Say it like this
- Check the release notes before updating
- We need to finalize the release notes by Friday
- The release notes mention a breaking change
Use it at work
Writing
- Can you add your change to the release notes?
- I'll write the release notes for 2.4.
With customers
- Check the release notes for what's new.
- The release notes list a breaking change.
Reviewing
- The release notes are too technical for customers.
- Please keep release notes short and clear.
Don't say this
Release notes must be accessible to non-technical users, not just developers. Technical details belong in changelogs.
Don't mix it up
| Term | What it is | Who writes or uses it | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| release notes | What changed in a version | Product, engineering | Each release |
| changelog | Full list of changes over time | Developers | Ongoing |
Practice
Try it
4 quick exercises
1. Your manager asks if the release notes are ready. Which response is most natural?
2. We must _______ the release notes before announcing the new version to customers.
3. Which sentence uses release notes incorrectly?
4. Rewrite this sentence using the phrase 'release notes': 'We need to tell users about the new security feature and that the old login method no longer works.'
Say it out loud
Phrase 1 of 3
"Check the release notes before updating"
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More about release notes
Real examples(3)
- in a standup
"Have you finished writing the release notes for version 3.0? Users need to know about the database migration."
- in a code review
"This feature is important enough that we should mention it in the release notes."
- in a team meeting
"According to the release notes, this bug was fixed in the last update, so customers should upgrade."
More mistakes(2)
Handle with care. Release notes are not the same as commit messages or changelogs, though they are related. Release notes are user-facing documentation; commit messages are developer-facing.
- ✕The release notes forgot to mention the breaking API change.✓The release notes clearly highlighted the breaking API change and provided migration instructions.
Critical changes like breaking changes, security patches, and deprecations must always be in release notes so users know what to expect.
- ✕We published release notes three weeks after the software was released.✓We published release notes at the same time as the software release.
Release notes must be published immediately with the release so users have information when they update.
Other forms(3)
- release notes noun
"The release notes for this update mention several security improvements."
- release notes noun (plural)
"Always read the release notes before installing a major version update."
- release note noun (singular form)
"Each release note should explain why a change matters to users."
Often used with(5)
- write release notes · To create or compose release notes for a new version
- publish release notes · To share or release notes publicly to users
- check release notes · To read release notes to learn about updates and changes
- release notes mention · Used when explaining what is documented in release notes
- detailed release notes · Release notes that provide comprehensive information
Similar words(3)
- changelog · More technical and comprehensive list of all changes; release notes are usually a summary for users
- update notes · Similar meaning but often used informally; release notes is more standard in professional settings
- version notes · Can refer to release notes but less commonly used
Questions(5)
- What does release notes mean in software engineering?
- Release notes are official documentation that describes what is new, changed, or fixed in a software update. They are written for users to understand the changes and decide whether to update. Release notes include new features, bug fixes, improvements, security patches, and known issues.
- How do you use release notes in a sentence at work?
- You can say: 'Check the release notes before updating,' 'We need to publish the release notes by Friday,' 'The release notes mention a breaking change in the API,' or 'According to the release notes, this bug was fixed in version 2.5.'
- Is release notes formal or informal?
- Release notes as a term is neutral and professional. It is used in both formal and informal business contexts. However, the writing style of the actual release notes can range from very formal and technical to casual and friendly, depending on the company and product.
- Who writes release notes?
- Release notes are typically written by product managers, technical writers, marketing teams, or senior developers. The author should understand both the technical changes and the user perspective to write clear, useful notes.
- When should you publish release notes?
- Release notes should be published at the same time as or before the software release is made available to users. Users need the information when they encounter the update.
