diff --git a/changelog.txt b/changelog.txt
index 5877038d297dc..06cfde95b8e81 100644
--- a/changelog.txt
+++ b/changelog.txt
@@ -1,5 +1,299 @@
 == Changelog ==
 
+= 18.6.0-rc.1 =
+
+
+## Changelog
+
+### Enhancements
+
+- Add JSON Schema for `.wp-env.json` files. ([36276](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/36276))
+- Add `WP_ENV_TESTS_MYSQL_PORT` / `.wp-env.json` `.env.tests.mysqlPort` option etc. ([61057](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/61057))
+- MediaUpload: Remove dialog markup on close. ([62168](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62168))
+- Move the template part menu items to the editor package. ([62366](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62366))
+- Template inspector: Small visual adjustments. ([62537](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62537))
+
+#### Design Tools
+- Post content block: Add background image and padding support. ([62499](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62499))
+- Quote blocks: Add background image and minimum height support. ([62497](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62497))
+- Verse block: Add background image and minimum height support. ([62498](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62498))
+
+#### Block Library
+- Post Date & Comment Date: Add relative date format. ([62298](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62298))
+- Replace "Add new post" link text with more meaningful Label (v2). ([62277](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62277))
+
+#### Block Editor
+- LinkControl: Refined the display of the link preview title and URL when both are same. ([61819](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/61819))
+- Update URL to uppercase. ([62231](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62231))
+
+#### Block bindings
+- Change bindings panel title, add description. ([62489](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62489))
+
+#### Site Editor
+- Unify DataViews Header Title & Subtitle. ([62429](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62429))
+
+#### Document Settings
+- FlatTermSelector: Update the term suggestion limit. ([62359](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62359))
+
+#### Global Styles
+- Update custom CSS handling to be consistent with block global styles. ([62357](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62357))
+
+#### Post Editor
+- Try: Re-enable React StrictMode. ([61943](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/61943))
+
+
+### New APIs
+
+#### Extensibility
+- DataViews: Bootstrap Actions Extensibility API. ([62052](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62052))
+
+
+### Bug Fixes
+
+- Core Data: Fix errors when the entities list doesn't contain configuration key. ([62346](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62346))
+- Data Views: Bulk toolbar covering other clickable elements. ([62333](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62333))
+- Fix: Omit default parameters from pages, template parts, and patterns. ([62372](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62372))
+- Fix: Show homepage link on frontpage instead of the slug. ([62279](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62279))
+- Fix: Unquoted file argument in declaration check script. ([62482](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62482))
+- List: Fix pasting. ([62428](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62428))
+- Revert CSS removal for interface footer breadcrumbs. ([62309](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62309))
+- Revert test data for `WithSlug` variation. ([62579](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62579))
+- Scripts: Pin the @wordpress/scripts version to a version supported by 6.5. ([62234](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62234))
+- Site Editor Hub: Simplify. ([61579](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/61579))
+- Style Book: Allow activation when the canvas mode is "view". ([62212](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62212))
+- Top toolbar: Fix half a pixel artifacting of the bottom border. ([62225](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62225))
+- Try: Contextual frame bg color to avoid artifacting. ([62223](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62223))
+- Try: Fix mover positioning. ([62226](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62226))
+- Update instances of text-wrap: Pretty to fall back to balance. ([62233](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62233))
+
+#### Global Styles
+- Add `default-spacing-sizes` and `default-font-sizes` options for classic themes. ([62252](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62252))
+- Add custom CSS for block style variations. ([62526](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62526))
+- Color Variations: Use Grid rather than VStack. ([62445](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62445))
+- Don't apply the background and text colors to typography previews. ([62578](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62578))
+- Fix UI appearing on blocks that don't support text alignment. ([62376](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62376))
+- Fix UI order for theme.json spacing sizes. ([62199](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62199))
+- Fix registration of theme style variation defined block styles. ([62495](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62495))
+- Only use single property variations as color/type presets. ([62469](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62469))
