diff --git a/conda-recipes/main-library/meta.yaml b/conda-recipes/main-library/meta.yaml
index 8b11b4536..d0841d6f4 100755
--- a/conda-recipes/main-library/meta.yaml
+++ b/conda-recipes/main-library/meta.yaml
@@ -28,7 +28,8 @@ requirements:
     - libgl-devel  # [linux]
     - libtiff
     - zlib
-
+    - expat
+  
   run:
     - libstdcxx-ng
     - libgcc-ng 
@@ -57,6 +58,7 @@ outputs:
         - {{ compiler('c') }}
         - {{compiler('cxx')}}
         - {{ pin_subpackage('slsdetlib', exact=True) }}
+        
 
       run:
         - {{ pin_subpackage('slsdetlib', exact=True) }}
diff --git a/slsDetectorServers/compileAllServers.sh b/slsDetectorServers/compileAllServers.sh
old mode 100644
new mode 100755
index 1fe63aba8..284f6dfa6
--- a/slsDetectorServers/compileAllServers.sh
+++ b/slsDetectorServers/compileAllServers.sh
@@ -1,16 +1,19 @@
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: LGPL-3.0-or-other
 # Copyright (C) 2021 Contributors to the SLS Detector Package
 
-# empty branch = developer branch in updateAPIVersion.sh
-branch=""
 det_list=("ctbDetectorServer  
 	gotthard2DetectorServer 
 	jungfrauDetectorServer 
 	mythen3DetectorServer 
 	moenchDetectorServer
-	xilinx_ctbDetectorServer" 
+	xilinx_ctbDetectorServer"
 	)
-usage="\nUsage: compileAllServers.sh [server|all(opt)] [branch(opt)]. \n\tNo arguments mean all servers with 'developer' branch. \n\tNo 'branch' input means 'developer branch'"
+usage="\nUsage: compileAllServers.sh [server|all(opt)] [update_api(opt)]. \n\tNo arguments mean all servers with 'developer' branch. \n\tupdate_api if true updates the api to version in VERSION file"
+
+update_api=true
+target=version
+
+
 
 # arguments
 if [ $# -eq 0 ]; then
@@ -34,15 +37,12 @@ elif [ $# -eq 1 ] || [ $# -eq 2 ]; then
 		declare -a det=("${1}")
 		#echo "Compiling only $1"
 	fi
-	# branch
+
 	if [ $# -eq 2 ]; then
-		# arg in list
-		if [[ $det_list == *$2* ]]; then
-			echo -e "Invalid argument 2: $2. $usage"
-			return 1
+		update_api=$2
+		if not $update_api ; then
+			target=clean
 		fi
-		branch+=$2
-		#echo "with branch $branch"
 	fi
 else
 	echo -e "Too many arguments.$usage"
@@ -53,6 +53,9 @@ declare -a deterror=("OK" "OK" "OK" "OK" "OK" "OK")
 
 echo -e "list is ${det[@]}"
 
