docs: Update the release instructions

This commit makes changes to the release instructions, prefering bash exemples when that's possible. As a result, the QA.md and RELEASE.md files have been separated and a new `generate-release-tasks.py` script is making its apparition.
2025-04-28 09:52:37 +02:00 · 2024-11-07 15:53:42 +01:00 · 2024-11-07 15:53:42 +01:00 · 60df4f7e35
commit 60df4f7e35
parent 9fa3c80404
4 changed files with 417 additions and 268 deletions
--- a/QA.md
+++ b/QA.md
@ -0,0 +1,197 @@
+## QA
+
+To ensure that new releases do not introduce regressions, and support existing
+and newer platforms, we have to test that the produced packages work as expected.
+
+Check the following:
+
+- [ ] Make sure that the tip of the `main` branch passes the CI tests.
+- [ ] Make sure that the Apple account has a valid application password and has
+      agreed to the latest Apple terms (see [macOS release](#macos-release)
+      section).
+
+Because it is repetitive, we wrote a script to help with the QA.
+It can run the tasks for you, pausing when it needs manual intervention.
+
+You can run it with a command like:
+
+```bash
+poetry run ./dev_scripts/qa.py {distro}-{version}
+```
+
+### The checklist
+
+- [ ] Create a test build in Windows and make sure it works:
+  - [ ] Check if the suggested Python version is still supported.
+  - [ ] Create a new development environment with Poetry.
+  - [ ] Build the container image and ensure the development environment uses
+    the new image.
+  - [ ] Download the OCR language data using `./install/common/download-tessdata.py`
+  - [ ] Run the Dangerzone tests.
+  - [ ] Build and run the Dangerzone .exe
+  - [ ] Test some QA scenarios (see [Scenarios](#Scenarios) below).
+- [ ] Create a test build in macOS (Intel CPU) and make sure it works:
+  - [ ] Check if the suggested Python version is still supported.
+  - [ ] Create a new development environment with Poetry.
+  - [ ] Build the container image and ensure the development environment uses
+    the new image.
+  - [ ] Download the OCR language data using `./install/common/download-tessdata.py`
+  - [ ] Run the Dangerzone tests.
+  - [ ] Create and run an app bundle.
+  - [ ] Test some QA scenarios (see [Scenarios](#Scenarios) below).
+- [ ] Create a test build in macOS (M1/2 CPU) and make sure it works:
+  - [ ] Check if the suggested Python version is still supported.
+  - [ ] Create a new development environment with Poetry.
+  - [ ] Build the container image and ensure the development environment uses
+    the new image.
+  - [ ] Download the OCR language data using `./install/common/download-tessdata.py`
+  - [ ] Run the Dangerzone tests.
+  - [ ] Create and run an app bundle.
+  - [ ] Test some QA scenarios (see [Scenarios](#Scenarios) below).
+- [ ] Create a test build in the most recent Ubuntu LTS platform (Ubuntu 24.04
+  as of writing this) and make sure it works:
+  - [ ] Create a new development environment with Poetry.
+  - [ ] Build the container image and ensure the development environment uses
+    the new image.
+  - [ ] Download the OCR language data using `./install/common/download-tessdata.py`
+  - [ ] Run the Dangerzone tests.
+  - [ ] Create a .deb package and install it system-wide.
+  - [ ] Test some QA scenarios (see [Scenarios](#Scenarios) below).
+- [ ] Create a test build in the most recent Fedora platform (Fedora 41 as of
+  writing this) and make sure it works:
+  - [ ] Create a new development environment with Poetry.
+  - [ ] Build the container image and ensure the development environment uses
+    the new image.
+  - [ ] Download the OCR language data using `./install/common/download-tessdata.py`
+  - [ ] Run the Dangerzone tests.
+  - [ ] Create an .rpm package and install it system-wide.
+  - [ ] Test some QA scenarios (see [Scenarios](#Scenarios) below).
+- [ ] Create a test build in the most recent Qubes Fedora template (Fedora 40 as
+  of writing this) and make sure it works:
+  - [ ] Create a new development environment with Poetry.
+  - [ ] Run the Dangerzone tests.
+  - [ ] Create a Qubes .rpm package and install it system-wide.
+  - [ ] Ensure that the Dangerzone application appears in the "Applications"
+    tab.
+  - [ ] Test some QA scenarios (see [Scenarios](#Scenarios) below) and make sure
+    they spawn disposable qubes.
+
+### Scenarios
+
+#### 1. Dangerzone correctly identifies that Docker/Podman is not installed
+
+_(Only for MacOS / Windows)_
+
+Temporarily hide the Docker/Podman binaries, e.g., rename the `docker` /
