- introduce capability of the action running 2 split

- first collect all pull requests and export to environment - second take exported data and continue generation of changelogs (makes it cheaper, by only collecting PRs once)
2023-05-26 13:41:59 +00:00
parent 66470e5f14
commit 0a80bc9a3b
12 changed files with 515 additions and 240 deletions
@@ -113,6 +113,19 @@ jobs:
        run: echo "CHANGELOG"

        # Showcases the capability to generate the changelog for an external repository provided
+        # Showcase ability to only fetch data first, and then continue with exported data later
+      - name: "External Repo Configuration Collect Report"
+        id: external_changelog_collect
+        uses: ./
+        with:
+          owner: "mikepenz"
+          repo: "MaterialDrawer"
+          fromTag: "v8.1.0"
+          toTag: "v8.1.6"
+          token: ${{ secrets.PERSONAL_TOKEN }}
+          exportCollected: true
+          exportOnly: true
+      
      - name: "External Repo Configuration"
        id: external_changelog
        uses: ./
@@ -120,14 +133,25 @@ jobs:
          configuration: "configs/configuration_complex.json"
          owner: "mikepenz"
          repo: "MaterialDrawer"
-          fromTag: "v8.1.0"
-          toTag: "v8.1.6"
-          token: ${{ secrets.PERSONAL_TOKEN }}
+
+      - name: "External Repo Configuration Second"
+        id: external_changelog_second
+        uses: ./
+        with:
+          configuration: "configs/configuration.json"
+          owner: "mikepenz"
+          repo: "MaterialDrawer"

      - name: Echo External Repo Configuration Changelog
        env:
          CHANGELOG: ${{ steps.external_changelog.outputs.changelog }}
-        run: echo "$CHANGELOG"
+          CHANGELOG_SECOND: ${{ steps.external_changelog_second.outputs.changelog }}
+        run: |
+          echor "First:"
+          echo "$CHANGELOG"
+
+          echor "Second:"
+          echo "$CHANGELOG_SECOND"

  release:
    if: startsWith(github.ref, 'refs/tags/')
@@ -19,7 +19,9 @@ it('Should match generated changelog (unspecified fromTag)', async () => {
    false, // enable to fetch reviewers
    false, // enable to fetch tag release information
    false, // enable to fetch reviews
-    false,
+    false, // enable commitMode
+    false, // enable exportCollected
+    false, // enable exportOnly
    configuration
  )

@@ -49,7 +51,9 @@ it('Should match generated changelog (unspecified tags)', async () => {
    false, // enable to fetch reviewers
    false, // enable to fetch tag release information
    false, // enable to fetch reviews
-    false,
+    false, // enable commitMode
+    false, // enable exportCollected
+    false, // enable exportOnly
    configuration
  )

@@ -74,7 +78,9 @@ it('Should use empty placeholder', async () => {
    false, // enable to fetch reviewers
    false, // enable to fetch tag release information
    false, // enable to fetch reviews
-    false,
+    false, // enable commitMode
+    false, // enable exportCollected
+    false, // enable exportOnly
    configuration
  )

@@ -99,7 +105,9 @@ it('Should fill empty placeholders', async () => {
    false, // enable to fetch reviewers
    false, // enable to fetch tag release information
    false, // enable to fetch reviews
-    false,
+    false, // enable commitMode
+    false, // enable exportCollected
+    false, // enable exportOnly
    configuration
  )

@@ -126,7 +134,9 @@ it('Should fill `template` placeholders', async () => {
    false, // enable to fetch reviewers
    false, // enable to fetch tag release information
    false, // enable to fetch reviews
-    false,
+    false, // enable commitMode
+    false, // enable exportCollected
+    false, // enable exportOnly
    configuration
  )

@@ -153,7 +163,9 @@ it('Should fill `template` placeholders, ignore', async () => {
    false, // enable to fetch reviewers
    false, // enable to fetch tag release information
    false, // enable to fetch reviews
-    false,
+    false, // enable commitMode
+    false, // enable exportCollected
+    false, // enable exportOnly
    configuration
  )

@@ -180,7 +192,9 @@ it('Uncategorized category', async () => {
    false, // enable to fetch reviewers
    false, // enable to fetch tag release information
    false, // enable to fetch reviews
-    false,
+    false, // enable commitMode
+    false, // enable exportCollected
+    false, // enable exportOnly
    configuration
  )

@@ -207,7 +221,9 @@ it('Verify commit based changelog', async () => {
    false, // enable to fetch reviewers
    false, // enable to fetch tag release information
    false, // enable to fetch reviews
-    true,
+    false, // enable commitMode
+    false, // enable exportCollected
+    false, // enable exportOnly
    configuration
  )

