to commit ${last_catalyst_commit}."
 
-    # Update RNG salt
-    sed -i "/rng_salt = /d" ${ROOT_DIR}/tests/pytest.ini
-    echo "rng_salt = v${RELEASE_VERSION}" >> ${ROOT_DIR}/tests/pytest.ini
-    git add ${ROOT_DIR}/tests/pytest.ini
-    git commit -m "Set rng_salt to v${RELEASE_VERSION} in tests/pytest.ini."
-
-    # Enable to upload the wheels to TestPyPI and GitHub Artifacts
-    if [ "$PUSH_TESTPYPI" == "true" ]; then
-    sed -i "s|event_name == 'release'|event_name == 'pull_request'|g" ${ROOT_DIR}/.github/workflows/wheel_*
-    git add ${ROOT_DIR}/.github/workflows/wheel_*
-    git commit -m "Update wheel workflows for pull request"
-    fi
-
     if [ "$LOCAL_TEST" == "false" ]; then
     git push --set-upstream origin $(branch_name ${RELEASE_VERSION} rc)
     fi
@@ -214,6 +238,10 @@ create_docs_review_PR(){
 
     git commit -m "Modify docs for v${RELEASE_VERSION}" --allow-empty
 
+    if [ "$LOCAL_TEST" == "false" ]; then
+    git push --set-upstream origin $(branch_name ${RELEASE_VERSION} docs)
+    fi
+
     if [ "$LOCAL_TEST" == "false" ]; then
     gh pr create $(use_dry_run) \
         --title "Create v${RELEASE_VERSION} Doc branch" \
@@ -236,6 +264,10 @@ create_docker_PR(){
     git add ${ROOT_DIR}/.github/workflows/compat-docker-release.yml
     git commit -m "Update compat-docker-release.yml to use v${RELEASE_VERSION}"
 
+    add_CHANGELOG_entry "Test Docker images for v${RELEASE_VERSION} RC branch." "0000"
+    git add $CHANGELOG_FILE
+    git commit -m "Add CHANGELOG entry for Docker test"
+
     if [ "$LOCAL_TEST" == "false" ]; then
     git push --set-upstream origin $(branch_name ${RELEASE_VERSION} docker)
 
@@ -288,7 +320,7 @@ echo "$new_changelog_text"
 }
 
 create_version_bump_PR(){
-    # Create a PR for the new version 
+    # Create a PR for the new version
 
     git checkout master
     git checkout -b $(branch_name ${RELEASE_VERSION} bump)
@@ -338,19 +370,31 @@ create_version_bump_PR(){
     git commit -m "Update CHANGELOG.md with new version entry."
 
     # Update minimum PennLane version in requirements.txt and configure_pyproject_toml.py
-    sed -i "s/pennylane>=v\?[0-9\.]\+/pennylane>=${RELEASE_VERSION%??}/" ${ROOT_DIR}/requirements.txt
-    sed -i "s/pennylane>=v\?[0-9\.]\+/pennylane>=${RELEASE_VERSION%??}/" ${ROOT_DIR}/scripts/configure_pyproject_toml.py
+    sed -i "s/pennylane>=v\?[0-9\.]\+/pennylane>=${STABLE_VERSION%??}/" ${ROOT_DIR}/requirements.txt
+    sed -i "s/pennylane>=v\?[0-9\.]\+/pennylane>=${STABLE_VERSION%??}/" ${ROOT_DIR}/scripts/configure_pyproject_toml.py
+    sed -i "s/pennylane>=v\?[0-9\.]\+/pennylane>=${STABLE_VERSION%??}/" ${ROOT_DIR}/pyproject.toml
+
+    git add ${ROOT_DIR}/requirements.txt
+    git add ${ROOT_DIR}/scripts/configure_pyproject_toml.py
+    git add ${ROOT_DIR}/pyproject.toml
 
