26.11 Call for Release Manager and Editor

Hi everyone,

I am @yayayayaka, the release manager of the previous NixOS 26.05 release.

For the upcoming 26.11 release, I am looking for a new release manager, as well as a new release editor. Both roles are described on the release manual and require at least few hours each week, and likely more in the weeks directly leading up to the final release.

Both roles are fulfilled in tandem, meaning you get paired with an experienced partner, who already filled the role during the previous release.

Responsibilities

Release Manager

The release managers first and foremost shape the roadmap that leads up to the release.

They are in a central position that allows them to keep track of the overall progress and requires them to communicate with the wider Nixpkgs community here on Discourse, but also over on GitHub and the Release Management Matrix room.

They track blocking issues, participate in reviews and organize the Zero Hydra Failures bug-squashing effort.

They have the chance to interact with various infrastructure repositories (infra, homepage, search, etc.) that most Nixpkgs contributors don’t interact much with.

They need to perform a number of release management tasks, which are outlined in the manual.

They need to test the final release and make sure the basics work as intended.

Overall, I think that the strength of the release manager role comes from enabling your fellow community members to do what needs to be done.

The release managers work together on making the release work, so you won’t be alone and the release wiki also provides guidance and most instructions.

Release Editor

The release editors improve the legibility of the final release communication, which includes the release announcement and the release notes.

While the release announcement may primarily need proofreading, the release notes require some additional effort to make them an enjoyable reading experience.

Since the release editor role is rather new, it would be appreciated if the role would also receive some additional documentation regarding scope and opportunities in the release manual.

Requirements

Both roles require a certain time commitment over the next few months.

The release managers require commit access to the Nixpkgs repository, but this isn’t strictly required for the release editors.

The release editors should be proficient in the English language and have great writing skills.

Reach out!

If you are interested in this community position, please reach out to me! I’d love to hear from you and work together to make NixOS 26.11 the best possible release it can be. :purple_heart:

Should you have any questions, feel free to reach out here in the thread or on Matrix. (:

<3,
yaya

35 Likes

Thank you to all release managers past, present, and future! <3

8 Likes

I would have love to present as release manager but i am afraid that my schedule will not allow it for me at the time of the release. I dont want to take risk about it, hopefully one time it will align!

5 Likes

I’d also like to volunteer as a release editor, but I’m afraid this cycle the timing won’t work out with my work+school schedule. Maybe next cycle ;). Will undoubtedly be very active for ZHF!

5 Likes

Note that people can be of tremendous help around a release even without being in any of these “named roles”. (e.g. with ZHF)

13 Likes

I had been waiting for a good time to step up and would love to manage a NixOS release. Apart from a short work trip in the first proper week of October (around feature freeze I presume) I will be available for the remainder of the release period.

12 Likes

I would love to help out with both the Manager and Editor roles. However I don’t think it’s quite appropriate for me take such a position (especially the Manager role) since I have no prior contribution history in nixpkgs or Nix. Maybe in the 27.05 cycle?

As noted in the original post, you need to be a committer to become a release manager, which requires a longer track record of contributing to nixpkgs and reviewing nixpkgs pull requests. The best day to start that journey is today! :slight_smile:

6 Likes

I’d be open to Editor role and/or as a backup Manager. I’m in MST in the US.

I’m also willing to step up for either of these roles if needed (my timezone is PST)

1 Like