diff --git a/docs/migrations.md b/docs/migrations.md
index 82af11b8..d27a4223 100644
--- a/docs/migrations.md
+++ b/docs/migrations.md
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
 * [Releases upgrade details](#releases-upgrade-details)
   * [From v1.0.0](#from-v100)
     * [Pre-upgrade: Manual steps](#pre-upgrade-manual-steps)
+      * [`customization.release`](#customizationrelease)
       * [Redis 7.4](#redis-74)
   * [From v0.9.0](#from-v090)
     * [Pre-upgrade: Manual steps](#pre-upgrade-manual-steps-1)
@@ -57,7 +58,7 @@ Explanation of the table's columns:
 | Coming from   | Mandatory (minimum) release | Automatic migration                                                                                                                                           | Manual activities             |
 | ------------- | --------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------- |
 | v0.9.0        | v1.x.x                      | [run_2.py](https://gitlab.opencode.de/bmi/opendesk/components/platform-development/images/opendesk-migrations/-/blob/main/odmigs-python/odmigs_runs/run_2.py) | See [From v0.9.0](#from-v090) |
-| v0.8.1        | v0.9.0                      | Initializes migration system                                                                                                                                  | See [From v0.8.1](#from-v081)     |
+| v0.8.1        | v0.9.0                      | Initializes migration system                                                                                                                                  | See [From v0.8.1](#from-v081) |
 | not supported | v0.8.1                      | First release that supporting updates                                                                                                                         |                               |
 
 # Releases upgrade details
@@ -66,6 +67,27 @@ Explanation of the table's columns:
 
 ### Pre-upgrade: Manual steps
 
+#### `customization.release`
+
+If you make use of the `customization.release` option, you have to switch to a dictionary based definition of customization files e.g. from
+
+```
+customization:
+  release:
+    collaboraOnline: "./my_custom_templating.yaml"
+```
+
+to
+
+```
+customization:
+  release:
+    collaboraOnline:
+      file1: "./my_custom_templating.yaml"
+```
+
+You can freely choose the `file1` dictionary key used in the example above, but it should start with a letter.
+
 #### Redis 7.4
 
 The update from openDesk 1.0.0 contains Redis 7.4.1, like the other openDesk bundled services the bundled Redis is as well not meant to be used in production.
diff --git a/helmfile/apps/collabora/helmfile-child.yaml.gotmpl b/helmfile/apps/collabora/helmfile-child.yaml.gotmpl
index 80783a43..0cdb63be 100644
--- a/helmfile/apps/collabora/helmfile-child.yaml.gotmpl
+++ b/helmfile/apps/collabora/helmfile-child.yaml.gotmpl
@@ -18,7 +18,9 @@ releases:
     version: "{{ .Values.charts.collabora.version }}"
     values:
       - "values.yaml.gotmpl"
-      - {{ .Values.customization.release.collaboraOnline | default "additionalValues: false" }}
+      {{ range .Values.customization.release.collaboraOnline }}
+      - {{ . }}
+      {{ end }}
     installed: {{ .Values.collabora.enabled }}
 
 commonLabels:
diff --git a/helmfile/apps/cryptpad/helmfile-child.yaml.gotmpl b/helmfile/apps/cryptpad/helmfile-child.yaml.gotmpl
index 7e1c8ead..d6d60082 100644
--- a/helmfile/apps/cryptpad/helmfile-child.yaml.gotmpl
+++ b/helmfile/apps/cryptpad/helmfile-child.yaml.gotmpl
@@ -18,7 +18,9 @@ releases:
     version: "{{ .Values.charts.cryptpad.version }}"
     values:
       - "values.yaml.gotmpl"
-      - {{ .Values.customization.release.cryptpad | default "additionalValues: false" }}
+      {{ range .Values.customization.release.cryptpad }}
+      - {{ . }}
+      {{ end }}
     installed: {{ .Values.cryptpad.enabled }}
 
 commonLabels:
diff --git a/helmfile/apps/element/helmfile-child.yaml.gotmpl b/helmfile/apps/element/helmfile-child.yaml.gotmpl
index b07dc370..0a3df563 100644
--- a/helmfile/apps/element/helmfile-child.yaml.gotmpl
+++ b/helmfile/apps/element/helmfile-child.yaml.gotmpl
@@ -91,7 +91,9 @@ releases:
     version: "{{ .Values.charts.elementWeb.version }}"
     values:
       - "values-element.yaml.gotmpl"
-      - {{ .Values.customization.release.opendeskElement | default "additionalValues: false" }}
+      {{ range .Values.customization.release.opendeskElement }}
+      - {{ . }}
+      {{ end }}
     installed: {{ .Values.element.enabled }}
     timeout: 900
 