+`podman` binaries to something else. Then run Dangerzone. Dangerzone should
+prompt the user to install Docker/Podman.
+
+#### 2. Dangerzone correctly identifies that Docker is not running
+
+_(Only for MacOS / Windows)_
+
+Stop the Docker Desktop application. Then run Dangerzone. Dangerzone should
+prompt the user to start Docker Desktop.
+
+
+#### 3. Updating Dangerzone handles external state correctly.
+
+_(Applies to Windows/MacOS)_
+
+Install the previous version of Dangerzone, downloaded from the website.
+
+Open the Dangerzone application and enable some non-default settings.
+**If there are new settings, make sure to change those as well**.
+
+Close the Dangerzone application and get the container image for that
+version. For example:
+
+```
+$ docker images dangerzone.rocks/dangerzone:latest
+REPOSITORY                   TAG         IMAGE ID      CREATED       SIZE
+dangerzone.rocks/dangerzone  latest      <image ID>    <date>        <size>
+```
+
+Then run the version under QA and ensure that the settings remain changed.
+
+Afterwards check that new docker image was installed by running the same command
+and seeing the following differences:
+
+```
+$ docker images dangerzone.rocks/dangerzone:latest
+REPOSITORY                   TAG         IMAGE ID        CREATED       SIZE
+dangerzone.rocks/dangerzone  latest      <different ID>  <newer date>  <different size>
+```
+
+#### 4. Dangerzone successfully installs the container image
+
+_(Only for Linux)_
+
+Remove the Dangerzone container image from Docker/Podman. Then run Dangerzone.
+Dangerzone should install the container image successfully.
+
+#### 5. Dangerzone retains the settings of previous runs
+
+Run Dangerzone and make some changes in the settings (e.g., change the OCR
+language, toggle whether to open the document after conversion, etc.). Restart
+Dangerzone. Dangerzone should show the settings that the user chose.
+
+#### 6. Dangerzone reports failed conversions
+
+Run Dangerzone and convert the `tests/test_docs/sample_bad_pdf.pdf` document.
+Dangerzone should fail gracefully, by reporting that the operation failed, and
+showing the following error message:
+
+> The document format is not supported
+
+#### 7. Dangerzone succeeds in converting multiple documents
+
+Run Dangerzone against a list of documents, and tick all options. Ensure that:
+* Conversions take place sequentially.
+* Attempting to close the window while converting asks the user if they want to
+  abort the conversions.
+* Conversions are completed successfully.
+* Conversions show individual progress in real-time (double-check for Qubes).
+* _(Only for Linux)_ The resulting files open with the PDF viewer of our choice.
+* OCR seems to have detected characters in the PDF files.
+* The resulting files have been saved with the proper suffix, in the proper
+  location.
+* The original files have been saved in the `unsafe/` directory.
+
+#### 8. Dangerzone is able to handle drag-n-drop
+
+Run Dangerzone against a set of documents that you drag-n-drop. Files should be
+added and conversion should run without issue.
+
+> [!TIP]
+> On our end-user container environments for Linux, we can start a file manager
+> with `thunar &`.
+
+#### 9. Dangerzone CLI succeeds in converting multiple documents
+
+_(Only for Windows and Linux)_
+
+Run Dangerzone CLI against a list of documents. Ensure that conversions happen
+sequentially, are completed successfully, and we see their progress.
+
+#### 10. Dangerzone can open a document for conversion via right-click -> "Open With"
+
+_(Only for Windows, MacOS and Qubes)_
+
+Go to a directory with office documents, right-click on one, and click on "Open
+With". We should be able to open the file with Dangerzone, and then convert it.
+
+#### 11. Dangerzone shows helpful errors for setup issues on Qubes
+
+_(Only for Qubes)_
+
+Check what errors does Dangerzone throw in the following scenarios. The errors
+should point the user to the Qubes notifications in the top-right corner:
+
+1. The `dz-dvm` template does not exist. We can trigger this scenario by
+   temporarily renaming this template.
+2. The Dangerzone RPC policy does not exist. We can trigger this scenario by
+   temporarily renaming the `dz.Convert` policy.
+3. The `dz-dvm` disposable Qube cannot start due to insufficient resources. We
+   can trigger this scenario by temporarily increasing the minimum required RAM
+   of the `dz-dvm` template to more than the available amount.
--- a/RELEASE.md
+++ b/RELEASE.md
@ -1,12 +1,13 @@
 # Release instructions

