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📚 Release Documentation Index

Welcome! This is your central hub for all release-related documentation.

🎯 Quick Navigation

🚀 Want to release NOW?

→ Read QUICK_START_RELEASE.md

📖 Want to understand everything?

→ Read RELEASE_GUIDE.md

🔄 Want to see the workflow?

→ Read RELEASE_WORKFLOW.md

📝 Need to update changelog?

→ Edit CHANGELOG.md

📁 All Release Documentation

Essential Reading

File Purpose When to Read
QUICK_START_RELEASE.md Fast-track guide to your first release Before first release
RELEASE_GUIDE.md Comprehensive best practices When you want deep understanding
RELEASE_SUMMARY.md Overview of entire setup After setup, for reference
RELEASE_WORKFLOW.md Visual workflow diagrams When confused about process
CHANGELOG.md Track version changes Before every release

Templates & Tools

File Purpose When to Use
.github/RELEASE_TEMPLATE.md Template for release notes When creating GitHub release
build_local.py Local build script Before releasing (testing)
version.txt Current version reference For version tracking

Automation

File Purpose When to Touch
.github/workflows/release.yml GitHub Actions automation Rarely (already configured)
.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md PR template When accepting contributions

🎓 Learning Path

Path 1: "I Want to Release ASAP" (15 minutes)

  1. Read QUICK_START_RELEASE.md (5 min)
  2. Update CHANGELOG.md (3 min)
  3. Follow the 3-step release process (5 min)
  4. Wait for GitHub Actions (15 min automated)
  5. Publish! (2 min)

Total time: ~30 minutes (mostly automated)

Path 2: "I Want to Understand Everything" (1 hour)

  1. Read RELEASE_SUMMARY.md (10 min)
  2. Read RELEASE_GUIDE.md (30 min)
  3. Read RELEASE_WORKFLOW.md (10 min)
  4. Skim .github/workflows/release.yml (5 min)
  5. Test build_local.py (5 min)

Total time: ~1 hour

Path 3: "I Just Need a Reminder" (2 minutes)

  1. Check CHANGELOG.md for version number
  2. Run: 
    git tag -a v1.0.0 -m "Release v1.0.0"
git push origin v1.0.0
  3. Done!

🗺️ Documentation Map

Release Documentation
│
├── 🚀 Getting Started
│   ├── QUICK_START_RELEASE.md ◄── START HERE
│   └── RELEASE_SUMMARY.md
│
├── 📖 Deep Dive
│   ├── RELEASE_GUIDE.md
│   └── RELEASE_WORKFLOW.md
│
├── 📝 Maintenance
│   ├── CHANGELOG.md ◄── Update regularly
│   └── version.txt
│
├── 🛠️ Tools
│   └── build_local.py
│
└── 🤖 Automation
    ├── .github/workflows/release.yml
    ├── .github/RELEASE_TEMPLATE.md
    └── .github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md

📋 Checklists

Before First Release

  • Read QUICK_START_RELEASE.md
  • Understand version numbering (semantic versioning)
  • Know how to update CHANGELOG.md
  • Test build locally with build_local.py
  • Understand GitHub Actions will auto-build

Before Every Release

  • All features complete and tested
  • CHANGELOG.md updated
  • Version number decided
  • Commit all changes
  • Create and push tag
  • Wait for GitHub Actions
  • Review draft release
  • Publish!

After Release

  • Test download links
  • Monitor GitHub Issues
  • Respond to feedback
  • Plan next version

🎯 Common Tasks

Task: Create Your First Release

Files to read:

  1. QUICK_START_RELEASE.md
  2. CHANGELOG.md

Files to edit:

  1. CHANGELOG.md (move items to v1.0.0)

Commands to run:

git tag -a v1.0.0 -m "First release"
git push origin v1.0.0

Task: Test Build Locally

Files to read:

  1. RELEASE_GUIDE.md (Local Build section)

Commands to run:

pip install pyinstaller
python build_local.py

Files created:

  • dist/OrbitalSimulator-v0.1.0-dev.exe (or .app)

