diff --git a/.github/workflows/release-layer-collector.yml b/.github/workflows/release-layer-collector.yml
index 32e64b6761..16c4355b93 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release-layer-collector.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release-layer-collector.yml
@@ -1,10 +1,9 @@
 name: "Release Collector Lambda layer"
 
 on:
-  # (Using tag push instead of release to allow filtering by tag prefix.)
   push:
-    tags:
-      - layer-collector/**
+    branches:
+      - main
 
 permissions:
   id-token: write
@@ -13,10 +12,38 @@ permissions:
 jobs:
   create-release:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    outputs:
+      NEW_TAG: ${{ steps.increment_tag.outputs.NEW_TAG }}
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+        with:
+          fetch-tags: true
+          fetch-depth: 0
+      - name: Get the last tag
+        id: get_last_tag
+        run: |
+          cd ${{ github.workspace }}
+          pwd
+          last_tag=$(git describe --tags `git rev-list --tags --max-count=1`)
+          echo "::set-output name=last_tag::$last_tag"
+      # The following 15 lines of code were human modified suggestions given by GitHub Copilot 
+      - name: Increment tag version
+        id: increment_tag
+        run: |          
+          last_tag=${{ steps.get_last_tag.outputs.last_tag }}
+          prefix=$(echo $last_tag | cut -d'/' -f1)
+          major=$(echo $last_tag | cut -d'/' -f2 | cut -d'.' -f1)
+          minor=$(echo $last_tag | cut -d'/' -f2 | cut -d'.' -f2)
+          patch=$(echo $last_tag | cut -d'.' -f3)
+          new_major=$((major + 1))
+          new_tag="$prefix/$new_major.0.0"
+          git tag $new_tag
+          git push origin $new_tag
+          echo "::set-output name=new_tag::$new_tag"
+          echo "NEW_TAG=$new_tag" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
+          NEW_TAG=$new_tag
       - name: Create Release
-        run: gh release create ${{ github.ref_name }} --draft --title ${{ github.ref_name }}
+        run: gh release create ${{ steps.increment_tag.outputs.new_tag }} --title ${{ steps.increment_tag.outputs.new_tag }} --generate-notes
         env:
           GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
   build-layer:
@@ -35,14 +62,14 @@ jobs:
         with:
           go-version: '^1.23.1'
       - name: build
-        run: make -C collector package GOARCH=${{ matrix.architecture }}
+        run: make -C collector package GOARCH=${{ matrix.architecture }} BUILDTAGS="lambdacomponents.custom,lambdacomponents.all"
       - uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
         with:
           name: opentelemetry-collector-layer-${{ matrix.architecture }}.zip
           path: ${{ github.workspace }}/collector/build/opentelemetry-collector-layer-${{ matrix.architecture }}.zip
       - name: Add Binary to Release
         run: |
-          gh release upload ${{github.ref_name}} ${{ github.workspace }}/collector/build/opentelemetry-collector-layer-${{ matrix.architecture }}.zip
+          gh release upload ${{ needs.create-release.outputs.NEW_TAG }} ${{ github.workspace }}/collector/build/opentelemetry-collector-layer-${{ matrix.architecture }}.zip
         env:
           GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
       - name: Save Collector Version
@@ -54,36 +81,37 @@ jobs:
           COLLECTOR_VERSION=$( ${{ github.workspace }}/collector/build/extensions/collector -v)
           echo "COLLECTOR_VERSION=$COLLECTOR_VERSION" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
 
