diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index f63676add..d1d0c0276 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,3 +1,6 @@
+## 12.1.3
+ - [DOC] Update docs to present time-based routing models, and clarify that only one model can be in use at a time [#1252](https://github.com/logstash-plugins/logstash-output-elasticsearch/pull/1252)
+
 ## 12.1.2
  - Fix: replace deprecated `File.exists?` with `File.exist?` for Ruby 3.4 (JRuby 10) compatibility [#1238](https://github.com/logstash-plugins/logstash-output-elasticsearch/pull/1238)
 
diff --git a/docs/index.asciidoc b/docs/index.asciidoc
index 3611c04b4..c89acede2 100644
--- a/docs/index.asciidoc
+++ b/docs/index.asciidoc
@@ -139,6 +139,15 @@ output {
 
 ==== Writing to different indices: best practices
 
+.Important considerations for time-based routing
+****
+Time-based routing in this plugin follows *one* model at a time. _Do not_ mix models.
+
+* *Data streams.* Use <<plugins-{type}s-{plugin}-data_stream,`data_stream`>> and related settings.
+* *Index lifecycle management (ILM) rollover.* The value you set using <<plugins-{type}s-{plugin}-ilm_pattern,`ilm_pattern`>> is used for naming, and should align with {ref}/indices-rollover-index.html#_using_date_math_with_the_rollover_api[Elasticsearch rollover naming].
+* *Explicit index names.* Use the <<plugins-{type}s-{plugin}-index,`index`>> setting and `%{+...}` syntax for daily (or other) rotation. 
+****
+
 NOTE: You cannot use dynamic variable substitution when `ilm_enabled` is `true` 
 and when using `ilm_rollover_alias`.
 
diff --git a/logstash-output-elasticsearch.gemspec b/logstash-output-elasticsearch.gemspec
index a9f5c6adf..8e59f19af 100644
--- a/logstash-output-elasticsearch.gemspec
+++ b/logstash-output-elasticsearch.gemspec
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 Gem::Specification.new do |s|
   s.name            = 'logstash-output-elasticsearch'
-  s.version         = '12.1.2'
+  s.version         = '12.1.3'
   s.licenses        = ['apache-2.0']
   s.summary         = "Stores logs in Elasticsearch"
   s.description     = "This gem is a Logstash plugin required to be installed on top of the Logstash core pipeline using $LS_HOME/bin/logstash-plugin install gemname. This gem is not a stand-alone program"