[WIP] Finalize desktop build process and execute v2.1.0 release

docs/RELEASE_CHECKLIST.md

@@ -0,0 +1,84 @@
+# ODIA Release Checklist
+
+## Pre-Release Validation
+
+- [ ] All tests passing on master
+- [ ] Version numbers synchronized:
+  - [ ] `pyproject.toml` version matches
+  - [ ] `desktop/package.json` version matches
+- [ ] CHANGELOG.md updated (if exists)
+- [ ] Desktop app icons present in `desktop/resources/`
+- [ ] README.md download links point to correct version
+
+## Release Process
+
+### 1. Create Release Tag
+
+```bash
+git checkout master
+git pull origin master
+git tag -a v2.1.0 -m "Release message here"
+git push origin v2.1.0
+```
+
+### 2. Monitor Automated Build
+
+- Go to: https://github.com/SynTechRev/ODIA/actions
+- Watch "Build and Release Desktop Apps" workflow
+- Expected duration: ~20 minutes
+- 4 parallel jobs should complete successfully
+
+### 3. Verify Release Artifacts
+
+Release should be created at: https://github.com/SynTechRev/ODIA/releases/tag/v2.1.0
+
+Expected artifacts:
+- [ ] ODIA-Setup-2.1.0.exe (~180 MB)
+- [ ] ODIA-2.1.0-x64.dmg (~200 MB)
+- [ ] ODIA-2.1.0-arm64.dmg (~195 MB)
+- [ ] ODIA-2.1.0.AppImage (~175 MB)
+
+### 4. Test Download Links
+
+Verify these URLs return actual files:
+- https://github.com/SynTechRev/ODIA/releases/download/v2.1.0/ODIA-Setup-2.1.0.exe
+- https://github.com/SynTechRev/ODIA/releases/download/v2.1.0/ODIA-2.1.0-x64.dmg
+- https://github.com/SynTechRev/ODIA/releases/download/v2.1.0/ODIA-2.1.0-arm64.dmg
+- https://github.com/SynTechRev/ODIA/releases/download/v2.1.0/ODIA-2.1.0.AppImage
+
+### 5. Manual Testing (Recommended)
+
+- [ ] Download Windows installer and verify it installs
+- [ ] Download macOS DMG and verify it opens
+- [ ] Download Linux AppImage and verify it executes
+- [ ] Test app launches on each platform
+- [ ] Verify analysis functionality works offline
+
+### 6. Post-Release
+
+- [ ] Mark release as "Latest release" (usually automatic)
+- [ ] Announce release (optional)
+- [ ] Close related issues/PRs
+- [ ] Plan next version features
+
+## Troubleshooting
+
+### Build Fails
+
+1. Check workflow logs: https://github.com/SynTechRev/ODIA/actions
+2. Common issues:
+   - npm ci errors → verify package-lock.json exists
+   - Python dependencies → check requirements.txt
+   - Platform-specific errors → review runner logs
+
+### Release Not Created
+
+- Verify tag was pushed: `git ls-remote --tags origin`
+- Check tag format matches `v*.*.*` pattern
+- Ensure workflow has `contents: write` permission
+
+### Installers Missing
+
+- Check if workflow completed all 4 jobs
+- Verify artifact upload succeeded
+- Check file patterns in release-desktop.yml match actual output

docs/RELEASE_NOTES_TEMPLATE.md

@@ -0,0 +1,52 @@
+# Release Notes Template
+
+Use this template when creating release tags:
+
+## Version X.Y.Z
+
+### New Features
+- List new features here
+- Be specific about user-facing improvements
+
+### Improvements
+- Performance enhancements
+- UI/UX improvements
+- Documentation updates
+
+### Bug Fixes
+- List bugs fixed in this release
+- Reference issue numbers when applicable
+
+### Breaking Changes
+- Document any breaking changes
+- Provide migration instructions
+
+### Known Issues
+- List any known issues
+- Provide workarounds if available
+
+### Technical Details
+- Dependencies updated
+- Build system changes
+- Internal refactoring
+
+### Downloads
+
+| Platform | File | Size |
+|----------|------|------|
+| Windows (x64) | ODIA-Setup-X.Y.Z.exe | ~XXX MB |
+| macOS (Intel) | ODIA-X.Y.Z-x64.dmg | ~XXX MB |
+| macOS (Apple Silicon) | ODIA-X.Y.Z-arm64.dmg | ~XXX MB |
+| Linux (x64) | ODIA-X.Y.Z.AppImage | ~XXX MB |
+
+### Installation Instructions
+
+See [desktop/README.md](../desktop/README.md) for platform-specific installation instructions.
+
+### Verification
+
+All installers are signed with SHA-256 checksums. Verify downloads:
+
+```bash
+sha256sum ODIA-*
+```