Inside GitLab: How we release software patches

This post details the operational processes and technical mechanisms behind GitLab's software release and patch release workflows. It explains the roles and responsibilities of Release Managers within the Delivery team, differentiating between monthly self-managed releases and continuous auto-deployments on GitLab.com. Key technical aspects covered include the use of ChatOps for triggering patch release preparation, automation via GitLab CI/CD for release tasks, and the utilization of scheduled pipelines for GitLab.com updates. The post also discusses the criteria for issuing patch releases based on bug severity (S1/S2 vs. S3/S4) and the goal of reducing Mean Time To Production (MTTP) through automation and process streamlining.