diff --git a/.github/workflows/reusable-cookie.yml b/.github/workflows/reusable-cookie.yml
index d6fd6fac..28b66070 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/reusable-cookie.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/reusable-cookie.yml
@@ -13,38 +13,8 @@ jobs:
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v3
 
-      - name: Lint setuptools
-        run: pipx run nox -s 'lint(setuptools)'
-
-      - name: Lint pybind11
-        run: pipx run nox -s 'lint(pybind11)'
-
-      - name: Lint scikit-build
-        run: pipx run nox -s 'lint(skbuild)'
-
-      - name: Lint meson-python
-        run: pipx run nox -s 'lint(mesonpy)'
-
-      - name: Lint poetry
-        run: pipx run nox -s 'lint(poetry)'
-
-      - name: Lint flit
-        run: pipx run nox -s 'lint(flit)'
-
-      - name: Lint pdm
-        run: pipx run nox -s 'lint(pdm)'
-
-      - name: Lint whey
-        run: pipx run nox -s 'lint(whey)'
-
-      - name: Lint maturin
-        run: pipx run nox -s 'lint(maturin)'
-
-      - name: Lint hatch
-        run: pipx run nox -s 'lint(hatch)'
-
-      - name: Lint setuptools PEP 621
-        run: pipx run nox -s 'lint(setuptools621)'
+      - name: Lint all
+        run: pipx run nox -s 'lint'
 
   checks:
     name: Check Python ${{ matrix.python-version }} on ${{ matrix.runs-on }}
@@ -71,47 +41,48 @@ jobs:
         run: pip install nox
 
       - name: Test setuptools
-        run: nox -s 'tests(setuptools)'
+        run: nox -s 'tests(setuptools, novcs)' -s 'tests(setuptools, vcs)'
 
       - name: Test pybind11
-        run: nox -s 'tests(pybind11)'
+        run: nox -s 'tests(pybind11, novcs)' -s 'tests(pybind11, vcs)'
 
       - name: Test scikit-build
-        run: nox -s 'tests(skbuild)'
+        run: nox -s 'tests(skbuild, novcs)' -s 'tests(skbuild, vcs)'
 
       - name: Test poetry
-        run: nox -s 'tests(poetry)'
+        run: nox -s 'tests(poetry, novcs)' -s 'tests(poetry, vcs)'
 
       - name: Test flit
-        run: nox -s 'tests(flit)'
+        run: nox -s 'tests(flit, novcs)' -s 'tests(flit, vcs)'
 
       - name: Test pdm
-        run: nox -s 'tests(pdm)'
+        run: nox -s 'tests(pdm, novcs)' -s 'tests(pdm, vcs)'
 
       - name: Test whey
-        run: nox -s 'tests(whey)'
+        run: nox -s 'tests(whey, novcs)'
 
       - name: Test maturin
-        run: nox -s 'tests(maturin)'
+        run: nox -s 'tests(maturin, novcs)'
 
       - name: Test hatch
-        run: nox -s 'tests(hatch)'
+        run: nox -s 'tests(hatch, novcs)' -s 'tests(hatch, vcs)'
 
       - name: Test setuptools PEP 621
-        run: nox -s 'tests(setuptools621)'
+        run: nox -s 'tests(setuptools621, novcs)' -s 'tests(setuptools621, vcs)'
 
       - name: Native poetry tooling
-        run: nox -s 'native(poetry)'
+        run: nox -s 'native(poetry, novcs)' -s 'native(poetry, vcs)'
 
       - name: Native pdm tooling
-        run: nox -s 'native(pdm)'
+
+        run: nox -s 'native(pdm, novcs)' -s 'native(pdm, vcs)'
 
       - name: Activate MSVC for Meson
         if: runner.os == 'Windows'
         uses: ilammy/msvc-dev-cmd@v1
 
       - name: Test meson-python
-        run: nox -s 'tests(mesonpy)'
+        run: nox -s 'tests(mesonpy, novcs)'
 
