happier-release-validation-review

Release validation audits a completed worktree to verify evidence mapping and lane completeness before promotion. It reviews test evidence, git diffs, and dry-run outputs to ensure every claim is substantiated before a release candidate is approved.

A promotion gate is a preview checkpoint requiring validation lanes, evidence, and dry-run verification before any release side effects occur. You need to check it when deciding whether a release candidate is safe for promotion.

Review git diffs by mapping changes to recorded failures and validation needs. Classify process feedback items from TRACKING.md as back-port now, back-port later, or ignore to produce a concise sign-off packet with residual risks identified.

Yes, release validation requires reading AGENTS.md and review-rubric references to verify plan completeness and evidence mapping. These references provide the standards needed to emit a promotion verdict with residual risks.

Safety guardrails within release validation check that no release, promotion, or publish side effects occurred. It confirms that custom checks and dry-run outputs were completed without triggering unintended side effects.