--- title: "How to Write Release Notes: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)" summary: "How to write release notes users read: six steps, a copy-paste template, a before and after rewrite, 10 real examples, and where to publish them." date: 2023-05-12 author: "Karthik Kamalakannan" canonical: https://featureos.com/blog/how-to-write-release-notes markdown: https://featureos.com/blog/how-to-write-release-notes.md lastUpdated: 2026-11-04 categories: ["release-notes","guides"] image: "https://assets.production.featureos.com/featureos/site-assets/images/blog/mastering-release-notes/mastering-release-notes.png" readingTime: 13 --- To write release notes, give each update a clear title that names the change, one line on what it lets the user do, then the details, fixes and a screenshot. Write for the user, not the engineer, and publish on a steady cadence where users already are: in-app, email and a hosted changelog page. This is our main guide to release notes. If you want a Google Docs changelog template, see [how to write a changelog](/blog/how-to-write-changelog). If you only want inspiration, see [five release notes examples](/blog/5-release-notes-examples-you-should-use). If you are picking a tool, see [the best changelog and release notes software](/blog/best-changelog-and-release-notes-software-featureos). ## How to write release notes in 6 steps 1. **Start from what shipped, not from the commit log.** List the changes a user would notice. Internal refactors and dependency bumps stay out unless they change behavior. 2. **Lead with the biggest change.** One update per note gets the headline. Everything else goes below it. 3. **Write the title as a benefit.** "Export reports to CSV" beats "Reporting v2.3". Name the thing the user can now do. 4. **Explain the why in one or two sentences.** What problem did this solve? If customers asked for it, say so and link the request. 5. **Show it.** A screenshot or short GIF does more than a paragraph. Add a link to the help article for anything with setup steps. 6. **Group the small stuff.** Put minor improvements and bug fixes in short bullets under "Improvements" and "Fixes", in plain language. ## Release notes template Copy this and fill it in: ```text Title: [What the user can now do] Date: [YYYY-MM-DD] Version: [optional] [One or two sentences: what changed and why it helps.] [Screenshot or GIF] How to use it: [steps or a link to the help article] Improvements - [Short, user-facing line] Fixes - [What was broken, now fixed] ``` ## Before and after: rewriting a weak release note The example below is illustrative, written for this guide, not taken from a real product. **Before:** "v4.2.1: Refactored export service. Added CSV support. Misc bug fixes." **After:** "**Export any report to CSV.** You asked to get report data into spreadsheets without copy-paste. Open a report, click Export, pick CSV. Also fixed: dates in exported PDFs now use your workspace time zone." The after version names the benefit, says why it shipped, tells the user how to use it, and turns "misc bug fixes" into one line a user can check. ## Release notes vs changelog People use the two words for the same page. When they differ, a changelog is a complete, often technical, dated log of every change, and release notes are the curated, user-facing summary of what matters in a release. Most SaaS teams publish one page that does both. See the glossary entries for [release notes](/glossary/release-notes) and [changelog](/glossary/changelog). ## What Are Release Notes? Release notes are a brief summary of updates, improvements, fixes, or new features in your product. They help users understand what’s new, what’s been fixed, and how it impacts their experience. The release notes summary is considered an essential communication medium between the product teams and their customers to improve new feature adoption, and know what has changed since the last update. ## What should Release Notes contain? A release note contains updates in a clear and structured format, starting with a compelling title, followed by a feature summary, and then detailing improvements, fixes, and visual aids to enhance clarity. It may also include contributor mentions and helpful links. This ensures that users quickly understand what’s new and how it benefits them. Here's a structure that works: - **Title**: Highlight the most important update. - **Feature Summary**: Short overview of the major feature or update. - **Improvements & Fixes**: List all bugs fixed or improvements made. - **Visual Aids**: Use images or gifs where needed. - **Contributors (Optional)**: Credit your team. - **Links**: Add support docs, demo links, or changelog URLs. ## Who Prepares Release Notes? Release notes are usually written by the product manager, whose role cuts through the entire product development and release spectrum, however in some of the instances, there may not be a dedicated product manager for a company or product team. Instead, other members like the lead developers, founders, or marketing managers may take on responsibilities related to releasing products. Knowing [how to announce new features](/blog/launch-new-features-2024-guide) effectively can also help position your release notes strategically. ## What Are Release Notes in Agile? In Agile workflows, release notes are used to communicate what was delivered in each sprint or milestone. They help stakeholders understand progress and align on product changes, which includes Sprint number or versions, features shipped and bugs fixed. These notes are often published at the end of each sprint or before deploying a release to staging or production environments. Agile release notes help: - Stakeholders stay aligned on progress - QA and dev teams validate expected changes - Product teams communicate