release-readiness

name	release-readiness
description	Evaluate whether a build is genuinely ready for external testing, certification, store submission, or launch.
origin	everything-game-dev-code
category	qa-release

Release Readiness

Purpose

Evaluate whether a build is genuinely ready for external testing, certification, store submission, or launch.

Use When

• approaching a release candidate
• stakeholders need a go/no-go signal
• quality or compliance risk is unclear

Inputs

• QA matrix
• open bug list
• build health
• known platform and operational risks

Process

1. review gating defects and known waivers
2. confirm build reproducibility and version correctness
3. check compliance, submission, and content readiness
4. evaluate rollback or hotfix readiness
5. issue a clear go/no-go recommendation with rationale

Outputs

• release readiness report
• go/no-go recommendation
• blocker list
• waiver register

Quality Bar

• the release decision is checkable: every gate is a binary criterion with current status and owner
• blockers are separated from waivable issues, and waivers carry a named approver and rationale
• the build under review is the build that ships — no untested last-minute changes
• rollback or hotfix paths are defined before release, not improvised after

Common Failure Modes

• go/no-go meetings run on opinions because gates were never made binary
• waivers granted without an owner, so the same issue resurfaces every release
• "one last fix" merged after QA sign-off, invalidating the tested build
• no rollback plan, turning a bad release into an emergency rebuild

Related Agents

• release-manager
• qa-lead
• console-compliance-reviewer

Related Commands

• release-check
• cert-check
• verify

Notes

• Keep this skill aligned with the relevant rules layer and current project documentation.
• If engine-specific constraints materially change the workflow, hand off to the matching engine skill or engine-specific reviewer.