       - name: Compare copier template generation
         run: nox -s compare_copier
@@ -128,53 +99,53 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Test setuptools
         run: |
-          pipx run nox -s 'nox(setuptools)'
-          pipx run nox -s 'nox(setuptools)' -- docs
+          pipx run nox -s 'nox(setuptools, vcs)'
+          pipx run nox -s 'nox(setuptools, vcs)' -- docs
 
       - name: Test pybind11
         run: |
-          pipx run nox -s 'nox(pybind11)'
-          pipx run nox -s 'nox(pybind11)' -- docs
+          pipx run nox -s 'nox(pybind11, vcs)'
+          pipx run nox -s 'nox(pybind11, vcs)' -- docs
 
       - name: Test scikit-build
         run: |
-          pipx run nox -s 'nox(skbuild)'
-          pipx run nox -s 'nox(skbuild)' -- docs
+          pipx run nox -s 'nox(skbuild, vcs)'
+          pipx run nox -s 'nox(skbuild, vcs)' -- docs
 
       - name: Test poetry
         run: |
-          pipx run nox -s 'nox(poetry)'
-          pipx run nox -s 'nox(poetry)' -- docs
+          pipx run nox -s 'nox(poetry, novcs)'
+          pipx run nox -s 'nox(poetry, novcs)' -- docs
 
       - name: Test flit
         run: |
-          pipx run nox -s 'nox(flit)'
-          pipx run nox -s 'nox(flit)' -- docs
+          pipx run nox -s 'nox(flit, novcs)'
+          pipx run nox -s 'nox(flit, novcs)' -- docs
 
       - name: Test pdm
         run: |
-          pipx run nox -s 'nox(pdm)'
-          pipx run nox -s 'nox(pdm)' -- docs
+          pipx run nox -s 'nox(pdm, vcs)'
+          pipx run nox -s 'nox(pdm, vcs)' -- docs
 
       - name: Test whey
         run: |
-          pipx run nox -s 'nox(whey)'
-          pipx run nox -s 'nox(whey)' -- docs
+          pipx run nox -s 'nox(whey, novcs)'
+          pipx run nox -s 'nox(whey, novcs)' -- docs
 
       - name: Test maturin
         run: |
-          pipx run nox -s 'nox(maturin)'
-          pipx run nox -s 'nox(maturin)' -- docs
+          pipx run nox -s 'nox(maturin, novcs)'
+          pipx run nox -s 'nox(maturin, novcs)' -- docs
 
       - name: Test hatch
         run: |
-          pipx run nox -s 'nox(hatch)'
-          pipx run nox -s 'nox(hatch)' -- docs
+          pipx run nox -s 'nox(hatch, vcs)'
+          pipx run nox -s 'nox(hatch, vcs)' -- docs
 
       - name: Test setuptools PEP 621
         run: |
-          pipx run nox -s 'nox(setuptools621)'
-          pipx run nox -s 'nox(setuptools621)' -- docs
+          pipx run nox -s 'nox(setuptools621, vcs)'
+          pipx run nox -s 'nox(setuptools621, vcs)' -- docs
 
       - name: Activate MSVC for Meson
         if: runner.os == 'Windows'
@@ -182,8 +153,8 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Test meson-python
         run: |
-          pipx run nox -s 'nox(mesonpy)'
-          pipx run nox -s 'nox(mesonpy)' -- docs
+          pipx run nox -s 'nox(mesonpy, novcs)'
+          pipx run nox -s 'nox(mesonpy, novcs)' -- docs
 
