gren
gren: A free, open-source CLI for turning GitHub project activity into release notes and changelogs. Ranked #25 of 29 in Release Automation Tools by our editors (6.2/10); pricing: Free plan; best for gitHub projects generating issue-based release notes.
At a glance
- Editor score6.2 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forGitHub projects generating issue-based release notes
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Semantic versioningNo
- Facts checked5 Oct 2026
Where it wins
- Builds release notes from issues, commits, milestones, or pull requests
- Creates or updates GitHub releases and generates CHANGELOG.md files
- Templates, labels, filters, drafts, and prereleases give output control
Where it doesn't
- Works with GitHub repositories rather than multiple source platforms
- Requires a GitHub token with repository access
- Does not list automated version calculation or package publishing
Our verdict on gren
gren is a free, open-source Node.js command-line tool for GitHub projects that want release notes built from their repository activity. It can draw on issues, commits, milestones, and pull requests, then create or update a GitHub release for selected tags. It also generates a CHANGELOG.md from existing releases or project data. That makes it a fit for solo developers and small teams whose release workflow centers on GitHub and who prefer a command-line tool over a hosted release interface.
Its feature set is focused on shaping release documentation rather than managing every step of a release. Labels can group issue entries, while templates customize release and changelog output. Filters let maintainers ignore selected tags, commits, issues, or labels. Draft and prerelease options support review or pre-release publication, and a custom API URL allows connection to GitHub Enterprise. GitHub is the listed integration and source platform; the tool requires a GitHub token with repository access. Projects using another source platform, or seeking automated version calculation or package publishing, should look elsewhere for those capabilities.
The pricing model is free, and gren is distributed as an npm package for self-hosted use. Its documentation is the listed support channel, so teams should be comfortable installing and operating a CLI and consulting docs when they need help. Choose gren when the core task is generating and maintaining GitHub release notes or changelogs with control over grouping and formatting. It is less suited to teams that need a broader release automation system, a graphical workflow, or built-in publishing and versioning functions.
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gren pricing
gren fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Semantic versioning | No |
| Changelog generation | Yes |
| Release note automation | Yes |
| Release artifacts | Not verified |
| Source platforms | GitHub |
| Package registries | Not verified |
| Deployment | Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Linux, macOS, Windows |
| Support | Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 1 integrations: GitHub |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | github-tools.github.io |
| Facts checked | 5 Oct 2026 |
gren integrations
gren lists 1 integrations on its own site.
- GitHub
Alternatives to gren
- semantic-releaseAn open-source CI release tool that turns commit history into versions, notes, and published releases.9.1
- LernaLerna combines monorepo task orchestration with npm package versioning and publishing.8.1
- release-itA flexible release CLI that handles Git workflows, release notes and npm publishing.7.9
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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