The RC1 release comes with the task to update the installation and upgrade docs. Be mindful that there might already be merge requests for this on GitLab or GitHub.
### **1. Update the installation guide**
1. Check if it references the correct branch `x-x-stable` (doesn't exist yet, but that is okay)
1. Check the [GitLab Shell version](/lib/tasks/gitlab/check.rake#L782)
1. Check the [Git version](/lib/tasks/gitlab/check.rake#L794)
1. There might be other changes. Ask around.
### **2. Create update guides**
1. Create: CE update guide from previous version. Like `7.3-to-7.4.md`
1. Create: CE to EE update guide in EE repository for latest version.
1. Update: `6.x-or-7.x-to-7.x.md` to latest version.
1. Create: CI update guide from previous version
It's best to copy paste the previous guide and make changes where necessary.
The typical steps are listed below with any points you should specifically look at.
#### 0. Any major changes?
List any major changes here, so the user is aware of them before starting to upgrade. For instance:
- Database updates
- Web server changes
- File structure changes
#### 1. Stop server
#### 2. Make backup
#### 3. Do users need to update dependencies like `git`?
- Check if the [GitLab Shell version](/lib/tasks/gitlab/check.rake#L782) changed since the last release.
- Check if the [Git version](/lib/tasks/gitlab/check.rake#L794) changed since the last release.
#### 4. Get latest code
#### 5. Does GitLab shell need to be updated?
#### 6. Install libs, migrations, etc.
#### 7. Any config files updated since last release?
-[](https://gemnasium.com/gitlabhq/gitlabhq) this button can be yellow (small updates are available) but must not be red (a security fix or an important update is available)
It starts 7 days before release. Current release manager must choose next release manager.
New release manager should create overall issue at GitLab
### **1. Stop merging in code, except for important bug fixes**
### **2. Release Manager**
## Release Manager
A release manager is selected that coordinates all releases the coming month, including the patch releases for previous releases.
The release manager has to make sure all the steps below are done and delegated where necessary.
This person should also make sure this document is kept up to date and issues are created and updated.
### **3. Create an overall issue**
## Take weekend and vacations into account
The time is measured in weekdays to compensate for weekends.
Do things on time to prevent problems due to rush jobs or too little testing time.
Make sure that you take into account vacations of maintainers.
## Create an overall issue and follow it
Create issue for GitLab CE project(internal). Name it "Release x.x.x" for easier searching.
Replace the dates with actual dates based on the number of workdays before the release.
All steps from issue template are explained below
```
Xth:
Xth: (7 working days before 22th)
- [ ] Code freeze
- [ ] Update the CE changelog (#LINK)
- [ ] Update the EE changelog (#LINK)
- [ ] Update the CI changelog (#LINK)
- [ ] Triage the omnibus-gitlab milestone
Xth:
- [ ] Merge CE in to EE (#LINK)
- [ ] Close the omnibus-gitlab milestone
Xth:
- [ ] Create x.x.0.rc1 (#LINK)
- [ ] Create x.x.0.rc1-ee (#LINK)
- [ ] Create CI y.y.0.rc1 (#LINK)
- [ ] Build package for GitLab.com (https://dev.gitlab.org/cookbooks/chef-repo/blob/master/doc/administration.md#build-a-package)
Xth: (6 working days before 22th)
Xth:
- [ ] Merge CE master in to EE master via merge request (#LINK)
- [ ] Create CE, EE, CI RC1 versions (#LINK)
- [ ] Determine QA person and notify this person
- [ ] Update GitLab.com with rc1 (#LINK) (https://dev.gitlab.org/cookbooks/chef-repo/blob/master/doc/administration.md#deploy-the-package)
- [ ] Regression issues (CE, CI) and tweet about rc1 (#LINK)
- [ ] Start blog post (#LINK)
Xth:
Xth: (5 working days before 22th)
- [ ] Do QA and fix anything coming out of it (#LINK)
- [ ] Close the omnibus-gitlab milestone
22nd:
- [ ] Release CE, EE and CI (#LINK)
Xth:
- [ ] Deploy to GitLab.com (#LINK)
```
### **4. Update changelog**
Any changes not yet added to the changelog are added by lead developer and in that merge request the complete team is asked if there is anything missing.