-    git add ${ROOT_DIR}/requirements.txt ${ROOT_DIR}/scripts/configure_pyproject_toml.py
     git commit -m "Update minimum PennyLane version to ${RELEASE_VERSION%??}"
-    
+
+    # Update RNG salt
+    for i in ${ROOT_DIR}/tests/pytest.ini ${ROOT_DIR}/mpitests/pytest.ini ; do
+        sed -i "/rng_salt = /d" $i
+        echo "rng_salt = v${RELEASE_VERSION}" >> $i
+        git add $i
+    done
+    git commit -m "Set rng_salt to v${RELEASE_VERSION} in tests/pytest.ini and mpitests/pytest.ini."
+
     if [ "$LOCAL_TEST" == "false" ]; then
     git push origin $(branch_name ${RELEASE_VERSION} bump)
     fi
 }
 
 test_install_lightning(){
-    # Test Lightning installation 
+    # Test Lightning installation
 
     git checkout master
     git checkout $(branch_name ${RELEASE_VERSION} rc)
@@ -367,7 +411,7 @@ test_install_lightning(){
 
     # Test installation of lightning custom compiles options
 
-    # Lightning Kokkos with CUDA and MPI
+    # Lightning Kokkos and MPI
     pip uninstall -y pennylane_lightning_kokkos
     PL_BACKEND="lightning_kokkos" python ${ROOT_DIR}/scripts/configure_pyproject_toml.py
     CMAKE_ARGS="-DENABLE_MPI=ON -DKokkos_ENABLE_CUDA=OFF -DKokkos_ENABLE_OPENMP=ON" python -m pip install . -v
@@ -386,9 +430,9 @@ test_install_lightning(){
     echo "Installed backends:"
     echo "- Lightning Default:"
     echo "$is_installed_backend"
-    echo "- Lightning Kokkos (MPI):" 
+    echo "- Lightning Kokkos (MPI):"
     echo "$is_installed_kokkos_mpi"
-    echo "- Lightning GPU (MPI):" 
+    echo "- Lightning GPU (MPI):"
     echo "$is_installed_gpu_mpi"
 }
 
@@ -396,9 +440,9 @@ download_artifacts_gh(){
     # Download the artifacts from the GitHub Actions runs
 
     wheels_runners=$(gh run list --branch $(branch_name ${RELEASE_VERSION} rc) \
-        --json status,workflowName,workflowDatabaseId | jq '.[] | select(.workflowName | contains("Wheel"))')
+        --json status,workflowName,databaseId | jq '.[] | select(.workflowName | contains("Wheel"))')
 
-    completed_runners=$(echo "$wheels_runners" | jq -r '. | select(.status == "completed") | .workflowDatabaseId')
+    completed_runners=$(echo "$wheels_runners" | jq -r '. | select(.status == "completed") | .databaseId')
 
     incomplete_runners=$(echo "$wheels_runners" | jq -r '. | select(.status != "completed") ')
 
@@ -418,8 +462,8 @@ test_wheels_for_unwanted_libraries(){
 
     pushd Wheels
 
-    for wheel in *.zip; do
-        unzip -o -q "$wheel"
+    for wheel in *.zip/*.whl; do
+        cp "$wheel" .
     done
 
     python ${ROOT_DIR}/scripts/validate_attrs.py
@@ -436,7 +480,7 @@ create_release_branch(){
     gh pr comment $(branch_name ${RELEASE_VERSION} rc) \
         --body "Forked as v${RELEASE_VERSION}_release to be released with tag v${RELEASE_VERSION}"
     fi
-    
+
     # Create the release branch
     git checkout -b $(branch_name ${RELEASE_VERSION} release)
 
@@ -448,13 +492,7 @@ create_release_branch(){
         echo '__version__ = "'${RELEASE_VERSION}'"' >> $PL_VERSION_FILE
     fi
 
