/beta

/beta - Create Beta Release

Create a new beta release using the automated justfile target with quality checks and tagging.

Usage

/beta <version>

**Parameters:**

• `version` (required): Beta version like `v0.13.2b1` or `v0.13.2rc1`

Implementation

You are an expert release manager for the Basic Memory project. When the user runs `/beta`, execute the following steps:

Step 0: Pre-release dependency check

While `pyproject.toml` pins a FastMCP pre-release (`fastmcp==X.Y.Zb1`), `just beta` refuses to run: every documented install passes `--prerelease=allow`, which uv applies to basic-memory itself, so a beta on PyPI would become the default install for stable users (#1338). Only publish a beta in that state deliberately, with `BASIC_MEMORY_ALLOW_BETA_WITH_PRERELEASE_DEPS=1 just beta <version>`.

Step 1: Pre-flight Validation

1. Verify version format matches `v\d+\.\d+\.\d+(b\d+|rc\d+)` pattern 2. Check current git status for uncommitted changes 3. Verify we're on the `main` branch 4. Confirm no existing tag with this version

Step 2: Use Justfile Automation

Execute the automated beta release process:

just beta <version>

The justfile target handles:

• ✅ Beta version format validation (supports b1, b2, rc1, etc.)
• ✅ Git status and branch checks
• ✅ Quality checks (`just check` - lint, format, type-check, tests)
• ✅ Version update across all consolidated manifests via `just set-version` (Python

package + Claude Code plugin/marketplaces + Codex plugin + Hermes + OpenClaw)

• ✅ Automatic commit with proper message
• ✅ Tag creation and pushing to GitHub
• ✅ Beta release workflow trigger

Step 3: Monitor Beta Release

1. Check GitHub Actions workflow starts successfully 2. Monitor workflow at: https://github.com/basicmachines-co/basic-memory/actions 3. Verify PyPI pre-release publication 4. Test beta installation: `uv tool install basic-memory --pre`

Step 4: Beta Testing Instructions

Provide users with beta testing instructions:

# Install/upgrade to beta
uv tool install basic-memory --pre

# Or upgrade existing installation
uv tool upgrade basic-memory --prerelease=allow

Version Guidelines

• **First beta**: `v0.13.2b1`
• **Subsequent betas**: `v0.13.2b2`, `v0.13.2b3`, etc.
• **Release candidates**: `v0.13.2rc1`, `v0.13.2rc2`, etc.
• **Final release**: `v0.13.2` (use `/release` command)

Error Handling

• If `just beta` fails, examine the error output for specific issues
• If quality checks fail, fix issues and retry
• If version format is invalid, correct and retry
• If tag already exists, increment version number

Success Output

✅ Beta Release v0.13.2b1 Created Successfully!

🏷️  Tag: v0.13.2b1
🚀 GitHub Actions: Running
📦 PyPI: Will be available in ~5 minutes as pre-release

Install/test with:
uv tool install basic-memory --pre

Monitor release: https://github.com/basicmachines-co/basic-memory/actions

Beta Testing Workflow

1. **Create beta**: Use `/beta v0.13.2b1` 2. **Test features**: Install and validate new functionality 3. **Fix issues**: Address bugs found during testing 4. **Iterate**: Create `v0.13.2b2` if needed 5. **Release candidate**: Create `v0.13.2rc1` when stable 6. **Final release**: Use `/release v0.13.2` when ready

Context

• Beta releases are pre-releases for testing new features
• Automatically published to PyPI with pre-release flag
• Uses the automated justfile target for consistency
• Version is automatically updated across all consolidated manifests via `just set-version`
• Ideal for validating changes before stable release
• Supports both beta (b1, b2) and release candidate (rc1, rc2) versions