+- Section Styles: Register block style variations on `init`. ([62461](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62461))
+- Section styles: Consolidate variation name. ([62550](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62550))
+- Section styles: Support i18n for variations declared in `theme.json` or theme style variations. ([62552](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62552))
+- Sort spacing sizes when all slugs begin numerically. ([62567](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62567))
+
+#### Site Editor
+- Change `Site Editor` to `Edit site`. ([62501](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62501))
+- Fix "insert before/after" not showing for blocks in site editor. ([62530](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62530))
+- Site Export: Ensure that the export endpoint uses Gutenberg theme classes. ([61561](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/61561))
+- Update old document URLs to new ones. ([62206](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62206))
+- Update sidebar title + icon + site title alignment. ([62191](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62191))
+
+#### Block Editor
+- Inserter: Allow focus to move to the toggle when opening the inserter. ([62513](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62513))
+- Inserter: Return the same items when the state and parameters don't change. ([62263](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62263))
+- Remove 'rootClientId' argument for block lock selectors. ([62547](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62547))
+- Update fetchLinkSuggestions to sort results by relevancy. ([62397](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62397))
+
+#### Block Library
+- Fixed Media Text Block Issue : When crop image to fill is enabled, the image in nested media & text blocks does not show. ([62182](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62182))
+- Media & Text block: Fix nested Media & Text block media position issue with increased CSS specificity. ([62184](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62184))
+- Query: Adjust the position of sticky search field in Patterns modal. ([62370](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62370))
+
+#### Post Editor
+- Editor: Avoid remounts of `DocumentBar`. ([62214](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62214))
+- Editor: Make revisions more prominent. ([62323](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62323))
+- Editor: Refine availability of rename post action. ([62248](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62248))
+- Fix move `CONTENT_ONLY_BLOCKS` into component body to ensure the `editor.postContentBlockTypes` filter gets called whenever the values are used. ([62292](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62292))
+
+#### Components
+- Ensure that openref is defined before accessing to .current. ([62508](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62508))
+- Fix: Update styles for checkbox and radio controls. ([61696](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/61696))
+- Tabs: Prevent accidental overflow in indicator. ([61979](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/61979))
+
+#### List View
+- Fix home and end key behaviour in very long lists. ([62312](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62312))
+- Respect default shortcuts in modals. ([62479](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62479))
+- Show context menu for content-only blocks in posts. ([62354](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62354))
+
+#### Block bindings
+- Fix applying bindings or pattern overrides to button blocks with empty text. ([62220](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62220))
+- Fix site editor breaking when user selects bound and non-bound blocks at the same time. ([62268](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62268))
+- Revert changes to bindings replacement logic to not use regex. ([62355](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62355))
+
+#### Synced Patterns
+- Block Bindings / Pattern Overrides: Prevent normal attribute updates when a __default binding exists. ([62471](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62471))
+- Fix showing double icons for connected blocks in pattern editor. ([62317](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62317))
+
+#### Data Views
+- DataViews: Fix unnecessary horizontal scrollbar in list layout. ([62448](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62448))
+- Page creation and duplication: Decode HTML entities in success notices. ([62313](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62313))
+
+#### Patterns
+- Fix increasingly big canvas in the post editor when editing patterns. ([62360](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62360))
+- i18n: Patterns: Disambiguate singular & plural uses of 'Synced' & 'Unsynced'. ([62375](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62375))
+
+#### Data Layer
+- Data: Add error handle to the 'registry.batch' method. ([62322](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62322))
+
+#### Block Variations
+- Compare objects based on given properties. ([62272](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62272))
+
+#### Block Styles
+- Remove core block style variations filters and action. ([62090](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62090))
+
+
+### Accessibility
+
+- Add lint rule for inaccessible disabled `Button`. ([62080](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62080))
