release

name	release
description	Use when a maintainer needs to cut, bump, or verify a repo release surface such as plugin versions, generated install manifests, and operator update instructions.

Release

Use this when the task is to advance or verify a repo-owned release surface, not just to describe recent changes.

release is the maintainer-facing workflow for versioned plugin or package surfaces that ship checked-in install metadata. It keeps release contracts honest instead of improvising bumps, update advice, generated-file edits, or publish completion claims. Every task-completing release slice records critique before closeout.

Bootstrap

Resolve $SKILL_DIR per ../../shared/references/bootstrap-resolution.md, then run the planner before mutation, broad verification, tag push, or publish:

python3 "$SKILL_DIR/scripts/plan_release_run.py" --repo-root . --detail

Read every planner required_reads entry and follow next_action. The planner surfaces current release state, configured evidence packets, target-version staleness, critique posture, and publish commands without mutating the repo.

If the planner reports scaffold_adapter or repair_adapter, run or repair the adapter path first:

python3 "$SKILL_DIR/scripts/init_adapter.py" --repo-root .
python3 "$SKILL_DIR/scripts/resolve_adapter.py" --repo-root .

Workflow

1. Restate the release goal: inspect only, publish current, patch/minor/major bump, or explicit target version.
2. Run plan_release_run.py; read required refs before acting.
3. Resolve planner blockers before mutation.
4. Run or record the required critique proof. Use references/critique-boundary.md for the exact artifact/blocked-host rule.
5. Choose the lightest honest bump.
   • patch for bug fixes, copy fixes, and behavior repairs
   • minor for new maintained capability or additive operator surface
   • major only when compatibility or invocation expectations break
6. Use the repo-owned publish helper for bump, sync, verify, tag, publish, distinct-channel confirmation, issue closeout, install refresh, and final artifact persistence.
7. Treat helper output as evidence, not terminal success. Judge public release surface verified status and open risks through references/publication-boundary.md.
8. End with operator update steps, maintainer install-refresh status, real-host proof status when required, and explicit non-claims.

Invariants

• Do not hand-edit generated plugin manifests when the repo has a sync helper.
• Do not bump a version without stating why that bump level is justified.
• Do not push, tag, or announce a release without explicit user confirmation.
• Do not report a release-linked issue as resolved until GitHub verifies it closed and the per-issue behavioral verdict in ../issue/references/closeout-discipline.md is rendered.
• Do not treat tag push, workflow completion, or helper green as public release verification by itself.
• Do not run sync, export, bump, install/update, or git-mutation commands in parallel with validators; mutate, sync, verify, then publish.
• Do not substitute same-agent review for the release critique gate.
• Apply ../../shared/references/fresh-eye-subagent-review.md for reviewer tier policy when release critique or closeout review needs a fresh observer.
• Wrap shared-tree reviewer spawns in the rail-1 snapshot/verify commands from that reference's Enforcement section (snapshot before spawn, verify after each reviewer returns).
• Keep a verified release ledger; if a release target cannot be re-read, record the target_unavailable disposition from ../../shared/references/closeout-discipline.md.
• If the repo lacks declared release files or sync scripts, stop cleanly and name the missing seam instead of inventing one.

Output

Use the publish helper payload and release artifact as the output template. The final answer should summarize:

• current and target version
• release scope and bump rationale
• critique proof
• verification and public release state
• operator update steps and maintainer install refresh
• real-host proof when required
• open risks and non-claims

References

• references/index.md