   dist:
     name: Distribution build
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 4182de42..60d4ab8b 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ templates for Python packages?
 - Lives with the [Scientific-Python Development Guide][]: Every decision is
   clearly documented and every tool described, and everything is kept in sync.
 - Eleven different backends to choose from for building packages.
+- Optional VCS versioning for most backends.
 - Template generation tested in GitHub Actions using nox.
 - Supports generation with [copier][], [cookiecutter][], and [cruft][].
 - Supports GitHub Actions if targeting a `github.com` url (the default), and
@@ -46,7 +47,7 @@ During generation you can select from the following backends for your package:
    projects supporting standards. Replaces setuptools, venv/pipenv, pip, wheel,
    and twine. Supports [PEP 621][].
 4. [whey][]: A modern [PEP 621][] builder with some automation options for Trove
-   classifiers. Development seems to be stalled, possibly.
+   classifiers. Development seems to be stalled, possibly. (No VCS versioning)
 5. [poetry][]: An all-in-one solution to pure Python projects. Replaces
    setuptools, venv/pipenv, pip, wheel, and twine. Higher learning curve, but is
    all-in-one. Makes some bad default assumptions for libraries. The only one
@@ -59,9 +60,9 @@ During generation you can select from the following backends for your package:
    [pybind11][] and wheels generated by [cibuildwheel][].
 9. [scikit-build][]: A scikit-build (CMake) project also using pybind11, using
    scikit-build-core. **(Recommended for C++ projects)**
-10. [meson-python][]: A Meson project also using pybind11.
-11. [maturin][]: A [PEP 621][] builder for Rust binary extensions.
-    **(Recommended for Rust projects)**
+10. [meson-python][]: A Meson project also using pybind11. (No VCS versioning)
+11. [maturin][]: A [PEP 621][] builder for Rust binary extensions. (No VCS
+    versioning) **(Recommended for Rust projects)**
 
 Currently, the best choice is probably hatch for pure Python projects, and
 setuptools (such as the pybind11 choice) for binary projects.
diff --git a/cookiecutter.json b/cookiecutter.json
index e8917624..f2a02d73 100644
--- a/cookiecutter.json
+++ b/cookiecutter.json
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@
     "mesonpy",
     "maturin"
   ],
+  "vcs": true,
   "__year": "{% now 'utc', '%Y' %}",
   "__project_slug": "{{ cookiecutter.project_name | lower | replace('-', '_') | replace('.', '_') }}",
   "__type": "{{ 'compiled' if cookiecutter.backend in ['pybind11', 'skbuild', 'mesonpy', 'maturin'] else 'pure' }}",
@@ -45,6 +46,7 @@
       "skbuild": "Scikit-build-core              - Compiled C++ (recommended)",
       "mesonpy": "Meson-python                  - Compiled C++ (also good)",
       "maturin": "Maturin                       - Compiled Rust (recommended)"
-    }
+    },
+    "vcs": "Use version control for versioning"
   }
 }
diff --git a/copier.yml b/copier.yml
index ee6c0b72..e9a33341 100644
--- a/copier.yml
+++ b/copier.yml
@@ -83,6 +83,13 @@ backend:
     "Maturin                        - Compiled Rust (recommended)": maturin
   # [[[end]]]
 
+# [[[cog print(cc.vcs.yaml()) ]]]
+vcs:
+  type: bool
+  help: Use version control for versioning
+  # [[[end]]]
+  when: "{{ backend not in ['whey', 'maturin', 'mesonpy'] }}"
+
 _templates_suffix: ""
 
 _subdirectory: "{% raw %}{{cookiecutter.project_name}}{% endraw %}"
diff --git a/helpers/cog_cc.py b/helpers/cog_cc.py
index 4732065a..8d539d18 100644
--- a/helpers/cog_cc.py
+++ b/helpers/cog_cc.py
@@ -65,7 +65,11 @@ def __init__(self, filename: str):
                     name,
                     value,
                     prompt,
-                    "str" if isinstance(value, str) else "",
+                    "str"
+                    if isinstance(value, str)
+                    else "bool"
+                    if isinstance(value, bool)
+                    else "",
                     choices=choices,
                 ),
             )
diff --git a/noxfile.py b/noxfile.py
index 91168824..1438730f 100644
--- a/noxfile.py
+++ b/noxfile.py
@@ -9,10 +9,13 @@
 
 import difflib
 import json
+import os
 import re
 import shutil
+import stat
 import sys
 import urllib.request
+from collections.abc import Callable
 from pathlib import Path
 
 import nox
@@ -28,13 +31,30 @@
 default_context:
   project_name: cookie-{backend}
   backend: {backend}
+  vcs: {vcs}
 """
 
