# Release Health Gates

> Standardizes release approvals with GitHub-aware checklists. Use when preparing releases, validating deployment gates, conducting release reviews, embedding release gate snippets in PRs. Do not use when weekly status updates - use github-initiative-pulse. DO NOT use when: code reviews - use pensive review skills.

- Skill: `micsapp/release-health-gates` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 3 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add micsapp/release-health-gates`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/micsapp/release-health-gates/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: AI & ML
- Author: micsapp (https://skillmd.com/u/micsapp)
- Updated: 2026-09-08
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/micsapp/release-health-gates

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# Release Health Gates

## Purpose

Standardize release approvals by expressing gates as GitHub-aware checklists. Ensure code, docs, comms, and observability items are green before deployment.

## Gate Categories

1. **Scope & Risk** – Are all blocking issues closed or deferred with owners?
2. **Quality Signals** – Are required checks, tests, and soak times satisfied?
3. **Comms & Docs** – Are docs merged and release notes posted?
4. **Operations** – Are runbooks, oncall sign-off, and rollback plans ready?

## Workflow

1. Load skill to access gate modules.
2. Attach Release Gate section to deployment PR.
3. Use tracker data to auto-fill blockers and highlight overdue tasks.
4. Update comment as gates turn green; require approvals for any waivers.

## Outputs

- Release Gate markdown snippet (embed in PR/issue).
- QA Handshake summary referencing GitHub Checks.
- Rollout scorecard that persists in tracker data for retros.

## Exit Criteria

- All release gates evaluated and documented.
- Any blocking gates have waiver approvals recorded.
- Deployment PR contains embedded Release Gate snippet.
- Rollout scorecard saved for post-release retrospective.
## Troubleshooting

### Common Issues

**Command not found**
Ensure all dependencies are installed and in PATH

**Permission errors**
Check file permissions and run with appropriate privileges

**Unexpected behavior**
Enable verbose logging with `--verbose` flag