Remove the need for an ADMIN_GITHUB_TOKEN

.github/workflows/prep-self-release.yml

@@ -26,6 +26,8 @@ on:
 jobs:
   prep_release:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    permissions:
+      contents: write
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
       - uses: jupyterlab/maintainer-tools/.github/actions/base-setup@v1
@@ -37,7 +39,7 @@ jobs:
         id: prep-release
         uses: jupyter-server/jupyter_releaser/.github/actions/prep-release@v2
         with:
-          token: ${{ secrets.ADMIN_GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+          token: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
           version_spec: ${{ github.event.inputs.version_spec }}
           post_version_spec: ${{ github.event.inputs.post_version_spec }}
           target: jupyter-server/jupyter_releaser

.github/workflows/publish-changelog.yml

@@ -12,18 +12,27 @@ on:
 jobs:
   publish_changelog:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    environment: release
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
       - uses: jupyterlab/maintainer-tools/.github/actions/base-setup@v1
+
       - name: Install Dependencies
         shell: bash
         run: |
           pip install -e .
+
+      - uses: actions/create-github-app-token@v1
+        id: app-token
+        with:
+          app-id: ${{ vars.APP_ID }}
+          private-key: ${{ secrets.APP_PRIVATE_KEY }}
+
       - name: Publish changelog
         id: publish-changelog
         uses: jupyter-server/jupyter_releaser/.github/actions/publish-changelog@v2
         with:
-          token: ${{ secrets.ADMIN_GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+          token: ${{ steps.app-token.outputs.token }}
           target: ${{ github.event.inputs.target }}
           branch: ${{ github.event.inputs.branch }}
 

.github/workflows/publish-self-release.yml

@@ -17,8 +17,6 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     environment: release
     permissions:
-      # This is useful if you want to use PyPI trusted publisher
-      # and NPM provenance
       id-token: write
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
@@ -27,11 +25,16 @@ jobs:
         shell: bash
         run: |
           pip install -e .
+      - uses: actions/create-github-app-token@v1
+        id: app-token
+        with:
+          app-id: ${{ vars.APP_ID }}
+          private-key: ${{ secrets.APP_PRIVATE_KEY }}
       - name: Populate Release
         id: populate-release
         uses: jupyter-server/jupyter_releaser/.github/actions/populate-release@v2
         with:
-          token: ${{ secrets.ADMIN_GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+          token: ${{ steps.app-token.outputs.token }}
           target: jupyter-server/jupyter_releaser
           branch: ${{ github.event.inputs.branch }}
           release_url: ${{ github.event.inputs.release_url }}
@@ -43,7 +46,7 @@ jobs:
           NPM_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.NPM_TOKEN }}
         uses: jupyter-server/jupyter_releaser/.github/actions/finalize-release@v2
         with:
-          token: ${{ secrets.ADMIN_GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+          token: ${{ steps.app-token.outputs.token }}
           target: ${{ github.event.inputs.target }}
           release_url: ${{ steps.populate-release.outputs.release_url }}
 

docs/source/background/theory.md

@@ -13,6 +13,13 @@ This project should help maintainers reduce toil and save time in the release pr
 - Dry run publish on CI
 - Revert to Dev version after release (optional)
 
+## Security
+
+We strive to use the most secure release practices possible, reflected in the `Checklist for Adoption`
+and the example workflows.
+This includes using PyPI Trusted Publishing, using GitHub Environments, encouraging the use of Rulesets and GitHub Apps with limited bypass capability, and provenance data for npm.
+In addition, there is an automatic check for whether the user who triggered the action is an admin.
+
 ## Action Details
 
 Detailed workflows are available to draft a changelog, draft a release, publish a release, and check a release.

docs/source/how_to_guides/convert_repo_from_repo.md

@@ -16,25 +16,30 @@ See checklist below for details:
 
