diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/maintainers-release.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/maintainers-release.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..1bc8be515
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/maintainers-release.md
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+---
+name: Maintainers-Release
+about: Maintainers
+title: Release 1.2.3
+labels: ''
+assignees: enricoros
+
+---
+
+Release checklist:
+
+- [ ] Update the [Roadmap](https://github.com/users/enricoros/projects/4/views/2) calling out shipped features
+- [ ] Create and update a [Milestone](https://github.com/enricoros/big-agi/milestones) for the release
+  - [ ] Assign this task
+  - [ ] Assign all the shipped roadmap Issues
+  - [ ] Assign the relevant [recently closed Isssues](https://github.com/enricoros/big-agi/issues?q=is%3Aclosed+sort%3Aupdated-desc)
+- Code changes:
+  - [ ] Create a release branch 'release-x.y.z', and commit:
+  - [ ] Update the release version in package.json, and `npm i`
+  - [ ] Update in-app News [src/apps/news/news.data.tsx](src/apps/news/news.data.tsx)
+  - [ ] Update the in-app News version number
+  - [ ] Update the readme with the new release
+  - [ ] Copy the highlights to the [changelog](docs/changelog.md)
+- Release:
+  - [ ] merge onto main
+  - [ ] verify deployment on Vercel
+  - [ ] verify container on GitHub Packages
+  - create a GitHub release
+    - [ ] name it 'vX.Y.Z'
+    - [ ] copy the release notes and link appropriate artifacts
+- Announce:
+  - [ ] Discord announcement
+  - [ ] Twitter announcement