 
-def make_copier(session: nox.Session, backend: str) -> None:
+def _remove_readonly(func: Callable[[str], None], path: str, _: object) -> None:
+    os.chmod(path, stat.S_IWRITE)  # noqa: PTH101
+    func(path)
+
+
+def rmtree_ro(path: Path) -> None:
+    if sys.version_info >= (3, 12):
+        shutil.rmtree(path, onexc=_remove_readonly)
+    else:
+        shutil.rmtree(path, onerror=_remove_readonly)
+
+
+def get_expected_version(backend: str, vcs: bool) -> str:
+    return "0.2.3" if vcs and backend not in {"whey", "maturin", "mesonpy"} else "0.1.0"
+
+
+def make_copier(session: nox.Session, backend: str, vcs: bool) -> None:
     package_dir = Path(f"copy-{backend}")
     if package_dir.exists():
-        shutil.rmtree(package_dir)
+        rmtree_ro(package_dir)
 
     session.run(
         "copier",
@@ -50,6 +70,7 @@ def make_copier(session: nox.Session, backend: str) -> None:
         "--data=full_name=My Name",
         "--data=email=me@email.com",
         "--data=license=BSD",
+        f"--data=vcs={vcs}",
     )
 
     init_git(session, package_dir)
@@ -57,12 +78,14 @@ def make_copier(session: nox.Session, backend: str) -> None:
     return package_dir
 
 
-def make_cookie(session: nox.Session, backend: str) -> None:
+def make_cookie(session: nox.Session, backend: str, vcs: bool) -> None:
     package_dir = Path(f"cookie-{backend}")
     if package_dir.exists():
-        shutil.rmtree(package_dir)
+        rmtree_ro(package_dir)
 
-    Path("input.yml").write_text(JOB_FILE.format(backend=backend), encoding="utf-8")
+    Path("input.yml").write_text(
+        JOB_FILE.format(backend=backend, vcs=vcs), encoding="utf-8"
+    )
 
     session.run(
         "cookiecutter",
@@ -76,17 +99,17 @@ def make_cookie(session: nox.Session, backend: str) -> None:
     return package_dir
 
 
-def make_cruft(session: nox.Session, backend: str) -> None:
+def make_cruft(session: nox.Session, backend: str, vcs: bool) -> None:
     package_dir = Path(f"cruft-{backend}")
     if package_dir.exists():
-        shutil.rmtree(package_dir)
+        rmtree_ro(package_dir)
 
     tmp_dir = Path("tmp_loc")
     tmp_dir.mkdir()
 
     session.cd(tmp_dir)
     Path("input.yml").write_text(
-        JOB_FILE.format(backend=backend, pkg=package_dir), encoding="utf-8"
+        JOB_FILE.format(backend=backend, pkg=package_dir, vcs=vcs), encoding="utf-8"
     )
     session.run(
         "cruft",
@@ -120,7 +143,7 @@ def init_git(session: nox.Session, package_dir: Path) -> None:
         "feat: initial version",
         external=True,
     )
-    session.run("git", "-C", f"{package_dir}", "tag", "v0.1.0", external=True)
+    session.run("git", "-C", f"{package_dir}", "tag", "v0.2.3", external=True)
 
 
 IGNORE_FILES = {"__pycache__", ".git", ".copier-answers.yml", ".cruft.json"}
@@ -151,13 +174,14 @@ def diff_files(p1: Path, p2: Path) -> bool:
 
 
 @nox.session()
+@nox.parametrize("vcs", [False, True], ids=["novcs", "vcs"])
 @nox.parametrize("backend", BACKENDS, ids=BACKENDS)
-def lint(session: nox.Session, backend: str) -> None:
+def lint(session: nox.Session, backend: str, vcs: bool) -> None:
     session.install("cookiecutter", "pre-commit")
 
     tmp_dir = session.create_tmp()
     session.cd(tmp_dir)
-    cookie = make_cookie(session, backend)
+    cookie = make_cookie(session, backend, vcs)
     session.chdir(cookie)
 
     session.run(
@@ -171,12 +195,12 @@ def lint(session: nox.Session, backend: str) -> None:
 
 @nox.session
 @nox.parametrize("backend", BACKENDS, ids=BACKENDS)
-def autoupdate(session, backend):
+def autoupdate(session: nox.Session, backend: str) -> None:
     session.install("cookiecutter", "pre-commit")
 
     tmp_dir = session.create_tmp()
     session.cd(tmp_dir)
-    cookie = make_cookie(session, backend)
+    cookie = make_cookie(session, backend, True)
     session.chdir(cookie)
 
     session.run("pre-commit", "autoupdate")
@@ -184,27 +208,38 @@ def autoupdate(session, backend):
 
