diff --git a/doc/dev/release_checklist.md b/doc/dev/release_checklist.md
index 7680d0c10a2e..e8a5d0aa5b56 100644
--- a/doc/dev/release_checklist.md
+++ b/doc/dev/release_checklist.md
@@ -13,7 +13,9 @@ We'll use `v4.6.0` as the intended release version as a running example.
 - In `src/CMakeLists.txt`, verify you see
   - `set(LEAN_VERSION_MINOR 6)` (for whichever `6` is appropriate)
   - `set(LEAN_VERSION_IS_RELEASE 1)`
-  - (both of these should already be in place from the release candidates)
+  - `set(LEAN_MANUAL_ROOT "https://lean-lang.org/doc/reference/4.6.0/")`
+  - (all of these should already be in place from the release candidates)
+
 - `git tag v4.6.0`
 - `git push $REMOTE v4.6.0`, where `$REMOTE` is the upstream Lean repository (e.g., `origin`, `upstream`)
 - Now wait, while CI runs.
@@ -124,6 +126,7 @@ We'll use `v4.6.0` as the intended release version as a running example.
       - Create and push the tag
       - Merge the tag into `stable`
 - Run `script/release_checklist.py v4.6.0` again to check that everything is in order.
+- Deploy the reference manual for the release to the specified URL, replacing the version that was deployed for the RC.
 - Finally, make an announcement!
   This should go in https://leanprover.zulipchat.com/#narrow/stream/113486-announce, with topic `v4.6.0`.
   Please see previous announcements for suggested language.
@@ -165,6 +168,7 @@ We'll use `v4.7.0-rc1` as the intended release version in this example.
 - In `src/CMakeLists.txt`,
   - verify that you see `set(LEAN_VERSION_MINOR 7)` (for whichever `7` is appropriate); this should already have been updated when the development cycle began.
   - change the `LEAN_VERSION_IS_RELEASE` line to `set(LEAN_VERSION_IS_RELEASE 1)` (this should be a change; on `master` and nightly releases it is always `0`).
+  - change the `LEAN_MANUAL_ROOT` line to `set(LEAN_MANUAL_ROOT "https://.../4.7.0/")`, with the correct version, after confirming the deployment location for the reference manual for this release. (this should be a change; on `master` and nightly releases it is always `""`).
   - Commit your changes to `src/CMakeLists.txt`, and push.
 - `git tag v4.7.0-rc1`
 - `git push origin v4.7.0-rc1`
@@ -202,6 +206,8 @@ We'll use `v4.7.0-rc1` as the intended release version in this example.
   - It is essential for Mathlib and Batteries CI that you then create the next `bump/v4.8.0` branch
     for the next development cycle.
     Set the `lean-toolchain` file on this branch to same `nightly` you used for this release.
+  - Deploy the reference manual for the release candidate to the URL specified above. It will be replaced by
+    the final release's manual as part of the release process.
   - (Note: we're currently uncertain if we really want to do this step. Check with Kim Morrison if you're unsure.)
     For Batteries/Aesop/Mathlib, which maintain a `nightly-testing` branch, make sure there is a tag
     `nightly-testing-2024-02-29` with date corresponding to the nightly used for the release
diff --git a/script/release_checklist.py b/script/release_checklist.py
index f6b6ab9ff9da..b6479303af48 100755
--- a/script/release_checklist.py
+++ b/script/release_checklist.py
@@ -135,7 +135,8 @@ def check_cmake_version(repo_url, branch, version_major, version_minor, github_t
         f"set(LEAN_VERSION_MAJOR {version_major})",
         f"set(LEAN_VERSION_MINOR {version_minor})",
         f"set(LEAN_VERSION_PATCH 0)",
-        f"set(LEAN_VERSION_IS_RELEASE 1)"
+        f"set(LEAN_VERSION_IS_RELEASE 1)",
+        f"set(LEAN_MANUAL_ROOT \"https://lean-lang.org/doc/reference/{version_major}.{version_minor}.0/\")"
     ]
 
     for line in expected_lines:
diff --git a/src/CMakeLists.txt b/src/CMakeLists.txt
index 31e5cb5b537a..4d3d44068a39 100644
--- a/src/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/src/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ if (LEAN_SPECIAL_VERSION_DESC)
 elseif (NOT LEAN_VERSION_IS_RELEASE)
   string(APPEND LEAN_VERSION_STRING "-pre")
 endif()
+set(LEAN_MANUAL_ROOT "") # Set this to the correct location for releases and release candidates. Include the trailing slash.
 
 set(LEAN_PLATFORM_TARGET "" CACHE STRING "LLVM triple of the target platform")
 if (NOT LEAN_PLATFORM_TARGET)
diff --git a/src/Lean/DocString/Links.lean b/src/Lean/DocString/Links.lean
index 53b50150160e..e30026cf7beb 100644
--- a/src/Lean/DocString/Links.lean
+++ b/src/Lean/DocString/Links.lean
@@ -11,11 +11,8 @@ set_option linter.missingDocs true
 
 namespace Lean
 
-/- After a stage0 update:
-@[extern "lean_get_manual_root"]
+@[extern "lean_manual_get_root"]
 private opaque getManualRoot : Unit → String
--/
-private def getManualRoot : Unit → String := fun () => ""
 
 private def fallbackManualRoot := "https://lean-lang.org/doc/reference/latest/"