-This section documents the release process. Unless you're a dangerzone developer making a release, you'll probably never need to follow it.
+This section documents how we currently release Dangerzone for the different distributions we support.

 ## Pre-release

-Before making a release, all of these should be complete:
+Here is a list of tasks that should be done before issuing the release:

- [ ] Copy the checkboxes from these instructions onto a new issue and call it **QA and Release version \<VERSION\>**
+- [ ] Create a new issue named **QA and Release for version \<VERSION\>**, to track the general progress.
+      You can generate its content with the the `poetry run ./dev_scripts/generate-release-tasks.py` command.
 - [ ] [Add new Linux platforms and remove obsolete ones](https://github.com/freedomofpress/dangerzone/blob/main/RELEASE.md#add-new-platforms-and-remove-obsolete-ones)
 - [ ] Bump the Python dependencies using `poetry lock`
 - [ ] Update `version` in `pyproject.toml`
@ -15,6 +16,8 @@ Before making a release, all of these should be complete:
 - [ ] Bump the Debian version by adding a new changelog entry in `debian/changelog`
 - [ ] Update screenshot in `README.md`, if necessary
 - [ ] CHANGELOG.md should be updated to include a list of all major changes since the last release
+- [ ] A draft release should be created. Copy the release notes text from the template at [`docs/templates/release-notes`](https://github.com/freedomofpress/dangerzone/tree/main/docs/templates/)
+- [ ] Do the QA tasks

 ## Add new Linux platforms and remove obsolete ones

@ -37,7 +40,7 @@ In case of a new version (beta, RC, or official release):
   `BUILD.md` files where necessary.
 4. Send a PR with the above changes.

-In case of an EOL version:
+In case of the removal of a version:

 1. Remove any mention to this version from our repo.
   * Consult the previous paragraph, but also `grep` your way around.
@ -51,197 +54,13 @@ Follow the instructions in `docs/developer/TESTING.md` to run the tests.

 These tests will identify any regressions or progression in terms of document coverage.

