Aexus Answers

Monorepo Builder: Bug Fix Release For Older Versions

Alex Johnson
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Monorepo Builder: Bug Fix Release For Older Versions

Are you struggling to release a bug fix for an older version in your Monorepo Builder setup? It's a common challenge, especially when you've moved on to newer versions but need to address issues in the past. This article will explore how to tackle this scenario, providing a step-by-step guide and addressing potential pitfalls. Let's dive into the specifics of releasing bug fixes for older versions within a monorepo environment.

Understanding the Challenge

In a monorepo, managing releases across multiple versions can become complex. Imagine you've reached version 7.2.0 of your monorepo, but a critical bug is discovered in version 3.4.0. You've created a release/v3.4-stable branch, applied the necessary patch, and now aim to release version 3.4.1. However, Monorepo Builder's default behavior prevents you from releasing older versions, as it typically enforces version monotonicity. This means that the release version must be greater than the last released version (e.g., 7.2.0).

When attempting to release an older version, you might encounter an error like this:

> monorepo-builder release v3.4.1 --dry-run

In ReleaseGuard.php line 108:
                                                                       
  Provided version "3.4.1" must be greater than the last one: "7.2.0"

This error arises from the ReleaseGuard class, which includes a condition to prevent releasing older versions. However, there's a mechanism to bypass this check using the stagesToAllowExistingTag configuration option.

Configuring stagesToAllowExistingTag

The stagesToAllowExistingTag option in Monorepo Builder is designed to allow releases on specific branches or stages, even if they have older versions. The idea is that you can define a set of allowed stages where the version check is skipped. However, as the user in the initial problem encountered, simply setting this option might not be enough.

The user attempted to configure this option in their monorepo-builder.php file like this:

$mbConfig->parameters()->set(Option::STAGES_TO_ALLOW_EXISTING_TAG, ['release/v3.4-stable']);

Unfortunately, this configuration didn't work as expected, resulting in the following error:

Stage "release/v3.4-stable" was not found. Pick one of: ""

This error indicates that the stage name provided in the configuration doesn't match the actual stage or branch being used during the release process. Let's explore the correct approach to configure this option.

Correct Configuration

The key to correctly configuring stagesToAllowExistingTag lies in understanding how Monorepo Builder identifies stages. In most cases, the stage corresponds to the branch name. Therefore, to allow releases on the release/v3.4-stable branch, you need to ensure that the configuration correctly references this branch.

Here’s how you can modify your monorepo-builder.php configuration:

use Symplify\MonorepoBuilder\ValueObject\Option;

$mbConfig->set(Option::STAGES_TO_ALLOW_EXISTING_TAG, ['release/v3.4-stable']);

Key improvements: Instead of using $mbConfig->parameters()->set(), the recommended approach is to use $mbConfig->set(). This ensures that the option is correctly registered within Monorepo Builder's configuration system. By setting the Option::STAGES_TO_ALLOW_EXISTING_TAG option with the branch name release/v3.4-stable, you're instructing Monorepo Builder to skip the version check when releasing from this branch.

Step-by-Step Guide to Releasing a Bug Fix for an Older Version

Now, let’s outline the complete process of releasing a bug fix for an older version in Monorepo Builder.

1. Create a Stable Branch

Start by creating a stable branch for the version you intend to fix. In this case, the branch is release/v3.4-stable. This branch will serve as the basis for your bug fix release.

git checkout -b release/v3.4-stable

2. Apply the Bug Fix

Next, apply the necessary bug fix to the release/v3.4-stable branch. This might involve cherry-picking commits from other branches or directly making changes on this branch.

3. Update monorepo-builder.php

Configure the stagesToAllowExistingTag option in your monorepo-builder.php file as shown above:

use Symplify\MonorepoBuilder\ValueObject\Option;

return static function (MBConfig $mbConfig): void {
    // Other configurations...
    $mbConfig->set(Option::STAGES_TO_ALLOW_EXISTING_TAG, ['release/v3.4-stable']);
};

4. Run the Release Command

Now, you can run the Monorepo Builder release command, specifying the desired version number. Use the --dry-run option initially to verify the release process without making any actual changes.

vendor/bin/monorepo-builder release v3.4.1 --dry-run

If the dry run is successful, remove the --dry-run option to perform the actual release.

vendor/bin/monorepo-builder release v3.4.1

5. Verify the Release

After the release command completes, verify that the new version (3.4.1 in this case) has been tagged and pushed to your repository. Also, check that the changes are reflected in your package's composer.json files.

