LAUNCH_CHECKLIST.md

PacketQL Launch Checklist (Public Repo)

Use this checklist before announcing PacketQL as production-ready.

Stage 1 - Public Beta (can publish now)

• Add root README.md with clear install/run instructions
• Add open-source LICENSE
• Add .env.example
• Label status as Public Beta
• Add architecture diagram and supporting architecture doc
• Add UI screenshots
• Add sample PCAP + expected output walkthrough

Stage 2 - Reliability Baseline

• CI pipeline: frontend build + backend tests + Go tests
• Pin dependency strategy and update policy
• Add health checks for API/frontend/enrich
• Add backup/recovery notes for runtime data

Stage 3 - Security Hardening

• Move Django SECRET_KEY to env
• Set DEBUG=False for production
• Restrict ALLOWED_HOSTS and CORS origins
• Review unauthenticated endpoints and enforce auth where needed
• Add SECURITY.md and vulnerability disclosure process

Stage 4 - Production Claim Gate

Only claim "production-ready" when all are true:

• Clean install verified on fresh host
• Runbook for upgrades/rollback exists
• Monitoring and alerting are active
• Security review complete
• Known limits documented (file size, throughput, supported protocols)

Suggested GitHub Release Labels

• v0.x = Public Beta
• v1.0 = Production Ready (after Stage 4)