diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index fc53ced..0e51b78 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,6 +1,13 @@
 
 # Changelog
 
+## [2.2.3] - 2026-04-04
+
+### Fixed
+- **Template Variable Substitution in post_tags Comments:**
+  - Fixed issue where `{author}` and `{{author}}` placeholders in `post_tags` comments were not being replaced with the actual post author's username.
+  - Template variables now properly substitute in automatic post_tags comments, matching behavior of trigger-based comments.
+
 ## [2.2.2] - 2026-03-29
 
 ### Added
diff --git a/modreplybot.py b/modreplybot.py
index 9f25cb0..75b6f89 100644
--- a/modreplybot.py
+++ b/modreplybot.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import praw
 from config import get_reddit, Config
 from update_checker import start_update_checker
 
-BOT_VERSION = "2.2.2"  # Change this for new releases
+BOT_VERSION = "2.2.3"  # Change this for new releases
 BOT_NAME = "ModReplyBot"  # Change this if bot name changes
 
 import time
@@ -49,6 +49,10 @@ class ModReplyBot:
             time.sleep(30)
     def comment_only(self, submission, comment_text, matched_tag=None):
         try:
+            # Replace template variables
+            comment_text = comment_text.replace("{{author}}", submission.author.name if submission.author else "unknown")
+            comment_text = comment_text.replace("{author}", submission.author.name if submission.author else "unknown")
+            
             # Check required text and prepend message if needed
             if matched_tag and matched_tag in self.tag_required_text:
                 comment_text = self.check_required_text_and_prepend_message(