diff --git a/examples/compose/docker-compose.beginners.yml b/examples/compose/docker-compose.beginners.yml
index d982f36c331..e506cdc0072 100644
--- a/examples/compose/docker-compose.beginners.yml
+++ b/examples/compose/docker-compose.beginners.yml
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ services:
       - "3306"
 
   vtctld:
-    image: vitess/lite:${VITESS_TAG:-latest}
+    image: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
     ports:
       - "15000:$WEB_PORT"
       - "$GRPC_PORT"
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ services:
         condition: service_healthy
 
   vtgate:
-    image: vitess/lite:${VITESS_TAG:-latest}
+    image: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
     ports:
       - "15099:$WEB_PORT"
       - "$GRPC_PORT"
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ services:
         condition: service_healthy
 
   schemaload:
-    image: vitess/lite:${VITESS_TAG:-latest}
+    image: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
     command:
     - sh
     - -c
@@ -146,12 +146,12 @@ services:
     environment:
       - KEYSPACES=$KEYSPACE
       - GRPC_PORT=15999
-    image: vitess/lite:${VITESS_TAG:-latest}
+    image: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
     volumes:
       - .:/script
 
   vttablet100:
-    image: vitess/lite:${VITESS_TAG:-latest}
+    image: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
     ports:
       - "15100:$WEB_PORT"
       - "$GRPC_PORT"
@@ -183,7 +183,7 @@ services:
       retries: 15
 
   vttablet101:
-    image: vitess/lite:${VITESS_TAG:-latest}
+    image: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
     ports:
       - "15101:$WEB_PORT"
       - "$GRPC_PORT"
@@ -215,7 +215,7 @@ services:
       retries: 15
 
   vttablet102:
-    image: vitess/lite:${VITESS_TAG:-latest}
+    image: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
     ports:
       - "15102:$WEB_PORT"
       - "$GRPC_PORT"
@@ -247,7 +247,7 @@ services:
       retries: 15
 
   vttablet103:
-    image: vitess/lite:${VITESS_TAG:-latest}
+    image: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
     ports:
       - "15103:$WEB_PORT"
       - "$GRPC_PORT"
@@ -279,7 +279,7 @@ services:
       retries: 15
 
   vtorc:
-    image: vitess/lite:${VITESS_TAG:-latest}
+    image: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
     command: ["sh", "-c", "/script/vtorc-up.sh"]
     depends_on:
       - vtctld
@@ -309,7 +309,7 @@ services:
       retries: 15
 
