diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a4e8d76
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,72 @@
+name: CI
+
+on:
+  push:
+    branches: [ master ]
+  pull_request:
+    branches: [ master ]
+
+jobs:
+  test:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    strategy:
+      matrix:
+        java-version: ['8', '11', '17', '21']
+
+    steps:
+    - name: Checkout code
+      uses: actions/checkout@v4
+
+    - name: Set up JDK ${{ matrix.java-version }}
+      uses: actions/setup-java@v4
+      with:
+        java-version: ${{ matrix.java-version }}
+        distribution: 'temurin'
+
+    - name: Cache Maven dependencies
+      uses: actions/cache@v4
+      with:
+        path: ~/.m2/repository
+        key: ${{ runner.os }}-maven-${{ hashFiles('**/pom.xml') }}
+        restore-keys: |
+          ${{ runner.os }}-maven-
+
+    - name: Run tests
+      run: mvn clean test
+
+    - name: Build project
+      run: mvn clean package
+
+    - name: Generate JavaDoc
+      run: mvn javadoc:javadoc
+
+    - name: Upload test results
+      if: always()
+      uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
+      with:
+        name: test-results-java-${{ matrix.java-version }}
+        path: target/surefire-reports/
+
+  code-quality:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+
+    steps:
+    - name: Checkout code
+      uses: actions/checkout@v4
+
+    - name: Set up JDK 8
+      uses: actions/setup-java@v4
+      with:
+        java-version: '8'
+        distribution: 'temurin'
+
+    - name: Cache Maven dependencies
+      uses: actions/cache@v4
+      with:
+        path: ~/.m2/repository
+        key: ${{ runner.os }}-maven-${{ hashFiles('**/pom.xml') }}
+        restore-keys: |
+          ${{ runner.os }}-maven-
+
+    - name: Check for dependency updates
+      run: mvn versions:display-dependency-updates
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..64f777c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,144 @@
+name: Release to Maven Central
+
+on:
+  push:
+    tags:
+      - 'v*'
+  workflow_dispatch:
+    inputs:
+      version:
+        description: 'Version to release (e.g., 1.5.4)'
+        required: true
+        type: string
+
+jobs:
+  release:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    outputs:
+      version: ${{ steps.set-version.outputs.version }}
+
+    steps:
+    - name: Checkout code
+      uses: actions/checkout@v4
+
+    - name: Set up JDK 8
+      uses: actions/setup-java@v4
+      with:
+        java-version: '8'
+        distribution: 'temurin'
+
+    - name: Cache Maven dependencies
+      uses: actions/cache@v4
+      with:
+        path: ~/.m2/repository
+        key: ${{ runner.os }}-maven-${{ hashFiles('**/pom.xml') }}
+        restore-keys: |
+          ${{ runner.os }}-maven-
+
+    - name: Import GPG key
+      env:
+        GPG_PRIVATE_KEY: ${{ secrets.GPG_PRIVATE_KEY }}
+        GPG_PASSPHRASE: ${{ secrets.GPG_PASSPHRASE }}
+      run: |
+        echo "$GPG_PRIVATE_KEY" | base64 --decode | gpg --batch --import
+        echo "allow-preset-passphrase" >> ~/.gnupg/gpg-agent.conf
+        echo "pinentry-mode loopback" >> ~/.gnupg/gpg.conf
+        gpg --list-secret-keys --keyid-format LONG
+
+    - name: Configure Maven settings
+      env:
+        MAVEN_CENTRAL_USERNAME: ${{ secrets.MAVEN_CENTRAL_USERNAME }}
+        MAVEN_CENTRAL_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.MAVEN_CENTRAL_TOKEN }}
+      run: |
+        mkdir -p ~/.m2
+        cat > ~/.m2/settings.xml << EOF
+        <settings>
+          <servers>
+            <server>
+              <id>central</id>
+              <username>${MAVEN_CENTRAL_USERNAME}</username>
