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name: app-release-readiness description: Use when preparing a desktop or web app update for commit, packaging, installer validation, GitHub publication, release asset upload, or old-release pruning. Protects user data and verifies that published artifacts match the tested build. license: MIT

App Release Readiness

Use this skill when a user asks to submit, push, package, upload an installer, or confirm that the latest app update is actually available.

Workflow

1. Preflight the repository.

   • Run git status --short and identify unrelated changes.
   • Confirm branch, remote, version/tag policy, and whether this is a source commit, installer upload, or both.
   • Do not commit build artifacts unless the repo explicitly tracks them.
   • If the user asks to limit old GitHub Releases for a maintained desktop app and gives no other number, keep the newest 15 release records and do not delete git tags.

2. Verify before packaging.

   • Run the smallest meaningful backend/frontend tests for the change.
   • Run full build checks when UI, packaging, provider, or app lifecycle code changed.
   • For desktop apps, include Rust/Tauri or native shell checks when present.
   • Scan for key-shaped secrets and private data when provider credentials, release notes, screenshots, or docs changed.

3. Package with process safety.

   • Close or handle app/sidecar processes before overwriting binaries.
   • Prefer installers that fail on locked files over half-updated installs.
   • Ensure uninstall/update behavior does not delete user data by default.

4. Inspect build outputs.

   • Record installer paths, sizes, and SHA256 hashes.
   • Compare expected sidecar/app binaries when stale-process or half-update bugs were part of the release.
   • Smoke-test the installed app when feasible.

5. Commit and push deliberately.

   • Stage only intended source/docs changes.
   • Use a direct commit message that names the user-visible change.
   • Push the branch and verify the remote commit SHA before publishing source claims or release notes that point at the new version.

6. Upload release assets when requested.

   • Use the repository's current release/tag policy.
   • Upload with replace/clobber only when the user asked for the latest asset to replace the old one.
   • Verify remote asset names and sizes after upload.
   • Download uploaded assets back from the release URL and verify SHA256 against the local artifacts before saying the release is current.

7. Prune releases only when requested.

   • Delete release records, not tags, unless the user explicitly asks for tag deletion.
   • Re-list releases after pruning and report the final count.
   • If keeping 15 records, preserve the newest 15 by published release order.

8. Report with evidence.

   • Include commit SHA, pushed branch, tests run, package paths, hashes, and release URL when applicable.
   • Say explicitly if installation or provider smoke tests were not run.

Reference Use

Read references/app-quality-principles.md before releasing changes that touch data paths, provider integrations, startup behavior, user-facing errors, or installer behavior.

Read references/living-to-tell-casebook.md when the release includes fixes for stale sidecars, startup black screens, raw Not Found/Failed to fetch errors, AI provider transport, or uninstall/data-location safety.

Release Red Lines

• Do not say "uploaded" until the release page or API confirms the asset.
• Do not say "latest" until the remote asset hash or commit matches the current build.
• Do not force-push, delete tags, or replace release assets unless the user asked for that release behavior.
• Do not package or publish secrets, local databases, private writing content, logs, or screenshots containing private data.