# Swift 5.9 Release Process **URL:** \ **Category:** Announcements\ **Created:** [March 7, 2023, 5:42am UTC](https://forums.swift.org/t/swift-5-9-release-process/63557 "2023-03-07T05:42:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mishal\_shah](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/swift/user_avatar/forums.swift.org/mishal_shah/32/247_2.png) [@mishal\_shah](https://forums.swift.org/u/mishal_shah)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2023, 5:42am UTC](https://forums.swift.org/t/swift-5-9-release-process/63557/1 "2023-03-07T05:42:40Z")
# Swift 5.9 Release Process This post describes the release process, and estimated schedule for Swift 5.9. ## Snapshots of Swift 5.9 Downloadable snapshots of the Swift 5.9 release branch will be posted regularly as part of [continuous integration](https://ci.swift.org/) testing. As support is available, snapshot downloads will be added for newly supported platforms. Once Swift 5.9 is released, the official final builds will also be posted in addition to the snapshots. ## Getting Changes into Swift 5.9 On **March 20, 2023** the `release/5.9` branch will be cut in the swift repository and related project repositories. This will contain the changes that will be released in Swift 5.9. After the branch is cut, changes can be landed on the branch via pull request if they meet the criteria for the release. ### Philosophy on Taking Changes into Swift 5.9 - All language and API changes for Swift 5.9 will go through the [Swift Evolution](https://github.com/apple/swift-evolution) process. Evolution proposals should aim to be completed by the branch date in order to increase their chances of impacting the Swift 5.9 release. Exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis, particularly if they tie in with the core goal of the release. - Other changes (e.g., bug fixes, diagnostic improvements, SourceKit interface improvements) will be accepted based on their risk and impact. - Low-risk test tweaks will also be accepted late into the release branch if it aids in the qualification of the release. - As the release converges, the criteria for accepted changes will become increasingly restrictive. ## Impacted Repositories The following repositories will have a `release/5.9` branch to track sources as part of Swift 5.9 release: - [indexstore-db](https://github.com/apple/indexstore-db) - [sourcekit-lsp](https://github.com/apple/sourcekit-lsp) - [swift-cmark](https://github.com/apple/swift-cmark) - [swift-corelibs-foundation](https://github.com/apple/swift-corelibs-foundation) - [swift-corelibs-libdispatch](https://github.com/apple/swift-corelibs-libdispatch) - [swift-corelibs-xctest](https://github.com/apple/swift-corelibs-xctest) - [swift-docc-render-artifact](https://github.com/apple/swift-docc-render-artifact) - [swift-docc-render](https://github.com/apple/swift-docc-render "https://github.com/apple/swift-docc-render") - [swift-docc-symbolkit](https://github.com/apple/swift-docc-symbolkit) - [swift-docc](https://github.com/apple/swift-docc) - [swift-driver](https://github.com/apple/swift-driver) - [swift-format](https://github.com/apple/swift-format) - [swift-integration-tests](https://github.com/apple/swift-integration-tests) - [swift-llbuild](https://github.com/apple/swift-llbuild) - [swift-llvm-bindings](https://github.com/apple/swift-llvm-bindings) - [swift-lmdb](https://github.com/apple/swift-lmdb) - [swift-package-manager](https://github.com/apple/swift-package-manager) - [swift-stress-tester](https://github.com/apple/swift-stress-tester) - [swift-syntax](https://github.com/apple/swift-syntax) - [swift-tools-support-core](https://github.com/apple/swift-tools-support-core) - [swift-xcode-playground-support](https://github.com/apple/swift-xcode-playground-support) - [swift](https://github.com/apple/swift) The [llvm-project](https://github.com/apple/llvm-project) and [swift-experimental-string-processing](https://github.com/apple/swift-experimental-string-processing) will have a corresponding swift/release/5.9 branch. ## Release Managers The overall management of the release will be overseen by the following individuals, who will announce when stricter control of change goes into effect for the Swift 5.9 release as the release converges. - Ben Cohen (@ben-cohen, [GitHub: airspeedswift](https://github.com/airspeedswift)) is the overall release manager for Swift 5.9. - Doug Gregor (@Douglas_Gregor, [GitHub: DougGregor](https://github.com/DougGregor)) is the release manager for the Swift Compiler. - Ravi