 
 @nox.session()
+@nox.parametrize("vcs", [False, True], ids=["novcs", "vcs"])
 @nox.parametrize("backend", BACKENDS, ids=BACKENDS)
-def tests(session, backend):
+def tests(session: nox.Session, backend: str, vcs: bool) -> None:
     session.install("cookiecutter")
 
     tmp_dir = session.create_tmp()
     session.cd(tmp_dir)
-    cookie = make_cookie(session, backend)
+    cookie = make_cookie(session, backend, vcs)
     session.chdir(cookie)
 
+    name = f"cookie-{backend}"
     session.install(".[test]")
     session.run("python", "-m", "pytest", "-ra")
+    version = session.run(
+        "python",
+        "-c",
+        f'import importlib.metadata as m; print(m.version("{name}"))',
+        silent=True,
+    ).strip()
+    expected_version = get_expected_version(backend, vcs)
+    assert version == expected_version, f"{version=} != {expected_version=}"
 
 
 @nox.session()
+@nox.parametrize("vcs", [False, True], ids=["novcs", "vcs"])
 @nox.parametrize("backend", ("poetry", "pdm", "hatch"), ids=("poetry", "pdm", "hatch"))
-def native(session, backend):
+def native(session: nox.Session, backend: str, vcs: bool) -> None:
     session.install("cookiecutter", backend)
 
     tmp_dir = session.create_tmp()
     session.cd(tmp_dir)
-    cookie = make_cookie(session, backend)
+    cookie = make_cookie(session, backend, vcs)
     session.chdir(cookie)
 
     if backend == "hatch":
@@ -216,21 +251,23 @@ def native(session, backend):
 
 
 @nox.session()
+@nox.parametrize("vcs", [False, True], ids=["novcs", "vcs"])
 @nox.parametrize("backend", BACKENDS, ids=BACKENDS)
-def dist(session, backend):
+def dist(session: nox.Session, backend: str, vcs: bool) -> None:
     session.install("cookiecutter", "build", "twine")
 
     tmp_dir = session.create_tmp()
     session.cd(tmp_dir)
-    cookie = make_cookie(session, backend)
+    cookie = make_cookie(session, backend, vcs)
     session.chdir(cookie)
 
     session.run("python", "-m", "build", silent=True)
     (sdist,) = Path("dist").glob("*.tar.gz")
     (wheel,) = Path("dist").glob("*.whl")
 
-    if "0.1.0" not in str(wheel):
-        session.error(f"{wheel} must be version 0.1.0")
+    expected_version = get_expected_version(backend, vcs)
+    if expected_version not in str(wheel):
+        session.error(f"{wheel} must be version {expected_version}")
 
     session.run("twine", "check", f"{sdist}", f"{wheel}")
 
@@ -241,13 +278,14 @@ def dist(session, backend):
 
 
 @nox.session(name="nox")
+@nox.parametrize("vcs", [False, True], ids=["novcs", "vcs"])
 @nox.parametrize("backend", BACKENDS, ids=BACKENDS)
-def nox_session(session, backend):
+def nox_session(session: nox.Session, backend: str, vcs: bool) -> None:
     session.install("cookiecutter", "nox")
 
     tmp_dir = session.create_tmp()
     session.cd(tmp_dir)
-    cookie = make_cookie(session, backend)
+    cookie = make_cookie(session, backend, vcs)
     session.chdir(cookie)
 
     if session.posargs:
@@ -264,13 +302,14 @@ def compare_copier(session):
     session.cd(tmp_dir)
 
     for backend in BACKENDS:
-        cookie = make_cookie(session, backend)
-        copier = make_copier(session, backend)
+        for vcs in (False, True):
+            cookie = make_cookie(session, backend, vcs)
+            copier = make_copier(session, backend, vcs)
 
-        if diff_files(cookie, copier):
-            session.log(f"{backend} passed")
-        else:
-            session.error(f"{backend} files are not the same!")
+            if diff_files(cookie, copier):
+                session.log(f"{backend} {vcs=} passed")
+            else:
+                session.error(f"{backend} {vcs=} files are not the same!")
 
