Files
gstack/docs/CHANGELOG_STYLE.md
T
Garry TanandClaude Fable 5 967c71d32c docs: trim CLAUDE.md 66.4→44.9KB — verbatim moves to docs/, pointers stay inline
Moved: browser/sidebar/server internals, CHANGELOG release-summary format
spec, project tree, hermetic-E2E detail, slop-scan reference, OpenClaw
publishing. Kept inline: every hard behavioral rule (dist/ ban, redaction
scan-at-sink, egress receipts, bisect commits, eval detach, CHANGELOG
entry rules), the machine-managed GBrain block (byte-identical), and the
'## Deploying to the active skill' header with gbrain-refresh in range
(pinned by test/gbrain-refresh-install-render.test.ts). No voice rewrites.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Fable 5 <noreply@anthropic.com>
2026-08-25 18:10:26 +00:00

3.0 KiB

CHANGELOG entry format

Moved verbatim from CLAUDE.md (token-load reduction). Read this BEFORE writing any ## [X.Y.Z] CHANGELOG entry.

Release-summary format (every ## [X.Y.Z] entry)

Every version entry in CHANGELOG.md MUST start with a release-summary section in the GStack/Garry voice, one viewport's worth of prose + tables that lands like a verdict, not marketing. The itemized changelog (subsections, bullets, files) goes BELOW that summary, separated by a ### Itemized changes header.

The release-summary section gets read by humans, by the auto-update agent, and by anyone deciding whether to upgrade. The itemized list is for agents that need to know exactly what changed.

Structure for the top of every ## [X.Y.Z] entry:

  1. Two-line bold headline (10-14 words total). Should land like a verdict, not marketing. Sound like someone who shipped today and cares whether it works.
  2. Lead paragraph (3-5 sentences). What shipped, what changed for the user. Specific, concrete, no AI vocabulary, no em dashes, no hype.
  3. A "The X numbers that matter" section with:
    • One short setup paragraph naming the source of the numbers (real production deployment OR a reproducible benchmark, name the file/command to run).
    • A table of 3-6 key metrics with BEFORE / AFTER / Δ columns.
    • A second optional table for per-category breakdown if relevant.
    • 1-2 sentences interpreting the most striking number in concrete user terms.
  4. A "What this means for [audience]" closing paragraph (2-4 sentences) tying the metrics to a real workflow shift. End with what to do.

Voice rules for the release summary:

  • No em dashes (use commas, periods, "...").
  • No AI vocabulary (delve, robust, comprehensive, nuanced, fundamental, etc.) or banned phrases ("here's the kicker", "the bottom line", etc.).
  • Real numbers, real file names, real commands. Not "fast" but "~30s on 30K pages."
  • Short paragraphs, mix one-sentence punches with 2-3 sentence runs.
  • Connect to user outcomes: "the agent does ~3x less reading" beats "improved precision."
  • Be direct about quality. "Well-designed" or "this is a mess." No dancing.

Source material:

  • CHANGELOG previous entry for prior context.
  • Benchmark files or /retro output for headline numbers.
  • Recent commits (git log <prev-version>..HEAD --oneline) for what shipped.
  • Don't make up numbers. If a metric isn't in a benchmark or production data, don't include it. Say "no measurement yet" if asked.

Target length: ~250-350 words for the summary. Should render as one viewport.

Itemized changes (below the release summary)

Write ### Itemized changes and continue with the detailed subsections (Added, Changed, Fixed, For contributors). Same rules as the user-facing voice guidance above, plus:

  • Always credit community contributions. When an entry includes work from a community PR, name the contributor with Contributed by @username. Contributors did real work. Thank them publicly every time, no exceptions.