From c18810621ef819cb0a2429c958d68e7fbcf83c7a Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: David Knapp <david.knapp@dlr.de>
Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2026 10:47:11 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 01/20] Create a release instead of a tag and upload the
 tarball as an asset of the release

---
 .github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml | 41 ++++++++++++++++++------
 1 file changed, 31 insertions(+), 10 deletions(-)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml b/.github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml
index acee1ebbd8..648c290f0a 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml
@@ -64,14 +64,35 @@ jobs:
             # Create version name accessible in the following steps
             - name: Set version name
               run: |
-                echo "VERSION_NAME=v${{ env.MAJOR }}.${{ env.MINOR }}.${{ env.PATCH }}-$(date +'%Y.%m.%d')" >> $GITHUB_ENV
+                # Use format vMAJOR.MINOR.PATCH-YY.MM e.g., v1.2.3-24.06 for June 2024
+
+                VERSION_NAME="v${{ env.MAJOR }}.${{ env.MINOR }}.${{ env.PATCH }}-$(date +'%Y.%m')"
+                echo "VERSION_NAME=$VERSION_NAME" >> $GITHUB_ENV
                 echo "VERSION_NAME=$VERSION_NAME"
-            # Create a new version tag
-            - name: Create version tag
-              run: |
-                  git config user.email "t8ddy.bot@gmail.com"
-                  git config user.name "t8ddy"
-                  # configure remote to use the secret token for pushing
-                  git remote set-url origin https://x-access-token:${{ secrets.T8DDY_TOKEN }}@github.com/${{ github.repository }}
-                  git tag "${{ env.VERSION_NAME }}"
-                  git push origin --tags
\ No newline at end of file
+            # Create a new version release
+            - name: Create Release
+              id: create_release
+              uses: actions/create-release@v1
+              with: 
+                draft: false
+                prerelease: false
+                release_name: ${{ env.VERSION_NAME }}
+                env:
+                    GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.T8DDY_TOKEN }}
+    
+    t8code_tarball:
+        uses: ./.github/workflows/t8code_tarball.yml
+        with:
+            TEST_LEVEL: 'T8_TEST_LEVEL_BASIC'
+        needs: monthly_release
+        secrets: inherit
+
+    upload_tarball:
+        uses: actions/upload-release-asset@v1
+        env:
+            GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.T8DDY_TOKEN }}
+        with:
+            upload_url: ${{ steps.create_release.outputs.upload_url }}
+            asset_path: ./build/tarballs/T8CODE-${{ env.VERSION_NAME }}.tar.gz
+            asset_name: T8CODE-${{ env.VERSION_NAME }}.tar.gz
+            asset_content_type: application/gzip

From 4c91052d60265f9fe5eead7bfade96c28f09c8a4 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: David Knapp <david.knapp@dlr.de>
Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2026 10:59:22 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 02/20] fix workflow format and outputs of previous jobs

---
 .github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml | 25 ++++++++++++++----------
 1 file changed, 15 insertions(+), 10 deletions(-)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml b/.github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml
index 648c290f0a..54d68750bd 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml
@@ -29,6 +29,8 @@ on:
 jobs:
     monthly_release:
         runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+        outputs:
+            upload_url: ${{ steps.create_release.outputs.upload_url }}
         steps:
             #checkout main branch
             - name: Checkout code
@@ -85,14 +87,17 @@ jobs:
         with:
             TEST_LEVEL: 'T8_TEST_LEVEL_BASIC'
         needs: monthly_release
-        secrets: inherit
-
     upload_tarball:
-        uses: actions/upload-release-asset@v1
-        env:
-            GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.T8DDY_TOKEN }}
-        with:
-            upload_url: ${{ steps.create_release.outputs.upload_url }}
-            asset_path: ./build/tarballs/T8CODE-${{ env.VERSION_NAME }}.tar.gz
-            asset_name: T8CODE-${{ env.VERSION_NAME }}.tar.gz
-            asset_content_type: application/gzip
+        runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+        needs: t8code_tarball
+        steps:
+            - name: Upload release asset
+              uses: actions/upload-release-asset@v1
+              with:
+                  upload_url: ${{ needs.monthly_release.outputs.upload_url }}
+                  asset_path: ./build/tarballs/T8CODE-${{ env.VERSION_NAME }}.tar.gz
+                  asset_name: T8CODE-${{ env.VERSION_NAME }}.tar.gz
+                  asset_content_type: application/gzip
+              env:
+                  GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.T8DDY_TOKEN }}
+

