Streamlining Releases Add Common Workflow Steps And Consolidate Scripts

Hey guys! Today, we're diving deep into streamlining our release process. Specifically, we're going to chat about adding common workflow steps and consolidating release scripts within the TangibleInc Pipeline module. This is a game-changer for making our lives easier and our releases smoother. Let's break it down!

The Need for Common Workflow Steps

In the realm of software development, especially when dealing with libraries and plugins, having a set of consistent and reliable workflows is paramount. Think about it: how many times have you found yourself repeating the same steps across different projects? We're talking about things like Git authentication for private repositories, installing PHP dependencies with Composer, publishing NPM packages, or even deploying plugins to official directories like the WordPress directory. These are all common tasks that, if not standardized, can lead to inconsistencies, errors, and a whole lot of wasted time.

So, why is standardizing these workflows so crucial? Well, for starters, it reduces the cognitive load on developers. Instead of having to remember the specific steps for each project, you have a unified process that you can rely on. This not only speeds up the release cycle but also minimizes the risk of human error. Imagine the peace of mind knowing that the deployment process is the same whether you're working on a small plugin or a large library. This is what adding common workflow steps to the Pipeline module can achieve.

Moreover, standardization enhances collaboration within the team. When everyone is following the same process, it becomes much easier to onboard new members, troubleshoot issues, and maintain the codebase. No more deciphering cryptic scripts or figuring out custom deployment procedures. With common workflows, the process is transparent and accessible to everyone. This also makes it easier to automate certain tasks, further streamlining the release pipeline. For example, setting up automated tests or code analysis tools becomes a breeze when the underlying workflow is consistent.

Consolidating Release Scripts: A Game Changer

Now, let's talk about release scripts. Traditionally, release scripts are often scattered across different projects, each with its own quirks and dependencies. This can quickly become a maintenance nightmare, especially as the number of projects grows. Consolidating these scripts into a central location, like the Pipeline module, offers a ton of advantages.

First and foremost, consolidation simplifies maintenance. Instead of updating multiple scripts across different repositories, you only need to modify one. This reduces the risk of introducing inconsistencies and makes it easier to keep the release process up-to-date with the latest requirements. Think of it as having a single source of truth for all your release-related tasks. This not only saves time but also ensures that your releases are consistent and reliable.

Secondly, it promotes code reuse. By consolidating release scripts, you can create modular components that can be shared across different projects. This eliminates the need to reinvent the wheel every time you start a new project and encourages a more DRY (Don't Repeat Yourself) approach to development. Imagine having a library of reusable release steps that you can mix and match to fit the specific needs of each project. This is the power of consolidation.

Finally, consolidating release scripts facilitates automation. With a centralized script repository, it becomes much easier to integrate the release process with other tools and systems. For example, you can set up automated builds, testing, and deployment pipelines that are triggered whenever changes are made to the codebase. This level of automation not only speeds up the release cycle but also reduces the risk of human error. It's like having a well-oiled machine that takes care of all the tedious tasks, freeing up developers to focus on what they do best: writing code.

Leveraging GitHub Actions and the gh CLI

To make all of this a reality, we're going to lean heavily on GitHub Actions and the gh CLI (GitHub CLI). GitHub Actions provides a powerful platform for automating our workflows, while the gh CLI gives us a convenient way to interact with GitHub from the command line. Together, these tools will allow us to create a streamlined and automated release pipeline.

The gh CLI, in particular, is a fantastic tool for running workflows. With the gh workflow run command, we can trigger workflows directly from our release scripts. This means that we can dynamically run specific workflows based on the project's setup. For example, if a composer.json file exists and has a require property, we can run a workflow to install and run Composer. This level of flexibility is crucial for accommodating the diverse needs of our projects.

Imagine a scenario where a plugin only needs a minimal workflow file to kick things off. This file would essentially install and run the pipeline, which would then take care of the rest. The GitHub Action steps, shell commands, and any necessary workarounds would all be consolidated within the build pipeline. This would greatly simplify the release process for individual projects, making it easier for developers to focus on the code itself rather than the deployment intricacies.

A Minimal Workflow Example

To illustrate this concept, let's take a look at an example of a minimal workflow file:

name: Release
permissions:
 contents: write
on: push
jobs:
 build:
 runs-on: ubuntu-latest
 steps:
 - name: Checkout
 uses: actions/checkout@v4
 with:
 fetch-depth: 0
 - name: Setup Bun
 uses: oven-sh/setup-bun@v2
 - name: Install pipeline
 run: mkdir -p publish && cd publish && git clone https://github.com/tangibleinc/pipeline
 - name: Run release script
 run: bun run publish/pipeline/release.ts

This workflow file is incredibly concise, yet it packs a punch. It checks out the code, sets up Bun (a JavaScript runtime), installs the pipeline, and runs the release script. The beauty of this approach is that the majority of the release logic is encapsulated within the release.ts script, which is part of the Pipeline module. This means that individual projects don't need to worry about the nitty-gritty details of the release process; they simply trigger the pipeline and let it do its thing.

Modular Actions for Selective Use

Of course, not every project will need every feature of the Pipeline module. That's why it's crucial that these common actions are modular, allowing projects to selectively use the features they need. Think of it as a buffet of release-related tools: you can pick and choose the ones that best suit your appetite.

For example, one project might need to publish an NPM package, while another might need to deploy a built plugin to an update server. By making the actions modular, we can accommodate these different requirements without cluttering the release process with unnecessary steps. This flexibility is key to ensuring that the Pipeline module remains a valuable tool for all our projects.

Local Development and Testing with Act

Now, you might be wondering how to develop and test these workflow steps locally. After all, running them in a production environment can be risky, especially when you're still ironing out the kinks. That's where Act comes in.

Act is a fantastic tool that allows you to run your GitHub Actions locally. This means that you can test your workflows in a safe and isolated environment, without having to worry about breaking anything in production. Act simulates the GitHub Actions environment, allowing you to run your workflows exactly as they would run on GitHub.

This is incredibly useful for developing and debugging workflow steps. You can make changes, run Act, and see the results immediately. This iterative process makes it much easier to identify and fix issues before they make their way into production. Plus, it gives you the peace of mind knowing that your workflows are thoroughly tested before they're deployed.

Related Discussions and Further Exploration

This discussion is closely related to other efforts to improve our release process. For example, there's an ongoing discussion about streamlining the release process for WordPress plugins (#12). By consolidating our workflow steps and release scripts, we can make it easier to publish and maintain WordPress plugins, as well as other types of projects.

I encourage you guys to dive deeper into this topic and explore the various tools and techniques we've discussed. By working together, we can create a release pipeline that is both efficient and reliable. Let's make our releases smoother and our lives easier!

In Conclusion

Adding common workflow steps and consolidating release scripts within the Pipeline module is a significant step towards streamlining our release process. By leveraging GitHub Actions, the gh CLI, and tools like Act, we can create a robust and automated pipeline that reduces errors, saves time, and makes our lives as developers a whole lot easier. Let's embrace these changes and work together to build a better release process for all our projects! Cheers to smoother releases ahead, guys!