Dev
Dummy API Changelog Generator
Developer portals and API documentation need a realistic changelog history before they can be demoed or tested against, but writing plausible versioned entries from scratch is tedious and inconsistently structured. This generator produces multi-version API changelogs following the Keep a Changelog format — with Added, Changed, Deprecated, Removed, and Fixed sections — using changelog entries drawn from a realistic REST API vocabulary: adding idempotency keys, renaming fields, updating rate limits, deprecating old endpoints. The API name input labels every version entry — for example, "## 1.3.0 — 2024-08-12 / Payments API" — and controls the branding across the whole document. The number of versions input generates between 1 and 10 version blocks, each with a realistic semver number (MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH), a date spaced realistically in the past, and a random selection of sections. Not every version has every section: some are pure bugfix patches, some add endpoints and deprecate old ones, reflecting how a real API evolves. Paste the output into ReadMe, Redocly, or a Markdown file for your developer portal. It is also a direct input for testing changelog renderers, Markdown parsers, and snapshot tests for documentation components.
How to use
- Choose your options above
- Click Generate
- Copy your result
Detailed instructions
- Set the number of versions.
- Enter the api name.
- Click Generate to produce a result.
- Copy the Generated API Changelog and use it where you need it.
Use Cases
- •Seeding a developer portal like ReadMe or Redocly with realistic mock changelog history before launch
- •Testing a Markdown changelog parser or renderer component with multi-version structured input
- •Creating versioned API changelog examples for a REST API design tutorial or course
- •Demonstrating a developer portal prototype to stakeholders using a convincing Payments API history
- •Generating fixture data for snapshot tests that validate changelog display in a Storybook component
Tips
- →Generate it a few times and keep the version that fits best.
- →Adjust the options above to steer the result toward what you need.
- →Replace the placeholder values with your real data before using it.
- →Everything runs free in your browser — no signup or install required.
FAQ
what is the keep a changelog format and why do apis use it
Keep a Changelog is a convention that organizes release notes into labeled sections — Added, Changed, Deprecated, Removed, Fixed, and Security — for each version. API teams adopt it because consumers can scan a single section to find breaking changes or new endpoints without reading prose. The generated output follows this structure so it drops straight into existing documentation pipelines.
how should breaking changes be flagged in an api changelog
Breaking changes belong in the Changed or Removed sections and should include a short migration note, such as which parameter was renamed or which endpoint was replaced. Best practice is to announce deprecations one version before removal so consumers have a migration window. The generated entries model this pattern across multiple versions.
what does semantic versioning mean for rest apis
Semantic versioning uses a MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH scheme: bump MAJOR for breaking changes, MINOR for backward-compatible new features, and PATCH for bug fixes. For REST APIs this often maps to URL path versioning like /v2/ when a breaking change ships. The generated changelog reflects realistic version number progressions across all entries.
does every generated version include all five changelog sections
No — the generator randomises which sections appear in each version to mimic a real release history. Added and Fixed sections appear most often; Deprecated and Removed sections are less frequent, reflecting how a mature API is maintained. Some versions may be patch-only with just a Fixed section.
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