neo-go/docs/release-instruction.md

# Release instructions

This document outlines the neo-go release process. It can be used as a todo
list for a new release.

## Check the state

These should run successfully:
 * build
 * unit-tests
 * lint
 * privnet with consensus nodes
 * testnet and mainnet synchronization
 * NeoFS testnet and mainnet synchronisation and containers compatibility tests

## Update CHANGELOG and ROADMAP

Add an entry to the CHANGELOG.md following the style established there. Add a
codename, version and release date in the heading. Write a paragraph
describing the most significant changes done in this release. In case if the node
configuration was changed, some API was marked as deprecated, any experimental
changes were made in the user-facing code and the users' feedback is needed or
if there's any other information that requires user's response, write
another separate paragraph for those who owns NeoGo node or uses any external
API. Then, add sections with release content describing each change in detail
and with a reference to GitHub issues and/or PRs. Minor issues that doesn't
affect the node end-user may be grouped under a single label.
 * "New features" section should include new abilities that were added to the
   node/API/services, are directly visible or available to the user and are large
   enough to be treated as a feature. Do not include minor user-facing
   improvements and changes that don't affect the user-facing functionality
   even if they are new.
 * "Behaviour changes" section should include any incompatible changes in default
   settings, in the way commands operate or in API that are available to the
   user. Add a note about changes user needs to make if he uses the affected code.
 * "Improvements" section should include user-facing changes that are too
   insignificant to be treated as a feature (e.g. new CLI flags) and are not
   directly visible to the node end-user, such as performance optimizations,
   refactoring and internal API changes.
 * "Bugs fixed" section should include a set of bugs fixed since the previous
   release with optional bug cause or consequences description.

Update ROADMAP.md if necessary.

Create a PR with CHANGELOG/ROADMAP changes, review/merge it.

## Create a GitHub release and a tag

Use "Draft a new release" button in the "Releases" section. Create a new
`vX.Y.Z` tag for it following the semantic versioning standard. Put change log
for this release into the description. Do not attach any binaries at this step.
Set the "Set as the latest release" checkbox if this is the latest stable
release or "Set as a pre-release" if this is an unstable pre-release.
Press the "Publish release" button.

## Add automatically-built binaries

New release created at the previous step triggers automatic builds (if not,
start them manually from the Build GitHub workflow), so wait for them to
finish. Built binaries should be automatically attached to the release as an
asset, check it on the release page. If binaries weren't attached after building
workflow completion, then submit the bug, download currently supported binaries
(at the time of writing they are `neo-go-darwin-arm64`, `neo-go-linux-amd64`,
`neo-go-linux-arm64` and `neo-go-windows-amd64`) from the building job artifacts,
unpack archives and add resulting binaries (named in the same way as archives)
to the previously created release via "Edit release" button.

## Close GitHub milestone

Close corresponding X.Y.Z GitHub milestone.

## Announcements

Copy the GitHub release page link to:
 * Discord channel
 * Riot channel

## Deployment

Deploy the updated version to the mainnet/testnet.