+              <password>${MAVEN_CENTRAL_TOKEN}</password>
+            </server>
+          </servers>
+        </settings>
+        EOF
+
+    - name: Set version from tag
+      id: set-version
+      if: startsWith(github.ref, 'refs/tags/')
+      run: |
+        VERSION=${GITHUB_REF#refs/tags/v}
+        echo "VERSION=$VERSION" >> $GITHUB_ENV
+        echo "version=$VERSION" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
+        mvn versions:set -DnewVersion=$VERSION -DgenerateBackupPoms=false
+
+    - name: Set version from input
+      id: set-version-input
+      if: github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch'
+      run: |
+        VERSION=${{ github.event.inputs.version }}
+        echo "VERSION=$VERSION" >> $GITHUB_ENV
+        echo "version=$VERSION" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
+        mvn versions:set -DnewVersion=$VERSION -DgenerateBackupPoms=false
+
+    - name: Run tests
+      run: mvn clean test
+
+    - name: Deploy to Maven Central
+      env:
+        GPG_PASSPHRASE: ${{ secrets.GPG_PASSPHRASE }}
+      run: |
+        mvn clean deploy -Dgpg.passphrase=$GPG_PASSPHRASE
+
+    - name: Create GitHub Release
+      if: startsWith(github.ref, 'refs/tags/')
+      uses: actions/github-script@v7
+      with:
+        github-token: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+        script: |
+          const releaseBody = `## Mixpanel Java SDK v${process.env.VERSION}
+
+          ### Maven
+          \`\`\`xml
+          <dependency>
+              <groupId>com.mixpanel</groupId>
+              <artifactId>mixpanel-java</artifactId>
+              <version>${process.env.VERSION}</version>
+          </dependency>
+          \`\`\`
+
+          ### Changes
+          See [CHANGELOG](https://github.com/mixpanel/mixpanel-java/blob/master/CHANGELOG.md) for details.
+
+          ### Links
+          - [Maven Central](https://central.sonatype.com/artifact/com.mixpanel/mixpanel-java/${process.env.VERSION})
+          - [JavaDoc](http://mixpanel.github.io/mixpanel-java/)`;
+
+          await github.rest.repos.createRelease({
+            owner: context.repo.owner,
+            repo: context.repo.repo,
+            tag_name: context.ref.replace('refs/tags/', ''),
+            name: `Release ${process.env.VERSION}`,
+            body: releaseBody,
+            draft: false,
+            prerelease: false
+          });
+
+  verify:
+    needs: release
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    if: success()
+
+    steps:
+    - name: Wait for Maven Central sync
+      run: sleep 300  # Wait 5 minutes for synchronization
+
+    - name: Verify artifact on Maven Central
+      run: |
+        VERSION=${{ needs.release.outputs.version }}
+        RESPONSE=$(curl -s -o /dev/null -w "%{http_code}" https://repo1.maven.org/maven2/com/mixpanel/mixpanel-java/${VERSION}/mixpanel-java-${VERSION}.jar)
+        if [ $RESPONSE -eq 200 ]; then
+          echo "✅ Artifact successfully published to Maven Central"
+        else
+          echo "⚠️ Artifact not yet available on Maven Central (HTTP $RESPONSE). This is normal - it may take up to 30 minutes to appear."
+        fi
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/CLAUDE.md b/CLAUDE.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fb0b356
--- /dev/null
+++ b/CLAUDE.md
@@ -0,0 +1,158 @@
+# CLAUDE.md
+
+This file provides guidance to Claude Code (claude.ai/code) when working with code in this repository.
+
+## Project Overview
+
+This is the official Mixpanel tracking library for Java - a production-ready library for sending analytics events and user profile updates to Mixpanel from Java server-side applications.