   vreplication:
-    image: vitess/lite:${VITESS_TAG:-latest}
+    image: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
     volumes:
       - ".:/script"
     environment:
diff --git a/examples/compose/docker-compose.yml b/examples/compose/docker-compose.yml
index c6de4af3ce7..df24ff2c277 100644
--- a/examples/compose/docker-compose.yml
+++ b/examples/compose/docker-compose.yml
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ services:
     - SCHEMA_FILES=lookup_keyspace_schema_file.sql
     - POST_LOAD_FILE=
     - EXTERNAL_DB=0
-    image: vitess/lite:${VITESS_TAG:-latest}
+    image: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
     volumes:
     - .:/script
   schemaload_test_keyspace:
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ services:
     - SCHEMA_FILES=test_keyspace_schema_file.sql
     - POST_LOAD_FILE=
     - EXTERNAL_DB=0
-    image: vitess/lite:${VITESS_TAG:-latest}
+    image: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
     volumes:
     - .:/script
   set_keyspace_durability_policy:
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ services:
     environment:
       - KEYSPACES=test_keyspace lookup_keyspace
       - GRPC_PORT=15999
-    image: vitess/lite:${VITESS_TAG:-latest}
+    image: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
     volumes:
       - .:/script
   vreplication:
@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ services:
     - TOPOLOGY_FLAGS=--topo_implementation consul --topo_global_server_address consul1:8500
       --topo_global_root vitess/global
     - EXTERNAL_DB=0
-    image: vitess/lite:${VITESS_TAG:-latest}
+    image: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
     volumes:
     - .:/script
   vtctld:
@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ services:
     depends_on:
       external_db_host:
         condition: service_healthy
-    image: vitess/lite:${VITESS_TAG:-latest}
+    image: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
     ports:
     - 15000:8080
     - "15999"
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ services:
       --normalize_queries=true '
     depends_on:
     - vtctld
-    image: vitess/lite:${VITESS_TAG:-latest}
+    image: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
     ports:
     - 15099:8080
     - "15999"
@@ -182,7 +182,7 @@ services:
     - EXTERNAL_DB=0
     - DB_USER=
     - DB_PASS=
-    image: vitess/lite:${VITESS_TAG:-latest}
+    image: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
     ports:
     - 13000:8080
     volumes:
@@ -217,7 +217,7 @@ services:
       - CMD-SHELL
       - curl -s --fail --show-error localhost:8080/debug/health
       timeout: 10s
-    image: vitess/lite:${VITESS_TAG:-latest}
+    image: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
     ports:
     - 15101:8080
     - "15999"
@@ -254,7 +254,7 @@ services:
       - CMD-SHELL
       - curl -s --fail --show-error localhost:8080/debug/health
       timeout: 10s
-    image: vitess/lite:${VITESS_TAG:-latest}
+    image: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
     ports:
     - 15102:8080
     - "15999"
@@ -291,7 +291,7 @@ services:
       - CMD-SHELL
       - curl -s --fail --show-error localhost:8080/debug/health
       timeout: 10s
-    image: vitess/lite:${VITESS_TAG:-latest}
+    image: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
     ports:
     - 15201:8080
     - "15999"
@@ -328,7 +328,7 @@ services:
       - CMD-SHELL
       - curl -s --fail --show-error localhost:8080/debug/health
       timeout: 10s
-    image: vitess/lite:${VITESS_TAG:-latest}
+    image: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
     ports:
     - 15202:8080
     - "15999"
@@ -365,7 +365,7 @@ services:
       - CMD-SHELL
       - curl -s --fail --show-error localhost:8080/debug/health
       timeout: 10s
-    image: vitess/lite:${VITESS_TAG:-latest}
+    image: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
     ports:
     - 15301:8080
     - "15999"
@@ -402,7 +402,7 @@ services:
       - CMD-SHELL
       - curl -s --fail --show-error localhost:8080/debug/health
       timeout: 10s
-    image: vitess/lite:${VITESS_TAG:-latest}
+    image: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
     ports:
     - 15302:8080
     - "15999"
diff --git a/examples/compose/vtcompose/docker-compose.test.yml b/examples/compose/vtcompose/docker-compose.test.yml
index 69365d4fb46..cb048b75bd7 100644
--- a/examples/compose/vtcompose/docker-compose.test.yml
+++ b/examples/compose/vtcompose/docker-compose.test.yml
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ services:
       - SCHEMA_FILES=test_keyspace_schema_file.sql
       - POST_LOAD_FILE=
       - EXTERNAL_DB=0
-    image: vitess/lite:${VITESS_TAG:-latest}
+    image: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
     volumes:
       - .:/script
   schemaload_unsharded_keyspace:
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ services:
       - SCHEMA_FILES=unsharded_keyspace_schema_file.sql
       - POST_LOAD_FILE=
       - EXTERNAL_DB=0
-    image: vitess/lite:${VITESS_TAG:-latest}
+    image: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
     volumes:
       - .:/script
   set_keyspace_durability_policy_test_keyspace:
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ services:
     environment:
       - GRPC_PORT=15999
       - KEYSPACES=test_keyspace
-    image: vitess/lite:${VITESS_TAG:-latest}
+    image: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