From 4f00a0f96daea0f4b44f0345aac83b13c4711a4c Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: David Knapp <david.knapp@dlr.de>
Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2026 11:00:55 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 03/20] fix mapping

---
 .github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml | 4 ++--
 1 file changed, 2 insertions(+), 2 deletions(-)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml b/.github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml
index 54d68750bd..f245e491e0 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml
@@ -79,8 +79,8 @@ jobs:
                 draft: false
                 prerelease: false
                 release_name: ${{ env.VERSION_NAME }}
-                env:
-                    GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.T8DDY_TOKEN }}
+              env:
+                GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.T8DDY_TOKEN }}
     
     t8code_tarball:
         uses: ./.github/workflows/t8code_tarball.yml

From 1e2c22a18b4dd9ff87b5e5e8bf40e48682454742 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: David Knapp <david.knapp@dlr.de>
Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2026 11:11:19 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 04/20] Change name of workflow file

the name was wrong
---
 .github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml | 5 +++--
 1 file changed, 3 insertions(+), 2 deletions(-)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml b/.github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml
index f245e491e0..4883879b28 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml
@@ -81,12 +81,13 @@ jobs:
                 release_name: ${{ env.VERSION_NAME }}
               env:
                 GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.T8DDY_TOKEN }}
-    
+
     t8code_tarball:
-        uses: ./.github/workflows/t8code_tarball.yml
+        uses: ./.github/workflows/test_tarball.yml
         with:
             TEST_LEVEL: 'T8_TEST_LEVEL_BASIC'
         needs: monthly_release
+
     upload_tarball:
         runs-on: ubuntu-latest
         needs: t8code_tarball

From 544d45a922fe2ad93efc8fcf4beb02fd416147fb Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: David Knapp <david.knapp@dlr.de>
Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2026 11:14:05 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 05/20] Add tag-name to create and a body for the release

---
 .github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml | 3 +++
 1 file changed, 3 insertions(+)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml b/.github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml
index 4883879b28..14e30c8176 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml
@@ -79,6 +79,9 @@ jobs:
                 draft: false
                 prerelease: false
                 release_name: ${{ env.VERSION_NAME }}
+                tag_name: ${{ env.VERSION_NAME }}
+                body: |
+                  Release notes for ${{ env.VERSION_NAME }}
               env:
                 GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.T8DDY_TOKEN }}
 

From 8f3acc9b5f60d946a7c9d04739cdb8f11c196baf Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: David Knapp <david.knapp@dlr.de>
Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2026 13:41:54 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 06/20] Communicate informations between jobs

---
 .github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml | 8 ++++++--
 1 file changed, 6 insertions(+), 2 deletions(-)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml b/.github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml
index 14e30c8176..4c3f193e8f 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ jobs:
         runs-on: ubuntu-latest
         outputs:
             upload_url: ${{ steps.create_release.outputs.upload_url }}
+            version_name: ${{ steps.set_version_name.outputs.version_name }}
         steps:
             #checkout main branch
             - name: Checkout code
@@ -70,6 +71,7 @@ jobs:
 
