How to write a changelog entry users can act on

A changelog entry becomes useful when it turns a product change into a clear user decision.

Start with the affected surface. Name the page, endpoint, export, billing step, integration, or setting that changed. “Improved checkout” is vague. “Checkout now shows annual savings before payment” tells the reader where to look.

Then state the old and new behavior. Users need contrast. If an API field is now optional, say what was required before. If a release note is generated from merged work, as GitHub release notes can be, review it for user-facing language before publishing. Pull request titles are not always enough context for customers.

Add the action. Some changes require no action. Some require users to update a script, check a setting, refresh an embed, review a plan, or read a migration note. If the entry does not say which one applies, readers must guess.

Use categories sparingly. Labels such as fixed, changed, added, retired, and security can help scanning, but they cannot carry the whole meaning. “Fixed export bug” is weaker than “Fixed CSV exports so failed rows are included in the error report.”

Finally, link to deeper context only after the summary works alone. A changelog list may appear in feeds, emails, search, or product notifications. The first sentence should stand without requiring a click.

How to write a changelog entry users can act on

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