chore(release): publish Play uploads to production instead of internal testing

.gitea/workflows/release.yaml

@@ -551,12 +551,11 @@ jobs:
     env:
       VERSION: ${{ needs.detect.outputs.version }}
       VERSION_CODE: ${{ needs.detect.outputs.version_code }}
-      # Where the bundle lands. `internal` by default so a release reaches
-      # testers rather than the public, and promotion to production stays a
-      # deliberate human action in the Play Console — the same posture as
-      # holding UI releases for on-device review. Override with the PLAY_TRACK
-      # repo variable once the flow is trusted.
-      PLAY_TRACK: ${{ vars.PLAY_TRACK || 'internal' }}
+      # Where the bundle lands. `production` — the release itself is already the
+      # gate (a bumped versionName only reaches main after on-device review), so
+      # a second manual promotion in the Play Console bought nothing but delay.
+      # Override with the PLAY_TRACK repo variable to stage a release instead.
+      PLAY_TRACK: ${{ vars.PLAY_TRACK || 'production' }}
       PLAY_RELEASE_STATUS: ${{ vars.PLAY_RELEASE_STATUS || 'completed' }}
       # Set PLAY_DRY_RUN=true to validate the edit against the API and discard
       # it instead of committing — used to rehearse the first upload.

docs/RELEASING.md

@@ -172,9 +172,12 @@ F-Droid but not Play:
 Until those are fixed, Play's graphics are managed by hand in the console. Then
 pass `images:true` to the `listing` lane.
 
-**Track.** Uploads go to `internal` by default; promotion to production stays a
-manual action in the Play Console, matching the rule that UI releases wait for
-on-device review. Override with the `PLAY_TRACK` repo variable.
+**Track.** Uploads go straight to `production` at a full rollout
+(`PLAY_RELEASE_STATUS=completed`). The merge to `main` is already the human
+gate — a release only gets there after on-device review — so a second manual
+promotion in the Play Console added delay without adding a decision. Set the
+`PLAY_TRACK` repo variable (e.g. `internal`) to stage a release instead, or
+`PLAY_RELEASE_STATUS=draft` to hold it unpublished.
 
 ### Manual re-sign / recovery
 
@@ -233,7 +236,7 @@ Two consequences worth remembering:
 
 | Variable | Default | Purpose |
 | --- | --- | --- |
-| `PLAY_TRACK` | `internal` | Play track the bundle is uploaded to. |
+| `PLAY_TRACK` | `production` | Play track the bundle is uploaded to. Set to `internal`/`alpha`/`beta` to stage instead. |
 | `PLAY_RELEASE_STATUS` | `completed` | `completed`, `draft`, `inProgress` or `halted`. |
 | `PLAY_DRY_RUN` | `false` | `true` validates the Play edit against the API and discards it — use to rehearse. |
 

fastlane/Fastfile

@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ platform :android do
 
     supply(
       aab: aab,
-      track: options[:track] || "internal",
+      track: options[:track] || "production",
       release_status: options[:release_status] || "completed",
 
       # The APK belongs to F-Droid and the Codeberg download; Play only ever