changesets-release

name	changesets-release
description	Records release intent with Changesets and guides semver, changelog, CI, and artifact-version checks for independently distributed packages. Use when a repository has `@changesets/cli`, `.changeset/`, a version-packages PR, publishable plugins, SDKs, libraries, or monorepos.

Changesets Release

Use this for consumer-installed packages. Do not require Changesets for a single deployed application unless its owner chooses release versions.

Decide Scope

• Use it for libraries, SDKs, CLIs, plugins, and packages published independently.
• In a monorepo, include every changed consumer package; let Changesets calculate internal dependency bumps.
• For internal-only work, use the repository's explicit no-changeset convention. Do not add an empty changeset merely to satisfy CI.
• Before first adoption, confirm the owner wants Changesets, then initialize it with the repository's package manager. Do not introduce a release dependency unilaterally.

Add Release Intent

1. Read .changeset/config.json, package metadata, and the consumer contract before choosing a bump.
2. Use patch for compatible fixes, minor for compatible capabilities, and major for breaking behavior, removed APIs, or required consumer changes.
3. Run the configured changeset command and commit its generated .changeset/<name>.md with the implementation PR.
4. Write the entry for consumers: what changed, why it matters, and migration steps when needed. Never copy a commit subject as the release note.

CI And Version PR

• Require a changeset or an approved no-changeset marker on releaseable PRs; changeset status is the non-interactive CI check.
• Use the Changesets GitHub Action to create/update a version-packages PR. Review generated versions and changelogs before merging.
• Keep publishing credentials in CI secrets. Never put registry tokens in a changeset, repository config, or commit.

Non-NPM Artifacts

Changesets records release intent; it does not automatically update every native manifest. The version PR must update and verify every public version surface.

• WordPress plugin: plugin header, readme.txt stable tag, ZIP filename/metadata, Git tag, and release notes.
• PHP/Composer package: package metadata, tag, generated artifact, and changelog.
• Application: only use Changesets when its release version is a real customer contract; otherwise keep deployment SHA and release notes separate.

Release Check

1. Run the affected package tests and build.
2. Confirm generated changelog text is accurate and actionable.
3. Confirm the final tag and every distributable artifact report the same version.
4. Use release-gate for staging, rollout, rollback, and health checks.

Verification

• changeset status succeeds in CI for a releaseable change.
• The version PR contains the expected bump and changelog entry.
• Artifact inspection proves all public version surfaces match the release tag.