About release channels, versions, and patches¶

About release channels¶

Release channels allow providers to publish apps at different stages of the app development lifecycle. For example, a provider can use release channels to perform the following tasks:

• Test an app locally in the provider account.

• Publish an app to consumers as a preview or for user acceptance testing (UAT).

• Publish the app to a production environment.

Release channels also allow providers to manage versions and patches of an app. By using release channels, providers can create and publish multiple versions and patches of an app at the same time.

Using release channels, a provider can create more than two simultaneous versions of an app.

Providers enable release channels on the application package. By default, when you create an application package, release channels are enabled. However, if you create an application package with release channels enabled, you cannot disable them later.

Supported release channels¶

Release channels allow providers to publish an app at different stages of the development life cycle. The specific release channel a provider uses depends on whether the app is in development or ready for production. The Snowflake Native App Framework supports the following release channels:

QA:

Versions and patches of an app assigned to this release channel are only available to consumers within the provider’s organization. Apps published using this release channel must be targeted to one or more specific accounts within that organization; they are not available to all accounts in the organization by default.

Providers can use this release channel for testing. Apps published using the QA release channel are not required to run the automated security scan.

ALPHA:

Versions and patches of an app assigned to this release channel can be published to consumers outside the provider’s organization. When an app is assigned to this release channel, the automated security scan is performed.

While the security scan is in progress, the provider can set the release directive for this version, and consumers can install it in their accounts. However, if a version assigned to this release channel fails the security scan, it can no longer be used.

Providers can use this channel to collaborate with consumers during the development of an app.

DEFAULT:

Versions and patches of an app assigned to this release channel are available to all consumers who have access to the app version or patch. Apps assigned to this release channel must pass the automated security scan.

This release channel is the production release channel. All apps assigned to this release channel must conform to the security requirements and guidelines for publishing an app. For more information, see Security requirements and guidelines for a Snowflake Native App.

About versions and patches of an app¶

Snowflake Native Apps allow providers to create versions and patches of an app. Versions and patches allow providers to release new functionality and updates to consumers.

Versions

Generally contain major updates to a Snowflake Native App. Versions generally introduce new features and changed functionality for an app.

Patches

Generally contain smaller updates to a Snowflake Native App. Unlike versions, patches should only contain small updates such as security fixes.