Release Health Gates

---
name: release-health-gates
description: Declarative release readiness checklist that mirrors GitHub checks, deployment issues, and documentation requirements. Use when preparing releases, validating deployment gates, or conducting release reviews.
version: 1.0.0
category: governance
tags: [release, github, readiness, quality, governance]
dependencies: []
tools: [minister-tracker]
provides:
  governance: [release-gates, rollout-scorecards]
  reporting: [deployment-comment, qa-handshake]
usage_patterns:
  - release-train
  - hotfix-review
  - stakeholder-briefing
complexity: intermediate
estimated_tokens: 700
progressive_loading: true
modules:
  - modules/quality-signals.md
  - modules/deployment-readiness.md
---

# Release Health Gates

## Purpose

Standardize release approvals by expressing gates as GitHub-aware checklists. Ensures code, docs, comms, and observability items are all green before flipping deploy toggles.

## Gate Categories

1. **Scope & Risk** – Are all blocking issues closed or deferred with owners?
2. **Quality Signals** – Are required checks, tests, and soak times satisfied?
3. **Comms & Docs** – Are docs merged and release notes posted?
4. **Operations** – Are runbooks, oncall sign-off, and rollback plans ready?

## Workflow

1. Load skill to access gate modules.
2. Attach Release Gate section to deployment PR.
3. Use tracker data to auto-fill blockers and highlight overdue tasks.
4. Update comment as gates turn green; require approvals for any waivers.

## Outputs

- Release Gate markdown snippet (embed in PR/issue).
- QA Handshake summary referencing GitHub Checks.
- Rollout scorecard that persists in tracker data for retros.

## Exit Criteria

- All release gates evaluated and documented.
- Any blocking gates have waiver approvals recorded.
- Deployment PR contains embedded Release Gate snippet.
- Rollout scorecard saved for post-release retrospective.