diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/release.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/release.md
index 6bea0753ef..69dbdbad2a 100644
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/release.md
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/release.md
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ assignees: ''
 
 ## What's the task? Please describe
 
-Action items for releasing v{{ env.RELEASE_VERSION }}
+Action items for releasing {{ env.RELEASE_VERSION }}
 
 ## Roles
 
@@ -25,9 +25,9 @@ Action items for releasing v{{ env.RELEASE_VERSION }}
 > [!IMPORTANT]
 > The Release Captain needs to finish the following items
 
-- [ ] This tasks are only needed when doing a feature release such as v{{ env.MAJOR_MINOR_VERSION }}.
+- [ ] This tasks are only needed when doing a feature release such as {{ env.MAJOR_MINOR_VERSION }}.
   - [ ] Before creating RC1, create a new release branch for the following component repositories by trigger the [▶️ Create Longhorn Repository Branches Action](https://github.com/longhorn/release/actions/workflows/create-repo-branches.yml), and then create RC1 from the new branch. Leave the master branch for the next feature release development.
-  - [ ] Add the new branch v{{ env.BRANCH }} to [renovate configuration](https://github.com/longhorn/release/blob/main/renovate-default.json).
+  - [ ] Add the new branch {{ env.BRANCH_NAME }} to [renovate configuration](https://github.com/longhorn/release/blob/main/renovate-default.json).
     - [ ] PR: <!--URL of the pull request-->
   - [ ] After creating the new release branch, update the version file in each repo by [▶️ Update Longhorn Repository Version File in Default Branch Action](https://github.com/longhorn/release/actions/workflows/update-repo-version-file.yml).
     - longhorn-manager
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ Action items for releasing v{{ env.RELEASE_VERSION }}
   - [ ] Create sub-issue `Regular Tasks for Patch Release` ticket in longhorn/longhorn.
     - [ ] PR: <!--URL of the pull request-->
 
-- [ ] Create sub-issue `Fix CVE issues for v{{ env.RELEASE_VERSION }}` ticket in longhorn/longhorn.
+- [ ] Create sub-issue `Fix CVE issues for {{ env.RELEASE_VERSION }}` ticket in longhorn/longhorn.
   - [ ] PR: <!--URL of the pull request-->
 
 - [ ] Trigger the RC release build by [▶️ Release-Preview Action](https://github.com/longhorn/release/actions/workflows/release-preview.yml).
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ Action items for releasing v{{ env.RELEASE_VERSION }}
 
 - [ ] Run e2e regression for pre-GA milestones (`install`, `upgrade`)
 - [ ] Run security testing of container images for pre-GA milestones.
-  - [ ] Investigate and fix the security issues. The issues are tracked by the sub-issue `Fix CVE issues for v{{ env.RELEASE_VERSION }}`.
+  - [ ] Investigate and fix the security issues. The issues are tracked by the sub-issue `Fix CVE issues for {{ env.RELEASE_VERSION }}`.
   - [ ] Create security issues at upstream for unresolved CVEs in CSI sidecar images.
 
 ---
@@ -77,12 +77,12 @@ Action items for releasing v{{ env.RELEASE_VERSION }}
 > [!IMPORTANT]
 > The Release Captain needs to finish the following items
 
-- [ ] This tasks are only needed when doing a feature release such as v{{ env.MAJOR_MINOR_VERSION }}.
-  - [ ] Ensure the sub-issue `Regular Tasks for Feature Release for v{{ env.RELEASE_VERSION }}` is completed.
-  - [ ] Ensure the sub-issue `Fix CVE issues for v{{ env.RELEASE_VERSION }}` is completed.
-- [ ] Update image versions in [chart/README.md](https://github.com/longhorn/longhorn/tree/v{{ env.RELEASE_VERSION }}/chart/README.md).
+- [ ] This tasks are only needed when doing a feature release such as {{ env.MAJOR_MINOR_VERSION }}.
+  - [ ] Ensure the sub-issue `Regular Tasks for Feature Release for {{ env.RELEASE_VERSION }}` is completed.
+  - [ ] Ensure the sub-issue `Fix CVE issues for {{ env.RELEASE_VERSION }}` is completed.
+- [ ] Update image versions in [chart/README.md](https://github.com/longhorn/longhorn/tree/{{ env.RELEASE_VERSION }}/chart/README.md).
   - [ ] PR: <!--URL of the pull request-->
-- [ ] Update image versions in [chart/questions.yaml](https://github.com/longhorn/longhorn/tree/v{{ env.RELEASE_VERSION }}/chart/questions.yaml).
+- [ ] Update image versions in [chart/questions.yaml](https://github.com/longhorn/longhorn/tree/{{ env.RELEASE_VERSION }}/chart/questions.yaml).
   - [ ] PR: <!--URL of the pull request-->
 - [ ] Trigger the GA release build by [▶️ Release Action](https://github.com/longhorn/release/actions/workflows/release.yml).
 
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ Action items for releasing v{{ env.RELEASE_VERSION }}
 
 #### Release Captain Tasks after Completing the GA Build Validation
 
-- [ ] Create a release note ([CHANGELOG](https://github.com/longhorn/longhorn/tree/v{{ env.RELEASE_VERSION }}/CHANGELOG)).
+- [ ] Create a release note ([CHANGELOG](https://github.com/longhorn/longhorn/tree/{{ env.RELEASE_VERSION }}/CHANGELOG)).
   - [ ] Deprecation note.
     - [ ] PR: <!--URL of the pull request-->
   - [ ] Update notes including highlighted notes, deprecation, compatible changes, and others impacting the current users.