+if $update_api; then
+	echo "updating api to $(cat ../VERSION)"
+fi
 # compile each server
 idet=0
 for i in ${det[@]}
@@ -62,14 +65,13 @@ do
 	echo -e "Compiling $dir [$file]"
 	cd $dir
 	make clean
-	if make version API_BRANCH=$branch; then
+	if make $target; then
 		deterror[$idet]="OK"
 	else
 		deterror[$idet]="FAIL"
 	fi
 	mv bin/$dir bin/$file
 	git add -f bin/$file
-	cp bin/$file /tftpboot/
 	cd ..
 	echo -e "\n\n"
 	((++idet))
diff --git a/slsDetectorServers/compileAllServers_noAPIUpdate.sh b/slsDetectorServers/compileAllServers_noAPIUpdate.sh
deleted file mode 100644
index e20573669..000000000
--- a/slsDetectorServers/compileAllServers_noAPIUpdate.sh
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,86 +0,0 @@
-# SPDX-License-Identifier: LGPL-3.0-or-other
-# Copyright (C) 2021 Contributors to the SLS Detector Package
-
-# empty branch = developer branch in updateAPIVersion.sh
-branch=""
-det_list=("ctbDetectorServer" 
-	"gotthard2DetectorServer"
-	"jungfrauDetectorServer"
-	"mythen3DetectorServer"
-	"moenchDetectorServer"
-	"xilinx_ctbDetectorServer"
-	)
-usage="\nUsage: compileAllServers.sh [server|all(opt)] [branch(opt)]. \n\tNo arguments mean all servers with 'developer' branch. \n\tNo 'branch' input means 'developer branch'"
-
-# arguments
-if [ $# -eq 0 ]; then
-	# no argument, all servers
-	declare -a det=${det_list[@]}
-	echo "Compiling all servers"
-elif [ $# -eq 1 ] || [ $# -eq 2 ]; then
-	# 'all' servers
-	if [[ $1 == "all" ]]; then
-		declare -a det=${det_list[@]}
-		echo "Compiling all servers"
-	else
-		# only one server
-		# arg not in list
-		if [[ $det_list != *$1* ]]; then
-			echo -e "Invalid argument 1: $1. $usage"
-			return -1
-		fi
-		declare -a det=("${1}")
-		#echo "Compiling only $1"
-	fi
-	# branch
-	if [ $# -eq 2 ]; then
-		# arg in list
-		if [[ $det_list == *$2* ]]; then
-			echo -e "Invalid argument 2: $2. $usage"
-			return -1
-		fi
-		branch+=$2
-		#echo "with branch $branch"
-	fi
-else
-	echo -e "Too many arguments.$usage"
-	return -1
-fi
-
-declare -a deterror=("OK" "OK" "OK" "OK" "OK" "OK")
-
-echo -e "list is ${det[@]}"
-
-# compile each server
-idet=0
-for i in ${det[@]}
-do
-	dir=$i
-	file="${i}_developer"
-	echo -e "Compiling $dir [$file]"
-	cd $dir
-	make clean
-	if make API_BRANCH=$branch; then
-		deterror[$idet]="OK"
-	else
-		deterror[$idet]="FAIL"
-	fi
-	mv bin/$dir bin/$file
-	git add -f bin/$file
-	cp bin/$file /tftpboot/
-	cd ..
-	echo -e "\n\n"
-	((++idet))
-done
-
-echo -e "Results:"
-idet=0
-for i in ${det[@]}
-do
-	printf "%s\t\t= %s\n" "$i" "${deterror[$idet]}"
-	((++idet))
-done
-	
-
-
-
diff --git a/slsDetectorServers/compileEigerServer.sh b/slsDetectorServers/compileEigerServer.sh
old mode 100644
new mode 100755
index 35aff3f80..f5873dff8
--- a/slsDetectorServers/compileEigerServer.sh
+++ b/slsDetectorServers/compileEigerServer.sh
@@ -3,21 +3,31 @@
 deterror="OK"
 dir="eigerDetectorServer"
 file="${dir}_developer"
-branch=""
+
+usage="\nUsage: compileAllServers.sh [update_api(opt)]. \n\t update_api if true updates the api to version in VERSION file"
+
+update_api=true
+target=version
 
 # arguments
 if [ $# -eq 1 ]; then
-	branch+=$1
-	#echo "with branch $branch"
+	update_api=$1
+	if not $update_api ; then
+		target=clean
+		
+	fi
 elif [ ! $# -eq 0 ]; then
-	echo -e "Only one optional argument allowed for branch."
+	echo -e "Only one optional argument allowed for update_api."
 	return -1
 fi
 
+if $update_api; then
+	echo "updating api to $(cat ../VERSION)"
+fi
+
 echo -e "Compiling $dir [$file]"
 cd $dir
-make clean
-if make version API_BRANCH=$branch; then
+if make $target; then
 	deterror="OK"
 else
 	deterror="FAIL"
@@ -25,7 +35,6 @@ fi
 
 mv bin/$dir bin/$file
 git add -f bin/$file
-cp bin/$file /tftpboot/
 cd ..
 echo -e "\n\n"
 printf "Result:\t\t= %s\n"  "${deterror}"
diff --git a/slsDetectorServers/ctbDetectorServer/Makefile b/slsDetectorServers/ctbDetectorServer/Makefile
index 5bdb5679d..0b56dd825 100755
--- a/slsDetectorServers/ctbDetectorServer/Makefile
+++ b/slsDetectorServers/ctbDetectorServer/Makefile
@@ -25,11 +25,10 @@ version: clean versioning $(PROGS)
 
 boot: $(OBJS) 
 