improvements to customers Learn more about this in our [Product Service Management guide](/blog/product-service-management). ## What Is The Purpose of Writing Release Notes? Product release note is an opportunity to showcase the amount of effort and hard work that you and your team have put into improving the product. Regularly publishing release notes can help you gain the trust of your customers, but also from potential customers who are researching your product. When you write release notes, you are not just informing your customers of what is new, but you are also demonstrating that you are committed to continuously improving your product. By consistently publishing release notes, you are showing that you are listening to your customers’ feedback, addressing issues, and adding features that your customers want and need. Publishing [release notes on a regular intervals](#how-often-should-you-publish-release-notes) helps you gain trust from not just your customers, but also from your potential customers which eventually builds your brand throughout the year. Here are a few reasons why you should start writing release notes for your product: ### **1. Showcase your work** You have been working hard spending time on a feature that you believe adds value to your customers. Why keep it to yourself? This is your work, and you should get it into your customers’ hands. Release notes are a great way to do just that, since each release note can go through a lot of [different distribution channels](#how-to-share-release-notes-distribution-channels) to create awareness among your customers. ### **2. Improve customer satisfaction** What if there was a way for you to see the constant improvements that are being made to the tools you rely on daily? What if you could subscribe to these newsletters that sends you a notification whenever there is a new update to your product? You would be happy, right? This is exactly how you would make your customers feel when you write release notes. The more your customers see that you are making constant improvements to your product, the more likely they are to become loyal to your brand. Loyal customers stick with you for longer, which improves retention and reduce the efforts you make to retain customers. ### **3. Keep your customers informed** Release notes are a critical part of your product release lifecycle and a great way to keep your customers informed about changes made in the latest version of your product. As a customer, they are not looking actively to discover new features in your product. With release notes, your customers would know what has been released, fixed or updated with your product. ## How Often Should You Publish Release Notes? Weekly updates are ideal for highlighting minor improvements and bug fixes, while bi-weekly notes are suited for sharing new features or integrations. Monthly release notes can serve as comprehensive summaries, offering a high-level view of all changes made over the past few weeks. ## **10 great examples of well-written release notes** You don’t have to invent a format from scratch. These 10 release notes are worth studying. For a closer look at five more, with what to copy from each, see [release notes examples from Slack, Intercom and HubSpot](/blog/5-release-notes-examples-you-should-use). ### **1. Linear Release Notes** Linear's changelog is minimalistic and well-organized, making it easy to track progress over time. It includes icons and labels for fast scanning and a developer-first tone. ![Linear’s dark-themed changelog page showcasing recent product updates, including drag-and-drop improvements and alt text enhancements, with a focus on transparency and continuous delivery.](https://assets.production.featureos.com/featureos/site-assets/images/blog/mastering-release-notes/linear-hosted-release-notes.png) ### **2. Slack Release Notes** Slack publishes separate release notes for each platform (web, iOS, Android, desktop), offering clear summaries with a casual, user-friendly tone. They use simple, readable language that helps all users stay informed. ![Slack’s iOS release notes page showing detailed updates and bug fixes from April 2023, demonstrating how product teams communicate changes and improvements to users.](https://assets.production.featureos.com/featureos/site-assets/images/blog/mastering-release-notes/slack-release-notes.png) ### **3. Raycast Release Notes** Raycast shares frequent release notes packed with visuals and short summaries. Each note highlights user-focused improvements and has a crisp, modern aesthetic. ![Raycast release notes highlighting new features, improvements, and fixes in a clean, developer-friendly interface - showcasing effective product communication.](https://assets.production.featureos.com/featureos/site-assets/images/blog/mastering-release-notes/raycast-release-notes.png) ### **4. GitHub Release Notes** GitHub provides comprehensive, technical release notes ideal for developers. They often include version tags, contributor mentions, and direct links to changes or discussions. ![GitHub release notes showing a structured list of updates, pull requests, and changelog entries for developers, illustrating open-source transparency and version tracking.](https://assets.production.featureos.com/featureos/site-assets/images/blog/mastering-release-notes/github-release-notes.png) ### **5. Intercom Release Notes** Intercom's release notes are polished with visual GIFs, screenshots, and short explanations. They’re great for communicating UI updates and customer-facing changes. ![Intercom’s release notes page featuring categorized updates with visual highlights, showcasing a user-focused approach to announcing product improvements and new features.](https://assets.production.featureos.com/featureos/site-assets/images/blog/mastering-release-notes/intercom-release-notes.png) ### **6. Cron