A release is easier to maintain when the next developer can understand how to run it, deploy it and diagnose a failure. Treat the handover as a product deliverable rather than a final folder transfer.
Document the operating path
Include setup commands, environment-variable names, database migration steps and release instructions. Store actual credentials in a secret manager, not in the document or repository. Identify who owns each external account.
Describe the critical journeys
List the user actions that must keep working and the checks used to verify them. Document known limitations honestly, with reproduction steps where relevant.
Prepare for rollback
Explain how to return to a prior application version and how schema changes affect that decision. Back up data before risky migrations and test restoration separately from backup creation.
Set the support boundary
Agree on response windows, incident ownership and maintenance scope. Keep a prioritized backlog instead of treating every request as an emergency. A clear handover helps the product evolve without depending on one person’s memory.