Whether you’re distributing compiled binaries, executables, or any other release artifacts, GitHub provides two convenient methods to create releases and share your builds. In this guide, we’ll explore both the manual UI approach and automated workflows for creating GitHub releases.

Method 1: Using GitHub’s Web Interface

The simplest way to create a release is directly through GitHub’s user interface. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

  1. Navigate to Releases

    • Go to your repository
    • Click on “Releases” in the right sidebar
    • If you don’t see it, you can also access it via “Tags” → “Releases”

  2. Create the Release

    • Click the “Create a new release” button
    • If you have no releases yet, look for “Draft a new release”

  3. Configure Release Details

    • Tag: Either choose an existing tag or create a new one (e.g., v1.0.0)
    • Release title: Give your release a descriptive name
    • Description: Add release notes, changelog, or any relevant documentation

  4. Upload Binary Artifacts

    • Look for the “Attach binaries” section
    • Either drag and drop your files directly onto this area
    • Or use the “Choose files” button to select them from your computer

  5. Set Release Type

    • Regular release: For stable versions
    • Pre-release: For beta or testing versions
    • Draft: To save without publishing

  6. Publish

    • Click “Publish release” to make it public
    • Or “Save draft” to continue editing later

Method 2: Automated Releases with GitHub Actions

For more consistent and automated releases, you can use GitHub Actions. This is particularly useful when you have:

  • Multiple binary artifacts
  • Cross-platform builds
  • Regular release cycles

Here’s how to set it up:

  1. Create Workflow File

    • Create a .github/workflows directory in your repository
    • Add a file named release.yml

  2. Configure the Workflow

    name: Release Binaries
on:
  push:
    tags:
      - 'v*'

  3. Define Build and Release Steps

    • Set up your build environment
    • Compile binaries for different platforms
    • Upload artifacts to the release

  4. Trigger Release

    git tag v1.0.0
git push origin v1.0.0

Best Practices

  1. Versioning

    • Use semantic versioning (e.g., v1.0.0)
    • Be consistent with your version numbering
    • Include build numbers if needed

  2. Documentation

    • Always include release notes
    • Document breaking changes
    • List new features and bug fixes
    • Add installation instructions

  3. Binary Organization

    • Use clear naming conventions
    • Include architecture information in filenames
    • Consider adding checksums for verification

  4. Post-Release

    • Test download links
    • Verify binary artifacts
    • Update documentation references
    • Announce the release in relevant channels

Managing Existing Releases

You can also manage releases after publication:

  1. Editing Releases

    • Navigate to the release page
    • Click “Edit release”
    • Modify description, title, or binary artifacts
    • Save changes

  2. Deleting Releases

    • Use with caution
    • Can remove individual artifacts
    • Or delete entire releases

Conclusion

GitHub Releases provide a robust platform for distributing your binary artifacts. Whether you choose the manual UI approach or automated workflows, following these guidelines will help you create professional and well-organized releases for your users.

Remember that releases serve as important historical markers for your project, so take time to document them properly and ensure all artifacts are properly tested before publishing.

Last updated: November 2024
Feel free to share and adapt this guide with attribution.