How to release a version

Before releasing, ensure that you're on the master branch. Run all tests and ensure that they pass. Also check the continuous integration server to make sure tests are passing. bash $ bundle exec rake

1. Update the version number in ./VERSION

   {major}.{minor}.{patch}
   

2. Fix GitHub issue tracker to know about the release

   • Create a milestone in GitHub for the NEXT version.
   • Move any open tickets for released version to the next version.
   • Mark the milestone as closed.

3. Write Github release notes for the tag, using this template:

[Commit History](https://github.com/projectblacklight/blacklight/compare/v5.x.0...v5.x.0) | [Milestone](https://github.com/projectblacklight/blacklight/issues?q=milestone:{milestone here})

(anything important about this release, themes, etc)

### New Features and improvements

(#ticketnumber and a human-readable description of the ticket, usually the ticket title. If the ticket title doesn't make sense, either edit the ticket directly, or provide an alternative title here)

##  Bug Fixes

### Upgrade Notes

(anything special that needs to be called out)

1. Prepare announcement

• Include URL to GitHub closed issues for version
• Include URL to github commits between tags. github can show all commits between two versions with a URL of this form: http://github.com/projectblacklight/blacklight/compare/v2.5.0...v2.6.0 Replace with previous version and current release version tags.
• Include URL to the Github release notes

1. Release the gem

$ rake release

1. Announce

• Write emails announcing the release to Blacklight Development