diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 4d277c31..4a5d03e9 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 [![Node.js](https://img.shields.io/badge/node-%3E%3D23.11.0-brightgreen.svg)](https://nodejs.org/)
 [![TypeScript](https://img.shields.io/badge/TypeScript-5.1.6-blue.svg)](https://www.typescriptlang.org/)
 [![PRs Welcome](https://img.shields.io/badge/PRs-welcome-brightgreen.svg)](CONTRIBUTING.md)
-[![npm](https://img.shields.io/npm/v/@soulcraft/brainy.svg)](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@soulcraft/brainy)
+[![npm](https://img.shields.io/badge/npm-v0.9.9-blue.svg)](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@soulcraft/brainy)
 
 [//]: # ([![Cartographer](https://img.shields.io/badge/Cartographer-Official%20Standard-brightgreen)](https://github.com/sodal-project/cartographer))
 
@@ -1269,6 +1269,17 @@ Brainy follows a specific code style to maintain consistency throughout the code
 3. Make your changes
 4. Submit a pull request
 
+### Badge Maintenance
+
+The README badges are automatically updated during the build process:
+
+1. **npm Version Badge**: The npm version badge is automatically updated to match the version in package.json when:
+   - Running `npm run build` (via the prebuild script)
+   - Running `npm version` commands (patch, minor, major)
+   - Manually running `node scripts/generate-version.js`
+
+This ensures that the badge always reflects the current version in package.json, even before publishing to npm.
+
 ## License
 
 [MIT](LICENSE)
diff --git a/scripts/generate-version.js b/scripts/generate-version.js
index eb6bb58e..a155ea83 100755
--- a/scripts/generate-version.js
+++ b/scripts/generate-version.js
@@ -66,12 +66,12 @@ try {
   // Get TypeScript version from package.json devDependencies
   const typescriptVersion = packageJson.devDependencies.typescript.replace('^', '')
 
-  // Update npm badge - using a more flexible approach
+  // Update npm badge - using a more flexible approach with explicit version
   const npmBadgeRegex = /\[\!\[npm\].*?\]\(https:\/\/www\.npmjs\.com\/package\/@soulcraft\/brainy\)/g
   if (npmBadgeRegex.test(readmeContent)) {
     readmeContent = readmeContent.replace(
       npmBadgeRegex,
-      `[![npm](https://img.shields.io/npm/v/@soulcraft/brainy.svg)](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@soulcraft/brainy)`
+      `[![npm](https://img.shields.io/badge/npm-v${version}-blue.svg)](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@soulcraft/brainy)`
     )
   } else {
     console.log('Warning: Could not find npm badge in README.md')