diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 45d98ceebed0..57e8c6c45cac 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,10 +1,430 @@
 # Changelog
 
+## [1.18.0] (2025-10-14)
+
+Freeze period: 2025-09-30
+
+[1.18.0]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/releases/1.18.0
+
+### Features
+
+#### lang
+
+- Support `ProcPointer`s of lib funs with parameter types ([#16089], thanks @HertzDevil)
+- _(annotations)_ Print deprecation warning on types and aliases ([#15962], thanks @ysbaddaden)
+- _(annotations)_ Print deprecation warnings on deprecated method argument ([#15999], thanks @ysbaddaden)
+- _(macros)_ **[breaking]** Expand empty `(Named)TupleLiteral` to `(Named)Tuple.new` instead of `{}` ([#16108], thanks @spuun)
+- _(macros)_ Add `ArrayLiteral#*` and `StringLiteral#*` ([#16154], thanks @jneen)
+
+[#16089]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16089
+[#15962]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/15962
+[#15999]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/15999
+[#16108]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16108
+[#16154]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16154
+
+#### stdlib
+
+- Add `summary_width` and `summary_indent` to `OptionParser` ([#15326], thanks @kojix2)
+- _(collection)_ Add `Set#select!` and `#reject!` ([#16060], thanks @HertzDevil)
+- _(concurrency)_ Speed up `Parallel::Scheduler#quick_dequeue?` for `max=1` ([#15961], thanks @ysbaddaden)
+- _(concurrency)_ Default execution context is now parallel (MT:1) ([#16136], thanks @ysbaddaden)
+- _(files)_ **[deprecation]** Add `.set_blocking` to `Socket` and `IO::FileDescriptor` and deprecate `#blocking` property ([#16033], [#16129], thanks @ysbaddaden)
+- _(llvm)_ Support LLVM 21.1 and 22.0 ([#16062], thanks @HertzDevil)
+- _(macros)_ Add `NumberLiteral#zero?` ([#10248], thanks @Sija)
+- _(networking)_ Fix `URI#host=` to wrap IPv6 address in brackets ([#16164], thanks @stakach)
+- _(runtime)_ Lazily instantiate the event loop of isolated execution contexts ([#16063], thanks @ysbaddaden)
+- _(runtime)_ Add `Fiber::ExecutionContext::Parallel#resize` ([#15956], thanks @ysbaddaden)
+- _(runtime)_ Add `Crystal::System.effective_cpu_count` ([#16148], thanks @ysbaddaden)
+- _(runtime)_ Improve `Fiber::ExecutionContext.default_workers_count` ([#16149], thanks @ysbaddaden)
+- _(serialization)_ Add `Time::Location.from_json_object_key` ([#15957], thanks @Sija)
+- _(serialization)_ Resolve YAML aliases in `YAML::Any` ([#15941], thanks @willhbr)
+- _(serialization)_ Embed libxml2 version number on Windows MSVC ([#16104], thanks @HertzDevil)
+- _(serialization)_ Add `JSON::Any` wrapper around `JSON::Any#inspect` output ([#15979], thanks @jneen)
+- _(specs)_ Add `with_tempdir` spec helper ([#16005], thanks @straight-shoota)
+- _(system)_ Add `File.readlink?` ([#16004], thanks @straight-shoota)
+- _(text)_ Add `SemanticVersion.valid?` & `SemanticVersion.parse?` ([#15051], thanks @devnote-dev)
+- _(text)_ Add `String.additive_identity` ([#15998], thanks @straight-shoota)
+- _(text)_ Use proper ANSI reset codes in `Colorize` ([#16052], thanks @Blacksmoke16)
+- _(text)_ Update Unicode to 17.0.0 ([#16160], thanks @HertzDevil)
+- _(time)_ Use canonical IANA name for the local Windows system time zone ([#15967], thanks @HertzDevil)
+- _(time)_ Load `Location.local` by symlink name ([#16002], [#16022], thanks @straight-shoota)
+- _(time)_ Add `Time::Location.load?` ([#16121], thanks @straight-shoota)
+- _(time)_ Format `Time#inspect` with Internet Extended Date/Time Format ([#16039], thanks @straight-shoota)
+
+[#15326]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/15326
+[#16060]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16060
+[#15961]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/15961
+[#16136]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16136
+[#16033]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16033
+[#16129]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16129
+[#16062]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16062
+[#10248]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/10248
+[#16164]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16164
+[#16063]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16063
+[#15956]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/15956
+[#16148]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16148
+[#16149]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16149
+[#15957]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/15957
+[#15941]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/15941
+[#16104]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16104
+[#15979]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/15979
+[#16005]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16005
