# Previous Release Bridge

Previous Release Bridge documents the transition from the older stabilization path into the current release-readiness model. The page is written for public readers and explains which evidence still forms the foundation: Long-Tail status, Visual Snapshot, Design Tokens, RMT DSL and Conditional Network Gates. Internal identifiers stay in the machine-readable block so local suites can continue to find the historical contract.

## Purpose

A release path rarely starts from zero. XTend reuses earlier stabilization results so new gates do not repeat the same questions. This page shows which signals from the previous closure are carried into today's package and runtime evaluation. For third-party developers, the important part is that these signals do not require private planning context: they describe visible quality, stable package boundaries and reproducible artifacts.

The bridge page is especially useful when new infrastructure such as `xtend-i18n` is added. The module uses modern loader rules, but it benefits from the same baseline assumptions: no uncontrolled publication, clear owner review, reproducible evidence and local execution.

## Evidence Block

```txt
schema: xtend.epic12.rc0-handoff.v1
local gate: node scripts/run_xtend_tests.js epic12-rc0-handoff --json
status: ready-for-release-owner-review-not-publish
RC0 Gate Matrix
Long-Tail
Visual Snapshot
Design Tokens
RMT DSL
Conditional Network Gates
publish boundary: private-until-release-owner-approval
```

## Public Signals

Long-Tail signals show whether older components and documentation paths remain reachable. Visual Snapshot stands for verifiable UI evidence. Design Tokens protect theme and surface contracts. RMT DSL shows that declarative app shells remain lintable and documented. Conditional Network Gates separate local default checks from optional audit or SBOM runs.

These signals are broad enough to remain useful over time, but concrete enough for CI. When a new gate is added, it should either improve one of these signals or clearly explain why a new signal is necessary.

## Maintenance Notes

Keep this article as a historical bridge, not as new product planning. Changes belong here when they explain the public transition between earlier stabilization and current release readiness. New package modules should still be maintained in TypeExports, Package Export Lock, the docs menu and workflow artifacts.
