NOTE: This is a guide for GitLab developers. If you are trying to install GitLab see the latest stable [installation guide](install/installation.md) and if you are trying to upgrade, see the [upgrade guides](update).
NOTE: This is a guide for GitLab developers. If you are trying to install GitLab
see the latest stable [installation guide](install/installation.md) and if you
are trying to upgrade, see the [upgrade guides](update).
## When to do a patch release
Do a patch release when there is a critical regression that needs to be addresses before the next monthly release.
Otherwise include it in the monthly release and note there was a regression fix in the release announcement.
Patch releases are done as-needed in order to fix regressions in the current
major release that cannot or should not wait until the next major release.
What's included and when to release is at the discretion of the release manager.
## Release Procedure
### Create a patch issue
Create an issue in the GitLab CE project. Name it "Release x.y.z", tag it with
the `release` label, and assign it to the milestone of the corresponding major
release.
Use the following template:
```
- Picked into respective `stable` branches:
- [ ] Merge `x-y-stable` into `x-y-stable-ee`
- [ ] release-tools: `x.y.z`
- gitlab-omnibus
- [ ] `x.y.z+ee.0`
- [ ] `x.y.z+ce.0`
- [ ] Deploy
- [ ] Add patch notice to [x.y regressions]()
- [ ] [Blog post]()
- [ ] [Tweet]()
- [ ] Add entry to version.gitlab.com
```
Update the issue with links to merge requests that need to be/have been picked
into the `stable` branches.
### Preparation
1. Verify that the issue can be reproduced
1. Note in the 'GitLab X.X regressions' that you will create a patch
1. Create an issue on private GitLab development server
1. Name the issue "Release X.X.X CE and X.X.X EE", this will make searching easier
1. Fix the issue on a feature branch, do this on the private GitLab development server
1. If it is a security issue, then assign it to the release manager and apply a 'security' label
1. Consider creating and testing workarounds
...
...
@@ -25,7 +50,6 @@ Otherwise include it in the monthly release and note there was a regression fix
1. For EE, update the CHANGELOG-EE if it is EE specific fix. Otherwise, merge the stable CE branch and add to CHANGELOG-EE "Merge community edition changes for version X.X.X"
