The CS1/CS2 citation modules function a little differently given their immense use across the wiki.
Approximately once per quarter. Sometimes delayed by unfinished RFCs.
No exceptions for small changes.
Deploy.
Fix critical errors. Critical errors are defined as Lua errors or where a piece of data should display but does not.
Accumulate changes in the sandboxes according to discussion on Help talk:CS1. Attempt to have only consensus changes in the sandboxes at any specific time.
Changes are tested for basic function as they are made to the sandboxes.