diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index ef77d98..120a00b 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -3,6 +3,9 @@ name: CI
 on:
   push:
     branches: ["**"]
+    tags:
+      - "v*"
+      - "V*"
   pull_request:
     branches: ["**"]
 
@@ -20,17 +23,30 @@ jobs:
         with:
           python-version: "3.11"
 
-      - name: Install linting tools
-        run: pip install flake8 pylint
+      - name: Restore lint environment cache
+        id: lint-cache
+        uses: actions/cache@v4
+        with:
+          path: .venv-lint
+          key: ${{ runner.os }}-py311-lint-${{ hashFiles('requirements/runtime.txt') }}
+          restore-keys: |
+            ${{ runner.os }}-py311-lint-
 
-      - name: Install project dependencies
-        run: pip install -r requirements.txt
+      - name: Create lint environment and install dependencies
+        if: steps.lint-cache.outputs.cache-hit != 'true'
+        shell: pwsh
+        run: |
+          python -m venv .venv-lint
+          .\.venv-lint\Scripts\python.exe -m pip install --upgrade pip
+          .\.venv-lint\Scripts\python.exe -m pip install -r requirements/runtime.txt flake8 pylint
 
       - name: Run flake8 (style & syntax check)
-        run: flake8 stm32_easy_flash.py
+        shell: pwsh
+        run: .\.venv-lint\Scripts\python.exe -m flake8 stm32_easy_flash.py
 
       - name: Run pylint (code quality check)
-        run: pylint stm32_easy_flash.py --fail-under=7.0
+        shell: pwsh
+        run: .\.venv-lint\Scripts\python.exe -m pylint stm32_easy_flash.py --fail-under=7.0
 
   build:
     name: Build Executable
@@ -46,11 +62,26 @@ jobs:
         with:
           python-version: "3.11"
 
-      - name: Install build dependencies
-        run: pip install -r requirements-build.txt
+      - name: Restore build environment cache
+        id: build-cache
+        uses: actions/cache@v4
+        with:
+          path: .venv-build
+          key: ${{ runner.os }}-py311-build-${{ hashFiles('requirements/build.txt', 'stm32_easy_flash.spec') }}
+          restore-keys: |
+            ${{ runner.os }}-py311-build-
+
+      - name: Create build environment and install dependencies
+        if: steps.build-cache.outputs.cache-hit != 'true'
+        shell: pwsh
+        run: |
+          python -m venv .venv-build
+          .\.venv-build\Scripts\python.exe -m pip install --upgrade pip
+          .\.venv-build\Scripts\python.exe -m pip install -r requirements/build.txt
 
       - name: Build .exe with PyInstaller
-        run: pyinstaller stm32_easy_flash.spec
+        shell: pwsh
+        run: .\.venv-build\Scripts\python.exe -m PyInstaller stm32_easy_flash.spec
 
       - name: Upload artifact
         uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
@@ -58,3 +89,47 @@ jobs:
           name: stm32-easy-flash-windows
           path: dist/stm32_easy_flash.exe
           retention-days: 30
+
+  release:
+    name: Create GitHub Release
+    runs-on: windows-latest
+    needs: build
+    if: startsWith(github.ref, 'refs/tags/v') || startsWith(github.ref, 'refs/tags/V')
+    permissions:
+      contents: write
+
+    steps:
+      - name: Download build artifact
+        uses: actions/download-artifact@v4
+        with:
+          name: stm32-easy-flash-windows
+          path: dist
+
+      - name: Create GitHub Release and upload .exe
+        uses: softprops/action-gh-release@v2
+        with:
+          name: "STM32 Easy Flash ${{ github.ref_name }}"
+          body: |
+            ## STM32 Easy Flash ${{ github.ref_name }}
+
+            ### Download
+            Download `stm32_easy_flash.exe` below and run it directly - no Python installation required.
+
+            ### Configure
+            Place `stm32_easy_flash.config.json` next to the executable and set:
+            - `CLI_PATH`
+            - `FIRMWARE_PATH`
+            - `PORT`
+            - optional: `HOTKEY`
+
+            ### Usage
+            1. Run `stm32_easy_flash.exe`
+            2. Press your configured hotkey (default: `Ctrl+Shift+F12`)
+            3. Flashing starts automatically
+
+            ### Requirements
+            - STM32CubeProgrammer installed at the configured path
+            - ST-LINK or compatible debug adapter connected
+          draft: false
+          prerelease: false
+          files: dist/stm32_easy_flash.exe
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 8a80b70..43e6c2a 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ Listens for a global hotkey (`Ctrl+Shift+F12`) and automatically flashes an STM3
 Install the dependency with:
 
 ```bash
-pip install keyboard
+pip install -r requirements/runtime.txt
 ```
 
