diff --git a/.github/release.json b/.github/release.json
index 3a48fe6..c79fa55 100644
--- a/.github/release.json
+++ b/.github/release.json
@@ -1 +1 @@
-{"base":"2.0.0","prerelease":"alpha"}
+{"base":"2.0.0","prerelease":""}
diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index b7ccd37..d069ff2 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -22,7 +22,8 @@ go test -race -count=1 -timeout 8m ./...
 
 Select the pinned target for your platform from `internal/binaries/manifest.json`.
 Windows uses `x86_64-pc-windows-msvc`, including on ARM64. Linux targets distinguish
-`gnu` and `musl`. Install the native prerequisites in [non-root execution](docs/non-root.md).
+`gnu` and `musl`. Check the OS and loader requirements in [non-root execution](docs/non-root.md);
+the corrected pinned bundles include their third-party runtime libraries.
 Without fixture variables, real PostgreSQL tests skip; that is not full validation.
 
 ## Coverage and checks
@@ -57,7 +58,7 @@ change. Test mirror/download failures, immutable cache leases, unsafe archives a
 offline behavior when changing acquisition code.
 
 The master workflow publishes automatically only after every required job passes.
-Releases currently use the alpha channel. See [release policy](docs/releases.md) before
+Releases use the stable channel. See [release policy](docs/releases.md) before
 changing `.github/release.json`. Do not merge unfinished migrations merely to
 exercise publishing. Keep provider and hook reference code compilable with the
 normal module tests.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 2c1caff..6ad9e1e 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ Run real PostgreSQL in your tests. Each test gets its own database, an available
 port, and automatic cleanup. A CLI provides the same lifecycle for other languages.
 The production Go packages have **zero third-party dependencies**.
 
-**v2 is available as an alpha release.** Requires Go 1.26 or newer. Upgrading from
+**v2 is stable.** Requires Go 1.26 or newer. Upgrading from
 v1? Start with the [migration guide](docs/migration-v2.md).
 
