diff --git a/tools/release/create_release_branch.sh b/tools/release/create_release_branch.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..d8a34d661
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tools/release/create_release_branch.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+# Script to create a release branch and associated working 'in progress' branch
+# TODO: add support for creating a 'stable' branch
+
+set -e
+
+if [[ -n $(git status -s) ]]; then
+    echo "Error: git directory is not clean; check 'git status'"
+    exit 1
+fi
+
+echo "Syncing main branch"
+git remote update
+git checkout main
+git pull
+
+DATE=$(date -u "+%Y_%m_%d")
+RELEASE_BRANCH="axt_${DATE}_release_branch"
+
+echo "Creating $RELEASE_BRANCH"
+git checkout -b $RELEASE_BRANCH
+git push --set-upstream origin $RELEASE_BRANCH
+
+echo "Creating ${RELEASE_BRANCH}_in_progress"
+git checkout -b ${RELEASE_BRANCH}_in_progress
+
+echo "Creating complete. Now do the following steps"
+echo "vim build_extensions/axt_versions.bzl"
+echo "bash tools/release/validate_and_propagate_versions.sh"
+echo "git commit -a -m 'Update artifacts and version numbers for $DATE release'"
+echo "git push --set-upstream origin ${RELEASE_BRANCH}_in_progress"
+echo "Navigate to https://github.com/android/android-test/compare/${RELEASE_BRANCH}...${RELEASE_BRANCH}_in_progress to create a PR"
+