content/wiki/pkg/releases.md

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On this page, you will find information about MatterLinux release cycle and
version numbering.
## Release cycle
The release cycle is pretty simple, if there are enough package updates and changes,
then you get a new release. So its expected to have a release or once a month.
### Package updates
MatterLinux follows a slow rolling release cycle for all the packages. Packages update every
once in a while, generally to fix security issues. Packages get tested on a development repo,
[next.matterlinux.xyz](https://next.matterlinux.xyz) before they get pushed into the main repos.
This way we can maintain a stable experience.
### ISOs and release archives
- ISO: A bootable disk image
- Release Archive: An archive used during the installation of a release
With new release, a new ISO and a release archive will be published. This way
the packages in these ISO and archive files will always be up-to-date.
### Learn the version you are using
You can learn the MatterLinux release version you are using by printing
out the `/etc/os-release` file:
```
# cat /etc/os-release
```
## Version numbering
MatterLinux and all it's projects are version numbered after the year.
For example MatterLinux release for the year 2024 is versioned "MatterLinux 24".
Minor numbers may be added for other releases. For example the 2nd release of the
MatterLinux 24 ISO would be named "MatterLinux 24.01".
Similarly 15th release of the MatterLinux package manager for the year 2024
is versioned "24.14".
## Building releases
You can build an up-to-date ISO and a release archives using [MatterLinux tools](https://git.matterlinux.xyz/matter/tools).
These tools also can be installed with the `tools` package.
> **Important**
>
> You should be on a MatterLinux system for a proper build!
### Building the release archive
To build a release archive, you can use the `matter-base` tool. This tool will create a temporary directory,
install all the required base packages into it and then it will archive it all up for the final archive.
All you need to do is to specify a name for the archive, for example:
```
# matter-base matterlinux_example-build
```
### Building the ISOs
Official ISOs are built using the `matter-iso` tool. By providing a release archive and a configuration
directory to this tool, you can create an ISO image.
> **Note**
>
> ISO image is created using `grub-mkrescue`, so you should install `libisoburn` before proceeding.
As the configuration directory, you can clone the [official ISO configuration](https://git.matterlinux.xyz/Matter/iso).
Or you can use your own custom configuration.
To build the ISO with the release archive that we created on the previous example, using the configuration directory
located at `./iso`:
```
# matter-iso matterlinux_example-build.tar.gz iso
```
The final ISO should be available at `./iso/dist/<name_version>.iso` after the build.