 ## A database scoped to a test
@@ -33,7 +33,8 @@ func TestRepository(t *testing.T) {
 ```
 
 The first start downloads PostgreSQL and the matching supervisor; later starts
-reuse the cache. PostgreSQL needs the [native runtime requirements for your OS](docs/non-root.md).
+reuse the cache. The pinned PostgreSQL bundles include third-party runtime libraries;
+the [OS and loader requirements](docs/non-root.md) still apply.
 Choose your own SQL driver, and close connection pools before test cleanup.
 
 For configuration, import `github.com/fergusstrange/embedded-postgres/v2` as `postgres`
@@ -132,8 +133,9 @@ not a separate LTS edition. Binary checksums are pinned in the reviewed manifest
 automatic library releases do not silently change those pins.
 
 Native CI covers Linux and macOS AMD64/ARM64, Windows AMD64, and Windows ARM64
-with x64 PostgreSQL emulation. Alpine 3.21 AMD64 has a separate musl integration job (the upstream bundle
-requires ICU 74; see the platform guide).
+with x64 PostgreSQL emulation. Alpine 3.21 AMD64 has a separate musl integration job,
+and published consumers cover native x64/ARM64 musl. The corrected bundles include
+ICU; no host ICU 74 package is needed. See the [platform guide](docs/non-root.md).
 Other Linux architectures can use a source-built companion when a pinned bundle
 exists. FreeBSD needs a custom distribution and companion; it is not in the
 supported release matrix.
diff --git a/docs/issues-v2.md b/docs/issues-v2.md
index e35ef25..fc79ed4 100644
--- a/docs/issues-v2.md
+++ b/docs/issues-v2.md
@@ -8,8 +8,15 @@ that the v2 solution meets the original use case. Reporter confirmation is welco
 closure records implementation, not confirmation on every downstream setup.
 
 FreeBSD #169 remains open because its supported distribution and native CI work
-are not complete. The separate Alpine update #172 also remains open: the current
-musl PostgreSQL bundle requires ICU 74, which the proposed Alpine 3.24 image lacks.
+are not complete. The separate Alpine update #172 still needs its dependency-update
+review and CI. Its earlier host ICU 74 blocker is removed by the corrected pinned
+bundles, which include ICU and other third-party runtime libraries.
+
+The later Arch Linux [issue #181](https://github.com/fergusstrange/embedded-postgres/issues/181)
+was closed after the published alpha.5 and PostgreSQL 15–18 passed clean Arch
+validation without `libxml2-legacy`. The
+[report and reproduction steps](https://github.com/fergusstrange/embedded-postgres/issues/181#issuecomment-6259458842)
+record the emulated x64 scope and invite the reporter's confirmation.
 
 ## Requests reviewed for v2
 
@@ -17,7 +24,7 @@ musl PostgreSQL bundle requires ICU 74, which the proposed Alpine 3.24 image lac
 |---|---|---|
 | [#170](https://github.com/fergusstrange/embedded-postgres/issues/170), Windows `.exe` lookup | Addressed | Platform suffix applied to every required tool; native Windows cache and lifecycle tests |
 | [#168](https://github.com/fergusstrange/embedded-postgres/pull/168), [#167](https://github.com/fergusstrange/embedded-postgres/issues/167), cleanup | Addressed with clarified ownership | Disposable children removed; shared cache intentionally retained; explicit lease-aware prune |
-| [#164](https://github.com/fergusstrange/embedded-postgres/issues/164), update policy | Addressed | Pinned supported major releases, security checks, automatic tested master releases and explicit prerelease channel |
+| [#164](https://github.com/fergusstrange/embedded-postgres/issues/164), update policy | Addressed | Pinned supported major releases, security checks, automatic tested master releases with reviewed channel settings |
 | [#161](https://github.com/fergusstrange/embedded-postgres/pull/161), [#128](https://github.com/fergusstrange/embedded-postgres/issues/128), dynamic ports | Addressed | `Port(0)`, `GetPort`, actual connection URL and bounded collision retries; parallel native tests |
 | [#160](https://github.com/fergusstrange/embedded-postgres/issues/160), parent death | Addressed | Independent owner-pipe supervision, Unix owned process groups, Windows Job Objects; forced termination and panic tests |
 | [#157](https://github.com/fergusstrange/embedded-postgres/issues/157), test timeouts | Addressed | Startup deadline, lifetime context, bounded shutdown, `eptest.Start` and `eptest.Run` |
diff --git a/docs/migration-v2.md b/docs/migration-v2.md
index 720954f..43eb74c 100644
--- a/docs/migration-v2.md
+++ b/docs/migration-v2.md
@@ -3,6 +3,12 @@
 Change imports to `github.com/fergusstrange/embedded-postgres/v2`. v1 remains
 available under its original module path. v2 requires Go 1.26 or newer.
 
+After updating imports, select the stable release:
+
+```bash
+go get github.com/fergusstrange/embedded-postgres/v2@v2.0.0
+```
+
 | v1 usage | v2 behaviour or replacement |
 | --- | --- |
 | `NewDatabase`, `DefaultConfig`, `Start`, `Stop` | Retained; add `StartContext`, `StopContext`, or idempotent `Close` |
