diff --git a/dist/bump/index.js b/dist/bump/index.js
index aeb32360..da8d70c1 100644
--- a/dist/bump/index.js
+++ b/dist/bump/index.js
@@ -34349,12 +34349,19 @@ function getNextSdkVer(currentVersion, sdkVerBumpType, isReleaseBranch, headMatc
  */
 async function bumpSdkVer(config, bumpInfo, releaseMode, sdkVerBumpType, headSha, branchName, isBranchAllowedToPublish, createChangelog) {
     const isReleaseBranch = branchName.match(config.releaseBranches) !== null;
-    const hasBreakingChange = bumpInfo.processedCommits.some(c => c.message?.breakingChange);
+    let hasBreakingChange = bumpInfo.processedCommits.some(c => c.message?.breakingChange);
     if (!bumpInfo.foundVersion)
         return false; // should never happen
     // SdkVer requires a prerelease, so apply the default if not set
     config.prereleasePrefix = config.prereleasePrefix ?? "dev";
     let cv = semver_1.SemVer.copy(bumpInfo.foundVersion);
+    // Do not bump major version when breaking change is found in case
+    // the max configured major version is already reached
+    if (config.sdkverMaxMajor !== undefined &&
+        config.sdkverMaxMajor > 0 &&
+        cv.major >= config.sdkverMaxMajor) {
+        hasBreakingChange = false;
+    }
     // Get the latest draft release matching our current version's prefix.
     // Don't look at the draft version on a release branch; the current version
     // should always reflect the version to be bumped (as no dev releases are
@@ -35099,6 +35106,7 @@ const CONFIG_ITEMS = [
     "release-branches",
     "prereleases",
     "sdkver-create-release-branches",
+    "sdkver-max-major",
 ];
 const VERSION_SCHEMES = ["semver", "sdkver"];
 /**
@@ -35123,6 +35131,7 @@ class Configuration {
     tags = DEFAULT_ACCEPTED_TAGS;
     rules = new Map();
     sdkverCreateReleaseBranches = undefined;
+    sdkverMaxMajor = 0;
     set initialDevelopment(initialDevelopment) {
         this._initialDevelopment = initialDevelopment;
     }
@@ -35325,11 +35334,23 @@ class Configuration {
                         throw new Error(`Incorrect type '${typeof data[key]}' for '${key}', must be either "boolean" or "string"!`);
                     }
                     break;
+                case "sdkver-max-major":
+                    /* Example YAML:
+                     *   sdkver-max-major: 1  # defaults to 0
+                     */
+                    if (typeof data[key] === "number") {
+                        this.sdkverMaxMajor = data[key];
+                    }
+                    else {
+                        throw new Error(`Incorrect type '${typeof data[key]}' for '${key}', must be '${typeof this.sdkverMaxMajor}'!`);
+                    }
+                    break;
             }
         }
-        if (this.sdkverCreateReleaseBranches !== undefined &&
+        if ((this.sdkverCreateReleaseBranches !== undefined ||
+            this.sdkverMaxMajor !== 0) &&
             this.versionScheme !== "sdkver") {
-            core.warning("The configuration option `sdkver-create-release-branches` is only relevant " +
+            core.warning("The configuration options `sdkver-create-release-branches` and `sdkver-max-major` are only relevant " +
                 'when the `version-scheme` is set to `"sdkver"`.');
         }
     }
@@ -35366,6 +35387,7 @@ class Configuration {
         config.tags = JSON.parse(JSON.stringify(this.tags));
         config.rules = new Map(JSON.parse(JSON.stringify(Array.from(this.rules))));
         config.sdkverCreateReleaseBranches = this.sdkverCreateReleaseBranches;
+        config.sdkverMaxMajor = this.sdkverMaxMajor;
         return config;
     }
 }
diff --git a/dist/cli/index.js b/dist/cli/index.js
index 09519ab1..ad8b5a59 100755
--- a/dist/cli/index.js
+++ b/dist/cli/index.js
@@ -32919,6 +32919,7 @@ const CONFIG_ITEMS = [
     "release-branches",
     "prereleases",
     "sdkver-create-release-branches",
+    "sdkver-max-major",
 ];
 const VERSION_SCHEMES = ["semver", "sdkver"];
 /**
@@ -32943,6 +32944,7 @@ class Configuration {
     tags = DEFAULT_ACCEPTED_TAGS;
     rules = new Map();
     sdkverCreateReleaseBranches = undefined;
+    sdkverMaxMajor = 0;
     set initialDevelopment(initialDevelopment) {
         this._initialDevelopment = initialDevelopment;
     }
@@ -33145,11 +33147,23 @@ class Configuration {
                         throw new Error(`Incorrect type '${typeof data[key]}' for '${key}', must be either "boolean" or "string"!`);
                     }
                     break;
+                case "sdkver-max-major":
+                    /* Example YAML:
+                     *   sdkver-max-major: 1  # defaults to 0
+                     */
+                    if (typeof data[key] === "number") {
+                        this.sdkverMaxMajor = data[key];
+                    }
+                    else {
+                        throw new Error(`Incorrect type '${typeof data[key]}' for '${key}', must be '${typeof this.sdkverMaxMajor}'!`);
+                    }
+                    break;
             }
         }
-        if (this.sdkverCreateReleaseBranches !== undefined &&
+        if ((this.sdkverCreateReleaseBranches !== undefined ||
+            this.sdkverMaxMajor !== 0) &&
             this.versionScheme !== "sdkver") {
-            core.warning("The configuration option `sdkver-create-release-branches` is only relevant " +
+            core.warning("The configuration options `sdkver-create-release-branches` and `sdkver-max-major` are only relevant " +
                 'when the `version-scheme` is set to `"sdkver"`.');
         }
     }
@@ -33186,6 +33200,7 @@ class Configuration {
         config.tags = JSON.parse(JSON.stringify(this.tags));
         config.rules = new Map(JSON.parse(JSON.stringify(Array.from(this.rules))));
         config.sdkverCreateReleaseBranches = this.sdkverCreateReleaseBranches;
+        config.sdkverMaxMajor = this.sdkverMaxMajor;
         return config;
     }
 }
diff --git a/dist/validate/index.js b/dist/validate/index.js
index 35d09de8..e58394c0 100644
--- a/dist/validate/index.js
+++ b/dist/validate/index.js
@@ -34307,12 +34307,19 @@ function getNextSdkVer(currentVersion, sdkVerBumpType, isReleaseBranch, headMatc
  */
 async function bumpSdkVer(config, bumpInfo, releaseMode, sdkVerBumpType, headSha, branchName, isBranchAllowedToPublish, createChangelog) {
     const isReleaseBranch = branchName.match(config.releaseBranches) !== null;
-    const hasBreakingChange = bumpInfo.processedCommits.some(c => c.message?.breakingChange);
+    let hasBreakingChange = bumpInfo.processedCommits.some(c => c.message?.breakingChange);
     if (!bumpInfo.foundVersion)
         return false; // should never happen
     // SdkVer requires a prerelease, so apply the default if not set
     config.prereleasePrefix = config.prereleasePrefix ?? "dev";
     let cv = semver_1.SemVer.copy(bumpInfo.foundVersion);
+    // Do not bump major version when breaking change is found in case
+    // the max configured major version is already reached
+    if (config.sdkverMaxMajor !== undefined &&
+        config.sdkverMaxMajor > 0 &&
+        cv.major >= config.sdkverMaxMajor) {
+        hasBreakingChange = false;
+    }
     // Get the latest draft release matching our current version's prefix.
