Building in Public: How Linear Used a Changelog to Drive Growth and Culture

In the early stages of building a product, it's tempting to focus solely on development, postponing user communication until a substantial user base is established. However, Linear, a modern issue-tracking tool, adopted a different approach. They embraced transparency from the outset, using a public changelog as a strategic tool to build momentum, foster a culture of continuous improvement, and engage users effectively.

The Power of Building in Public

Linear's team believed in the value of building in public. They started publishing weekly changelogs even before having a significant user base. This practice served multiple purposes:

• Team Accountability: Regular updates kept the team aligned and focused on delivering user value consistently.
• User Engagement: Even with few users, sharing progress signaled that the product was evolving and that user feedback was valued.
• Investor Confidence: Transparent communication demonstrated progress and commitment, building trust with potential investors.

As Linear's co-founder Karri Saarinen noted:

"It might seem silly to summarize your work in a changelog when you don’t have many users, but we think it’s helpful. For you and the team, it reminds you every week what happened and encourages you to ship constantly. For users, it shows the product is getting better. For investors, it shows progress."

Cultivating a Culture of Momentum

The discipline of maintaining a public changelog instilled a culture of momentum within Linear. Each update, no matter how small, was an opportunity to celebrate progress and reinforce the team's commitment to continuous improvement. This practice not only motivated the team but also signaled to users that Linear was a living, evolving product.

A Changelog as a Marketing Tool

Beyond internal benefits, Linear's changelog became a powerful marketing asset. By consistently showcasing new features and improvements, they demonstrated their dedication to excellence and responsiveness to user needs. This transparency attracted new users and fostered a loyal community that appreciated being kept in the loop.

We have a detailed post on how a changelog can be a powerful marketing tool if you want to learn more.

Lessons for Startups

Linear's approach offers valuable insights for startups:

• Start Early: Don't wait for a large user base to begin sharing updates. Early transparency builds trust and sets the tone for your company's culture.
• Maintain Consistency: Regular updates create a narrative of progress and reliability, essential for user retention and satisfaction.
• Use as a Multifaceted Tool: A changelog isn't just a list of updates; it's a communication channel, a marketing asset, and a cultural cornerstone.

How LastRelease Can Help

Implementing a public changelog strategy like Linear's is straightforward with LastRelease. In just 3 minutes, you can:

• Set Up a Customizable Changelog Page: Align the page with your brand to maintain consistency.
• Publish Updates Effortlessly: Use our intuitive editor to share new features, improvements, and fixes.
• Engage Users Directly: Embed announcements within your app to ensure users are informed in real-time.
• Gain Insights: Track engagement metrics to understand which updates resonate most with your audience.

By adopting a public changelog, you're not just documenting changes; you're building a narrative that showcases your commitment to growth and user satisfaction.