-  publish-layer:
-    uses: ./.github/workflows/layer-publish.yml
-    needs: build-layer
-    strategy:
-      matrix:
-        architecture:
-          - amd64
-          - arm64
-        aws_region:
-          - ap-northeast-1
-          - ap-northeast-2
-          - ap-south-1
-          - ap-southeast-1
-          - ap-southeast-2
-          - ca-central-1
-          - eu-central-1
-          - eu-north-1
-          - eu-west-1
-          - eu-west-2
-          - eu-west-3
-          - sa-east-1
-          - us-east-1
-          - us-east-2
-          - us-west-1
-          - us-west-2
-    with:
-      artifact-name: opentelemetry-collector-layer-${{ matrix.architecture }}.zip
-      layer-name: opentelemetry-collector
-      component-version: ${{needs.build-layer.outputs.COLLECTOR_VERSION}}
-      architecture: ${{ matrix.architecture }}
-      release-group: prod
-      aws_region: ${{ matrix.aws_region }}
-    secrets: inherit
+  # Commented out since we don't publish the layer to AWS now 
+  # publish-layer:
+  #   uses: ./.github/workflows/layer-publish.yml
+  #   needs: build-layer
+  #   strategy:
+  #     matrix:
+  #       architecture:
+  #         - amd64
+  #         - arm64
+  #       aws_region:
+  #         - ap-northeast-1
+  #         - ap-northeast-2
+  #         - ap-south-1
+  #         - ap-southeast-1
+  #         - ap-southeast-2
+  #         - ca-central-1
+  #         - eu-central-1
+  #         - eu-north-1
+  #         - eu-west-1
+  #         - eu-west-2
+  #         - eu-west-3
+  #         - sa-east-1
+  #         - us-east-1
+  #         - us-east-2
+  #         - us-west-1
+  #         - us-west-2
+  #   with:
+  #     artifact-name: opentelemetry-collector-layer-${{ matrix.architecture }}.zip
+  #     layer-name: opentelemetry-collector
+  #     component-version: ${{needs.build-layer.outputs.COLLECTOR_VERSION}}
+  #     architecture: ${{ matrix.architecture }}
+  #     release-group: prod
+  #     aws_region: ${{ matrix.aws_region }}
+  #   secrets: inherit
diff --git a/devops/DownloadLayer.yml b/devops/DownloadLayer.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..5a983a37cb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/devops/DownloadLayer.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+parameters:
+  - name: skipBuild
+    type: string
+    default: "false"
+  - name: githubConnection
+    type: string
+    default: "Sage"
+  - name: defaultVersionType
+    type: string
+    default: "latest"
+
+jobs:
+  - job: DownloadOpenTelemetryLayer
+    displayName: "Download OpenTelemetry Layer"
+    condition: and(succeeded(), eq('${{ parameters.skipBuild }}', false))
+    steps:
+      - task: DownloadGitHubRelease@0
+        inputs:
+          connection: ${{ parameters.githubConnection }}
+          userRepository: Sage/opentelemetry-lambda
+          defaultVersionType: ${{ parameters.defaultVersionType }}
+          downloadPath: '$(System.ArtifactsDirectory)' 
+      - task: PublishBuildArtifacts@1
+        displayName: "Publish to build output"
+        inputs:
+          artifactName: "build_output"
+          PathtoPublish: "$(System.ArtifactsDirectory)"
diff --git a/pull_request_template.md b/pull_request_template.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..33a6a8c26c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pull_request_template.md
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+<!--- Provide a general summary of your changes in the Title above -->
+<!--- Please delete options that are not relevant. -->
+
+# Description
+<!--- Describe your changes in detail. Please also include relevant motivation and context. -->
+
+## Types of changes
+<!--- What types of changes does your code introduce? Put an `x` in all the boxes that apply: -->
+- [ ] Bug fix (non-breaking change which fixes an issue)
+- [ ] New feature (non-breaking change which adds functionality)
+- [ ] Breaking change (fix or feature that would cause existing functionality to not work as expected)
+- [ ] Refactor (code change that neither fixes a bug nor adds a feature)
+- [ ] Hot fix (patch that fixes a bug in production)
+
+## How has this been tested? (optional)
+<!--- Please describe the tests that you ran (automated or manual) to verify your changes.-->
+<!--- Provide instructions or any relevant details for your test configuration  -->
+
+## Screenshots (if appropriate):
+
+## Checklist:
+<!--- Go over all the following points, and put an `x` in all the boxes that apply. -->
+<!--- If you're unsure about any of these, don't hesitate to ask. We're here to help! -->
+- [ ] My code follows the code style of this project.
+- [ ] I have performed a self-review of my code
+- [ ] I have added tests to cover my changes.
+- [ ] I ran CI Tests and Unit tests locally prior to submission.
+- [ ] I have updated the documentation accordingly to my changes.
\ No newline at end of file