doc: Add documentation explaining different build types #33355

1. 
   jalateras commented at 6:37 am on September 10, 2025: none

   Summary

   This PR adds documentation explaining the different types of Bitcoin Core binaries available for download, addressing the confusion expressed in issue #33316.

   Problem

   Users downloading Bitcoin Core encounter various file types (unsigned, signed, debug, codesigning) without clear documentation explaining what each version means or which one they should use.

   Solution

   Added a new doc/build-types.md file that comprehensively explains:

   • Unsigned builds: Raw build outputs before signing
   • Signed/codesigned builds: Standard release binaries with platform signatures
   • Debug builds: Builds with debugging symbols
   • Codesigning archives: Special packages for the release process
   • File formats by platform (Windows, macOS, Linux)
   • Verification instructions

   The documentation is written to be accessible to end users while still providing technical details where appropriate.

   Changes

   • Added new file doc/build-types.md with comprehensive build type documentation
   • Added reference to the new document in doc/README.md under the Building section

   Fixes #33316

   AI-Generated Code

   Some portions of the code in this PR were generated using Claude Code Cli

   Testing

   Documentation only change - no code changes requiring testing.

2. DrahtBot added the label Docs on Sep 10, 2025
3. 
   DrahtBot commented at 6:37 am on September 10, 2025: contributor

   The following sections might be updated with supplementary metadata relevant to reviewers and maintainers.

   Code Coverage & Benchmarks

   For details see: https://corecheck.dev/bitcoin/bitcoin/pulls/33355.

   Reviews

   See the guideline for information on the review process.

   Type	Reviewers
   Concept NACK	TheCharlatan

   If your review is incorrectly listed, please react with 👎 to this comment and the bot will ignore it on the next update.

4. 
   janb84 commented at 3:53 pm on September 15, 2025: contributor

   Please squash your commits, like described in https://github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/blob/master/CONTRIBUTING.md#squashing-commits
5. jalateras force-pushed on Sep 15, 2025
6. 
   jalateras commented at 9:54 pm on September 15, 2025: none

   @janb84 squashed and pushed
7. 
   janb84 commented at 8:40 am on September 16, 2025: contributor

   Please:

   • remove the .claude folder and contents
   • change pr description or remove the “How Bitcoin’s Script Virtual Machine Works” document

   As an additional note, please declare the usage of the AI, if applicable.

8. doc: Add documentation explaining different build types

   This adds a new doc/build-types.md file that explains the different
   types of Bitcoin Core binaries available for download (unsigned, signed,
   debug, codesigning). This addresses user confusion about what these
   different file types mean and which ones they should download.
   
   The documentation covers:
   - Unsigned builds (raw build outputs before signing)
   - Signed/codesigned builds (standard release binaries)
   - Debug builds (with debugging symbols)
   - Codesigning archives (for release process)
   - File formats by platform
   - Verification instructions
   
   Also adds a reference to the new document in doc/README.md.
   
   Fixes #33316

   9672216182
9. jalateras force-pushed on Sep 16, 2025
10. 
    jalateras commented at 9:01 am on September 16, 2025: none

    @janb84

    1. I have removed unrelated files
    2. I have squashed and pushed
    3. I have added an AI declaration in the PR
11. 
    TheCharlatan commented at 9:17 am on September 16, 2025: contributor

    NACK

    Besides reading heavily AI-generated, this information does not seem useful, since it does not describe concretely how to actually make use of any of our shipped build artefacts.

12. 
    achow101 commented at 8:53 pm on September 17, 2025: member

    Please stop using LLMs to generate PRs.
13. achow101 closed this on Sep 17, 2025

    ---

Contributors
jalateras DrahtBot janb84 TheCharlatan achow101

Labels
Docs