How to Create Release Notes for Your WordPress Plugin (2026)

To create WordPress plugin release notes, collect every change since the last version, group it as New, Improved, Fixed, and Security, write each line from the user’s point of view, add the version and date, and publish it where customers will find it. Changeloger lets you do all of this from one WordPress dashboard.

This guide walks through a repeatable release notes workflow, a simple template you can copy, and how to publish with Changeloger. It also explains how release notes differ from a changelog, so you write the right document for the right reader.

Release notes vs. changelog: what is the difference?

A changelog is a continuous, chronological record of changes. Release notes are a curated explanation of one release: what shipped, why it matters, and what the user needs to do. They overlap, and most plugin teams publish both, often by putting release notes inside the changelog entry. If you need the record first, see our guide to choosing a product changelog plugin, and for the plugin directory format read the WordPress developer blog on changelogs.

Step-by-step: how to create WordPress plugin release notes

Step 1: Collect every change

Gather merged pull requests, closed issues, support tickets, and feedback that were resolved in this version. Collecting as you go is easier than reconstructing at the end.

Step 2: Decide what users need to know

Not every commit is news. Keep changes users can see, feel, or must act on, and leave out internal refactors. Put breaking changes, security fixes, and new features first.

Step 3: Group changes by type

Use labels such as New, Improved, Fixed, and Security. In Changeloger, the defaults are New, Improvements, Fixes, and Patches, and you can rename them and assign colors.

Step 4: Write from the user’s point of view

Explain the benefit: “You can now export settings to a file” is clearer than “Added export handler.” Keep each line to one idea, avoid jargon, and never settle for “bug fixes and improvements.”

Step 5: Add the version, date, and a headline

Every release needs a version number, a date, and a short headline summarizing the theme, such as “Faster imports and cleaner settings.” In Changeloger, each release also takes a badge: Major, Minor, Patch, Beta, or one of your own.

Step 6: Publish and announce

Publish on your own site, link it from your readme, and tell your audience. Pro includes email announcements for subscribers, and AI tools that can rewrite rough notes into a polished title and description.

A simple WordPress plugin release notes template you can copy

Version 2.4.0 - 2026-09-15 (Minor)
Headline: Faster imports and cleaner settings

New
- Export your settings to a JSON file.

Improved
- The settings page now loads faster on large sites.

Fixed
- Saving no longer fails when a field is left empty.

Security
- Output on the license screen is now escaped.

Action needed: none.

The “Action needed” line is small but powerful. It tells readers straight away whether the update needs anything from them.

Create WordPress plugin release notes faster with Changeloger

Import what you already have

If your notes already live in a text file, you do not need to retype them. The Free plugin lets you paste text or upload a .txt file, and its parser sorts entries into categories automatically. Pro can also import from a URL, such as a remote changelog file. See how to import a plain text changelog.

Build each release in the release builder

Open Changeloger, choose Add New, and fill in the version, date, badge, product, and change items. Save as a draft while you review, then publish when the notes are approved. Quick edit and bulk actions save time when you fix typos or change badges on many releases.

Show the release notes on your site

Add the Changeloger block, the Release Hub block, or the shortcode to any page. Every release also gets its own shareable page. For a full walkthrough, read our guide to the WordPress Release Hub block.

Who reads your WordPress plugin release notes?

Three groups read them, and each wants something different. Site owners want to know if an update is safe and what to test. Agencies and developers want to see breaking changes, deprecations, and anything that affects custom code. Prospects use your release history as evidence that the plugin is maintained. Write the headline and first line for the owner, then keep the detail below for the technical reader.

A quick test helps: if a customer only reads the headline and the first bullet, would they know whether to update today? If not, rewrite them. Put the most important change first, name it plainly, and say what it means for the person reading.

Keep WordPress plugin release notes consistent over time

• Use the same labels and headline style for every release.
• Draft notes while you build, not after you ship.
• Ask someone who did not write the code to proofread.
• Archive nothing: keep the full history on a public page.
• Automate what repeats. See WordPress release notes automation for ideas.

Want to compare tools before you commit? Our guide to a WordPress product changelog plugin explains what to look for, and the Free vs Pro page lists exactly what each plan includes.

Frequently asked questions

Ready to ship WordPress plugin release notes your customers will read? Install Changeloger Free from WordPress.org, add your next release, and publish it in minutes.