diff --git a/scripts/update_version.py b/scripts/update_version.py
index a969eaf88..6cde6a44f 100755
--- a/scripts/update_version.py
+++ b/scripts/update_version.py
@@ -16,8 +16,13 @@ import sys
 def read_version():
     """Read version from VERSION.txt file."""
     script_dir = os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__))
+    # VERSION.txt is now in scripts directory
     version_file = os.path.join(script_dir, 'VERSION.txt')
     
+    if not os.path.exists(version_file):
+        print(f"VERSION.txt not found at {version_file}")
+        sys.exit(1)
+    
     try:
         with open(version_file, 'r') as f:
             version = f.read().strip()
@@ -57,69 +62,16 @@ def update_bazel_module(version):
     except IOError as e:
         print(f"Error updating MODULE.bazel: {e}")
 
-def update_nightly_yaml(version):
-    """Update scripts/nightly.yaml with the version."""
-    script_dir = os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__))
-    nightly_file = os.path.join(script_dir, 'nightly.yaml')
-    
-    version_parts = version.split('.')
-    if len(version_parts) >= 3:
-        major, minor, patch = version_parts[0], version_parts[1], version_parts[2]
-    else:
-        print(f"Warning: Invalid version format in VERSION.txt: {version}")
-        return
-    
-    try:
-        with open(nightly_file, 'r') as f:
-            content = f.read()
-        
-        # Update Major, Minor, Patch variables
-        content = re.sub(r"(\s+Major:\s*')[^']*('.*)", r"\g<1>" + major + r"\g<2>", content)
-        content = re.sub(r"(\s+Minor:\s*')[^']*('.*)", r"\g<1>" + minor + r"\g<2>", content)
-        content = re.sub(r"(\s+Patch:\s*')[^']*('.*)", r"\g<1>" + patch + r"\g<2>", content)
-        
-        with open(nightly_file, 'w') as f:
-            f.write(content)
-        
-        print(f"Updated nightly.yaml version to {major}.{minor}.{patch}")
-    except IOError as e:
-        print(f"Error updating nightly.yaml: {e}")
-
-def update_release_yml(version):
-    """Update scripts/release.yml with the version."""
-    script_dir = os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__))
-    release_file = os.path.join(script_dir, 'release.yml')
-    
-    # Extract major.minor.patch from major.minor.patch.tweak
-    version_parts = version.split('.')
-    if len(version_parts) >= 3:
-        release_version = f"{version_parts[0]}.{version_parts[1]}.{version_parts[2]}"
-    else:
-        release_version = version
-    
-    try:
-        with open(release_file, 'r') as f:
-            content = f.read()
-        
-        # Update ReleaseVersion variable
-        content = re.sub(
-            r"(\s+ReleaseVersion:\s*')[^']*('.*)",
-            r"\g<1>" + release_version + r"\g<2>",
-            content
-        )
-        
-        with open(release_file, 'w') as f:
-            f.write(content)
-        
-        print(f"Updated release.yml version to {release_version}")
-    except IOError as e:
-        print(f"Error updating release.yml: {e}")
 
 def update_github_nightly_yml(version):
     """Update .github/workflows/nightly.yml with the version."""
     script_dir = os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__))
     nightly_file = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(script_dir), '.github', 'workflows', 'nightly.yml')
     
+    if not os.path.exists(nightly_file):
+        print(f"Warning: {nightly_file} does not exist, skipping")
+        return
+    
     version_parts = version.split('.')
     if len(version_parts) >= 3:
         major, minor, patch = version_parts[0], version_parts[1], version_parts[2]
@@ -154,8 +106,6 @@ def main():
     print("\nUpdating files that cannot auto-read VERSION.txt...")
     
     update_bazel_module(version)
-    update_nightly_yaml(version)
-    update_release_yml(version)
     update_github_nightly_yml(version)
     
     print("\nUpdate complete!")
@@ -163,6 +113,7 @@ def main():
     print("  - CMakeLists.txt")
     print("  - scripts/mk_project.py")
     print("\nThese do not need manual updates.")
+    print("\nNote: .github/workflows/release.yml uses input parameters, not hardcoded versions.")
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":
     main()
\ No newline at end of file