pub-release

name	pub-release
description	Guides publishing a Flutter/Dart package to pub.dev with a release checklist (CHANGELOG, README, docs), version policy (breaking changes as beta first, bugfixes as stable, promote beta to full after 1 week), and GitHub Issues feedback collection. Use when the user runs /pub-release, or asks to publish to pub.dev, cut a release, promote a beta, ship a bugfix version, or prep package release docs.

pub-release

Agent instructions for releasing this Dart/Flutter package to pub.dev. Follow every phase in order. Do not publish until the user explicitly confirms the final publish step.

Version policy (non-negotiable)

Change type	Channel	Version pattern	Notes
Breaking change	Beta first	X.Y.Z-beta.N	Never ship breaking API/SDK/behavior as stable on first cut
Feature (non-breaking)	Prefer beta, or patch/minor stable if low risk	X.Y.Z-beta.N or X.Y.0	Prefer beta for large features
Bugfix only	Stable	X.Y.Z (patch)	Ship as full release when no breaking changes
Beta → full	Stable after soak	Drop -beta.N → X.Y.Z	Only after ≥ 7 days on pub.dev and feedback review

SemVer rules for this package:

• Breaking → bump major or keep pre-release under the intended stable (1.4.5-beta.N → later 1.4.5)
• Feature → minor (or stay on beta track for the next stable)
• Bugfix → patch
• Pre-release identifiers: use -beta.1, -beta.2, … (pub.dev pre-release ordering)

If the change set includes any breaking item, the whole release is beta.

Release modes

Detect or ask which mode:

1. beta — new pre-release (breaking and/or large features)
2. stable-bugfix — patch with only fixes
3. promote-beta — promote an existing beta to full after 1-week soak
4. docs-only — no version bump publish; update docs only (rare)

---

Phase 0 — Orient

1. Read pubspec.yaml for current name, version, environment, homepage/repository.
2. Read top of CHANGELOG.md for the latest published/unreleased notes.
3. git status / git log / git diff vs last tag — what actually changed.
4. List open GitHub issues/PRs that this release claims to fix (gh issue list, gh pr list).
5. State the chosen mode, from version → to version, and a one-line rationale. Get user confirmation if ambiguous.

---

Phase 1 — Classify the change set

Build a short table:

Item	Breaking?	Fix / Feature / Docs	Linked issue

Rules:

• API removals/renames, min SDK/Flutter bumps, platform-view strategy changes, default behavior flips → breaking
• Pure crash/layout/leak fixes with public API unchanged → bugfix
• If mixed breaking + fixes → beta (list breaking first in CHANGELOG)

---

Phase 2 — Documentation checklist (must all pass)

Work through every item. Mark [x] / [ ] in your reply to the user before publish.

2.1 CHANGELOG.md

• New section at top: ## <version> matching pubspec.yaml exactly
• Breaking changes marked **BREAKING**: … and listed first
• Each user-facing fix/feature has a clear bullet
• Issue/PR links: [#N](https://github.com/<owner>/<repo>/issues/N) (or /pull/N)
• No “WIP”, “todo”, or empty sections
• Older entries left intact (do not rewrite published history unless correcting a factual error)

2.2 README.md

• Install snippet uses a version compatible with this release (or ^ range that includes it)
• New/changed public APIs documented with examples
• Breaking changes called out (migration notes or “Breaking” subsection)
• Removed or renamed APIs no longer shown as current usage
• Platform requirements (min iOS / Android / Flutter / Dart) match pubspec.yaml / native configs
• Links (homepage, issues) still valid

2.3 Other package docs

• Public API dartdoc still accurate (/// on new/changed public members)
• example/ still builds and demonstrates important APIs
• Example pubspec.yaml path/dependency still correct for local path or published name
• Native notes if needed (ProGuard, Privacy Manifest, min SDK) in README or android//ios/ docs
• LICENSE present and unchanged unless intentional
• Topics / description in pubspec.yaml still accurate

2.4 Version files stay in sync

• pubspec.yaml version:
• CHANGELOG.md heading
• Any hardcoded version strings in README/example (if present)
• Git tag plan: v<version> or <version> — match existing tag style in the repo

Reference: references/checklist.md

---

Phase 3 — Quality gates (before any publish)

Run from package root (adjust if monorepo):

flutter pub get
dart format --set-exit-if-changed .
flutter analyze
flutter test

If the package has an example:

cd example && flutter pub get && flutter analyze

Optional but recommended for plugins:

# Android unit tests if present
cd android && ./gradlew test  # or project-specific command

Also:

dart pub publish --dry-run

Fix all failures before continuing. Dry-run must report no blockers.