+[#16004]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16004
+[#15051]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/15051
+[#15998]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/15998
+[#16052]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16052
+[#16160]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16160
+[#15967]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/15967
+[#16002]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16002
+[#16022]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16022
+[#16121]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16121
+[#16039]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16039
+
+#### compiler
+
+- _(cli)_ Add the ability to dump type information to a JSON file ([#16027], thanks @HertzDevil)
+- _(interpreter)_ Support `Proc.new(Void*, Void*)` in the interpreter ([#16044], thanks @HertzDevil)
+- _(interpreter:repl)_ Fully exit the process on `exit!` from REPL ([#16171], thanks @jneen)
+- _(semantic)_ Resolve types when guessing return type from class method overloads ([#16118], thanks @HertzDevil)
+- _(semantic)_ Guess instance variable types from global method calls ([#16119], thanks @HertzDevil)
+
+[#16027]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16027
+[#16044]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16044
+[#16171]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16171
+[#16118]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16118
+[#16119]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16119
+
+#### tools
+
+- _(docs-generator)_ Add support for deprecated parameters in doc generator ([#16012], thanks @straight-shoota)
+- _(hierarchy)_ Show extern union types in hierarchy tool ([#16026], thanks @HertzDevil)
+
+[#16012]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16012
+[#16026]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16026
+
+#### other
+
+- Add `thread_local` macro ([#16173], thanks @ysbaddaden)
+
+[#16173]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16173
+
+### Bugfixes
+
+#### stdlib
+
+- _(files)_ Fix `fcntl` reference for `fds[1]` in socketpair setup ([#16072], thanks @kojix2)
+- _(log)_ Make crystal log resilient to empty LOG_LEVEL env var ([#15963], thanks @anaPerezGhiglia)
+- _(networking)_ Preserve query params in `StaticFileHandler` redirects ([#15789], thanks @syeopite)
+- _(networking)_ Fix `StaticFileHandler` to return 404 on file error ([#16025], [#16077], thanks @straight-shoota)
+- _(networking)_ Run `before_request` callback in `HTTP::Client` only once ([#16064], thanks @straight-shoota)
+- _(networking)_ Fix `HTTP::Request#query=` typing ([#16143], thanks @Blacksmoke16)
+- _(runtime)_ `Fiber::ExecutionContext::Parallel::Scheduler#tick` must be unsigned ([#16155], thanks @ysbaddaden)
+- _(serialization)_ Fix element type inference in `YAML::ArrayConverter.from_yaml` ([#16166], thanks @HertzDevil)
+- _(serialization)_ Fix add missing `#==` overloads for `Log::Metadata::Value` and `YAML::Any` ([#15732], thanks @straight-shoota)
+- _(serialization)_ Fix pointer access bug in `XML::NodeSet` ([#16055], thanks @toddsundsted)
+- _(serialization)_ Remove `NOERROR` from LibXML default options ([#16103], thanks @straight-shoota)
+- _(serialization)_ Move `*::Serializable`'s private constructors into `macro included` hook ([#16147], thanks @HertzDevil)
+- _(serialization)_ Correctly reference global JSON/YAML modules ([#16161], [#16169], thanks @Sija, @straight-shoota)
+- _(system)_ Fix return type of `system_close_on_exec=` on Windows ([#16095], thanks @straight-shoota)
+- _(time)_ Fix time zone identifier `America/Argentina/Buenos_Aires` ([#16078], thanks @straight-shoota)
+- _(time)_ Fix `Time#at_beginning_of_week`,`#at_end_of_week` to respect local timezone ([#16113], thanks @straight-shoota)
+
+[#16072]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16072
+[#15963]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/15963
+[#15789]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/15789
+[#16025]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16025
+[#16077]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16077
+[#16064]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16064
+[#16143]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16143
+[#16155]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16155
+[#16166]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16166
+[#15732]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/15732
+[#16055]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16055
+[#16103]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16103
+[#16147]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16147
+[#16161]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16161