Task: Fix a Release Mistake

Files to read:

  1. RELEASE_GUIDE.md (Troubleshooting section)

Commands to run:

# Delete wrong tag
git tag -d v1.0.0
git push origin --delete v1.0.0

# Create correct tag
git tag -a v1.0.0 -m "Correct release"
git push origin v1.0.0

Task: Understand the Automation

Files to read:

  1. RELEASE_WORKFLOW.md (Visual diagrams)
  2. .github/workflows/release.yml (Actual code)

What it does:

  • Triggers on tag push
  • Builds Windows + macOS
  • Creates draft release
  • Uploads binaries

🔍 Finding Information

"How do I version my releases?"

→ RELEASE_GUIDE.md → Version Numbering section

"What should I write in release notes?"

→ .github/RELEASE_TEMPLATE.md

"How does the automation work?"

→ RELEASE_WORKFLOW.md → Complete Pipeline

"What if Windows Defender blocks my .exe?"

→ RELEASE_GUIDE.md → Troubleshooting → Windows Defender

"How do I build locally?"

→ RELEASE_GUIDE.md → Manual Build section → Run python build_local.py

"What's the fastest way to release?"

→ QUICK_START_RELEASE.md → The Fast Path

📊 File Sizes Reference

Typical file sizes for your project:

File Size Notes
Windows .exe 100-150 MB Includes Python + libraries
macOS .zip 90-130 MB Compressed app bundle
Source code 5-10 MB For Linux users

This is normal! PyInstaller bundles everything.

🎨 Customization Guide

Want to change build settings?

Edit: .github/workflows/release.yml

# Change app name
--name OrbitalSimulator-${{ github.ref_name }}-windows

# Add icon
--icon=assets/earth_sprite.png

# Include data files
--add-data "assets;assets"

Want to add Linux builds?

Edit: .github/workflows/release.yml

Add a new job:

build-linux:
  runs-on: ubuntu-latest
  # ... similar to Windows/macOS

Want to auto-increment version?

Create: .github/workflows/version-bump.yml

Use tools like bump2version or semantic-release

🆘 Troubleshooting Quick Links

Problem Solution Location
Build fails RELEASE_GUIDE.md → Troubleshooting
Windows Defender RELEASE_GUIDE.md → Windows Defender Flags
macOS Gatekeeper RELEASE_GUIDE.md → macOS Gatekeeper Issues
Large file size RELEASE_GUIDE.md → Large File Size
Missing dependencies RELEASE_GUIDE.md → Build Fails
Wrong version number RELEASE_GUIDE.md → Fix a Release Mistake

📞 External Resources

Official Documentation

Community Help

🎯 Your Next Steps

Right Now (5 minutes)

  1. ✅ Read QUICK_START_RELEASE.md
  2. ✅ Understand the 3-step process
  3. ✅ Bookmark this index

Before First Release (30 minutes)

  1. ⏳ Test build_local.py
  2. ⏳ Update CHANGELOG.md
  3. ⏳ Read RELEASE_GUIDE.md (skim)

After Adding Splash Screen (1 hour)

  1. 🎯 Follow QUICK_START_RELEASE.md
  2. 🎯 Create v1.0.0 release
  3. 🎯 Celebrate! 🎉

📈 Version History of This Documentation

Version Date Changes
1.0 2026-01-17 Initial release documentation setup

💡 Pro Tips

  1. Bookmark this file - It's your central hub
  2. Start with QUICK_START - Don't overthink it
  3. Test locally first - Catch issues early
  4. Read RELEASE_GUIDE - When you have time
  5. Keep CHANGELOG updated - Makes releases easier

✨ You're Ready!

You now have:

  • ✅ Complete documentation
  • ✅ Automated build system
  • ✅ Templates and tools
  • ✅ Best practices guide
  • ✅ Troubleshooting help

When you're ready to release:

  1. Open QUICK_START_RELEASE.md
  2. Follow the steps
  3. Ship your software! 🚀

Good luck with your release! 🎉

Questions? Check the relevant documentation file above.