Release process update

[SamMorrowDrums]

Closes:

[Copilot]

Pull Request Overview

This PR updates the release process and development workflow by providing clearer guidelines for contributors and automating branch synchronization and release creation via GitHub workflows.

• Updated CONTRIBUTING.md to instruct contributors to target the next branch for pull requests.
• Added a new workflow (sync-next-branch.yml) to automatically keep the next branch synchronized with main.
• Introduced a release workflow (release.yml) along with additional workflows (pr-base-check.yml and docker-publish.yml) to enforce branch targeting and streamline releases.

Reviewed Changes

Copilot reviewed 5 out of 5 changed files in this pull request and generated no comments.

Show a summary per file

File	Description
CONTRIBUTING.md	Instructs contributors to open PRs against the next branch.
.github/workflows/sync-next-branch.yml	Automates daily sync of the next branch with main.
.github/workflows/release.yml	Automates release creation with tag validation, branch checks, and PR creation.
.github/workflows/pr-base-check.yml	Adds a reminder comment to PRs targeting main to switch to the next branch.
.github/workflows/docker-publish.yml	Extends Docker publish triggers to include changes from the next branch.

Comments suppressed due to low confidence (1)

.github/workflows/pr-base-check.yml:27

• The inline markdown formatting in this comment contains extra underscores that may lead to unintended emphasis. Consider revising the syntax (e.g., using proper bold or italic markdown) so that the message renders clearly.

            __If this is a bug fix that requires a patch release __ (e.g., a critical bug that needs to be fixed before the next release)__, please leave the base branch as \`main\`.__

[github-actions]

👋 Hi there!

It looks like this PR is targeting the main branch. To help maintain our development workflow, please change the base reference to next instead.

If this is a bug fix that requires a patch release __ (e.g., a critical bug that needs to be fixed before the next release), please leave the base branch as main.__

You can change this by:

1. Clicking the "Edit" button next to the PR title
2. Changing the base branch from main to next
3. Clicking "Update pull request"

Thanks for your contribution! 🚀