-version_branch=$(API_BRANCH)
 version_name=APICTB
 version_path=slsDetectorServers/ctbDetectorServer
 versioning: 
-	cd ../../ && echo $(PWD) && echo `tput setaf 6; ./updateAPIVersion.sh $(version_name) $(version_path) $(version_branch);  tput sgr0;`
+	cd ../../ && echo $(PWD) && echo `tput setaf 6; python updateAPIVersion.py $(version_name) $(version_path);  tput sgr0;`
 
 
 $(PROGS): $(OBJS)
diff --git a/slsDetectorServers/eigerDetectorServer/Makefile b/slsDetectorServers/eigerDetectorServer/Makefile
index 5d896249f..63910c6f9 100755
--- a/slsDetectorServers/eigerDetectorServer/Makefile
+++ b/slsDetectorServers/eigerDetectorServer/Makefile
@@ -25,11 +25,10 @@ version: clean versioning $(PROGS) #hv9m_blackfin_server
 	
 boot: $(OBJS) 
 
-version_branch=$(API_BRANCH)
 version_name=APIEIGER
 version_path=slsDetectorServers/eigerDetectorServer
 versioning: 
-	cd ../../ && echo $(PWD) && echo `tput setaf 6; ./updateAPIVersion.sh $(version_name) $(version_path) $(version_branch);  tput sgr0;`
+	cd ../../ && echo $(PWD) && echo `tput setaf 6; python updateAPIVersion.py $(version_name) $(version_path);  tput sgr0;`
 
 
 $(PROGS):  $(OBJS)
diff --git a/slsDetectorServers/gotthard2DetectorServer/Makefile b/slsDetectorServers/gotthard2DetectorServer/Makefile
index f5fa63f14..b5670a658 100755
--- a/slsDetectorServers/gotthard2DetectorServer/Makefile
+++ b/slsDetectorServers/gotthard2DetectorServer/Makefile
@@ -24,11 +24,10 @@ version: clean versioning $(PROGS)
 
 boot: $(OBJS) 
 
-version_branch=$(API_BRANCH)
 version_name=APIGOTTHARD2
 version_path=slsDetectorServers/gotthard2DetectorServer
 versioning: 
-	cd ../../ && echo $(PWD) && echo `tput setaf 6; ./updateAPIVersion.sh $(version_name) $(version_path) $(version_branch);  tput sgr0;`
+	cd ../../ && echo $(PWD) && echo `tput setaf 6; python updateAPIVersion.py $(version_name) $(version_path);  tput sgr0;`
 
 
 $(PROGS): $(OBJS)
diff --git a/slsDetectorServers/jungfrauDetectorServer/Makefile b/slsDetectorServers/jungfrauDetectorServer/Makefile
index b54c0c188..881f2e660 100755
--- a/slsDetectorServers/jungfrauDetectorServer/Makefile
+++ b/slsDetectorServers/jungfrauDetectorServer/Makefile
@@ -24,11 +24,10 @@ version: clean versioning $(PROGS)
 
 boot: $(OBJS) 
 
-version_branch=$(API_BRANCH)
 version_name=APIJUNGFRAU
 version_path=slsDetectorServers/jungfrauDetectorServer
 versioning: 
-	cd ../../ && echo $(PWD) && echo `tput setaf 6; ./updateAPIVersion.sh $(version_name) $(version_path) $(version_branch);  tput sgr0;`
+	cd ../../ && echo $(PWD) && echo `tput setaf 6; python updateAPIVersion.py $(version_name) $(version_path);  tput sgr0;`
 
