How to Write Release Notes
Templates, real examples, and best practices for writing release notes that users actually read. Covers structure, tone, audience targeting, and notification strategies.
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What to Include in Release Notes
Every release note should cover these six categories. Not every release will have all six — but knowing what to look for ensures nothing gets missed.
New Features
The headline acts. New functionality that didn't exist before. Lead with the benefit — what users can now do — then explain the feature. Include a screenshot or GIF showing the feature in action.
Example
"Export reports as CSV — Build custom reports in Excel, Google Sheets, or your BI tool without screenshotting charts. Click the new Export button in the top-right of any report to download."
Pro Tip
If a feature was user-requested, call it out: 'You asked, we built.' This closes the feedback loop and encourages more requests.
Improvements
Enhancements to existing features — performance boosts, UI refinements, better defaults. These often matter more to daily users than new features because they improve workflows they already rely on.
Example
"Dashboard loads 3x faster — We rewrote the query engine behind analytics dashboards. Pages that took 4-5 seconds now load in under 1.5s. No action needed on your end."
Pro Tip
Quantify improvements when possible. '3x faster' is more compelling than 'improved performance.' Users notice specific numbers.
Bug Fixes
Be transparent about what was broken and confirm it's fixed. Users who hit these bugs want to know they can stop using workarounds. Don't be vague — name the specific issue.
Example
"Fixed: CSV imports failing for files over 10MB — Large file imports were timing out silently. Files up to 100MB now import reliably with a progress indicator."
Pro Tip
Don't hide bug fixes in shame. Transparency builds trust. Users prefer 'we broke X and fixed it' over pretending it never happened.
Breaking Changes
Anything that changes existing behavior or requires user action. These must be flagged prominently with clear migration instructions and timelines. Never bury breaking changes — users will find out the hard way.
Example
"Breaking: API v2 endpoints deprecated on March 30 — If you're using /api/v2/ endpoints, migrate to /api/v3/ before March 30. See our migration guide for step-by-step instructions. v2 will return 410 Gone after this date."
Pro Tip
Give at least 30 days notice for breaking changes. Include a migration guide, code examples, and a point of contact for questions.
Deprecations & Removals
Features being phased out or removed entirely. Explain why (consolidation, low usage, replaced by something better) and what users should use instead. Be empathetic — someone relied on this.
Example
"Removing legacy dashboard on April 15 — The classic dashboard is being retired in favor of the new analytics view (launched January). If you're still using the classic dashboard, switch now to customize your new layout."
Pro Tip
Always provide an alternative. 'We removed X' is frustrating. 'We replaced X with Y, which does everything X did plus Z' is helpful.
Known Issues
Problems you're aware of but haven't fixed yet. Including known issues in release notes is a power move — it shows honesty and saves users from reporting bugs you already know about.
Example
"Known issue: Dark mode colors are inconsistent on the settings page. Fix coming in next release. Workaround: use light mode for settings."
Pro Tip
Including known issues reduces support tickets and builds trust. Users appreciate knowing that you know, and that a fix is coming.
Writing for Different Audiences
The same release needs different notes for different readers. Here's how to tailor your tone, detail, and structure for each audience.
End Users (Non-Technical)
Tone
Conversational, benefit-focused, jargon-free
Detail Level
Focus on what users can do now, not how you built it. Use screenshots and GIFs. Keep entries to 2-3 sentences.
Structure
Lead with the benefit, then a brief explanation. Group by: What's New, What's Improved, What's Fixed.
Example
"You can now schedule reports to arrive in your inbox every Monday morning. Set it up in Settings → Reports → Schedule."
Technical Users (Developers, API Consumers)
Tone
Precise, detailed, include code snippets
Detail Level
Include API changes, parameter updates, SDK versions. Link to migration guides and API docs. Show before/after code examples.
Structure
Version number, date, categorized by: Added, Changed, Deprecated, Removed, Fixed, Security. Follow Keep a Changelog format.
Example
"Added: `GET /api/v3/reports?schedule=weekly` — New scheduling parameter. See API docs for payload format. Breaking: `report_type` field renamed to `type` in response objects."
Stakeholders (Executives, Board, Investors)
Tone
High-level, outcome-focused, strategic
Detail Level
Focus on business impact: user growth from new features, performance improvements as percentages, customer satisfaction impact. Skip implementation details.
Structure
Executive summary (3-5 bullets), key metrics, strategic alignment. One page max.
Example
"Launched AI-powered report scheduling. 340 enterprise accounts activated in the first week. Projected to reduce churn by 8% in Q2 based on 'missing reporting' being our #2 cancellation reason."
Internal Team (Engineers, Support, Sales)
Tone
Detailed, includes context and rationale
Detail Level
Why this was built, which customers requested it, support implications, sales talking points. Include rollback plans and monitoring dashboards.
Structure
Context (why), changes (what), impact (who), rollout plan (when/how), known risks, support FAQ.