@@ -19,7 +25,7 @@ available under its original module path. v2 requires Go 1.26 or newer.
 | `Logger(io.Writer)` | Retained; receives a redacted tail (up to 32 KiB) during cleanup |
 | Implicit lib/pq registration | Removed; explicitly import/register your own driver |
 
-Defaults are PostgreSQL 18.6, database/user/password `postgres`, locale `C`,
+Defaults are PostgreSQL 18.6 (distribution 18.6.1), database/user/password `postgres`, locale `C`,
 encoding `UTF8`, startup timeout two minutes, shutdown timeout ten seconds,
 loopback TCP, and no console logging. `Start` remains compatible with fixed port
 5432. `eptest.Start` without a config uses an automatic port and automatic cleanup.
diff --git a/docs/non-root.md b/docs/non-root.md
index 46f257b..77b79f9 100644
--- a/docs/non-root.md
+++ b/docs/non-root.md
@@ -74,6 +74,16 @@ The Go executable is built with CGO_ENABLED=0; PostgreSQL remains a native binar
 Native CI tests both ordinary callers and a root test runner launching PostgreSQL
 as a separate user.
 
+## Arch Linux
+
+The corrected PostgreSQL 15–18 pins include `libxml2.so.2`; installing
+`libxml2-legacy` or setting `LD_LIBRARY_PATH` is not required. The published Go
+module and CLI passed a clean Arch x64 container check with system libxml2 2.15,
+including XML, `xml2`, `pgcrypto`, offline reuse, persistence and cleanup.
+See the [results and reproduction steps](https://github.com/fergusstrange/embedded-postgres/issues/181#issuecomment-6259458842)
+for the image pin and emulation scope. Explicitly selecting an old distribution
+can still reproduce the missing-library error.
+
 ## Alpine / musl
 
 The corrected musl bundles include ICU and the other third-party libraries;
diff --git a/docs/release-notes-v2.md b/docs/release-notes-v2.md
index e8c24e6..fd5984b 100644
--- a/docs/release-notes-v2.md
+++ b/docs/release-notes-v2.md
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-# embedded-postgres v2 alpha
+# embedded-postgres v2.0.0
 
 Run real PostgreSQL in Go tests with automatic cleanup, or use the CLI with any
 test runner. v2 requires Go 1.26+ and has no third-party production Go dependencies.
@@ -19,15 +19,17 @@ cover installation and configuration.
 
 ## Corrected PostgreSQL distributions
 
-This alpha updates the default and supported pins to PostgreSQL 18.6.1, 17.11.1,
+The default and supported distribution pins are PostgreSQL 18.6.1, 17.11.1,
 16.15.1 and 15.19.1. These upstream packaging revisions include the Windows and
 relocatable-library fixes. New downloads use the corresponding SHA-256 pins;
 explicit older distribution versions retain their existing catalog entries.
 Windows ARM64 continues to select x64 PostgreSQL under emulation.
 
 See the [published-binary regression report](https://github.com/theseus-rs/postgresql-binaries/pull/35#issuecomment-6256273450)
-for the platform matrix, verification evidence and two unreproduced Windows
-findings.
+for the platform matrix and verification evidence. The
+[clean Arch regression](https://github.com/fergusstrange/embedded-postgres/issues/181#issuecomment-6259458842)
+also verifies PostgreSQL 15–18 without `libxml2-legacy`, including XML, extensions,
+offline reuse and persistent restart. The old bundle reproduces the original error.
 
 ## Included in v2
 
@@ -37,9 +39,12 @@ findings.
   explicit persistent-data storage. Caller-supplied data is never automatically erased.
 - Independent supervision for cleanup after owner exit or panic, and explicit
   Unix UID/GID support for tests running as root.
+- Restricted Windows child tokens work from PowerShell and detached Node launches
+  while keeping administrator groups disabled.
 - Custom binary providers and lifecycle hooks for migrations and extensions.
 - CLI foreground, command-scoped and background modes, plus protocol 1 for wrappers.
 
 PostgreSQL's [native runtime requirements](https://github.com/fergusstrange/embedded-postgres/blob/master/docs/non-root.md)
 still apply. Source checkouts and local module replacements need an explicitly
-selected supervisor. v2 remains a prerelease while downstream migrations are validated.
+selected supervisor. The stable release follows downstream migration testing and
+verification of the published Go module, CLI and Node wrapper on supported platforms.
diff --git a/docs/releases.md b/docs/releases.md
index 77a9424..444c08c 100644
--- a/docs/releases.md
+++ b/docs/releases.md
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 # Releases
 
-v2 is available as an alpha. The Go module and CLI are released together on the
+v2 is stable. The Go module and CLI are released together on the
 [releases page](https://github.com/fergusstrange/embedded-postgres/releases).
 The [migration guide](migration-v2.md) explains the changes from v1.
 
 ## Install
 
-For Go tests, add the newest published v2 version (currently an alpha):
+For Go tests, add the newest stable v2 version:
 
