diff --git a/.github/workflows/create_release.yml b/.github/workflows/create_release.yml
index 99d49c7e..1f7a19f2 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/create_release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/create_release.yml
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ jobs:
           draft: false
           prerelease: false
           generateReleaseNotes: true
+          skipIfReleaseExists: true
 
       - name: Discord notification
         uses: Ilshidur/action-discord@master
diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 903bc048..51162925 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,15 +1,18 @@
 # Changelog
 
-## 1.5.1
-
+## 1.5.4
 
+- Fix ESPHome 2026.2+ compatibility by migrating ESP8266 configurations to new platform format
+- Update CI configurations and example files to use separate `esp8266:` block instead of deprecated `platform:` key
+- Fix Wire library dependency for VL53L1X_ULD to resolve build errors on ESP32
+- Fix release workflow to skip creating releases that already exist
 
 ## 1.5.0
 
-- Manual ROI configuration fixed
-- Sensor initialization fixed
-- Fix setup priorities to ensure proper boot up
-- Code formatting
+- Manual ROI configuration fixed
+- Sensor initialization fixed
+- Fix setup priorities to ensure proper boot up
+- Code formatting
 - Cleanup
 
 ## 1.4.1
diff --git a/ci/esp8266.yaml b/ci/esp8266.yaml
index 7cd426a5..65092dd6 100644
--- a/ci/esp8266.yaml
+++ b/ci/esp8266.yaml
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 <<: !include common.yaml
-esphome:
-  name: $devicename
-  platform: ESP8266
+
+esp8266:
   board: d1_mini
 
 i2c:
diff --git a/components/vl53l1x/__init__.py b/components/vl53l1x/__init__.py
index fad429ad..9d0e822e 100644
--- a/components/vl53l1x/__init__.py
+++ b/components/vl53l1x/__init__.py
@@ -108,6 +108,7 @@ def none_to_empty(value):
 
 
 async def to_code(config: Dict):
+    cg.add_library("Wire", None)  # Required for VL53L1X_ULD to find Wire.h
     cg.add_library("rneurink", "1.2.3", "VL53L1X_ULD")
 
     vl53l1x = cg.new_Pvariable(config[CONF_ID])
diff --git a/peopleCounter8266.yaml b/peopleCounter8266.yaml
index 4f5667b4..9e134ee4 100644
--- a/peopleCounter8266.yaml
+++ b/peopleCounter8266.yaml
@@ -11,7 +11,8 @@ external_components:
 
 esphome:
   name: $devicename
-  platform: ESP8266
+
+esp8266:
   board: d1_mini
 
 wifi:
diff --git a/peopleCounter8266Dev.yaml b/peopleCounter8266Dev.yaml
index c265cc69..8e3159c5 100644
--- a/peopleCounter8266Dev.yaml
+++ b/peopleCounter8266Dev.yaml
@@ -8,7 +8,8 @@ external_components:
 
 esphome:
   name: $devicename
-  platform: ESP8266
+
+esp8266:
   board: d1_mini
 
 wifi: