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+# Release Candidate Process
+
+This document defines the release candidate (RC) checklist for morph releases, including documentation review, migration notes, and rollback procedures.
+
+---
+
+## Table of Contents
+
+- [Overview](#overview)
+- [RC Lifecycle](#rc-lifecycle)
+- [RC1 Checklist](#rc1-checklist)
+- [RC2 Checklist](#rc2-checklist)
+- [Sign-Off Criteria](#sign-off-criteria)
+- [Release Procedure](#release-procedure)
+- [Rollback Plan](#rollback-plan)
+- [Post-Release](#post-release)
+
+---
+
+## Overview
+
+morph follows [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/). Each minor release goes through at least one Release Candidate (RC) cycle before the final release. The RC process ensures quality, compatibility, and documentation are production-ready.
+
+### Versioning Scheme
+
+- **RC tags:** `v0.X.0-rc.1`, `v0.X.0-rc.2`, …
+- **Final release:** `v0.X.0`
+- RCs are published as GitHub pre-releases (not promoted to `latest`).
+
+---
+
+## RC Lifecycle
+
+```
+main ──► RC1 tag ──► testing/feedback ──► RC2 tag (if needed) ──► final tag
+              │                                │
+              └── fix on main, cherry-pick ─────┘
+```
+
+1. **Feature freeze** — all planned features merged to `main`.
+2. **RC1** — first candidate tagged; testing begins.
+3. **Feedback window** — minimum 3 days for RC1, 2 days for subsequent RCs.
+4. **RC2+** — only if blocking issues found in previous RC.
+5. **Final release** — when an RC passes all sign-off criteria.
+
+---
+
+## RC1 Checklist
+
+### Code Quality
+
+- [ ] All CI checks pass on `main` (stable + nightly, all OS targets)
+- [ ] No open issues labeled `blocker` or `critical`
+- [ ] `cargo clippy --all-targets --all-features -- -D warnings` clean
+- [ ] `cargo fmt --all -- --check` clean
+- [ ] `cargo test` — all tests pass
+- [ ] Golden conformance suite passes (`tests/golden_conformance.rs`)
+
+### Documentation
+
+- [ ] `README.md` — feature table, install instructions, and examples are current
+- [ ] `docs/MAPPING_LANGUAGE.md` — all operations and functions documented
+- [ ] `docs/INSTALLATION.md` — all install methods verified
+- [ ] `docs/MIGRATION.md` — jq/yq/mlr recipes updated for any new features
+- [ ] `CHANGELOG.md` — unreleased section reviewed and accurate
+- [ ] `CONTRIBUTING.md` — project structure and guidelines current
+- [ ] Inline help (`morph --help`, `morph --formats`, `morph --functions`) matches docs
+
+### Migration & Compatibility
+
+- [ ] Breaking changes documented in `CHANGELOG.md` with migration steps
+- [ ] `docs/MIGRATION.md` covers any new operations or changed behavior
+- [ ] Compatibility matrix CI passes (all OS × toolchain combinations)
+- [ ] Minimum Supported Rust Version (MSRV) documented if changed
+
+### Performance
+
+- [ ] Benchmark suite runs without errors (`cargo bench`)
+- [ ] No significant regressions vs. previous release snapshot
+- [ ] `bench-results/` snapshot generated and committed
+- [ ] README performance table updated if numbers changed materially
+
+### Release Infrastructure
+
+- [ ] `Cargo.toml` version bumped to target version (e.g., `0.6.0`)
+- [ ] `dist-workspace.toml` configuration reviewed
+- [ ] `release-plz.toml` configuration reviewed
+- [ ] `cliff.toml` changelog configuration current
+- [ ] GitHub Actions workflows (`ci.yml`, `bench.yml`, `release.yml`) current
+
+### Tag & Publish RC1
+
+```bash
+# Ensure main is clean and up to date
+git checkout main && git pull
+
+# Tag the RC
+git tag -a v0.X.0-rc.1 -m "v0.X.0 Release Candidate 1"
+git push origin v0.X.0-rc.1
+```
+
+The `release.yml` workflow will build artifacts and create a GitHub pre-release.
+
+---
+
+## RC2 Checklist
+
+RC2 is only needed if blocking issues were found in RC1.
