[libcxx-commits] [libcxx] [libc++] Update release procedure for libc++ & friends (PR #210383)

[Louis Dionne via libcxx-commits]

https://github.com/ldionne created https://github.com/llvm/llvm-project/pull/210383

The release procedure implied that some tasks were done by the release manager, but in practice they are done by the libc++ developers.

Also, mention using the `llvm-premerge-libcxx-release-runners` runner set on the release branch, which was overlooked in the previous notes.

Other than that, minor reformulations.

>From e99095033fef86d92af6aa35bbc049f1ca63077c Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Louis Dionne <ldionne.2 at gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 17 Jul 2026 13:20:04 -0400
Subject: [PATCH] [libc++] Update release procedure for libc++ & friends

The release procedure implied that some tasks were done by the release
manager, but in practice they are done by the libc++ developers.

Also, mention using the `llvm-premerge-libcxx-release-runners` runner
set on the release branch, which was overlooked in the previous notes.

Other than that, minor reformulations.
---
 libcxx/docs/ReleaseProcedure.rst | 38 ++++++++++++--------------------
 1 file changed, 14 insertions(+), 24 deletions(-)

diff --git a/libcxx/docs/ReleaseProcedure.rst b/libcxx/docs/ReleaseProcedure.rst
index b3f0d129a17fb..2408f9b4b808d 100644
--- a/libcxx/docs/ReleaseProcedure.rst
+++ b/libcxx/docs/ReleaseProcedure.rst
@@ -11,8 +11,6 @@ This page describes the libc++ procedure for that release.
 Prepare the release
 ===================
 
-This is done by the libc++ developers.
-
 It should be finished before the Release managers start branching the new
 release:
 
@@ -37,10 +35,8 @@ release:
 * Make sure all libc++ supported compilers in the CI are updated to their
   latest release.
 
-Branching
-=========
-
-This is done by the LLVM Release managers.
+After the branch is created
+===========================
 
 After branching for an LLVM release:
 
@@ -48,28 +44,22 @@ After branching for an LLVM release:
 2. Update the version number in ``libcxx/docs/conf.py``
 3. Update ``_LIBCPPABI_VERSION`` in ``libcxxabi/include/cxxabi.h``
 4. Update ``_LIBUNWIND_VERSION`` in ``libunwind/include/__libunwind_config.h``
-5. Create a release notes file for the next release from the template
-6. Point to the new release notes file from ``libcxx/docs/ReleaseNotes.rst``
-
-Post branching
-==============
-
-This is done by the libc++ developers.
-
-After branching it takes a couple of days before the new LLVM ToT version is
-available on `<https://apt.llvm.org>`_. Once it is available the pre-commit CI
-can start using the new ToT version. In order to make sure patches can be
-backported to the release branch the oldest compiler is not removed yet.
-
-The section ``Upcoming Deprecations and Removals`` is cleared by the release
-managers. Copy back the items that were in this section.
+5. Create a release notes file for the next release from the previous ones and point to it from
+   ``libcxx/docs/ReleaseNotes.rst``. Remove entries that do not apply anymore, but keep in mind
+   that some entries (such as upcoming deprecations) may still apply, may need rewording and may
+   also require follow up PRs to implement.
+6. Update the set of runners targeted by the CI on the release branch to ``llvm-premerge-libcxx-release-runners``, and
+   make sure that runner set is using the appropriate image. This ensures that the release branch CI keeps working even
+   if the main branch starts using newer images.
+7. It takes a couple of days before the new LLVM ToT version is available on `<https://apt.llvm.org>`_ after a
+   branch is created. Once it is available, the pre-commit CI can be updated to use the new ToT version. In order
+   to make sure patches can be backported to the release branch, we don't remove the oldest compiler yet.
 
 Post release
 ============
 
-This is done by the libc++ developers.
-
-Support for the ToT - 3 version is removed:
+Once the release is done and cherry-picks are not expected, we remove support for the ToT - 3 version Clang.
+We also perform associated cleanups:
 
 - Search for ``LLVM RELEASE`` and address their comments
 - Search for test that have ``UNSUPPORTED`` or ``XFAIL`` for the no longer supported version