+
+## Release Process
+
+### Quick Commands for Releases
+
+```bash
+# 1. Update version (remove -SNAPSHOT from pom.xml)
+mvn versions:set -DnewVersion=1.5.4
+
+# 2. Run tests
+mvn clean test
+
+# 3. Deploy to Maven Central Portal
+mvn clean deploy
+
+# 4. After release, prepare next version
+mvn versions:set -DnewVersion=1.5.5-SNAPSHOT
+```
+
+### Key Files
+- **RELEASE.md**: Complete release documentation with step-by-step instructions
+- **.github/workflows/release.yml**: Automated release workflow triggered by version tags
+- **.github/workflows/ci.yml**: Continuous integration for all PRs and master commits
+
+### Maven Central Portal
+- The project uses the new Maven Central Portal (not the deprecated OSSRH)
+- Deployments are visible at: https://central.sonatype.com/publishing/deployments
+- Published artifacts: https://central.sonatype.com/artifact/com.mixpanel/mixpanel-java
+
+### Required GitHub Secrets for CI/CD
+- `GPG_PRIVATE_KEY`: Base64-encoded GPG private key
+- `GPG_PASSPHRASE`: GPG key passphrase
+- `MAVEN_CENTRAL_USERNAME`: Maven Central Portal username
+- `MAVEN_CENTRAL_TOKEN`: Maven Central Portal token
+
+## Build and Development Commands
+
+```bash
+# Build the project and create JAR
+mvn clean package
+
+# Run all tests
+mvn test
+
+# Run a specific test class
+mvn test -Dtest=MixpanelAPITest
+
+# Run a specific test method
+mvn test -Dtest=MixpanelAPITest#testBuildEventMessage
+
+# Install to local Maven repository
+mvn install
+
+# Generate JavaDoc
+mvn javadoc:javadoc
+
+# Clean build artifacts
+mvn clean
+
+# Run the demo application (after building)
+java -cp target/mixpanel-java-1.5.3.jar:target/classes:lib/json-20231013.jar com.mixpanel.mixpanelapi.demo.MixpanelAPIDemo <YOUR_MIXPANEL_TOKEN>
+```
+
+## High-Level Architecture
+
+### Core Design Pattern
+The library implements a **Producer-Consumer** pattern with intentional thread separation:
+
+1. **Message Production** (`MessageBuilder`): Creates properly formatted JSON messages on application threads
+2. **Message Batching** (`ClientDelivery`): Collects messages into efficient batches (max 50 per request)
+3. **Message Transmission** (`MixpanelAPI`): Sends batched messages to Mixpanel servers
+
+This separation allows for flexible threading models - the library doesn't impose any specific concurrency pattern, letting applications control their own threading strategy.
+
+### Key Architectural Decisions
+
+**No Built-in Threading**: Unlike some analytics libraries, this one doesn't start background threads. Applications must manage their own async patterns, as demonstrated in `MixpanelAPIDemo` which uses a `ConcurrentLinkedQueue` with producer/consumer threads.
+
+**Message Format Validation**: `MessageBuilder` performs validation during message construction, throwing `MixpanelMessageException` for malformed data before network transmission.
+
+**Batch Encoding**: Messages are JSON-encoded, then Base64-encoded, then URL-encoded for HTTP POST transmission. This triple encoding ensures compatibility with Mixpanel's API requirements.
+
+**Network Communication**: Uses Java's built-in `java.net.URL` and `URLConnection` classes - no external HTTP client dependencies. Connection timeout is 2 seconds, read timeout is 10 seconds.
+
+### Message Types and Endpoints
+
+The library supports three message categories, each sent to different endpoints:
+
+- **Events** (`/track`): User actions and behaviors
+- **People** (`/engage`): User profile updates (set, increment, append, etc.)
+- **Groups** (`/groups`): Group profile updates
+
+Each message type has specific JSON structure requirements validated by `MessageBuilder`.
+
+## Package Structure
+
+All production code is in the `com.mixpanel.mixpanelapi` package:
+
+- `MixpanelAPI`: HTTP communication with Mixpanel servers
+- `MessageBuilder`: Constructs and validates JSON messages
+- `ClientDelivery`: Batches multiple messages for efficient transmission
+- `Config`: Contains API endpoints and configuration constants
+- `Base64Coder`: Base64 encoding utility (modified third-party code)
+- `MixpanelMessageException`: Runtime exception for message format errors
+- `MixpanelServerException`: IOException for server rejection responses
+
+## Testing Approach
+
+Tests extend JUnit 4's `TestCase` and are located in `MixpanelAPITest`. The test suite covers:
+
+- Message format validation for all message types
+- Property operations (set, setOnce, increment, append, union, remove, unset)
+- Large batch delivery behavior
+- Encoding verification
+- Error conditions and exception handling
+
+When adding new functionality, follow the existing test patterns - each message type operation has corresponding test methods that verify both the JSON structure and the encoded format.
+
+## Common Development Tasks
+
+### Adding a New Message Type
+1. Add the message construction method to `MessageBuilder`
+2. Validate required fields and structure
+3. Add corresponding tests in `MixpanelAPITest`
+4. Update `ClientDelivery` if special handling is needed
+
+### Modifying Network Behavior
+Network configuration is centralized in `MixpanelAPI.sendData()`. Connection and read timeouts are hardcoded but could be made configurable by modifying the `Config` class.