 
 @nox.session()
@@ -281,13 +320,14 @@ def compare_cruft(session):
     session.cd(tmp_dir)
 
     for backend in BACKENDS:
-        cookie = make_cookie(session, backend)
-        copier = make_cruft(session, backend)
-
-        if diff_files(cookie, copier):
-            session.log(f"{backend} passed")
-        else:
-            session.error(f"{backend} files are not the same!")
+        for vcs in (False, True):
+            cookie = make_cookie(session, backend, vcs)
+            cruft = make_cruft(session, backend, vcs)
+
+            if diff_files(cookie, cruft):
+                session.log(f"{backend} {vcs=} passed")
+            else:
+                session.error(f"{backend} {vcs=} files are not the same!")
 
 
 PC_VERS = re.compile(
diff --git a/{{cookiecutter.project_name}}/pyproject.toml b/{{cookiecutter.project_name}}/pyproject.toml
index d7022fa1..4e8de00a 100644
--- a/{{cookiecutter.project_name}}/pyproject.toml
+++ b/{{cookiecutter.project_name}}/pyproject.toml
@@ -9,38 +9,60 @@ build-backend = "pdm.backend"
 requires = ["maturin>=0.15,<2"]
 build-backend = "maturin"
 {%- elif cookiecutter.backend == "hatch" %}
+{%- if cookiecutter.vcs %}
+requires = ["hatchling", "hatch-vcs"]
+{%- else %}
 requires = ["hatchling"]
+{%- endif %}
 build-backend = "hatchling.build"
 {%- elif cookiecutter.backend == "setuptools621" %}
-requires = ["setuptools>=61.0"]
+{%- if cookiecutter.vcs %}
+requires = ["setuptools>=61", "setuptools_scm[toml]>=7"]
+{%- else %}
+requires = ["setuptools>=61"]
+{%- endif %}
 build-backend = "setuptools.build_meta"
 {%- elif cookiecutter.backend == "flit" %}
+{%- if cookiecutter.vcs %}
+requires = ["flit_scm"]
+build-backend = "flit_scm:buildapi"
+{%- else %}
 requires = ["flit_core>=3.4"]
 build-backend = "flit_core.buildapi"
+{%- endif %}
 {%- elif cookiecutter.backend == "setuptools" %}
+{%- if cookiecutter.vcs %}
 requires = ["setuptools>=42", "setuptools_scm[toml]>=3.4"]
+{%- else %}
+requires = ["setuptools>=42"]
+{%- endif %}
 build-backend = "setuptools.build_meta"
 {%- elif cookiecutter.backend == "pybind11" %}
+{%- if cookiecutter.vcs %}
 requires = ["setuptools>=42", "setuptools_scm[toml]>=3.4", "pybind11"]
+{%- else %}
+requires = ["setuptools>=42", "pybind11"]
+{%- endif %}
 build-backend = "setuptools.build_meta"
 {%- elif cookiecutter.backend == "skbuild"  %}
 requires = ["pybind11", "scikit-build-core"]
 build-backend = "scikit_build_core.build"
-{%- elif cookiecutter.backend == "mesonpy"  %}
+{%- elif cookiecutter.backend == "mesonpy" %}
 requires = ["meson-python", "pybind11"]
 build-backend = "mesonpy"
 {%- elif cookiecutter.backend == "poetry" %}
+{%- if cookiecutter.vcs %}
+requires = ["poetry-core>=1.0.0", "poetry-dynamic-versioning"]
+build-backend = "poetry_dynamic_versioning.backend"
+{%- else %}
 requires = ["poetry_core>=1.0.0"]
 build-backend = "poetry.core.masonry.api"
 {%- endif %}
+{%- endif %}
 
 {%- if cookiecutter.backend in ["setuptools", "pybind11"] %}
 
 
-[tool.setuptools_scm]
-write_to = "src/{{ cookiecutter.__project_slug }}/_version.py"
-
-
 [tool.check-manifest]
 ignore = [
   ".github/**",
@@ -56,7 +78,11 @@ ignore = [
 
