diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/release.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/release.md
index e9d9864496..8d4f82b4a6 100644
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/release.md
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/release.md
@@ -10,21 +10,11 @@ assignees: ''
 ## 1. Preparation on Thursday
 
 - [ ] Merge pull requests in the [Ready To Go] column
-- [ ] Include translations
-  <details><summary>Command line instructions:</summary>
-    <pre>
-    <code>
-    git checkout master
-    git pull upstream master
-    tx pull --force
-    git commit -a -m "Update all locales with the latest Transifex translations"
-    git push upstream master
-    </code>
-    </pre>
-  </details>
-- [ ] Create a tag:
-    - `script/tag_release` will auto increment patch version, otherwise
-    - `git push upstream HEAD:refs/tags/vX.Y.Z`
+- [ ] Include translations: `script/release/udpate_locales`
+- [ ] Increment version number: `git push upstream HEAD:refs/tags/vX.Y.Z`
+    - Major: if server changes are required (eg. provision with ofn-install)
+    - Minor: larger change that is irreversible (eg. migration deleting data)
+    - Patch: all others. Shortcut: `script/release/tag`
 - [ ] [Draft new release]. Look at previous [releases] for inspiration.
     - Select new release tag
     - _Generate release notes_ and check to ensure all items are arranged in the right category.
diff --git a/script/release/prepare b/script/release/prepare
new file mode 100755
index 0000000000..64eb366a17
--- /dev/null
+++ b/script/release/prepare
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+
+# Execute preparation tasks for a regular patch release. Requires admin permission on the repo.
+#
+set -e
+
+# todo: ask to confirm, and remind to check the ready to go column.
+
+# Download translations and push to master
+$(dirname "$0")/update_locales
+
+# Bump the patch version and push the tag
+$(dirname "$0")/tag
diff --git a/script/tag_release b/script/release/tag
similarity index 84%
rename from script/tag_release
rename to script/release/tag
index 718397ef27..1cdeb103d9 100755
--- a/script/tag_release
+++ b/script/release/tag
@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@
 # This supports only patch releases at the moment but can be developed
 # further.
 
+puts "\n*** Fetching latest release tag... ***\n"
+
 # Fetch current tags first:
 `git fetch upstream --tags`
 
@@ -18,7 +20,10 @@ latest_version = Gem::Version.new(latest_tag[1..-1])
 major, minor, patch = latest_version.segments
 next_tag = "v#{major}.#{minor}.#{patch.succ}"
 
+# Push the new tag
+puts "\n*** Pushing new release tag #{next_tag}... ***\n"
 puts `git push upstream 'HEAD:refs/tags/#{next_tag}'`
 
+# Shortcuts
 puts "Draft a new release with this tag:
     https://github.com/openfoodfoundation/openfoodnetwork/releases/new?tag=#{next_tag}&title=#{next_tag}+Code+Name"
diff --git a/script/release/update_locales b/script/release/update_locales
new file mode 100755
index 0000000000..186ea1c262
--- /dev/null
+++ b/script/release/update_locales
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+
+# Download and commit the latest Transifex translations
+#
+
+# Exit on error or uncommitted changes
+# TODO: check that master matches upstream/master
+set -e
+if [ ! -z "$(git status --porcelain)" ]; then
+  echo "Aborted: git working directory is not clean."
+  exit 1
+fi
+
+echo "\n*** Checking out latest master... ***\n"
+git checkout master
+git pull upstream master
+
+echo "\n*** Downloading latest Transifex translations... ***\n"
+tx pull --force
+git commit -a -m "Update all locales with the latest Transifex translations"
+
+echo "\n*** Pushing to master... ***\n"
+git push upstream master