Addressing Common Issues

While releasing bug fixes for older versions, you might encounter certain issues. Let’s discuss some common problems and their solutions.

1. Incorrect Stage Name

As seen in the initial problem, providing an incorrect stage name in the stagesToAllowExistingTag configuration can lead to errors. Always ensure that the stage name matches the branch name you're releasing from.

2. Version Conflicts

When releasing older versions, you might face version conflicts, especially if there have been significant changes in the monorepo since the older version. Carefully review and resolve any conflicts before proceeding with the release.

3. Dependency Management

Ensure that the dependencies in your older version are compatible with the bug fix. You might need to adjust dependency versions in the composer.json files of your packages.

Best Practices for Maintaining Older Versions

Here are some best practices to follow when maintaining older versions in a monorepo:

1. Isolate Bug Fixes

Create dedicated stable branches for each version you need to maintain. This isolates bug fixes and prevents them from being mixed with changes for newer versions.

2. Cherry-Pick Commits

When possible, cherry-pick commits from newer versions to apply bug fixes to older versions. This ensures consistency and reduces the risk of introducing new issues.

3. Automate the Release Process

Use Monorepo Builder's automation capabilities to streamline the release process. This reduces manual effort and minimizes the chances of errors.

4. Document Your Process

Clearly document the steps for releasing bug fixes for older versions. This helps other developers understand the process and ensures consistency across releases.

Monorepo Builder Configuration in Detail

To further clarify the configuration, let’s examine a full example of the monorepo-builder.php file with the necessary settings for releasing bug fixes in older versions.

<?php

declare(strict_types=1);

use Symplify\MonorepoBuilder\Config\MBConfig;
use Symplify\MonorepoBuilder\Release\ReleaseWorker\PushNextDevReleaseWorker;
use Symplify\MonorepoBuilder\Release\ReleaseWorker\PushTagReleaseWorker;
use Symplify\MonorepoBuilder\Release\ReleaseWorker\SetCurrentMutualDependenciesReleaseWorker;
use Symplify\MonorepoBuilder\Release\ReleaseWorker\TagVersionReleaseWorker;
use Symplify\MonorepoBuilder\Release\ReleaseWorker\UpdateBranchAliasReleaseWorker;
use Symplify\MonorepoBuilder\Release\ReleaseWorker\UpdateReplaceReleaseWorker;
use Symplify\MonorepoBuilder\ValueObject\Option;
use Wegewerk\MonorepoBuilder\Release\ReleaseWorker\PrepareChangelogReleaseWorker;
use Wegewerk\MonorepoBuilder\Release\ReleaseWorker\SetNextMutualDependenciesReleaseWorker;

require 'vendor/autoload.php';

return static function (MBConfig $mbConfig): void {
    $mbConfig->packageDirectories([__DIR__ . '/packages']);

    // Set default branch name to "main"
    $mbConfig->defaultBranch('main');

    // Allow releases on the release/v3.4-stable branch
    $mbConfig->set(Option::STAGES_TO_ALLOW_EXISTING_TAG, ['release/v3.4-stable']);

    // Release workers - in order to execute
    $mbConfig->workers([
        UpdateReplaceReleaseWorker::class,
        SetCurrentMutualDependenciesReleaseWorker::class,
        PrepareChangelogReleaseWorker::class,
        TagVersionReleaseWorker::class,
        PushTagReleaseWorker::class,
        SetNextMutualDependenciesReleaseWorker::class,
        UpdateBranchAliasReleaseWorker::class,
        PushNextDevReleaseWorker::class,
    ]);
};

In this configuration:

  • packageDirectories specifies the directories containing your packages.
  • defaultBranch sets the default branch name (e.g., main).
  • Option::STAGES_TO_ALLOW_EXISTING_TAG is configured to allow releases on the release/v3.4-stable branch.
  • workers defines the release workers to be executed in order.

Conclusion

Releasing bug fixes for older versions in Monorepo Builder requires careful configuration and a clear understanding of the release process. By correctly configuring the stagesToAllowExistingTag option and following the step-by-step guide outlined in this article, you can effectively manage releases across multiple versions of your monorepo. Remember to isolate bug fixes, automate the release process, and document your procedures to ensure consistency and minimize errors.

By mastering this process, you'll be well-equipped to maintain the stability and reliability of your monorepo projects, even as they evolve.

For more information on Monorepo Builder and best practices, refer to the official Symplify Monorepo Builder documentation.

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