 > **Note:** On Windows the script must be run with **administrator privileges** for the global hotkey listener to work reliably.
@@ -43,19 +43,28 @@ pip install keyboard
 
 ## Configuration
 
-Open `stm32_easy_flash.py` and adjust the three constants at the top of the file:
+The tool supports runtime config from a JSON file placed next to the script/exe:
 
-```python
-# Path to STM32 Programmer CLI (default path on Windows)
-CLI_PATH = r"C:\ST\STM32CubeProgrammer\bin\STM32_Programmer_CLI.exe"
+- `stm32_easy_flash.config.json`
 
-# Path to your firmware file (.hex, .bin, .elf, …)
-FIRMWARE_PATH = r"C:\path\to\your\firmware.hex"
+Create `stm32_easy_flash.config.json` with the following content:
 
-# Connection type: "SWD" for ST-LINK | "USB1" for DFU | "COM3" for UART
-PORT = "SWD"
+```json
+{
+  "CLI_PATH": "C:\\ST\\STM32CubeProgrammer\\bin\\STM32_Programmer_CLI.exe",
+  "FIRMWARE_PATH": "C:\\path\\to\\your\\firmware.hex",
+  "PORT": "SWD",
+  "HOTKEY": "ctrl+shift+f12"
+}
 ```
 
+Optional environment variables (override JSON values):
+
+- `STM32_EASY_FLASH_CLI_PATH`
+- `STM32_EASY_FLASH_FIRMWARE_PATH`
+- `STM32_EASY_FLASH_PORT`
+- `STM32_EASY_FLASH_HOTKEY`
+
 ---
 
 ## Usage
@@ -64,7 +73,7 @@ PORT = "SWD"
 python stm32_easy_flash.py
 ```
 
-The script starts and waits in the background. Whenever you press **Ctrl+Shift+F12**, it:
+The script/exe starts and waits in the background. Whenever you press your configured hotkey (default: **Ctrl+Shift+F12**), it:
 
 1. Erases the entire chip
 2. Writes the configured firmware
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9d6acec
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+[project]
+name = "stm32-easy-flash"
+version = "1.0.0"
+description = "Hotkey-triggered firmware flashing for STM32 microcontrollers via STM32CubeProgrammer CLI"
+readme = "README.md"
+license = { text = "MIT" }
+requires-python = ">=3.9"
+dependencies = [
+    "keyboard",
+]
+
+[project.urls]
+Homepage = "https://github.com/mootseeker/stm32-easy-flash"
+Issues = "https://github.com/mootseeker/stm32-easy-flash/issues"
+
+[build-system]
+requires = ["setuptools>=68"]
+build-backend = "setuptools.backends.legacy:build"
diff --git a/requirements-build.txt b/requirements/build.txt
similarity index 100%
rename from requirements-build.txt
rename to requirements/build.txt
diff --git a/requirements.txt b/requirements/runtime.txt
similarity index 100%
rename from requirements.txt
rename to requirements/runtime.txt
diff --git a/stm32_easy_flash.py b/stm32_easy_flash.py
index b318b16..d8c981e 100644
--- a/stm32_easy_flash.py
+++ b/stm32_easy_flash.py
@@ -1,8 +1,11 @@
 """STM32 Easy Flash - Hotkey-triggered firmware flashing via STM32CubeProgrammer CLI."""
 
+import json
+import os
 import subprocess
 import sys
 import time
+from pathlib import Path
 
 import keyboard
 
@@ -11,19 +14,81 @@
 # ==========================================
 
 # Path to STM32 Programmer CLI (default path on Windows)
-CLI_PATH = r"C:\ST\STM32CubeProgrammer\bin\STM32_Programmer_CLI.exe"
+DEFAULT_CLI_PATH = r"C:\ST\STM32CubeProgrammer\bin\STM32_Programmer_CLI.exe"
 
 # Path to your firmware file
-FIRMWARE_PATH = r"C:\path\to\your\firmware.hex"
+DEFAULT_FIRMWARE_PATH = r"C:\path\to\your\firmware.hex"
 