     // Don't look at the draft version on a release branch; the current version
     // should always reflect the version to be bumped (as no dev releases are
@@ -35057,6 +35064,7 @@ const CONFIG_ITEMS = [
     "release-branches",
     "prereleases",
     "sdkver-create-release-branches",
+    "sdkver-max-major",
 ];
 const VERSION_SCHEMES = ["semver", "sdkver"];
 /**
@@ -35081,6 +35089,7 @@ class Configuration {
     tags = DEFAULT_ACCEPTED_TAGS;
     rules = new Map();
     sdkverCreateReleaseBranches = undefined;
+    sdkverMaxMajor = 0;
     set initialDevelopment(initialDevelopment) {
         this._initialDevelopment = initialDevelopment;
     }
@@ -35283,11 +35292,23 @@ class Configuration {
                         throw new Error(`Incorrect type '${typeof data[key]}' for '${key}', must be either "boolean" or "string"!`);
                     }
                     break;
+                case "sdkver-max-major":
+                    /* Example YAML:
+                     *   sdkver-max-major: 1  # defaults to 0
+                     */
+                    if (typeof data[key] === "number") {
+                        this.sdkverMaxMajor = data[key];
+                    }
+                    else {
+                        throw new Error(`Incorrect type '${typeof data[key]}' for '${key}', must be '${typeof this.sdkverMaxMajor}'!`);
+                    }
+                    break;
             }
         }
-        if (this.sdkverCreateReleaseBranches !== undefined &&
+        if ((this.sdkverCreateReleaseBranches !== undefined ||
+            this.sdkverMaxMajor !== 0) &&
             this.versionScheme !== "sdkver") {
-            core.warning("The configuration option `sdkver-create-release-branches` is only relevant " +
+            core.warning("The configuration options `sdkver-create-release-branches` and `sdkver-max-major` are only relevant " +
                 'when the `version-scheme` is set to `"sdkver"`.');
         }
     }
@@ -35324,6 +35345,7 @@ class Configuration {
         config.tags = JSON.parse(JSON.stringify(this.tags));
         config.rules = new Map(JSON.parse(JSON.stringify(Array.from(this.rules))));
         config.sdkverCreateReleaseBranches = this.sdkverCreateReleaseBranches;
+        config.sdkverMaxMajor = this.sdkverMaxMajor;
         return config;
     }
 }
diff --git a/docs/configuration.md b/docs/configuration.md
index b30ff5bc..9c4d3134 100644
--- a/docs/configuration.md
+++ b/docs/configuration.md
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ initial-development: false  # OPTIONAL, defaults to `true`
 | `release-branches` | `/^release\/.*\d+\.\d+\.*$/` | A regex specifying from which branch(es) only `PATCH` version bump are allowed. |
 | `prereleases` | `undefined` | A string specifying the prereleases prefix. |
 | `sdkver-create-release-branches` | `false` | For SdkVer versioning scheme only: push a new branch if an RC or release build is performed on a non-release branch. If this config value is boolean `true`, the branch shall be of the form `release/N.N`. If this value is set to a string, it shall be used as the branch name prefix and appended with the major and minor release numbers, e.g. config value  `"rel/"` results in a branch named `rel/N.N`. |
+| `sdkver-max-major` | `0` | For SdkVer versioning scheme only: do not bump major version when breaking changes are found in case the maximum configured major version is already reached. |
 
 > :bulb: By default `commisery-action` will search for the file `.commisery.yml`. 
 You can specify a different file with the `config` input parameter.
diff --git a/src/bump.ts b/src/bump.ts
index 3eac337f..752d8a59 100644
--- a/src/bump.ts
+++ b/src/bump.ts
@@ -753,7 +753,7 @@ export async function bumpSdkVer(
   createChangelog: boolean
 ): Promise<boolean> {
   const isReleaseBranch = branchName.match(config.releaseBranches) !== null;
-  const hasBreakingChange = bumpInfo.processedCommits.some(
+  let hasBreakingChange = bumpInfo.processedCommits.some(
     c => c.message?.breakingChange
   );
   if (!bumpInfo.foundVersion) return false; // should never happen
@@ -763,6 +763,16 @@ export async function bumpSdkVer(
 
   let cv = SemVer.copy(bumpInfo.foundVersion);
 
+  // Do not bump major version when breaking change is found in case
+  // the max configured major version is already reached
+  if (
+    config.sdkverMaxMajor !== undefined &&
+    config.sdkverMaxMajor > 0 &&
+    cv.major >= config.sdkverMaxMajor
+  ) {
+    hasBreakingChange = false;
+  }
+
   // Get the latest draft release matching our current version's prefix.
