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+## Changes
+
+<!--
+Provide a summary of what is included in this Pull Request (PR).
+-->
+
+## Issues
+
+<!--
+Reference any issues related to this PR.
+If this PR fixes any issues, [use a keyword](https://docs.github.com/en/issues/tracking-your-work-with-issues/linking-a-pull-request-to-an-issue#linking-a-pull-request-to-an-issue-using-a-keyword)
+when referring to the issue.
+-->
+
+<!--
+**Reviewers**: Use the @ feature to mention anyone responsible for reviewing/completing this request.
+-->
+
+## PR Checklist
+
+(~Strikethrough~ any points that are not applicable.)
+
+- [ ] This comment contains a description of changes with justifications, with any relevant issues linked.
+- [ ] Update docs if there are any API changes.
+- [ ] Update `CHANGELOG.md` with a short description of any user-facing changes and reference the PR number. Guidelines: https://keepachangelog.com/en/1.1.0/
diff --git a/docs/release-guide.md b/docs/release-guide.md
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+# Release Guide
+
+Make sure you're keeping the changelog up-to-date during development.
+Ideally, every PR that includes a user-facing change (e.g. a new feature, bug fix, or any API change) should add a concise summary to the changelog with a link to the PR.
+Only approve or merge PRs that either update the changelog or have no user-facing changes.
+
+## How to release a new version on GitHub
+
+1. Determine the new version number according to [semantic versioning guidelines](https://semver.org/).
+1. Update `CHANGELOG.md`:
+    - Edit the heading for the development version to match the new version.
+    - If needed, clean up the changelog -- fix any typos, optionally create subheadings for 'New features' and 'Bug fixes' if there are lots of changes, etc.
+1. Update the version in [`src/__init__.py`](https://github.com/CCBR/XAVIER/blob/main/src/__init__.py).
+1. On GitHub, go to "Releases" and click "Draft a new release". <https://github.com/CCBR/XAVIER/releases/new>
+    - Choose a tag: same as the version number.
+    - Choose the target: most likely this should be the main branch, or a specific commit hash.
+    - Set the title as the new version number, e.g. **v3.0.2**
+    - Copy and paste the release notes from the CHANGELOG into the description box.
+    - Check the box "Set as the latest release".
+    - Click "Publish release".
+1. Post release chores:
+    - Add a new "development version" heading to the top of `CHANGELOG.md`.
+    - Bump the version number in `src/__init__.py` to include `-dev`, e.g. `v3.0.2-dev` if you just released `v3.0.2`.  
+
+## How to install a release on biowulf
+
+After releasing a new version on GitHub:
+
+```sh
+# go to the shared pipeline directory on biowulf
+cd /data/CCBR_Pipeliner/Pipelines/XAVIER
+
+# clone the new version tag (e.g. v3.0.2) to a hidden directory
+git clone --depth 1 --branch v3.0.2 https://github.com/CCBR/XAVIER .v3.0.2
+
+# change permissions for the new directory so anyone will be able to use the pipeline
+chown -R :CCBR_Pipeliner .v3.0.2
+chmod -R a+rX /data/CCBR_Pipeliner/Pipelines/XAVIER/.v3.0.2
+
+# if needed, remove the old symlink for the minor version number
+rm -i v3.0
+
+# recreate the symlink to point to the new latest version
+ln -s .v3.0.2 v3.0
+
+# you can verify that the symlink points to the new version with readlink
+readlink -f v3.0
+```
+
+Versions of the `ccbrpipeliner` module only specify the major and minor version of each pipeline.
+If the new pipeline release only increments the patch number, `ccbrpipeliner` will use it automatically after you update the symlink as above.
+If you need to release a new major or minor version of a pipeline on biowulf, contact [Kelly](mailto:kelly.sovacool@nih.gov) or [Vishal](mailto:vishal.koparde@nih.gov).
+
+Verify that `ccbrpipeliner` uses the latest version with:
+```sh
+module load ccbrpipeliner && xavier --version
+```