# Maintainer changelog template for dependable version history

Canonical: https://githtml.com/guides/maintainer-changelog-template
Published: 2026-09-26
Publisher: WaveTech LLC / gitHtml

A maintainer changelog is a curated record of notable changes across versions. Give each release an unambiguous version and date, group entries by the kind of change, and maintain an unreleased section for pending work. Preserve historical entries instead of rewriting them to describe the current product.

## Decide what belongs in the record

A changelog should help someone answer when behavior changed. A commit log instead records how work was assembled; those are related but different jobs. Keep a Changelog explicitly treats the changelog as a curated resource for people. Include compatibility changes, corrected behavior, deprecations, removals, and security notices appropriate for public disclosure. Omit mechanical updates that have no meaningful effect on the changelog's audience. If a dependency update matters, explain the consequence rather than listing an unexplained package version and assuming readers understand its significance.

## Use a compact illustrative structure

An illustrative release could contain Added: export preview; Changed: validation errors identify row numbers; Fixed: blank filenames no longer obscure the download action; Deprecated: the legacy export route remains available during a documented transition. These entries are fictional examples, not gitHtml release claims. Add a comparison link where useful, but ensure it resolves to the intended versions. Keep the unreleased section separate and move only shipped entries into the release section. Do not let a planned feature become part of history because someone copied a heading early.

1. Use the project's actual version format and a consistent, unambiguous date format.
2. Explain breaking behavior where it occurs, not only in a general warning.
3. Link a deprecation to the migration instructions and the stated removal policy.

## Validate historical meaning before publishing

Check versions against tags or release records and confirm that each entry belongs to the correct release. If the project claims Semantic Versioning, evaluate changes against its declared public API rather than interpreting every number intuitively. Correct factual errors transparently; avoid silently removing entries that users may have relied on. For HTML presentation, use a heading for each release so readers can navigate directly to an older version. An index of recent releases can help mobile scanning without turning the whole history into a dense table.

## Sources and further reading

- [Keep a Changelog](https://keepachangelog.com/en/1.1.0/)
- [Semantic Versioning 2.0.0](https://semver.org/)

## Related guides

- [Operational runbook template with safe stop conditions](https://githtml.com/guides/operational-runbook-template)
- [Developer onboarding guide template for a first useful change](https://githtml.com/guides/developer-onboarding-guide-template)
- [Software migration plan template with exit and rollback gates](https://githtml.com/guides/software-migration-plan-template)
- [Release notes template that explains user impact](https://githtml.com/guides/release-notes-template-for-users)

Editorial approach: https://githtml.com/guides/about