# Release notes template

> A release notes template with a summary, what is new, improved and fixed, known issues and upgrade notes. Copy it, or start it in Kanso.

What changed, in plain words, for the people who use it.

Web page: https://kansohq.app/templates/release-notes

Updated: 5 October 2026

## The template

### Summary

One or two sentences on what this release is for.

### New

- What you can do now that you could not before

### Improved

-

### Fixed

-

### Known issues

-

### Upgrade notes

Anything a reader has to do, or should know, before they update.

In Kanso, add a page and pick this template, or type / in any doc.

## How to fill it in

1. Open with a one-line summary.
2. Group changes into new, improved and fixed.
3. Write for the reader, not the code.
4. Say what readers need to do.

## Questions

### What goes in release notes?

A summary, what is new, what is improved, what is fixed, known issues and any upgrade notes.

### How long should release notes be?

As short as possible: a summary and one line for each change that matters to the reader.

### Are release notes the same as a changelog?

No. A changelog is a complete dated list, often for developers. Release notes are a reader-friendly summary of what matters.

## Keep reading

- [How to write release notes people read](https://kansohq.app/guides/how-to-write-release-notes.md): Good release notes say what changed and why it matters, in plain words. Learn the structure, a before-and-after example and what to leave out.
- [Software launch checklist template to copy | Kanso](https://kansohq.app/templates/launch-checklist.md): A software launch checklist template covering product, quality and go-to-market, launch day and after launch. Copy it, or start it in Kanso.
- [Test plan template for software releases | Kanso](https://kansohq.app/templates/test-plan.md): A test plan template with scope, risks, test cases, environments, exit criteria and sign-off. Copy it, or start it as a page in Kanso.
- [Retrospective template for software teams | Kanso](https://kansohq.app/templates/retrospective.md): A retrospective template with what went well, what did not, what we learned and what we will change, each change with an owner. Copy it, or start it in Kanso.

[Kanso home, with plans and prices](https://kansohq.app/index.md)