Version control systems are essential tools in software development that can provide detailed insights into project history, particularly through the use of structured commit messages and tags. Automating release processes using tools like semantic-release can streamline the creation of change logs and version management, ensuring that all updates are systematically documented and tagged. The process involves using tools such as commitizen to structure commit messages and husky for implementing git hooks to maintain consistency. By employing semantic-release, developers can automate versioning based on semantic versioning principles, which help communicate the nature of changes—whether they are patches, minor updates, or major releases. While the setup might seem complex or excessive for smaller projects, it offers significant advantages in maintaining accurate and useful project documentation in larger, collaborative environments.