@@ -100,7 +102,9 @@ releases:
     version: "{{ .Values.charts.elementWellKnown.version }}"
     values:
       - "values-well-known.yaml.gotmpl"
-      - {{ .Values.customization.release.opendeskWellKnown | default "additionalValues: false" }}
+      {{ range .Values.customization.release.opendeskWellKnown }}
+      - {{ . }}
+      {{ end }}
     installed: {{ .Values.element.enabled }}
     timeout: 900
 
@@ -109,7 +113,9 @@ releases:
     version: "{{ .Values.charts.synapseWeb.version }}"
     values:
       - "values-synapse-web.yaml.gotmpl"
-      - {{ .Values.customization.release.opendeskSynapseWeb | default "additionalValues: false" }}
+      {{ range .Values.customization.release.opendeskSynapseWeb }}
+      - {{ . }}
+      {{ end }}
     installed: {{ .Values.element.enabled }}
     timeout: 900
 
@@ -118,7 +124,9 @@ releases:
     version: "{{ .Values.charts.synapse.version }}"
     values:
       - "values-synapse.yaml.gotmpl"
-      - {{ .Values.customization.release.opendeskSynapse | default "additionalValues: false" }}
+      {{ range .Values.customization.release.opendeskSynapse }}
+      - {{ . }}
+      {{ end }}
     installed: {{ .Values.element.enabled }}
     timeout: 900
 
diff --git a/helmfile/apps/jitsi/helmfile-child.yaml.gotmpl b/helmfile/apps/jitsi/helmfile-child.yaml.gotmpl
index 87cf3032..b5489bec 100644
--- a/helmfile/apps/jitsi/helmfile-child.yaml.gotmpl
+++ b/helmfile/apps/jitsi/helmfile-child.yaml.gotmpl
@@ -18,7 +18,9 @@ releases:
     version: "{{ .Values.charts.jitsi.version }}"
     values:
       - "values-jitsi.yaml.gotmpl"
-      - {{ .Values.customization.release.jitsi | default "additionalValues: false" }}
+      {{ range .Values.customization.release.jitsi }}
+      - {{ . }}
+      {{ end }}
     installed: {{ .Values.jitsi.enabled }}
     timeout: 900
 
diff --git a/helmfile/apps/migrations-post/helmfile-child.yaml.gotmpl b/helmfile/apps/migrations-post/helmfile-child.yaml.gotmpl
index 0e6299aa..8c5b07bf 100644
--- a/helmfile/apps/migrations-post/helmfile-child.yaml.gotmpl
+++ b/helmfile/apps/migrations-post/helmfile-child.yaml.gotmpl
@@ -21,7 +21,9 @@ releases:
     values:
       - "values.yaml.gotmpl"
       - "../../shared/migrations.yaml.gotmpl"
-      - {{ .Values.customization.release.migrationsPost | default "additionalValues: false" }}
+      {{ range .Values.customization.release.migrationsPost }}
+      - {{ . }}
+      {{ end }}
     installed: {{ .Values.migrations.enabled }}
     timeout: 900
 
diff --git a/helmfile/apps/migrations-pre/helmfile-child.yaml.gotmpl b/helmfile/apps/migrations-pre/helmfile-child.yaml.gotmpl
index c67908a2..f517087c 100644
--- a/helmfile/apps/migrations-pre/helmfile-child.yaml.gotmpl
+++ b/helmfile/apps/migrations-pre/helmfile-child.yaml.gotmpl
@@ -21,7 +21,9 @@ releases:
     values:
       - "values.yaml.gotmpl"
       - "../../shared/migrations.yaml.gotmpl"
-      - {{ .Values.customization.release.migrationsPre | default "additionalValues: false" }}
+      {{ range .Values.customization.release.migrationsPre }}
+      - {{ . }}
+      {{ end }}
     installed: {{ .Values.migrations.enabled }}
     timeout: 900
 