   // Don't look at the draft version on a release branch; the current version
   // should always reflect the version to be bumped (as no dev releases are
diff --git a/src/config.ts b/src/config.ts
index 54b53570..b5740b18 100644
--- a/src/config.ts
+++ b/src/config.ts
@@ -74,6 +74,7 @@ const CONFIG_ITEMS = [
   "release-branches",
   "prereleases",
   "sdkver-create-release-branches",
+  "sdkver-max-major",
 ];
 
 const VERSION_SCHEMES = ["semver", "sdkver"];
@@ -107,6 +108,7 @@ export class Configuration {
   tags: IConfigurationRules = DEFAULT_ACCEPTED_TAGS;
   rules: Map<string, IRuleConfigItem> = new Map<string, IRuleConfigItem>();
   sdkverCreateReleaseBranches?: string = undefined;
+  sdkverMaxMajor = 0;
 
   set initialDevelopment(initialDevelopment: boolean) {
     this._initialDevelopment = initialDevelopment;
@@ -365,14 +367,30 @@ export class Configuration {
             );
           }
           break;
+
+        case "sdkver-max-major":
+          /* Example YAML:
+           *   sdkver-max-major: 1  # defaults to 0
+           */
+          if (typeof data[key] === "number") {
+            this.sdkverMaxMajor = data[key];
+          } else {
+            throw new Error(
+              `Incorrect type '${typeof data[
+                key
+              ]}' for '${key}', must be '${typeof this.sdkverMaxMajor}'!`
+            );
+          }
+          break;
       }
     }
     if (
-      this.sdkverCreateReleaseBranches !== undefined &&
+      (this.sdkverCreateReleaseBranches !== undefined ||
+        this.sdkverMaxMajor !== 0) &&
       this.versionScheme !== "sdkver"
     ) {
       core.warning(
-        "The configuration option `sdkver-create-release-branches` is only relevant " +
+        "The configuration options `sdkver-create-release-branches` and `sdkver-max-major` are only relevant " +
           'when the `version-scheme` is set to `"sdkver"`.'
       );
     }
@@ -411,6 +429,7 @@ export class Configuration {
     config.tags = JSON.parse(JSON.stringify(this.tags));
     config.rules = new Map(JSON.parse(JSON.stringify(Array.from(this.rules))));
     config.sdkverCreateReleaseBranches = this.sdkverCreateReleaseBranches;
+    config.sdkverMaxMajor = this.sdkverMaxMajor;
     return config;
   }
 }
diff --git a/test/bump.sdkver.test.ts b/test/bump.sdkver.test.ts
index ba37e7c1..04089322 100644
--- a/test/bump.sdkver.test.ts
+++ b/test/bump.sdkver.test.ts
@@ -105,6 +105,8 @@ interface SdkBumpTestParameters {
   branch: string;
   breaking: boolean;
   expectedVersion: string;
+  initialDevelopment: boolean;
+  maxMajor: number;
 }
 const generateTests = (paramListList: any): SdkBumpTestParameters[] => {
   let testList = new Array() as SdkBumpTestParameters[];
@@ -117,6 +119,8 @@ const generateTests = (paramListList: any): SdkBumpTestParameters[] => {
       branch: paramList[4],
       breaking: paramList[5] as any as boolean,
       expectedVersion: paramList[6],
+      initialDevelopment: paramList[7],
+      maxMajor: paramList[8],
     });
   }
   return testList;
@@ -127,6 +131,11 @@ const testFunction = async (p: SdkBumpTestParameters) => {
     U.DEFAULT_COMMIT_LIST
   );
   const prTitle = U.PRTITLE("chore");
+  jest
+    .spyOn(fs, "readFileSync")
+    .mockReturnValue(
+      `version-scheme: "sdkver"\ninitial-development: ${p.initialDevelopment}\nsdkver-max-major: ${p.maxMajor}`
+    );
   setInputSpyWith({ "release-type": p.bumpType });
   jest.spyOn(github, "getLatestTags").mockResolvedValue([
     {
@@ -185,137 +194,171 @@ const testFunction = async (p: SdkBumpTestParameters) => {
 const testSuiteDefinitions = [
   // GENERAL BUMPING  o7
   {
-    suite: "Dev bumps on main branch",
+    suite: "test bumps on main branch",
     tests: [
      // [ test description      , version      ,  bump  , latest draft       , branch         , breaking?, expected version ]
-        ["from dev-draft-nopad" , "1.1.0"      , "dev"  , "1.2.0-dev1+abc12" , "master"       , false    , `1.2.0-dev002.${U.HEAD_SHA_ABBREV_8}` ],
-        ["from long-pad-dev"    , "1.1.0"      , "dev"  , "1.2.0-dev00001+ab", "master"       , false    , `1.2.0-dev00002.${U.HEAD_SHA_ABBREV_8}` ],
-        ["from dev-draft"       , "1.1.0"      , "dev"  , "1.2.0-dev001.123" , "master"       , false    , `1.2.0-dev002.${U.HEAD_SHA_ABBREV_8}` ],
-        ["from dev"             , "1.1.0"      , "dev"  , undefined          , "master"       , false    , `1.2.0-dev001.${U.HEAD_SHA_ABBREV_8}` ],
-        ["from rc"              , "1.2.0-rc01" , "dev"  , undefined          , "master"       , false    , `1.3.0-dev001.${U.HEAD_SHA_ABBREV_8}` ],
-        ["from release"         , "1.2.0"      , "dev"  , undefined          , "master"       , false    , `1.3.0-dev001.${U.HEAD_SHA_ABBREV_8}` ],
+        ["from dev-draft-nopad" , "0.1.0"      , "dev"  , "0.1.0-dev1+abc12" , "master"       , true    , `1.0.0-dev001.${U.HEAD_SHA_ABBREV_8}` , false, 0],
+        ["from long-pad-dev"    , "0.2.0"      , "dev"  , "0.2.0-dev00001+ab", "master"       , false    , `1.0.0-dev001.${U.HEAD_SHA_ABBREV_8}` , false, 0],
+        ["from dev-draft"       , "0.50.0"      , "dev"  , "0.50.0-dev001.123" , "master"       , false    , `1.0.0-dev001.${U.HEAD_SHA_ABBREV_8}` , false, 0],
+        ["from dev"             , "0.4.0"      , "dev"  , undefined          , "master"       , false    , `1.0.0-dev001.${U.HEAD_SHA_ABBREV_8}` , false, 0],
+        ["from rc"              , "0.2.0-rc01" , "dev"  , undefined          , "master"       , false    , `1.0.0-dev001.${U.HEAD_SHA_ABBREV_8}` , false, 0],
+        ["from release"         , "0.4.0"      , "dev"  , undefined          , "master"       , false    , `1.0.0-dev001.${U.HEAD_SHA_ABBREV_8}` , false, 0],
