diff --git a/.changeset/pre.json b/.changeset/pre.json
index 95e4a5f6..972927d2 100644
--- a/.changeset/pre.json
+++ b/.changeset/pre.json
@@ -4,5 +4,7 @@
   "initialVersions": {
     "zxing-wasm": "1.3.4"
   },
-  "changesets": []
+  "changesets": [
+    "nice-needles-guess"
+  ]
 }
diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 293c9256..3ef51579 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,5 +1,75 @@
 # zxing-wasm
 
+## 2.0.0-beta.0
+
+### Major Changes
+
+- 1a77296: V2: Breaking Release - Next Major Version
+
+  This release introduces a major refactoring of the underlying Embind APIs and read / write functions. Key changes include transitioning away from [Embind Enums](https://emscripten.org/docs/porting/connecting_cpp_and_javascript/embind.html#enums) toward numeric encoding and decoding, a new set of default reader options, enhanced writer capabilities backed by [`zint`](https://sourceforge.net/projects/zint/), and updated APIs for reading and writing barcodes. These changes break backward compatibility, so we are upgrading to the next major version.
+
+  ## Breaking Changes
+
+  ### Renamed & Consolidated Reader Function
+
+  `readBarcodes(...)` replaces both `readBarcodesFromImageFile(...)` and `readBarcodesFromImageData(...)`. The new function unifies code paths for `Blob` and `ImageData` inputs.
+
+  > [!NOTE]
+  >
+  > The v1 reader functions `readBarcodesFromImageFile` and `readBarcodesFromImageData` are still kept for a smooth migration experience, but marked as deprecated.
+
+  ### Updated Reader Options
+
+  A few reader options have changed their default values. This change is to align with the latest ZXing C++ library and provide a more consistent experience across different platforms:
+
+  1. `tryCode39ExtendedMode` is now `true` by default. It was previously `false`.
+  2. `eanAddOnSymbol` is now `"Ignore"` by default. It was previously `"Read"`.
+  3. `textMode` is now `"HRI"` by default. It was previously `"Plain"`.
+
+  Some deprecated options have been removed, see [zxing-cpp#704](https://github.com/zxing-cpp/zxing-cpp/discussions/704) for more details:
+
+  1. `validateCode39CheckSum` is now removed. The Code39 symbol has a valid checksum if the third character of the `symbologyIdentifier` is an odd digit.
+  2. `validateITFCheckSum` is now removed. The ITF symbol has a valid checksum if the third character of the `symbologyIdentifier` is a `'1'`.
+  3. `returnCodabarStartEnd` is now removed. The detected results of Codabar symbols now always include the start and end characters.
+
+  ### `eccLevel` in Read Result Renamed to `ecLevel`
+
+  In `ReadResult`, the `eccLevel` field has been renamed to `ecLevel`. It now holds strings like `"L"`, `"M"`, `"Q"`, or `"H"` or stringified numeric values for error correction levels. An empty string indicates that the error correction level is not applicable.
+
+  > [!NOTE]
+  >
+  > The `eccLevel` field is still kept for a smooth migration experience, but marked as deprecated.
+
+  ### Renamed & Enhanced Writer Function
+
+  `writeBarcode(...)` replaces `writeBarcodeToImageFile(...)`. The new function is powered by the new [`zint`](https://sourceforge.net/projects/zint/) writer, which supports more barcode formats, supports both `string` and `Uint8Array` inputs for generating barcodes from text or binary data, and provides new output formats (e.g. SVG, UTF-8) in addition to the binary image file output.
+
+  The `WriterOptions` object has also been updated completely.
+
+  > [!NOTE]
+  >
+  > The final shape of the `writeBarcode` function is still under discussion. The current implementation is subject to change.
+
+  ### Module Initialization / Caching Overhaul
+
+  `prepareZXingModule(...)` replaces both `setZXingModuleOverrides(...)` and `getZXingModuleOverrides(...)`. The new function provides a more flexible way to initialize the ZXing module with custom options.
+
+  > [!NOTE]
+  >
+  > The v1 module initialization functions `setZXingModuleOverrides` and `getZXingModuleOverrides` are still kept for a smooth migration experience, but marked as deprecated.
+
+  `purgeZXingModule` now only clears the relevant module cache from where it is imported. It no longer resets the global module cache.
+
+  ## New Features & Enhancements
+
+  ### More Barcode Formats Supported in Writer
+
+  The new `writeBarcode` function supports more barcode formats than the previous `writeBarcodeToImageFile`. All barcode formats supported by the reader except for `DXFilmEdge` are now supported by the writer.
+
+  ### New `tryDenoise` Option for Reading Barcodes
+
+  The new `tryDenoise` option in `ReaderOptions` allows you to enable or disable the denoising algorithm when reading barcodes. This is an experimental feature and by default, it is set to `false`.
+
 ## 1.3.4
 
 ### Patch Changes
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 022154a2..cda93e78 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
   "name": "zxing-wasm",
   "description": "ZXing-C++ WebAssembly as an ES/CJS module with types",
   "private": false,
-  "version": "1.3.4",
+  "version": "2.0.0-beta.0",
   "type": "module",
   "files": [
     "./dist"