diff --git a/src/regolith/version.py b/src/regolith/version.py
index 04517257c..a7fbc220f 100644
--- a/src/regolith/version.py
+++ b/src/regolith/version.py
@@ -22,37 +22,49 @@
 Use `__git_commit__` instead.
 """
 
-__all__ = ["__date__", "__git_commit__", "__timestamp__", "__version__"]
-
-import os.path
-from importlib.resources import as_file, files
-
-# obtain version information from the version.cfg file
-cp = dict(version="", date="", commit="", timestamp="0")
-if __package__ is not None:
-    ref = files(__package__) / "version.cfg"
-    with as_file(ref) as fcfg:
-        if not os.path.isfile(fcfg):  # pragma: no cover
-            from warnings import warn
-
-            warn("Package metadata not found.")
-            fcfg = os.devnull
-        with open(fcfg) as fp:
-            kwords = [
-                [w.strip() for w in line.split(" = ", 1)] for line in fp if line[:1].isalpha() and " = " in line
-            ]
-        assert all(w[0] in cp for w in kwords), "received unrecognized keyword"
-        cp.update(kwords)
-    del kwords
-
-__version__ = cp["version"]
-__date__ = cp["date"]
-__git_commit__ = cp["commit"]
-__timestamp__ = int(cp["timestamp"])
+# __all__ = ["__date__", "__git_commit__", "__timestamp__", "__version__"]
+
+# import os.path
+
+# obtain version information
+from importlib.metadata import version
+
+# from importlib.resources import as_file, files
+#
+# # obtain version information from the version.cfg file
+# cp = dict(version="", date="", commit="", timestamp="0")
+# if __package__ is not None:
+#     ref = files(__package__) / "version.cfg"
+#     with as_file(ref) as fcfg:
+#         if not os.path.isfile(fcfg):  # pragma: no cover
+#             from warnings import warn
+#
+#             warn("Package metadata not found.")
+#             fcfg = os.devnull
+#         with open(fcfg) as fp:
+#             kwords = [
+#                 [w.strip() for w in line.split(" = ", 1)] for line in fp if line[:1].isalpha() and " = " in line
+#             ]
+#         assert all(w[0] in cp for w in kwords), "received unrecognized keyword"
+#         cp.update(kwords)
+#     del kwords
+#
+# __version__ = cp["version"]
+# __date__ = cp["date"]
+# __git_commit__ = cp["commit"]
+# __timestamp__ = int(cp["timestamp"])
 
 # TODO remove deprecated __gitsha__ in version 3.1.
-__gitsha__ = __git_commit__
+# __gitsha__ = __git_commit__
+#
+# del cp
+
+# from cookiecutter in case we want to migrate later:
+#
+# # We do not use the other three variables, but can be added back if needed.
+# # __all__ = ["__date__", "__git_commit__", "__timestamp__", "__version__"]
+
 
-del cp
+__version__ = version("regolith")
 
 # End of file