Prepare release

<!-- Source: claude-code-templates/deployment/prepare-release.md -->

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allowed-tools: Read, Write, Edit, Bash argument-hint: [version-type] | patch | minor | major | --pre-release | --hotfix description: Prepare and validate release packages with comprehensive testing, documentation, and automation

Release Preparation

Prepare and validate release: $ARGUMENTS

Current Release Context

• Current version: !git describe --tags --abbrev=0 2>/dev/null || echo "No previous releases"
• Package version: @package.json or @setup.py or @pyproject.toml or @go.mod (if exists)
• Unreleased changes: !git log $(git describe --tags --abbrev=0)..HEAD --oneline 2>/dev/null | wc -l || echo "All commits"
• Branch status: !git status --porcelain | wc -l || echo "0" uncommitted changes
• Build status: !npm test 2>/dev/null || python -m pytest 2>/dev/null || go test ./... 2>/dev/null || echo "Test framework detection needed"

Task

Systematic release preparation: $ARGUMENTS

1. Release Planning and Validation

   • Determine release version number (semantic versioning)
   • Review and validate all features included in release
   • Check that all planned issues and features are complete
   • Verify release criteria and acceptance requirements

2. Pre-Release Checklist

   • Ensure all tests are passing (unit, integration, E2E)
   • Verify code coverage meets project standards
   • Complete security vulnerability scanning
   • Perform performance testing and validation
   • Review and approve all pending pull requests

3. Version Management

   # Check current version
   git describe --tags --abbrev=0
   
   # Determine next version (semantic versioning)
   # MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH
   # MAJOR: Breaking changes
   # MINOR: New features (backward compatible)
   # PATCH: Bug fixes (backward compatible)
   
   # Example version updates
   # 1.2.3 -> 1.2.4 (patch)
   # 1.2.3 -> 1.3.0 (minor)
   # 1.2.3 -> 2.0.0 (major)
   

4. Code Freeze and Branch Management

   # Create release branch from main
   git checkout main
   git pull origin main
   git checkout -b release/v1.2.3
   
   # Alternative: Use main branch directly for smaller releases
   # Ensure no new features are merged during release process
   

5. Version Number Updates

   • Update package.json, setup.py, or equivalent version files
   • Update version in application configuration
   • Update version in documentation and README
   • Update API version if applicable

   # Node.js projects
   npm version patch  # or minor, major
   
   # Python projects
   # Update version in setup.py, __init__.py, or pyproject.toml
   
   # Manual version update
   sed -i 's/"version": "1.2.2"/"version": "1.2.3"/' package.json
   

6. Changelog Generation

   # CHANGELOG.md
   
   ## [1.2.3] - 2024-01-15
   
   ### Added
   - New user authentication system
   - Dark mode support for UI
   - API rate limiting functionality
   
   ### Changed
   - Improved database query performance
   - Updated user interface design
   - Enhanced error handling
   
   ### Fixed
   - Fixed memory leak in background tasks
   - Resolved issue with file upload validation
   - Fixed timezone handling in date calculations
   
   ### Security
   - Updated dependencies with security patches
   - Improved input validation and sanitization
   

7. Documentation Updates

   • Update API documentation with new endpoints
   • Revise user documentation and guides
   • Update installation and deployment instructions
   • Review and update README.md
   • Update migration guides if needed

8. Dependency Management

   # Update and audit dependencies
   npm audit fix
   npm update
   
   # Python
   pip-audit
   pip freeze > requirements.txt
   
   # Review security vulnerabilities
   npm audit
   snyk test
   

9. Build and Artifact Generation

   # Clean build environment
   npm run clean
   rm -rf dist/ build/
   
   # Build production artifacts
   npm run build
   
   # Verify build artifacts
   ls -la dist/
   
   # Test built artifacts
   npm run test:build
   

10. Testing and Quality Assurance

    • Run comprehensive test suite
    • Perform manual testing of critical features
    • Execute regression testing
    • Conduct user acceptance testing
    • Validate in staging environment

    # Run all tests
    npm test
    npm run test:integration
    npm run test:e2e
    
    # Check code coverage
    npm run test:coverage
    
    # Performance testing
    npm run test:performance
    

11. Security and Compliance Verification

    • Run security scans and penetration testing
    • Verify compliance with security standards
    • Check for exposed secrets or credentials
    • Validate data protection and privacy measures

