release

Automate ButterCut releases with version bumps, changelog, git tags, gem build, and GitHub release.

584|97|Updated Nov 10, 2025

Search Tags:#git #versioning #github #release #gem #ruby

Ready to run

npx skills add https://github.com/barefootford/buttercut --skill release-barefootford

💬 Prompt for ChatGPT / Claude Chat▼

Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: release
Source: https://github.com/barefootford/buttercut/tree/main/.claude/skills/release
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/barefootford/buttercut --skill release-barefootford

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

This Skill guides through the complete ButterCut release process: version bumps, changelog, git tagging, gem publishing, and GitHub releases.

Core Features & Use Cases

Test-first release: Always run tests before releasing. Use:
Version management: Inspect current version, bump with semver, and update lib/buttercut/version.rb.
Artifacts & Release: Update CHANGELOG.md, create and push git tags, build the gem, publish to RubyGems, and create a GitHub release.

Quick Start

Run the release skill to prepare and publish a new ButterCut version. It will prompt you to specify the release type (MAJOR/MINOR/PATCH) and provide release notes.

Frequently Asked Questions about release

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema

How do I automate publishing a Ruby gem release with version bumps and GitHub releases?▼

The release Skill automates the complete gem publishing workflow by bumping semantic versions, updating CHANGELOG.md, creating git tags, building the gem, publishing to RubyGems, and creating a GitHub release. It handles MAJOR, MINOR, and PATCH increments in one workflow.

What do I need to set up before releasing a gem to RubyGems and GitHub?▼

Ensure a clean working directory, passing test suite, proper authentication credentials for RubyGems and GitHub, and editable lib/buttercut/version.rb and CHANGELOG.md files. The Skill guides you through version selection and release notes during execution.

Can I use semantic versioning for gem releases with automated changelog updates?▼

Yes. The Skill applies semantic versioning (MAJOR, MINOR, PATCH) to bump versions in lib/buttercut/version.rb and automatically updates CHANGELOG.md, then creates git tags and publishes the versioned gem to RubyGems and GitHub simultaneously.

How do I ensure my gem release includes proper git tags and GitHub release artifacts?▼

The release Skill creates and pushes git tags as part of the release process, then generates a corresponding GitHub release with your provided release notes. Both artifacts are created atomically during the publish step.

What happens if my test suite fails before releasing?▼

The Skill requires a passing test suite before proceeding with the release. You must run tests first and resolve failures; the workflow will not proceed to version bumping, tagging, or publishing until tests pass.

Do I need to manually update version files and changelog before using the release Skill?▼

No. The release Skill handles updating lib/buttercut/version.rb and CHANGELOG.md automatically based on your chosen MAJOR, MINOR, or PATCH increment. You provide release notes, and the Skill manages the file updates and git operations.