 ## Checklist for Adoption
 
-- [ ] Add a GitHub [personal access token](https://docs.github.com/en/authentication/keeping-your-account-and-data-secure/creating-a-personal-access-token), preferably from a "machine user" GitHub
-  account that has admin access to the repository. The token itself will
-  need "public_repo", and "repo:status" permissions. Save the token as
-  `ADMIN_GITHUB_TOKEN`
-  in the [repository secrets](https://docs.github.com/en/actions/reference/encrypted-secrets#creating-encrypted-secrets-for-a-repository). We need this
-  access token to allow for branch protection rules, which block the pushing
-  of commits when using the `GITHUB_TOKEN`, even when run from an admin user
-  account.
+- [ ] Set up a [GitHub App](https://docs.github.com/en/apps/creating-github-apps/about-creating-github-apps/about-creating-github-apps#github-apps-that-act-on-their-own-behalf) on your organization (or personal account for a personal project).
 
-- [ ] Set up PyPI:
+  - Disable the web hook
+  - Enable Repository permissions > Contents > Read and write
+  - Select "Only on this account"
+  - Click "Create GitHub App"
+  - Browse to the App Settings
+  - Select "Install App" and install on all repositories
+  - Under "General" click "Generate a private key"
+  - Store the `APP_ID` and the private key in a secure location (Jupyter Vault if using a Jupyter Org)
 
-<details><summary>Using PyPI token (legacy way)</summary>
+- [ ] Create a "release" [environment](https://docs.github.com/en/actions/deployment/targeting-different-environments/using-environments-for-deployment) on your repository and add an `APP_ID` Environment Variable and `APP_PRIVATE_KEY` secret.
 
-- Add access token for the [PyPI registry](https://packaging.python.org/guides/publishing-package-distribution-releases-using-github-actions-ci-cd-workflows/#saving-credentials-on-github) stored as `PYPI_TOKEN`.
-  _Note_ For security reasons, it is recommended that you scope the access
-  to a single repository. Additionally, this token should belong to a
-  machine account and not a user account.
+- [ ] Configure [Rulesets](https://docs.github.com/en/repositories/configuring-branches-and-merges-in-your-repository/managing-rulesets/about-rulesets) for the repository
 
-</details>
+  - Set up branch protection but only disable force pushes.
+  - Remove global tag protection.
+  - Add a branch Ruleset for all branches
+    - Allow the GitHub App to bypass protections
+    - Set up Pull Request and Required Checks
+  - Add a tags Ruleset for all tags
+    - Allow the GitHub App to bypass protections
+
+- [ ] Set up PyPI:
 
 <details><summary>Using PyPI trusted publisher (modern way)</summary>
 
@@ -45,10 +50,18 @@ See checklist below for details:
 
 </details>
 
+<details><summary>Using PyPI token (legacy way)</summary>
+
+- Add access token for the [PyPI registry](https://packaging.python.org/guides/publishing-package-distribution-releases-using-github-actions-ci-cd-workflows/#saving-credentials-on-github) stored as `PYPI_TOKEN`.
+  _Note_ For security reasons, it is recommended that you scope the access
+  to a single repository. Additionally, this token should belong to a
+  machine account and not a user account.
+
+</details>
+
 - [ ] If needed, add access token for [npm](https://docs.npmjs.com/creating-and-viewing-access-tokens), saved as `NPM_TOKEN`. Again this should
   be created using a machine account that only has publish access.
-- [ ] Ensure that only trusted users with 2FA have admin access to the
-  repository, since they will be able to trigger releases.
+- [ ] Ensure that only trusted users with 2FA have admin access to the repository, since they will be able to trigger releases.
 - [ ] Switch to Markdown Changelog
   - We recommend [MyST](https://myst-parser.readthedocs.io/en/latest/?badge=latest), especially if some of your docs are in reStructuredText.
   - Can use `pandoc -s changelog.rst -o changelog.md` and some hand edits as needed.

docs/source/how_to_guides/maintain_fork.md

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 ## How to keep fork of Jupyter Releaser up to date
 
-- The manual workflow files target the `@v1` actions in the source repository, which means that as long as
+- The manual workflow files target the `@v2` actions in the source repository, which means that as long as
   the workflow files themselves are up to date, you will always be running the most up to date actions.
 
