curl release procedure - how to do a release

in the source code repo

run ./scripts/copyright.pl and correct possible omissions
edit RELEASE-NOTES to be accurate
update docs/THANKS
make sure all relevant changes are committed on the master branch
tag the git repo in this style: git tag -a curl-7_34_0. -a annotates the tag and we use underscores instead of dots in the version number. Make sure the tag is GPG signed (using -s).
run "./maketgz 7.34.0" to build the release tarballs. It is important that you run this on a machine with the correct set of autotools etc installed as this is what then will be shipped and used by most users on *nix like systems.
push the git commits and the new tag
gpg sign the 4 tarballs as maketgz suggests
upload the 8 resulting files to the primary download directory

in the curl-www repo

edit Makefile (version number and date),
edit _newslog.html (announce the new release) and
edit _changes.html (insert changes+bugfixes from RELEASE-NOTES)
commit all local changes
tag the repo with the same name as used for the source repo.
make sure all relevant changes are committed and pushed on the master branch

(the website then updates its contents automatically)

on github

edit the newly made release tag so that it is listed as the latest release

inform

send an email to curl-users, curl-announce and curl-library. Insert the RELEASE-NOTES into the mail.

celebrate

suitable beverage intake is encouraged for the festivities

curl release scheduling

Release Cycle

We do releases every 8 weeks on Wednesdays. If critical problems arise, we can insert releases outside of the schedule or we can move the release date - but this is rare.

Each 8 week release cycle is split in two 4-week periods.

During the first 4 weeks after a release, we allow new features and changes to curl and libcurl. If we accept any such changes, we bump the minor number used for the next release.
During the second 4-week period we do not merge any features or changes, we then only focus on fixing bugs and polishing things to make a solid coming release.
After a regular procedure-following release (made on Wednesdays), the feature window remains closed until the following Monday in case of special actions or patch releases etc.

If a future release date happens to end up on a "bad date", like in the middle of common public holidays or when the lead release manager is away traveling, the release date can be moved forwards or backwards a full week. This is then advertised well in advance.

Coming dates

Based on the description above, here are some planned release dates (at the time of this writing):

August 19, 2020 (7.72.0)
October 14, 2020
December 9, 2020
February 3, 2021
March 31, 2021
May 26, 2021
July 21, 2021
September 15, 2021
November 10, 2021

The above (and more) curl-related dates are published in iCalendar format as well.

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