 
 $(PROGS): $(OBJS)
diff --git a/slsDetectorServers/moenchDetectorServer/Makefile b/slsDetectorServers/moenchDetectorServer/Makefile
index 5f7457c19..71ebbf4fd 100755
--- a/slsDetectorServers/moenchDetectorServer/Makefile
+++ b/slsDetectorServers/moenchDetectorServer/Makefile
@@ -24,11 +24,10 @@ version: clean versioning $(PROGS)
 
 boot: $(OBJS) 
 
-version_branch=$(API_BRANCH)
 version_name=APIMOENCH
 version_path=slsDetectorServers/moenchDetectorServer
 versioning: 
-	cd ../../ && echo $(PWD) && echo `tput setaf 6; ./updateAPIVersion.sh $(version_name) $(version_path) $(version_branch);  tput sgr0;`
+	cd ../../ && echo $(PWD) && echo `tput setaf 6; python updateAPIVersion.py $(version_name) $(version_path);  tput sgr0;`
 
 
 $(PROGS): $(OBJS)
diff --git a/slsDetectorServers/mythen3DetectorServer/Makefile b/slsDetectorServers/mythen3DetectorServer/Makefile
index fb03c9d12..b6d68fac0 100755
--- a/slsDetectorServers/mythen3DetectorServer/Makefile
+++ b/slsDetectorServers/mythen3DetectorServer/Makefile
@@ -25,11 +25,10 @@ version: clean versioning $(PROGS)
 
 boot: $(OBJS) 
 
-version_branch=$(API_BRANCH)
 version_name=APIMYTHEN3
 version_path=slsDetectorServers/mythen3DetectorServer
 versioning: 
-	cd ../../ && echo $(PWD) && echo `tput setaf 6; ./updateAPIVersion.sh $(version_name) $(version_path) $(version_branch);  tput sgr0;`
+	cd ../../ && echo $(PWD) && echo `tput setaf 6; python updateAPIVersion.py $(version_name) $(version_path);  tput sgr0;`
 
 
 $(PROGS): $(OBJS)
diff --git a/slsDetectorServers/xilinx_ctbDetectorServer/Makefile b/slsDetectorServers/xilinx_ctbDetectorServer/Makefile
index 59cf0fe37..77b03aeb0 100755
--- a/slsDetectorServers/xilinx_ctbDetectorServer/Makefile
+++ b/slsDetectorServers/xilinx_ctbDetectorServer/Makefile
@@ -36,11 +36,10 @@ version: clean versioning $(PROGS)
 
 boot: $(OBJS) 
 
-version_branch=$(API_BRANCH)
 version_name=APIXILINXCTB
 version_path=slsDetectorServers/xilinx_ctbDetectorServer
 versioning: 
-	cd ../../ && echo $(PWD) && echo `tput setaf 6; ./updateAPIVersion.sh $(version_name) $(version_path) $(version_branch);  tput sgr0;`
+	cd ../../ && echo $(PWD) && echo `tput setaf 6; python updateAPIVersion.py $(version_name) $(version_path);  tput sgr0;`
 
 
 $(PROGS): $(OBJS)
diff --git a/slsSupportLib/include/sls/Version.h b/slsSupportLib/include/sls/Version.h
index 33d10c27e..6e97873e4 100644
--- a/slsSupportLib/include/sls/Version.h
+++ b/slsSupportLib/include/sls/Version.h
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ class Version {
   private:
     std::string version_;
     std::string date_;
-    const std::string defaultBranch_ = "developer";
+    inline static const std::string defaultVersion_[] = {"developer", "0.0.0"};
 
