Request a Freeze exception

Requests for Freeze exceptions are filed as bugs in Launchpad against the relevant package (or just “Ubuntu” if the package is not available yet).

Freezes series

Process overview:

Freezes

Reference:

Freeze exceptions

Practical guidance:

Request a Freeze exception (this page)

When you make your request, set the bug status to New to ensure the Release Team sees the request. Once all the required information is included, file your bug and subscribe ubuntu-release to it. You can refer to open requests to view bugs the Release Team is already subscribed to.

What to include

All freeze exception request bugs must include the following information, which provides the release team with enough information to weigh the risk of regressions against the benefit of the changes:

  • A description of the proposed changes, with enough detail to estimate their potential impact on the distribution

  • A rationale for the exception, explaining the benefit of the change

  • Any additional information which would be helpful in considering the decision

  • An explanation of what testing has been performed on the new version in Ubuntu, including verification that the new package:

    • Builds

    • Installs

    • Upgrades

    • Does not break packages depending on it (or that corresponding updates have been prepared)

  • If the upload is a new upstream micro-release, the relevant part of the upstream changelog and/or release notes also needs to be included

  • Also include the output from the command seeded-in-ubuntu <package-name> for the package you are seeking the exception for, so the Release Team can see where the package is seeded so the impact of the change can be assessed

The request for an exception to Feature Freeze should demonstrate that the benefit of new functionality, or the total benefit of a new upstream release that includes it, outweighs the risk of regressions and other potential disruption of the release process.

Specific additional requirements for different scenarios are outlined below.

Feature Freeze for new upstream versions

If you want to introduce a new upstream version with new features and/or ABI/API changes, you should first create a new bug under your package (or, if there is already a bug related to the exception, you can reuse the bug), e.g. https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/<PACKAGE>/+filebug

Your bug contents need to include the following:

  • Add [FFE] to the bug summary (large title).

  • Add an FFE stanza to the description starting with ## FFE ##.

  • State the reason why you feel it is necessary (e.g. other bugs it fixes).

  • Attach (as files):

    • A diff of the Upstream changelog (not debian/changelog):

      diff -u <package>-{old-version,new-version}/ChangeLog > changelog.diff

      Note that the changelog is sometimes called CHANGES, is missing or the tarball merely has a NEWS file.

    • The NEWS file, if you think that this information will help reviewing your request (true for most GNOME packages).

    • A link to the PPA where the requested changes have been uploaded. The Release Team can review the artifacts (build logs etc) from there.

    • Install log, e.g. a copy and paste of the install messages from console when installing.

    • Mention what testing you’ve done to see that it works.

    • Regression potential; for guidance, refer to the SRU template.

    • (Optional) A screenshot showing the main features would also be nice.

  • Subscribe (do not assign!) the ubuntu-release team.

Important

We expect anyone making a request to have an updated package already prepared and tested! You will need this anyway to provide proper build logs.

Once the Feature Freeze exception has been approved by a member of the Release Team, the status will be changed to TRIAGED. You can then either upload the package (if you’re in motu or ubuntu-core-dev), or follow the sponsorship process. Please close the bug from the upload, where possible.

Request UI Freeze exception

Every change of the UI (either a string or the layout) requires you to notify the documentation and translation teams.

Please add links to your posts in the ubuntu-doc@ and ubuntu-translators@ mailing list archives to the bug.

After that, subscribe (do not assign) the ubuntu-release team to the bug as usual.

Refer to User Interface Freeze exceptions for more details.

Request Final Freeze exception

Exception requests for Final Freeze exceptions must include the following additional details:

  • It must fix a bug earmarked by the Release Team for that particular milestone.

  • A complete debdiff or a merge proposal of the proposed upload must be provided (preferably as a bug attachment).

After that, subscribe (do not assign) the ubuntu-release team to the bug as usual.