diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 8288b4b..4a899f9 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -132,3 +132,11 @@ gradle-app.setting
 # # Work around https://youtrack.jetbrains.com/issue/IDEA-116898
 # gradle/wrapper/gradle-wrapper.properties
 
+
+## maven release plugin
+*.releaseBackup
+release.properties
+
+
+## maven versions plugin
+*.versionsBackup
diff --git a/pom.xml b/pom.xml
index d96030b..8532192 100644
--- a/pom.xml
+++ b/pom.xml
@@ -4,11 +4,14 @@
 
   <groupId>de.muehlencord.mapstruct</groupId>
   <artifactId>mapstruct-support</artifactId>
-  <version>1.5.4-SNAPSHOT</version>
+  <version>1.5.5-SNAPSHOT</version>
 
   <properties>
     <maven.compiler.source>11</maven.compiler.source>
     <maven.compiler.target>11</maven.compiler.target>
+    <maven.compiler.release>11</maven.compiler.release>
+
+    <mapstruct.version>1.5.5.Final</mapstruct.version>
   </properties>
 
   <inceptionYear>2021</inceptionYear>
@@ -57,7 +60,7 @@
     <dependency>
       <groupId>org.mapstruct</groupId>
       <artifactId>mapstruct-processor</artifactId>
-      <version>1.5.3.Final</version>
+      <version>${mapstruct.version}</version>
     </dependency>
   </dependencies>