Hotfix

A hotfix exists to resolve a problem that cannot wait for the next planned release, such as a crash affecting many users, a data-loss bug, or an active security vulnerability. Because speed matters, a hotfix is kept deliberately small and focused on the single issue, minimizing the risk of introducing new problems.

In a typical Git workflow, a hotfix is branched directly from the production release, fixed, tested, and merged back, then released as a new patch version, for example moving from v2.4.0 to v2.4.1. The change is also merged back into the main development line so the fix is not lost in the next release.

Hotfix release notes should state plainly what was wrong, confirm it is resolved, and indicate whether users need to take any action such as upgrading immediately. For security hotfixes, teams often add detail responsibly once most users have updated.