Kandhadai Madhavan (@ravikandhadai, [GitHub: ravimad](https://github.com/ravimad)) is the release manager for [llvm-project](https://github.com/apple/llvm-project). - Fred Riss (GitHub: [fredriss](https://github.com/fredriss)) is the release manager for LLDB in [llvm-project](https://github.com/apple/llvm-project). - Steve Canon (@scanon, [GitHub: stephentyrone](https://github.com/stephentyrone)) is the release manager for the Swift Standard Library. - Tony Parker (@Tony_Parker, [GitHub: parkera](https://github.com/parkera)) is the release manager for [swift-corelibs-foundation](https://github.com/apple/swift-corelibs-foundation). - Rokhini Pabhu (@rokhinip, [GitHub: Rokhini Prabhu](https://github.com/rokhinip)) is the release manager for [swift-corelibs-libdispatch](https://github.com/apple/swift-corelibs-libdispatch). - Brian Croom ([GitHub: briancroom](https://github.com/briancroom)) is the release manager for [swift-corelibs-xctest](https://github.com/apple/swift-corelibs-xctest). - Tom Doron (@tomerd, GitHub: [Tom Doron](https://github.com/tomerd)) is the release manager for [swift-package-manager](https://github.com/apple/swift-package-manager). - Daniel Dunbar (@ddunbar, [GitHub: ddunbar](https://github.com/ddunbar)) is the release manager for [swift-llbuild](https://github.com/apple/swift-llbuild) and [swift-tools-support-core](https://github.com/apple/swift-tools-support-core). - Ben Cohen (@ben-cohen, [GitHub: airspeedswift](https://github.com/airspeedswift)) is the release manager for [sourcekit-lsp](https://github.com/apple/sourcekit-lsp), [indexstore-db](https://github.com/apple/indexstore-db), [swift-syntax](https://github.com/apple/swift-syntax), and [swift-stress-tester](https://github.com/apple/swift-stress-tester). - Franklin Schrans (@franklin, [GitHub: franklinsch](https://github.com/franklinsch)) is the release manager for [swift-docc](https://github.com/apple/swift-docc), [swift-lmdb](https://github.com/apple/swift-lmdb), [swift-docc-render](https://github.com/apple/swift-docc-render "https://github.com/apple/swift-docc-render"), [swift-docc-render-artifact](https://github.com/apple/swift-docc-render-artifact), [swift-docc-symbolkit](https://github.com/apple/swift-docc-symbolkit). - Tony Allevato (@allevato, [GitHub: allevato](https://github.com/allevato)) is the release manager for [swift-format](https://github.com/apple/swift-format). ### Platform Release Managers - Nicole Jacque (@Nicole_Jacque, [GitHub: najacque](https://github.com/najacque)) is the release manager for the Darwin platform. - Tom Doron (@tomerd, GitHub: [Tom Doron](https://github.com/tomerd)) is the release manager for Linux platforms. - Saleem Abdulrasool (@compnerd, [GitHub: compnerd](https://github.com/compnerd)) is the release manager for the Windows platform. - Mishal Shah (@mishal_shah, [GitHub: shahmishal](https://github.com/shahmishal)) will be the release coordinator responsible for production of nightly and release snapshots and coordinating sign-off on repositories and platforms for the release. Please feel free to post on the [development forum](https://forums.swift.org/c/development/compiler) or contact [Ted Kremenek](https://github.com/tkremenek) directly concerning any questions about the release management process. ## Pull Requests for Release Branch In order for a pull request to be considered for inclusion in the release branch (`release/5.9` ) after it has been cut, it must include the following information: - **Explanation** : A description of the issue being fixed or enhancement being made. This can be brief, but it should be clear. - **Scope** : An assessment of the impact/importance of the change. For example, is the change a source-breaking language change, etc. - **Issue** : The GitHub Issue link if the change fixes/implements an issue/enhancement - **Risk** : What is the (specific) risk to the release for taking this change? - **Testing** : What specific testing has been done or needs to be done to further validate any impact of this change? - **Reviewer** : One or more code owners for the impacted components should review the change. Technical review can be delegated by a code owner or otherwise requested as deemed appropriate or useful. **All changes** going on the `release/5.9` branch **must go through pull requests** that are accepted by the corresponding release manager. ---
**Author:** ![ben-cohen](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/swift/user_avatar/forums.swift.org/ben-cohen/32/296_2.png) [@ben-cohen](https://forums.swift.org/u/ben-cohen)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2023, 9:14pm UTC](https://forums.swift.org/t/swift-5-9-release-process/63557/2 "2023-07-26T21:14:49Z")
Hi all – as an update to Mishal’s post above, we are now in the convergence period for Swift 5.9. Further PRs picked to Swift 5.9 should be limited to _major showstoppers_ only – either major new bugs with newly introduced functionality, or regressions in previous features. Other changes – either enhancements or fixes to long-standing issues – should be landed on `main` for the next release. Thanks! Ben ---