                 VERSION_NAME="v${{ env.MAJOR }}.${{ env.MINOR }}.${{ env.PATCH }}-$(date +'%Y.%m')"
                 echo "VERSION_NAME=$VERSION_NAME" >> $GITHUB_ENV
+                echo "version_name=$VERSION_NAME" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
                 echo "VERSION_NAME=$VERSION_NAME"
             # Create a new version release
             - name: Create Release
@@ -84,6 +86,8 @@ jobs:
                   Release notes for ${{ env.VERSION_NAME }}
               env:
                 GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.T8DDY_TOKEN }}
+            - name: export upload url
+              run: echo "upload_url=${{ steps.create_release.outputs.upload_url }}" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
 
     t8code_tarball:
         uses: ./.github/workflows/test_tarball.yml
@@ -99,8 +103,8 @@ jobs:
               uses: actions/upload-release-asset@v1
               with:
                   upload_url: ${{ needs.monthly_release.outputs.upload_url }}
-                  asset_path: ./build/tarballs/T8CODE-${{ env.VERSION_NAME }}.tar.gz
-                  asset_name: T8CODE-${{ env.VERSION_NAME }}.tar.gz
+                  asset_path: ./build/tarballs/T8CODE-${{ needs.monthly_release.outputs.version_name }}.tar.gz
+                  asset_name: T8CODE-${{ needs.monthly_release.outputs.version_name }}.tar.gz
                   asset_content_type: application/gzip
               env:
                   GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.T8DDY_TOKEN }}

From c7e2fa4d6d628a4297f2888bfa8cdc0bab7abf0b Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: David Knapp <david.knapp@dlr.de>
Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2026 13:50:57 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 07/20] Add monthly release to the dependencies of
 upload_tarball

---
 .github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml | 2 +-
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml b/.github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml
index 4c3f193e8f..da2c80d9d4 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ jobs:
 
     upload_tarball:
         runs-on: ubuntu-latest
-        needs: t8code_tarball
+        needs: [t8code_tarball, monthly_release]
         steps:
             - name: Upload release asset
               uses: actions/upload-release-asset@v1

From 98e29c52d274e0860eaf9aab76e826a32390d2fa Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: David Knapp <david.knapp@dlr.de>
Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2026 14:03:43 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 08/20] set id

---
 .github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml | 1 +
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml b/.github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml
index da2c80d9d4..1a69e328b8 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml
@@ -66,6 +66,7 @@ jobs:
                   fi
             # Create version name accessible in the following steps
             - name: Set version name
+              id: set_version_name
               run: |
                 # Use format vMAJOR.MINOR.PATCH-YY.MM e.g., v1.2.3-24.06 for June 2024
 

From de9ea2505620adb04d6fd4618f6ad668833b8512 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: David Knapp <david.knapp@dlr.de>
Date: Mon, 19 Jan 2026 08:55:44 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 09/20] reuse tarball workflow

---
 .github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml | 30 +++---------------------
 .github/workflows/test_tarball.yml       | 25 +++++++++++++++++++-
 2 files changed, 27 insertions(+), 28 deletions(-)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml b/.github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml
index 1a69e328b8..2d7122826b 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml
@@ -74,19 +74,7 @@ jobs:
                 echo "VERSION_NAME=$VERSION_NAME" >> $GITHUB_ENV
                 echo "version_name=$VERSION_NAME" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
                 echo "VERSION_NAME=$VERSION_NAME"
-            # Create a new version release
-            - name: Create Release
-              id: create_release
-              uses: actions/create-release@v1
-              with: 
-                draft: false
-                prerelease: false
-                release_name: ${{ env.VERSION_NAME }}
-                tag_name: ${{ env.VERSION_NAME }}
-                body: |
-                  Release notes for ${{ env.VERSION_NAME }}
-              env:
-                GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.T8DDY_TOKEN }}
+
             - name: export upload url
               run: echo "upload_url=${{ steps.create_release.outputs.upload_url }}" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
 
@@ -94,19 +82,7 @@ jobs:
         uses: ./.github/workflows/test_tarball.yml
         with:
             TEST_LEVEL: 'T8_TEST_LEVEL_BASIC'
+            UPLOAD_URL: ${{ steps.create_release.outputs.upload_url }}
+            UPLOAD_TO_RELEASE: true
         needs: monthly_release
 