   public:
     explicit Version(const std::string &s);
diff --git a/slsSupportLib/include/sls/versionAPI.h b/slsSupportLib/include/sls/versionAPI.h
index b6f8df9b3..0453a3846 100644
--- a/slsSupportLib/include/sls/versionAPI.h
+++ b/slsSupportLib/include/sls/versionAPI.h
@@ -1,12 +1,13 @@
 // SPDX-License-Identifier: LGPL-3.0-or-other
 // Copyright (C) 2021 Contributors to the SLS Detector Package
 /** API versions */
-#define APILIB       "developer 0x241122"
-#define APIRECEIVER  "developer 0x241122"
-#define APIGOTTHARD2 "developer 0x250310"
-#define APIMOENCH    "developer 0x250310"
-#define APIEIGER     "developer 0x250310"
-#define APIXILINXCTB "developer 0x250311"
-#define APIJUNGFRAU  "developer 0x250318"
-#define APIMYTHEN3   "developer 0x250409"
-#define APICTB       "developer 0x250519"
+#define APILIB       "0.0.0 0x250523"
+#define APIRECEIVER  "0.0.0 0x250523"
+#define APICTB       "0.0.0 0x250523"
+#define APIGOTTHARD2 "0.0.0 0x250523"
+#define APIMOENCH    "0.0.0 0x250523"
+#define APIEIGER     "0.0.0 0x250523"
+#define APIXILINXCTB "0.0.0 0x250523"
+#define APIJUNGFRAU  "0.0.0 0x250523"
+#define APIMYTHEN3   "0.0.0 0x250523"
+
diff --git a/slsSupportLib/src/Version.cpp b/slsSupportLib/src/Version.cpp
index 2be4e6c3e..03aeb5339 100644
--- a/slsSupportLib/src/Version.cpp
+++ b/slsSupportLib/src/Version.cpp
@@ -21,7 +21,8 @@ Version::Version(const std::string &s) {
 }
 
 bool Version::hasSemanticVersioning() const {
-    return version_ != defaultBranch_;
+
+    return (version_ != defaultVersion_[0]) && (version_ != defaultVersion_[1]);
 }
 
 std::string Version::getVersion() const { return version_; }
diff --git a/slsSupportLib/tests/CMakeLists.txt b/slsSupportLib/tests/CMakeLists.txt
index 4fae7a346..827db97ff 100755
--- a/slsSupportLib/tests/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/slsSupportLib/tests/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ target_sources(tests PRIVATE
                 ${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/test-TypeTraits.cpp
                 ${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/test-UdpRxSocket.cpp
                 ${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/test-logger.cpp
+                ${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/test-Version.cpp
                 ${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/test-ZmqSocket.cpp
                 )
 
