bash script for doing release checklist, resolves #223

prepare_release.sh

@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+# Get the last version tag
+readonly LAST_VERSION_TAG=$(git describe --abbrev=0 --tags)
+
+# Prompt user for new version
+read -p "Enter the new version number (most recent tag: ${LAST_VERSION_TAG#"v"}): " NEW_VERSION
+readonly NEW_VERSION
+
+# Validate input: Check if the input is a valid version number
+if ! [[ $NEW_VERSION =~ ^[0-9]+\.[0-9]+\.[0-9]+$ ]]; then
+	echo "Error: Invalid version number. Please try again with proper semver formatting."
+	exit 1
+fi
+
+#######################################
+
+# Replace [unreleased] placeholders throughout src files
+grep -FRl --exclude='*/node_modules/*' --exclude='*/vendor/*' '[unreleased]' src assets | xargs sed -i -e "s/\[unreleased\]/$NEW_VERSION/g"
+
+# Replace header value in readme.txt for WordPress.org plugin page
+sed -i "s/Stable tag: .*/Stable tag: $NEW_VERSION/" readme.txt
+
+# Replace release heading in changelog.md with specified new version and current date
+readonly TODAY=$(date +'%Y-%m-%d')
+sed -i "s/### \[unreleased\]/### $NEW_VERSION - $TODAY/" changelog.md
+
+#######################################
+
+# Review and confirm changes
+echo
+echo "Release checklist changes applied."
+echo "Please review the changes and confirm this release:"
+echo
+echo "git status"
+echo "git diff"
+echo
+echo "git commit -m \"bump v$NEW_VERSION\""
+echo "git tag -a \"v$NEW_VERSION\" -m \"see changelog.md\""
+echo "git push --tags"
+echo