+        ["from release2"         , "1.0.0"      , "rc"  , undefined          , "master"       , false    , `1.1.0-rc01` , false, 0],
+        ["from release3"         , "1.0.0-dev1+abc12"      , "rc"  , "1.0.0-dev1+abc12"          , "master"       , false    , `1.0.0-rc01` , false, 0],
+        ["from release4"         , "1.0.0"      , "rel"  , undefined          , "master"       , false    , `1.1.0` , false, 0],
+        ["from release5"         , "1.0.0"      , "dev"  , undefined          , "master"       , true    , `1.1.0-dev001.${U.HEAD_SHA_ABBREV_8}` , false, 1],
+    ],
+  },
+  // GENERAL BUMPING  o7
+  {
+    suite: "Dev bumps on main branch",
+    tests: [
+     // [ test description          , version      ,  bump  , latest draft       , branch         , breaking?, expected version                        ,initial development?, max major version ]
+        ["from dev-draft-nopad", "1.1.0"      , "dev"  , "1.2.0-dev1+abc12" , "master"       , false    , `1.2.0-dev002.${U.HEAD_SHA_ABBREV_8}`   , false              , 0                 ],
+        ["from long-pad-dev"   , "1.1.0"      , "dev"  , "1.2.0-dev00001+ab", "master"       , false    , `1.2.0-dev00002.${U.HEAD_SHA_ABBREV_8}` , false              , 0                 ],
+        ["from dev-draft-init" , "0.1.0"      , "dev"  , "0.2.0-dev001.123" , "master"       , false    , `0.2.0-dev002.${U.HEAD_SHA_ABBREV_8}`   , true               , 0                 ],
+        ["from dev-draft"      , "1.1.0"      , "dev"  , "1.2.0-dev001.123" , "master"       , false    , `1.2.0-dev002.${U.HEAD_SHA_ABBREV_8}`   , false              , 0                 ],
+        ["from dev-init"       , "0.1.0"      , "dev"  , undefined          , "master"       , false    , `0.2.0-dev001.${U.HEAD_SHA_ABBREV_8}`   , true               , 0                 ],
+        ["from dev"            , "1.1.0"      , "dev"  , undefined          , "master"       , false    , `1.2.0-dev001.${U.HEAD_SHA_ABBREV_8}`   , false              , 0                 ],
+        ["from rc"             , "1.2.0-rc01" , "dev"  , undefined          , "master"       , false    , `1.3.0-dev001.${U.HEAD_SHA_ABBREV_8}`   , false              , 0                 ],
+        ["from release"        , "1.2.0"      , "dev"  , undefined          , "master"       , false    , `1.3.0-dev001.${U.HEAD_SHA_ABBREV_8}`   , false              , 0                 ],
     ],
   },
   {
     suite: "Dev bumps on release branch",
     tests: [
-     // [ test description      , version      ,  bump  , latest draft       , branch         , breaking?, expected version ]
-        ["from dev"             , "1.1.0"      , "dev"  , "1.2.0-dev001.234" , "release/1.2.0", false    , "1.1.1"          ], // <-- note that the branch name
-        ["from rc nopad"        , "1.2.0-rc1"  , "dev"  , "1.2.0-dev001.345" , "release/1.2.0", false    , "1.2.0-rc02"     ], //     is not considered as any
-        ["from rc"              , "1.2.0-rc01" , "dev"  , "1.2.0-dev001.345" , "release/1.2.0", false    , "1.2.0-rc02"     ], //     sort of versioning input
-        ["from release"         , "1.2.0"      , "dev"  , undefined          , "release/1.2.0", false    , "1.2.1"          ],
-        ["from rel + HEADisTag" , "1.2.0"      , "dev"  , undefined          , "release/1.2.0", false    , undefined        ],
+     // [ test description      , version      ,  bump  , latest draft       , branch         , breaking?, expected version, initial development?, max major version ]
+        ["from dev init"        , "0.1.0"      , "dev"  , "0.2.0-dev001.234" , "release/0.2.0", false    , "0.1.1"         , true                , 0                 ], // <-- note that the branch name
+        ["from dev"             , "1.1.0"      , "dev"  , "1.2.0-dev001.234" , "release/1.2.0", false    , "1.1.1"         , false               , 0                 ], //     is not considered as any
+        ["from rc nopad"        , "1.2.0-rc1"  , "dev"  , "1.2.0-dev001.345" , "release/1.2.0", false    , "1.2.0-rc02"    , false               , 0                 ], //     sort of versioning input
+        ["from rc"              , "1.2.0-rc01" , "dev"  , "1.2.0-dev001.345" , "release/1.2.0", false    , "1.2.0-rc02"    , false               , 0                 ],
+        ["from release"         , "1.2.0"      , "dev"  , undefined          , "release/1.2.0", false    , "1.2.1"         , false               , 0                 ],
+        ["from rel + HEADisTag" , "1.2.0"      , "dev"  , undefined          , "release/1.2.0", false    , undefined       , false               , 0                 ],
     ],
   },
   {
     suite: "Release candidate bumps on main branch",
     tests: [
-     // [ test description      , version      ,  bump  , latest draft       , branch           , breaking?, expected version ]  //     may be non-intuitive; rc
-        ["from dev"             , "1.1.0"      , "rc"   , "1.2.0-dev001.1"   , "master"         , false    , "1.2.0-rc01"     ], //     increments only happen on
-        ["from rc"              , "1.2.0-rc01" , "rc"   , "1.2.0-dev001.2"   , "master"         , false    , "1.3.0-rc01"     ], // <-- rel. branches, so this is
-        ["from release"         , "1.2.0"      , "rc"   , "1.2.0-dev001.3"   , "master"         , false    , "1.3.0-rc01"     ], //     the _next_ release
+     // [ test description      , version      ,  bump  , latest draft       , branch           , breaking?, expected version, initial development?, max major version ]  //     may be non-intuitive; rc
+        ["from dev"             , "1.1.0"      , "rc"   , "1.2.0-dev001.1"   , "master"         , false    , "1.2.0-rc01"    , false               , 0                 ], //     increments only happen on
