diff --git a/docs/deployment/docker.md b/docs/deployment/docker.md
index 42915f8..6656c73 100644
--- a/docs/deployment/docker.md
+++ b/docs/deployment/docker.md
@@ -219,6 +219,8 @@ docker-compose --profile production up -d
 
 ## Updating DMARQ
 
+Before updating a production deployment, follow the [Release Checklist](release-checklist.md) and create a database backup.
+
 To update to a newer version:
 
 ```bash
diff --git a/docs/deployment/manual.md b/docs/deployment/manual.md
index 2e5ed2e..138a2e2 100644
--- a/docs/deployment/manual.md
+++ b/docs/deployment/manual.md
@@ -240,6 +240,8 @@ sudo systemctl enable dmarq-celery
 
 ## Updating DMARQ
 
+Before updating a production deployment, follow the [Release Checklist](release-checklist.md) and create a database backup.
+
 To update to a newer version:
 
 ```bash
diff --git a/docs/deployment/release-checklist.md b/docs/deployment/release-checklist.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..901d549
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/deployment/release-checklist.md
@@ -0,0 +1,94 @@
+# Release Checklist
+
+Use this checklist for every DMARQ release or production upgrade. It focuses on the work that most often causes avoidable downtime: database migrations, test coverage, release automation, and smoke checks.
+
+## Before Merging
+
+Confirm the release candidate is ready:
+
+- The pull request describes user impact, operator impact, and any migration or configuration changes.
+- Local tests pass with `PYTHONPATH=backend python -m pytest`.
+- Formatting and lint checks pass, or the PR explains any advisory-only lint warnings.
+- New or changed environment variables are documented in deployment docs.
+- New secrets are stored through the deployment secret manager, not committed to files or copied into PR text.
+- Database model changes include Alembic migration coverage or a clear reason no migration is needed.
+- The database backup guide has been followed for production upgrades.
+
+## Migration Review
+
+Before merging a change that touches database models, migrations, import paths, or report persistence:
+
+1. Inspect the migration files and confirm they match the model change.
+2. Test a fresh database with `alembic upgrade head`.
+3. Test an existing database upgrade from the current released version when possible.
+4. Confirm downgrade or rollback expectations are documented if the change is risky.
+5. Create a fresh production backup before deployment.
+
+## Merge And Release
+
+DMARQ releases from the `main` branch through GitHub Actions.
+
+1. Use a conventional merge commit subject:
+   - `fix:` for patch releases.
+   - `feat:` for minor releases.
+   - `feat!:` or `BREAKING CHANGE` for major releases.
+   - `docs:` for documentation-only changes that do not need a new app version.
+2. Watch the Release workflow.
+3. Watch the CI workflow through lint, tests, security scan, CodeQL, Docker build, and preprod manifest update.
+4. If the preprod manifest update fails because the k8s state repo moved during the run, rerun the failed job after confirming the image build succeeded.
+5. Pull tags locally after release automation completes.
+
+## Smoke Checks
+
+Run these checks after the deployment updates:
+
+```bash
+curl -fsS https://your-dmarq-host.example.com/health
+curl -fsS https://your-dmarq-host.example.com/api/v1/health
+```
+
+Then verify in the browser:
+
+- The login or setup page loads as expected.
+- The dashboard loads without server errors.
+- Domain totals and recent reports are visible.
+- Mail Sources opens and recent import history is visible.
+- A manual mailbox fetch can be triggered in preprod or another safe environment.
+- CSV export works for at least one domain with reports.
+
+Check logs after smoke testing:
+
+```bash
+docker compose logs --tail=100 backend
+```
+
+For systemd deployments:
+
+```bash
+sudo journalctl -u dmarq -n 100
+```
+
+There should be no repeated database, migration, authentication, or mailbox polling failures.
+
+## Rollback Readiness
+
+Before promoting a release to production, make sure these are known:
+
+- The previous DMARQ version or image tag.
+- The backup file created before deployment.
+- The database restore command for the active database type.
+- The operator who can update the deployment manifest or systemd service.
+- The smoke check results from preprod.
+
+If a rollback requires restoring the database, stop the app before restoring and verify the restored app with the same smoke checks.
+
+## After Release
+
+Record:
+
+- Released version or commit SHA.
+- Whether a database migration ran.
+- Backup file location or backup job identifier.
+- CI and release workflow result.
+- Smoke check result.
+- Any follow-up issues found during deployment.
diff --git a/docs/development/ci-cd.md b/docs/development/ci-cd.md
index fb94227..cf7a120 100644
--- a/docs/development/ci-cd.md
+++ b/docs/development/ci-cd.md
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@ The pipeline is defined in two workflow files:
 | `.github/workflows/ci.yml` | Lint → Test → Security → Docker → GitOps | Push to `main`/`develop`, pull requests, weekly schedule |
 | `.github/workflows/release.yml` | Semantic versioning & changelog | Push to `main` |
 
