releasing-marchat

name	releasing-marchat
description	Prepares marchat releases: version bumps, CHANGELOG, packaging checksums, GitHub Actions release workflow, and Docker tags. Use when tagging a release, bumping version strings, updating packaging manifests, or publishing assets.

Releasing marchat

Publishing is triggered by a GitHub release (tag). Authoritative sources: .github/workflows/release.yml, PACKAGING.md, and the steps below. If workflow behavior is unclear, read those files or web search current GitHub Actions / gh CLI docs.

Version bump checklist

Update the same version string everywhere:

• install.ps1, install.sh, build-release.ps1
• scripts/build-windows.ps1, scripts/build-linux.sh
• README.md (badge, install snippets, Docker tag pointer)
• CHANGELOG.md (new version section; move Unreleased items)
• SECURITY.md
• .github/workflows/release.yml (workflow_dispatch default / example)
• packaging/ templates (Homebrew, Scoop, winget, Chocolatey, AUR)
• Go version sync if toolchain changes: go.mod, Dockerfile, go.yml, release.yml, README.md, TESTING.md

Details: PACKAGING.md, .cursor/rules/marchat.mdc Release Process section.

After GitHub release assets exist

1. Download each marchat-<tag>-<platform>.zip from the release.
2. Refresh SHA256 in packaging templates (packaging/ci/render-release-manifests.sh with RELEASE_TAG).
3. Validate: brew audit, winget validate, choco pack where applicable.
4. Downstream publish uses secrets PACKAGING_GITHUB_PAT, AUR_SSH_PRIVATE_KEY (optional job publish-downstream-packages).

Build notes

• Cross-builds: CGO_ENABLED=0 for static binaries (workflow and Dockerfile).
• Archives: .zip for all platforms including Termux / linux-arm64.
• Docker: multi-arch linux/amd64, linux/arm64 to Docker Hub on release.
• Asset upload: gh release upload in workflow (not third-party release actions on Node 20).

Changelog entry

Follow writing-marchat-docs skill and existing CHANGELOG.md sections: release date, compare links, grouped bullets (Client, Server, Docs, Dependencies, Packaging).

Git

Do not commit or push unless the user asks. Provide a suggested commit message when done.