+        ["from rc"              , "1.2.0-rc01" , "rc"   , "1.2.0-dev001.2"   , "master"         , false    , "1.3.0-rc01"    , false               , 0                 ], // <-- rel. branches, so this is
+        ["from release"         , "1.2.0"      , "rc"   , "1.2.0-dev001.3"   , "master"         , false    , "1.3.0-rc01"    , false               , 0                 ], //     the _next_ release
     ],
   },
   {
     suite: "Release candidate bumps on release branch",
     tests: [
-     // [ test description      , version      ,  bump  , latest draft       , branch         , breaking?, expected version ]
-        ["from dev"             , "1.1.0"      , "rc"   , "1.2.0-dev001.1"   , "release/1.2.0", false    , "1.1.1"          ],
-        ["from rc"              , "1.2.0-rc01" , "rc"   , "1.2.0-dev001.2"   , "release/1.2.0", false    , "1.2.0-rc02"     ],
-        ["from rc + HEADisTag"  , "1.2.0-rc01" , "rc"   , "1.2.0-dev001.3"   , "release/1.2.0", false    , undefined        ],
-        ["from release"         , "1.2.0"      , "rc"   , "1.2.0-dev001.4"   , "release/1.2.0", false    , "1.2.1"          ],
+     // [ test description      , version      ,  bump  , latest draft       , branch         , breaking?, expected version, initial development?, max major version ]
+        ["from dev"             , "1.1.0"      , "rc"   , "1.2.0-dev001.1"   , "release/1.2.0", false    , "1.1.1"         , false               , 0                 ],
+        ["from rc"              , "1.2.0-rc01" , "rc"   , "1.2.0-dev001.2"   , "release/1.2.0", false    , "1.2.0-rc02"    , false               , 0                 ],
+        ["from rc + HEADisTag"  , "1.2.0-rc01" , "rc"   , "1.2.0-dev001.3"   , "release/1.2.0", false    , undefined       , false               , 0                 ],
+        ["from release"         , "1.2.0"      , "rc"   , "1.2.0-dev001.4"   , "release/1.2.0", false    , "1.2.1"         , false               , 0                 ],
     ],
   },
   {
     suite: "Release bumps on main branch",
     tests: [
-     // [ test description      , version      ,  bump  , latest draft     , branch         , breaking?, expected version ]
-        ["from dev"             , "1.1.0"      , "rel"  , "1.2.0-dev001.1"   , "master"       , false    , "1.2.0"        ],
-        ["from rc + HEADisTag"  , "1.2.0-rc01" , "rel"  , "1.2.0-dev001.1"   , "master"       , false    , "1.2.0"        ], // note that "HEADisTag" triggers specialized behavior
-        ["from rc + HEADisnoTag", "1.2.0-rc01" , "rel"  , "1.2.0-dev001.1"   , "master"       , false    , "1.3.0"        ],
-        ["from release"         , "1.2.0"      , "rel"  , "1.2.0-dev001.1"   , "master"       , false    , "1.3.0"        ],
+     // [ test description      , version      ,  bump  , latest draft     , branch         , breaking?, expected version, initial development?, max major version ]
+        ["from dev"             , "1.1.0"      , "rel"  , "1.2.0-dev001.1"   , "master"       , false    , "1.2.0"       , false               , 0                 ],
+        ["from rc + HEADisTag"  , "1.2.0-rc01" , "rel"  , "1.2.0-dev001.1"   , "master"       , false    , "1.2.0"       , false               , 0                 ], // note that "HEADisTag" triggers specialized behavior
+        ["from rc + HEADisnoTag", "1.2.0-rc01" , "rel"  , "1.2.0-dev001.1"   , "master"       , false    , "1.3.0"       , false               , 0                 ],
+        ["from release"         , "1.2.0"      , "rel"  , "1.2.0-dev001.1"   , "master"       , false    , "1.3.0"       , false               , 0                 ],
     ],
   },
   {
     suite: "Release bumps on release branch",
     tests: [
-     // [ test description      , version      ,  bump  , latest draft     , branch         , breaking?, expected version ]
-        ["from dev"             , "1.1.0"      , "rel"  , "1.2.0-dev001.1" , "release/1.2.0", false    , "1.1.1"          ],
-        ["from rc"              , "1.2.0-rc01" , "rel"  , "1.2.0-dev001.1" , "release/1.2.0", false    , "1.2.0"          ],
-        ["from release"         , "1.2.0"      , "rel"  , "1.2.0-dev001.1" , "release/1.2.0", false    , "1.2.1"          ],
-        ["from rel + HEADisTag" , "1.2.0"      , "rel"  , undefined        , "release/1.2.0", false    , undefined        ],
+     // [ test description      , version      ,  bump  , latest draft     , branch         , breaking?, expected version, initial development?, max major version ]
+        ["from dev"             , "1.1.0"      , "rel"  , "1.2.0-dev001.1" , "release/1.2.0", false    , "1.1.1"         , false               , 0                 ],
+        ["from rc"              , "1.2.0-rc01" , "rel"  , "1.2.0-dev001.1" , "release/1.2.0", false    , "1.2.0"         , false               , 0                 ],
+        ["from release"         , "1.2.0"      , "rel"  , "1.2.0-dev001.1" , "release/1.2.0", false    , "1.2.1"         , false               , 0                 ],
+        ["from rel + HEADisTag" , "1.2.0"      , "rel"  , undefined        , "release/1.2.0", false    , undefined       , false               , 0                 ],
     ],
   },
   // BREAKING CHANGES
   {
     suite: "Dev bumps with breaking changes",
     tests: [
-     // [ test description      , version      ,  bump  , latest draft     , branch         , breaking?, expected version ]
-        ["main branch"          , "1.2.0"      , "dev"  , undefined        , "master"       , true    , `2.0.0-dev001.${U.HEAD_SHA_ABBREV_8}` ],
-        ["main branch, draft"   , "1.2.0"      , "dev"  , "1.3.0-dev001.2" , "master"       , true    , `1.3.0-dev002.${U.HEAD_SHA_ABBREV_8}` ],
-        ["release branch"       , "1.2.0"      , "dev"  , undefined        , "release/1.2.0", true    , undefined         ],