 - Make sure your workflow is up to date by checking the "Fetch Upstream" dropdown on the main page of your fork.

example-workflows/full-release.yml

@@ -12,10 +12,10 @@ on:
       post_version_spec:
         description: "Post Version Specifier"
         required: false
-      # silent:
-      #   description: "Set a placeholder in the changelog and don't publish the release."
-      #   required: false
-      #   type: boolean
+      silent:
+        description: "Set a placeholder in the changelog and don't publish the release."
+        required: false
+        type: boolean
       since:
         description: "Use PRs with activity since this date or git reference"
         required: false
@@ -27,51 +27,69 @@ on:
         description: "Comma separated list of steps to skip during Populate Release"
         required: false
 jobs:
-  full_release:
+  prep_release:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     permissions:
-      # This is useful if you want to use PyPI trusted publisher
-      # and NPM provenance
-      id-token: write
+      contents: write
     steps:
       - uses: jupyterlab/maintainer-tools/.github/actions/base-setup@v1
 
       - name: Prep Release
         id: prep-release
         uses: jupyter-server/jupyter_releaser/.github/actions/prep-release@v2
         with:
-          token: ${{ secrets.ADMIN_GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+          token: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
           version_spec: ${{ github.event.inputs.version_spec }}
+          silent: ${{ github.event.inputs.silent }}
           post_version_spec: ${{ github.event.inputs.post_version_spec }}
+          target: ${{ github.event.inputs.target }}
           branch: ${{ github.event.inputs.branch }}
-          # silent: ${{ github.event.inputs.silent }}
           since: ${{ github.event.inputs.since }}
           since_last_stable: ${{ github.event.inputs.since_last_stable }}
 
+  publish_release:
+    needs: [prep_release]
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    environment: release
+    permissions:
+      id-token: write
+    steps:
+      - uses: jupyterlab/maintainer-tools/.github/actions/base-setup@v1
+
+      - uses: actions/create-github-app-token@v1
+        id: app-token
+        with:
+          app-id: ${{ vars.APP_ID }}
+          private-key: ${{ secrets.APP_PRIVATE_KEY }}
+
       - name: Populate Release
         id: populate-release
         uses: jupyter-server/jupyter_releaser/.github/actions/populate-release@v2
         with:
-          token: ${{ secrets.ADMIN_GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+          token: ${{ steps.app-token.outputs.token }}
+          target: ${{ github.event.inputs.target }}
           branch: ${{ github.event.inputs.branch }}
-          release_url: ${{ steps.prep-release.outputs.release_url }}
+          release_url: ${{ github.event.inputs.release_url }}
           steps_to_skip: ${{ github.event.inputs.steps_to_skip }}
 
       - name: Finalize Release
         id: finalize-release
         env:
-          # The following are needed if you use legacy PyPI set up
-          # PYPI_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.PYPI_TOKEN }}
-          # PYPI_TOKEN_MAP: ${{ secrets.PYPI_TOKEN_MAP }}
-          # TWINE_USERNAME: __token__
           NPM_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.NPM_TOKEN }}
         uses: jupyter-server/jupyter_releaser/.github/actions/finalize-release@v2
         with:
-          token: ${{ secrets.ADMIN_GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+          token: ${{ steps.app-token.outputs.token }}
+          target: ${{ github.event.inputs.target }}
           release_url: ${{ steps.populate-release.outputs.release_url }}
 
