Changelog Templates

What is a Changelog?

A changelog is a file that contains a curated, chronologically ordered list of notable changes for each version of a project. It helps users and contributors understand what has changed between releases.

Good changelogs make it easy for users to see what's new, what's improved, and what bugs have been fixed. They build trust and keep your community informed.

How to Structure a Changelog

A well-structured changelog should include:

• Version number - Use semantic versioning (MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH)
• Release date - When the version was published
• Changes grouped by type - Added, Changed, Deprecated, Removed, Fixed, Security
• Clear descriptions - Explain what changed and why it matters

Changelog Formats Explained

Keep a Changelog

Keep a Changelog is a widely-adopted convention for writing changelogs. It provides clear guidelines on how to format and organize your changelog entries. Key principles include:

• Write for humans, not machines
• One entry per version
• Group changes by type (Added, Changed, Fixed, etc.)
• Link to version tags and diffs when possible

Semantic Versioning

Semantic Versioning (SemVer) is a versioning scheme that uses three numbers: MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH. Each number has specific meaning:

• MAJOR version for incompatible API changes
• MINOR version for backwards-compatible new features
• PATCH version for backwards-compatible bug fixes

Example: Going from 1.4.2 to 2.0.0 indicates breaking changes, while 1.4.2 to 1.5.0 indicates new features that don't break existing functionality.

HTML Format

HTML changelogs are great for embedding directly into your website or web app. They can be styled to match your brand and are immediately visible to users without needing to navigate to a separate page.

JSON Format

JSON changelogs are ideal for APIs and programmatic access. They allow other applications to read and display your changelog data. This format is perfect for automated tools, mobile apps, or integrations with other services.

Changelog Best Practices

1. Write for Your Audience

Tailor your language to your users. If you're building a developer tool, technical details are appropriate. For consumer apps, focus on user benefits in plain language.

2. Group Related Changes

Use consistent categories like “Added,” “Fixed,” “Changed,” “Removed,” “Deprecated,” and “Security.” This makes it easy for readers to scan for the changes they care about.

3. Be Specific but Concise

Each entry should be clear enough to understand but brief enough to scan quickly. Avoid vague descriptions like "Various improvements."

4. Highlight Breaking Changes

Always call out breaking changes prominently. Provide migration guides or workarounds to help users update smoothly.

5. Keep It Up to Date

Update your changelog with every release. An outdated changelog is worse than no changelog at all because it erodes trust.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Dumping git logs - Git commits are for developers, changelogs are for users
• Missing dates - Always include release dates for context
• No grouping - Random order makes changelogs hard to scan
• Technical jargon - Unless writing for developers, use plain language
• Forgetting breaking changes - Users need to know what will break their code

Tools for Managing Changelogs

While you can manually maintain a changelog in a Markdown file, modern tools make it easier:

• ReleaseGlow - AI-powered changelog management with embeddable widgets
• GitHub Releases - Built-in changelog feature for GitHub repositories
• Conventional Commits - Generate changelogs automatically from commit messages
• Keep a Changelog - Website with guidelines and examples