     volumes:
       - .:/script
   set_keyspace_durability_policy_unsharded_keyspace:
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ services:
     environment:
       - GRPC_PORT=15999
       - KEYSPACES=unsharded_keyspace
-    image: vitess/lite:${VITESS_TAG:-latest}
+    image: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
     volumes:
       - .:/script
   vreplication:
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ services:
       - TOPOLOGY_FLAGS=--topo_implementation consul --topo_global_server_address consul1:8500
         --topo_global_root vitess/global
       - EXTERNAL_DB=0
-    image: vitess/lite:${VITESS_TAG:-latest}
+    image: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
     volumes:
       - .:/script
   vtctld:
@@ -159,7 +159,7 @@ services:
     depends_on:
       external_db_host:
         condition: service_healthy
-    image: vitess/lite:${VITESS_TAG:-latest}
+    image: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
     ports:
       - 15000:8080
       - "15999"
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ services:
       ''grpc-vtgateservice'' --normalize_queries=true '
     depends_on:
       - vtctld
-    image: vitess/lite:${VITESS_TAG:-latest}
+    image: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
     ports:
       - 15099:8080
       - "15999"
@@ -199,7 +199,7 @@ services:
       - EXTERNAL_DB=0
       - DB_USER=
       - DB_PASS=
-    image: vitess/lite:${VITESS_TAG:-latest}
+    image: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
     ports:
       - 13000:8080
     volumes:
@@ -234,7 +234,7 @@ services:
         - CMD-SHELL
         - curl -s --fail --show-error localhost:8080/debug/health
       timeout: 10s
-    image: vitess/lite:${VITESS_TAG:-latest}
+    image: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
     ports:
       - 15101:8080
       - "15999"
@@ -271,7 +271,7 @@ services:
         - CMD-SHELL
         - curl -s --fail --show-error localhost:8080/debug/health
       timeout: 10s
-    image: vitess/lite:${VITESS_TAG:-latest}
+    image: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
     ports:
       - 15102:8080
       - "15999"
@@ -308,7 +308,7 @@ services:
         - CMD-SHELL
         - curl -s --fail --show-error localhost:8080/debug/health
       timeout: 10s
-    image: vitess/lite:${VITESS_TAG:-latest}
+    image: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
     ports:
       - 15201:8080
       - "15999"
@@ -345,7 +345,7 @@ services:
         - CMD-SHELL
         - curl -s --fail --show-error localhost:8080/debug/health
       timeout: 10s
-    image: vitess/lite:${VITESS_TAG:-latest}
+    image: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
     ports:
       - 15202:8080
       - "15999"
@@ -382,7 +382,7 @@ services:
         - CMD-SHELL
         - curl -s --fail --show-error localhost:8080/debug/health
       timeout: 10s
-    image: vitess/lite:${VITESS_TAG:-latest}
+    image: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
     ports:
       - 15301:8080
       - "15999"
diff --git a/examples/compose/vtcompose/vtcompose.go b/examples/compose/vtcompose/vtcompose.go
index 37d9f21c191..ca2ec8961e3 100644
--- a/examples/compose/vtcompose/vtcompose.go
+++ b/examples/compose/vtcompose/vtcompose.go
@@ -533,7 +533,7 @@ func generateDefaultShard(tabAlias int, shard string, keyspaceData keyspaceInfo,
 - op: add
   path: /services/init_shard_primary%[2]d
   value:
-    image: vitess/lite:${VITESS_TAG:-latest}
+    image: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
     command: ["sh", "-c", "/vt/bin/vtctlclient %[5]s InitShardPrimary -force %[4]s/%[3]s %[6]s-%[2]d "]
     %[1]s
 `, dependsOn, aliases[0], shard, keyspaceData.keyspace, opts.topologyFlags, opts.cell)
@@ -565,7 +565,7 @@ func generateExternalPrimary(
 - op: add
   path: /services/vttablet%[1]d
   value:
-    image: vitess/lite:${VITESS_TAG:-latest}
+    image: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
     ports:
       - "15%[1]d:%[3]d"
       - "%[4]d"
@@ -627,7 +627,7 @@ func generateDefaultTablet(tabAlias int, shard, role, keyspace string, dbInfo ex
 - op: add
   path: /services/vttablet%[1]d
   value:
-    image: vitess/lite:${VITESS_TAG:-latest}
+    image: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
     ports:
     - "15%[1]d:%[4]d"
     - "%[5]d"
@@ -665,7 +665,7 @@ func generateVtctld(opts vtOptions) string {
 - op: add
   path: /services/vtctld
   value:
-    image: vitess/lite:${VITESS_TAG:-latest}
+    image: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
     ports:
       - "15000:%[1]d"
       - "%[2]d"
@@ -698,7 +698,7 @@ func generateVtgate(opts vtOptions) string {
 - op: add
   path: /services/vtgate
   value:
-    image: vitess/lite:${VITESS_TAG:-latest}
+    image: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
     ports:
       - "15099:%[1]d"
       - "%[2]d"
@@ -740,7 +740,7 @@ func generateVTOrc(dbInfo externalDbInfo, keyspaceInfoMap map[string]keyspaceInf
 - op: add
   path: /services/vtorc
   value:
-    image: vitess/lite:${VITESS_TAG:-latest}
+    image: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
     volumes:
       - ".:/script"
     environment:
@@ -765,7 +765,7 @@ func generateVreplication(dbInfo externalDbInfo, opts vtOptions) string {
 - op: add
   path: /services/vreplication
   value:
-    image: vitess/lite:${VITESS_TAG:-latest}
+    image: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
     volumes:
       - ".:/script"
     environment:
@@ -793,7 +793,7 @@ func generateSetKeyspaceDurabilityPolicy(
 - op: add
   path: /services/set_keyspace_durability_policy_%[3]s
   value:
-    image: vitess/lite:${VITESS_TAG:-latest}
+    image: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
     volumes:
       - ".:/script"
     environment:
@@ -830,7 +830,7 @@ func generateSchemaload(
 - op: add
   path: /services/schemaload_%[7]s
   value:
-    image: vitess/lite:${VITESS_TAG:-latest}
+    image: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
     volumes:
       - ".:/script"
     environment:
diff --git a/examples/operator/101_initial_cluster.yaml b/examples/operator/101_initial_cluster.yaml
index 81efad081ba..0a375ec0403 100644
--- a/examples/operator/101_initial_cluster.yaml
+++ b/examples/operator/101_initial_cluster.yaml
@@ -8,14 +8,14 @@ metadata:
   name: example
 spec:
   images:
-    vtctld: vitess/lite:latest
+    vtctld: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
     vtadmin: vitess/vtadmin:latest
-    vtgate: vitess/lite:latest
-    vttablet: vitess/lite:latest
-    vtbackup: vitess/lite:latest
-    vtorc: vitess/lite:latest
+    vtgate: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
+    vttablet: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
+    vtbackup: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
+    vtorc: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
     mysqld:
-      mysql56Compatible: vitess/lite:latest
+      mysql56Compatible: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
     mysqldExporter: prom/mysqld-exporter:v0.11.0
   cells:
   - name: zone1
diff --git a/examples/operator/201_customer_tablets.yaml b/examples/operator/201_customer_tablets.yaml
index 52f110678a2..b5c2761ed66 100644
--- a/examples/operator/201_customer_tablets.yaml
+++ b/examples/operator/201_customer_tablets.yaml
@@ -4,14 +4,14 @@ metadata:
   name: example
 spec:
   images:
-    vtctld: vitess/lite:latest
+    vtctld: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
     vtadmin: vitess/vtadmin:latest
-    vtgate: vitess/lite:latest
-    vttablet: vitess/lite:latest
-    vtbackup: vitess/lite:latest
-    vtorc: vitess/lite:latest
+    vtgate: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
+    vttablet: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
+    vtbackup: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
+    vtorc: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
     mysqld:
-      mysql56Compatible: vitess/lite:latest
+      mysql56Compatible: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
     mysqldExporter: prom/mysqld-exporter:v0.11.0
   cells:
   - name: zone1
diff --git a/examples/operator/302_new_shards.yaml b/examples/operator/302_new_shards.yaml
index 44a7aeea8ef..84fb9e6610f 100644
--- a/examples/operator/302_new_shards.yaml
+++ b/examples/operator/302_new_shards.yaml
@@ -4,14 +4,14 @@ metadata:
   name: example
 spec:
   images:
-    vtctld: vitess/lite:latest
+    vtctld: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
     vtadmin: vitess/vtadmin:latest
-    vtgate: vitess/lite:latest
-    vttablet: vitess/lite:latest
-    vtbackup: vitess/lite:latest
-    vtorc: vitess/lite:latest
+    vtgate: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
+    vttablet: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
+    vtbackup: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
+    vtorc: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
     mysqld:
-      mysql56Compatible: vitess/lite:latest
+      mysql56Compatible: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
     mysqldExporter: prom/mysqld-exporter:v0.11.0
   cells:
   - name: zone1
diff --git a/examples/operator/306_down_shard_0.yaml b/examples/operator/306_down_shard_0.yaml
index a80e57c2f2a..6d49bc6ab92 100644
--- a/examples/operator/306_down_shard_0.yaml
+++ b/examples/operator/306_down_shard_0.yaml
@@ -4,14 +4,14 @@ metadata:
   name: example
 spec:
   images:
-    vtctld: vitess/lite:latest
+    vtctld: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
     vtadmin: vitess/vtadmin:latest
-    vtgate: vitess/lite:latest
-    vttablet: vitess/lite:latest
-    vtbackup: vitess/lite:latest
-    vtorc: vitess/lite:latest
+    vtgate: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
+    vttablet: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
+    vtbackup: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
+    vtorc: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
     mysqld:
-      mysql56Compatible: vitess/lite:latest
+      mysql56Compatible: vitess/lite:v15.0.0-rc1
     mysqldExporter: prom/mysqld-exporter:v0.11.0
   cells:
   - name: zone1
diff --git a/examples/operator/operator.yaml b/examples/operator/operator.yaml
index aa4ce0ef75c..a3bda99723c 100644
--- a/examples/operator/operator.yaml
+++ b/examples/operator/operator.yaml
@@ -5652,7 +5652,7 @@ spec:
                   fieldPath: metadata.name
             - name: OPERATOR_NAME
               value: vitess-operator
-          image: planetscale/vitess-operator:latest
+          image: planetscale/vitess-operator:v2.8.0-rc1
           name: vitess-operator
           resources:
             limits:
diff --git a/go/vt/servenv/version.go b/go/vt/servenv/version.go
index 8585fdd55ee..212740a64a8 100644
--- a/go/vt/servenv/version.go
+++ b/go/vt/servenv/version.go
@@ -14,9 +14,9 @@ See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 limitations under the License.
 */
 
