VS Code MCP Library: Release Readiness & Verification

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Finalizing VS Code MCP Library Release: Checklist & Guide

Hey everyone! We're on the cusp of releasing a bunch of cool new packages for the VS Code MCP library, and it's time to make sure everything's shipshape. This article is your go-to guide for ensuring a smooth release, covering everything from package metadata to end-to-end testing. Let's dive in and get this release over the finish line, shall we?

The Big Picture: What We've Achieved

First off, huge shoutout to the team! We've just merged a major integration that sorts out some tricky issues. We've got fixes for ESM module resolution (no more import headaches!), TypeScript build ordering (so things compile in the right sequence), renderer type issues (making sure everything looks and works as it should), and even CLI/atlas import paths. All local tests are passing with flying colors – green across the board! The next step is a rigorous release-readiness check to ensure that we can publish these packages cleanly and efficiently. We want to make sure consumers, like those within the VS Code MCP ecosystem, can seamlessly use our new modules.

So, why are we doing all this? Well, the goal is straightforward: to make sure all the package.json metadata, exports, types, and bin entries are perfectly accurate for each package we plan to publish. We're talking about packages like @lex/aliases, @lex/policy, @lex/cli, @lex/renderer, and @lex/types. We also need to confirm that our CI and release processes are set up correctly, so packages are published with the right entry points and types. This means that when other projects use our packages, they can easily import them via their public subpaths. It’s all about making life easier for our users, keeping things organized, and ensuring a stable and reliable release. We want to create a smooth experience for everyone involved, from our development team to the end-users of our packages.

This release is crucial because it sets the foundation for future development and integrations. By ensuring everything is correct now, we prevent a cascade of issues down the line. It's like building a house – a strong foundation is essential for everything that comes after. Making sure the right metadata is set up guarantees that consumers can find, understand, and use our packages as intended. This will also help with package discoverability and avoid potential conflicts with other modules. Correctly configuring the exports field is a key component to directing how the package can be used, and defining types lets developers know what methods are available and how to use them. It's all about providing a seamless and user-friendly experience for everyone involved.

The Must-Haves: Acceptance Criteria

Alright, let's get down to brass tacks. What exactly are we looking for to call this release a success? Here's the checklist that will ensure everything is up to snuff. These points are critical for a smooth launch, and are the minimum requirements. Everything here must be validated before we give the all-clear.

  • Package.json Perfection: Each package that's going out to the world needs to have its package.json file completely dialed in. This means: make sure the "name", "version", "license", "repository", "main", "module", "types", and "exports" entries are correct. The "bin" entries (for CLIs) need to be there, and they need to work! The "files" array must include all the compiled distribution and type files.

  • CI Success: The root workspace build (using npm run build) and npm test must run without any hiccups within our Continuous Integration (CI) environment. This ensures that the build process is stable and that tests pass every time, so you know everything's working as expected.

  • Release Plan: We need a solid release plan. This means we'll need to know the order of releases, how we’re tagging everything, the changelog, and who's responsible for publishing. This ensures everyone is on the same page.

  • Documentation: A well-defined release checklist that has been documented in this issue and assigned to a maintainer. Having all this written out is going to keep everything organized and ensure that everything can be repeated and improved in the future.

By nailing these points, we ensure that our packages are well-defined, easily importable, and reliable for consumers. Proper metadata helps with discoverability, correct entry points and types guarantee usability, and a robust CI process ensures ongoing stability. This is the recipe for a successful and maintainable release.

Step-by-Step: The Suggested Tasks

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the tasks, guys. Each step is critical to the release's success. This is a chance to provide detailed steps to make sure everything goes right. By following these steps we can ensure that the release is well-organized, accurate, and easy to use.

  1. Package.json Validation: First things first, we'll thoroughly check the package.json file for each package. This is the heart of each package, and we must check these:
    • @lex/aliases: Focus on the exports and types fields.
    • @lex/policy: Check the exports field, particularly the ./loader entry, and the types.
    • @lex/cli: Ensure the bin and exports point to the correct compiled distribution files and include the type definitions.
    • @lex/renderer: Verify the module, name, and exports entries for our consumers' needs.
    • @lex/types: Consolidate any types that our consumers might require.
  2. Files Array: Make sure that each package has the correct "files" array in its package.json. This is how we control what gets published. Make sure you avoid accidentally publishing the source files or nested directories. Be thorough here.
  3. Local Dry-Run Publish: Let’s do a local npm pack for each package. This creates a tarball of what will be published. Inspect the contents of the tarball to ensure it has all the right files and nothing it shouldn’t. This is your chance to catch any issues before they go live.
  4. CI Job: We must add or confirm that there’s a CI job that runs the build and tests on tagged commits. Only publish packages on verified tags. This ensures that only tested and approved code goes live.
  5. Changelog/Release Notes: Create a changelog or release notes for all the changes from the merge. This needs to clearly communicate how this affects consumers. This helps users understand the changes and how to upgrade.
  6. License and Repository: Confirm the license and repository metadata for all packages. This keeps everything transparent and compliant.
  7. End-to-End Consumer Smoke Test: This is key, guys. Create a temporary consumer project and install the local package tarballs. Then, import some of the key subpaths (like import { resolve } from '@lex/aliases/resolver') and then run the consumer tests or build process. This verifies runtime resolution in Node ESM.
  8. (Optional) Tag and Publish: After all the checks have passed, tag the releases and publish packages to the registry. This is the final step, and it should be smooth if all the previous steps are completed.

Commands to Verify Locally

To make sure everything's working locally, here are some commands you can use. Run these to help verify everything is working before submitting it to CI. These commands provide a hands-on way to make sure everything's working properly, allowing you to catch any potential problems before they hit production.

  • npm run build: Run this command to build all the packages in the workspace.
  • npm test: Runs all the tests for all of the packages.
  • cd packages/<pkg> && npm pack && tar -tf <generated-tarball>: Go into the directory of a specific package, run npm pack (this generates a tarball), and then inspect what files will be published using tar -tf.
  • Create a temp project and install the tarballs to verify runtime imports.

Labels and Assignment

We recommend using some specific labels to keep things organized. This helps with tracking, searching, and managing the release process.

  • release: This lets people know this is related to a release.
  • follow-up: For any tasks that need to be completed after the release.
  • release-ready: Tasks that are ready to be released.
  • blocking: Tasks that block the release process.

This will be assigned to the GitHub Copilot coding agent.

Final Notes

I recommend that we run the npm pack and consumer smoke tests for at least @lex/aliases, @lex/policy, and @lex/cli before publishing to npm. If you want, the Copilot coding agent can help with automated verification steps (like npm pack, inspecting the contents, and creating a temporary consumer project) after being assigned. We’re almost there, and with a bit of teamwork, we’ll have these packages published in no time! Let's get to work and make this release a success. Good luck, everyone!