doc: Add template for empty release notes

3 files changed, 145 insertions, 12 deletions

diff --git a/doc/release-notes-empty-template.md b/doc/release-notes-empty-template.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..8462714898
--- /dev/null
+++ b/doc/release-notes-empty-template.md
@@ -0,0 +1,99 @@
+*The release notes draft is a temporary file that can be added to by anyone. See
+[/doc/developer-notes.md#release-notes](/doc/developer-notes.md#release-notes)
+for the process.*
+
+*version* Release Notes Draft
+===============================
+
+Bitcoin Core version *version* is now available from:
+
+  <https://bitcoincore.org/bin/bitcoin-core-*version*/>
+
+This release includes new features, various bug fixes and performance
+improvements, as well as updated translations.
+
+Please report bugs using the issue tracker at GitHub:
+
+  <https://github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/issues>
+
+To receive security and update notifications, please subscribe to:
+
+  <https://bitcoincore.org/en/list/announcements/join/>
+
+How to Upgrade
+==============
+
+If you are running an older version, shut it down. Wait until it has completely
+shut down (which might take a few minutes in some cases), then run the
+installer (on Windows) or just copy over `/Applications/Bitcoin-Qt` (on Mac)
+or `bitcoind`/`bitcoin-qt` (on Linux).
+
+Upgrading directly from a version of Bitcoin Core that has reached its EOL is
+possible, but it might take some time if the data directory needs to be migrated. Old
+wallet versions of Bitcoin Core are generally supported.
+
+Compatibility
+==============
+
+Bitcoin Core is supported and extensively tested on operating systems
+using the Linux kernel, macOS 10.15+, and Windows 7 and newer.  Bitcoin
+Core should also work on most other Unix-like systems but is not as
+frequently tested on them.  It is not recommended to use Bitcoin Core on
+unsupported systems.
+
+Notable changes
+===============
+
+P2P and network changes
+-----------------------
+
+Updated RPCs
+------------
+
+
+Changes to wallet related RPCs can be found in the Wallet section below.
+
+New RPCs
+--------
+
+Build System
+------------
+
+Updated settings
+----------------
+
+
+Changes to GUI or wallet related settings can be found in the GUI or Wallet section below.
+
+New settings
+------------
+
+Tools and Utilities
+-------------------
+
+Wallet
+------
+
+GUI changes
+-----------
+
+Low-level changes
+=================
+
+RPC
+---
+
+Tests
+-----
+
+*version* change log
+====================
+
+Credits
+=======
+
+Thanks to everyone who directly contributed to this release:
+
+
+As well as to everyone that helped with translations on
+[Transifex](https://www.transifex.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/).
diff --git a/doc/release-notes.md b/doc/release-notes.md
index 2342342ae2..8462714898 100644
--- a/doc/release-notes.md
+++ b/doc/release-notes.md
@@ -1,17 +1,7 @@
-*After branching off for a major version release of Bitcoin Core, use this
-template to create the initial release notes draft.*
-
 *The release notes draft is a temporary file that can be added to by anyone. See
 [/doc/developer-notes.md#release-notes](/doc/developer-notes.md#release-notes)
 for the process.*
 
-*Create the draft, named* "*version* Release Notes Draft"
-*(e.g. "23.0 Release Notes Draft"), as a collaborative wiki in:*
-
-https://github.com/bitcoin-core/bitcoin-devwiki/wiki/
-
-*Before the final release, move the notes back to this git repository.*
-
 *version* Release Notes Draft
 ===============================
 
@@ -54,9 +44,51 @@ unsupported systems.
 Notable changes
 ===============
 
-Example item
+P2P and network changes
+-----------------------
+
+Updated RPCs
+------------
+
+
+Changes to wallet related RPCs can be found in the Wallet section below.
+
+New RPCs
+--------
+
+Build System
+------------
+
+Updated settings
+----------------
+
+
+Changes to GUI or wallet related settings can be found in the GUI or Wallet section below.
+
+New settings
 ------------
 
+Tools and Utilities
+-------------------
+
+Wallet
+------
+
+GUI changes
+-----------
+
+Low-level changes
+=================
+
+RPC
+---
+
+Tests
+-----
+
+*version* change log
+====================
+
 Credits
 =======
 
diff --git a/doc/release-process.md b/doc/release-process.md
index 5a74f72b6e..6a2a849c00 100644
--- a/doc/release-process.md
+++ b/doc/release-process.md
@@ -47,13 +47,15 @@ Release Process
 #### After branch-off (on the major release branch)
 
 - Update the versions.
+- Create the draft, named "*version* Release Notes Draft", as a [collaborative wiki](https://github.com/bitcoin-core/bitcoin-devwiki/wiki/_new).
+- Clear the release notes: `cp doc/release-notes-empty-template.md doc/release-notes.md`
 - Create a pinned meta-issue for testing the release candidate (see [this issue](https://github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/issues/17079) for an example) and provide a link to it in the release announcements where useful.
 - Translations on Transifex
     - Change the auto-update URL for the new major version's resource away from `master` and to the branch, e.g. `https://raw.githubusercontent.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/<branch>/src/qt/locale/bitcoin_en.xlf`. Do not forget this or it will keep tracking the translations on master instead, drifting away from the specific major release.
 
 #### Before final release
 
-- Merge the release notes from the wiki into the branch.
+- Merge the release notes from [the wiki](https://github.com/bitcoin-core/bitcoin-devwiki/wiki/) into the branch.
 - Ensure the "Needs release note" label is removed from all relevant pull requests and issues.
 
 #### Tagging a release (candidate)