Release Backstop Agent

The Release Backstop Agent generates comprehensive release documentation, QA checklists, and rollback procedures.

What It Does

Generates release notes - From commits and PRs
Creates QA checklists - Tailored to changes
Documents rollback plans - Step-by-step procedures
Validates artifacts - Checks build integrity
Coordinates announcements - Drafts release comms

Release Workflow

Triggered on release branch or tag
Analyzes all commits since last release
Generates categorized release notes
Creates QA checklist
Documents rollback procedure
Posts draft for review

Configuration

agents:
  - name: release-backstop
    template: release-backstop
    triggers:
      push:
        branches:
          - "release/*"
      release:
        - created
    config:
      # Release notes format
      notes_format: conventional  # or 'keep-a-changelog'

      # Include authors in notes
      include_authors: true

      # Group by PR labels
      group_by_labels: true

      # Generate rollback scripts
      generate_rollback: true

      # Post to Slack on release
      slack_channel: "#releases"

Release Notes Example

# Release v2.5.0

## New Features
- Add dark mode support (#234) @jane
- Implement user preferences API (#228) @john

## Bug Fixes
- Fix memory leak in worker pool (#241) @jane
- Resolve race condition in auth flow (#238) @alex

## Breaking Changes
- Remove deprecated legacyAuth method
  - Migration: Replace with auth.login()

## Dependencies
- Upgrade React from 18.2 to 18.3
- Add new dependency: zod@3.22

## Rollback Procedure
1. Revert to v2.4.0: kubectl rollout undo deployment/app
2. Run migration rollback: npm run db:rollback
3. Clear CDN cache: npm run cdn:purge