+[#16169]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16169
+[#16095]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16095
+[#16078]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16078
+[#16113]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16113
+
+#### compiler
+
+- _(codegen)_ Never generate assignments to a block's underscore parameters ([#16057], thanks @HertzDevil)
+- _(codegen)_ Fix `@[Primitive]` codegen for typedefs ([#16110], thanks @HertzDevil)
+- _(interpreter)_ never generate assignments to a block's underscore parameters ([#16058], thanks @HertzDevil)
+- _(interpreter)_ Add `writer.close_on_finalize = false` for signal pipe ([#16167], thanks @straight-shoota)
+- _(interpreter:repl)_ Continue REPL prompt if input consists entirely of annotations ([#16045], thanks @HertzDevil)
+- _(parser)_ Disallow unterminated escaped heredoc without trailing newline ([#16046], thanks @HertzDevil)
+- _(parser)_ Require space, semicolon, or newline after class/module/etc. header ([#13375], thanks @FnControlOption)
+- _(parser)_ Fix parsing `ReadInstanceVar` in short block syntax ([#16099], thanks @nobodywasishere)
+- _(semantic)_ Pass through variable types unchanged in a while loop ([#15980], thanks @HertzDevil)
+- _(semantic)_ deprecation warning for (expanded) deprecated def ([#15997], thanks @ysbaddaden)
+- _(semantic)_ Copy annotations in  `Crystal::Arg#copy_without_location` ([#16008], thanks @ysbaddaden)
+- _(semantic)_ Copy annotations in `Crystal::Def#expand_default_arguments` ([#16007], thanks @ysbaddaden)
+- _(semantic)_ Copy annotations in `Crystal::Def#expand_new_default_arguments` ([#16013], thanks @ysbaddaden)
+- _(semantic)_ Fix error message for `StaticArray` with non-integer generic argument `N` ([#16037], thanks @straight-shoota)
+- _(semantic)_ Resolve bound type parameters from generic superclass during path lookup ([#10839], thanks @HertzDevil)
+- _(semantic)_ **[regression]** Ensure hash literals are evaluated from left to right ([#16124], thanks @HertzDevil)
+
+[#16057]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16057
+[#16110]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16110
+[#16058]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16058
+[#16167]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16167
+[#16045]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16045
+[#16046]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16046
+[#13375]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/13375
+[#16099]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16099
+[#15980]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/15980
+[#15997]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/15997
+[#16008]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16008
+[#16007]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16007
+[#16013]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16013
+[#16037]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16037
+[#10839]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/10839
+[#16124]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16124
+
+### Chores
+
+#### stdlib
+
+- _(concurrency)_ **[deprecation]** Deprecate `Atomic::Flag` ([#15805], thanks @ysbaddaden)
+- _(files)_ **[deprecation]** Deprecate the `blocking` parameter of `File`, `Socket` and `IO::FileDescriptor` constructors ([#16034], [#16047], thanks @ysbaddaden, @Blacksmoke16)
+- _(numeric)_ **[deprecation]** Deprecate `Float::Printer::IEEE` ([#16050], thanks @HertzDevil)
+- _(system)_ **[deprecation]** Deprecate `Process::Status#exit_signal` ([#16003], thanks @straight-shoota)
+
+[#15805]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/15805
+[#16034]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16034
+[#16047]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16047
+[#16050]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16050
+[#16003]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16003
+
+#### other
+
+- Drop `Thread::Local(T)` ([#16179], thanks @ysbaddaden)
+
+[#16179]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16179
+
+### Performance
+
+#### lang
+
+- Optimize `Enum.parse?`, avoiding allocations ([#15927], thanks @jgaskins)
+
+[#15927]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/15927
+
+#### stdlib
+
+- _(numeric)_ Do not use equality checks in `Int#upto` and `#downto` ([#16076], thanks @HertzDevil)
+- _(system)_ Simplify buffer for `File.readlink` ([#16021], thanks @straight-shoota)
+- _(time)_ Optimize `Time#to_s` ([#16042], thanks @straight-shoota)
+
+[#16076]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16076
+[#16021]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16021
+[#16042]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16042
+
+#### compiler
+