Example
"Report scheduling ships today. Built because: #2 cancellation reason, 47 feature requests on the voting board, Acme Corp ($50K ARR) made it a contract renewal condition. Support FAQ attached."
Release Note Templates
Copy-paste these templates and fill in the blanks. Three formats for three use cases.
Standard Release Notes Template
Release [Version] — [Date]
[One-sentence summary of what this release is about]
New
- [Feature name] — [What it does + why it matters]. [Link to docs]
Improved
- [What improved] — [Specific improvement with numbers if possible]
Fixed
- [What was broken] — [Confirmation it's fixed + any user action needed]
Breaking Changes
- [What changed] — [Migration steps]. Deadline: [Date]. [Link to migration guide]
User-Friendly Release Notes Template
What's New in [Product] — [Month Year]
[1-2 sentences: what this update means for users]
You can now...
- [Benefit-first description]. Here's how: [brief instructions or link]
We made it better...
- [What's faster/smoother/easier] — [specific improvement users will notice]
We squashed these bugs...
- [Bug users reported, described in user language, not technical jargon]
You asked, we built
- [Feature that was user-requested] — Thanks to everyone who voted for this! [Link to voting board]
API / Developer Release Notes Template
v[X.Y.Z] — [YYYY-MM-DD]
[Semver: Major.Minor.Patch]
Added
- `[endpoint/method/parameter]` — [What it does]. See [API docs link].
Changed
- `[what changed]` — Previously [old behavior], now [new behavior]. [Migration: link]
Deprecated
- `[deprecated item]` — Will be removed in v[X+1]. Use `[replacement]` instead.
Removed
- `[removed item]` — Deprecated since v[X]. [Migration guide link]
Fixed
- `[bug description]` — [Root cause and fix]. Resolves #[issue number].
Security
- [CVE or security fix description]. All users should update to this version.
How to Notify Users About Release Notes
Writing great release notes is half the battle. Getting them in front of users is the other half.
| Channel | Best For | Timing | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-App Banner / Modal | Major features and breaking changes | Show on first login after release | Banner: one sentence + 'Learn more' link. Modal: hero image + 3-4 bullet points + CTA. Dismissible. |
| Email Newsletter | Monthly roundups and feature launches | Same day as release or next morning | Subject: what's new (not 'Monthly Update #47'). 3-5 highlights with images. Link to full release notes. |
| Changelog Page | Comprehensive record of all changes | Updated with every release | Chronological, categorized entries. Searchable. This is your permanent record — it should be complete. |
| Social Media | Visual features and milestone releases | Day of release, 1-2 posts max | Short, visual, one feature per post. GIF or screenshot. Link to full release notes. Don't spam — only share noteworthy updates. |
| Slack / Discord Community | Engaged users and beta testers | Before or simultaneously with public release | Informal, conversational. Ask for feedback. Link to voting board for feature requests. Early access builds loyalty. |
| Voting Board Notifications | Closing the feedback loop with requesters | When a requested feature ships | Automatic notification to everyone who voted for a feature. 'The feature you requested is now live!' — the most powerful retention tool. |
The most underused channel:
Voting board notifications. When you ship a feature that users requested, automatically notifying every voter is the single most powerful retention and engagement tool available. It closes the loop without manual effort. Learn about feature voting
Tone & Style Guide
Do
- Lead with the benefit, not the feature name
- Use active voice: 'You can now...' not 'It is now possible to...'
- Include screenshots or GIFs for visual changes
- Quantify improvements: '3x faster' not 'improved performance'
- Reference user requests: 'You asked, we built'
- Keep each entry to 2-3 sentences max
- Link to docs for features that need setup
- Be transparent about bugs and breaking changes
Don't
- Write 'various bug fixes and improvements' — be specific
- Use internal jargon: 'refactored the ORM layer' means nothing to users
- Bury breaking changes at the bottom
- Skip release notes for 'small' updates — they add up
- Send every update through every channel — that's spam
- Write a wall of text without categories or formatting
- Use passive voice: 'An issue was resolved' — who resolved it? You did!
- Forget to include a link to give feedback on the update itself
Automate Your Release Notes with Features.Vote
Features.Vote combines a voting board, changelog, and roadmap in one tool. When you mark a feature as shipped, voters get notified automatically.
Write once, publish everywhere
Create your changelog entry with rich text, images, and categories. It publishes to your changelog page and notifies relevant users automatically.
Auto-notify voters
Every user who voted for a shipped feature gets an email notification. No manual tracking, no CRM exports, no forgetting to follow up.
Feedback-driven roadmap
Your roadmap is powered by user votes. Release notes connect directly to the requests that drove them — closing the loop end to end.
Changelog, voting board, and roadmap included. Free plan available.
"Shout out to FeaturesVote! Integration was done in under a minute"
Alexandre Negrel,
Founder at Prisme Analytics
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