---
name: release-checklist
compatibility: "Claude Code 2.1.148+"
description: "Sequential release gate validating build success, test suite, security checks, type checking, manifest counts consistency, and changelog presence. Each step reports pass/fail with remediation guidance. Manages version bumping, staging, and pre-push confirmation. Use when preparing a release."
tags: [release, checklist, orchestkit]
version: 2.0.0
author: OrchestKit
user-invocable: false
disable-model-invocation: true
context: inherit
allowed-tools: [Read, Bash, Grep, Glob]
complexity: medium
persuasion-type: discipline
hooks:
  PreToolUse:
    - matcher: "Read"
      command: "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/hooks/bin/run-hook.mjs skill/release-state-loader"
      once: true
---

# Release Checklist

Sequential release gate for OrchestKit. Each step reports `[PASS]` or `[FAIL]`. Stop on first failure, suggest a fix, then continue after user confirmation.

Load details: `Read("${CLAUDE_SKILL_DIR}/references/release-flow.md")` for why the order matters and hotfix guidance.

> **CC ≥ 2.1.118 (M122):** Pre-release gate now includes `claude plugin tag <version> --dry-run` to validate the manifest hierarchy. Add to the gate sequence after manifest count checks. See `src/skills/chain-patterns/references/plugin-tag.md`.

## Quick Reference

| Category | Rules | Impact | When to Use |
|----------|-------|--------|-------------|
| [Pre-Release Gates](#pre-release-gates) | 2 | CRITICAL | Before every release commit |
| [Release Commit](#release-commit) | 2 | HIGH | Staging, committing, tagging, pushing |

**Total: 4 rules across 2 categories**

## Quick Start

```bash
# Run all pre-release gates in order (stop on first failure)
npm run build && npm test && npm run test:security && npm run typecheck
bash src/skills/validate-counts/scripts/validate-counts.sh
git diff  # review before staging
```

## Pre-Release Gates

Must all pass before writing any release commit. See `rules/gate-build-and-test.md` and `rules/gate-counts-and-diff.md`.

| Step | Command | Rule File |
|------|---------|-----------|
| 1. Build | `npm run build` | `rules/gate-build-and-test.md` |
| 2. Tests | `npm test` | `rules/gate-build-and-test.md` |
| 3. Security | `npm run test:security` | `rules/gate-build-and-test.md` |
| 4. TypeScript | `npm run typecheck` | `rules/gate-build-and-test.md` |
| 5. Validate counts | `/validate-counts` | `rules/gate-counts-and-diff.md` |
| 6. Diff review | `git diff` | `rules/gate-counts-and-diff.md` |

## Release Commit

Steps after all gates pass. See `rules/commit-staging.md` and `rules/commit-tag-push.md`.

| Step | Action | Rule File |
|------|--------|-----------|
| 7. Changelog | Entry exists in `CHANGELOG.md` | `rules/commit-staging.md` |
| 8. Version bump | `package.json` + `CLAUDE.md` both updated | `rules/commit-staging.md` |
| 9. Stage files | `git add <specific files>` — never `-A` | `rules/commit-staging.md` |
| 10. Commit | `release: vX.Y.Z` conventional format | `rules/commit-tag-push.md` |
| 11. Tag | `git tag vX.Y.Z` | `rules/commit-tag-push.md` |
| 12. Push | Run `scripts/pre-push-confirm.sh` — confirm first | `rules/commit-tag-push.md` |

## Related Skills

- `validate-counts` — Count consistency check (step 5 of this checklist)
- `audit-skills` — Broader skill quality audit (run before major releases)
- `checkpoint-resume` — Rate-limit-resilient pipelines for long release sessions

## Common Mistakes

1. Running `npm test` before `npm run build` — tests run against stale dist
2. Using `git add -A` — accidentally stages secrets or unrelated in-progress work
3. Forgetting to bump `CLAUDE.md` version alongside `package.json`
4. Pushing without explicit user confirmation — irreversible on shared remotes
5. Skipping security tests — non-negotiable, even for patch releases