Post-Release Checklist

Post-release checklist defines tasks to complete after publishing design system packages. These activities ensure consumers are informed, packages are accessible, and any issues are caught quickly. Post-release is not complete when npm publish finishes; follow-through matters.

What Is a Post-Release Checklist

A post-release checklist lists verification and communication tasks to complete after publishing packages. It ensures the release is properly announced, verified to work, and monitored for problems. The checklist helps transition from release execution to normal operations.

Post-release activities are easy to forget in the relief of completing a release. Checklists ensure important follow-up happens even when team members are tired or distracted.

How Post-Release Checklists Work

Post-release checklists organize tasks by timing and category. Some tasks happen immediately after release; others happen in the following hours or days.

Immediate verification confirms the release succeeded. Checking npm for the published version, verifying the package installs correctly, and confirming documentation updates are live all happen immediately.

Communication activities inform consumers. Publishing release announcements, updating status pages, and notifying stakeholders spread the word about the release.

Monitoring activities watch for problems. Checking error tracking services, monitoring support channels, and reviewing metrics helps catch issues early.

Follow-up activities address post-release needs. Creating tracking issues for known limitations, scheduling retrospectives, and updating roadmaps happen in the days following release.

Key Considerations

• Include verification steps that confirm successful publication
• Plan communication across all relevant channels
• Define monitoring duration and responsibilities
• Document follow-up items that emerge from release
• Consider timezone coverage for monitoring

Common Questions

What verification should happen immediately after release?

Immediate verification confirms the release is available and functional. Several checks provide confidence.

Registry verification confirms packages are published. Checking npmjs.com or the private registry shows the new version is available. Verifying correct files are included catches packaging issues.

Installation verification confirms packages install correctly. Running npm install in a test environment verifies no installation issues. Testing with both new installations and upgrades covers different scenarios.

Documentation verification confirms docs are updated. Checking the documentation site for new version content catches publishing delays. Verifying links work prevents broken references.

Build verification confirms consumer builds work. Running a consumer application build with the new version catches issues the design system tests might miss.

How long should post-release monitoring last?

Monitoring duration depends on release significance and consumer adoption speed. More significant releases warrant longer monitoring.

Critical period monitoring happens in the first few hours. Most severe issues manifest quickly. Having team members available during this period enables fast response.

Extended monitoring continues for a day or more. Issues in less common use cases or slower-adopting consumers take longer to surface. Checking support channels and error tracking the day after release catches these.

Normal operations resume when monitoring reveals no issues. Once the release appears stable, normal on-call and support processes take over. Documenting that monitoring is complete closes the checklist.

Major releases may need longer monitoring. Breaking changes or significant new features might have longer tails of issue discovery. Adjusting monitoring duration based on release content is appropriate.

Summary

Post-release checklists ensure proper follow-through after publishing design system packages. Verification, communication, and monitoring activities catch issues and inform consumers. Immediate, short-term, and follow-up task categories organize activities by timing.