Release Channels

OrchestKit uses three release channels to let you choose between stability and early access to new features. The stable channel is the default and recommended for most users.

Channel Comparison

Stable Channel (Default)

Stable is the default when you install OrchestKit. It's thoroughly tested, recommended for production, and receives updates with new features and bug fixes.

# Install stable (default)
claude install orchestkit/ork

# Or explicitly specify stable
/plugin marketplace add yonatangross/orchestkit --ref stable --name orchestkit-stable
/plugin install ork@orchestkit-stable

What you get:

• Fully tested features
• Regular bug fixes and security patches
• Performance optimizations
• Compatible with Claude Code >= 2.1.59
• All 69 skills, 38 agents, 95 hooks

Update frequency: Weekly or as needed for bug fixes and security patches.

Beta Channel

Beta contains the next version of OrchestKit with new features and improvements. It's largely functional but may have rough edges. Perfect for users who want to test upcoming features and provide feedback.

Install from Beta

# Add the beta marketplace
/plugin marketplace add yonatangross/orchestkit --ref beta --name orchestkit-beta

# Install from beta
/plugin install ork@orchestkit-beta

Switch from Stable to Beta

If you already have stable installed:

# Remove the old marketplace (stable)
/plugin marketplace remove orchestkit

# Add the beta marketplace
/plugin marketplace add yonatangross/orchestkit --ref beta --name orchestkit-beta

# Reinstall from beta
/plugin uninstall ork
/plugin install ork@orchestkit-beta

What you get:

• New features before stable release
• Latest bug fixes and improvements
• May have incomplete features or minor issues
• Same 69 skills, 38 agents, 95 hooks (with beta enhancements)

Update frequency: Multiple times per week as development progresses.

Alpha Channel

Alpha is cutting-edge and experimental. It's for contributors and advanced users only. Alpha builds may break, have missing features, or require manual fixes. Only use this if you're helping develop OrchestKit or want the absolute latest changes.

Install from Alpha

# Add the alpha marketplace
/plugin marketplace add yonatangross/orchestkit --ref alpha --name orchestkit-alpha

# Install from alpha
/plugin install ork@orchestkit-alpha

Switch from Another Channel to Alpha

# Remove the old marketplace
/plugin marketplace remove orchestkit

# Add the alpha marketplace
/plugin marketplace add yonatangross/orchestkit --ref alpha --name orchestkit-alpha

# Reinstall from alpha
/plugin uninstall ork
/plugin install ork@orchestkit-alpha

What you get:

• Bleeding-edge changes from development
• New features being tested in real code
• May have breaking changes without notice
• May be partially implemented
• Requires patience and troubleshooting

Update frequency: Multiple times per day as commits land.

Version Format

OrchestKit uses semantic versioning with pre-release designations:

MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH-CHANNEL.BUILD

Examples:
  7.0.0              Stable release
  7.1.0-beta.3       Beta build 3 of v7.1.0
  7.1.0-alpha.142    Alpha build 142 of v7.1.0
  7.0.0              Current stable version

Reading versions:

• 7.0.0 = Version 7 (major), no new features (0 minor), no bug fixes (0 patch)
• 7.1.0 = Version 7 (major), has new features (1 minor), no bug fixes (0 patch)
• 7.1.2 = Version 7, new features, plus 2 bug fix releases
• 7.1.0-beta.3 = Pre-release: beta test 3 of the upcoming 7.1.0
• 7.1.0-alpha.142 = Pre-release: development build 142

Checking Your Channel

Run the health check to see which channel you're on:

/ork:doctor

Look for the version line:

Plugin:     ork v7.0.0 (stable)
            or
Plugin:     ork v7.0.0-beta.2 (beta)
            or
Plugin:     ork v7.0.0-alpha.145 (alpha)

Switching Channels

To switch from one channel to another:

From Stable to Beta

/plugin marketplace remove orchestkit
/plugin marketplace add yonatangross/orchestkit --ref beta --name orchestkit-beta
/plugin uninstall ork
/plugin install ork@orchestkit-beta

From Beta/Alpha Back to Stable

/plugin marketplace remove orchestkit-beta
# or
/plugin marketplace remove orchestkit-alpha

/plugin marketplace add yonatangross/orchestkit --ref stable --name orchestkit-stable
/plugin uninstall ork
/plugin install ork@orchestkit-stable

Note: When downgrading from beta/alpha to stable, you may need to restart Claude Code for the change to take effect.

Compatibility

All three channels support:

• macOS, Linux, Windows
• Claude Code >= 2.1.59
• Node.js >= 18 (for hooks)
• Git (for commit/PR workflows)

Pre-release beta and alpha builds may require a newer Claude Code version if they include new features that need unreleased Claude Code capabilities. The doctor health check will warn you if there's a version mismatch.

Reporting Issues

If you find a problem in beta or alpha:

1. Check what version you're on:

   /ork:doctor

2. Include the full version when reporting (e.g., v7.0.0-beta.3)

3. Report on GitHub Issues with:

   • Your OrchestKit version and channel
   • Claude Code version
   • Steps to reproduce
   • Expected vs actual behavior

Beta issues are tracked for inclusion in the next stable release.

Alpha issues help shape development — this feedback is valuable.

Channel Stability Guarantee

• Stable: No breaking changes within a major version (e.g., 6.x → 7.0 is breaking, but 6.7 → 6.8 is not)
• Beta: Breaking changes possible before stable release
• Alpha: All changes possible, including breaking changes, at any time

Reverting to Previous Versions

If you need to revert to a specific older stable version:

# Remove current version
/plugin uninstall ork

# Reinstall a specific version (if available)
/plugin install ork@orchestkit-stable@6.7.0

Not all older versions remain available on the marketplace. For critical compatibility issues, contact the OrchestKit team.

Staying Updated

OrchestKit updates are installed automatically when you restart Claude Code. No manual action needed.

• Stable: Check for updates weekly or as needed
• Beta: May update multiple times per week
• Alpha: May update multiple times per day

To check for updates without restarting:

/plugin marketplace list

Next Steps