release

name	release
description	Create semantic versioned releases with AI-generated changelogs. Worktree-aware - works from any branch. Use when the user wants to create a release, cut a release, bump version, or publish a new version. Supports dry-run preview, pre-releases (alpha/beta/rc), and CI status checks. Use when this capability is needed.
metadata	{"author":"fairchild"}

Release

Create semantic versioned releases from any branch or worktree.

Quick Start

# Preview release (no changes)
bun ~/.claude/skills/release/scripts/analyze.ts

# Execute release
bun ~/.claude/skills/release/scripts/release.ts

# Dry run
bun ~/.claude/skills/release/scripts/release.ts --dry-run

Command Options

Option	Effect
no args	Analyze, confirm, release origin/main
--dry-run	Preview only, no changes
--version vX.Y.Z	Override suggested version
--no-changelog	Skip CHANGELOG.md, notes in GitHub release only
--current-branch	Release HEAD of current branch, for hotfix branches
--prerelease alpha	Create pre-release, e.g. v1.0.0-alpha.1
--skip-ci	Skip CI status check

Worktree-Aware Workflow

The skill releases origin/main regardless of your current branch:

You're in:     ~/conductor/workspaces/.claude/casablanca (worktree)
Current branch: feat/my-feature
Release target: origin/main ✓

How it works:

• Creates ephemeral worktree at ~/.worktrees/<repo>/release-<tag>
• Commits changelog, tags, pushes to origin/main
• Cleans up worktree after release

This approach is predictable and never modifies your current working directory. Use --current-branch to release from current directory instead (for hotfix branches).

Workflow

1. Analyze

Run the analyze script (read-only, safe anytime):

bun ~/.claude/skills/release/scripts/analyze.ts

Shows:

• Current context (branch, worktree status)
• Target branch (origin/main)
• Commits since last tag
• Suggested version
• Generated changelog
• CI status

2. Review and Confirm

Check the suggested version and changelog preview. Adjust with:

• --version vX.Y.Z to override version
• --prerelease alpha for alpha/beta/rc

3. Execute

bun ~/.claude/skills/release/scripts/release.ts

The script:

1. Checks CI status (fail if broken, unless --skip-ci)
2. Finds or creates release worktree
3. Updates CHANGELOG.md (unless --no-changelog)
4. Commits: release: vX.Y.Z
5. Creates and pushes tag
6. Creates GitHub release
7. Cleans up ephemeral worktree

Version Bumping

Change Type	Bump	Example
Breaking changes	Major	1.2.3 → 2.0.0
feat commits	Minor	1.2.3 → 1.3.0
fix, chore, etc.	Patch	1.2.3 → 1.2.4

Pre-1.0: Breaking → minor, feat → minor, fix → patch.

Pre-releases: --prerelease alpha → v1.0.0-alpha.1, v1.0.0-alpha.2, etc.

Changelog Format

Uses Keep a Changelog:

## [1.3.0] - 2026-01-24

### Added
- feature: New capability

### Fixed
- bug: Resolved issue

### Changed
- refactor: Improved performance

Error Recovery

See references/troubleshooting.md for:

• Partial failure recovery (commit/push/release)
• Undoing a release (delete tag, retract)
• Worktree cleanup
• CI issues

Quick fixes:

# Push failed after commit
git push origin main --tags

# GitHub release failed after push
gh release create vX.Y.Z --title "vX.Y.Z" --generate-notes

# Delete bad release
gh release delete vX.Y.Z --yes --cleanup-tag

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