diff --git a/Cargo.lock b/Cargo.lock
index c2fd41d67c..c94250fb4e 100644
--- a/Cargo.lock
+++ b/Cargo.lock
@@ -4984,7 +4984,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "sp1-build"
-version = "1.1.1"
+version = "1.2.0-rc1"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "cargo_metadata",
@@ -4995,7 +4995,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "sp1-cli"
-version = "1.1.1"
+version = "1.2.0-rc1"
 dependencies = [
  "anstyle",
  "anyhow",
@@ -5030,7 +5030,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "sp1-core-executor"
-version = "1.1.1"
+version = "1.2.0-rc1"
 dependencies = [
  "bincode",
  "bytemuck",
@@ -5065,7 +5065,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "sp1-core-machine"
-version = "1.1.1"
+version = "1.2.0-rc1"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "arrayref",
@@ -5132,7 +5132,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "sp1-cuda"
-version = "1.1.1"
+version = "1.2.0-rc1"
 dependencies = [
  "bincode",
  "ctrlc",
@@ -5153,7 +5153,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "sp1-curves"
-version = "1.1.1"
+version = "1.2.0-rc1"
 dependencies = [
  "curve25519-dalek",
  "dashu",
@@ -5173,7 +5173,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "sp1-derive"
-version = "1.1.1"
+version = "1.2.0-rc1"
 dependencies = [
  "proc-macro2",
  "quote",
@@ -5182,14 +5182,14 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "sp1-helper"
-version = "1.1.1"
+version = "1.2.0-rc1"
 dependencies = [
  "sp1-build",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
 name = "sp1-lib"
-version = "1.1.1"
+version = "1.2.0-rc1"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "bincode",
@@ -5201,7 +5201,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "sp1-primitives"
-version = "1.1.1"
+version = "1.2.0-rc1"
 dependencies = [
  "itertools 0.13.0",
  "lazy_static",
@@ -5213,7 +5213,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "sp1-prover"
-version = "1.1.1"
+version = "1.2.0-rc1"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "bincode",
@@ -5251,7 +5251,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "sp1-recursion-circuit"
-version = "1.1.1"
+version = "1.2.0-rc1"
 dependencies = [
  "bincode",
  "ff 0.13.0",
@@ -5283,7 +5283,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "sp1-recursion-circuit-v2"
-version = "1.1.1"
+version = "1.2.0-rc1"
 dependencies = [
  "bincode",
  "ff 0.13.0",
@@ -5322,7 +5322,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "sp1-recursion-compiler"
-version = "1.1.1"
+version = "1.2.0-rc1"
 dependencies = [
  "backtrace",
  "criterion",
@@ -5355,7 +5355,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "sp1-recursion-core"
-version = "1.1.1"
+version = "1.2.0-rc1"
 dependencies = [
  "arrayref",
  "backtrace",
@@ -5392,7 +5392,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "sp1-recursion-core-v2"
-version = "1.1.1"
+version = "1.2.0-rc1"
 dependencies = [
  "arrayref",
  "backtrace",
@@ -5432,7 +5432,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "sp1-recursion-derive"
-version = "1.1.1"
+version = "1.2.0-rc1"
 dependencies = [
  "proc-macro2",
  "quote",
@@ -5441,7 +5441,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "sp1-recursion-gnark-cli"
-version = "1.1.1"
+version = "1.2.0-rc1"
 dependencies = [
  "bincode",
  "clap",
@@ -5450,7 +5450,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "sp1-recursion-gnark-ffi"
-version = "1.1.1"
+version = "1.2.0-rc1"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "bincode",
@@ -5475,7 +5475,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "sp1-recursion-program"
-version = "1.1.1"
+version = "1.2.0-rc1"
 dependencies = [
  "itertools 0.13.0",
  "p3-air",
@@ -5505,7 +5505,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "sp1-sdk"
-version = "1.1.1"
+version = "1.2.0-rc1"
 dependencies = [
  "alloy-sol-types",
  "anyhow",
@@ -5550,7 +5550,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "sp1-stark"
-version = "1.1.1"
+version = "1.2.0-rc1"
 dependencies = [
  "arrayref",
  "hashbrown 0.14.5",
@@ -5579,7 +5579,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "sp1-zkvm"
-version = "1.1.1"
+version = "1.2.0-rc1"
 dependencies = [
  "bincode",
  "cfg-if",
diff --git a/Cargo.toml b/Cargo.toml
index 7f74c5b6a8..a648917797 100644
--- a/Cargo.toml
+++ b/Cargo.toml
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 [workspace.package]
-version = "1.1.1"
+version = "1.2.0-rc1"
 edition = "2021"
 license = "MIT OR Apache-2.0"
 repository = "https://github.com/succinctlabs/sp1"
@@ -47,27 +47,27 @@ debug-assertions = true
 
