Embodiments relate to systems and methods for managing versions of a software package in a development environment. A package distribution module can interface with a set of stages of the development environment to manage the development of multiple versions of software packages. The package distribution module can establish access rights of entities to advance appropriate versions of the software packages to appropriate stages of the development environment. One or more versions of the software packages can be advanced or moved to other stages of the development environment according to the access rights. The package distribution module can establish new access parameters of software packages in response to the one or more versions advancing or moving to other stages, such that appropriate entities have access to advance appropriate versions. The package distribution module can provide production versions of software packages to a package manager for distribution to target machines.