Release Checklist

Release Checklist Skill

Pre-release verification workflow that systematically validates all quality gates before a release merge to main.

Overview

This skill runs a comprehensive checklist of verifications to determine whether the current state of the codebase is ready for release. It produces a clear go/no-go decision with supporting evidence for each check.

When to Use

Use this skill when:

• Preparing to merge an integration branch into main
• Before creating a release tag
• User invokes /release-checklist
• User asks "are we ready to release?"
• Before creating a release PR (feat/<branch> -> main)

Workflow

Phase 1: Verify Release

Read phases/verify-release.md

Run the full pre-release verification:

1. Verify all tests pass
2. Check for uncommitted changes
3. Verify changelog/version
4. Check dependency vulnerabilities
5. Validate CI status
6. Verify branch state (up to date with main)
7. Output go/no-go decision

Critical Rules

1. ALL checks must pass for a GO decision -- no exceptions
2. Do not auto-fix issues -- report them and let the user decide
3. Be explicit about what failed -- include exact error output
4. Check the correct branch -- verify you are on the integration branch, not main
5. Never push or merge -- this skill is verification only

Integration with AWK Workflow

This skill is typically the last step before a release PR:

awkit kickoff → issues processed → PRs merged to integration branch
        ↓
/release-checklist → GO decision
        ↓
Create PR: integration branch → main (Release: true)

Per .ai/rules/_kit/git-workflow.md:

• Release PRs target main
• Only create release PRs when the ticket says Release: true

Self-Check

On each phase entry, output:

[RELEASE-CHECKLIST] <timestamp> | <phase> | loaded: <filename>

Quick Reference