Entrance script is _do-release-docker.sh_. Requires a local docker; for example, on mac os x, Docker for Desktop installed and running. For usage, pass '-h': $ ./do-release-docker.sh -h To run a build w/o invoking docker (not recommeneded!), use _do_release.sh_. It does not take parameters. It will ask you what commands to run with taking defaults from environment. Before starting the RC build, run a reconciliation of what is in JIRA with what is in the commit log. Make sure they align and that anomalies are explained up in JIRA. See http://hbase.apache.org/book.html#maven.release Running a build on GCE is easy enough. Here are some notes if of use. Create an instance. 4CPU/15G/10G disk seems to work well enough. Once up, run the below to make your machine fit for RC building: # Presuming debian-compatible OS $ sudo apt-get install -y git openjdk-8-jdk maven gnupg gnupg-agent # Install docker $ sudo apt-get install -y \ apt-transport-https \ ca-certificates \ curl \ gnupg2 \ software-properties-common $ curl -fsSL https://download.docker.com/linux/debian/gpg | sudo apt-key add - $ sudo add-apt-repository -y \ "deb [arch=amd64] https://download.docker.com/linux/debian \ $(lsb_release -cs) \ stable" $ sudo apt-get update $ sudo apt-get install -y docker-ce docker-ce-cli containerd.io $ sudo usermod -a -G docker $USERID # LOGOUT and then LOGIN again so $USERID shows as part of docker groupl # Copy up private key for $USERID export from laptop and import on gce. $ gpg --import stack.duboce.net.asc $ export GPG_TTY=$(tty) # https://github.com/keybase/keybase-issues/issues/2798 $ eval $(gpg-agent --disable-scdaemon --daemon --no-grab --allow-preset-passphrase --default-cache-ttl=86400 --max-cache-ttl=86400) $ git clone https://github.com/apache/hbase.git $ cd hbase $ mkdir ~/build $ ./dev-resources/create-release/do-release-docker.sh -d ~/build # etc.