mirka · Oct 15, 2026 · Oct 15, 2026 · Oct 15, 2026 · Oct 15, 2026
diff --git a/packages/README.md b/packages/README.md
@@ -273,7 +273,7 @@ Prefer an entry for anything that affects package consumers. Changelog entries a
 
 ### Changelog Entry Format
 
-Under the "Unreleased" heading, add entries as list items under an appropriate `###` subheading (see ["Changelog Subsections"](#changelog-subsections)). Each top-level bullet should end with a link to the pull request and a period.
+Under the "Unreleased" heading, add entries as list items under an appropriate `###` subheading (see ["Changelog Subsections"](#changelog-subsections)). Each top-level bullet should end with a link to the pull request and a period. Do not leave blank lines between bullets in a subsection, including before nested bullets.
 
 Example:
 

@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@
 ### Breaking Changes
 
 -   `ImageSizeControl`: The event in the `onChangeImage` callback's `{ event }` argument now comes from popup selection rather than a native select change. Read the selected value from the `slug` argument rather than `event.target.value` ([#84546](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/84546)).
-
 -   Raise the minimum required Node.js version to `>=22.13.0`, for stable `require(esm)` support ([#84313](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/84313)).
 
 ### New Features

diff --git a/packages/eslint-plugin/CHANGELOG.md b/packages/eslint-plugin/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -10,7 +10,6 @@
 
 -   `use-recommended-components`: Recommend `useEnableWpCompatOverlaySlot` from `@wordpress/ui` ([#84305](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/84305)).
 -   `use-recommended-components`: Recommend `Notice` from `@wordpress/ui` instead of `Tip` from `@wordpress/components` ([#84197](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/84197)).
-
 -   `use-recommended-components`: Recognize `Avatar` from `@wordpress/ui` as use-with-caution. ([#84145](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/84145))
 
 ### Bug Fixes

@@ -51,16 +51,19 @@ describe( 'validateChangelog', () => {
 		expect( errors ).toEqual( [] );
 	} );
 
-	test( 'accepts a nested PR link after a blank line under the parent bullet', () => {
+	test( 'finds a nested PR link after a blank line under the parent bullet', () => {
 		const errors = validateChangelog(
 			changelog( `### Breaking Changes
 
 -   Parent description:
 
     -   \`Child\` ([#82570](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/82570))
-` )
+` ),
+			{ filePath: 'packages/ui/CHANGELOG.md' }
 		);
-		expect( errors ).toEqual( [] );
+		expect( errors ).toEqual( [
+			'packages/ui/CHANGELOG.md:9: blank line inside an Unreleased list. Entries and their nested lines must not be separated by blank lines.',
+		] );
 	} );
 
 	test( 'accepts a PR link on a soft-wrapped continuation line', () => {
@@ -163,6 +166,21 @@ describe( 'validateChangelog', () => {
 		] );
 	} );
 
+	test( 'rejects blank lines between top-level entries', () => {
+		const errors = validateChangelog(
+			changelog( `### Bug Fixes
+
+-   Fixed one thing ([#1](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/1)).
+
+-   Fixed another thing ([#2](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/2)).
+` ),
+			{ filePath: 'packages/ui/CHANGELOG.md' }
+		);
+		expect( errors ).toEqual( [
+			'packages/ui/CHANGELOG.md:9: blank line inside an Unreleased list. Entries and their nested lines must not be separated by blank lines.',
+		] );
+	} );
+
 	test( 'requirePr checks for this pull request link under Unreleased', () => {
 		const content = changelog( `### Internal
 

@@ -259,6 +259,46 @@ function validateEntryLinks(
 	return errors;
 }
 
+/**
+ * Rejects blank lines inside an Unreleased list, whether between entries or
+ * within an entry. One blank line would make the whole list loose.
+ *
+ * @param unreleased Unreleased section.
+ * @param filePath   Path for error messages.
+ * @return Error messages.
+ */
+function validateEntrySpacing(
+	unreleased: UnreleasedSection,
+	filePath: string
+): string[] {
+	const errors: string[] = [];
+	let inEntry = false;
+
+	for ( let i = 1; i < unreleased.lines.length; i++ ) {
+		const line = unreleased.lines[ i ];
+		if ( line.trim() === '' ) {
+			continue;
+		}
+		const isTopLevel = /^-\s+/.test( line );
+		if ( ! isTopLevel && ! /^\s/.test( line ) ) {
+			inEntry = false;
+			continue;
+		}
+		if ( inEntry && unreleased.lines[ i - 1 ].trim() === '' ) {
+			errors.push(
+				`${ filePath }:${
+					unreleased.start + i + 1
+				}: blank line inside an Unreleased list. Entries and their nested lines must not be separated by blank lines.`
+			);
+		}
+		if ( isTopLevel ) {
+			inEntry = true;
+		}
+	}
+
+	return errors;
+}
+
 /**
  * Markdown link for a Gutenberg pull request.
  *
@@ -350,6 +390,7 @@ export function validateChangelog(
 		...validateSubsectionHeadings( unreleased, filePath ),
 		...validateSectionTitles( unreleased, filePath ),
 		...validateEntryLinks( unreleased, filePath ),
+		...validateEntrySpacing( unreleased, filePath ),
 		...placementErrors,
 		...( options.requirePr
 			? validateRequiredPrLink( unreleased, filePath, options.requirePr )