diff --git a/.github/workflows/auto-versioning.yml b/.github/workflows/auto-versioning.yml
index 781e4640..28a05a23 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/auto-versioning.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/auto-versioning.yml
@@ -37,7 +37,17 @@ jobs:
       - name: Create annotated tag and push
         if: ${{ steps.semver.outputs.changed }}
         run: |
-          git tag -a v${{ steps.semver.outputs.version }} -m "Release v${{ steps.semver.outputs.version }}"
+          # Ensure a committer identity is configured in the runner so git tag works
+          git config --global user.email "actions@github.com"
+          git config --global user.name "GitHub Actions"
+
+          # Normalize the version: remove any leading 'v' so we don't end up with 'vvX.Y.Z'
+          RAW="${{ steps.semver.outputs.version }}"
+          VERSION_NO_V="${RAW#v}"
+
+          TAG="v${VERSION_NO_V}"
+          echo "Creating tag: ${TAG}"
+          git tag -a "${TAG}" -m "Release ${TAG}"
           git push origin --tags
         env:
           GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index acdcb2a4..2ea3fb99 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -118,4 +118,3 @@ PROJECT_PLANNING.md
 SECURITY_IMPLEMENTATION_PLAN.md
 VERSIONING_IMPLEMENTATION.md
 backend/internal/api/handlers/import_handler.go.bak
-docker-compose.local.yml