-        ["release branch, draft", "1.2.0"      , "dev"  , "1.3.0-dev001.3" , "release/1.2.0", true    , undefined         ],
-        ["release branch+RC"    , "1.2.0-rc01" , "dev"  , undefined        , "release/1.2.0", true    , undefined         ],
-        ["rel branch+RC, draft" , "1.2.0-rc01" , "dev"  , "1.3.0-dev001.3" , "release/1.2.0", true    , undefined         ],
+     // [ test description        , version      ,  bump  , latest draft     , branch         , breaking?, expected version                     , initial development?, max major version ]
+        ["main branch, init"      , "0.2.0"      , "dev"  , undefined        , "master"       , true     , `0.3.0-dev001.${U.HEAD_SHA_ABBREV_8}`, true                , 0                 ],
+        ["main branch, no init"   , "0.2.0"      , "dev"  , undefined        , "master"       , true     , `1.0.0-dev001.${U.HEAD_SHA_ABBREV_8}`, false               , 0                 ],
+        ["main branch, max"       , "1.2.0"      , "dev"  , undefined        , "master"       , true     , `1.3.0-dev001.${U.HEAD_SHA_ABBREV_8}`, false               , 1                 ],
+        ["main branch, max2"      , "1.2.0"      , "dev"  , undefined        , "master"       , true     , `2.0.0-dev001.${U.HEAD_SHA_ABBREV_8}`, false               , 2                 ],
+        ["main branch"            , "1.2.0"      , "dev"  , undefined        , "master"       , true     , `2.0.0-dev001.${U.HEAD_SHA_ABBREV_8}`, false               , 0                 ],
+        ["main branch, draft init", "0.2.0"      , "dev"  , "0.3.0-dev001.2" , "master"       , true     , `0.3.0-dev002.${U.HEAD_SHA_ABBREV_8}`, true                , 0                 ],
+        ["main branch, draft max" , "1.2.0"      , "dev"  , "1.3.0-dev001.2" , "master"       , true     , `1.3.0-dev002.${U.HEAD_SHA_ABBREV_8}`, false               , 1                 ],
+        ["main branch, draft"     , "1.2.0"      , "dev"  , "1.3.0-dev001.2" , "master"       , true     , `1.3.0-dev002.${U.HEAD_SHA_ABBREV_8}`, false               , 0                 ],
+        ["release branch"         , "1.2.0"      , "dev"  , undefined        , "release/1.2.0", true     , undefined                            , false               , 0                 ],
+        ["release branch, draft"  , "1.2.0"      , "dev"  , "1.3.0-dev001.3" , "release/1.2.0", true     , undefined                            , false               , 0                 ],
+        ["release branch+RC"      , "1.2.0-rc01" , "dev"  , undefined        , "release/1.2.0", true     , undefined                            , false               , 0                 ],
+        ["rel branch+RC, draft"   , "1.2.0-rc01" , "dev"  , "1.3.0-dev001.3" , "release/1.2.0", true     , undefined                            , false               , 0                 ],
     ],
   },
   {
     suite: "Rc bumps with breaking changes",
     tests: [
-     // [ test description      , version      ,  bump  , latest draft , branch         , breaking?, expected version ]
-        ["main branch"          , "1.2.0"      , "rc"   , undefined    , "master"       , true    , "2.0.0-rc01"      ],
-        ["main branch+RC"       , "1.2.0-rc01" , "rc"   , undefined    , "master"       , true    , "2.0.0-rc01"      ],
-        ["release branch"       , "1.2.0"      , "rc"   , undefined    , "release/1.2.0", true    , undefined         ],
-        ["release branch+RC"    , "1.2.0-rc01" , "rc"   , undefined    , "release/1.2.0", true    , undefined         ],
-        ["RB+ RC for next major", "2.0.0-rc01" , "dev"  , undefined    , "release/2.0.0", true    , "2.0.0-rc02"      ],
+     // [ test description      , version      ,  bump  , latest draft , branch         , breaking?, expected version, initial development?, max major version ]
+        ["main branch, init"    , "0.2.0"      , "rc"   , undefined    , "master"       , true     , "0.3.0-rc01"    , true                , 0                 ],
+        ["main branch, no init" , "0.2.0"      , "rc"   , undefined    , "master"       , true     , "1.0.0-rc01"    , false               , 0                 ],
+        ["main branch, max"     , "1.2.0"      , "rc"   , undefined    , "master"       , true     , "1.3.0-rc01"    , false               , 1                 ],
+        ["main branch, max2"    , "1.2.0"      , "rc"   , undefined    , "master"       , true     , "2.0.0-rc01"    , false               , 2                 ],
+        ["main branch"          , "1.2.0"      , "rc"   , undefined    , "master"       , true     , "2.0.0-rc01"    , false               , 0                 ],
+        ["main branch+RC"       , "1.2.0-rc01" , "rc"   , undefined    , "master"       , true     , "2.0.0-rc01"    , false               , 0                 ],
+        ["release branch"       , "1.2.0"      , "rc"   , undefined    , "release/1.2.0", true     , undefined       , false               , 0                 ],
+        ["release branch+RC"    , "1.2.0-rc01" , "rc"   , undefined    , "release/1.2.0", true     , undefined       , false               , 0                 ],
+        ["RB+ RC for next major", "2.0.0-rc01" , "dev"  , undefined    , "release/2.0.0", true     , "2.0.0-rc02"    , false               , 0                 ],
     ],
   },
   {
     suite: "Release bumps with breaking changes",
     tests: [
-     // [ test description      , version      ,  bump  , latest draft , branch         , breaking?, expected version ]
-        ["main branch"          , "1.2.0"      , "rel"  , undefined    , "master"       , true    , "2.0.0"           ],
-        ["release branch"       , "1.2.0"      , "rel"  , undefined    , "release/1.2.0", true    , undefined         ],
-        ["release branch+RC"    , "1.2.0-rc01" , "rel"  , undefined    , "release/1.2.0", true    , undefined         ],