diff --git a/slsSupportLib/tests/test-Version.cpp b/slsSupportLib/tests/test-Version.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..9c1f1d3f8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/slsSupportLib/tests/test-Version.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+// SPDX-License-Identifier: LGPL-3.0-or-other
+// Copyright (C) 2021 Contributors to the SLS Detector Package
+#include "catch.hpp"
+#include "sls/Version.h"
+
+namespace sls {
+
+TEST_CASE("check if version is semantic", "[.version]") {
+
+    auto [version_string, has_semantic_version] =
+        GENERATE(std::make_tuple("developer 0x250512", false),
+                 std::make_tuple("0.0.0 0x250512", false));
+
+    Version version(version_string);
+
+    CHECK(version.hasSemanticVersioning() == has_semantic_version);
+}
+
+} // namespace sls
diff --git a/updateAPIVersion.py b/updateAPIVersion.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..4d0cf7ccf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/updateAPIVersion.py
@@ -0,0 +1,81 @@
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: LGPL-3.0-or-other
+# Copyright (C) 2025 Contributors to the SLS Detector Package
+"""
+Script to update API VERSION file based on the version in VERSION file.
+"""
+
+import argparse
+import sys
+import os
+import re
+import time
+from datetime import datetime
+
+
+SCRIPT_DIR = os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__))
+
+API_FILE = SCRIPT_DIR + "/slsSupportLib/include/sls/versionAPI.h"
+
+VERSION_FILE = SCRIPT_DIR + "/VERSION"
+
+parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description = 'updates API version')
+parser.add_argument('api_module_name', choices=["APILIB", "APIRECEIVER", "APICTB", "APIGOTTHARD2", "APIMOENCH", "APIEIGER", "APIXILINXCTB", "APIJUNGFRAU", "APIMYTHEN3"], help = 'module name to change api version options are: ["APILIB", "APIRECEIVER", "APICTB", "APIGOTTHARD2", "APIMOENCH", "APIEIGER", "APIXILINXCTB", "APIJUNGFRAU", "APIMYTHEN3"]')
+parser.add_argument('api_dir', help = 'Relative or absolute path to the module code')
+
+def update_api_file(new_api : str, api_module_name : str, api_file_name : str): 
+
+    regex_pattern = re.compile(rf'#define\s+{api_module_name}\s+')
+    with open(api_file_name, "r") as api_file:
+        lines = api_file.readlines()
+
+    with open(api_file_name, "w") as api_file:
+        for line in lines:
+            if regex_pattern.match(line):
+                api_file.write(f'#define {api_module_name} "{new_api}"\n')
+            else:
+                api_file.write(line)
+
+def get_latest_modification_date(directory : str):
+    latest_time = 0
+    latest_date = None
+
+    for root, dirs, files in os.walk(directory):
+        for file in files:
+            if file.endswith(".o"):
+                continue
+            full_path = os.path.join(root, file)
+            try:
+                mtime = os.path.getmtime(full_path)
+                if mtime > latest_time:
+                    latest_time = mtime
+            except FileNotFoundError:
+                continue
+    
+    latest_date = datetime.fromtimestamp(latest_time).strftime("%y%m%d")            
+
+    return latest_date
+
+
+def update_api_version(api_module_name : str, api_dir : str):
+    api_date = get_latest_modification_date(api_dir)
+    api_date = "0x"+str(api_date)
+
+    with open(VERSION_FILE, "r") as version_file: 
+        api_version = version_file.read().strip()
+
+    api_version = api_version + " " + api_date #not sure if we should give an argument option version_branch 
+
+    update_api_file(api_version, api_module_name, API_FILE)
+
+    print(f"updated {api_module_name} api version to: {api_version}")
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+
+    args = parser.parse_args() 
+
+    api_dir = SCRIPT_DIR + "/" + args.api_dir
+    
+
+    update_api_version(args.api_module_name, api_dir)
+
+
diff --git a/updateAPIVersion.sh b/updateAPIVersion.sh
deleted file mode 100755
index 8c45e0c48..000000000
--- a/updateAPIVersion.sh
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,65 +0,0 @@
-# SPDX-License-Identifier: LGPL-3.0-or-other
-# Copyright (C) 2021 Contributors to the SLS Detector Package
-usage="\nUsage: updateAPIVersion.sh [API_NAME] [API_DIR] [API_BRANCH(opt)]."
-
-if [ $# -lt 2 ]; then
-    echo -e "Requires atleast 2 arguments. $usage"
-    return [-1]
-fi
-
-API_NAME=$1
-PACKAGE_DIR=$PWD
