After the quality of the BETA images is satisfying enough, and no large and potentially risky changes are planned, the release branch is created and
<emphasis>Release Candidate
</emphasis> (RC) images are built from the release branch, instead of the BETA images from the STABLE branch. Also, the freeze on the STABLE branch is lifted and release branch enters a
<quote>hard code freeze
</quote> where it becomes much harder to justify new changes to the system unless a serious bug-fix or security issue is involved.