diff --git a/helmfile/apps/nextcloud/helmfile-child.yaml.gotmpl b/helmfile/apps/nextcloud/helmfile-child.yaml.gotmpl
index d80721b5..bb8427db 100644
--- a/helmfile/apps/nextcloud/helmfile-child.yaml.gotmpl
+++ b/helmfile/apps/nextcloud/helmfile-child.yaml.gotmpl
@@ -25,7 +25,9 @@ releases:
     version: "{{ .Values.charts.nextcloudManagement.version }}"
     values:
       - "values-nextcloud-mgmt.yaml.gotmpl"
-      - {{ .Values.customization.release.opendeskNextcloudManagement | default "additionalValues: false" }}
+      {{ range .Values.customization.release.opendeskNextcloudManagement }}
+      - {{ . }}
+      {{ end }}
     waitForJobs: true
     wait: true
     installed: {{ .Values.nextcloud.enabled }}
@@ -35,7 +37,9 @@ releases:
     version: "{{ .Values.charts.nextcloud.version }}"
     values:
       - "values-nextcloud.yaml.gotmpl"
-      - {{ .Values.customization.release.opendeskNextcloud | default "additionalValues: false" }}
+      {{ range .Values.customization.release.opendeskNextcloud }}
+      - {{ . }}
+      {{ end }}
     needs:
       - "opendesk-nextcloud-management"
     installed: {{ .Values.nextcloud.enabled }}
diff --git a/helmfile/apps/nubus/helmfile-child.yaml.gotmpl b/helmfile/apps/nubus/helmfile-child.yaml.gotmpl
index 56540c4d..bc28032e 100644
--- a/helmfile/apps/nubus/helmfile-child.yaml.gotmpl
+++ b/helmfile/apps/nubus/helmfile-child.yaml.gotmpl
@@ -46,7 +46,9 @@ releases:
       - "values-nubus.yaml.gotmpl"
       - "values-opendesk-customization.yaml.gotmpl"
       - "values-opendesk-images.yaml.gotmpl"
-      - {{ .Values.customization.release.ums | default "additionalValues: false" }}
+      {{ range .Values.customization.release.ums }}
+      - {{ . }}
+      {{ end }}
     installed: {{ .Values.nubus.enabled }}
     timeout: 900
   # Intercom-Service
@@ -55,7 +57,9 @@ releases:
     version: "{{ .Values.charts.intercomService.version }}"
     values:
       - "values-intercom-service.yaml.gotmpl"
-      - {{ .Values.customization.release.intercomService | default "additionalValues: false" }}
+      {{ range .Values.customization.release.intercomService }}
+      - {{ . }}
+      {{ end }}
     installed: {{ .Values.nubus.enabled }}
 
   # openDesk Keycloak Bootstrap Chart
@@ -64,7 +68,9 @@ releases:
     version: "{{ .Values.charts.opendeskKeycloakBootstrap.version }}"
     values:
       - "values-opendesk-keycloak-bootstrap.yaml.gotmpl"
-      - {{ .Values.customization.release.opendeskKeycloakBootstrap | default "additionalValues: false" }}
+      {{ range .Values.customization.release.opendeskKeycloakBootstrap }}
+      - {{ . }}
+      {{ end }}
     needs:
       - "ums"
     installed: {{ .Values.nubus.enabled }}
@@ -76,7 +82,9 @@ releases:
     version: "{{ .Values.charts.nginxS3Gateway.version }}"
     values:
       - "values-nginx-s3-gateway.yaml.gotmpl"
-      - {{ .Values.customization.release.nginxS3Gateway | default "additionalValues: false" }}
+      {{ range .Values.customization.release.nginxS3Gateway }}
+      - {{ . }}
+      {{ end }}
     installed: {{ not .Values.minio.enabled }}
     timeout: 900
 
diff --git a/helmfile/apps/open-xchange/helmfile-child.yaml.gotmpl b/helmfile/apps/open-xchange/helmfile-child.yaml.gotmpl
index e80979e4..fa176811 100644
--- a/helmfile/apps/open-xchange/helmfile-child.yaml.gotmpl
+++ b/helmfile/apps/open-xchange/helmfile-child.yaml.gotmpl
@@ -45,7 +45,9 @@ releases:
     version: "{{ .Values.charts.dovecot.version }}"
     values:
       - "values-dovecot.yaml.gotmpl"
-      - {{ .Values.customization.release.dovecot | default "additionalValues: false" }}
+      {{ range .Values.customization.release.dovecot }}
+      - {{ . }}
+      {{ end }}
     installed: {{ .Values.dovecot.enabled }}
     timeout: 900
 