---

Phase 4 — GitHub Issues feedback loop

When shipping a beta

1. Open (or update) a tracking issue titled roughly: Beta feedback: <package> <version>
2. Body must include:
   • What changed (summary + link to CHANGELOG section)
   • Breaking changes / migration steps
   • How to try: dependency override or version pin (package: X.Y.Z-beta.N)
   • Ask for: platform, Flutter version, repro, expected vs actual
   • Explicit note: target full release after ≥ 7 days if no critical regressions
3. Label appropriately if labels exist (beta, feedback, release)
4. Link related fixed issues in the tracking issue
5. Comment on major fixed issues: “Included in <version> (beta) — please verify”

gh issue create --title "Beta feedback: <name> <version>" --body-file - <<'EOF'
...
EOF

When shipping a stable bugfix

1. Comment on fixed issues that the fix is on pub.dev as <version>
2. Close issues only when the fix is confirmed shipped (or per repo convention: close with “fixed in …” and let maintainers close)

When promoting beta → full

1. Search issues for beta feedback since beta publish date:

gh issue list --search "beta feedback OR regression OR <version-base>" --state all --limit 50
gh issue list --label "bug" --state open --limit 50

2. Summarize to the user:
   • Critical regressions? → do not promote; cut beta.N+1 instead
   • Non-blocking issues? → file follow-ups, proceed if user agrees
3. Comment on the beta tracking issue that full X.Y.Z is published; close if resolved
4. Thank reporters on useful feedback issues

---

Phase 5 — Version bump

1. Edit pubspec.yaml version:
2. Ensure CHANGELOG top section matches
3. Commit only when user asks to commit (do not force git_write)

Suggested commit message style:

release: <version>

or

chore(release): <version>

Tag after publish success (or immediately before, per repo habit — prefer after successful dart pub publish so tags match live versions):

git tag v<version>   # or match existing tag pattern
git push origin HEAD --tags

Only push/tag when the user approves.

---

Phase 6 — Publish to pub.dev

Stop and confirm with the user before running publish.

dart pub publish --dry-run   # once more if anything changed
dart pub publish

Notes:

• Requires logged-in publisher (dart pub token / browser auth as configured)
• Publisher must have permission on the pub.dev package
• Pre-release versions (-beta.N) are visible on pub.dev but clients need an explicit constraint to take them (good)
• After publish, verify: https://pub.dev/packages/<name>/versions

Do not re-publish the same version. Versions are immutable.

---

Phase 7 — Promote beta → full (after 1 week)

Trigger when user asks to promote, or when reviewing an aged beta.

1. Confirm beta version exists on pub.dev and published date ≥ 7 days ago
2. Run Phase 4 feedback review (blockers → new beta, not promote)
3. Set version to stable X.Y.Z (same numbers as beta base, no -beta.N)
4. CHANGELOG:
   • Add ## X.Y.Z noting promotion from X.Y.Z-beta.N and any post-beta fixes
   • If identical to last beta: “Stable release of X.Y.Z-beta.N after soak period.”
5. Re-run Phase 2–3 checklists
6. Publish stable, then Phase 4 close-out comments

If post-beta fixes landed:

• Either promote with those fixes listed under X.Y.Z, or
• Ship another beta and restart the 7-day clock (prefer restart if fixes are risky)

---

Phase 8 — Post-release

• pub.dev version page shows the new version
• GitHub release notes optional: gh release create v<version> --notes-file ...
• Tracking/feedback issues updated
• Tell the user the install constraint:

Stable:

dependencies:
  <package>: ^X.Y.Z

Beta:

dependencies:
  <package>: X.Y.Z-beta.N

---

Decision shortcuts

Is there a BREAKING change?
  YES → beta (never direct stable)
  NO  → only bugfixes?
          YES → stable patch
          NO  → features?
                  large / risky → beta
                  small / safe  → minor/patch stable (confirm with user)

Is this a promote-beta request?
  beta age < 7 days → refuse promote; report days remaining
  open critical regressions → new beta, do not promote
  else → stable X.Y.Z

---

Safety

• Never dart pub publish without explicit user approval for that exact version
• Never force-push tags or rewrite published CHANGELOG history casually
• Never publish with failing analyze/tests or failed dry-run
• Never skip README/CHANGELOG sync “to do later”
• If publisher credentials missing, stop and instruct the user to auth — do not try to bypass

Communication with the user

At each major gate, report:

1. Mode + version transition
2. Checklist status (pass/fail list)
3. Feedback issue status
4. Exact command you want to run next
5. Wait for approval on publish / tag / push