Update release notes
This skill handles the operational tasks of maintaining release notes: adding new PR entries to next.mdx and archiving releases when a new version is published.
Process
1. Check status
Run the status script to determine versions and diff branch:
bash
.claude/skills/update-release-notes/scripts/get-changelog-status.sh
This returns:
- •
diff_branch(e.g.,v4.3.x) - the branch to diff against - •
latest_release- the most recent published release - •Whether archival is needed
2. Handle archival (if needed)
If a new release was published since last_version in next.mdx:
- •Copy
next.mdxcontent tovX.Y.0.mdx(e.g.,v4.3.0.mdx) - •Update the frontmatter in the new file:
- •Set
titleto the version - •Update dates
- •Add the GitHub release link after frontmatter
- •Set
- •Reset
next.mdx:- •Update
last_versionfield to the new release - •Clear the content sections
- •Keep the file structure for accumulating new changes
- •Update
3. Find new PRs
Get PR numbers merged since the release branch:
bash
.claude/skills/update-release-notes/scripts/get-new-prs.sh <diff_branch>
4. Fetch PR details
Batch fetch all PR information:
bash
.claude/skills/update-release-notes/scripts/fetch-pr-batch.sh <pr1> <pr2> ...
5. Update next.mdx
For each PR not already in next.mdx:
- •Check PR labels and body against the style guide's categorization rules
- •Skip PRs that should be omitted (see style guide)
- •Add entries to the appropriate section
- •Promote significant changes to featured sections when warranted
6. Verify
Check that:
- •PR links are correct
- •Community contributors are credited
- •Sections are in the correct order
- •Breaking changes are marked with 💥
The last_version field
The next.mdx frontmatter includes a last_version field that tracks the most recent published release. This determines which PRs are "new" and need to be added.
References
- •Style guide: See
../shared/release-notes-guide.mdfor guidance on what a release notes article should contain and how to format it. - •Scripts: See
scripts/for automation helpers