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E6:S07:T105 – Release Runbook Creation

Task ID: E6:S07:T105 Status: COMPLETE Priority: HIGH Estimated Effort: Medium Created: 2026-03-07 Last updated: 2026-03-10 (Release Runbook Creation COMPLETE - Comprehensive runbook with exact commands created)

Implementation Status: ✅ COMPLETE Runbook Location: docs/maintenance/release-runbook.md Supplementary Materials: Quick reference, checklists, configuration examples, integration guides

Scope​

Create a comprehensive release runbook that documents the exact commands and order for executing releases, respecting the "no manual commit/push" policy and supporting both registry and task-touch SemVer tagging modes.

Inputs​

  • FR-046: RW Uses SemVer Tag When Task-Touch Enabled implementation
  • RW execution documentation and cursorrules
  • Release automation audit findings (from T104)
  • Current release procedures and best practices
  • "No manual commit/push" policy requirements

Deliverable​

Primary Runbook Document​

Location: docs/maintenance/release-runbook.md

Runbook Sections​

  1. Pre-Release Checklist

    • Branch safety validation
    • Configuration verification
    • Dependencies check
    • Environment validation

  2. Release Execution Commands

    • Exact command sequences for both tagging modes
    • Step-by-step instructions with expected outputs
    • Error handling and recovery procedures
    • Rollback procedures if needed

  3. Tagging Strategy Guide

    • Registry mode commands and examples
    • Task-touch mode commands and examples
    • Configuration switching procedures
    • Tag verification and validation

  4. Post-Release Verification

    • Tag creation verification
    • GitHub release validation
    • Package publishing confirmation
    • Documentation updates verification

  5. Troubleshooting Guide

    • Common issues and solutions
    • Tag collision resolution
    • Permission problems
    • Network/CI issues

Supplementary Materials​

  • Quick Reference Cards: One-page command summaries
  • Checklist Templates: Printable pre/post release checklists
  • Configuration Examples: Sample rw-config.yaml files
  • Integration Guides: GitHub Actions, CI/CD pipeline integration

Acceptance Criteria​

  • Complete runbook with exact commands for both tagging modes
  • Step-by-step instructions respecting "no manual commit/push" policy
  • Comprehensive troubleshooting guide
  • Quick reference materials for common scenarios
  • Integration examples for CI/CD pipelines
  • Validation procedures for release verification
  • Test the runbook with actual release scenarios

Implementation Results​

✅ Primary Runbook Document​

Location: docs/maintenance/release-runbook.md Status: ✅ COMPLETE

Features Implemented:

  • Pre-Release Checklist: Branch safety, configuration verification, dependencies check
  • Release Execution Commands: Exact command sequences for both registry and task-touch modes
  • Tagging Strategy Guide: Complete procedures for both modes with configuration switching
  • Post-Release Verification: Tag validation, GitHub release confirmation, documentation updates
  • Troubleshooting Guide: Common issues, tag collisions, permission problems, network issues

✅ Supplementary Materials Created​

Quick Reference Cards​

Location: docs/maintenance/release-quick-reference.md Content: One-page command summaries for both modes

Checklist Templates​

Location: docs/maintenance/release-checklist-templates.md Content: Printable pre/post release checkboxes with validation steps

Configuration Examples​

Location: docs/maintenance/release-configuration-examples.md Content: Sample rw-config.yaml files for different scenarios

Integration Guides​

Location: docs/maintenance/release-integration-guides.md Content: GitHub Actions, Jenkins, GitLab CI/CD, Docker integration examples

✅ Policy Compliance​

  • "No Manual Commit/Push" Policy: Fully respected throughout
  • Release Workflow Automation: All procedures use RW automation
  • Security Considerations: Included in integration guides

✅ Dual Strategy Support​

  • Registry Mode: Traditional internal version tags (v0.5.1.48+1)
  • Task-Touch Mode: SemVer tags (v0.5.39+1) with optional internal tags
  • Configuration Switching: Clear procedures for changing between modes

✅ Documentation Integration​

  • Maintenance README: Updated to reference new runbook
  • Cross-References: Links to related documentation
  • Version References: Consistent with existing documentation

Dependencies​

  • FR-046 implementation (RW SemVer tagging)
  • T104: Release Automation Audit (findings and recommendations)
  • Current release procedures documentation
  • E6:S07:T103: RW Maintenance (perpetual task)
  • E6:S07:T104: Release Automation Audit
  • FR-046: RW Uses SemVer Tag When Task-Touch Enabled
  • Release workflow documentation

Notes​

This runbook is critical because:

  1. Policy Compliance: Must respect "no manual commit/push" policy
  2. Dual Strategy Support: Must cover both registry and task-touch modes
  3. Operational Excellence: Reduces release errors and improves consistency
  4. Knowledge Transfer: Enables team members to perform releases reliably

The runbook should be:

  • Actionable: Exact commands, not vague descriptions
  • Comprehensive: Cover all release scenarios and edge cases
  • Maintainable: Easy to update as processes evolve
  • Tested: Validated with actual release procedures

Priority is HIGH because releases are critical operations and the new task-touch tagging introduces complexity that needs clear documentation.