Convert to bumpversion

.bumpversion.cfg

@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+[bumpversion]
+current_version = 5.6.2.dev1
+commit = True
+tag = True
+parse = (?P<major>\d+)\.(?P<minor>\d+)\.(?P<patch>\d+)(\.(?P<release>[a-z]+)(?P<build>\d+))?
+serialize = 
+	{major}.{minor}.{patch}.{release}{build}
+	{major}.{minor}.{patch}
+
+[bumpversion:part:release]
+optional_value = prod
+first_value = dev
+values = 
+	dev
+	prod
+
+[bumpversion:part:build]
+
+[bumpversion:file:src/omero_version.py]
+

README.rst

@@ -110,7 +110,24 @@ Integration tests
 
 Integration tests are stored in the main repository (ome/openmicroscopy) and depend on the
 OMERO integration testing framework. Reading about `Running and writing tests`_ in the `OMERO`_ documentation
-is essential.
+
+Release process
+---------------
+
+This repository uses `bump2version <https://pypi.org/project/bump2version/>`_ to manage version numbers.
+To tag a release run::
+
+    $ bumpversion release
+
+This will remove the ``.dev0`` suffix from the current version, commit, and tag the release.
+
+To switch back to a development version run::
+
+    $ bumpversion --no-tag [major|minor|patch]
+
+specifying ``major``, ``minor`` or ``patch`` depending on whether the development branch will be a `major, minor or patch release <https://semver.org/>`_. This will also add the ``.dev0`` suffix.
+
+Remember to ``git push`` all commits and tags.s essential.
 
 License
 -------