+
+### Debugging Failed Deliveries
+The library throws `MixpanelServerException` with the HTTP response code and server message. Check:
+1. Token validity in `MessageBuilder` constructor
+2. Message size (batches limited to 50 messages)
+3. JSON structure using the test suite patterns
+
+## Dependencies
+
+The library has minimal dependencies:
+- **Production**: `org.json:json:20231013` for JSON manipulation
+- **Test**: `junit:junit:4.13.2` for unit testing
+- **Java Version**: Requires Java 8 or higher
+
+## API Patterns to Follow
+
+When working with this codebase:
+
+1. **Immutable Messages**: Once created by `MessageBuilder`, JSON messages should not be modified
+2. **Fail Fast**: Validate message structure early in `MessageBuilder` rather than during transmission
+3. **Preserve Thread Safety**: `MessageBuilder` instances are NOT thread-safe; create one per thread
+4. **Batch Appropriately**: `ClientDelivery` handles batching; don't exceed 50 messages per delivery
+5. **Exception Handling**: Distinguish between `MixpanelMessageException` (client error) and `MixpanelServerException` (server error)
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index a4d254d..f96e562 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ Latest Version
 </dependency>
 ```
 
-You can alternatively download the library jar directly from Maven [here](http://search.maven.org/#search%7Cgav%7C1%7Cg%3A%22com.mixpanel%22%20AND%20a%3A%22mixpanel-java%22).
+You can alternatively download the library jar directly from Maven Central [here](https://central.sonatype.com/artifact/com.mixpanel/mixpanel-java).
 
 How To Use
 ----------
diff --git a/pom.xml b/pom.xml
index 280b269..be3d320 100644
--- a/pom.xml
+++ b/pom.xml
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 
   <groupId>com.mixpanel</groupId>
   <artifactId>mixpanel-java</artifactId>
-  <version>1.5.3</version>
+  <version>1.5.4-SNAPSHOT</version>
   <packaging>jar</packaging>
   <name>mixpanel-java</name>
   <description>
@@ -44,22 +44,24 @@
 
   <distributionManagement>
     <snapshotRepository>
-      <id>ossrh</id>
-      <url>https://oss.sonatype.org/content/repositories/snapshots</url>
+      <id>central</id>
+      <url>https://central.sonatype.com/repository/maven-snapshots/</url>
     </snapshotRepository>
   </distributionManagement>
 
   <build>
     <plugins>
+      <!-- Central Publishing Maven Plugin for Maven Central Portal -->
       <plugin>
-        <groupId>org.sonatype.plugins</groupId>
-        <artifactId>nexus-staging-maven-plugin</artifactId>
-        <version>1.6.3</version>
+        <groupId>org.sonatype.central</groupId>
+        <artifactId>central-publishing-maven-plugin</artifactId>
+        <version>0.9.0</version>
         <extensions>true</extensions>
         <configuration>
-          <serverId>ossrh</serverId>
-          <nexusUrl>https://oss.sonatype.org/</nexusUrl>
-          <autoReleaseAfterClose>false</autoReleaseAfterClose>
+          <publishingServerId>central</publishingServerId>
+          <deploymentName>mixpanel-java-${project.version}</deploymentName>
+          <!-- Set autoPublish to true for CI/CD, false for manual review -->
+          <autoPublish>false</autoPublish>
         </configuration>
       </plugin>
 
@@ -93,7 +95,7 @@
       <plugin>
         <groupId>org.apache.maven.plugins</groupId>
         <artifactId>maven-gpg-plugin</artifactId>
-        <version>1.4</version>
+        <version>3.2.4</version>
         <executions>
           <execution>
             <id>sign-artifacts</id>
@@ -101,22 +103,15 @@
             <goals>
               <goal>sign</goal>
             </goals>
+            <configuration>
+              <gpgArguments>
+                <arg>--pinentry-mode</arg>
+                <arg>loopback</arg>
+              </gpgArguments>
+            </configuration>
           </execution>
         </executions>
       </plugin>
-
-      <plugin>
-        <groupId>org.sonatype.plugins</groupId>
-        <artifactId>nexus-staging-maven-plugin</artifactId>
-        <version>1.6.3</version>
-        <extensions>true</extensions>
-        <configuration>
-          <serverId>ossrh</serverId>
-          <nexusUrl>https://oss.sonatype.org/</nexusUrl>
-          <autoReleaseAfterClose>true</autoReleaseAfterClose>
-        </configuration>
-      </plugin>
-
     </plugins>
   </build>