Runbook 06 — Release gates (time-to-signal)

This preview outlines the capability introduced by this runbook and the role it plays in the larger automation system.

What this runbook does

Most test suites report failures. This runbook turns failures into decisions. It defines release gates as executable contracts that produce deterministic GO, WARN, or BLOCK outcomes based on real system behavior.

• Gate metadata encodes capability, impact, and ownership
• SMOKE suite provides fast release signal; REGRESSION provides depth and coverage
• CI output includes a complete decision contract with no interpretation or rerun required

What it proves

Release decisions become system-driven, auditable, and repeatable—removing ambiguity from the deployment process.

Access

The full runbook includes gate structure, decision policy, contract output, and CI integration patterns used to produce reliable time-to-signal.