From a42572df4d89b4d8b48992db45f763306158d409 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Matt Davis <6775756+nitzmahone@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Mon, 13 Apr 2026 12:50:59 -0700
Subject: [PATCH] New release v2.21.0b2 (#86833)

---
 changelogs/CHANGELOG-v2.21.rst             | 21 +++++++++++++++++++++
 changelogs/changelog.yaml                  | 22 ++++++++++++++++++++++
 changelogs/fragments/2.21.0b2_summary.yaml |  3 +++
 lib/ansible/release.py                     |  2 +-
 4 files changed, 47 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-)
 create mode 100644 changelogs/fragments/2.21.0b2_summary.yaml

diff --git a/changelogs/CHANGELOG-v2.21.rst b/changelogs/CHANGELOG-v2.21.rst
index e2abffe1096..d497099ab8f 100644
--- a/changelogs/CHANGELOG-v2.21.rst
+++ b/changelogs/CHANGELOG-v2.21.rst
@@ -4,6 +4,27 @@ ansible-core 2.21 "The Rain Song" Release Notes
 
 .. contents:: Topics
 
+v2.21.0b2
+=========
+
+Release Summary
+---------------
+
+| Release Date: 2026-04-13
+| `Porting Guide <https://docs.ansible.com/ansible-core/2.21/porting_guides/porting_guide_core_2.21.html>`__
+
+Minor Changes
+-------------
+
+- ansible-test - Generate ``dist_info`` when running tests.
+- ansible-test - Upgrade the distro-specific test containers.
+
+Bugfixes
+--------
+
+- Fix ``validate_argspec`` when tags are defined on the play. The ``always`` tag is only added if the play has no tags.
+- ``--start-at-task`` - fix starting at the requested task instead of starting at the next block or play. Play level tasks run first. (https://github.com/ansible/ansible/issues/86268)
+
 v2.21.0b1
 =========
 
diff --git a/changelogs/changelog.yaml b/changelogs/changelog.yaml
index 4a5aa37312f..f0e65b92834 100644
--- a/changelogs/changelog.yaml
+++ b/changelogs/changelog.yaml
@@ -551,3 +551,25 @@ releases:
     - varloaderror.yml
     - winrm-kerberos.yml
     release_date: '2026-04-06'
+  2.21.0b2:
+    changes:
+      bugfixes:
+      - Fix ``validate_argspec`` when tags are defined on the play. The ``always``
+        tag is only added if the play has no tags.
+      - '``--start-at-task`` - fix starting at the requested task instead of starting
+        at the next block or play. Play level tasks run first. (https://github.com/ansible/ansible/issues/86268)'
+      minor_changes:
+      - ansible-test - Generate ``dist_info`` when running tests.
+      - ansible-test - Upgrade the distro-specific test containers.
+      release_summary: '| Release Date: 2026-04-13
+
+        | `Porting Guide <https://docs.ansible.com/ansible-core/2.21/porting_guides/porting_guide_core_2.21.html>`__
+
+        '
+    codename: The Rain Song
+    fragments:
+    - 2.21.0b2_summary.yaml
+    - ansible-test-dist-info.yml
+    - ansible-test-update-distro-containers.yml
+    - start-at-task-fact-gathering.yml
+    release_date: '2026-04-13'
diff --git a/changelogs/fragments/2.21.0b2_summary.yaml b/changelogs/fragments/2.21.0b2_summary.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..b0612a8a698
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changelogs/fragments/2.21.0b2_summary.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+release_summary: |
+   | Release Date: 2026-04-13
+   | `Porting Guide <https://docs.ansible.com/ansible-core/2.21/porting_guides/porting_guide_core_2.21.html>`__
diff --git a/lib/ansible/release.py b/lib/ansible/release.py
index 24bb6d65308..e02d777e437 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/release.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/release.py
@@ -17,6 +17,6 @@
 
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-__version__ = '2.21.0b1.post0'
+__version__ = '2.21.0b2'
 __author__ = 'Ansible, Inc.'
 __codename__ = "The Rain Song"