-## QA
-
-To ensure that new releases do not introduce regressions, and support existing
-and newer platforms, we have to do the following:
-
- [ ] Make sure that the tip of the `main` branch passes the CI tests.
- [ ] Make sure that the Apple account has a valid application password and has
-      agreed to the latest Apple terms (see [macOS release](#macos-release)
-      section).
- [ ] Create a test build in Windows and make sure it works:
-  - [ ] Check if the suggested Python version is still supported.
-  - [ ] Create a new development environment with Poetry.
-  - [ ] Build the container image and ensure the development environment uses
-    the new image.
-  - [ ] Download the OCR language data using `./install/common/download-tessdata.py`
-  - [ ] Run the Dangerzone tests.
-  - [ ] Build and run the Dangerzone .exe
-  - [ ] Test some QA scenarios (see [Scenarios](#Scenarios) below).
- [ ] Create a test build in macOS (Intel CPU) and make sure it works:
-  - [ ] Check if the suggested Python version is still supported.
-  - [ ] Create a new development environment with Poetry.
-  - [ ] Build the container image and ensure the development environment uses
-    the new image.
-  - [ ] Download the OCR language data using `./install/common/download-tessdata.py`
-  - [ ] Run the Dangerzone tests.
-  - [ ] Create and run an app bundle.
-  - [ ] Test some QA scenarios (see [Scenarios](#Scenarios) below).
- [ ] Create a test build in macOS (M1/2 CPU) and make sure it works:
-  - [ ] Check if the suggested Python version is still supported.
-  - [ ] Create a new development environment with Poetry.
-  - [ ] Build the container image and ensure the development environment uses
-    the new image.
-  - [ ] Download the OCR language data using `./install/common/download-tessdata.py`
-  - [ ] Run the Dangerzone tests.
-  - [ ] Create and run an app bundle.
-  - [ ] Test some QA scenarios (see [Scenarios](#Scenarios) below).
- [ ] Create a test build in the most recent Ubuntu LTS platform (Ubuntu 24.04
-  as of writing this) and make sure it works:
-  - [ ] Create a new development environment with Poetry.
-  - [ ] Build the container image and ensure the development environment uses
-    the new image.
-  - [ ] Download the OCR language data using `./install/common/download-tessdata.py`
-  - [ ] Run the Dangerzone tests.
-  - [ ] Create a .deb package and install it system-wide.
-  - [ ] Test some QA scenarios (see [Scenarios](#Scenarios) below).
- [ ] Create a test build in the most recent Fedora platform (Fedora 41 as of
-  writing this) and make sure it works:
-  - [ ] Create a new development environment with Poetry.
-  - [ ] Build the container image and ensure the development environment uses
-    the new image.
-  - [ ] Download the OCR language data using `./install/common/download-tessdata.py`
-  - [ ] Run the Dangerzone tests.
-  - [ ] Create an .rpm package and install it system-wide.
-  - [ ] Test some QA scenarios (see [Scenarios](#Scenarios) below).
- [ ] Create a test build in the most recent Qubes Fedora template (Fedora 40 as
-  of writing this) and make sure it works:
-  - [ ] Create a new development environment with Poetry.
-  - [ ] Run the Dangerzone tests.
-  - [ ] Create a Qubes .rpm package and install it system-wide.
-  - [ ] Ensure that the Dangerzone application appears in the "Applications"
-    tab.
-  - [ ] Test some QA scenarios (see [Scenarios](#Scenarios) below) and make sure
-    they spawn disposable qubes.
-
-### Scenarios
-
-#### 1. Dangerzone correctly identifies that Docker/Podman is not installed
-
-_(Only for MacOS / Windows)_
-
-Temporarily hide the Docker/Podman binaries, e.g., rename the `docker` /
-`podman` binaries to something else. Then run Dangerzone. Dangerzone should
-prompt the user to install Docker/Podman.
-
-#### 2. Dangerzone correctly identifies that Docker is not running
-
-_(Only for MacOS / Windows)_
-
-Stop the Docker Desktop application. Then run Dangerzone. Dangerzone should
-prompt the user to start Docker Desktop.
-
-
-#### 3. Updating Dangerzone handles external state correctly.
-
-_(Applies to Windows/MacOS)_
-
-Install the previous version of Dangerzone, downloaded from the website.
-
-Open the Dangerzone application and enable some non-default settings.
-**If there are new settings, make sure to change those as well**.
-
-Close the Dangerzone application and get the container image for that
-version. For example:
-
-```
-$ docker images dangerzone.rocks/dangerzone:latest
-REPOSITORY                   TAG         IMAGE ID      CREATED       SIZE
-dangerzone.rocks/dangerzone  latest      <image ID>    <date>        <size>
-```
-
-Then run the version under QA and ensure that the settings remain changed.
-
-Afterwards check that new docker image was installed by running the same command
-and seeing the following differences:
-
-```
-$ docker images dangerzone.rocks/dangerzone:latest
-REPOSITORY                   TAG         IMAGE ID        CREATED       SIZE
-dangerzone.rocks/dangerzone  latest      <different ID>  <newer date>  <different size>
-```
-
-#### 4. Dangerzone successfully installs the container image
-
-_(Only for Linux)_
-
-Remove the Dangerzone container image from Docker/Podman. Then run Dangerzone.
-Dangerzone should install the container image successfully.
-
-#### 5. Dangerzone retains the settings of previous runs
-
-Run Dangerzone and make some changes in the settings (e.g., change the OCR
-language, toggle whether to open the document after conversion, etc.). Restart
-Dangerzone. Dangerzone should show the settings that the user chose.
-
-#### 6. Dangerzone reports failed conversions
-
-Run Dangerzone and convert the `tests/test_docs/sample_bad_pdf.pdf` document.
-Dangerzone should fail gracefully, by reporting that the operation failed, and
-showing the following error message:
-
-> The document format is not supported
-
-#### 7. Dangerzone succeeds in converting multiple documents
-
-Run Dangerzone against a list of documents, and tick all options. Ensure that:
-* Conversions take place sequentially.
-* Attempting to close the window while converting asks the user if they want to
-  abort the conversions.
-* Conversions are completed successfully.
-* Conversions show individual progress in real-time (double-check for Qubes).
-* _(Only for Linux)_ The resulting files open with the PDF viewer of our choice.
-* OCR seems to have detected characters in the PDF files.
-* The resulting files have been saved with the proper suffix, in the proper
-  location.
-* The original files have been saved in the `unsafe/` directory.
-
-#### 8. Dangerzone is able to handle drag-n-drop
-
-Run Dangerzone against a set of documents that you drag-n-drop. Files should be
-added and conversion should run without issue.
-
-> [!TIP]
-> On our end-user container environments for Linux, we can start a file manager
-> with `thunar &`.
-
-#### 9. Dangerzone CLI succeeds in converting multiple documents
-
-_(Only for Windows and Linux)_
-
-Run Dangerzone CLI against a list of documents. Ensure that conversions happen
-sequentially, are completed successfully, and we see their progress.
-
-#### 10. Dangerzone can open a document for conversion via right-click -> "Open With"
-
-_(Only for Windows, MacOS and Qubes)_
-
-Go to a directory with office documents, right-click on one, and click on "Open
-With". We should be able to open the file with Dangerzone, and then convert it.
-
-#### 11. Dangerzone shows helpful errors for setup issues on Qubes
-
-_(Only for Qubes)_
-
-Check what errors does Dangerzone throw in the following scenarios. The errors
-should point the user to the Qubes notifications in the top-right corner:
-
-1. The `dz-dvm` template does not exist. We can trigger this scenario by
-   temporarily renaming this template.
-2. The Dangerzone RPC policy does not exist. We can trigger this scenario by
-   temporarily renaming the `dz.Convert` policy.
-3. The `dz-dvm` disposable Qube cannot start due to insufficient resources. We
-   can trigger this scenario by temporarily increasing the minimum required RAM
-   of the `dz-dvm` template to more than the available amount.
-
 ## Release