@@ -55,7 +57,9 @@ releases:
     values:
       - "values-openxchange.yaml.gotmpl"
       - "values-openxchange-enterprise-contact-picker.yaml.gotmpl"
-      - {{ .Values.customization.release.openXchange | default "additionalValues: false" }}
+      {{ range .Values.customization.release.openXchange }}
+      - {{ . }}
+      {{ end }}
     installed: {{ .Values.oxAppsuite.enabled }}
     timeout: 900
 
@@ -64,7 +68,9 @@ releases:
     version: "{{ .Values.charts.openXchangeAppSuiteBootstrap.version }}"
     values:
       - "values-openxchange-bootstrap.yaml.gotmpl"
-      - {{ .Values.customization.release.opendeskOpenXchangeBootstrap | default "additionalValues: false" }}
+      {{ range .Values.customization.release.opendeskOpenXchangeBootstrap }}
+      - {{ . }}
+      {{ end }}
     installed: {{ .Values.oxAppsuite.enabled }}
     timeout: 900
 
@@ -73,7 +79,9 @@ releases:
     version: "{{ .Values.charts.oxConnector.version }}"
     values:
       - "values-oxconnector.yaml.gotmpl"
-      - {{ .Values.customization.release.oxConnector | default "additionalValues: false" }}
+      {{ range .Values.customization.release.oxConnector }}
+      - {{ . }}
+      {{ end }}
     installed: {{ .Values.oxAppsuite.enabled }}
     needs:
       - "open-xchange"
diff --git a/helmfile/apps/openproject-bootstrap/helmfile-child.yaml.gotmpl b/helmfile/apps/openproject-bootstrap/helmfile-child.yaml.gotmpl
index fbf7b677..dac00426 100644
--- a/helmfile/apps/openproject-bootstrap/helmfile-child.yaml.gotmpl
+++ b/helmfile/apps/openproject-bootstrap/helmfile-child.yaml.gotmpl
@@ -20,7 +20,9 @@ releases:
     waitForJobs: true
     values:
       - "values.yaml.gotmpl"
-      - {{ .Values.customization.release.opendeskOpenprojectBootstrap | default "additionalValues: false" }}
+      {{ range .Values.customization.release.opendeskOpenprojectBootstrap }}
+      - {{ . }}
+      {{ end }}
     installed: {{ .Values.openproject.enabled }}
     timeout: 900
 
diff --git a/helmfile/apps/openproject/helmfile-child.yaml.gotmpl b/helmfile/apps/openproject/helmfile-child.yaml.gotmpl
index 222e63ef..5fd2c0c4 100644
--- a/helmfile/apps/openproject/helmfile-child.yaml.gotmpl
+++ b/helmfile/apps/openproject/helmfile-child.yaml.gotmpl
@@ -20,7 +20,9 @@ releases:
     waitForJobs: true
     values:
       - "values.yaml.gotmpl"
-      - {{ .Values.customization.release.openproject | default "additionalValues: false" }}
+      {{ range .Values.customization.release.openproject }}
+      - {{ . }}
+      {{ end }}
     installed: {{ .Values.openproject.enabled }}
     timeout: 1800
 
diff --git a/helmfile/apps/services/helmfile-child.yaml.gotmpl b/helmfile/apps/services/helmfile-child.yaml.gotmpl
index 502204b3..aaefe7c7 100644
--- a/helmfile/apps/services/helmfile-child.yaml.gotmpl
+++ b/helmfile/apps/services/helmfile-child.yaml.gotmpl
@@ -119,7 +119,9 @@ releases:
     version: "{{ .Values.charts.otterize.version }}"
     values:
       - "values-otterize.yaml.gotmpl"
-      - {{ .Values.customization.release.opendeskOtterize | default "additionalValues: false" }}
+      {{ range .Values.customization.release.opendeskOtterize }}
+      - {{ . }}
+      {{ end }}
     installed: {{ .Values.security.otterizeIntents.enabled }}
     timeout: 900
 