-    upload_tarball:
-        runs-on: ubuntu-latest
-        needs: [t8code_tarball, monthly_release]
-        steps:
-            - name: Upload release asset
-              uses: actions/upload-release-asset@v1
-              with:
-                  upload_url: ${{ needs.monthly_release.outputs.upload_url }}
-                  asset_path: ./build/tarballs/T8CODE-${{ needs.monthly_release.outputs.version_name }}.tar.gz
-                  asset_name: T8CODE-${{ needs.monthly_release.outputs.version_name }}.tar.gz
-                  asset_content_type: application/gzip
-              env:
-                  GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.T8DDY_TOKEN }}
-
diff --git a/.github/workflows/test_tarball.yml b/.github/workflows/test_tarball.yml
index 2c465a9cb4..6bf3ce2fc9 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/test_tarball.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/test_tarball.yml
@@ -37,10 +37,18 @@ on:
         type: string
         description: 'Test level used for configuring (T8_TEST_LEVEL_FULL, T8_TEST_LEVEL_MEDIUM, or T8_TEST_LEVEL_BASIC)'
         default: 'T8_TEST_LEVEL_FULL'
+      UPLOAD_URL:
+        required: false
+        type: string
+        description: 'Upload URL for release asset upload'
+      UPLOAD_TO_RELEASE:
+        required: false
+        type: boolean
+        description: 'Whether to upload the tarball to the release'
+        default: false
 
 jobs:
   build_tarball:
-
     if: (github.event_name == 'schedule' && github.repository == 'DLR-AMR/t8code') || (github.event_name != 'schedule')
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     container: dlramr/t8code-ubuntu:t8-dependencies
@@ -139,5 +147,20 @@ jobs:
       with:
         name: build_tar.log
         path: build_tar/test-suite.log
+    - name: retrieve name of tarball
+      run: |
+        TAR_NAME=$(basename tarballs/*.tar.gz)
+        echo "TAR_NAME=$TAR_NAME" >> $GITHUB_ENV
+    - name: upload as release asset
+      if: ${{ inputs.UPLOAD_TO_RELEASE == true }}
+      uses: actions/upload-artifact@v6
+      with:
+        upload_url: ${{ inputs.UPLOAD_URL }}
+        asset_path: tarballs/${{ env.TAR_NAME }}.tar.gz
+        asset_name: ${{ env.TAR_NAME }}.tar.gz
+        asset_content_type: application/gzip
+      env:
+        GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.T8DDY_TOKEN }}
+
 
 

From 6e031a92d2b3c8633f45294e0638124b810f51eb Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: David Knapp <david.knapp@dlr.de>
Date: Mon, 19 Jan 2026 09:00:24 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 10/20] add dependencies to job

---
 .github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml | 19 ++++++++++++++++---
 1 file changed, 16 insertions(+), 3 deletions(-)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml b/.github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml
index 2d7122826b..50622dcbc5 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml
@@ -74,15 +74,28 @@ jobs:
                 echo "VERSION_NAME=$VERSION_NAME" >> $GITHUB_ENV
                 echo "version_name=$VERSION_NAME" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
                 echo "VERSION_NAME=$VERSION_NAME"
-
+            # Create a new version release
+            - name: Create Release
+              id: create_release
+              uses: actions/create-release@v1
+              with: 
+                draft: false
+                prerelease: false
+                release_name: ${{ env.VERSION_NAME }}
+                tag_name: ${{ env.VERSION_NAME }}
+                body: |
+                  Release notes for ${{ env.VERSION_NAME }}
+              env:
+                GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.T8DDY_TOKEN }}
             - name: export upload url
               run: echo "upload_url=${{ steps.create_release.outputs.upload_url }}" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
 
     t8code_tarball:
         uses: ./.github/workflows/test_tarball.yml
+        needs: monthly_release
+        secrets: inherit
         with:
             TEST_LEVEL: 'T8_TEST_LEVEL_BASIC'
-            UPLOAD_URL: ${{ steps.create_release.outputs.upload_url }}
+            UPLOAD_URL: ${{ needs.monthly_release.outputs.upload_url }}
             UPLOAD_TO_RELEASE: true
-        needs: monthly_release
 

From 3a2cbf162b793d4b9840c087a8b8231df4ffddd2 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: David Knapp <david.knapp@dlr.de>
Date: Mon, 19 Jan 2026 09:22:54 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 11/20] use different actions

