Hi everyone,

This is a friendly reminder from the release management team that the first release candidate of Python 3.10 is next Monday. Now is a fantastic time you make sure that:

## If you are a user or library developer

• If you filed a bug for something not working in any of the betas for 3.10, check that the bug is properly fixed.
• Ensure that your library/application works as expected with Python 3.10.
• Ensure that if your library needs to interact with the Python syntax or type system, it works with the new additions in 3.10 https://docs.python.org/3.10/whatsnew/3.10.html#summary-release-highlights .
• [Optional] Check that there are no performance regressions in your application/library with Python 3.10

If you are a core developer or a member of the triage team

• Merge or review any urgent bugfixes that you are interested in
• Your changes are properly documented.
• There isn't any critical bug in the tracker regarding a feature you implemented/merged.
• If your change is relevant enough, it appears in the What's new document https://docs.python.org/3.10/whatsnew/3.10.html (if you have doubts, you can ask me ;) ).

Some technical details of the release candidate:

Once the 3.10 branch reaches RC status, it only can have bug fixes applied that have been reviewed by other core developers (so you cannot merge your own PR without review even if you are a core dev). Generally, these issues must be severe enough (e.g. crashes) that they deserve fixing before the final release. All other issues should be deferred to the next development cycle (Python 3.10.1) since stability is the strongest concern at this point. Also bear in mind that once we reach the RC, the *ABI is frozen* and cannot change even for bug fixes.

While the goal is to have no code changes between an RC and a final release, there may be a need for final documentation o test fixes. Any such proposed changes should be discussed first with the release manager.

*You cannot skip the peer review during an RC*, no matter how small! Even if it is a simple copy-and-paste change, everything requires peer review from a core developer.

(You can find these instructions and details in the devguide https://devguide.python.org/devcycle/#rc).

Thank you all for your help!

Regards from rainy London, Pablo Galindo Salgado