Solana uses a channel-oriented, date-based branching process described [here](https://github.com/solana-labs/solana/blob/master/rfcs/rfc-005-branches-tags-and-channels.md).
## Release Steps
### Changing channels
When cutting a new channel branch these pre-steps are required:
2. Create the branch. The name should be "v" + the first 2 "version" fields from Cargo.toml. For example, a Cargo.toml with version = "0.9.0" implies the next branch name is "v0.9".
3. If the first major release on the branch (e.g. v0.8.0), paste in [this template](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/solana-labs/solana/master/.github/RELEASE_TEMPLATE.md) and fill it in.
1. [Crates.io](https://crates.io/crates/solana) should have an updated Solana version.
2. ...
6. After testnet deployment, verify that testnets are running correct software. http://metrics.solana.com should show testnet running on a hash from your newly created branch.
7. Once the release has been made, update Cargo.toml on release to the next semantic version (e.g. 0.9.0 -> 0.9.1) by running `./scripts/increment-cargo-version.sh patch`.