 [tool.poetry]
 name = "{{ cookiecutter.project_name }}"
+{%- if cookiecutter.vcs %}
+version = "0.0.0"
+{%- else %}
 version = "0.1.0"
+{%- endif %}
 authors = [
   "{{ cookiecutter.full_name }} <{{ cookiecutter.email }}>",
 ]
@@ -112,13 +138,18 @@ docs = [
   "sphinx_copybutton",
 ]
 
+{%- if cookiecutter.vcs %}
 
+[tool.poetry-dynamic-versioning]
+enable = true
+substitution.files = ["src/{{ cookiecutter.__project_slug }}/__init__.py"]
+{%- endif %}
 {%- else %}
 
 
 [project]
 name = "{{ cookiecutter.project_name }}"
-{%- if cookiecutter.backend not in ["flit", "hatch"] %}
+{%- if cookiecutter.backend in ['maturin', 'mesonpy', 'whey'] or not cookiecutter.vcs and cookiecutter.backend in ['setuptools621', 'skbuild'] %}
 version = "0.1.0"
 {%- endif %}
 authors = [
@@ -155,7 +186,7 @@ classifiers = [
   "Topic :: Scientific/Engineering",
   "Typing :: Typed",
 ]
-{%- if cookiecutter.backend in ["flit", "hatch"] %}
+{%- if cookiecutter.backend not in ['maturin', 'mesonpy', 'whey'] and cookiecutter.vcs or cookiecutter.backend in ['pdm', 'hatch', 'flit'] %}
 dynamic = ["version"]
 {%- endif %}
 dependencies = []
@@ -192,6 +223,11 @@ Changelog = "{{ cookiecutter.url }}/releases"
 [tool.scikit-build]
 minimum-version = "0.4"
 build-dir = "build/{wheel_tag}"
+{%- if cookiecutter.vcs %}
+metadata.version.provider = "scikit_build_core.metadata.setuptools_scm"
+sdist.include = ["src/{{ cookiecutter.__project_slug }}/_version.py"]
+{%- endif %}
+
 
 {%- elif cookiecutter.backend == "whey" %}
 
@@ -212,20 +248,47 @@ sdist-generator = "git"  # default is cargo
 
 
 [tool.hatch]
+{%- if not cookiecutter.vcs %}
 version.path = "src/{{ cookiecutter.__project_slug  }}/__init__.py"
+{%- else %}
+version.source = "vcs"
+build.hooks.vcs.version-file = "src/{{ cookiecutter.__project_slug }}/_version.py"
+{%- endif %}
 envs.default.dependencies = [
   "pytest",
   "pytest-cov",
 ]
 
 {%- elif cookiecutter.backend == "pdm" %}
+{%- if cookiecutter.vcs %}
+
+
+[tool.pdm.version]
+source = "scm"
+write_to = "{{ cookiecutter.__project_slug }}/_version.py"
+write_template = "version = '{}'"
+
+{%- else %}
 
 
+[tool.pdm.version]
+source = "file"
+path = "src/{{ cookiecutter.__project_slug }}/__init__.py"
+
+{%- endif %}
+
 [tool.pdm.dev-dependencies]
 devtest = ["pytest", "pytest-cov"]
 
 {%- endif %}
 
+{%- if cookiecutter.backend in ["setuptools", "pybind11", "poetry", "flit", "skbuild", "setuptools621"] and cookiecutter.vcs %}
+
+
+[tool.setuptools_scm]
+write_to = "src/{{ cookiecutter.__project_slug }}/_version.py"
+{%- endif %}
+
 
 {%- if cookiecutter.__type == "compiled" %}
 
diff --git a/{{cookiecutter.project_name}}/src/{{cookiecutter.__project_slug}}/__init__.py b/{{cookiecutter.project_name}}/src/{{cookiecutter.__project_slug}}/__init__.py
index 340316c6..3cd31f44 100644
--- a/{{cookiecutter.project_name}}/src/{{cookiecutter.__project_slug}}/__init__.py
+++ b/{{cookiecutter.project_name}}/src/{{cookiecutter.__project_slug}}/__init__.py
@@ -7,10 +7,24 @@
 
