Steps to be followed to produce a new ROOT release are:

1. Get the 'green' light from all main developers
2. Check that all the Jenkins builds / CDash builds are green
3. Modify version number and modify all necessary files
   • edit build/version_number (even patch number for releases)
   • if before 6.04: change PROJECT_NUMBER in documentation/doxygen/Doxyfile
   • edit release notes patches section README/ReleaseNotes/VERSION/index.md
   • Run from the build directory $ make version
4. Update versions in JIRA
   • 'Release' the version in the project configuration
   • Eventually create the next development version
5. Update the release notes in README/ReleaseNotes/vXXX/index.md with the list of closed JIRA items
   • From the list the versions in JIRA, select the version and then 'release notes'
   • Cut & Paste the HTML text to markdown converter tool
6. Tag main ROOT repository
   • $ git tag -a vX-YY-ZZ
   • $ git push origin vX-YY-ZZ
7. Make source tar file and copy to ftp area on root.cern.ch
   • Run from the build directory $ make distsrc not on a MacOS machine
   • $ scp ../root_vX.YY.ZZ.source.tar.gz sftnight@root:/home/www/root/download
8. Tag ROOTTEST repository
9. Produce binary tarfiles
   • start the procedure root-release-6.04 (or whichever branch) in Jenkins
   • tarfiles and other artifacts are copied to final destination
10. Change the version number again to next development version
    • if before 6.04: change PROJECT_NUMBER in documentation/doxygen/Doxyfile
    • edit build/version_number (odd patch number)
    • make version, check in and push
    • starting 6.04: update README/ReleaseNotes/vXXX/index.md; possibly copying from README/ReleaseNotes/empty.md if this is not a patch release
    • before 6.04: update doc/vXXX/index.md (also create vXXX in all directories)
11. Install binaries to AFS [OBSOLETE]
    • Create a new AFS volume with the Jenkins procedure root-createAFSvolume
    • Install release binaries to AFS with the Jenins procedure root-AFS-release
12. Install binaries to CVMFS
    • Install release binaries to CVMFS with the Jenkins procedure root-CVMFS-release
13. Update the release pages
    • Generate the release notes with the Jenkins procedure called root-releasenotes
    • Update the releases xml with the Jenkins procedure called root-makeReleasesXml
    • Once authenticated, import the releases xml in the site clicking import here (Be reminded: this works for authenticated users only!).
    • Eventually edit the 'highlights' section, which is currently commented, in the generated release page.
    • If this applies, mark the release as Pro or Old and remove the attribute to the one previously holding it. There are radio buttons exposed by Drupal when editing a release's page.
    • If not a path release edit reference-guide page to add the new reference guide for the release.
14. Announcements
    • send mail to the following mailing lists: root-planning@cern.ch, root-dev@cern.ch
    • write announcement in RootTalk forum announcements