Calendar Release Notes** Cron keeps their release notes sleek and on-brand. They emphasize speed improvements and visual design changes with just the right amount of detail. ![Cron Calendar release notes page listing dated product updates in a minimal, single-column layout.](https://assets.production.featureos.com/featureos/site-assets/images/blog/mastering-release-notes/cron-release-notes.png) ### **7. Figma Release Notes** Figma offers punchy, clear updates often accompanied by animations. Their release notes highlight usability enhancements and are well-structured for designers. ![Figma release notes page showing design tool updates grouped by date with screenshots for each change.](https://assets.production.featureos.com/featureos/site-assets/images/blog/mastering-release-notes/figma-release-notes.png) ### **8. Sketch Release Notes** Sketch blends technical clarity with visuals in their release notes. They clearly explain what’s new while keeping the tone light and accessible. ![Sketch release notes page showcasing version history with detailed updates, improvements, and bug fixes for the macOS design tool.](https://assets.production.featureos.com/featureos/site-assets/images/blog/mastering-release-notes/sketch-release-notes.png) ### **9. Telegram Release Notes** Telegram writes release notes with a conversational tone, often adding playful language. They provide rich descriptions that make even complex features approachable. ![Telegram release notes highlighting feature updates, performance improvements, and new capabilities in a user-friendly mobile interface.](https://assets.production.featureos.com/featureos/site-assets/images/blog/mastering-release-notes/telegram-release-notes.png) ### **10. Vercel Release Notes** Vercel publishes highly detailed, developer-focused updates with performance stats and links to deeper documentation. Their notes are concise yet technical. ![Vercel release notes displaying developer-focused updates with changelog entries organized by product area, showcasing a clear and structured release communication format.](https://assets.production.featureos.com/featureos/site-assets/images/blog/mastering-release-notes/vercel-release-notes.png) ## **5 Powerful Tools for Writing Release Notes** For a fuller comparison with prices, see [the best changelog and release notes software](/blog/best-changelog-and-release-notes-software-featureos) or our [release notes software](/release-notes-software) page. ### **1. FeatureOS Changelog** [FeatureOS](/) is an end-to-end customer feedback lifecycle tool that comes with a powerful [product release notes tool](/release-notes) . FeatureOS is a tool to capture feedback, publish product roadmaps, and write release notes to announce new features. FeatureOS Changelog is built around teams writing release notes, and comes with features like: - Real-time collaboration - Ability to add contributors for a feature - Ability to analyse how a release note is performing - Ability to collect feedback and reactions on a release note - Attach links to provide more context to a release note - Attach documents and release builds to a release note - Automatically mail users about new updates ![FeatureOS release notes interface showing AI-powered changelog creation, in-app announcements, and real-time feedback tools designed for fast-moving product teams.](https://assets.production.featureos.com/featureos/site-assets/images/blog/mastering-release-notes/mastering-release-notes-featureos.png) ### **2. Headway** Headway is a simple, hosted changelog tool that helps you communicate updates without needing a complex setup. You can customize its widget to match your brand and integrate it into your app or site easily. It’s great for startups looking for a plug-and-play solution to inform users without disrupting their experience. Comparing options? See [Headway alternatives](/alternatives/headway). ![Headway changelog widget displaying recent product updates in a compact, embeddable format commonly used for SaaS release notes and announcements.](https://assets.production.featureos.com/featureos/site-assets/images/blog/mastering-release-notes/mastering-release-notes-headway.png) ### **3. Notion** [Notion](https://www.notion.so/) is a powerful document management system which comes with collaboration features. Notion is majorly used by independent users who would like to create a second-brain online. With Notion, you can customize your workspace to fit your needs and use it to manage personal or team projects. ![Notion page used as a release notes tool, showcasing a manual, document-style format for tracking product updates and communicating changes to users.](https://assets.production.featureos.com/featureos/site-assets/images/blog/mastering-release-notes/notion-release-notes-tool.png) ### **4. Obsidian Publish** [Obsidian Publish](https://obsidian.md/publish) is a great new tool that comes with a desktop and mobile client making it easy to write release notes. With Obsidian Publish, you can create public release notes like blogs. Obsidian Publish also [lets you customize](https://help.obsidian.md/Obsidian+Publish/Customize+your+site) almost every aspect of your release notes page with Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), helping you build a release notes tool close to your brand. Remember that this isn’t easy to use. You are going to have to spend hours worth of engineering and designer efforts to get this up and running. ![Obsidian Publish release notes displayed in a markdown-based interface, illustrating a lightweight and developer-centric approach to documenting product updates.](https://assets.production.featureos.com/featureos/site-assets/images/blog/mastering-release-notes/obsidian-publish-release-notes.png) ### **5. Beamer** [Beamer](https://www.getbeamer.com/) is