 [workspace.dependencies]
 # sp1
-sp1-build = { path = "crates/build", version = "1.1.1" }
-sp1-core-machine = { path = "crates/core/machine", version = "1.1.1" }
-sp1-core-executor = { path = "crates/core/executor", version = "1.1.1" }
-sp1-derive = { path = "crates/derive", version = "1.1.1" }
-sp1-cli = { path = "crates/cli", version = "1.1.1", default-features = false }
-sp1-curves = { path = "crates/curves", version = "1.1.1" }
-sp1-helper = { path = "crates/helper", version = "1.1.1", default-features = false }
-sp1-primitives = { path = "crates/primitives", version = "1.1.1" }
-sp1-prover = { path = "crates/prover", version = "1.1.1" }
-sp1-recursion-compiler = { path = "crates/recursion/compiler", version = "1.1.1" }
-sp1-recursion-core = { path = "crates/recursion/core", version = "1.1.1", default-features = false }
-sp1-recursion-core-v2 = { path = "crates/recursion/core-v2", version = "1.1.1", default-features = false }
-sp1-recursion-derive = { path = "crates/recursion/derive", version = "1.1.1", default-features = false }
-sp1-recursion-gnark-ffi = { path = "crates/recursion/gnark-ffi", version = "1.1.1", default-features = false }
-sp1-recursion-program = { path = "crates/recursion/program", version = "1.1.1", default-features = false }
-sp1-recursion-circuit = { path = "crates/recursion/circuit", version = "1.1.1", default-features = false }
-sp1-sdk = { path = "crates/sdk", version = "1.1.1" }
-sp1-cuda = { path = "crates/cuda", version = "1.1.1" }
-sp1-stark = { path = "crates/stark", version = "1.1.1" }
-sp1-lib = { path = "crates/zkvm/lib", version = "1.1.1", default-features = false }
-sp1-zkvm = { path = "crates/zkvm/entrypoint", version = "1.1.1", default-features = false }
+sp1-build = { path = "crates/build", version = "1.2.0-rc1" }
+sp1-core-machine = { path = "crates/core/machine", version = "1.2.0-rc1" }
+sp1-core-executor = { path = "crates/core/executor", version = "1.2.0-rc1" }
+sp1-derive = { path = "crates/derive", version = "1.2.0-rc1" }
+sp1-cli = { path = "crates/cli", version = "1.2.0-rc1", default-features = false }
+sp1-curves = { path = "crates/curves", version = "1.2.0-rc1" }
+sp1-helper = { path = "crates/helper", version = "1.2.0-rc1", default-features = false }
+sp1-primitives = { path = "crates/primitives", version = "1.2.0-rc1" }
+sp1-prover = { path = "crates/prover", version = "1.2.0-rc1" }
+sp1-recursion-compiler = { path = "crates/recursion/compiler", version = "1.2.0-rc1" }
+sp1-recursion-core = { path = "crates/recursion/core", version = "1.2.0-rc1", default-features = false }
+sp1-recursion-core-v2 = { path = "crates/recursion/core-v2", version = "1.2.0-rc1", default-features = false }
+sp1-recursion-derive = { path = "crates/recursion/derive", version = "1.2.0-rc1", default-features = false }
+sp1-recursion-gnark-ffi = { path = "crates/recursion/gnark-ffi", version = "1.2.0-rc1", default-features = false }
+sp1-recursion-program = { path = "crates/recursion/program", version = "1.2.0-rc1", default-features = false }
+sp1-recursion-circuit = { path = "crates/recursion/circuit", version = "1.2.0-rc1", default-features = false }
+sp1-sdk = { path = "crates/sdk", version = "1.2.0-rc1" }
+sp1-cuda = { path = "crates/cuda", version = "1.2.0-rc1" }
+sp1-stark = { path = "crates/stark", version = "1.2.0-rc1" }
+sp1-lib = { path = "crates/zkvm/lib", version = "1.2.0-rc1", default-features = false }
+sp1-zkvm = { path = "crates/zkvm/entrypoint", version = "1.2.0-rc1", default-features = false }
 