@@ -128,7 +130,9 @@ releases:
     version: "{{ .Values.charts.home.version }}"
     values:
       - "values-home.yaml.gotmpl"
-      - {{ .Values.customization.release.opendeskHome | default "additionalValues: false" }}
+      {{ range .Values.customization.release.opendeskHome }}
+      - {{ . }}
+      {{ end }}
     installed: {{ .Values.home.enabled }}
 
   - name: "opendesk-certificates"
@@ -136,7 +140,9 @@ releases:
     version: "{{ .Values.charts.certificates.version }}"
     values:
       - "values-certificates.yaml.gotmpl"
-      - {{ .Values.customization.release.opendeskCertificates | default "additionalValues: false" }}
+      {{ range .Values.customization.release.opendeskCertificates }}
+      - {{ . }}
+      {{ end }}
     installed: {{ .Values.certificates.enabled }}
     timeout: 900
 
@@ -145,7 +151,9 @@ releases:
     version: "{{ .Values.charts.redis.version }}"
     values:
       - "values-redis.yaml.gotmpl"
-      - {{ .Values.customization.release.redis | default "additionalValues: false" }}
+      {{ range .Values.customization.release.redis }}
+      - {{ . }}
+      {{ end }}
     installed: {{ .Values.redis.enabled }}
     timeout: 900
 
@@ -154,7 +162,9 @@ releases:
     version: "{{ .Values.charts.memcached.version }}"
     values:
       - "values-memcached.yaml.gotmpl"
-      - {{ .Values.customization.release.memcached | default "additionalValues: false" }}
+      {{ range .Values.customization.release.memcached }}
+      - {{ . }}
+      {{ end }}
     installed: {{ .Values.memcached.enabled }}
     timeout: 900
 
@@ -163,7 +173,9 @@ releases:
     version: "{{ .Values.charts.postgresql.version }}"
     values:
       - "values-postgresql.yaml.gotmpl"
-      - {{ .Values.customization.release.postgresql | default "additionalValues: false" }}
+      {{ range .Values.customization.release.postgresql }}
+      - {{ . }}
+      {{ end }}
     installed: {{ .Values.postgresql.enabled }}
     timeout: 900
 
@@ -172,7 +184,9 @@ releases:
     version: "{{ .Values.charts.mariadb.version }}"
     values:
       - "values-mariadb.yaml.gotmpl"
-      - {{ .Values.customization.release.mariadb | default "additionalValues: false" }}
+      {{ range .Values.customization.release.mariadb }}
+      - {{ . }}
+      {{ end }}
     installed: {{ .Values.mariadb.enabled }}
     timeout: 900
 
@@ -181,7 +195,9 @@ releases:
     version: "{{ .Values.charts.postfix.version }}"
     values:
       - "values-postfix.yaml.gotmpl"
-      - {{ .Values.customization.release.postfix | default "additionalValues: false" }}
+      {{ range .Values.customization.release.postfix }}
+      - {{ . }}
+      {{ end }}
     installed: {{ .Values.postfix.enabled }}
     timeout: 900
 
@@ -190,7 +206,9 @@ releases:
     version: "{{ .Values.charts.dkimpy.version }}"
     values:
       - "values-dkimpy.yaml.gotmpl"
-      - {{ .Values.customization.release.opendeskDkimpyMilter | default "additionalValues: false" }}
+      {{ range .Values.customization.release.opendeskDkimpyMilter }}
+      - {{ . }}
+      {{ end }}
     installed: {{ .Values.dkimpy.enabled }}
     timeout: 900
 
@@ -199,7 +217,9 @@ releases:
     version: "{{ .Values.charts.clamav.version }}"
     values:
       - "values-clamav-distributed.yaml.gotmpl"
-      - {{ .Values.customization.release.clamav | default "additionalValues: false" }}
+      {{ range .Values.customization.release.clamav }}
+      - {{ . }}
+      {{ end }}
     installed: {{ .Values.clamavDistributed.enabled }}
     timeout: 900
 
