# Release Process

ESO and the ESO Helm Chart have two distinct lifecycles and can be released independently. Helm Chart releases are named `external-secrets-x.y.z`.

The external-secrets project is released on a as-needed basis. Feel free to open a issue to request a release.

## Release ESO

1. Run `Create Release` Action to create a new release, pass in the desired version number to release.
2. GitHub Release, Changelog will be created by the `release.yml` workflow which also promotes the container image.
3. (optional) update Helm Chart
4. Announce the new release in the `#external-secrets` Kubernetes Slack

## Release Helm Chart

1. Update `version` and/or `appVersion` in `Chart.yaml`
2. push and merge PR
3. CI picks up the new chart version and creates a new GitHub Release for it