+     // [ test description      , version      ,  bump  , latest draft , branch         , breaking?, expected version, initial development?, max major version ]
+        ["main branch, init"    , "0.2.0"      , "rel"  , undefined    , "master"       , true     , "0.3.0"         , true                , 0                 ],
+        ["main branch, no init" , "0.2.0"      , "rel"  , undefined    , "master"       , true     , "1.0.0"         , false               , 0                 ],
+        ["main branch, max"     , "1.2.0"      , "rel"  , undefined    , "master"       , true     , "1.3.0"         , false               , 1                 ],
+        ["main branch, max2"    , "1.2.0"      , "rel"  , undefined    , "master"       , true     , "2.0.0"         , false               , 2                 ],
+        ["main branch"          , "1.2.0"      , "rel"  , undefined    , "master"       , true     , "2.0.0"         , false               , 0                 ],
+        ["release branch"       , "1.2.0"      , "rel"  , undefined    , "release/1.2.0", true     , undefined       , false               , 0                 ],
+        ["release branch+RC"    , "1.2.0-rc01" , "rel"  , undefined    , "release/1.2.0", true     , undefined       , false               , 0                 ],
     ],
   },
   // DRAFT RELEASE HANDLING
   {
     suite: "Dev bumps considers draft releases",
     tests: [
-     // [ test description      , version     ,  bump  , latest draft , branch          , breaking?, expected version ]
-        ["no draft"             , "1.2.0"     , "dev"  , undefined    , "master"        , false    , `1.3.0-dev001.${U.HEAD_SHA_ABBREV_8}` ],
-        ["previous version"     , "1.2.0"     , "dev"  , "1.1.0-dev034", "master"       , false    , `1.3.0-dev001.${U.HEAD_SHA_ABBREV_8}` ],
-        ["current version"      , "1.2.0"     , "dev"  , "1.2.0-dev023", "master"       , false    , `1.3.0-dev001.${U.HEAD_SHA_ABBREV_8}` ],
-        ["next version"         , "1.2.0"     , "dev"  , "1.3.0-dev019", "master"       , false    , `1.3.0-dev020.${U.HEAD_SHA_ABBREV_8}` ],
-        ["next major"           , "1.2.0"     , "dev"  , "2.0.0-dev011", "master"       , false    , `2.0.0-dev012.${U.HEAD_SHA_ABBREV_8}` ],
+     // [ test description      , version     ,  bump  , latest draft , branch          , breaking?, expected version                      , initial development?, max major version ]
+        ["no draft"             , "1.2.0"     , "dev"  , undefined    , "master"        , false    , `1.3.0-dev001.${U.HEAD_SHA_ABBREV_8}` , false               , 0                 ],
+        ["previous version"     , "1.2.0"     , "dev"  , "1.1.0-dev034", "master"       , false    , `1.3.0-dev001.${U.HEAD_SHA_ABBREV_8}` , false               , 0                 ],
+        ["current version"      , "1.2.0"     , "dev"  , "1.2.0-dev023", "master"       , false    , `1.3.0-dev001.${U.HEAD_SHA_ABBREV_8}` , false               , 0                 ],
+        ["next version"         , "1.2.0"     , "dev"  , "1.3.0-dev019", "master"       , false    , `1.3.0-dev020.${U.HEAD_SHA_ABBREV_8}` , false               , 0                 ],
+        ["next major"           , "1.2.0"     , "dev"  , "2.0.0-dev011", "master"       , false    , `2.0.0-dev012.${U.HEAD_SHA_ABBREV_8}` , false               , 0                 ],
     ],
   },
   {
     suite: "Release candidate bumps ignore draft releases",
     tests: [
-     // [ test description      , version     ,  bump  , latest draft  , branch         , breaking?, expected version ]
-        ["mb: no draft"         , "1.2.0"     , "rc"   , undefined     , "master"       , false    , "1.3.0-rc01"     ],
-        ["mb: previous version" , "1.2.0"     , "rc"   , "1.1.0-dev034", "master"       , true     , "2.0.0-rc01"     ],
-        ["mb: current version"  , "1.2.0"     , "rc"   , "1.2.0-dev023", "master"       , false    , "1.3.0-rc01"     ], 
-        ["mb: next version"     , "1.2.0"     , "rc"   , "1.3.0-dev019", "master"       , false    , "1.3.0-rc01"     ],
-        ["rb: no draft"         , "1.2.0"     , "rc"   , undefined     , "release/1.2.0", false    , "1.2.1"          ],
-        ["rb: previous version" , "1.2.0"     , "rc"   , "1.1.0-dev034", "release/1.2.0", false    , "1.2.1"          ],
-        ["rb: current version"  , "1.2.0"     , "rc"   , "1.2.0-dev023", "release/1.2.0", false    , "1.2.1"          ],
-        ["rb: next version"     , "1.2.0"     , "rc"   , "1.3.0-dev019", "release/1.2.0", false    , "1.2.1"          ],
+     // [ test description      , version     ,  bump  , latest draft  , branch         , breaking?, expected version, initial development?, max major version ]
+        ["mb: no draft"         , "1.2.0"     , "rc"   , undefined     , "master"       , false    , "1.3.0-rc01"    , false               , 0                 ],
+        ["mb: previous version" , "1.2.0"     , "rc"   , "1.1.0-dev034", "master"       , true     , "2.0.0-rc01"    , false               , 0                 ],
+        ["mb: current version"  , "1.2.0"     , "rc"   , "1.2.0-dev023", "master"       , false    , "1.3.0-rc01"    , false               , 0                 ], 
+        ["mb: next version"     , "1.2.0"     , "rc"   , "1.3.0-dev019", "master"       , false    , "1.3.0-rc01"    , false               , 0                 ],
+        ["rb: no draft"         , "1.2.0"     , "rc"   , undefined     , "release/1.2.0", false    , "1.2.1"         , false               , 0                 ],
+        ["rb: previous version" , "1.2.0"     , "rc"   , "1.1.0-dev034", "release/1.2.0", false    , "1.2.1"         , false               , 0                 ],