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-{% if cookiecutter.backend == "setuptools" or cookiecutter.backend == "pybind11" -%}
+{%- if cookiecutter.backend in ["setuptools", "pybind11", "hatch", "skbuild", "setuptools621", "flit"] and cookiecutter.vcs %}
+
 from ._version import version as __version__
-{%- else -%}
+
+{%- elif cookiecutter.backend == "pdm" and cookiecutter.vcs %}
+
+import importlib.metadata
+
+__version__ = importlib.metadata.version("{{ cookiecutter.__project_slug }}")
+
+{%- elif cookiecutter.backend == "poetry" and cookiecutter.vcs %}
+
+__version__ = "0.0.0"
+
+{%- else %}
+
 __version__ = "0.1.0"
+
 {%- endif %}
 
 __all__ = ("__version__",)
diff --git a/{{cookiecutter.project_name}}/src/{{cookiecutter.__project_slug}}/{% if cookiecutter.backend in ['setuptools', 'pybind11'] %}_version.pyi{% endif %} b/{{cookiecutter.project_name}}/src/{{cookiecutter.__project_slug}}/{% if cookiecutter.vcs and cookiecutter.backend not in ['whey', 'mesonpy', 'poetry', 'maturin'] %}_version.pyi{% endif %}
similarity index 69%
rename from {{cookiecutter.project_name}}/src/{{cookiecutter.__project_slug}}/{% if cookiecutter.backend in ['setuptools', 'pybind11'] %}_version.pyi{% endif %}
rename to {{cookiecutter.project_name}}/src/{{cookiecutter.__project_slug}}/{% if cookiecutter.vcs and cookiecutter.backend not in ['whey', 'mesonpy', 'poetry', 'maturin'] %}_version.pyi{% endif %}
index 91744f98..f8c6240f 100644
--- a/{{cookiecutter.project_name}}/src/{{cookiecutter.__project_slug}}/{% if cookiecutter.backend in ['setuptools', 'pybind11'] %}_version.pyi{% endif %}	
+++ b/{{cookiecutter.project_name}}/src/{{cookiecutter.__project_slug}}/{% if cookiecutter.vcs and cookiecutter.backend not in ['whey', 'mesonpy', 'poetry', 'maturin'] %}_version.pyi{% endif %}	
@@ -1,4 +1,6 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 version: str
+{%- if cookiecutter.backend != "pdm" %}
 version_tuple: tuple[int, int, int] | tuple[int, int, int, str, str]
+{%- endif %}
diff --git a/{{cookiecutter.project_name}}/tests/test_package.py b/{{cookiecutter.project_name}}/tests/test_package.py
index 357dce64..4d7300d7 100644
--- a/{{cookiecutter.project_name}}/tests/test_package.py
+++ b/{{cookiecutter.project_name}}/tests/test_package.py
@@ -1,7 +1,9 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
+import importlib.metadata
+
 import {{ cookiecutter.__project_slug }} as m
 
 
 def test_version():
-    assert m.__version__
+    assert importlib.metadata.version("{{ cookiecutter.__project_slug }}") == m.__version__
diff --git a/{{cookiecutter.project_name}}/{% if cookiecutter.backend in ['setuptools','pybind11'] %}setup.cfg{% endif %} b/{{cookiecutter.project_name}}/{% if cookiecutter.backend in ['setuptools','pybind11'] %}setup.cfg{% endif %}
index 5b9705d3..ba2c1826 100644
--- a/{{cookiecutter.project_name}}/{% if cookiecutter.backend in ['setuptools','pybind11'] %}setup.cfg{% endif %}	
+++ b/{{cookiecutter.project_name}}/{% if cookiecutter.backend in ['setuptools','pybind11'] %}setup.cfg{% endif %}	
@@ -1,5 +1,8 @@
 [metadata]
 name = {{ cookiecutter.__project_slug }}
+{%- if not cookiecutter.vcs %}
+version = 0.1.0
+{%- endif%}
 description = {{ cookiecutter.project_short_description }}
 long_description = file: README.md
 long_description_content_type = text/markdown