prepare-release

name	prepare-release
description	Prepare a release for the JavaScript Feature Management packages. Use when user mentions release preparation, version bump, creating merge PRs, preview release, or stable release for this project.

Prepare Release

This skill automates the release preparation workflow for the JavaScript Feature Management project.

When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when you need to:

• Bump the package version for a new stable or preview release
• Create merge PRs to sync branches (main → release, preview → release)
• Prepare all the PRs needed before publishing a new release

Background

Repository Information

• GitHub Repo: https://github.com/microsoft/FeatureManagement-JavaScript
• Packages:
  • @microsoft/feature-management
  • @microsoft/feature-management-applicationinsights-browser
  • @microsoft/feature-management-applicationinsights-node

Branch Structure

• main – primary development branch for stable releases
• preview – development branch for preview releases
• release/v{major} – release branch (e.g., release/v2)

Version Files

The version must be updated in all 7 files simultaneously. Some files have multiple locations that need updating:

1. src/feature-management/src/version.ts – line 4: export const VERSION = "<version>";
2. src/feature-management/package.json – line 3: "version": "<version>",
3. src/feature-management/package-lock.json – line 3: "version": "<version>",
4. src/feature-management/package-lock.json – line 9: "version": "<version>",
5. src/feature-management-applicationinsights-browser/src/version.ts – line 4: export const VERSION = "<version>";
6. src/feature-management-applicationinsights-browser/package.json – line 3: "version": "<version>", AND the @microsoft/feature-management dependency version
7. src/feature-management-applicationinsights-node/src/version.ts – line 4: export const VERSION = "<version>";
8. src/feature-management-applicationinsights-node/package.json – line 3: "version": "<version>", AND the @microsoft/feature-management dependency version

Version Format

• Stable: {major}.{minor}.{patch} (e.g., 2.4.0)
• Preview: {major}.{minor}.{patch}-preview.{prerelease} (e.g., 2.4.0-preview.1)

Quick Start

Ask the user whether this is a stable or preview release, and what the new version number should be. Then follow the appropriate workflow below.

---

Workflow A: Stable Release

Step 1: Version Bump PR

Create a version bump PR targeting main by running the version bump script:

./scripts/version-bump.sh <new_version>

For example: ./scripts/version-bump.sh 2.5.0

The script will automatically:

1. Read the current version from src/feature-management/src/version.ts.
2. Create a new branch from main named <username>/version-<new_version>.
3. Update the version in all 7 files (see Version Files section above).
4. Commit, push, and create a PR to main with title: Version bump <new_version>.

When the script prompts Proceed? [y/N], confirm by entering y.

Sample PR: https://github.com/microsoft/FeatureManagement-JavaScript/pull/120

Step 2: Merge Main to Release Branch

After the version bump PR is merged, create a PR to merge main into the release branch by running:

./scripts/merge-to-release.sh <new_version>

For example: ./scripts/merge-to-release.sh 2.5.0

When the script prompts Proceed? [y/N], confirm by entering y.

Important: Use "Merge commit" (not squash) when merging this PR to preserve commit history.

---

Workflow B: Preview Release

Step 1: Version Bump PR

Create a version bump PR targeting preview by running the version bump script with the --preview flag:

./scripts/version-bump.sh <new_version> --preview

For example: ./scripts/version-bump.sh 2.5.0-preview.1 --preview

When the script prompts Proceed? [y/N], confirm by entering y.

Step 2: Merge Preview to Release Branch

After the version bump PR is merged, create a PR to merge preview into the release branch by running:

./scripts/merge-to-release.sh <new_version> --preview

For example: ./scripts/merge-to-release.sh 2.5.0-preview.1 --preview

When the script prompts Proceed? [y/N], confirm by entering y.

Important: Use "Merge commit" (not squash) when merging this PR to preserve commit history.

---

Review Checklist

Each PR should be reviewed with the following checks:

• Version is updated consistently across all 7 files
• The @microsoft/feature-management dependency version in both applicationinsights packages matches the new version
• No unintended file changes are included
• Merge PRs use merge commit strategy (not squash)
• Branch names follow the naming conventions
• All CI checks pass