diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index a96b0db398..7894ed3d65 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,5 +1,17 @@
 # nf-core/tools: Changelog
 
+# v2.8dev
+
+### Template
+
+### Linting
+
+### Modules
+
+### Subworkflows
+
+### General
+
 ## [v2.7.1 - Mercury Eagle Patch](https://github.com/nf-core/tools/releases/tag/2.7.1) - [2022-12-08]
 
 - Patch release to fix pipeline sync ([#2110](https://github.com/nf-core/tools/pull/2110))
diff --git a/setup.py b/setup.py
index 046f5ddf76..38f36810b7 100644
--- a/setup.py
+++ b/setup.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 from setuptools import find_packages, setup
 
-version = "2.7.1"
+version = "2.8dev"
 
 with open("README.md") as f:
     readme = f.read()