+- Inline `Crystal.check_type_can_be_stored` ([#16130], thanks @HertzDevil)
+- _(codegen)_ Group temporary variables by file name: compound array assignments ([#16122], thanks @HertzDevil)
+
+[#16130]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16130
+[#16122]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16122
+
+### Refactor
+
+#### stdlib
+
+- _(concurrency)_ Refactor redundant `begin ... end` blocks ([#16011], thanks @straight-shoota)
+- _(networking)_ Reorder implementation of `HTTP::Cookies#<<` and `[]=` ([#16107], thanks @straight-shoota)
+- _(runtime)_ Remove nilable pointers in `Crystal::PointerPairingHeap` ([#15973], thanks @HertzDevil)
+- _(runtime)_ Remove nilable pointer in `Crystal::EventLoop::IOCP#@timer_packet` ([#15975], thanks @HertzDevil)
+- _(runtime)_ Remove minimum in `Fiber::ExecutionContext::Parallel` ([#15946], thanks @ysbaddaden)
+- _(runtime)_ Pass `fd` implicitly to `System::FileDescriptor` and `System::Socket` ([#16137], thanks @ysbaddaden)
+- _(runtime)_ Drop custom implementation of `Fiber::ExecutionContext::Concurrent` ([#16135], thanks @ysbaddaden)
+- _(specs)_ Keep own colorization state in `Spec::CLI` ([#15926], thanks @HertzDevil)
+- _(time)_ Remove the old Windows time zone name table ([#16006], thanks @HertzDevil)
+
+[#16011]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16011
+[#16107]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16107
+[#15973]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/15973
+[#15975]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/15975
+[#15946]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/15946
+[#16137]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16137
+[#16135]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16135
+[#15926]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/15926
+[#16006]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16006
+
+#### compiler
+
+- _(codegen)_ Refactor `Compiler#must_compile?` to clarify the rules. ([#16056], thanks @kojix2)
+- _(parser)_ Add `#has_any_args?` method for `ASTNode`s ([#16115], thanks @straight-shoota)
+
+[#16056]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16056
+[#16115]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16115
+
+#### tools
+
+- _(formatter)_ Simplify control flow in formatter for `Call` nodes ([#16170], thanks @straight-shoota)
+
+[#16170]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16170
+
+#### other
+
+- Refactor `unless ... else` ([#16010], thanks @straight-shoota)
+- Removed unused variables ([#16014], thanks @straight-shoota)
+
+[#16010]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16010
+[#16014]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16014
+
+### Documentation
+
+#### stdlib
+
+- _(benchmark)_ Add type restrictions to benchmark directory ([#15688], thanks @Vici37)
+- _(concurrency)_ Improve docs for `Channel#close` ([#15910], thanks @anaPerezGhiglia)
+- _(crypto)_ Fix doc example for `Crypto::BCrypt.new(String, String, Int)` ([#15931], thanks @hugopl)
+- _(crypto)_ Add type restrictions to crypto directory ([#15694], thanks @Vici37)
+- _(files)_ Add type restrictions to mime ([#15834], thanks @Vici37)
+- _(files)_ Fix `IO::TimeoutError` documentation use of deprecated `read_timeout=` ([#16073], thanks @lachlan)
+- _(files)_ Add type restrictions to io ([#15698], thanks @Vici37)
+- _(llvm)_ Deprecate each `LLVM::ABI::*` classes ([#15989], thanks @ysbaddaden)
+- _(log)_ Add type restrictions to Log directory ([#15777], thanks @Vici37)
+- _(networking)_ Add type restrictions to Oauth directory ([#15687], thanks @Vici37)
+- _(networking)_ Add type restrictions to http ([#15710], thanks @Vici37)
+- _(numeric)_ Add type restrictions to big ([#15689], thanks @Vici37)
+- _(runtime)_ Fix typo in `Object` docs ([#16035], thanks @plambert)
+- _(serialization)_ Add type restrictions to json ([#15840], [#16142], thanks @Vici37, @Sija)
+- _(serialization)_ Add note about default constructor in `*::Serializable` ([#16080], thanks @HertzDevil)
+- _(system)_ Add type restrictions to `args` parameter in `Process` ([#16031], thanks @BigBoyBarney)
+- _(system)_ Add missing `File::NotFoundError` exception documentation for `File.open` ([#15826], thanks @Fijxu)
+- _(text)_ Fix return type definition of `String#match_full!` method ([#16001], thanks @Sija)
+- _(time)_ Update links to ISO-8601 to point to an archived version of the page ([#15985], thanks @nobodywasishere)
+- _(time)_ Improve docs for `Time#to_local_in` ([#16041], thanks @straight-shoota)
+
+[#15688]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/15688
+[#15910]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/15910
+[#15931]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/15931
+[#15694]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/15694
