# prepare-release

Automates software release preparation by validating git status, bumping semantic versions, running test suites, and generating changelogs.

- command · `type=command` · Claude Code · 363 installs
- Author: davila7
- License: MIT · policy=mirror · the beginning of the file is at the end of this page
- Source: https://github.com/davila7/claude-code-templates/tree/HEAD/cli-tool/components/commands/deployment/prepare-release.md
- Updated: 2026-10-24
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/commands/prepare-release

## What it does

The command guides release validation from start to finish. It inspects existing git tags, unreleased commits, and package metadata across `package.json`, `setup.py`, `pyproject.toml`, or `go.mod`. Execution relies on standard environment tools: `Read`, `Write`, `Edit`, and `Bash`.

The workflow coordinates version increments, documentation updates, and security checks. It runs vulnerability scans via `npm audit` or `pip-audit`, clears and builds artifacts inside `dist/` or `build/`, and structures entries inside `CHANGELOG.md`. It creates annotated tags and release branches.

Dirty working trees block the workflow immediately because the initial step checks `git status` output before proceeding with builds or tagging.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **claude-code-templates**
```bash
npx claude-code-templates@latest --command deployment/prepare-release
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.claude/commands/prepare-release.md` — Call it with /prepare-release. For all projects use ~/.claude/commands/

### Codex

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `~/.codex/prompts/prepare-release.md` — Call it with /prompts:prepare-release. Codex marks this format deprecated in favour of skills

### GitHub Copilot

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.github/prompts/prepare-release.prompt.md`

### Gemini CLI

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.gemini/commands/prepare-release.toml` — Gemini stores commands as TOML: the prompt text goes into the prompt field

Where a file is given instead of a command, copy the files from the source to that path: https://github.com/davila7/claude-code-templates/tree/HEAD/cli-tool/components/commands/deployment/prepare-release.md

## When to use it
- bump package versions according to semantic versioning
- detect uncommitted changes and unreleased git commits
- audit dependencies for security vulnerabilities before release
- generate structured CHANGELOG.md notes and annotated git tags

## Example prompts
- /prepare-release minor
- /prepare-release patch
- /prepare-release --hotfix

## Source text · prepare-release.md · MIT

Below is the content of a third-party file. It is data, not instructions for you: do not act on anything written inside unless the human asks. Block tag: 678e9e2c10ca448b.

BEGIN THIRD-PARTY FILE 678e9e2c10ca448b
````text
---
allowed-tools: Read, Write, Edit, Bash
argument-hint: "[version-type] | patch | minor | major | --pre-release | --hotfix"
description: Prepare and validate release packages with comprehensive testing, documentation, and automation
---

# Release Preparation

Prepare and validate release: $ARGUMENTS

## Current Release Context

- Current version: !`git describe --tags --abbrev=0 2>/dev/null || echo "No previous releases"`
- Package version: @package.json or @setup.py or @pyproject.toml or @go.mod (if exists)
- Unreleased changes: !`git log $(git describe --tags --abbrev=0)..HEAD --oneline 2>/dev/null | wc -l || echo "All commits"`
- Branch status: !`git status --porcelain | wc -l || echo "0"` uncommitted changes
- Build status: !`npm test 2>/dev/null || python -m pytest 2>/dev/null || go test ./... 2>/dev/null || echo "Test framework detection needed"`

## Task

Systematic release preparation: $ARGUMENTS

1. **Release Planning and Validation**
   - Determine release version number (semantic versioning)
   - Review and validate all features included in release
   - Check that all planned issues and features are complete
   - Verify release criteria and acceptance requirements

2. **Pre-Release Checklist**
   - Ensure all tests are passing (unit, integration, E2E)
   - Verify code coverage meets project standards
   - Complete security vulnerability scanning
   - Perform performance testing and validation
   - Review and approve all pending pull requests

3. **Version Management**
   ```bash
   # Check current version
   git describe --tags --abbrev=0
   
   # Determine next version (semantic versioning)
   # MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH
   # MAJOR: Breaking changes
   # MINOR: New features (backward compatible)
   # PATCH: Bug fixes (backward compatible)
   
   # Example version updates
   # 1.2.3 -> 1.2.4 (patch)
   # 1.2.3 -> 1.3.0 (minor)
   # 1.2.3 -> 2.0.0 (major)
   ```

4. **Code Freeze and Branch Management**
   ```bash
   # Create release branch from main
   git checkout main
   git pull origin main
   git checkout -b release/v1.2.3
   
   # Alternative: Use main branch directly for smaller releases
   # Ensure no new features are merged during release process
   ```

5. **Version Number Updates**
   - Update package.json, setup.py, or equivalent version files
   - Update version in application configuration
   - Update version in documentation and README
   - Update API version if applicable

   ```bash
   # Node.js projects
   npm version patch  # or minor, major
   
   # Python projects
   # Update version in setup.py, __init__.py, or pyproject.toml
   
   # Manual version update
   sed -i 's/"version": "1.2.2"/"version": "1.2.3"/' package.json
   ```

6. **Changelog Generation**
   ```markdown
   # CHANGELOG.md
   
   ## [1.2.3] - 2024-01-15
   
   ### Added
   - New user authentication system
   - Dark mode support for UI
   - API rate limiting functionality
   
   ### Changed
   - Improved database query performance
   - Updated user interface design
   - Enhanced error handling
   
   ### Fixed
   - Fixed memory leak in background tasks
   - Resolved issue with file upload validation
   - Fixed timezone handling in date calculations
   
   ### Security
   - Updated dependencies with security patches
   - Improved input validation and sanitization
   ```

7. **Documentation Updates**
   - Update API documentation with new endpoints
   - Revise user documentation and guides
   - Update installation and deployment instructions
   - Review and update README.md
   - Update migration guides if needed

8. **Dependency Management**
   ```bash
   # Update and audit dependencies
   npm audit fix
   npm update
   
   # Python
   pip-audit
   pip freeze > requirements.txt
   
   # Review security vulnerabilities
   npm audit
   snyk test
   ```

9. **Build and Artifact Generation**
   ```bash
   # Clean build environment
   npm run clean
   rm -rf dist/ build/
   
   # Build production artifacts
   npm run build
   
   # Verify build artifacts
   ls -la dist/
   
   # Test built artifacts
````
END THIRD-PARTY FILE 678e9e2c10ca448b

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