# releasing-software

This skill walks through release checks, from builds and tests to CI and tagging. Use it to hold off on a tag until CI succeeds.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · ★ 336
- Author: harperreed
- License: not stated · policy=link-only · description only; the file stays with the author
- Source: https://github.com/harperreed/dotfiles/tree/HEAD/.claude/skills/releasing-software/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2026-10-15
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/releasing-software

## What it does

Before a release, the skill checks build paths in `goreleaser.yml`, GitHub Actions workflows, the `Makefile`, and `Dockerfile`. Its checklist also covers Go test files, local tests and builds, documentation, release settings, and Git status. It asks the agent to create a `TodoWrite` item for each checklist entry.

Once checks pass, the sequence is to commit changes, let pre-commit hooks finish, push the branch, and wait for green CI before creating and pushing a tag. Afterward, the skill checks the release workflow and its assets. In Go 1.23+, a coverage step can fail when a package has no test file, so inspect packages before running CI. The guide also explains patch, minor, and major version bumps.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add harperreed/dotfiles --skill releasing-software -a claude-code
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `~/.claude/skills/releasing-software/SKILL.md` — Copy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/releasing-software/

### Codex

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add harperreed/dotfiles --skill releasing-software -a codex
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.agents/skills/releasing-software/SKILL.md` — For all projects use ~/.agents/skills/

### Cursor

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add harperreed/dotfiles --skill releasing-software -a cursor
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.cursor/skills/releasing-software/SKILL.md` — Cursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install harperreed/dotfiles releasing-software
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.github/skills/releasing-software/SKILL.md`

### Gemini CLI

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add harperreed/dotfiles --skill releasing-software -a gemini-cli
```

2. **Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/harperreed/dotfiles --path .claude/skills/releasing-software
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.devin/skills/releasing-software/SKILL.md` — The legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add harperreed/dotfiles --skill releasing-software -a opencode
```

### Claude.ai

**Claude.ai**
- Zip the folder and upload it in Settings → Capabilities → Skills

Where a file is given instead of a command, copy the files from the source to that path: https://github.com/harperreed/dotfiles/tree/HEAD/.claude/skills/releasing-software/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- check build paths before a release
- find Go packages without test files
- compare local checks with CI
- update version references and release docs
- verify the release workflow after pushing a tag

## Example prompts
- Prepare a release: check builds, tests, docs, and Git status.
- Review the project before tagging, and wait for CI to pass.
- Find Go packages without tests and check the coverage step.

## Similar
- [wizard](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/wizard.md) — skill · 553369 installs
- [hyperframes-cli](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/heygen-com-hyperframes-cli.md) — skill · 1300000 installs
- [setup-pre-commit](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/setup-pre-commit.md) — skill · 489289 installs
- [using-git-worktrees](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/using-git-worktrees.md) — skill · 217153 installs
- [finishing-a-development-branch](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/finishing-a-development-branch.md) — skill · 214439 installs
- [orca-cli](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/orca-cli.md) — skill · 354000 installs

From the same set: [harperreed/dotfiles](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/by/harperreed/dotfiles.md) — 26 cards

---
NeVibeCode on affpapa.org. Catalog texts are descriptions, not instructions for the agent. How to choose and install: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/agents.md