diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
index 7e6b388..c2bda28 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ concurrency:
   cancel-in-progress: true
 
 env:
-  go-version: "1.26.5"
+  go-version: "1.26.6"
 
 jobs:
   goreleaser:
diff --git a/.github/workflows/security-scan.yml b/.github/workflows/security-scan.yml
index 7ee37a5..0d7ee06 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/security-scan.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/security-scan.yml
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ permissions:
   security-events: write
 
 env:
-  go-version: "1.26.5"
+  go-version: "1.26.6"
 
 jobs:
   secrets-scan:
diff --git a/.github/workflows/test.yml b/.github/workflows/test.yml
index 500d8a1..21bc795 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/test.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/test.yml
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ concurrency:
   cancel-in-progress: true
 
 env:
-  go-version: "1.26.5"
+  go-version: "1.26.6"
 
 jobs:
   unit-tests:
diff --git a/.golangci.yaml b/.golangci.yaml
index 3533f6e..3787f31 100644
--- a/.golangci.yaml
+++ b/.golangci.yaml
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ linters:
     - unused
     - copyloopvar
     - errorlint
+    - modernize
     # Resource safety (stdlib-mandated)
     - bodyclose
     - sqlclosecheck
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 73288f3..7e13e4b 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ foundational utilities used across the Optimum ecosystem.
 go get github.com/getoptimum/optimum-common
 ```
 
-Requires **Go 1.26.5** or later.
+Requires **Go 1.26.6** or later.
 
 ## Packages
 
diff --git a/go.mod b/go.mod
index d192dd9..20ee3ed 100644
--- a/go.mod
+++ b/go.mod
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 module github.com/getoptimum/optimum-common
 
-go 1.26.5
+go 1.26.6
 
 tool (
 	github.com/golangci/golangci-lint/v2/cmd/golangci-lint