 Once we are confident that the release will be out shortly, and doesn't need any more changes:

 - [ ] Create a PGP-signed git tag for the version, e.g., for dangerzone `v0.1.0`:

-  ```
+  ```bash
  git tag -s v0.1.0
  git push origin v0.1.0
  ```
@ -257,6 +76,8 @@ Once we are confident that the release will be out shortly, and doesn't need any

 ### macOS Release

+This needs to happen for both Silicon and Intel chipsets.
+
 #### Initial Setup

 - Build machine must have:
@ -271,48 +92,85 @@ Once we are confident that the release will be out shortly, and doesn't need any

 #### Releasing and Signing

+Here is what you need to do:
+
 - [ ] Verify and install the latest supported Python version from
  [python.org](https://www.python.org/downloads/macos/) (do not use the one from
  brew as it is known to [cause issues](https://github.com/freedomofpress/dangerzone/issues/471))
-  * In case of a new Python installation or minor version upgrade, e.g., from
-    3.11 to 3.12 , reinstall Poetry with `python3 -m pip install poetry`
-  * You can verify the correct Python version is used with `poetry debug info`
- [ ] Verify and checkout the git tag for this release
- [ ] Run `poetry install --sync`
- [ ] On the silicon mac, build the container image:
+
+- [ ] Checkout the dependencies, and clean your local copy:
+
+  ```bash
+
+  # In case of a new Python installation or minor version upgrade, e.g., from
+  # 3.11 to 3.12, reinstall Poetry
+  python3 -m pip install poetry
+
+  # You can verify the correct Python version is used
+  poetry debug info
+
+  # Replace with the actual version
+  export DZ_VERSION=$(cat share/version.txt)
+
+  # Verify and checkout the git tag for this release:
+  git checkout -f v$VERSION
+
+  # Clean the git repository
+  git clean -df
+
+  # Clean up the environment
+  poetry env remove --all
+
+  # Install the dependencies
+  poetry install --sync
  ```
-  python3 ./install/common/build-image.py
+
+- [ ] Build the container image and the OCR language data
+  
+  ```bash
+  poetry run ./install/common/build-image.py
+  poetry run ./install/common/download-tessdata.py
+
+  # Copy the container image to the assets folder
+  cp share/container.tar.gz ~dz/release-assets/$VERSION/dangerzone-$VERSION-arm64.tar.gz
+  cp share/image-id.txt ~dz/release-assets/$VERSION/.
  ```
-  Then copy the `share/container.tar.gz` to the assets folder on `dangerzone-$VERSION-arm64.tar.gz`, along with the `share/image-id.txt` file.
- [ ] Run `poetry run ./install/macos/build-app.py`; this will make `dist/Dangerzone.app`
+
+- [ ] Build the app bundle
+
+  ```bash
+  poetry run ./install/macos/build-app.py
+  ```
+
 - [ ] Make sure that the build application works with the containerd graph
  driver (see [#933](https://github.com/freedomofpress/dangerzone/issues/933))
- [ ] Run `poetry run ./install/macos/build-app.py --only-codesign`; this will make `dist/Dangerzone.dmg`
-  * You need to run this command as the account that has access to the code signing certificate
-  * You must run this command from the MacOS UI, from a terminal application.
- [ ] Notarize it: `xcrun notarytool submit --wait --apple-id "<email>" --keychain-profile "dz-notarytool-release-key" dist/Dangerzone.dmg`
-  * You need to change the `<email>` in the above command with the email
-    associated with the Apple Developer ID.
-  * This command assumes that you have created, and stored in the Keychain, an
-    application password associated with your Apple Developer ID, which will be
-    used specifically for `notarytool`.
- [ ] Wait for it to get approved:
-  * If it gets rejected, you should be able to see why with the same command
-    (or use the `log` option for a more verbose JSON output)
-  * You will also receive an update in your email.
- [ ] After it's approved, staple the ticket: `xcrun stapler staple dist/Dangerzone.dmg`
+- [ ] Sign the application bundle, and notarize it
  
-This process ends up with the final file:
+  You need to run this command as the account that has access to the code signing certificate
  
-```
-dist/Dangerzone.dmg
-```
+  This command assumes that you have created, and stored in the Keychain, an
+  application password associated with your Apple Developer ID, which will be
+  used specifically for `notarytool`.

-Rename `Dangerzone.dmg` to `Dangerzone-$VERSION.dmg`.
+  ```bash
+  # Sign the .App and make it a .dmg
+  poetry run ./install/macos/build-app.py --only-codesign
+
+  # Notarize it. You must run this command from the MacOS UI
+  # from a terminal application.
+  xcrun notarytool submit ./dist/Dangerzone.dmg --apple-id $APPLE_ID --keychain-profile "dz-notarytool-release-key" --wait && xcrun stapler staple dist/Dangerzone.dmg
+
+  # Copy the .dmg to the assets folder
+  ARCH=$(uname -m)
+  if [ "$ARCH" = "x86_64" ]; then
+      ARCH="i686"
+  fi
+  cp dist/Dangerzone.dmg ~dz/release-assets/$VERSION/Dangerzone-$VERSION-$ARCH.dmg
+  ```

 ### Windows Release

-The Windows release is performed in a Windows 11 virtual machine as opposed to a physical one.
+The Windows release is performed in a Windows 11 virtual machine (as opposed to a physical one).

 #### Initial Setup

@ -326,8 +184,31 @@ The Windows release is performed in a Windows 11 virtual machine as opposed to a

 #### Releasing and Signing

- [ ] Verify and checkout the git tag for this release
- [ ] Run `poetry install --sync`
+- [ ] Checkout the dependencies, and clean your local copy:
+  ```bash
+  # In case of a new Python installation or minor version upgrade, e.g., from
+  # 3.11 to 3.12, reinstall Poetry
+  python3 -m pip install poetry
+
+  # You can verify the correct Python version is used
+  poetry debug info
+
+  # Replace with the actual version
+  export DZ_VERSION=$(cat share/version.txt)
+
+  # Verify and checkout the git tag for this release:
+  git checkout -f v$VERSION
+
+  # Clean the git repository
+  git clean -df
+
+  # Clean up the environment
+  poetry env remove --all
+
+  # Install the dependencies
+  poetry install --sync
+  ```
+
 - [ ] Copy the container image into the VM
  > [!IMPORTANT]
  > Instead of running `python .\install\windows\build-image.py` in the VM, run the build image script on the host (making sure to build for `linux/amd64`). Copy `share/container.tar.gz` and `share/image-id.txt` from the host into the `share` folder in the VM.
@ -359,21 +240,15 @@ instructions in our build section](https://github.com/freedomofpress/dangerzone/
 or create your own locally with:

 ```sh
+# Create and run debian bookworm development environment
 ./dev_scripts/env.py --distro debian --version bookworm build-dev
 ./dev_scripts/env.py --distro debian --version bookworm run --dev bash
-cd dangerzone
-```

-Build the latest container:
+# Build the latest container
+./dev_scripts/env.py --distro debian --version bookworm run --dev bash -c "cd dangerzone && poetry run ./install/common/build-image.py"

-```sh
-python3 ./install/common/build-image.py
-```
-
-Create a .deb:
-
-```sh
-./install/linux/build-deb.py
+# Create a .deb
+./dev_scripts/env.py --distro debian --version bookworm run --dev bash -c "cd dangerzone && ./install/linux/build-deb.py"
 ```

 Publish the .deb under `./deb_dist` to the
@ -392,22 +267,12 @@ or create your own locally with:

 ```sh
 ./dev_scripts/env.py --distro fedora --version 41 build-dev
-./dev_scripts/env.py --distro fedora --version 41 run --dev bash
-cd dangerzone
-```

-Build the latest container:
+# Build the latest container (skip if already built):
+./dev_scripts/env.py --distro fedora --version 41 run --dev bash -c "cd dangerzone && poetry run ./install/common/build-image.py" 

-```sh
-python3 ./install/common/build-image.py
-```
-
-Copy the container image to the assets folder on `dangerzone-$VERSION-i686.tar.gz`.
-
-Create a .rpm:
-
-```sh
-./install/linux/build-rpm.py
+# Create a .rpm:
+./dev_scripts/env.py --distro fedora --version 41 run --dev bash -c "cd dangerzone && ./install/linux/build-rpm.py"
 ```

 Publish the .rpm under `./dist` to the
@ -418,7 +283,7 @@ Publish the .rpm under `./dist` to the
 Create a .rpm for Qubes:

 ```sh
-./install/linux/build-rpm.py --qubes
+./dev_scripts/env.py --distro fedora --version 41 run --dev bash -c "cd dangerzone && ./install/linux/build-rpm.py --qubes"
 ```

 and similarly publish it to the [`freedomofpress/yum-tools-prod`](https://github.com/freedomofpress/yum-tools-prod)
@ -426,36 +291,37 @@ repo.

 ## Publishing the Release

-To publish the release:
+To publish the release, you can follow these steps:

 - [ ] Create an archive of the Dangerzone source in `tar.gz` format:
-  * You can use the following command:
-
-    ```
-    export DZ_VERSION=$(cat share/version.txt)
-    git archive --format=tar.gz -o dangerzone-${DZ_VERSION:?}.tar.gz --prefix=dangerzone/ v${DZ_VERSION:?}
-    ```
+  ```bash
+  export VERSION=$(cat share/version.txt)
+  git archive --format=tar.gz -o dangerzone-${VERSION:?}.tar.gz --prefix=dangerzone/ v${VERSION:?}
+  ```

 - [ ] Run container scan on the produced container images (some time may have passed since the artifacts were built)
-  ```
+  ```bash
  gunzip --keep -c ./share/container.tar.gz > /tmp/container.tar
  docker pull anchore/grype:latest
  docker run --rm -v /tmp/container.tar:/container.tar anchore/grype:latest /container.tar
  ```

 - [ ] Collect the assets in a single directory, calculate their SHA-256 hashes, and sign them.
-  * You can use `./dev_scripts/sign-assets.py`, if you want to automate this
-    task.
- [ ] Create a new **draft** release on GitHub and upload the macOS and Windows installers.
-  * Copy the release notes text from the template at [`docs/templates/release-notes`](https://github.com/freedomofpress/dangerzone/tree/main/docs/templates/)
-  * You can use `./dev_scripts/upload-asset.py`, if you want to upload an asset
-    using an access token.
- [ ] Upload the `container-$VERSION-i686.tar.gz` and `container-$VERSION-arm64.tar.gz` images that were created in the previous step
+  There is an `./dev_scripts/sign-assets.py` script to automate this task.

-  **Important:** Make sure that it's the same container images as the ones that
-  are shipped in other platforms (see our [Pre-release](#Pre-release) section)
+  **Important:** Before running the script, make sure that it's the same container images as
+  the ones that are shipped in other platforms (see our [Pre-release](#Pre-release) section)
+
+  ```bash
+  # Sign all the assets
+  ./dev_scripts/sign-assets.py ~/release-assets/$VERSION/github --version $VERSION
+  ```
+
+- [ ] Upload all the assets to the draft release on GitHub.
+  ```bash
+  find ~/release-assets/$VERSION/github | xargs -n1 ./dev_scripts/upload-asset.py --token ~/token --draft
+  ```

- [ ] Upload the detached signatures (.asc) and checksum file.
 - [ ] Update the [Dangerzone website](https://github.com/freedomofpress/dangerzone.rocks) to link to the new installers.
 - [ ] Update the brew cask release of Dangerzone with a [PR like this one](https://github.com/Homebrew/homebrew-cask/pull/116319)
 - [ ] Update version and download links in `README.md`
--- a/dev_scripts/generate-release-tasks.py
+++ b/dev_scripts/generate-release-tasks.py
@ -0,0 +1,67 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+import pathlib
+import subprocess
+
+RELEASE_FILE = "RELEASE.md"
+QA_FILE = "QA.md"
+
+
+def git_root():
+    """Get the root directory of the Git repo."""
+    # FIXME: Use a Git Python binding for this.
+    # FIXME: Make this work if called outside the repo.
+    path = (
+        subprocess.run(
+            ["git", "rev-parse", "--show-toplevel"],
+            check=True,
+            stdout=subprocess.PIPE,
+        )
+        .stdout.decode()
+        .strip("\n")
+    )
+    return pathlib.Path(path)
+
+
+def extract_checkboxes(filename):
+    headers = []
+    result = []
+
+    with open(filename, "r") as f:
+        lines = f.readlines()
+
+    current_level = 0
+    for line in lines:
+        line = line.rstrip()
+
+        # If it's a header, store it
+        if line.startswith("#"):
+            # Count number of # to determine header level
+            level = len(line) - len(line.lstrip("#"))
+            if level < current_level or not current_level:
+                headers.extend(["", line, ""])
+                current_level = level
+            elif level > current_level:
+                continue
+            else:
+                headers = ["", line, ""]
+
+        # If it's a checkbox
+        elif "- [ ]" in line or "- [x]" in line or "- [X]" in line:
+            # Print the last header if we haven't already
+            if headers:
+                result.extend(headers)
+                headers = []
+                current_level = 0
+
+            # If this is the "Do the QA tasks" line, recursively get QA tasks
+            if "Do the QA tasks" in line:
+                result.append(line)
+                qa_tasks = extract_checkboxes(git_root() / QA_FILE)
+                result.append(qa_tasks)
+            else:
+                result.append(line)
+    return "\n".join(result)
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    print(extract_checkboxes(git_root() / RELEASE_FILE))
--- a/dev_scripts/qa.py
+++ b/dev_scripts/qa.py
@ -20,17 +20,32 @@ EOL_PYTHON_URL = "https://endoflife.date/api/python.json"
 CONTENT_QA = r"""## QA