---
 .github/workflows/test_tarball.yml | 11 ++++-------
 1 file changed, 4 insertions(+), 7 deletions(-)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/test_tarball.yml b/.github/workflows/test_tarball.yml
index 6bf3ce2fc9..61eccd4c40 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/test_tarball.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/test_tarball.yml
@@ -37,10 +37,10 @@ on:
         type: string
         description: 'Test level used for configuring (T8_TEST_LEVEL_FULL, T8_TEST_LEVEL_MEDIUM, or T8_TEST_LEVEL_BASIC)'
         default: 'T8_TEST_LEVEL_FULL'
-      UPLOAD_URL:
+      RELEASE_VERSION:
         required: false
         type: string
-        description: 'Upload URL for release asset upload'
+        description: 'Create a release with this version (e.g., v1.2.3-24.06) and upload the tarball to it'
       UPLOAD_TO_RELEASE:
         required: false
         type: boolean
@@ -153,12 +153,9 @@ jobs:
         echo "TAR_NAME=$TAR_NAME" >> $GITHUB_ENV
     - name: upload as release asset
       if: ${{ inputs.UPLOAD_TO_RELEASE == true }}
-      uses: actions/upload-artifact@v6
+      uses: ncipollo/release-action@v1
       with:
-        upload_url: ${{ inputs.UPLOAD_URL }}
-        asset_path: tarballs/${{ env.TAR_NAME }}.tar.gz
-        asset_name: ${{ env.TAR_NAME }}.tar.gz
-        asset_content_type: application/gzip
+        name: ${{ inputs.RELEASE_VERSION }}
       env:
         GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.T8DDY_TOKEN }}
 

From e5acdf84ce38bb723019a53716a24731a4dc0cf3 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: David Knapp <david.knapp@dlr.de>
Date: Mon, 19 Jan 2026 09:25:10 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 12/20] update outputs of workflow

---
 .github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml | 18 +-----------------
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 17 deletions(-)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml b/.github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml
index 50622dcbc5..084d8be148 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml
@@ -30,7 +30,6 @@ jobs:
     monthly_release:
         runs-on: ubuntu-latest
         outputs:
-            upload_url: ${{ steps.create_release.outputs.upload_url }}
             version_name: ${{ steps.set_version_name.outputs.version_name }}
         steps:
             #checkout main branch
@@ -74,21 +73,6 @@ jobs:
                 echo "VERSION_NAME=$VERSION_NAME" >> $GITHUB_ENV
                 echo "version_name=$VERSION_NAME" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
                 echo "VERSION_NAME=$VERSION_NAME"
-            # Create a new version release
-            - name: Create Release
-              id: create_release
-              uses: actions/create-release@v1
-              with: 
-                draft: false
-                prerelease: false
-                release_name: ${{ env.VERSION_NAME }}
-                tag_name: ${{ env.VERSION_NAME }}
-                body: |
-                  Release notes for ${{ env.VERSION_NAME }}
-              env:
-                GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.T8DDY_TOKEN }}
-            - name: export upload url
-              run: echo "upload_url=${{ steps.create_release.outputs.upload_url }}" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
 
     t8code_tarball:
         uses: ./.github/workflows/test_tarball.yml
@@ -96,6 +80,6 @@ jobs:
         secrets: inherit
         with:
             TEST_LEVEL: 'T8_TEST_LEVEL_BASIC'
-            UPLOAD_URL: ${{ needs.monthly_release.outputs.upload_url }}
+            RELEASE_VERSION: ${{ needs.monthly_release.outputs.version_name }}
             UPLOAD_TO_RELEASE: true
 

From 3a160e6e11841ae36fd5a0d06a5e88bb4598de7d Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: David Knapp <david.knapp@dlr.de>
Date: Mon, 19 Jan 2026 09:34:14 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 13/20] skip testing for faster prototyping