 # Connection type (e.g. "SWD" for ST-LINK, "USB1" for DFU, "COM3" for UART)
-PORT = "SWD"
+DEFAULT_PORT = "SWD"
+
+# Global hotkey to trigger flashing
+DEFAULT_HOTKEY = "ctrl+shift+f12"
+
+CONFIG_FILENAME = "stm32_easy_flash.config.json"
+
+CLI_PATH = DEFAULT_CLI_PATH
+FIRMWARE_PATH = DEFAULT_FIRMWARE_PATH
+PORT = DEFAULT_PORT
+HOTKEY = DEFAULT_HOTKEY
 
 # ==========================================
 
 
+def _runtime_directory():
+    """Return the directory where config should be loaded from."""
+    if getattr(sys, "frozen", False):
+        return Path(sys.executable).resolve().parent
+    return Path(__file__).resolve().parent
+
+
+def load_runtime_config():
+    """Load runtime configuration from JSON file and environment variables."""
+    global CLI_PATH, FIRMWARE_PATH, PORT, HOTKEY
+
+    config_path = _runtime_directory() / CONFIG_FILENAME
+    file_config = {}
+
+    if config_path.exists():
+        try:
+            with config_path.open("r", encoding="utf-8") as file_handle:
+                loaded = json.load(file_handle)
+                if isinstance(loaded, dict):
+                    file_config = loaded
+                else:
+                    print("Warning: Config file does not contain a JSON object. Using defaults.")
+        except (OSError, json.JSONDecodeError) as error:
+            print(f"Warning: Could not read config file '{config_path}': {error}")
+
+    CLI_PATH = os.getenv("STM32_EASY_FLASH_CLI_PATH", file_config.get("CLI_PATH", DEFAULT_CLI_PATH))
+    FIRMWARE_PATH = os.getenv("STM32_EASY_FLASH_FIRMWARE_PATH", file_config.get("FIRMWARE_PATH", DEFAULT_FIRMWARE_PATH))
+    PORT = os.getenv("STM32_EASY_FLASH_PORT", file_config.get("PORT", DEFAULT_PORT))
+    HOTKEY = os.getenv("STM32_EASY_FLASH_HOTKEY", file_config.get("HOTKEY", DEFAULT_HOTKEY))
+
+    return config_path
+
+
+def validate_configuration():
+    """Validate required runtime settings before attempting to flash."""
+    if not Path(CLI_PATH).is_file():
+        print(f"\nError: CLI executable not found at '{CLI_PATH}'.")
+        print("Update CLI_PATH in config/env before flashing.")
+        return False
+
+    if not Path(FIRMWARE_PATH).is_file():
+        print(f"\nError: Firmware file not found at '{FIRMWARE_PATH}'.")
+        print("Update FIRMWARE_PATH in config/env before flashing.")
+        return False
+
+    return True
+
+
 def flash_mcu():
     """Erase and flash the STM32 target using STM32_Programmer_CLI."""
+    if not validate_configuration():
+        print("Waiting for a valid configuration...")
+        return
+
     print("\n" + "-"*40)
     print("▶ Hotkey detected! Starting flash process...")
 
@@ -61,19 +126,23 @@ def flash_mcu():
         print(f"\n❌ An unexpected error occurred: {e}")
 
     print("-" * 40)
-    print("Waiting for 'ctrl + shift + f12'... (Exit with Ctrl+C)")
+    print(f"Waiting for '{HOTKEY}'... (Exit with Ctrl+C)")
 
 
 # Main program
 if __name__ == "__main__":
+    config_file_path = load_runtime_config()
+
     print("STM32 Easy Flash started.")
+    print(f"Config file: {config_file_path}")
+    print(f"Configured hotkey: {HOTKEY}")
     print(f"Configured port: {PORT}")
     print(f"Firmware: {FIRMWARE_PATH}")
-    print("\nWaiting for 'ctrl + shift + f12'... (Exit with Ctrl+C in terminal)")
+    print(f"\nWaiting for '{HOTKEY}'... (Exit with Ctrl+C in terminal)")
 
     try:
-        # Register hotkey. Pressing ctrl+shift+f12 will trigger flash_mcu()
-        keyboard.add_hotkey('ctrl+shift+f12', flash_mcu)
+        # Register hotkey from config/env; default remains ctrl+shift+f12.
+        keyboard.add_hotkey(HOTKEY, flash_mcu)
 
         # Keep the script alive so the hotkey listener remains active.
         # Press Ctrl+C in the terminal to exit cleanly.