 # p3
 p3-air = "0.1.3-succinct"
diff --git a/book/generating-proofs/prover-network/versions.md b/book/generating-proofs/prover-network/versions.md
index 044aab789c..633fbe6e24 100644
--- a/book/generating-proofs/prover-network/versions.md
+++ b/book/generating-proofs/prover-network/versions.md
@@ -4,9 +4,9 @@ The prover network currently only supports specific versions of SP1:
 
 | Environment | RPC URL                    | Supported Version |
 | ----------- | -------------------------- | ----------------- |
-| Production  | `https://rpc.succinct.xyz` | `v1.1.X`          |
+| Production  | `https://rpc.succinct.xyz` | `v1.2.X`          |
 
-Where `X` denotes that any patch version is supported (e.g. `v1.1.0`, `v1.1.1`).
+Where `X` denotes that any patch version is supported (e.g. `v1.2.0`, `v1.2.1`).
 
 If you submit a proof request to the prover network and your are not using the supported version, you will receive an error message.
 
diff --git a/crates/core/executor/CHANGELOG.md b/crates/core/executor/CHANGELOG.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..b413fc23d6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/core/executor/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+# Changelog
+
+All notable changes to this project will be documented in this file.
+
+The format is based on [Keep a Changelog](https://keepachangelog.com/en/1.0.0/),
+and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0.html).
+
+## [Unreleased]
+
+## [1.2.0-rc1](https://github.com/succinctlabs/sp1/releases/tag/sp1-core-executor-v1.2.0-rc1) - 2024-08-23
+
+### Added
+
+- gas ([#1354](https://github.com/succinctlabs/sp1/pull/1354))
+
+### Fixed
+
+- fix artifact export test
+- fix fptower tests
+- fix imports
+- cargo check on tests
+
+### Other
+
+- runtime optimizations ([#1344](https://github.com/succinctlabs/sp1/pull/1344))
+- make state pub ([#1345](https://github.com/succinctlabs/sp1/pull/1345))
+- resolve merge conflicts between dev and experimental
+- refactor + cleanup core crates
diff --git a/crates/core/executor/Cargo.toml b/crates/core/executor/Cargo.toml
index e8deeb63a8..56d57e3524 100644
--- a/crates/core/executor/Cargo.toml
+++ b/crates/core/executor/Cargo.toml
@@ -48,4 +48,4 @@ tiny-keccak = { version = "2.0.2", features = ["keccak"] }
 sp1-zkvm = { workspace = true }
 
 [features]
-programs = []
\ No newline at end of file
+programs = []
diff --git a/crates/core/machine/CHANGELOG.md b/crates/core/machine/CHANGELOG.md
index 2eeb1b9a9e..8d1e6df781 100644
--- a/crates/core/machine/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/crates/core/machine/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -7,25 +7,50 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0
 
 ## [Unreleased]
 
+## [1.2.0-rc1](https://github.com/succinctlabs/sp1/releases/tag/sp1-core-machine-v1.2.0-rc1) - 2024-08-23
+
+### Added
+
+- gas ([#1354](https://github.com/succinctlabs/sp1/pull/1354))
+
+### Fixed
+
+- remove field op comment
+- fix fptower tests
+- fix imports
+- cargo check on tests
+
+### Other
+
+- precompile guide
+- use crate `vec_map`, box large `Instruction` variants ([#1360](https://github.com/succinctlabs/sp1/pull/1360))
+- update version
+- merge dev into experimental pt 2 ([#1341](https://github.com/succinctlabs/sp1/pull/1341))
+- resolve merge conflicts between dev and experimental
+- refactor + cleanup core crates
+
 ## [1.1.0](https://github.com/succinctlabs/sp1/compare/sp1-core-v1.0.1...sp1-core-v1.1.0) - 2024-08-02
 
 ### Added
+
 - experimental gpu support ([#1219](https://github.com/succinctlabs/sp1/pull/1219))
 - update tg ([#1214](https://github.com/succinctlabs/sp1/pull/1214))
 - streaming recursion ([#1175](https://github.com/succinctlabs/sp1/pull/1175))
 - streaming prover for core ([#1146](https://github.com/succinctlabs/sp1/pull/1146))
 