@@ -208,7 +228,9 @@ releases:
     version: "{{ .Values.charts.clamavSimple.version }}"
     values:
       - "values-clamav-simple.yaml.gotmpl"
-      - {{ .Values.customization.release.clamavSimple | default "additionalValues: false" }}
+      {{ range .Values.customization.release.clamavSimple }}
+      - {{ . }}
+      {{ end }}
     installed: {{ .Values.clamavSimple.enabled }}
     timeout: 900
 
@@ -217,7 +239,9 @@ releases:
     version: "{{ .Values.charts.minio.version }}"
     values:
       - "values-minio.yaml.gotmpl"
-      - {{ .Values.customization.release.minio | default "additionalValues: false" }}
+      {{ range .Values.customization.release.minio }}
+      - {{ . }}
+      {{ end }}
     installed: {{ .Values.minio.enabled }}
     timeout: 900
 
diff --git a/helmfile/apps/xwiki/helmfile-child.yaml.gotmpl b/helmfile/apps/xwiki/helmfile-child.yaml.gotmpl
index b3f28079..545d2d4c 100644
--- a/helmfile/apps/xwiki/helmfile-child.yaml.gotmpl
+++ b/helmfile/apps/xwiki/helmfile-child.yaml.gotmpl
@@ -19,7 +19,9 @@ releases:
     wait: true
     values:
       - "values.yaml.gotmpl"
-      - {{ .Values.customization.release.xwiki | default "additionalValues: false" }}
+      {{ range .Values.customization.release.xwiki }}
+      - {{ . }}
+      {{ end }}
     installed: {{ .Values.xwiki.enabled }}
     timeout: 1800
 
diff --git a/helmfile/environments/default/customization.yaml b/helmfile/environments/default/customization.yaml
index d04aca81..80eb5119 100644
--- a/helmfile/environments/default/customization.yaml
+++ b/helmfile/environments/default/customization.yaml
@@ -9,50 +9,50 @@
 customization:
   release:
     # collabora
-    collaboraOnline: ~
+    collaboraOnline: {}
     # cryptpad
-    cryptpad: ~
+    cryptpad: {}
     # element
-    opendeskElement: ~
-    opendeskWellKnown: ~
-    opendeskSynapseWeb: ~
-    opendeskSynapse: ~
+    opendeskElement: {}
+    opendeskWellKnown: {}
+    opendeskSynapseWeb: {}
+    opendeskSynapse: {}
     # jitsi
-    jitsi: ~
+    jitsi: {}
     # migrations-post
-    migrationsPost: ~
+    migrationsPost: {}
     # migrations-pre
-    migrationsPre: ~
+    migrationsPre: {}
     # nextcloud
-    opendeskNextcloudManagement: ~
-    opendeskNextcloud: ~
+    opendeskNextcloudManagement: {}
+    opendeskNextcloud: {}
     # nubus
-    ums: ~
-    intercomService: ~
-    opendeskKeycloakBootstrap: ~
-    nginxS3Gateway: ~
+    ums: {}
+    intercomService: {}
+    opendeskKeycloakBootstrap: {}
+    nginxS3Gateway: {}
     # open-xchange
-    dovecot: ~
-    openXchange: ~
-    opendeskOpenXchangeBootstrap: ~
-    oxConnector: ~
+    dovecot: {}
+    openXchange: {}
+    opendeskOpenXchangeBootstrap: {}
+    oxConnector: {}
     # openproject
-    openproject: ~
+    openproject: {}
     # openproject-bootstrap
-    opendeskOpenprojectBootstrap: ~
+    opendeskOpenprojectBootstrap: {}
     # services
-    opendeskOtterize: ~
-    opendeskHome: ~
-    opendeskCertificates: ~
-    redis: ~
-    memcached: ~
-    postgresql: ~
-    mariadb: ~
-    postfix: ~
-    opendeskDkimpyMilter: ~
-    clamav: ~
-    clamavSimple: ~
-    minio: ~
+    opendeskOtterize: {}
+    opendeskHome: {}
+    opendeskCertificates: {}
+    redis: {}
+    memcached: {}
+    postgresql: {}
+    mariadb: {}
+    postfix: {}
+    opendeskDkimpyMilter: {}
+    clamav: {}
+    clamavSimple: {}
+    minio: {}
     # xwiki
-    xwiki: ~
+    xwiki: {}
 ...