+@itemize
+
+@item
+Patches get added to the tracker and to Rietveld by the @qq{git-cl} tool, with
+a status of @qq{patch-new}.
+
+@item
+The automated tester, Patchy, verifies that the patch can be applied
+to current master. By default, it checks that the patch allows @code{make}
+and @code{make test} to complete successfully. It can also be configured to
+check that @code{make doc} is successful. If it passes, Patchy changes the
+status to @qq{patch-review} and emails the developer list. If the patch
+fails, Patchy sets it to @qq{patch-needs_work} and notifies the developer list.
+
+@item
+The Patch Meister reviews the tracker periodically, to list patches
+which have been on review for at least 24 hours. The list is found at
+
+@smallexample
+@uref{http://code.google.com/p/lilypond/issues/list?can=2&q=label:patch%20patch=review&sort=modified+patch&colspec=ID%20Type%20Status%20Priority%20Owner%20Patch%20Summary%20Modified}
+@end smallexample
+
+@item
+For each patch, the Handler reviews any discussion on the tracker
+and on Rietveld, to determine whether the patch can go forward. If
+there is any indication that a developer thinks the patch is not
+ready, the Handler marks it @qq{patch-needs_work} and makes a comment
+regarding the reason, referring to the Rietveld item if needed.
+
+@item
+Patches with explicit approval, or at least no negative comment, can
+be updated to @qq{patch-countdown}. When saving the tracker item,
+clear the @qq{send email} box to prevent sending notification for
+each patch.
+
+@item
+The Patch Meister sends an email to the developer list, with a fixed
+subject line, to enable filtering by email clients:
+
+@example
+PATCH: Countdown to 20130113
+@end example
+
+The text of the email sets the deadline for this countdown batch. At
+present, batches are done on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday evenings.
+
+To create the countdown announcement, use the
+@code{make-countdown-announcement.sh} script, which takes the
+deadline date, and optionally your name. Follow the instructions
+provided:
+
+@example
+cd $LILYPOND_GIT
+scripts/auxiliar/make-countdown-announcement.sh "Jan 1, 2001" James
+@end example
+
+The script produces an announcement that is easily readable in all
+email clients. Also, whenever a new contributor submits a patch,
+you will be prompted to add the new username and author name to
+the script itself, and then commit those changes to the main git
+repository.
+
+
+@item
+On the scheduled countdown day, the Patch Meister reviews the
+previous list of patches on countdown, with the same procedure and
+criteria as before. Patches with no controversy can be set to
+@qq{patch-push} with a courtesy message added to the comment block.
+
+@item
+Roughly at six month intervals, the Patch Meister can list the
+patches which have been set to @qq{patch-needs-work} and send the
+results to the developer list for review. In most cases, these
+patches should be marked @qq{patch-abandoned} but this should come
+from the developer if possible.
+
+@item
+As in most organisations of unpaid volunteers, fixed procedures are
+useful in as much as they get the job done. In our community, there
+is room for senior developers to bypass normal patch handling flows,
+particularly now that the testing of patches is largely automated.
+Similarly, the minimum age of 24 hours can reasonably be waived if
+the patch is minor and from an experienced developer.
+
+
+@end itemize
+
+@ignore
+There is a single Patch Meister, and a number of Patch Helpers
+(rename this?). The list of known patches awaiting review is:
+
+@example
+@uref{http://code.google.com/p/lilypond/issues/list?can=2&q=label:patch&sort=patch}
+@end example
+
+
+@subheading Helpers: adding patches
+
+The primary duty is to add patches to the google tracker; we have
+a bad track record of losing patches in email. Patches generally
+come to the @code{lilypond-devel} mailing list, but are sometimes
+sent to @code{bug-lilypond}, @code{lilypond-users}, or
+@code{frogs} mailing list instead.
+
+@itemize
+@item
+Unless a patch is clearly in response to an existing issue, add a
+new issue with the @code{Patch-new} label and a link to the patch
+(either on the mailing list archives or the codereview url).
+
+Issue numbers are cheap; losing developers because they got fed up
+with us losing their hard work is expensive.
+
+
+@c if we enter patches immediately, I don't think this is relevant.
+
+@item
+Before adding a patch-reminder issue, do a quick check to see if
+it was pushed without sending any email. This can be checked for
+searching for relevant terms (from the patch subject or commit
+message) on the webgit page:
+
+@example
+@uref{http://git.savannah.gnu.org/gitweb/?p=lilypond.git}
+@end example
+
+
+@item
+If the patch is clearly in response to an existing issue, then
+update that issue with the @code{Patch-new} label and a link to
+the patch (either on the mailing list archives or the codereview
+url).
+
+@item
+After adding the issue, please send a response email to the same
+group(s) that the initial patch was sent to.
+
+If the initial email was sent to multiple mailing lists (such as
+both @code{bugs} and @code{devel}), then reply to all those
+mailing lists as well. The email should contain a link to the
+issue you just added.
+
+@end itemize
+
+@subheading Helpers: @code{Patch-review} label
+
+The secondary duty is to do make sure that every issue in the
+tracker with a @code{Patch-review} label has passed these
+@qq{obvious} tests:
+
+@itemize
+@item
+Applies automatically to git master.
+
+It's ok to have offsets, but not conflicts.
+
+@item
+Regtest comparison looks ok; no unexpected changes.
+
+@item
+Descriptive subject line.
+
+Avoid subjects like @qq{fixes 123}; instead write @qq{Doc: discuss
+stacking-dir for BassFigureAlignment (fix 123)}.
+
+@item
+Compiles docs from scratch. Only check this if you have reason to
+suspect it might not work.
+
+@item
+(maybe)
+
+Check code indentation and style. This should be easier post-GOP
+when we have a better-defined code style.
+
+@end itemize
+
+
+@subheading Patch Meister
+
+The Patch Meister will:
+
+@itemize
+
+@item
+send @qq{countdown} emails to
+@code{lilypond-devel} when patches appear to be ready.
+
+@item
+send general requests to review patches, or even nasty requests to
+review patches.
+
+@item
+downgrade patches from @code{Patch-review} to
+@code{Patch-needs_work} as appropriate.
+
+@item
+downgrade patches from @code{Patch-needs_work} to
+@code{Patch-abandoned} if no actions have been taken in four
+weeks.
+
+@end itemize
+
+@end ignore
+