diff --git a/.version b/.version
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0ba2319
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.version
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+0.3.0-dev
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/zsh-syntax-highlighting.zsh b/zsh-syntax-highlighting.zsh
index ce9db28..3c3163d 100644
--- a/zsh-syntax-highlighting.zsh
+++ b/zsh-syntax-highlighting.zsh
@@ -29,6 +29,8 @@
 # -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 
+ZSH_HIGHLIGHT_VERSION=$(<"$0:h"/.version)
+
 # -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Core highlighting update system
 # -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------