 ### Fixed
+
 - memory global generate_dependencies ([#1220](https://github.com/succinctlabs/sp1/pull/1220))
 - device oom ([#1202](https://github.com/succinctlabs/sp1/pull/1202))
 - cycle tracking logs ([#1178](https://github.com/succinctlabs/sp1/pull/1178))
 - UB from `OpcodeSpecificCols` union ([#1050](https://github.com/succinctlabs/sp1/pull/1050))
 
 ### Other
+
 - merge main into dev ([#1180](https://github.com/succinctlabs/sp1/pull/1180))
 - prover trait cleanup ([#1170](https://github.com/succinctlabs/sp1/pull/1170))
-- *(deps)* bump arrayref from 0.3.7 to 0.3.8 ([#1154](https://github.com/succinctlabs/sp1/pull/1154))
-- *(deps)* bump thiserror from 1.0.61 to 1.0.63 ([#1136](https://github.com/succinctlabs/sp1/pull/1136))
+- _(deps)_ bump arrayref from 0.3.7 to 0.3.8 ([#1154](https://github.com/succinctlabs/sp1/pull/1154))
+- _(deps)_ bump thiserror from 1.0.61 to 1.0.63 ([#1136](https://github.com/succinctlabs/sp1/pull/1136))
 - generate dep optimizations ([#1125](https://github.com/succinctlabs/sp1/pull/1125))
 - add audit reports ([#1142](https://github.com/succinctlabs/sp1/pull/1142))
 
diff --git a/crates/cuda/CHANGELOG.md b/crates/cuda/CHANGELOG.md
index 9d0e1d206c..742bfdced4 100644
--- a/crates/cuda/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/crates/cuda/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 # Changelog
+
 All notable changes to this project will be documented in this file.
 
 The format is based on [Keep a Changelog](https://keepachangelog.com/en/1.0.0/),
@@ -6,9 +7,24 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0
 
 ## [Unreleased]
 
+## [1.2.0-rc1](https://github.com/succinctlabs/sp1/releases/tag/sp1-cuda-v1.2.0-rc1) - 2024-08-23
+
+### Added
+
+- 1.2.0-rc1 cuda prover ([#1353](https://github.com/succinctlabs/sp1/pull/1353))
+
+### Fixed
+
+- tokio block on ([#1346](https://github.com/succinctlabs/sp1/pull/1346))
+
+### Other
+
+- merge dev into experimental pt 2 ([#1341](https://github.com/succinctlabs/sp1/pull/1341))
+
 ## [1.1.0](https://github.com/succinctlabs/sp1/releases/tag/sp1-server-v1.1.0) - 2024-08-02
 
 ### Added
+
 - experimental gpu support ([#1219](https://github.com/succinctlabs/sp1/pull/1219))
 - update tg ([#1214](https://github.com/succinctlabs/sp1/pull/1214))
 - v1.0.1 ([#1165](https://github.com/succinctlabs/sp1/pull/1165))
@@ -23,9 +39,11 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0
 - tracing, profiling, benchmarking ([#99](https://github.com/succinctlabs/sp1/pull/99))
 
 ### Fixed
+
 - wait longer for server to start ([#1231](https://github.com/succinctlabs/sp1/pull/1231))
 
 ### Other
+
 - final touches for public release ([#239](https://github.com/succinctlabs/sp1/pull/239))
 - update docs with slight nits ([#224](https://github.com/succinctlabs/sp1/pull/224))
 - sp1 rename ([#212](https://github.com/succinctlabs/sp1/pull/212))
diff --git a/crates/curves/CHANGELOG.md b/crates/curves/CHANGELOG.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..ec13c87c90
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/curves/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+# Changelog
+
+All notable changes to this project will be documented in this file.
+
+The format is based on [Keep a Changelog](https://keepachangelog.com/en/1.0.0/),
+and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0.html).
+
+## [Unreleased]
+
+## [1.2.0-rc1](https://github.com/succinctlabs/sp1/releases/tag/sp1-curves-v1.2.0-rc1) - 2024-08-23
+
+### Other
+
+- runtime optimizations ([#1344](https://github.com/succinctlabs/sp1/pull/1344))
+- resolve merge conflicts between dev and experimental
+- refactor + cleanup core crates
diff --git a/crates/curves/Cargo.toml b/crates/curves/Cargo.toml
index d40e80be8f..475521d1f8 100644
--- a/crates/curves/Cargo.toml
+++ b/crates/curves/Cargo.toml
@@ -29,4 +29,4 @@ p3-field = { workspace = true }
 itertools = "0.13.0"
 