-// THIS FILE IS AUTO-GENERATED DURING NEW RELEASES
-// DO NOT EDIT
-
 package servenv
 
-const versionName = "15.0.0-SNAPSHOT"
+// THIS FILE IS AUTO-GENERATED DURING NEW RELEASES BY ./tools/do_releases.sh
+// DO NOT EDIT
+
+const versionName = "15.0.0-rc1"
diff --git a/java/client/pom.xml b/java/client/pom.xml
index e54be493892..6f4fba3d4e5 100644
--- a/java/client/pom.xml
+++ b/java/client/pom.xml
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
   <parent>
     <groupId>io.vitess</groupId>
     <artifactId>vitess-parent</artifactId>
-    <version>15.0.0-SNAPSHOT</version>
+    <version>15.0.0-rc1</version>
   </parent>
   <artifactId>vitess-client</artifactId>
 
diff --git a/java/example/pom.xml b/java/example/pom.xml
index 9efc0399b79..6ce06bbfd93 100644
--- a/java/example/pom.xml
+++ b/java/example/pom.xml
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
   <parent>
     <groupId>io.vitess</groupId>
     <artifactId>vitess-parent</artifactId>
-    <version>15.0.0-SNAPSHOT</version>
+    <version>15.0.0-rc1</version>
   </parent>
   <artifactId>vitess-example</artifactId>
 
diff --git a/java/grpc-client/pom.xml b/java/grpc-client/pom.xml
index 5af03fddfc6..bd519490e91 100644
--- a/java/grpc-client/pom.xml
+++ b/java/grpc-client/pom.xml
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
   <parent>
     <groupId>io.vitess</groupId>
     <artifactId>vitess-parent</artifactId>
-    <version>15.0.0-SNAPSHOT</version>
+    <version>15.0.0-rc1</version>
   </parent>
   <artifactId>vitess-grpc-client</artifactId>
 
diff --git a/java/jdbc/pom.xml b/java/jdbc/pom.xml
index 8ce51843a9f..efe0ae8dbcb 100644
--- a/java/jdbc/pom.xml
+++ b/java/jdbc/pom.xml
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
   <parent>
     <groupId>io.vitess</groupId>
     <artifactId>vitess-parent</artifactId>
-    <version>15.0.0-SNAPSHOT</version>
+    <version>15.0.0-rc1</version>
   </parent>
   <artifactId>vitess-jdbc</artifactId>
 
diff --git a/java/pom.xml b/java/pom.xml
index 9515b1aa3b4..fdc302b7586 100644
--- a/java/pom.xml
+++ b/java/pom.xml
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 
   <groupId>io.vitess</groupId>
   <artifactId>vitess-parent</artifactId>
-  <version>15.0.0-SNAPSHOT</version>
+  <version>15.0.0-rc1</version>
   <packaging>pom</packaging>
 
   <name>Vitess Java Client libraries [Parent]</name>