Release Artifacts

Release artifacts are the files and packages produced during design system releases. These include npm packages, documentation builds, type definitions, and supporting files. Managing artifacts ensures consumers receive complete, correct releases and enables reproducibility.

What Are Release Artifacts

Release artifacts are the outputs of the release process. For design systems, primary artifacts include npm packages with compiled code, TypeScript definitions, and package metadata. Secondary artifacts might include documentation builds, changelog files, and release notes.

Artifacts represent the deliverable form of the design system. While source code lives in repositories, artifacts are what consumers actually install and use. Quality and completeness of artifacts directly affect consumer experience.

How Release Artifacts Work

Artifact management involves generation, storage, distribution, and preservation. Each aspect contributes to reliable releases.

Generation creates artifacts from source code. Build processes compile TypeScript, bundle modules, generate type definitions, and assemble packages. Generation should be reproducible, producing identical artifacts from identical source.

Storage holds artifacts during and after release. Pipeline artifact storage passes build outputs between jobs. Package registries store published packages permanently. Archive storage may preserve historical artifacts.

Distribution delivers artifacts to consumers. npm registry distribution makes packages available for installation. Documentation hosting makes docs accessible. CDN distribution serves assets globally.

Preservation maintains access to historical versions. Published npm packages remain available (with rare exceptions). Documentation versioning preserves docs for each release. Source tags enable regenerating artifacts if needed.

Key Considerations

• Verify artifact contents before publishing
• Store artifacts for traceability and reproducibility
• Ensure distribution channels are reliable
• Maintain artifact history for supported versions
• Consider artifact size and performance implications

Common Questions

What should be included in design system release artifacts?

Release artifacts should include everything consumers need to use the design system. Several components are typically essential.

Compiled JavaScript is the primary runtime code. Whether CommonJS, ES modules, or both, compiled code should work in consumer environments.

TypeScript definitions provide type checking for TypeScript users. .d.ts files matching the JavaScript structure enable IDE support and type safety.

Package metadata in package.json defines entry points, dependencies, and other configuration. Correct metadata ensures packages install and resolve correctly.

Documentation either bundled or hosted provides usage guidance. API docs, examples, and guides help consumers use the design system effectively.

Source maps optionally enable debugging. Maps connecting compiled code to source help consumers debug issues. Consider whether to include or publish separately.

How can artifact generation be made reproducible?

Reproducible artifacts enable verification and debugging. Several practices support reproducibility.

Deterministic builds produce identical output from identical input. Avoiding timestamps, randomness, and environment-specific values in artifacts helps. Build tools often have deterministic mode options.

Locked dependencies ensure consistent build inputs. package-lock.json or yarn.lock files pin dependency versions. CI should use npm ci rather than npm install.

Specified environments control build context. Documenting or containerizing build environments ensures consistent tooling. Node version, npm version, and OS can affect builds.

Verification processes compare artifacts. Building in clean environments and comparing outputs reveals non-determinism. CI can include verification steps.

Summary

Release artifacts are the built outputs consumers install and use. Generating complete, correct artifacts and managing their storage and distribution ensures consumers receive quality releases. Reproducible artifact generation enables verification and debugging when issues arise.