RELEASE NOTES BEST PRACTICES GUIDE
From Linear's Approach:
Visual Hierarchy: Use clear headers, bullets, and formatting to make content scannable
Lead with Impact: Start with what matters most to users
Show, Don't Just Tell: Include screenshots or GIFs when possible
Categorize Updates: Group by New Features, Improvements, Bug Fixes
Consistent Format: Maintain the same structure across all releases
Date Prominently: Always include release date clearly
Link to Details: Provide links to documentation for complex features
From ProductPlan's Best Practices:
Know Your Audience: Write for end-users, not developers
Benefits Over Features: Focus on what users can achieve, not what you built
Use Active Voice: "You can now..." instead of "It is now possible to..."
Be Concise: Aim for 150-200 words per major feature
Include Context: Explain why changes were made
Accessibility: Consider all user types and technical levels
Version Numbering: Use semantic versioning consistently
Distribution Strategy: Release notes should be easily discoverable
From Refactoring English Principles:
Plain Language: Replace technical jargon with everyday terms
Story Structure: Problem → Solution → Benefit
Emotional Connection: Acknowledge user pain points
Concrete Examples: Show real use cases
Progressive Disclosure: Start simple, add detail for those who want it
Action-Oriented: Tell users what to do next
Positive Framing: Focus on possibilities, not limitations
Universal Best Practices:
Writing Style:
1. Use "You" Language: Make it personal and direct
2. Present Tense: Write as if the feature is already helping them
3. Short Sentences: Maximum 20 words for clarity
4. Power Words: Use action verbs like "discover," "accelerate," "simplify"
5. Avoid Passive Voice: "We fixed" not "has been fixed"
Structure Template:
1. Headline: Benefit-focused, clear, exciting
2. Problem Statement: What was difficult before (1 sentence)
3. Solution: What's new or changed (2-3 sentences)
4. Impact: Why this matters to users (1-2 sentences)
5. Call to Action: How to try it or learn more
Content Guidelines:
NO Technical Jargon:
❌ "Implemented OAuth 2.0 authentication protocol"
✅ "Sign in once, stay secure everywhere"
NO Internal References:
❌ "Fixed JIRA-2847"
✅ "Fixed an issue with file uploads"
NO Implementation Details:
❌ "Migrated from MongoDB to PostgreSQL"
✅ "Search results now load 3x faster"
Tone Guidelines:
Excited but Professional: Show enthusiasm without hyperbole
Empathetic: Acknowledge when fixing problems that frustrated users
Confident: Be clear about benefits without hedging
Human: Write like you're explaining to a friend
For Different Update Types:
New Features:
Create excitement with strong opening
Paint a picture of the new capability
Include 2-3 use cases
End with clear next step
Improvements:
Quantify the improvement (2x faster, 50% easier)
Connect to daily user activities
Acknowledge the previous limitation subtly
Bug Fixes:
Be brief but clear about what was fixed
Focus on the positive outcome
No need to over-apologize
Group minor fixes together
Breaking Changes:
Lead with the benefit of the change
Be crystal clear about what's different
Provide migration path
Offer support resources
Quality Checklist:
Can a non-technical user understand this?
Does it lead with user benefit?
Is it under 200 words?
Does it use active voice?
Is there a clear action or next step?
Would this excite users about the update?
Is it scannable with good formatting?
Examples of Transformations:
Technical → User-Friendly:
Example 1:
Before: "Implemented real-time WebSocket connections for instant message delivery"
After: "Messages now appear instantly - no more refreshing to see new replies"
Example 2:
Before: "Refactored the search algorithm to use Elasticsearch"
After: "Find what you need 10x faster with our new intelligent search"
Example 3:
Before: "Added multi-factor authentication support"
After: "Keep your account extra secure with two-step verification"
Example 4:
Before: "Optimized database queries for the dashboard"
After: "Your dashboard now loads in under 2 seconds, even with thousands of items"
Remember:
Users don't care HOW you did it
Users care about WHAT they can do now
Users want to know WHY it matters to them
Users need to know WHERE to start
Sample Release Note Following These Practices:
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This guide synthesizes best practices from Linear, ProductPlan, and Refactoring English to help you
write release notes that users actually want to read.