       - name: "** Next Step **"
         if: ${{ success() }}
         run: |
           echo "Verify the final release"
           echo ${{ steps.finalize-release.outputs.release_url }}
+
+      - name: "** Failure Message **"
+        if: ${{ failure() }}
+        run: |
+          echo "Failed to Publish the Draft Release Url:"
+          echo ${{ steps.populate-release.outputs.release_url }}

example-workflows/prep-release.yml

@@ -12,10 +12,10 @@ on:
       post_version_spec:
         description: "Post Version Specifier"
         required: false
-      # silent:
-      #   description: "Set a placeholder in the changelog and don't publish the release."
-      #   required: false
-      #   type: boolean
+      silent:
+        description: "Set a placeholder in the changelog and don't publish the release."
+        required: false
+        type: boolean
       since:
         description: "Use PRs with activity since this date or git reference"
         required: false
@@ -26,18 +26,21 @@ on:
 jobs:
   prep_release:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    permissions:
+      contents: write
     steps:
       - uses: jupyterlab/maintainer-tools/.github/actions/base-setup@v1
 
       - name: Prep Release
         id: prep-release
         uses: jupyter-server/jupyter_releaser/.github/actions/prep-release@v2
         with:
-          token: ${{ secrets.ADMIN_GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+          token: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
           version_spec: ${{ github.event.inputs.version_spec }}
+          silent: ${{ github.event.inputs.silent }}
           post_version_spec: ${{ github.event.inputs.post_version_spec }}
+          target: ${{ github.event.inputs.target }}
           branch: ${{ github.event.inputs.branch }}
-          # silent: ${{ github.event.inputs.silent }}
           since: ${{ github.event.inputs.since }}
           since_last_stable: ${{ github.event.inputs.since_last_stable }}
 

example-workflows/publish-changelog.yml

@@ -12,13 +12,21 @@ on:
 jobs:
   publish_changelog:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    environment: release
     steps:
       - uses: jupyterlab/maintainer-tools/.github/actions/base-setup@v1
+
+      - uses: actions/create-github-app-token@v1
+        id: app-token
+        with:
+          app-id: ${{ vars.APP_ID }}
+          private-key: ${{ secrets.APP_PRIVATE_KEY }}
+
       - name: Publish changelog
         id: publish-changelog
         uses: jupyter-server/jupyter_releaser/.github/actions/publish-changelog@v2
         with:
-          token: ${{ secrets.ADMIN_GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+          token: ${{ steps.app-token.outputs.token }}
           branch: ${{ github.event.inputs.branch }}
 
       - name: "** Next Step **"

example-workflows/publish-release.yml

@@ -15,33 +15,34 @@ on:
 jobs:
   publish_release:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    environment: release
     permissions:
-      # This is useful if you want to use PyPI trusted publisher
-      # and NPM provenance
       id-token: write
     steps:
       - uses: jupyterlab/maintainer-tools/.github/actions/base-setup@v1
 
+      - uses: actions/create-github-app-token@v1
+        id: app-token
+        with:
+          app-id: ${{ vars.APP_ID }}
+          private-key: ${{ secrets.APP_PRIVATE_KEY }}
+
       - name: Populate Release
         id: populate-release
         uses: jupyter-server/jupyter_releaser/.github/actions/populate-release@v2
         with:
-          token: ${{ secrets.ADMIN_GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+          token: ${{ steps.app-token.outputs.token }}
           branch: ${{ github.event.inputs.branch }}
           release_url: ${{ github.event.inputs.release_url }}
           steps_to_skip: ${{ github.event.inputs.steps_to_skip }}
 
       - name: Finalize Release
         id: finalize-release
         env:
-          # The following are needed if you use legacy PyPI set up
-          # PYPI_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.PYPI_TOKEN }}
-          # PYPI_TOKEN_MAP: ${{ secrets.PYPI_TOKEN_MAP }}
-          # TWINE_USERNAME: __token__
           NPM_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.NPM_TOKEN }}
         uses: jupyter-server/jupyter_releaser/.github/actions/finalize-release@v2
         with:
-          token: ${{ secrets.ADMIN_GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+          token: ${{ steps.app-token.outputs.token }}
           release_url: ${{ steps.populate-release.outputs.release_url }}
 
       - name: "** Next Step **"