diff --git a/.gitlab-ci.yml b/.gitlab-ci.yml
index d9f68df8b512e74b2b8b76ddfec415458e5cae94..7514562952ce54a827179c5aea28da84247cb064 100644
--- a/.gitlab-ci.yml
+++ b/.gitlab-ci.yml
@@ -107,3 +107,12 @@ test-helm-chart:
   extends:
     - .use_kubernetes
     - .chart_changes_rules
+
+# Change this existing (imported) job so it will run if and only if:
+# a. this is a git tag pipeline (will be published on stable channel); or
+# b. we're not on the default branch (will be published on unstable channel).
+release-helm:
+  rules:
+    - if: $CI_COMMIT_TAG || $CI_COMMIT_BRANCH != $CI_DEFAULT_BRANCH
+      changes:
+        - Chart.yaml
diff --git a/.gitlab/merge_request_templates/DEFAULT.md b/.gitlab/merge_request_templates/DEFAULT.md
index e5b26bbe7dab69c960694bb1c6d3f5eeec5c7530..55a5139ed20fd895f79dc9868a59b54951591bb5 100644
--- a/.gitlab/merge_request_templates/DEFAULT.md
+++ b/.gitlab/merge_request_templates/DEFAULT.md
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
-Thank you for making a Merge Request. Before you merge this, please make sure
+Thank you for making a merge request. Before you merge this, please make sure
 that you:
 
-- [ ] Updated chart version number in `Chart.yaml`
-- [ ] Updated the `CHANGELOG.md`
+- [ ] Update `CHANGELOG.md`. Please add your entry under "Unreleased" at the
+  top.
+
 ### Test in stackspin/stackspin (if applicable)
 
 If you made very big changes to the chart, you'll want to test whether the chart still works before releasing the new version. To do so, create an MR in the stackspin/stackspin repository, change `flux2/core/base/sources/nextcloud-helmrepository.yaml` to track the `unstable` helm repository, instead of `stable`, and change `flux2/apps/nextcloud/release.yaml` to this MRs chart version.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 0209475e963b9fafe637dac40e7cac866258348e..22031ece60d0221ad3872a7068572bf3f0882b0e 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -219,3 +219,14 @@ or just run the tests from the console:
 ```
 
 [^1]: If you want to test a version that is not on the `main` branch yet, use `https://open.greenhost.net/api/v4/projects/1/packages/helm/unstable`
+
+## Releasing
+
+To publish a new version of the helm chart:
+1. increase the chart version in `Chart.yaml`;
+2. update `CHANGELOG.md` and check that it includes relevant changes, including
+   ones added by renovatebot;
+3. commit and push these changes to `main`;
+4. create a new git tag for the new release and push it to gitlab as well.
+
+The last step will trigger a CI run that will package and publish the helm chart.