chore: optimize Git workflow and CI/CD for Headlamp plugin releases
Implements comprehensive workflow redesign addressing:
- Non-deterministic builds → Fixed with consistent Node version and npm ci
- Manual checksum management → Automated in publish workflow
- Multiple artifact locations → Single source of truth (GitHub releases)
- Individual file releases → Single tarball artifact
- Artifact Hub mismatches → No rebuild risk, use released tarball
Key improvements:
- CI workflow: faster builds with npm cache, artifact verification
- Publish workflow: deterministic builds, automatic checksum calculation,
auto-commit of metadata updates, single tarball release
- Branch protection: require PR review and passing CI before merge
- Release process: simplified from manual to 5-minute automated workflow
Documentation:
- GIT_WORKFLOW.md: branching strategy, commit conventions, release process
- RELEASE_GUIDE.md: detailed step-by-step release instructions
- RELEASE_QUICK_REFERENCE.md: copy-paste commands for quick releases
- CI_CD_DESIGN.md: technical architecture and design decisions
- GITHUB_SETUP_CHECKLIST.md: repository configuration guide
- WORKFLOW_OPTIMIZATION_SUMMARY.md: executive summary of changes
Co-Authored-By: Claude Sonnet 4.5 <noreply@anthropic.com>
Chris Farhood
78f5074818