 To ensure that new releases do not introduce regressions, and support existing
-and newer platforms, we have to do the following:
+and newer platforms, we have to test that the produced packages work as expected.
+
+Check the following:

 - [ ] Make sure that the tip of the `main` branch passes the CI tests.
 - [ ] Make sure that the Apple account has a valid application password and has
      agreed to the latest Apple terms (see [macOS release](#macos-release)
      section).
+
+Because it is repetitive, we wrote a script to help with the QA.
+It can run the tasks for you, pausing when it needs manual intervention.
+
+You can run it with a command like:
+
+```bash
+poetry run ./dev_scripts/qa.py {distro}-{version}
+```
+
+### The checklist
+
 - [ ] Create a test build in Windows and make sure it works:
  - [ ] Check if the suggested Python version is still supported.
  - [ ] Create a new development environment with Poetry.
  - [ ] Build the container image and ensure the development environment uses
    the new image.
+  - [ ] Download the OCR language data using `./install/common/download-tessdata.py`
  - [ ] Run the Dangerzone tests.
  - [ ] Build and run the Dangerzone .exe
  - [ ] Test some QA scenarios (see [Scenarios](#Scenarios) below).
@ -39,6 +54,7 @@ and newer platforms, we have to do the following:
  - [ ] Create a new development environment with Poetry.
  - [ ] Build the container image and ensure the development environment uses
    the new image.
+  - [ ] Download the OCR language data using `./install/common/download-tessdata.py`
  - [ ] Run the Dangerzone tests.
  - [ ] Create and run an app bundle.
  - [ ] Test some QA scenarios (see [Scenarios](#Scenarios) below).
@ -47,6 +63,7 @@ and newer platforms, we have to do the following:
  - [ ] Create a new development environment with Poetry.
  - [ ] Build the container image and ensure the development environment uses
    the new image.
+  - [ ] Download the OCR language data using `./install/common/download-tessdata.py`
  - [ ] Run the Dangerzone tests.
  - [ ] Create and run an app bundle.
  - [ ] Test some QA scenarios (see [Scenarios](#Scenarios) below).
@ -55,6 +72,7 @@ and newer platforms, we have to do the following:
  - [ ] Create a new development environment with Poetry.
  - [ ] Build the container image and ensure the development environment uses
    the new image.
+  - [ ] Download the OCR language data using `./install/common/download-tessdata.py`
  - [ ] Run the Dangerzone tests.
  - [ ] Create a .deb package and install it system-wide.
  - [ ] Test some QA scenarios (see [Scenarios](#Scenarios) below).
@ -63,6 +81,7 @@ and newer platforms, we have to do the following:
  - [ ] Create a new development environment with Poetry.
  - [ ] Build the container image and ensure the development environment uses
    the new image.
+  - [ ] Download the OCR language data using `./install/common/download-tessdata.py`
  - [ ] Run the Dangerzone tests.
  - [ ] Create an .rpm package and install it system-wide.
  - [ ] Test some QA scenarios (see [Scenarios](#Scenarios) below).
@ -553,7 +572,7 @@ class Reference:
        # Convert spaces to dashes
        anchor = anchor.replace(" ", "-")
        # Remove non-alphanumeric (except dash and underscore)
-        anchor = re.sub("[^a-zA-Z\-_]", "", anchor)
+        anchor = re.sub("[^a-zA-Z-_]", "", anchor)

        return anchor

@ -572,8 +591,8 @@ class QABase(abc.ABC):

    platforms = {}

-    REF_QA = Reference("RELEASE.md", content=CONTENT_QA)
-    REF_QA_SCENARIOS = Reference("RELEASE.md", content=CONTENT_QA_SCENARIOS)
+    REF_QA = Reference("QA.md", content=CONTENT_QA)
+    REF_QA_SCENARIOS = Reference("QA.md", content=CONTENT_QA_SCENARIOS)

    # The following class method is available since Python 3.6. For more details, see:
    # https://docs.python.org/3.6/whatsnew/3.6.html#pep-487-simpler-customization-of-class-creation