12. Release Notes Preparation

    # Release Notes v1.2.3
    
    ## 🎉 What's New
    - **Dark Mode**: Users can now switch to dark mode in settings
    - **Enhanced Security**: Improved authentication with 2FA support
    - **Performance**: 40% faster page load times
    
    ## 🔧 Improvements
    - Better error messages for form validation
    - Improved mobile responsiveness
    - Enhanced accessibility features
    
    ## 🐛 Bug Fixes
    - Fixed issue with file downloads in Safari
    - Resolved memory leak in background tasks
    - Fixed timezone display issues
    
    ## 📚 Documentation
    - Updated API documentation
    - New user onboarding guide
    - Enhanced troubleshooting section
    
    ## 🔄 Migration Guide
    - No breaking changes in this release
    - Automatic database migrations included
    - See [Migration Guide](link) for details
    

13. Release Tagging and Versioning

    # Create annotated tag
    git add .
    git commit -m "chore: prepare release v1.2.3"
    git tag -a v1.2.3 -m "Release version 1.2.3
    
    Features:
    - Dark mode support
    - Enhanced authentication
    
    Bug fixes:
    - Fixed file upload issues
    - Resolved memory leaks"
    
    # Push tag to remote
    git push origin v1.2.3
    git push origin release/v1.2.3
    

14. Deployment Preparation

    • Prepare deployment scripts and configurations
    • Update environment variables and secrets
    • Plan deployment strategy (blue-green, rolling, canary)
    • Set up monitoring and alerting for release
    • Prepare rollback procedures

15. Staging Environment Validation

    # Deploy to staging
    ./deploy-staging.sh v1.2.3
    
    # Run smoke tests
    npm run test:smoke:staging
    
    # Manual validation checklist
    # [ ] User login/logout
    # [ ] Core functionality
    # [ ] New features
    # [ ] Performance metrics
    # [ ] Security checks
    

16. Production Deployment Planning

    • Schedule deployment window
    • Notify stakeholders and users
    • Prepare maintenance mode if needed
    • Set up deployment monitoring
    • Plan communication strategy

17. Release Automation Setup

    # GitHub Actions Release Workflow
    name: Release
    
    on:
      push:
        tags:
          - 'v*'
    
    jobs:
      release:
        runs-on: ubuntu-latest
        steps:
          - uses: actions/checkout@v3
          - name: Setup Node.js
            uses: actions/setup-node@v3
            with:
              node-version: '18'
          
          - name: Install dependencies
            run: npm ci
          
          - name: Run tests
            run: npm test
          
          - name: Build
            run: npm run build
          
          - name: Create Release
            uses: actions/create-release@v1
            env:
              GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
            with:
              tag_name: ${{ github.ref }}
              release_name: Release ${{ github.ref }}
              draft: false
              prerelease: false
    

18. Communication and Announcements

    • Prepare release announcement
    • Update status page and documentation
    • Notify customers and users
    • Share on relevant communication channels
    • Update social media and marketing materials

19. Post-Release Monitoring

    • Monitor application performance and errors
    • Track user adoption of new features
    • Monitor system metrics and alerts
    • Collect user feedback and issues
    • Prepare hotfix procedures if needed

20. Release Retrospective

    • Document lessons learned
    • Review release process effectiveness
    • Identify improvement opportunities
    • Update release procedures
    • Plan for next release cycle

Release Types and Considerations:

Patch Release (1.2.3 → 1.2.4):

• Bug fixes only
• No new features
• Minimal testing required
• Quick deployment

Minor Release (1.2.3 → 1.3.0):

• New features (backward compatible)
• Enhanced functionality
• Comprehensive testing
• User communication needed

Major Release (1.2.3 → 2.0.0):

• Breaking changes
• Significant new features
• Migration guide required
• Extended testing period
• User training and support

Hotfix Release:

# Emergency hotfix process
git checkout main
git pull origin main
git checkout -b hotfix/critical-bug-fix

# Make minimal fix
git add .
git commit -m "hotfix: fix critical security vulnerability"

# Fast-track testing and deployment
npm test
git tag -a v1.2.4-hotfix.1 -m "Hotfix for critical security issue"
git push origin hotfix/critical-bug-fix
git push origin v1.2.4-hotfix.1

Remember to:

• Test everything thoroughly before release
• Communicate clearly with all stakeholders
• Have rollback procedures ready
• Monitor the release closely after deployment
• Document everything for future releases