+- Placeholders: Fix contrast. ([62416](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62416))
+
+#### Global Styles
+- Display tooltips for pagination buttons on styles revision. ([62395](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62395))
+
+#### Site Editor
+- Make edit site pagination buttons accessibly disabled. ([62267](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62267))
+
+
+### Performance
+
+- reporter: Print the stdout/stderr from the worker. ([62316](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62316))
+
+#### Block bindings
+- Only run block bindings Gutenberg logic for sites using WordPress versions below 6.5. ([62363](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62363))
+
+#### Interactivity API
+- Use data-wp-on-async directives in core blocks when handler does not need synchronous access to event. ([62160](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62160))
+
+
+### Experiments
+
+#### Posts/Tags/Categories Screen
+- Bootstrap the dashboard layout. ([62409](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62409))
+- Posts Dashboard: Add a new experimental empty page. ([62406](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62406))
+
+
+### Documentation
+
+- Add @global PHP documentation. ([60539](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/60539))
+- Add documentation for PostSticky and PostStickyCheck component. ([62100](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62100))
+- Add documentation for WordCount component. ([62217](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62217))
+- Added documentation for `PostTrash` & `PostTrashCheck` `TimeToRead` `TextEditorGlobalKeyboardShortcuts` `PostPublishButtonLabel `Component. ([62116](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62116))
+- Better changelogs for the JSX transform upgrade. ([62265](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62265))
+- Corrected @since Order in Php documentation. ([61992](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/61992))
+- Docs: Explicitly mention new behavior coming in WP 6.6 for block variations. ([62399](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62399))
+- EntitiesSavedStates editor component. ([62377](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62377))
+- Fix `@since` tag in docblock in `WP_Theme_JSON_Data_Gutenberg`. ([62425](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62425))
+- Fix: Invalid link on explanations documentation. ([62487](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62487))
+- Fixing minor syntax in DataView example code. ([62560](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62560))
+- Interactivity API template create block: Removed warning for generated README from template. ([62324](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62324))
+- PostPublishButton, PostPublishButtonLabel editor components. ([62379](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62379))
+- PostPublishPanel editor component. ([62380](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62380))
+- PostSwitchToDraftButton editor component. ([62381](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62381))
+- PostSyncStatus editor component. ([62382](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62382))
+- PostTaxonomies, PostTaxonomiesCheck, PostTaxonomiesFlatTermSelector, PostTaxonomiesPanel related editor components. ([62384](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62384))
+- Several typo correction in documentations. ([62433](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62433))
+- TableOfContents editor component. ([62385](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62385))
+- ThemeSupportCheck editor component. ([62387](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62387))
+- Update React API reference links in @wordpress/element reference-guides. ([62475](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62475))
+- Update: Slotfill documentation samples (links, code, and rephrase). ([62271](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62271))
+- UseEntitiesSavedStatesIsDirty editor component. ([62388](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62388))
+- block.json schema: Add supports.splitting field. ([62209](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62209))
+
+
+### Code Quality
+
+- Add support for local keyframes through a PostCSS plugin. ([62476](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62476))
+- Block style variation: Rename hook. ([62464](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62464))
+- Chore: Simplify a padding style on global styles. ([62291](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62291))
+- Convert autop package to TS. ([62583](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62583))
+- Convert blob package to TS. ([62569](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62569))
+- Convert escape-html package to TS. ([62586](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62586))
+- Convert token-list package to TypeScript. ([62584](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62584))
+- Convert warning package to TS. ([62557](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62557))
+- Editor: Cleanup styles and classnames. ([62237](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62237))
+- Editor: Deprecate PostSwitchToDraftButton. ([62402](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62402))
+- Editor: Introduce the Editor component and use it in the site editor. ([62274](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62274))