a very simple release notes tool that helps you write and embed your changelog in a hosted release notes portal or as a [release notes widget](https://play.featureos.app/demo/changelog-widget). Beamer is a perfect fit for companies that are in growth stage, and could get expensive for smaller teams. See [Beamer alternatives](/alternatives/beamer) and [FeatureOS pricing](/pricing) to compare costs. ![Beamer release notes widget showing product updates in a vertical feed layout, designed for quick in-app announcements and user engagement within SaaS products.](https://assets.production.featureos.com/featureos/site-assets/images/blog/mastering-release-notes/beamer-release-notes-tool.png) ## **How to share release notes (distribution channels)** ### **1. Email newsletter** Sending out an email newsletter whenever there is an update to your product could be super valuable to your customers. They get to read the updates whenever they want, and keep themselves updated about the releases. ![Buffer release notes email showcasing new features, improvements, and product tips delivered directly to users’ inboxes in a clean, branded layout.](https://assets.production.featureos.com/featureos/site-assets/images/blog/mastering-release-notes/buffer-release-notes-email.png) Buffer’s release notes email above goes on step ahead where they tell you how many changes have been made so far since we last heard from them, and details about each release they have made. A great example of a release notes email. ### **2. In-app release notes widget** In-app release notes widgets allow you to nudge users into noticing the changes you have made to the customers. In-app release notes come usually with a red pulsating dot that tells the users about the new updates. Tools like [FeatureOS Changelog](/release-notes) come with the ability to build in-app widgets to your liking and just copy paste a piece of code into your product to get it working. ### **3. Changelog notice bar** Placing a notice bar or announcement bar is a great way to get users’ attention. Highlighting the title of the release note with a link to it in the release notes banner would be great. Also, on the other hand, release notes notice bar are best fit inside a product like dashboard or analytics page. ### **4. Hosted release notes page** A hosted release notes page usually sits within your website. Companies like [Amazon](https://business.amazon.com/en/discover-more/release-notes), [FeatureOS](https://feedback.featureos.app/changelog), and [Linear](https://linear.app/changelog) are known for hosting these release notes page, and this page is linked wherever necessary to help people land in this page. The advantage of having a dedicated [hosted release notes page](/release-notes) is the ability to track the number of users visiting your release notes page, and other essential analytics that might help you fine-tune your release notes. Powerful release notes tools will help you save time setting such hosted release notes page and give you the analytics you need to get a sense of where you can focus next. ![Linear’s hosted release notes page featuring a dark UI with clearly listed product updates, bug fixes, and enhancements for streamlined changelog communication.](https://assets.production.featureos.com/featureos/site-assets/images/blog/mastering-release-notes/linear-hosted-release-notes.png) ### **Why use a hosted release notes page** Here are a few reasons why a hosted release notes page could be better than a release notes widget for your product: 1. Better control over the design of your release notes page 2. Ability to inject analytics scripts to understand your users 3. Easy to embed Subscribe button for your users 4. Ability to inject custom CSS styles for your release notes page ### **5. Announcing new updates via live-chat** Live chat tools like [SupportWire](https://supportwire.ai) and [Intercom](https://intercom.com/) are a great way to get users’ attention. Most live chat apps have the ability to pop over a message from the customer support team to get users’ attention. This feature opens up a ton of opportunity for a product team to show what they have released recently, and popup messages on live chat widgets are a great place for showcasing the latest release notes. Release notes tools like [FeatureOS Changelog](/release-notes) let you push the latest release note into a live chat message without rewriting it for that channel. ### **6. Changelog RSS feed** RSS is a feed that so many customers subscribe to keep themselves updated about the news they care about. Products like [FeatureOS Changelog](/release-notes) and [FeatureOS](/release-notes) come with a RSS feed that users can subscribe to with their favorite RSS readers. RSS puts information where the customers want to see. Not the other way around. ## Conclusion Release notes are a great way to keep your customers informed about new updates, and your internal teams’ efforts validated. I hope this guide helped you understand all the best way to write great release notes, and the tools you can use to write release notes collaboratively . We built FeatureOS Changelog to make it super easy to write release notes along with your team, so that you don’t have to go back and forth to write, approve, and publish release notes. Start your changelog trial for free today. You can also try our [free AI Changelog Generator](/tools/changelog-generator) to turn raw release notes into polished changelogs instantly. > **Publish your changelog with FeatureOS:** [FeatureOS Changelog](/release-notes) gives you a hosted changelog page, an in-app widget and an RSS feed, and can notify the users who asked for each feature. See [pricing](/pricing): you pay only for team seats.