+Use the [Release Checklist](../deployment/release-checklist.md) before merging production changes and after the deployment updates.
+
 ---
 
 ## Pipeline Stages
diff --git a/docs/development/roadmap.md b/docs/development/roadmap.md
index b89b44a..bb15c5a 100644
--- a/docs/development/roadmap.md
+++ b/docs/development/roadmap.md
@@ -69,13 +69,14 @@ Quality bar:
 Objective: make self-hosted deployments safer.
 
 Priority tasks:
-- Add a release checklist covering migrations, tests, and smoke checks.
+- Use the production hardening docs in at least one real production upgrade and capture any gaps.
 
 Delivered:
 - Documented a 1Password secret-injection deployment flow for local, Docker Compose, and systemd deployments.
 - Redacted secret-like values from mail-source diagnostics, stored import history, OAuth error logs, and validated admin auth contexts.
 - Added production startup validation for stable secrets, configured auth, auth-disabled mode, and Logto TLS verification.
 - Added database backup and restore guidance for SQLite and PostgreSQL deployments.
+- Added a release checklist covering migrations, tests, smoke checks, release automation, and rollback readiness.
 
 ## Later Milestones
 
diff --git a/docs/index.md b/docs/index.md
index 8b7b221..d441ec1 100644
--- a/docs/index.md
+++ b/docs/index.md
@@ -21,4 +21,4 @@ DMARQ is a full-stack DMARC monitoring platform designed to help organizations t
 
 To get started with DMARQ, please see the [Getting Started](user_guide/getting_started.md) guide.
 
-For installation instructions, check the [Docker Setup](deployment/docker.md) or [Manual Installation](deployment/manual.md) guides. For production secrets, use [Secret Handling with 1Password](deployment/secrets.md). For database operations, use [Database Backup and Restore](deployment/backups.md).
+For installation instructions, check the [Docker Setup](deployment/docker.md) or [Manual Installation](deployment/manual.md) guides. For production secrets, use [Secret Handling with 1Password](deployment/secrets.md). For database operations, use [Database Backup and Restore](deployment/backups.md). For upgrades, use the [Release Checklist](deployment/release-checklist.md).
diff --git a/docs/milestones.md b/docs/milestones.md
index 6ae777b..a4747af 100644
--- a/docs/milestones.md
+++ b/docs/milestones.md
@@ -100,9 +100,9 @@ Delivered:
 - Admin authentication contexts no longer carry raw API keys after validation.
 - Production startup checks now fail early for missing stable secrets, missing auth configuration, auth-disabled mode, or disabled Logto TLS verification.
 - Database backup and restore guidance now covers SQLite and PostgreSQL deployments, restore verification, and upgrade safety checks.
+- A release checklist now covers pre-merge checks, migrations, release automation, smoke checks, and rollback readiness.
 
 Planned:
-- Add release checklist covering migrations, tests, and smoke checks.
 
 Exit criteria:
 - A self-hosted deployment can be configured without copying secrets into source-controlled files or chat logs.
diff --git a/docs/todo.md b/docs/todo.md
index a5daee5..d662156 100644
--- a/docs/todo.md
+++ b/docs/todo.md
@@ -159,6 +159,7 @@ This file tracks the specific implementation tasks for each milestone of the DMA
 - [x] Redact mailbox/OAuth secrets from diagnostics, logs, import history, and auth contexts
 - [x] Add startup checks for production-critical configuration
 - [x] Add backup/restore guidance for database deployments
+- [x] Add release checklist covering migrations, tests, and smoke checks
 - [ ] Apprise notifications and alert rules
 - [ ] DNS health guidance and Cloudflare read-only inspection
 - [ ] Guided setup and operator health pages