improve the releasing guide

docs/development/releasing.md

@@ -2,13 +2,11 @@
 
 This document describes the process for releasing a new version of Electron.
 
-## Compile release notes
-
-The current process is to maintain a local file, keeping track of notable changes as pull requests are merged. For examples of how to format the notes, see previous releases on [the releases page].
-
 ## Create a temporary branch
 
-Create a new branch from `master` named `release`.
+Create a new branch from `master`. Name it `release` or anything you like.
+
+Note: If you are creating a backport release, you'll check out `1-6-x`, `1-7-x`, etc instead of `master`. 
 
 ```sh
 git checkout master
@@ -18,6 +16,12 @@ git checkout -b release
 
 This branch is created as a precaution to prevent any merged PRs from sneaking into a release between the time the temporary release branch is created and the CI builds are complete.
 
+## Check for extant drafts
+
+The upload script [looks for an existing draft release](https://github.com/electron/electron/blob/7961a97d7ddbed657c6c867cc8426e02c236c077/script/upload.py#L173-L181). To prevent your new release
+from clobbering an existing draft, check [the releases page] and
+make sure there are no drafts.
+
 ## Bump the version
 
 Run the `bump-version` script, passing `major`, `minor`, or `patch` as an argument:
@@ -31,12 +35,94 @@ This will bump the version number in several files. See [this bump commit] for a
 
 Most releases will be `patch` level. Upgrades to Chrome or other major changes should use `minor`. For more info, see [electron-versioning].
 
+## Wait for builds :hourglass_flowing_sand:
+
+The presence of the word [`Bump`](https://github.com/electron/electron/blob/7961a97d7ddbed657c6c867cc8426e02c236c077/script/cibuild-linux#L3-L6) in the commit message created by the `bump-version` script
+will [trigger the release process](https://github.com/electron/electron/blob/7961a97d7ddbed657c6c867cc8426e02c236c077/script/cibuild#L82-L96).
+
+To monitor the build progress, see the following pages:
+
+- [208.52.191.140:8080/view/All/builds](http://208.52.191.140:8080/view/All/builds) for Mac and Windows
+- [jenkins.githubapp.com/label/chromium/](https://jenkins.githubapp.com/label/chromium/) for Linux
+
+## Compile release notes
+
+Writing release notes is a good way to keep yourself busy while the builds are running.
+For prior art, see existing releases on [the releases page].
+
+Tips:
+
+- Each listed item should reference a PR on electron/electron, not an issue, nor a PR from another repo like libcc.
+- No need to use link markup when referencing PRs. Strings like `#123` will automatically be converted to links on github.com.
+- To see the version of Chromium, V8, and Node in every version of Electron, visit [atom.io/download/electron/index.json](https://atom.io/download/electron/index.json).
+
+### Patch releases
+
+For a `patch` release, use the following format:
+
+```
+## Bug Fixes
+
+* Fixed a cross-platform thing. #123
+
+### Linux
+
+* Fixed a Linux thing. #123
+
+### macOS
+
+* Fixed a macOS thing. #123
+
+### Windows
+
+* Fixed a Windows thing. #1234
+
+## API Changes
+
+* Changed a thing. #123
+
+### Linux
+
+* Changed a Linux thing. #123
+
+### macOS
+
+* Changed a macOS thing. #123
+
+### Windows
+
+* Changed a Windows thing. #123
+```
+
+### Minor releases
+
+For a `minor` release (which is normally a Chromium update, and possibly also a Node update), e.g. `1.8.0`, use this format:
+
+```
+**Note:** This is a beta release. This is the first release running on upgraded versions of Chrome/Node.js/V8 and most likely will have have some instability and/or regressions.
+
+Please file new issues for any bugs you find in it.
+
+This release is published to [npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/electron) under the `beta` tag and can be installed via `npm install electron@beta`.
+
+## Upgrades
+
+- Upgraded from Chrome `oldVersion` to `newVersion`. #123
+- Upgraded from Node `oldVersion` to `newVersion`. #123
+- Upgraded from v8 `oldVersion` to `newVersion`. #9116
+
+## Other Changes
+
+- Some other change. #123
+```
+
 ## Edit the release draft
 
 1. Visit [the releases page] and you'll see a new draft release with placeholder release notes.
 1. Edit the release and add release notes.
+1. Ensure the `prerelease` checkbox is checked. This should happen automatically for Electron versions >=1.7
 1. Click 'Save draft'. **Do not click 'Publish release'!**
-1. Wait for all the builds to pass. :hourglass_flowing_sand:
+1. Wait for all builds to pass before proceeding. 
 
 ## Merge temporary branch