High-level release process

The goal of this high-level process is to identify what needs to be done for a release, and who can help making it happen.

This process applies to both major releases (e.g. 18.06, 19.07) and point releases (e.g. 18.06.5), except for the first part.

1. Preparing for a major release
Task Duration Who can do it
Identify the feature set of the next release - Developers consensus
Identify the target set of the next release - Developers consensus
Decide when to branch - Developers consensus
Create release branches 1 hour Developer with access to all repositories
Create a new signing key 1 hour Developers
Start building the new branch 1 hour Developer with access to buildbot
Add release/<version> label to GitHub issues ? GitHub repository access
Fix build issues in the new branch weeks All developers
2. Making a release
Task Duration Who can do it
Identify release blockers - ?
Fix release blockers - All developers
Tag new version 15 min Developer with access to secret keys
Build release images 2 days Developer with access to buildbot
3.1 Quality assurance
Task Duration Who can do it
Monitor buildbot for build failures 2 days Anybody
Look for missing images on the download server 2 days Anybody
Basic runtime testing of a few devices 2 days Anybody
Generate Docker images for target/SDK/imagebuilders 1 day Anybody with access to GitLab OpenWrt organization
3.2 Documentation
Task Duration Who can do it
Document new features in the wiki variable Anybody
Generate detailed changelog 30 min Anybody with wiki rights
Write release notes 1-2 hours Anybody with wiki rights
3.3 Update infrastructure
Task Duration Who can do it
Update stable/oldstable links on https://downloads.openwrt.org/ 10 min Sysadmin
Update the ToH to work with the new release 2h Wiki admin (with ssh access)
Update package list ? Wiki admin (with ssh access)
4. Communication
Task Duration Who can do it
Update OpenWrt front page through the release page 10 min Wiki admin
Write and pin an announcement in the forum 10 min Developers, Forum admin
Close previous announcement topics and direct users to the new release topic 5 min Developers, Forum admin, TL4 forum users
Send an announcement email to openwrt-devel and openwrt-announce 10 min Anybody
Post an announcement on Twitter 10 min Anybody with access to the twitter account
Update IRC channel topics 5 min IRC admin
Update the History 5 min Anybody with wiki rights
Update GitHub release (check result of PR) 10 min Anybody having GitHub org account
Update wikidata https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1140401?uselang=en#P348 5min Anybody with wikidata rights
5. Maintainance
Task Duration Who can do it
Keep track of bug reports for releases 2-3 hour / week Anybody
Keep track of security issues 1 hour / week ?
Backport fixes to release branches - Developers
Decide when to put out a new point release (step 2.) - ?
This website uses cookies. By using the website, you agree with storing cookies on your computer. Also you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree leave the website.More information about cookies
  • Last modified: 2023/10/19 00:32
  • by ynezz