-    if [ "$PUSH_TESTPYPI" == "true" ]; then
-    # Disable to upload the wheels to TestPyPI and GitHub Artifacts
-    sed -i "s|event_name == 'pull_request'|event_name == 'release'|g" ${ROOT_DIR}/.github/workflows/wheel_*
-    fi
-
     git add $PL_VERSION_FILE
-    git add ${ROOT_DIR}/.github/workflows/wheel_*
     git commit -m "Pre-release updates"
     if [ "$LOCAL_TEST" == "false" ]; then
     git push --set-upstream origin $(branch_name ${RELEASE_VERSION} release)
@@ -484,9 +522,9 @@ create_GitHub_release(){
 download_release_artifacts_gh(){
     # Download the artifacts from the GitHub Actions runs
     wheels_runners=$(gh run list --event release --branch $(branch_name ${RELEASE_VERSION}) \
-        --json status,workflowName,workflowDatabaseId | jq '.[] | select(.workflowName | contains("Wheel"))')
+        --json status,workflowName,databaseId | jq '.[] | select(.workflowName | contains("Wheel"))')
 
-     completed_runners=$(echo "$wheels_runners" | jq -r '. | select(.status == "completed") | .workflowDatabaseId')
+     completed_runners=$(echo "$wheels_runners" | jq -r '. | select(.status == "completed") | .databaseId')
      incomplete_runners=$(echo "$wheels_runners" | jq -r '. | select(.status != "completed") ')
 
      mkdir -p ${ROOT_DIR}/Release_Assets
@@ -504,17 +542,21 @@ create_sdist(){
     # Create the source distribution
 
     git checkout $(branch_name ${RELEASE_VERSION} "release")
-    PL_BACKEND=lightning_qubit python ${ROOT_DIR}/scripts/configure_pyproject_toml.py
-    python setup.py sdist
 
     mkdir -p ${ROOT_DIR}/Release_Assets
+
+    for backend in qubit gpu kokkos tensor; do
+        PL_BACKEND=lightning_${backend} python ${ROOT_DIR}/scripts/configure_pyproject_toml.py
+        python setup.py sdist
+    done
+
     cp dist/*.tar.gz ${ROOT_DIR}/Release_Assets/
 }
 
 upload_release_assets_gh(){
     # Upload the release assets
-    gh release upload $(branch_name ${RELEASE_VERSION} "0") ${ROOT_DIR}/Release_Assets/*.whl --clobber
-    gh release upload $(branch_name ${RELEASE_VERSION} "0") ${ROOT_DIR}/Release_Assets/*.tar.gz --clobber
+    gh release upload $(branch_name ${RELEASE_VERSION}) ${ROOT_DIR}/Release_Assets/*.whl --clobber
+    gh release upload $(branch_name ${RELEASE_VERSION}) ${ROOT_DIR}/Release_Assets/*.tar.gz --clobber
 }
 
 create_merge_branch(){
@@ -545,11 +587,15 @@ create_merge_branch(){
     git commit -m "Restore Catalyst GIT_TAG to main"
 
     for i in release stable; do
-        sed -i "s|v${RELEASE_VERSION}|v${NEXT_VERSION}|g" ${ROOT_DIR}/.github/workflows/compat-docker-${i}.yml
+        sed -i "s|v${STABLE_VERSION}|v${RELEASE_VERSION}|g" ${ROOT_DIR}/.github/workflows/compat-docker-${i}.yml
         git add ${ROOT_DIR}/.github/workflows/compat-docker-${i}.yml
     done
     git commit -m "Update Docker workflows for new release version"
 
+    add_CHANGELOG_entry "Merge RC v${RELEASE_VERSION} rc to master" "0000"
+    git add $CHANGELOG_FILE
+    git commit -m "Add CHANGELOG entry for RC merge"
+
     if [ "$LOCAL_TEST" == "false" ]; then
     git push --set-upstream origin $(branch_name ${RELEASE_VERSION} "rc_merge")
     fi
@@ -640,7 +686,6 @@ set -- "${POSITIONAL_ARGS[@]}" # restore positional parameters
 # If not a test run
 if [ "$IS_TEST" == "false" ]; then
     LOCAL_TEST=false
-    PUSH_TESTPYPI=true
 fi
 
 echo "STABLE_VERSION: $STABLE_VERSION"