diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index d4ee643b..86bcafa5 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -84,7 +84,9 @@ pythonVersion = "3.12"
 
 
 [tool.semantic_release]
-version_variable = "src/basic_memory/__init__.py:__version__"
+version_variables = [
+    "src/basic_memory/__init__.py:__version__",
+]
 version_toml = [
     "pyproject.toml:project.version",
 ]
diff --git a/src/basic_memory/api/app.py b/src/basic_memory/api/app.py
index 62830f8f..defab8d2 100644
--- a/src/basic_memory/api/app.py
+++ b/src/basic_memory/api/app.py
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ from fastapi import FastAPI, HTTPException
 from fastapi.exception_handlers import http_exception_handler
 from loguru import logger
 
+import basic_memory
 from basic_memory import db
 from basic_memory.config import config as app_config
 from basic_memory.api.routers import knowledge, search, memory, resource
@@ -36,7 +37,7 @@ async def run_migrations():  # pragma: no cover
 @asynccontextmanager
 async def lifespan(app: FastAPI):  # pragma: no cover
     """Lifecycle manager for the FastAPI app."""
-    logger.info("Starting Basic Memory API")
+    logger.info(f"Starting Basic Memory API {basic_memory.__version__}")
     await run_migrations()
     yield
     logger.info("Shutting down Basic Memory API")
diff --git a/src/basic_memory/cli/commands/mcp.py b/src/basic_memory/cli/commands/mcp.py
index 58726dc4..79cc3d7d 100644
--- a/src/basic_memory/cli/commands/mcp.py
+++ b/src/basic_memory/cli/commands/mcp.py
@@ -15,6 +15,6 @@ import basic_memory.mcp.tools  # noqa: F401  # pragma: no cover
 def mcp():  # pragma: no cover
     """Run the MCP server for Claude Desktop integration."""
     home_dir = config.home
-    logger.info("Starting Basic Memory MCP server")
+    logger.info(f"Starting Basic Memory MCP server {basic_memory.__version__}")
     logger.info(f"Home directory: {home_dir}")
     mcp_server.run()