-API_DIR=$PACKAGE_DIR/$2
-API_FILE=$PACKAGE_DIR/slsSupportLib/include/sls/versionAPI.h
-CURR_DIR=$PWD
-
-if [ ! -d "$API_DIR" ]; then
-    echo "[API_DIR] does not exist. $usage"
-    return [-1]
-fi
-
-#go to directory
-cd $API_DIR
-
-#deleting line from file
-NUM=$(sed -n '/'$API_NAME' /=' $API_FILE)
-#echo $NUM
-
-
-if [ "$NUM" -gt 0 ]; then
-    sed -i ${NUM}d $API_FILE
-fi
-
-#find new API date
-API_DATE="find .  -printf \"%T@ %CY-%Cm-%Cd\n\"| sort -nr | cut -d' ' -f2- | egrep -v '(\.)o' | head -n 1"
-
-API_DATE=`eval $API_DATE`
-
-API_DATE=$(sed "s/-//g" <<< $API_DATE | awk '{print $1;}' ) 
-
-#extracting only date
-API_DATE=${API_DATE:2:6}
-
-#prefix of 0x
-API_DATE=${API_DATE/#/0x}
-echo "date="$API_DATE
-
-
-# API_VAL concatenates branch and date
-API_VAL=""
-# API branch is defined (3rd argument)
-if [ $# -eq 3 ]; then
-    API_BRANCH=$3
-    echo "branch="$API_BRANCH
-    API_VAL+="\"$API_BRANCH $API_DATE\""
-else
-    # API branch not defined (default is developer)
-    echo "branch=developer"
-    API_VAL+="\"developer $API_DATE\""
-fi
-
-#copy it to versionAPI.h
-echo "#define "$API_NAME $API_VAL >> $API_FILE
-
-#go back to original directory
-cd $CURR_DIR
diff --git a/updateClientAPIVersion.py b/updateClientAPIVersion.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..d7764cff9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/updateClientAPIVersion.py
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: LGPL-3.0-or-other
+# Copyright (C) 2025 Contributors to the SLS Detector Package
+"""
+Script to update API VERSION for slsReceiverSoftware or slsDetectorSoftware 
+""" 
+
+import argparse
+import os
+
+from updateAPIVersion import update_api_version
+
+SCRIPT_DIR = os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__))
+
+parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description = 'updates API version')
+parser.add_argument('module_name', nargs="?", choices=["slsDetectorSoftware", "slsReceiverSoftware", "all"], default="all", help = 'module name to change api version options are: ["slsDetectorSoftware", "slsReceiverSoftware, "all"]')
+
+if __name__ == "__main__": 
+    args = parser.parse_args()
+
+    if args.module_name == "all": 
+        client_names = ["APILIB", "APIRECEIVER"]
+        client_directories = [SCRIPT_DIR+"/slsDetectorSoftware", SCRIPT_DIR+"/slsReceiverSoftware"]
+    elif args.module_name == "slsDetectorSoftware": 
+        client_names = ["APILIB"]
+        client_directories = [SCRIPT_DIR+"/slsDetectorSoftware"]
+    else: 
+        client_names = ["APIRECEIVER"]
+        client_directories = [SCRIPT_DIR+"/slsReceiverSoftware"]
+	
+    for client_name, client_directory in zip(client_names, client_directories): 
+        update_api_version(client_name, client_directory)
+		
+
+	
diff --git a/updateClientAPIVersion.sh b/updateClientAPIVersion.sh
deleted file mode 100755
index bed281622..000000000
--- a/updateClientAPIVersion.sh
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,59 +0,0 @@
-# SPDX-License-Identifier: LGPL-3.0-or-other
-# Copyright (C) 2021 Contributors to the SLS Detector Package
-branch=""
-client_list=("slsDetectorSoftware" "slsReceiverSoftware")
-usage="\nUsage: updateClientAPI.sh [all|slsDetectorSoftware|slsReceiverSoftware] [branch]. \n\tNo arguments means all with 'developer' branch. \n\tNo 'branch' input means 'developer branch'"
-
-# arguments
-if [ $# -eq 0 ]; then
-	declare -a client=${client_list[@]}
-	echo "API Versioning all"
-elif [ $# -eq 1 ] || [ $# -eq 2 ]; then
-	# 'all' client
-	if [[ $1 == "all" ]]; then
-		declare -a client=${client_list[@]}
-		echo "API Versioning all"
-	else
-		# only one server
-		if [[ $client_list != *$1* ]]; then
-			echo -e "Invalid argument 1: $1. $usage"
-			return -1
-		fi
-		declare -a client=("${1}")
-		#echo "Versioning only $1"
-	fi
-	if [ $# -eq 2 ]; then
-		if [[ $client_list == *$2* ]]; then
-			echo -e "Invalid argument 2: $2. $usage"
-			return -1
-		fi
-		branch+=$2
-		#echo "with branch $branch"
-	fi
-else
-	echo -e "Too many arguments.$usage"
-	return -1
-fi
-
-#echo "list is: ${client[@]}"
-
-# versioning each client
-for i in ${client[@]}
-do
-	dir=$i
-	case $dir in
-		slsDetectorSoftware)
-			declare -a name=APILIB
-			;;
-		slsReceiverSoftware)
-			declare -a name=APIRECEIVER
-			;;
-		*)
-			echo -n "unknown client argument $i"
-			return -1
-			;;
-	esac
-	echo -e "Versioning $dir [$name]"
-	./updateAPIVersion.sh $name $dir $branch
-done
-