---
 .github/workflows/test_tarball.yml | 20 ++++++++++----------
 1 file changed, 10 insertions(+), 10 deletions(-)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/test_tarball.yml b/.github/workflows/test_tarball.yml
index 61eccd4c40..62ec2e9486 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/test_tarball.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/test_tarball.yml
@@ -137,16 +137,16 @@ jobs:
       run: cd build_tar && ninja
     - name: install
       run: cd build_tar && ninja install
-    - name: check serial
-      run: cd build_tar && ctest -R _serial
-    - name: check parallel
-      run: cd build_tar && ctest -R _parallel
-    - name: OnFailUploadLog
-      if: failure()
-      uses: actions/upload-artifact@v6
-      with:
-        name: build_tar.log
-        path: build_tar/test-suite.log
+    #- name: check serial
+    #  run: cd build_tar && ctest -R _serial
+    #- name: check parallel
+    #  run: cd build_tar && ctest -R _parallel
+    #- name: OnFailUploadLog
+    #  if: failure()
+    #  uses: actions/upload-artifact@v6
+    #  with:
+    #    name: build_tar.log
+    #    path: build_tar/test-suite.log
     - name: retrieve name of tarball
       run: |
         TAR_NAME=$(basename tarballs/*.tar.gz)

From 5240e0681614e61a5623e62e1ecc22cf44600e45 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: David Knapp <david.knapp@dlr.de>
Date: Mon, 19 Jan 2026 09:34:29 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 14/20] provide commit and tag name to create the release

---
 .github/workflows/test_tarball.yml | 2 ++
 1 file changed, 2 insertions(+)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/test_tarball.yml b/.github/workflows/test_tarball.yml
index 62ec2e9486..24d0133c2c 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/test_tarball.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/test_tarball.yml
@@ -156,6 +156,8 @@ jobs:
       uses: ncipollo/release-action@v1
       with:
         name: ${{ inputs.RELEASE_VERSION }}
+        commit: main
+        tag: ${{ inputs.RELEASE_VERSION }}
       env:
         GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.T8DDY_TOKEN }}
 

From 5878a82b4b09a45a938f52425365d4898cdb5b16 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: David Knapp <david.knapp@dlr.de>
Date: Mon, 19 Jan 2026 09:40:37 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 15/20] skip the build-step too for faster prototyping

---
 .github/workflows/test_tarball.yml | 8 ++++----
 1 file changed, 4 insertions(+), 4 deletions(-)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/test_tarball.yml b/.github/workflows/test_tarball.yml
index 24d0133c2c..9afaf35c76 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/test_tarball.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/test_tarball.yml
@@ -133,10 +133,10 @@ jobs:
       with:
         name: build_tar.log
         path: build_tar/config.log
-    - name: build
-      run: cd build_tar && ninja
-    - name: install
-      run: cd build_tar && ninja install
+    #- name: build
+    #  run: cd build_tar && ninja
+    #- name: install
+    #  run: cd build_tar && ninja install
     #- name: check serial
     #  run: cd build_tar && ctest -R _serial
     #- name: check parallel

From 175893026b0d838bc0fe49aef5aaa47b60ac1279 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: David Knapp <david.knapp@dlr.de>
Date: Mon, 19 Jan 2026 09:49:06 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 16/20] update tarball and add a body

---
 .github/workflows/test_tarball.yml | 2 ++
 1 file changed, 2 insertions(+)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/test_tarball.yml b/.github/workflows/test_tarball.yml
index 9afaf35c76..5d865edc0a 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/test_tarball.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/test_tarball.yml
@@ -158,6 +158,8 @@ jobs:
         name: ${{ inputs.RELEASE_VERSION }}
         commit: main
         tag: ${{ inputs.RELEASE_VERSION }}
+        artifacts: "tarballs/*.tar.gz"
+        body: "Automated release of t8code version ${{ inputs.RELEASE_VERSION }} created from tarball tested in CI."
       env:
         GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.T8DDY_TOKEN }}
 

From e8f8027baedc6602933e9feb6a22f887d727df69 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: David Knapp <david.knapp@dlr.de>
Date: Mon, 19 Jan 2026 09:59:02 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 17/20] try new date format

