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+# Brainy Release Guide
+
+## Version Numbering Rules (Semantic Versioning)
+
+### For Brainy, we follow this pattern:
+- **PATCH (2.3.0 → 2.3.1)**: Bug fixes, internal improvements, dependency updates
+- **MINOR (2.3.0 → 2.4.0)**: New features, enhancements, non-breaking changes
+- **MAJOR (2.x.x → 3.0.0)**: ONLY when we completely change the API
+
+## IMPORTANT: Breaking Changes ≠ Major Version
+
+**BREAKING CHANGE in commit messages triggers MAJOR version bumps!**
+- DO NOT use "BREAKING CHANGE" unless users need to rewrite their code
+- Internal changes (like removing tar-stream) are NOT breaking changes
+- API additions are NOT breaking changes
+- Performance improvements are NOT breaking changes
+
+## Commit Message Guidelines
+
+### ✅ CORRECT Examples:
+```bash
+# New features → MINOR bump
+git commit -m "feat: add new model delivery system"
+
+# Bug fixes → PATCH bump
+git commit -m "fix: resolve model download timeout"
+
+# Internal improvements → PATCH bump
+git commit -m "refactor: simplify model manager logic"
+git commit -m "perf: optimize model caching"
+git commit -m "chore: remove unused dependency"
+```
+
+### ❌ AVOID These Mistakes:
+```bash
+# DON'T use BREAKING CHANGE for internal changes
+git commit -m "feat: improve model delivery
+
+BREAKING CHANGE: removed tar-stream dependency"  # WRONG! This triggers v3.0.0
+```
+
+## Release Workflow Checklist
+
+### Before Committing:
+- [ ] Review commit message - no "BREAKING CHANGE" unless API changes
+- [ ] Consider: Will users need to change their code? If NO → Not breaking
+
+### Release Commands:
+```bash
+# Let standard-version figure it out from commits
+npm run release              # Recommended - auto-detects version
+
+# Or be explicit:
+npm run release:patch        # 2.4.0 → 2.4.1 (fixes)
+npm run release:minor        # 2.4.0 → 2.5.0 (features)
+npm run release:major        # 2.4.0 → 3.0.0 (API changes only!)
+```
+
+### After Release:
+```bash
+git push --follow-tags origin main
+npm publish
+gh release create $(git describe --tags --abbrev=0) --generate-notes
+```
+
+## When to Use Major Version (3.0.0)
+
+ONLY when we make changes like:
+- Removing methods from the public API
+- Changing method signatures (parameters, return types)
+- Renaming public methods
+- Changing default behaviors that break existing code
+
+Examples:
+- ❌ `search(query, limit, options)` → `search(query, options)` (major)
+- ✅ Adding `find()` method (minor - doesn't break existing code)
+- ✅ Internal refactoring (patch - users don't see it)
+
+## Quick Decision Tree
+
+1. **Does this fix a bug?** → PATCH (fix:)
+2. **Does this add new functionality?** → MINOR (feat:)
+3. **Will users' existing code break?** → MAJOR (with BREAKING CHANGE)
+4. **Is it internal/maintenance?** → PATCH (chore:/refactor:/perf:)
+
+## Emergency: If Wrong Version is Released
+
+```bash
+# 1. Deprecate wrong version on npm
+npm deprecate @soulcraft/brainy@X.X.X "Incorrect version - use Y.Y.Y"
+
+# 2. Fix version in package.json
+# 3. Republish correct version
+npm publish
+
+# 4. Delete wrong GitHub tag/release
+git push origin :vX.X.X
+gh release delete vX.X.X --yes
+
+# 5. Create correct tag/release
+git tag vY.Y.Y
+git push --tags
+gh release create vY.Y.Y --generate-notes
+```
+
+## Remember:
+- **Most releases should be MINOR or PATCH**
+- **Major versions should be RARE**
+- **When in doubt, it's probably MINOR**
+- **NEVER use "BREAKING CHANGE" for internal changes**
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