+        ["rb: current version"  , "1.2.0"     , "rc"   , "1.2.0-dev023", "release/1.2.0", false    , "1.2.1"         , false               , 0                 ],
+        ["rb: next version"     , "1.2.0"     , "rc"   , "1.3.0-dev019", "release/1.2.0", false    , "1.2.1"         , false               , 0                 ],
     ],
   },
   // MISCELLANEOUS ERRORS
   {
     suite: "Erroneous situations",
     tests: [
-     // [ test description      , version         ,  bump  , latest draft     , branch         , breaking?, expected version ]
-        ["rel branch major bump", "1.2.0"         , "dev"  , undefined        , "release/1.2.0", true    , undefined         ],
-        ["rel branch cur dev"   , `1.1.0-dev008.1`, "dev"  , "1.2.0-dev001+1" , "release/1.2.0", false   , undefined         ],
-        ["incorrect prerelease" , `1.1.0-devs`    , "dev"  , undefined        , "master"       , false   , `1.2.0-dev001.${U.HEAD_SHA_ABBREV_8}` ],
-        ["wrong bump input"     , `1.1.0-dev001.3`, "beep" , undefined        , "master"       , false   , undefined         ],
-        ["unauth'd branch dev"  , `1.1.0-dev001.4`, "dev"  , undefined        , "mister"       , false   , `1.1.0-dev002.${U.HEAD_SHA_ABBREV_8}` ], // <-- TODO: make fail; not
-        ["unauth'd branch rc"   , `1.1.0-dev001.5`, "rc"   , undefined        , "mister"       , false   , "1.1.0-rc01"      ],                     // <--       implemented yet
+     // [ test description      , version         ,  bump  , latest draft     , branch         , breaking?, expected version                      , initial development?, max major version ]
+        ["rel branch major bump", "1.2.0"         , "dev"  , undefined        , "release/1.2.0", true     , undefined                             , false               , 0                 ],
+        ["rel branch cur dev"   , `1.1.0-dev008.1`, "dev"  , "1.2.0-dev001+1" , "release/1.2.0", false    , undefined                             , false               , 0                 ],
+        ["incorrect prerelease" , `1.1.0-devs`    , "dev"  , undefined        , "master"       , false    , `1.2.0-dev001.${U.HEAD_SHA_ABBREV_8}` , false               , 0                 ],
+        ["wrong bump input"     , `1.1.0-dev001.3`, "beep" , undefined        , "master"       , false    , undefined                             , false               , 0                 ],
+        ["unauth'd branch dev"  , `1.1.0-dev001.4`, "dev"  , undefined        , "mister"       , false    , `1.1.0-dev002.${U.HEAD_SHA_ABBREV_8}` , false               , 0                 ], // <-- TODO: make fail; not
+        ["unauth'd branch rc"   , `1.1.0-dev001.5`, "rc"   , undefined        , "mister"       , false    , "1.1.0-rc01"                          , false               , 0                 ],                     // <--       implemented yet
     ],
   },
 ];
@@ -335,7 +378,7 @@ describe("Create release branch", () => {
     jest
       .spyOn(fs, "readFileSync")
       .mockReturnValue(
-        `version-scheme: "sdkver"\nsdkver-create-release-branches: true`
+        `version-scheme: "sdkver"\nsdkver-create-release-branches: true\ninitial-development: false`
       );
     setInputSpyWith({ "release-type": "rc" });
   });
diff --git a/test/config.test.ts b/test/config.test.ts
index fc8a541f..6c198f02 100644
--- a/test/config.test.ts
+++ b/test/config.test.ts
@@ -382,6 +382,12 @@ describe("Configurable options", () => {
     });
   });
 
+  test("Default SdkVer max major", () => {
+    withConfig("", (config: Configuration) => {
+      expect(config.sdkverMaxMajor).toBe(0);
+    });
+  });
+
   test("Default version prefix", () => {
     withConfig("", (config: Configuration) => {
       expect(config.versionPrefix).toBe("*");
@@ -403,6 +409,15 @@ describe("Configurable options", () => {
     );
   });
 
+  test("Number values", () => {
+    withConfig(
+      "version-scheme: sdkver\nsdkver-max-major: 1",
+      (config: Configuration) => {
+        expect(config.sdkverMaxMajor).toBe(1);
+      }
+    );
+  });
+
   test("String values", () => {
     withConfig(
       "version-scheme: sdkver\nsdkver-create-release-branches: some-release-prefix-\nversion-prefix: X",
@@ -428,6 +443,40 @@ describe("Configurable options", () => {
     );
     expect(core.warning).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
   });
+
+  test("Enable SdkVer max major version on non-SdkVer", () => {
+    // We expect a warning about this option not being useful when the version
+    // scheme is not 'sdkver'
+    jest.spyOn(core, "warning").mockImplementation(arg => {
+      expect(arg).toContain("sdkver-max-major");
+      expect(arg).toContain("version-scheme");
+    });
+    withConfig(
+      "version-scheme: semver\nsdkver-max-major: 1",
+      (config: Configuration) => {
+        expect(config.sdkverMaxMajor).toBe(1);
+      }
+    );
+    expect(core.warning).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+  });
+
+  test("Enable SdkVer max major version and create release branches on non-SdkVer", () => {
+    // We expect a warning about this option not being useful when the version
+    // scheme is not 'sdkver'
+    jest.spyOn(core, "warning").mockImplementation(arg => {
+      expect(arg).toContain("sdkver-create-release-branches");
+      expect(arg).toContain("sdkver-max-major");
+      expect(arg).toContain("version-scheme");
+    });
+    withConfig(
+      "version-scheme: semver\nsdkver-create-release-branches: true\nsdkver-max-major: 1",
+      (config: Configuration) => {
+        expect(config.sdkverCreateReleaseBranches).toBe("release/");
+        expect(config.sdkverMaxMajor).toBe(1);
+      }
+    );
+    expect(core.warning).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+  });
 });
 
 describe("(Deep) Copy of Configuration", () => {