Get a changelog between two references

This Action returns a markdown formatted changelog between two git references. There are other projects that use milestones, labeled PRs, etc. Those are just too much work for simple projects.

I just wanted a simple way to populate the body of a GitHub Release.

Inputs

mytoken

A GITHUB_TOKEN with the ability to pull from the repo in question. This is required.

Why do we need myToken? Read more here: https://help.github.com/en/actions/automating-your-workflow-with-github-actions/authenticating-with-the-github_token#about-the-github_token-secret

head-ref

The name of the head reference. Default ${{github.sha}}.

base-ref

The name of the second branch. Defaults to the tag_name of the latest GitHub release. This must be a GitHub release. Git tags or branches will not work.

Outputs

changelog

Markdown formatted changelog.

Example usage

There are two blocks you will need:

First block

First you will need to generate the changelog itself. To get the changelog between the SHA of the commit that triggered the action and the tag of the latest release:

- name: Generate changelog
  id: changelog
  uses: metcalfc/changelog-generator@v1.0.0
  with:
    myToken: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}

Or, if you have two specific references you want:

- name: Generate changelog
  id: changelog
  uses: metcalfc/changelog-generator@v1.0.0
  with:
    myToken: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
    head-ref: 'v0.0.2'
    base-ref: 'v0.0.1'

Second block

Then you can use the resulting changelog:

- name: Get the changelog
  run: echo "${{ steps.changelog.outputs.changelog }}"

Example use case

Generating the release notes for a GitHub Release.

Open Discussions for feature requests or questions

Issues are for folks who are actively using the action and running into an "issue" (bug, missing doc, etc).

Feature requests should be in the discussion section.. Just to set expectations the bar for a new feature getting added is going to be very high. There is a cost to adding features in the development and maintainance of the feature. So if you want to jump in and help develop and maintain lets discuss. If you want to fire off feature ideas, go for it. Just understand its very likely that without someone willing to take up the task, they won't get implemented.

Keep up-to-date with GitHub Dependabot

Since Dependabot has native GitHub Actions support, to enable it on your GitHub repo all you need to do is add the .github/dependabot.yml file:

version: 2
updates:
  # Maintain dependencies for GitHub Actions
  - package-ecosystem: 'github-actions'
    directory: '/'
    schedule:
      interval: 'daily'

Troubleshooting

Error not found

Error: Not Found

If you are seeing this error its likely that you do not yet have a GitHub release. You might have a git tag and that shows up in the release tab. The API this Action uses only works with GitHub Releases. Convert one of your tags to a release and you'll be on your way. You can check out how this repository uses this action and GitHub releases for an example.

Acknowledgements

I took the basic framework for this action from: jessicalostinspace/commit-difference-action. Thanks @jessicalostinspace.