diff --git a/.github/commitlint.config.js b/.github/commitlint.config.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..ce2de8fa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/commitlint.config.js
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+module.exports = {
+	extends: ['@commitlint/config-conventional'],
+	rules: {
+		'type-enum': [
+			2,
+			'always',
+			[
+				'build',
+				'chore',
+				'ci',
+				'docs',
+				'feat',
+				'fix',
+				'perf',
+				'refactor',
+				'revert',
+				'style',
+				'test',
+				'minor',
+				'release'
+			]
+		]
+	}
+};
diff --git a/.releaserc b/.releaserc
index fd2796cc..0fb21b2c 100644
--- a/.releaserc
+++ b/.releaserc
@@ -8,7 +8,25 @@
   ],
   "repositoryUrl": "https://github.com/camunda/camunda-8-js-sdk.git",
   "plugins": [
-    "@semantic-release/commit-analyzer",
+    [
+      "@semantic-release/commit-analyzer",
+      {
+        "releaseRules": [
+          {
+            "type": "feat",
+            "release": "patch"
+          },
+          {
+            "type": "release",
+            "release": "patch"
+          },
+          {
+            "type": "minor",
+            "release": "minor"
+          }
+        ]
+      }
+    ],
     "@semantic-release/release-notes-generator",
     "@semantic-release/changelog",
     [
diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index f0e8433b..3a8766ae 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -19,9 +19,9 @@ To get started with contributing, please follow these steps:
 
 ## A note on commit messages
 
-The repository uses []`semantic-release`](https://github.com/semantic-release/semantic-release) to create releases. Because we track the Camunda 8 Platform minor version, we need to treat feature implementation during a minor release cycle as a `fix` rather than a `feature`.
+The repository uses []`semantic-release`](https://github.com/semantic-release/semantic-release) to create releases. Because we track the Camunda 8 Platform minor version, we treat feature implementation during a minor release cycle as a patch release rather than a minor release.
 
-Creating a commit with a `feature` commit message will cause the package version minor release number to increment, which we only do when Camunda 8 Platform releases a new minor version.
+Creating a commit with a `feat` commit message will cause the package version patch release number to increment. To update the minor version, a commit with the type `minor` is needed.
 
 ## Running tests
 
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 8d4822fd..b6a7cc7c 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 
 This is the official Camunda 8 JavaScript SDK. It is written in TypeScript and runs on Node.js. See details on why [this is not in a web browser](https://github.com/camunda/camunda-8-js-sdk/issues/79)).
 
-# What does "supported" mean?
+## What does "supported" mean?
 
 This is the official supported-by-Camunda Nodejs SDK for Camunda Platform 8.
 
@@ -12,6 +12,10 @@ The Node.js SDK will not always support all features of Camunda Platform 8 immed
 
 Prioritisation of implementing features is influenced by customer demand.
 
+## Semantic versioning
+
+The SDK package tracks Camunda Platform 8 minor versioning. Feature releases to support current Platform minor version features result in a patch release of the SDK.
+
 ## Using the SDK in your project
 
 Install the SDK as a dependency:
diff --git a/commitlint.config.js b/commitlint.config.js
index 5a9bf016..678ea2b1 100644
--- a/commitlint.config.js
+++ b/commitlint.config.js
@@ -1,3 +1,25 @@
+// eslint-disable-next-line no-undef
 module.exports = {
-    extends: ['@commitlint/config-conventional'],
-  };
\ No newline at end of file
+	extends: ['@commitlint/config-conventional'],
+	rules: {
+		'type-enum': [
+			2,
+			'always',
+			[
+				'build',
+				'chore',
+				'ci',
+				'docs',
+				'feat',
+				'fix',
+				'perf',
+				'refactor',
+				'revert',
+				'style',
+				'test',
+				'release', // force a new patch release regardless of the commit message
+				'minor', // create a new minor release to match the Camunda Platform version
+			],
+		],
+	},
+}