+- Fix unintended overwrite of eslint `no-restricted-syntax`. ([62301](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62301))
+- Fix: Add `network-active` to valid options in `PluginStatus` Type definition. ([62450](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62450))
+- Fix: Flakey deferred store test. ([62571](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62571))
+- Fix: Remove unused code from dataviews styles. ([62275](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62275))
+- Fix: Remove unused typography panel styles. ([62295](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62295))
+- Fixed : Disambiguate "Cover" translatable string in the context of background-panel.js. ([62440](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62440))
+- Shortcut Help modal: Remove CSS hack for Internet Explorer 11. ([62564](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62564))
+- Use stable reference for `getEntityActions` action. ([62536](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62536))
+
+#### Global Styles
+- Global styles code quality refactoring. ([62299](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62299))
+- Migrate theme.json based on origin. ([62305](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62305))
+- Send theme object to setUserConfig. ([61805](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/61805))
+
+#### Synced Patterns
+- Extract the pattern overrides toolbar indicator from the `block-editor` package. ([62514](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62514))
+- Remove unused `syncDerivedUpdates` action. ([62229](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62229))
+
+#### Post Editor
+- Editor: Combine selector in provider component. ([62407](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62407))
+- Editor: Use the Editor component in the post editor. ([62339](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62339))
+
+#### Site Editor
+- Remove editor specific classes from shell wrapper. ([62389](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62389))
+- Remove unused code. ([62286](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62286))
+
+#### Icons
+- Fix React warning error for offline icon. ([62353](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62353))
+
+#### Data Views
+- Chore: Simplify a padding style on dataviews. ([62276](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62276))
+
+#### Block Editor
+- Use border instead of hr for filtered block list separator. ([62249](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62249))
+
+#### Block bindings
+- Use preview instead of publishing post in block bindings tests. ([62235](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62235))
+
+#### Block API
+- Parser: Update validateBlock to use fixedBlock. ([62178](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62178))
+
+
+### Tools
+
+#### Testing
+- Fix flaky Site Editor command center end-to-end test. ([62454](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62454))
+- Perf Tests: Use backward-compatible locators. ([62362](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62362))
+- Test using Node.js 22.x. ([62341](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62341))
+- Try: Fix flaky DataViews end-to-end test. ([62413](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62413))
+- Update Node version for flaky test reporter. ([62401](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62401))
+- end-to-end Utils: Add retry mechanism to the REST API discovery. ([62331](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62331))
+
+#### Build Tooling
+- Build JS module only in development mode. ([62398](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62398))
+- Speed up check-build-type-declaration-files. ([62538](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62538))
+
+
+### Various
+
+- Update all `ConfirmDialog`s in the codebase to be size=medium. ([62532](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62532))
+
+#### REST API
+- Themes REST API endpoint: Add stylesheet_uri and template_uri fields to the response (WP 6.6). ([62211](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62211))
+
+
+## First time contributors
+
+The following PRs were merged by first time contributors:
+
+- @aaronware: Fixing minor syntax in DataView example code. ([62560](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62560))
+- @BrianHenryIE: Add `WP_ENV_TESTS_MYSQL_PORT` / `.wp-env.json` `.env.tests.mysqlPort` option etc. ([61057](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/61057))
+- @carstingaxion: Replace "Add new post" link text with more meaningful Label (v2). ([62277](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62277))
+- @up1512001: Change `Site Editor` to `Edit site`. ([62501](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/62501))
+
+
+## Contributors
+
+The following contributors merged PRs in this release:
+
+@aaronrobertshaw @aaronware @afercia @ajlende @akasunil @amitraj2203 @andrewserong @BrianHenryIE @carolinan @carstingaxion @cbravobernal @colorful-tones @DaniGuardiola @desrosj @ellatrix @fabiankaegy @geriux @gigitux @gziolo @jameskoster @jasmussen @jeryj @joemcgill @jorgefilipecosta @jsnajdr @juanmaguitar @kevin940726 @Mamaduka @mcsf @mirka @narenin @noisysocks @ntsekouras @oandregal @ockham @ramonjd @richtabor @SantosGuillamot @scruffian @shail-mehta @sirreal @stokesman @t-hamano @talldan @tellthemachines @tjcafferkey @up1512001 @vipul0425 @westonruter @WunderBart @youknowriad
+
+
 = 18.5.0 =
 
 ## Changelog