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+# MSAL Python — Release Guide
+
+This document provides step-by-step instructions for releasing a new version of `msal` to PyPI.
+
+---
+
+## Prerequisites
+
+- You have push access to the [AzureAD/microsoft-authentication-library-for-python](https://github.com/AzureAD/microsoft-authentication-library-for-python) repository.
+- The following GitHub repository secrets are configured:
+  - `TEST_PYPI_API_TOKEN` — API token for [TestPyPI](https://test.pypi.org/)
+  - `PYPI_API_TOKEN` — API token for [PyPI](https://pypi.org/)
+
+---
+
+## Version Location
+
+The package version is defined in a single file:
+
+```
+msal/sku.py  →  __version__ = "x.y.z"
+```
+
+`setup.cfg` reads it dynamically via `version = attr: msal.__version__`, so **no other file needs updating**.
+
+---
+
+## Branch Strategy
+
+```
+dev  (all development happens here)
+ │
+ │── feature/fix PR → merged into dev
+ │
+ ├──► release-1.35.0  (version branch, cut from dev when ready)
+ │       │
+ │       ├── TestPyPI publish (automatic on push)
+ │       │
+ │       ├── bug found? fix on dev, merge dev → release-1.35.0
+ │       │       │
+ │       │       └── TestPyPI re-publish (automatic)
+ │       │
+ │       ├── tag 1.35.0 (via GitHub Release) → PyPI publish
+ │       │
+ │       │   ── post-release hotfix needed? ──
+ │       │
+ │       ├── fix on dev, merge dev → release-1.35.0
+ │       │       │
+ │       │       ├── bump sku.py to 1.35.1
+ │       │       │
+ │       │       ├── TestPyPI re-publish (automatic)
+ │       │       │
+ │       │       └── tag 1.35.1 (via GitHub Release) → PyPI publish
+ │       │
+ │       └── (repeat for further patches: 1.35.2, 1.35.3, ...)
+ │
+ ├──► release-1.36.0  (next minor version, cut from dev)
+ │       │
+ │       ├── TestPyPI publish
+ │       │
+ │       ├── tag 1.36.0 → PyPI publish
+ │       │
+ │       └── patches: merge dev → bump → tag 1.36.1, 1.36.2, ...
+ ...
+```
+
+- **`dev`** — All feature work, bug fixes, and PRs land here.
+- **`release-x.y.z`** — Version branch cut from `dev` when ready to release. Used for final validation and TestPyPI testing.
+- **Tags** — Created from the version branch via GitHub Releases to trigger production PyPI publish.
+
+---
+
+## Step-by-Step Release Process
+
+### 1. Complete All Work on `dev`
+
+- All features, fixes, and version bumps should be merged into `dev` via PRs.
+- Ensure CI passes on `dev`.
+- Update the version in `msal/sku.py` before cutting the release branch:
+  ```python
+  __version__ = "1.35.0"
+  ```
+
+### 2. Create a Version Branch from `dev`
+
+```bash
+git checkout dev
+git pull origin dev
+git checkout -b release-1.35.0
+git push origin release-1.35.0
+```
+
+This push triggers the CD pipeline:
+- CI runs tests (must pass).
+- CD publishes to **TestPyPI** automatically.
+- Verify at: https://test.pypi.org/project/msal/
+
+### 3. Apply Patches (If Needed)
+
+If bugs are found during validation:
+
+1. Fix the bug on `dev` first (via a PR to `dev`).
+2. Merge `dev` into the version branch:
+   ```bash
+   git checkout release-1.35.0
+   git merge dev
+   git push origin release-1.35.0
+   ```
+3. This triggers another TestPyPI publish. Bump the version to `1.35.1` if the previous version was already published.
+
+### 4. Create a GitHub Release (Production Publish)
+
+Once the version branch is validated:
+
+1. Go to **GitHub → Releases → Create a new release**.
+2. Click **"Choose a tag"** and type the version (e.g., `1.35.0`) — select **"Create new tag on publish"**.
+3. Set **Target** to the `release-1.35.0` branch.
+4. Set **Release title** to `1.35.0`.
+5. Add release notes (changelog, breaking changes, etc.).
+6. Click **"Publish release"**.
+
+This creates a tag, which triggers the CD pipeline to publish to **PyPI**.
+
+Verify at: https://pypi.org/project/msal/
+
+### 5. Post-Release
+
+- Verify installation: `pip install msal==1.35.0`
+- If the version on `dev` hasn't been bumped yet, open a PR to bump `msal/sku.py` to the next dev version (e.g., `1.36.0`).
+
+---
+
+## Hotfix Releases
+
+For urgent fixes on an already-released version:
+
+1. Fix the issue on `dev` (via PR).
+2. Merge `dev` into the existing `release-x.y.z` branch.
+3. Update `msal/sku.py` to the patch version (e.g., `1.35.0` → `1.35.1`).
+4. Push the version branch (triggers TestPyPI).
+5. Create a GitHub Release with tag `1.35.1` targeting `release-1.35.0`.
+
+---
+
+## How the CI/CD Pipeline Works
+
+| Job | Trigger | Purpose |
+|-----|---------|---------|
+| **ci** | Every push and labeled PR to `dev` | Runs tests on Python 3.8–3.14 |
+| **cb** | After CI passes | Runs benchmarks |
+| **cd** | Push to `release-*` branch or tag | Builds and publishes the package |
+
+| Trigger | Target |
+|---------|--------|
+| Push to `release-*` branch | **TestPyPI** |
+| Tag (created via GitHub Release) | **PyPI** (production) |
+
+---
+
+## Quick Reference
+
+```bash
+# 1. Ensure dev is ready, version bumped in msal/sku.py
+# 2. Cut version branch
+git checkout dev && git pull
+git checkout -b release-1.35.0
+git push origin release-1.35.0
+# → TestPyPI publish happens automatically
+
+# 3. If patches needed: fix on dev, then merge into release branch
+git checkout release-1.35.0
+git merge dev
+git push origin release-1.35.0
+
+# 4. Production release: create a GitHub Release
+#    → GitHub.com → Releases → New release
+#    → Tag: 1.35.0, Target: release-1.35.0
+#    → PyPI publish happens automatically
+```