+[#15834]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/15834
+[#16073]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16073
+[#15698]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/15698
+[#15989]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/15989
+[#15777]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/15777
+[#15687]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/15687
+[#15710]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/15710
+[#15689]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/15689
+[#16035]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16035
+[#15840]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/15840
+[#16142]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16142
+[#16080]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16080
+[#16031]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16031
+[#15826]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/15826
+[#16001]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16001
+[#15985]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/15985
+[#16041]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16041
+
+### Specs
+
+#### stdlib
+
+- _(networking)_ Disable UDP multicast spec on macOS ([#15990], thanks @straight-shoota)
+- _(networking)_ Extract specs for `HTTP::Cookies` to their own file ([#16106], thanks @straight-shoota)
+- _(networking)_ Overhaul `HTTP::Cookies` specs ([#16117], thanks @straight-shoota)
+- _(networking)_ Fix `UDPSocket` broadcast spec to not use `connect` ([#16165], thanks @ysbaddaden)
+- _(runtime)_ Disable flaky spec for `Fiber::ExecutionContext::GlobalQueue` on macOS ([#16146], thanks @ysbaddaden)
+- _(system)_ Enable specs for `close_on_exec` on Windows ([#14716], thanks @straight-shoota)
+
+[#15990]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/15990
+[#16106]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16106
+[#16117]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16117
+[#16165]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16165
+[#16146]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16146
+[#14716]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/14716
+
+#### compiler
+
+- Use `<<-CRYSTAL` in compiler specs consistently ([#16083], thanks @HertzDevil)
+- Style the remaining multi-line compiler specs using heredocs ([#16125], thanks @HertzDevil)
+- _(codegen)_ Style multi-line codegen specs using heredocs ([#16081], thanks @HertzDevil)
+- _(codegen)_ Style `test_c` codegen specs using heredocs ([#16082], thanks @HertzDevil)
+- _(semantic)_ Style multi-line `assert_type` specs using heredocs ([#16088], thanks @HertzDevil)
+- _(semantic)_ Style multi-line `assert_error` specs using heredocs ([#16093], thanks @HertzDevil)
+- _(semantic)_ Move `crystal_path_spec` fixtures to `spec/compiler/data` ([#16086], thanks @straight-shoota)
+
+[#16083]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16083
+[#16125]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16125
+[#16081]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16081
+[#16082]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16082
+[#16088]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16088
+[#16093]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16093
+[#16086]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16086
+
+#### tools
+
+- _(formatter)_ Add specs for `x.[](y)` syntax ([#16109], thanks @straight-shoota)
+
+[#16109]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16109
+
+### Infrastructure
+
+- Changelog for 1.18.0 ([#16153], thanks @straight-shoota)
+- Update previous Crystal release 1.17.0 ([#15988], thanks @straight-shoota)
+- Support debug builds for the MSVC Boehm GC libraries ([#15968], thanks @HertzDevil)
+- Fix funding.json well-known file name ([#16000], thanks @matiasgarciaisaia)
+- Lint the Bash auto-completion script ([#15993], thanks @HertzDevil)
+- Merge `release/1.17`@`1.17.1` into `master` ([#16017], thanks @straight-shoota)
+- Update previous Crystal release 1.17.1 ([#16016], thanks @straight-shoota)
+- Add new types to GitHub issue templates ([#15811], thanks @straight-shoota)
+- Disable ameba rule `Lint/Formatting` ([#16015], thanks @straight-shoota)
+- Add `REUSE.toml` ([#15992], thanks @straight-shoota)
+- Default to LLVM 16 in `shell.nix` ([#16023], thanks @ysbaddaden)
+- Avoid updating `forward-compatibility.yml` on release update for patch releases ([#16019], thanks @straight-shoota)
+- Disable `Lint/LiteralsComparison` in more spec files ([#16087], thanks @straight-shoota)
+- Fix typo in Makefile comment ([#16126], thanks @kojix2)
+- Fix duplicate `--error-trace` option in man page ([#16133], thanks @kojix2)
+- _(ci)_ Add `fail-fast: false` for strategy CI jobs ([#15960], thanks @straight-shoota)
