diff --git a/building/macos/build.sh b/building/macos/build.sh
old mode 100644
new mode 100755
index 66579f022..941d851b3
--- a/building/macos/build.sh
+++ b/building/macos/build.sh
@@ -2,19 +2,44 @@
 set -euo pipefail
 
 # Build FGCS for macOS (arm64 by default). Run from any directory.
-# Usage: ./build.sh <version>
+# Usage: ./build.sh [version]
+# If no version is provided, the script will show current version and prompt for new one
 
-if [[ ${1:-} == "" ]]; then
-  echo "Usage: $0 <version>"
-  echo "Example: $0 0.2.0-alpha"
-  exit 1
-fi
-
-VERSION="$1"
+VERSION="${1:-}"
 
 echo "Assuming location is FGCS/building/macos"
 cd ../../
 
+# Read and display current version from package.json
+echo "Reading current version from package.json..."
+PACKAGE_JSON_PATH="./gcs/package.json"
+if [[ -f "$PACKAGE_JSON_PATH" ]]; then
+  CURRENT_VERSION=$(grep '"version"' "$PACKAGE_JSON_PATH" | sed 's/.*"version": *"\([^"]*\)".*/\1/')
+  echo "Current version: $CURRENT_VERSION"
+
+  # Prompt for version if not provided
+  if [[ -z "$VERSION" ]]; then
+    read -p "Enter new version number: " VERSION
+    if [[ -z "$VERSION" ]]; then
+      echo "Error: Version is required to continue"
+      exit 1
+    fi
+  fi
+
+  echo "New version will be: $VERSION"
+else
+  echo "Warning: Could not find package.json at $PACKAGE_JSON_PATH"
+
+  # Still prompt for version if package.json not found
+  if [[ -z "$VERSION" ]]; then
+    read -p "Enter version number: " VERSION
+    if [[ -z "$VERSION" ]]; then
+      echo "Error: Version is required to continue"
+      exit 1
+    fi
+  fi
+fi
+
 echo "Building backend"
 cd radio
 source ./venv/bin/activate
diff --git a/building/windows/build.ps1 b/building/windows/build.ps1
index 77314af67..74c678915 100644
--- a/building/windows/build.ps1
+++ b/building/windows/build.ps1
@@ -4,17 +4,48 @@
 
   .EXAMPLE
   .\build.ps1 -Version "0.1.8-alpha"
+  .\build.ps1
 #>
 
 Param (
-  [Parameter(Mandatory = $true)]
+  [Parameter(Mandatory = $false)]
   [string]$Version
 )
 
-Write-Output "Building backend"
 Write-Output "Assuming location is FGCS\building\windows"
 Set-Location ../../
 
+# Read and display current version from package.json
+Write-Output "Reading current version from package.json..."
+$packageJsonPath = ".\gcs\package.json"
+if (Test-Path $packageJsonPath) {
+  $packageJson = Get-Content $packageJsonPath | ConvertFrom-Json
+  $currentVersion = $packageJson.version
+  Write-Output "Current version: $currentVersion"
+
+  # Prompt for version if not provided
+  if (-not $Version) {
+    $Version = Read-Host "Enter new version number"
+    if (-not $Version) {
+      Write-Error "Version is required to continue"
+      exit 1
+    }
+  }
+
+  Write-Output "New version will be: $Version"
+} else {
+  Write-Warning "Could not find package.json at $packageJsonPath"
+
+  # Still prompt for version if package.json not found
+  if (-not $Version) {
+    $Version = Read-Host "Enter version number"
+    if (-not $Version) {
+      Write-Error "Version is required to continue"
+      exit 1
+    }
+  }
+}
+
 Write-Output "Building backend"
 Set-Location radio
 pip install pyinstaller