 ```bash
 go get github.com/fergusstrange/embedded-postgres/v2@latest
@@ -23,18 +23,19 @@ export PATH="$HOME/.local/bin:$PATH"
 embedded-postgres exec -- npm test
 ```
 
-The installer selects the newest published v2 release, including alphas. To pin a
-version, set `EP_VERSION` on the `bash` command:
+The installer selects the newest published v2 release. It can also install
+explicit prerelease tags. To pin a version, set `EP_VERSION` on the `bash` command:
 
 ```bash
-curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/fergusstrange/embedded-postgres/master/install/install.sh | EP_VERSION=v2.0.0-alpha.1 bash
+curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/fergusstrange/embedded-postgres/master/install/install.sh | EP_VERSION=v2.0.0 bash
 ```
 
 Windows users can use Git Bash or the [PowerShell installer](../install/install.ps1).
 See the [CLI guide](cli.md) for installation paths and configuration.
 
-PostgreSQL is downloaded on first use and cached for later tests. Its native
-platform requirements still apply; see the [platform guide](non-root.md).
+PostgreSQL is downloaded on first use and cached for later tests. The pinned
+bundles include third-party runtime libraries; OS and loader requirements still
+apply. See the [platform guide](non-root.md).
 
 ## What a release contains
 
@@ -52,7 +53,7 @@ gh attestation verify ./embedded-postgres_linux_amd64 --repo fergusstrange/embed
 
 ## Maintainer release process
 
-Every successful `master` push publishes the next alpha. No manual tag or version
+Every successful `master` push publishes the next stable patch. No manual tag or version
 commit is needed. The workflow waits for all native tests, PostgreSQL 15–18,
 Alpine, minimum/current Go, security checks and **at least 90% aggregate production
 coverage**. The coverage report is available in the workflow artifacts.
@@ -62,8 +63,8 @@ all review conversations resolved. `master` disallows force pushes and deletion.
 
 The release job builds and attests the binaries before publishing. Retrying the
 same commit resumes its draft or leaves an already published release unchanged.
-PR, manual and scheduled workflows do not publish. Alpha releases do not replace
-v1 as GitHub's latest stable release.
+PR, manual and scheduled workflows do not publish. Stable v2 releases become
+GitHub's latest release; v1 remains available under its original Go module path.
 
 After publication, the public **Published consumers** workflow installs the exact
 Go module from the public proxy, verifies its source revision and checksum,
@@ -86,10 +87,11 @@ disabled. It never changes an existing consumer directory's ACL.
 
 Release settings live in [`.github/release.json`](../.github/release.json):
 
-- `base: "2.0.0"`, `prerelease: "alpha"` produces `v2.0.0-alpha.1`, `.2`, and so on.
-- After migration and downstream validation, set `prerelease` to `""` to publish
-  stable `v2.0.0`. Subsequent master builds increment the patch version.
+- The current `base: "2.0.0"`, `prerelease: ""` starts at stable `v2.0.0`.
+  Subsequent master builds increment the patch version.
 - Set `base` explicitly when starting a new minor release.
+- A nonempty `prerelease` channel is reserved for a deliberately reviewed future
+  prerelease series; it is not the current release policy.
 
 Actions are pinned to commit hashes and Dependabot groups their updates for
 review. The workflow checks that production Go code uses only the standard
diff --git a/docs/v2-development.md b/docs/v2-development.md
index a51f87a..12e8895 100644
--- a/docs/v2-development.md
+++ b/docs/v2-development.md
@@ -3,7 +3,9 @@
 This is a historical record of the migration. Each entry describes the state at
 that milestone; later reviews supersede earlier pending checks and design notes.
 For current setup and published releases, use the [README](../README.md) and
-[release guide](releases.md).
+[release guide](releases.md). Early missing-library and host ICU notes describe
+older bundles; the stable release uses corrected PostgreSQL 15–18 distributions.
+See the current [platform guide](non-root.md) for runtime requirements.
 
 One implementation branch and one final PR. Each milestone has its own commit,
 validation, and diff review. PostgreSQL 14 and older are excluded. CircleCI is
diff --git a/install/install.sh b/install/install.sh
index 3b41cfe..832ed93 100755
--- a/install/install.sh
+++ b/install/install.sh
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env bash
 # Usage: curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/fergusstrange/embedded-postgres/master/install/install.sh | bash
-# Pin with EP_VERSION=v2.0.0-alpha.1; choose location with EP_INSTALL_DIR.
+# Pin with EP_VERSION=v2.0.0; choose location with EP_INSTALL_DIR.
 set -euo pipefail
 repo=fergusstrange/embedded-postgres
 version=${EP_VERSION:-}
diff --git a/scripts/check-published.py b/scripts/check-published.py
index ff8d78f..721a7be 100644
--- a/scripts/check-published.py
+++ b/scripts/check-published.py
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 """Check a public Go module and CLI in an isolated consumer (no source override).
 
-Usage: python scripts/check-published.py v2.0.0-alpha.5 COMMIT [EVIDENCE_DIR]
+Usage: python scripts/check-published.py v2.0.0 COMMIT [EVIDENCE_DIR]
 Requires Go, Python and authenticated gh for public build-attestation verification.
 """
 import hashlib