There are three changelogs that need to be updated: CE, EE and CI.
### **5. Take weekend and vacations into account**
Ensure that there is enough time to incorporate the findings of the release candidate, etc.
# **6 workdays before release- Merge the CE into EE**
Do this via a merge request.
# **5 workdays before release - Create RC1**
The RC1 release comes with the task to update the installation and upgrade docs. Be mindful that there might already be merge requests for this on GitLab or GitHub.
### **1. Update the installation guide**
1. Check if it references the correct branch `x-x-stable` (doesn't exist yet, but that is okay)
1. Check the [GitLab Shell version](/lib/tasks/gitlab/check.rake#L782)
1. Check the [Git version](/lib/tasks/gitlab/check.rake#L794)
1. There might be other changes. Ask around.
### **2. Create update guides**
1. Create: CE update guide from previous version. Like `7.3-to-7.4.md`
1. Create: CE to EE update guide in EE repository for latest version.
1. Update: `6.x-or-7.x-to-7.x.md` to latest version.
1. Create: CI update guide from previous version
It's best to copy paste the previous guide and make changes where necessary.
The typical steps are listed below with any points you should specifically look at.
#### 0. Any major changes?
List any major changes here, so the user is aware of them before starting to upgrade. For instance:
- Database updates
- Web server changes
- File structure changes
#### 1. Stop server
#### 2. Make backup
#### 3. Do users need to update dependencies like `git`?
- Check if the [GitLab Shell version](/lib/tasks/gitlab/check.rake#L782) changed since the last release.
- Check if the [Git version](/lib/tasks/gitlab/check.rake#L794) changed since the last release.
#### 4. Get latest code
#### 5. Does GitLab shell need to be updated?
#### 6. Install libs, migrations, etc.
#### 7. Any config files updated since last release?
-[](https://gemnasium.com/gitlabhq/gitlabhq) this button can be yellow (small updates are available) but must not be red (a security fix or an important update is available)
Release candidate creates stable branch from master.
So we need to sync master branch between all CE remotes. Also do same for EE.
- - -
```
bundle exec rake sync
```
## Code Freeze
Create release candidate and stable branch:
Stop merging code in master, except for important bug fixes
```
bundle exec rake release["x.x.0.rc1"]
```
## Update changelog
Any changes not yet added to the changelog are added by lead developer and in that merge request the complete team is asked if there is anything missing.
Now developers can use master for merging new features.
So you should use stable branch for future code chages related to release.
There are three changelogs that need to be updated: CE, EE and CI.
## Create RC1 (CE, EE, CI)
### 5. Release GitLab CI RC1
[Follow this How-to guide](howto_rc1.md) to create RC1.
Add to your local `gitlab-ci/.git/config`:
## QA
```
[remote "public"]
url = none
pushurl = git@dev.gitlab.org:gitlab/gitlab-ci.git
pushurl = git@gitlab.com:gitlab-org/gitlab-ci.git
pushurl = git@github.com:gitlabhq/gitlab-ci.git
```
Create issue on dev.gitlab.org `gitlab` repository, named "GitLab X.X QA" in order to keep track of the progress.
* Create a stable branch `x-y-stable`
* Bump VERSION to `x.y.0.rc1`
*`git tag -a v$(cat VERSION) -m "Version $(cat VERSION)"
* `git push public x-y-stable v$(cat VERSION)`
Use the omnibus packages of Enterprise Edition using [this guide](https://dev.gitlab.org/gitlab/gitlab-ee/blob/master/doc/release/manual_testing.md).
**NOTE** Upgrader can only be tested when tags are pushed to all repositories. Do not forget to confirm it is working before releasing. Note that in the issue.
# **4 workdays before release - Release RC1**
#### Fix anything coming out of the QA
### **1. Determine QA person**
Create an issue with description of a problem, if it is quick fix fix it yourself otherwise contact the team for advice.
Notify person of QA day.
**NOTE** If there is a problem that cannot be fixed in a timely manner, reverting the feature is an option! If the feature is reverted,
create an issue about it in order to discuss the next steps after the release.
