Quick Answer
A changelog is a chronological record of all notable changes, updates, and new features in your software project. It serves as a communication bridge between developers and users, helping everyone understand what's new, what's been fixed, and what's changed in each version.
What is a Changelog?
A changelog (also known as a change log or release notes) is a document that contains a curated, chronologically ordered list of notable changes for each version of a project. It's typically written for humans, not machines, and should clearly communicate what has changed between releases.
Good changelogs follow a consistent format and categorize changes into types such as:
- Added - New features and functionality
- Changed - Changes in existing functionality
- Deprecated - Features that will be removed in future releases
- Removed - Features that have been removed
- Fixed - Bug fixes and error corrections
- Security - Security vulnerability fixes
Why Do You Need a Changelog?
1. User Communication
Your users need to know what's changed in your software. A well-maintained changelog helps users understand new features they can use, bugs that have been fixed, and any breaking changes they need to be aware of when updating.
2. Stakeholder Transparency
Stakeholders, including investors, managers, and team members, need visibility into development progress. Changelogs provide a clear record of what the development team has accomplished over time.
3. Decision Making
Users can make informed decisions about when to update their software based on the changelog. They can see if an update contains features they need or fixes for issues they're experiencing.
4. Documentation and History
Changelogs serve as historical documentation of your project's evolution. This is valuable for debugging, understanding feature development timelines, and planning future releases.
5. Marketing and Communication
Changelogs can be powerful marketing tools, showcasing the continuous improvement and active development of your product to current and potential users.
Common Changelog Problems
Technical Git Commits vs. User-Friendly Changes
One of the biggest challenges with changelogs is the gap between technical git commits (like "fix: resolve null pointer exception in user service") and user-friendly descriptions (like "Fixed an issue where user profiles wouldn't load properly").
Inconsistent Updates
Many teams struggle with keeping changelogs updated consistently. Manual maintenance often leads to forgotten entries or outdated information.
Too Technical or Too Vague
Changelogs that are either too technical for end users or too vague to be useful fail to serve their primary purpose of clear communication.
How WhatWeShipped Solves These Problems
WhatWeShipped addresses these common changelog challenges by:
- AI-Powered Translation - Converting technical commit messages into user-friendly changelog entries
- Automatic Sync - Keeping your changelog updated with GitHub integration
- Smart Categorization - Organizing changes into meaningful categories
- Beautiful Presentation - Creating professional, shareable public pages
- Roadmap Integration - Connecting your changelog with future planning
Best Practices for Changelogs
- Write for humans - Use clear, non-technical language
- Be consistent - Follow the same format and categorization
- Include context - Explain why changes were made, not just what changed
- Highlight breaking changes - Make it clear when updates require user action
- Update regularly - Keep changelogs current with each release
- Make it accessible - Ensure your changelog is easy to find and read