**Author:** ![David\_Ungar2](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/swift/user_avatar/forums.swift.org/david_ungar2/32/1511_2.png) [@David\_Ungar2](https://forums.swift.org/u/David_Ungar2)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2023, 9:22pm UTC](https://forums.swift.org/t/swift-5-9-release-process/63557/3 "2023-07-31T21:22:44Z")
Best wishes for a smooth release process for everyone involved! ---
**Author:** ![mishal\_shah](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/swift/user_avatar/forums.swift.org/mishal_shah/32/247_2.png) [@mishal\_shah](https://forums.swift.org/u/mishal_shah)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2023, 4:54am UTC](https://forums.swift.org/t/swift-5-9-release-process/63557/4 "2023-08-10T04:54:04Z")
We created a new branch `release/5.9.0` and it will be accepting extremely limited changes at this point. The `release/5.9` branch will be used for future dot releases. ---
**Author:** ![filiplazov](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/swift/user_avatar/forums.swift.org/filiplazov/32/7886_2.png) [@filiplazov](https://forums.swift.org/u/filiplazov)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2023, 12:27pm UTC](https://forums.swift.org/t/swift-5-9-release-process/63557/5 "2023-08-10T12:27:29Z")
So where does this put Observation? > ---
**Author:** ![ben-cohen](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/swift/user_avatar/forums.swift.org/ben-cohen/32/296_2.png) [@ben-cohen](https://forums.swift.org/u/ben-cohen)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2023, 2:13pm UTC](https://forums.swift.org/t/swift-5-9-release-process/63557/6 "2023-08-10T14:13:25Z")
Observation acceptance will be posted shortly (sorry for the delay). It is already in-tree under a flag so not a concern. ---
**Author:** ![Finagolfin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/swift/user_avatar/forums.swift.org/finagolfin/32/34388_2.png) [@Finagolfin](https://forums.swift.org/u/Finagolfin)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2023, 9:53am UTC](https://forums.swift.org/t/swift-5-9-release-process/63557/7 "2023-10-11T09:53:48Z")
> [@mishal\_shah](#): > > The `release/5.9` branch will be used for future dot releases. Has this plan been changed again? The release/5.9 branch has been surprisingly active, but [github reports only 17 commits made it into the new release/5.9.1 branch in the main compiler frontend repo](https://github.com/apple/swift/compare/release/5.9.0...release/5.9.1), with similar results in other Swift repos. In comparison, [github reports 332 commits that made it into release/5.9 alone](https://github.com/apple/swift/compare/release/5.9.0...release/5.9) and the Swift version [has been bumped to 5.9.2 there last month](https://github.com/apple/swift/commit/5f5537c1e7581410fbceefa14a85d0d103f5d873). ---
**Author:** ![taylorswift](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/swift/user_avatar/forums.swift.org/taylorswift/32/43413_2.png) [@taylorswift](https://forums.swift.org/u/taylorswift)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2023, 8:14pm UTC](https://forums.swift.org/t/swift-5-9-release-process/63557/8 "2023-10-11T20:14:35Z")
> [@Finagolfin](#): > > the Swift version [has been bumped to 5.9.2 there last month](https://github.com/apple/swift/commit/5f5537c1e7581410fbceefa14a85d0d103f5d873). what happened to 5.9.1? the [most recent docker tags](https://hub.docker.com/_/swift/?tab=tags) available are still on 5.9.0. ---
**Author:** ![mishal\_shah](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/swift/user_avatar/forums.swift.org/mishal_shah/32/247_2.png) [@mishal\_shah](https://forums.swift.org/u/mishal_shah)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2023, 9:59pm UTC](https://forums.swift.org/t/swift-5-9-release-process/63557/9 "2023-10-11T21:59:36Z")
The plan for `release/5.9.1` is to deliver macros support of Windows platform. This has not been released yet.