diff --git a/packages/kilo-jetbrains/CHANGELOG.md b/packages/kilo-jetbrains/CHANGELOG.md
index 4cec5f1ea15f..c96e8b47e535 100644
--- a/packages/kilo-jetbrains/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/packages/kilo-jetbrains/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -530,6 +530,19 @@
 
 ## [Unreleased]
 
+## [7.1.8-rc.1] - 2026-09-24
+
+### Added
+
+### Fixed
+
+- Avoid a crash when reloading or unloading the JetBrains plugin while editor history still references Kilo virtual files.
+
+### Changed
+
+- Speed up switching between worktree session editor tabs with long transcripts and reduce unnecessary Agent Manager list repainting.
+- Trim single-line transcript labels more consistently with an ellipsis when they overflow.
+
 ## [7.1.7] - 2026-09-23
 
 ### Added
diff --git a/packages/kilo-jetbrains/gradle.properties b/packages/kilo-jetbrains/gradle.properties
index 2e418e4ab5f5..27d218cb5971 100644
--- a/packages/kilo-jetbrains/gradle.properties
+++ b/packages/kilo-jetbrains/gradle.properties
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 kotlin.stdlib.default.dependency=false
-kilo.jetbrains.version=7.1.7
+kilo.jetbrains.version=7.1.8-rc.1
 # When true (default) the JetBrains plugin uses the pinned CLI release from package.json.
 # Set to false ONLY for local dev: generate the client from local source + bundle the local binary.
 # false is NOT releasable -- production builds fail unless this is true.