 [dev-dependencies]
-rand = "0.8.5"
\ No newline at end of file
+rand = "0.8.5"
diff --git a/crates/recursion/circuit-v2/CHANGELOG.md b/crates/recursion/circuit-v2/CHANGELOG.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..fe22843ca1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/recursion/circuit-v2/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+# Changelog
+
+All notable changes to this project will be documented in this file.
+
+The format is based on [Keep a Changelog](https://keepachangelog.com/en/1.0.0/),
+and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0.html).
+
+## [Unreleased]
+
+## [1.2.0-rc1](https://github.com/succinctlabs/sp1/releases/tag/sp1-recursion-circuit-v2-v1.2.0-rc1) - 2024-08-23
+
+### Added
+
+- unify inner and outer witnesses in recursion circuit ([#1374](https://github.com/succinctlabs/sp1/pull/1374))
+- plonk in new circuit ([#1364](https://github.com/succinctlabs/sp1/pull/1364))
+
+### Other
+
+- use crate `vec_map`, box large `Instruction` variants ([#1360](https://github.com/succinctlabs/sp1/pull/1360))
+- merge dev into experimental pt 2 ([#1341](https://github.com/succinctlabs/sp1/pull/1341))
+- add circuit v2
+- resolve merge conflicts between dev and experimental
diff --git a/crates/recursion/core-v2/CHANGELOG.md b/crates/recursion/core-v2/CHANGELOG.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..efcaa44f4e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/recursion/core-v2/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+# Changelog
+
+All notable changes to this project will be documented in this file.
+
+The format is based on [Keep a Changelog](https://keepachangelog.com/en/1.0.0/),
+and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0.html).
+
+## [Unreleased]
+
+## [1.2.0-rc1](https://github.com/succinctlabs/sp1/releases/tag/sp1-recursion-core-v2-v1.2.0-rc1) - 2024-08-23
+
+### Fixed
+
+- bug in exp_reverse_bits memory multiplicity ([#1378](https://github.com/succinctlabs/sp1/pull/1378))
+- fix imports
+- cargo check on tests
+
+### Other
+
+- use crate `vec_map`, box large `Instruction` variants ([#1360](https://github.com/succinctlabs/sp1/pull/1360))
+- merge dev into experimental pt 2 ([#1341](https://github.com/succinctlabs/sp1/pull/1341))
+- resolve merge conflicts between dev and experimental
diff --git a/crates/stark/CHANGELOG.md b/crates/stark/CHANGELOG.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..2dd2a4f9b1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/stark/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+# Changelog
+
+All notable changes to this project will be documented in this file.
+
+The format is based on [Keep a Changelog](https://keepachangelog.com/en/1.0.0/),
+and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0.html).
+
+## [Unreleased]
+
+## [1.2.0-rc1](https://github.com/succinctlabs/sp1/releases/tag/sp1-stark-v1.2.0-rc1) - 2024-08-23
+
+### Added
+
+- gas ([#1354](https://github.com/succinctlabs/sp1/pull/1354))
+
+### Fixed
+
+- fix fptower tests
+- fix imports
+
+### Other
+
+- resolve merge conflicts between dev and experimental
+- refactor + cleanup core crates
diff --git a/crates/stark/Cargo.toml b/crates/stark/Cargo.toml
index 7329d8f396..9561b2b19a 100644
--- a/crates/stark/Cargo.toml
+++ b/crates/stark/Cargo.toml
@@ -39,4 +39,4 @@ rayon-scan = "0.1.1"
 arrayref = "0.3.8"
 
 [dev-dependencies]
-sp1-zkvm = { workspace = true }
\ No newline at end of file
+sp1-zkvm = { workspace = true }
diff --git a/release-plz.toml b/release-plz.toml
index ced25f8913..6f51b01bec 100644
--- a/release-plz.toml
+++ b/release-plz.toml
@@ -3,3 +3,5 @@
 git_release_enable = false
 # Disable git tags for all packages by default
 git_tag_enable = false
+# Don't verify package build
+publish_no_verify = true