+
+### Fixes
+
+- [ ] All RC1 feedback issues resolved
+- [ ] Fixes merged to `main` with tests
+- [ ] No new features — only bug fixes and doc corrections
+
+### Verification
+
+- [ ] Full CI passes on `main`
+- [ ] Golden conformance suite passes
+- [ ] Benchmark suite shows no new regressions
+- [ ] Fixed issues verified manually
+
+### Documentation
+
+- [ ] `CHANGELOG.md` updated with RC1→RC2 fixes
+- [ ] Any doc corrections from RC1 feedback applied
+
+### Tag & Publish RC2
+
+```bash
+git tag -a v0.X.0-rc.2 -m "v0.X.0 Release Candidate 2"
+git push origin v0.X.0-rc.2
+```
+
+---
+
+## Sign-Off Criteria
+
+A release candidate is approved for final release when **all** of the following are met:
+
+| Criterion | Description |
+|-----------|-------------|
+| **CI Green** | All matrix cells pass (3 OS × 2 toolchains) |
+| **Zero Blockers** | No open issues labeled `blocker` or `critical` |
+| **Conformance** | Golden conformance suite 100% pass |
+| **Performance** | No regression >10% vs. previous release |
+| **Docs Complete** | All user-facing docs reviewed and accurate |
+| **Feedback Window** | Minimum soak time elapsed (3 days RC1, 2 days RC2+) |
+| **Breaking Changes** | All breaking changes documented with migration path |
+| **Changelog** | `CHANGELOG.md` reviewed and finalized |
+
+---
+
+## Release Procedure
+
+Once an RC is signed off:
+
+### 1. Finalize Changelog
+
+```bash
+# Generate changelog from commits
+git cliff --tag v0.X.0 -o CHANGELOG.md
+
+# Review and edit if needed
+$EDITOR CHANGELOG.md
+
+git add CHANGELOG.md
+git commit -m "docs: finalize changelog for v0.X.0"
+git push origin main
+```
+
+### 2. Tag Final Release
+
+```bash
+git tag -a v0.X.0 -m "v0.X.0"
+git push origin v0.X.0
+```
+
+### 3. Verify Release Artifacts
+
+The `release.yml` workflow will:
+- Build binaries for all target platforms
+- Create a GitHub Release with artifacts
+- Publish the Homebrew formula to `alvinreal/homebrew-tap`
+- `release-plz` will handle crates.io publishing
+
+Verify:
+- [ ] GitHub Release page has all platform binaries
+- [ ] Install script works: `curl ... | sh`
+- [ ] `cargo binstall morph` works (after crates.io publish)
+- [ ] `brew install alvinreal/tap/morph` works (after Homebrew publish)
+
+### 4. Announce
+
+- [ ] GitHub Release notes are clear and complete
+- [ ] Update any external links or documentation sites
+
+---
+
+## Rollback Plan
+
+If a critical issue is discovered after a final release:
+
+### Severity Assessment
+
+| Severity | Action | Timeline |
+|----------|--------|----------|
+| **Critical** (data loss, crashes on valid input) | Yank + patch release | Immediate |
+| **High** (incorrect output, security issue) | Patch release | Within 24h |
+| **Medium** (edge case bugs, doc errors) | Next minor release | Normal cycle |
+| **Low** (cosmetic, minor UX) | Next minor release | Normal cycle |
+
+### Yank Procedure (Critical Only)
+
+```bash
+# 1. Yank the crates.io release
+cargo yank --version 0.X.0
+
+# 2. Mark GitHub Release as pre-release (hides from "latest")
+gh release edit v0.X.0 --prerelease
+
+# 3. Add warning to release notes
+gh release edit v0.X.0 --notes "⚠️ This release has been yanked due to [issue]. Please use v0.X.1 instead."
+```
+
+### Patch Release
+
+```bash
+# 1. Create a release branch from the tag
+git checkout -b release/v0.X.1 v0.X.0
+
+# 2. Cherry-pick or apply the fix
+git cherry-pick <fix-commit>
+
+# 3. Bump version in Cargo.toml to 0.X.1
+# 4. Update CHANGELOG.md
+# 5. Tag and push
+git tag -a v0.X.1 -m "v0.X.1 — hotfix for [issue]"
+git push origin v0.X.1
+
+# 6. Merge fix back to main
+git checkout main
+git merge release/v0.X.1
+git push origin main
+```
+
+### Homebrew Rollback
+
+If the Homebrew formula needs to revert:
+
+```bash
+# In the homebrew-tap repo
+git revert HEAD  # revert the formula update
+git push
+```
+
+### Communication
+
+For critical/high severity rollbacks:
+1. Update GitHub Release notes with warning
+2. Open a GitHub Issue documenting the problem and fix
+3. Reference the fix in the patch release notes
+
+---
+
+## Post-Release
+
+After a successful release:
+
+- [ ] Verify all install methods work with the new version
+- [ ] Archive the benchmark snapshot for this release
+- [ ] Update the compatibility matrix results in the repo
+- [ ] Bump `Cargo.toml` version to next dev version (e.g., `0.X+1.0`)
+- [ ] Create the next milestone's epic issue if planned
+- [ ] Close the current milestone/epic
+
+---
+
+## Quick Reference
+
+| Step | Command |
+|------|---------|
+| Run tests | `cargo test` |
+| Run clippy | `cargo clippy --all-targets --all-features -- -D warnings` |
+| Check formatting | `cargo fmt --all -- --check` |
+| Run benchmarks | `cargo bench` |
+| Generate changelog | `git cliff --tag v0.X.0 -o CHANGELOG.md` |
+| Tag RC | `git tag -a v0.X.0-rc.1 -m "v0.X.0 RC1"` |
+| Tag release | `git tag -a v0.X.0 -m "v0.X.0"` |
+| Yank crate | `cargo yank --version 0.X.0` |