+- _(ci)_ Add tests for latest OpenSSL and LibreSSL in Alpine edge ([#15812], thanks @straight-shoota)
+- _(ci)_ Use MSYS2 Crystal package for ARM64 Windows CI ([#15991], thanks @HertzDevil)
+- _(ci)_ Add macos-15 runner ([#15982], thanks @straight-shoota)
+- _(ci)_ Update GH Actions ([#16067], thanks @renovate)
+- _(ci)_ Update GH Actions ([#16084], thanks @renovate)
+- _(ci)_ Update crate-ci/typos action to v1.35.5 ([#16102], thanks @renovate)
+- _(ci)_ Update GH Actions ([#16131], thanks @renovate)
+- _(ci)_ Trigger LLVM CI when codegen files are changed ([#16116], thanks @HertzDevil)
+- _(ci)_ Do not use D drive on MSVC CI ([#15986], thanks @HertzDevil)
+
+[#16153]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16153
+[#15988]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/15988
+[#15968]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/15968
+[#16000]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16000
+[#15993]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/15993
+[#16017]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16017
+[#16016]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16016
+[#15811]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/15811
+[#16015]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16015
+[#15992]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/15992
+[#16023]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16023
+[#16019]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16019
+[#16087]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16087
+[#16126]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16126
+[#16133]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16133
+[#15960]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/15960
+[#15812]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/15812
+[#15991]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/15991
+[#15982]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/15982
+[#16067]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16067
+[#16084]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16084
+[#16102]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16102
+[#16131]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16131
+[#16116]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/16116
+[#15986]: https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/pull/15986
+
 ## Previous Releases
 
 For information on prior releases, refer to their changelogs:
 
-* [1.17](https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/blob/release/1.17/CHANGELOG.md)
-* [1.16](https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/blob/release/1.16/CHANGELOG.md)
-* [1.0 to 1.15](https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/blob/release/1.15/CHANGELOG.md)
-* [before 1.0](https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/blob/release/0.36/CHANGELOG.md)
+- [1.17](https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/blob/release/1.17/CHANGELOG.md)
+- [1.16](https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/blob/release/1.16/CHANGELOG.md)
+- [1.0 to 1.15](https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/blob/release/1.15/CHANGELOG.md)
+- [before 1.0](https://github.com/crystal-lang/crystal/blob/release/0.36/CHANGELOG.md)
diff --git a/scripts/github-changelog.cr b/scripts/github-changelog.cr
index 56f318a1157d..acf61b5906e8 100755
--- a/scripts/github-changelog.cr
+++ b/scripts/github-changelog.cr
@@ -174,9 +174,11 @@ record PullRequest,
     topic.try(&.[1..].join(":").presence)
   end
 
+  class_getter missing_topics = Set(Int32).new
+
   def topic
     topics.fetch(0) do
-      STDERR.puts "Missing topic for ##{number}"
+      self.class.missing_topics.add(number)
       nil
     end
   end
@@ -495,3 +497,11 @@ SECTION_TITLES.each do |id, title|
     end
   end
 end
+
+PullRequest.missing_topics.each do |number|
+  STDERR.puts "Missing topic for #{ansi_url("https://github.com/#{repository}/pull/#{number}", "##{number}")}"
+end
+
+def ansi_url(url, label)
+  "\e]8;;#{url}\e\\#{label}\e]8;;\e\\"
+end
diff --git a/shard.yml b/shard.yml
index 7cb68ae26618..7f4cf2d23627 100644
--- a/shard.yml
+++ b/shard.yml
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 name: crystal
-version: 1.18.0-dev
+version: 1.18.0
 
 authors:
 - Crystal Core Team <crystal@manas.tech>
diff --git a/src/SOURCE_DATE_EPOCH b/src/SOURCE_DATE_EPOCH
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..d73cc94894ce
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/SOURCE_DATE_EPOCH
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+1760400000
diff --git a/src/VERSION b/src/VERSION
index ee017091ff37..84cc529467b0 100644
--- a/src/VERSION
+++ b/src/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-1.18.0-dev
+1.18.0