---
 .github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml | 3 +--
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 2 deletions(-)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml b/.github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml
index 084d8be148..70f6ffdbef 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/create_version_tag.yml
@@ -68,8 +68,7 @@ jobs:
               id: set_version_name
               run: |
                 # Use format vMAJOR.MINOR.PATCH-YY.MM e.g., v1.2.3-24.06 for June 2024
-
-                VERSION_NAME="v${{ env.MAJOR }}.${{ env.MINOR }}.${{ env.PATCH }}-$(date +'%Y.%m')"
+                VERSION_NAME="v${{ env.MAJOR }}.${{ env.MINOR }}.${{ env.PATCH }}-$(date +'%y.%m')"
                 echo "VERSION_NAME=$VERSION_NAME" >> $GITHUB_ENV
                 echo "version_name=$VERSION_NAME" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
                 echo "VERSION_NAME=$VERSION_NAME"

From dc356310316a6205ae11f4366dce59c40facb803 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: David Knapp <david.knapp@dlr.de>
Date: Mon, 19 Jan 2026 10:11:11 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 18/20] update usage of token

---
 .github/workflows/test_tarball.yml | 3 +--
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 2 deletions(-)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/test_tarball.yml b/.github/workflows/test_tarball.yml
index 5d865edc0a..6fcac4716a 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/test_tarball.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/test_tarball.yml
@@ -160,8 +160,7 @@ jobs:
         tag: ${{ inputs.RELEASE_VERSION }}
         artifacts: "tarballs/*.tar.gz"
         body: "Automated release of t8code version ${{ inputs.RELEASE_VERSION }} created from tarball tested in CI."
-      env:
-        GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.T8DDY_TOKEN }}
+        token: ${{ secrets.T8DDY_TOKEN }}
 
 
 

From c91fee157dd9ab33b38d706ddfffdad0d7bbb4ce Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: David Knapp <david.knapp@dlr.de>
Date: Mon, 19 Jan 2026 10:14:17 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 19/20] Readd testing of tarball

Prototyping is over
---
 .github/workflows/test_tarball.yml | 28 ++++++++++++++--------------
 1 file changed, 14 insertions(+), 14 deletions(-)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/test_tarball.yml b/.github/workflows/test_tarball.yml
index 6fcac4716a..7c75b38eea 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/test_tarball.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/test_tarball.yml
@@ -133,20 +133,20 @@ jobs:
       with:
         name: build_tar.log
         path: build_tar/config.log
-    #- name: build
-    #  run: cd build_tar && ninja
-    #- name: install
-    #  run: cd build_tar && ninja install
-    #- name: check serial
-    #  run: cd build_tar && ctest -R _serial
-    #- name: check parallel
-    #  run: cd build_tar && ctest -R _parallel
-    #- name: OnFailUploadLog
-    #  if: failure()
-    #  uses: actions/upload-artifact@v6
-    #  with:
-    #    name: build_tar.log
-    #    path: build_tar/test-suite.log
+    - name: build
+      run: cd build_tar && ninja
+    - name: install
+      run: cd build_tar && ninja install
+    - name: check serial
+      run: cd build_tar && ctest -R _serial
+    - name: check parallel
+      run: cd build_tar && ctest -R _parallel
+    - name: OnFailUploadLog
+      if: failure()
+      uses: actions/upload-artifact@v6
+      with:
+        name: build_tar.log
+        path: build_tar/test-suite.log
     - name: retrieve name of tarball
       run: |
         TAR_NAME=$(basename tarballs/*.tar.gz)

From e1eb1393bdcd925e67414b78fcab0ba535fc5752 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: David Knapp <david.knapp@dlr.de>
Date: Mon, 19 Jan 2026 10:33:05 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 20/20] Generate release notes

---
 .github/workflows/test_tarball.yml | 1 +
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/test_tarball.yml b/.github/workflows/test_tarball.yml
index 7c75b38eea..fd2782cec0 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/test_tarball.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/test_tarball.yml
@@ -160,6 +160,7 @@ jobs:
         tag: ${{ inputs.RELEASE_VERSION }}
         artifacts: "tarballs/*.tar.gz"
         body: "Automated release of t8code version ${{ inputs.RELEASE_VERSION }} created from tarball tested in CI."
+        generate_release_notes: true
         token: ${{ secrets.T8DDY_TOKEN }}