Initial Steps
The initial phase of the release process consists of
- Locking the repository for merges
- Ensuring all code is up to date
- Ensuring the current code runs properly
- Preparing the Release Documentation
When this is all done, we can stamp and tag the release.
Locking Repository
While doing the initial steps of the release process, at least up to the tagging release stage, we need to ensure that no commits/merges are created against the release branch and the main branch, except where necessary for the release.
Message all developers who have merge privileges using the Skype Dev Chat channel, and then lock the branch you are building. Go to the branches page and set a branch protection rule. If there is no branch protection rule for the branch you are building, add one. Click on the checkbox for Require a pull request before merging then set the required approvals to 6, and the branch will be effectively locked.
Updating Code
Before tagging a release we need to:
- ensure code is up to date.
- update the Documentation Website to ensure that it reflects changes that have happened within the release.
Testing Prior to the build
Create a new shop using the branch you are about to build, and run through some tests. You want to be confident that what you’re building will work.
Hopefully you have been testing up until now and have not introduced major changes right before the build. This will give you a much greater chance of success.
Release Documentation
The Documentation Website contains details of changes between versions and general installation instructions.
The 2 main pages that need adding/updating are the Whats New and Changed Files pages. Note: The above links give examples of previous releases.
You will need to have checkout of the Zen Cart documentation website and be able to use the Hugo system to edit and test the pages locally before pushing changes,
While previously we would duplicate content in the /docs folder of the release and on the
https://zen-cart.com/docs folder, these now redirect to the documentation website.
There is a final piece of documentation which needs to be updated, and that is the Implementation Guide.