### **2. Update GitLab.com**
## Update GitLab.com with RC1
Merge the RC1 EE code into GitLab.com.
Once the build is green, create a package.
...
...
@@ -212,23 +115,7 @@ If there are big database migrations consider testing them with the production d
Try to deploy in the morning.
It is important to do this as soon as possible, so we can catch any errors before we release the full version.
### **3. Prepare the blog post**
- Start with a complete copy of the [release blog template](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-com/www-gitlab-com/blob/master/doc/release_blog_template.md) and fill it out.
- Make sure the blog post contains information about the GitLab CI release.
- Check the changelog of CE and EE for important changes.
- Also check the CI changelog
- Add a proposed tweet text to the blog post WIP MR description.
- Create a WIP MR for the blog post
- Ask Dmitriy to add screenshots to the WIP MR.
- Decide with team who will be the MVP user.
- Create WIP MR for adding MVP to MVP page on website
- Add a note if there are security fixes: This release fixes an important security issue and we advise everyone to upgrade as soon as possible.
- Create a merge request on [GitLab.com](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-com/www-gitlab-com/tree/master)
- Assign to one reviewer who will fix spelling issues by editing the branch (either with a git client or by using the online editor)
- Comment to the reviewer: '@person Please mention the whole team as soon as you are done (3 workdays before release at the latest)'
### **4. Create a regressions issue**
## Create a regressions issue
On [the GitLab CE issue tracker on GitLab.com](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab-ce/issues/) create an issue titled "GitLab X.X regressions" add the following text:
...
...
@@ -239,43 +126,29 @@ The release manager will comment here about the plans for patch releases.
Assign the issue to the release manager and /cc all the core-team members active on the issue tracker. If there are any known bugs in the release add them immediately.
### **5. Tweet**
## Tweet about RC1
Tweet about the RC release:
> GitLab x.x.0.rc1 is out. This release candidate is only suitable for testing. Please link regressions issues from LINK_TO_REGRESSION_ISSUE
# **1 workdays before release - Preparation**
### **0. Doublecheck blog post**
Doublecheck the everyone has been mentioned in the blog post.
### **1. Pre QA merge**
Merge CE into EE before doing the QA.
### **2. QA**
Create issue on dev.gitlab.org `gitlab` repository, named "GitLab X.X QA" in order to keep track of the progress.
Use the omnibus packages of Enterprise Edition using [this guide](https://dev.gitlab.org/gitlab/gitlab-ee/blob/master/doc/release/manual_testing.md).
**NOTE** Upgrader can only be tested when tags are pushed to all repositories. Do not forget to confirm it is working before releasing. Note that in the issue.
### **3. Fix anything coming out of the QA**
Create an issue with description of a problem, if it is quick fix fix it yourself otherwise contact the team for advice.
**NOTE** If there is a problem that cannot be fixed in a timely manner, reverting the feature is an option! If the feature is reverted,
create an issue about it in order to discuss the next steps after the release.
# **Workday before release - Create Omnibus tags and build packages**
## Prepare the blog post
**Make sure EE `x-x-stable-ee` has latest changes from CE `x-x-stable`**
1. Start with a complete copy of the [release blog template](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-com/www-gitlab-com/blob/master/doc/release_blog_template.md) and fill it out.
1. Make sure the blog post contains information about the GitLab CI release.
1. Check the changelog of CE and EE for important changes.
1. Also check the CI changelog
1. Add a proposed tweet text to the blog post WIP MR description.
1. Create a WIP MR for the blog post
1. Ask Dmitriy to add screenshots to the WIP MR.
1. Decide with team who will be the MVP user.
1. Create WIP MR for adding MVP to MVP page on website
1. Add a note if there are security fixes: This release fixes an important security issue and we advise everyone to upgrade as soon as possible.
1. Create a merge request on [GitLab.com](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-com/www-gitlab-com/tree/master)
1. Assign to one reviewer who will fix spelling issues by editing the branch (either with a git client or by using the online editor)
1. Comment to the reviewer: '@person Please mention the whole team as soon as you are done (3 workdays before release at the latest)'
