# ADR 0001: Adopt ReleaseKit for release management

## Status

Accepted.

## Date

2026-10-07

## Context

Audita maintains custom release scripts, build tooling, delivery configuration,
and tests for mechanics shared across applications in the same suite.
[ReleaseKit](https://gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/ReleaseKit) provides a common implementation and standard workflow for
those responsibilities.

## Decision

Adopt ReleaseKit for shared release validation, source publication, binary
builds, version information, and hosted delivery. Audita will follow its standard
workflow and supply product identity, delivery targets, release notes, and
necessary product-specific checks.

Better maintainability and less locally owned release-focused code outweigh any
small advantage from retaining Audita's custom release procedure. Changes to
that procedure are an accepted consequence of standardization.

## Alternatives considered

Retaining the custom procedure would preserve its exact behavior and local
control. It would also retain responsibility for duplicated mechanics, tests,
and maintenance across projects. The shared implementation offers greater
long-term value.

## Consequences

Audita's release integration becomes smaller, with common mechanics and their
tests maintained upstream. Audita benefits from shared fixes and takes on
ReleaseKit dependency maintenance.

Adoption requires updates to release tooling, CI wiring, documentation, and
runtime version reporting. The [release policy](../policy/release.md) continues
to govern compatibility and release completion; the
[release procedure](../release.md) will describe the adopted workflow.