Release checklist

Pre-release

• Version matches in package.json, src-tauri/Cargo.toml, and src-tauri/tauri.conf.json
• CHANGELOG.md contains the dated release section
• Release-facing documentation is current
• Release notes draft exists

Install and build

npm ci
npm run release:verify

• All Rust tests pass
• Clippy passes with zero warnings
• Formatting is clean
• The AppImage exists in src-tauri/target/release/bundle/appimage/
• No other package format was produced by this build

Smoke tests

• AppImage launches
• Main window renders correctly
• Model path or in-app model download works
• Global hotkey registers
• Hold-to-record and release-to-transcribe work
• Very short push-to-talk does not leave the app stuck
• Blank audio is not pasted or saved
• Overlay appears and hides correctly
• Editor paste works
• Terminal paste works
• Settings, history, and cumulative word count survive restart
• Wayland smoke test completed
• X11 smoke test completed when practical

Publish

• Generate SHA256SUMS.txt
• Commit release preparation
• Tag and push the release
• Upload the AppImage and checksum if creating a GitHub release
• Verify the published download once