@@ -234,7 +250,9 @@ it('Verify commit based changelog, with emoji categorisation', async () => {
    false, // enable to fetch reviewers
    false, // enable to fetch tag release information
    false, // enable to fetch reviews
-    true,
+    false, // enable commitMode
+    false, // enable exportCollected
+    false, // enable exportOnly
    configuration
  )

@@ -261,7 +279,9 @@ it('Verify default inclusion of open PRs', async () => {
    false, // enable to fetch reviewers
    false, // enable to fetch tag release information
    false, // enable to fetch reviews
-    false, // commitMode
+    false, // enable commitMode
+    false, // enable exportCollected
+    false, // enable exportOnly
    configuration // configuration
  )

@@ -288,7 +308,9 @@ it('Verify custom categorisation of open PRs', async () => {
    false, // enable to fetch reviewers
    false, // enable to fetch tag release information
    false, // enable to fetch reviews
-    false, // commitMode
+    false, // enable commitMode
+    false, // enable exportCollected
+    false, // enable exportOnly
    configuration // configuration
  )

@@ -315,7 +337,9 @@ it('Verify reviewers who approved are fetched and also release information', asy
    true, // enable to fetch reviewers
    true, // enable to fetch tag release information
    false, // enable to fetch reviews
-    false, // commitMode
+    false, // enable commitMode
+    false, // enable exportCollected
+    false, // enable exportOnly
    configuration // configuration
  )

@@ -343,7 +367,9 @@ it('Fetch release information', async () => {
    false, // enable to fetch reviewers
    true, // enable to fetch tag release information
    false, // enable to fetch reviews
-    false, // commitMode
+    false, // enable commitMode
+    false, // enable exportCollected
+    false, // enable exportOnly
    configuration // configuration
  )

@@ -369,7 +395,9 @@ it('Fetch release information for non existing tag / release', async () => {
    false, // enable to fetch reviewers
    true, // enable to fetch tag release information
    false, // enable to fetch reviews
-    false, // commitMode
+    false, // enable commitMode
+    false, // enable exportCollected
+    false, // enable exportOnly
    configuration // configuration
  )

@@ -25,9 +25,9 @@ it('Should have empty changelog (tags)', async () => {
    fetchReviews: false,
    commitMode: false,
    configuration
-  })
+  }, false, false)

-  const changeLog = buildChangelog(data.diffInfo, data.mergedPullRequests, data.options)
+  const changeLog = buildChangelog(data!.diffInfo, data!.mergedPullRequests, data!.options)
  console.log(changeLog)
  expect(changeLog).toStrictEqual('- no changes')
 })
@@ -46,9 +46,9 @@ it('Should match generated changelog (tags)', async () => {
    fetchReviews: false,
    commitMode: false,
    configuration
-  })
+  }, false, false)

-  const changeLog = buildChangelog(data.diffInfo, data.mergedPullRequests, data.options)
+  const changeLog = buildChangelog(data!.diffInfo, data!.mergedPullRequests, data!.options)
  console.log(changeLog)
  expect(changeLog).toStrictEqual(`## 🧪 Tests

@@ -72,9 +72,9 @@ it('Should match generated changelog (refs)', async () => {
    fetchReviews: false,
    commitMode: false,
    configuration
-  })
+  }, false, false)

-  const changeLog = buildChangelog(data.diffInfo, data.mergedPullRequests, data.options)
+  const changeLog = buildChangelog(data!.diffInfo, data!.mergedPullRequests, data!.options)
  console.log(changeLog)
  expect(changeLog).toStrictEqual(`## 🧪 Tests

@@ -106,9 +106,9 @@ it('Should match generated changelog and replace all occurrences (refs)', async
    fetchReviews: false,
    commitMode: false,
    configuration
-  })
+  }, false, false)

-  const changeLog = buildChangelog(data.diffInfo, data.mergedPullRequests, data.options)
+  const changeLog = buildChangelog(data!.diffInfo, data!.mergedPullRequests, data!.options)
  console.log(changeLog)
  expect(changeLog).toStrictEqual(`## 🧪 Tests

@@ -142,9 +142,9 @@ it('Should match ordered ASC', async () => {
    fetchReviews: false,
    commitMode: false,
    configuration
-  })
+  }, false, false)

-  const changeLog = buildChangelog(data.diffInfo, data.mergedPullRequests, data.options)
+  const changeLog = buildChangelog(data!.diffInfo, data!.mergedPullRequests, data!.options)
  console.log(changeLog)
  expect(changeLog).toStrictEqual(`## 🚀 Features\n\n22\n24\n25\n26\n28\n\n## 🐛 Fixes\n\n23\n\n`)
 })
@@ -163,9 +163,9 @@ it('Should match ordered DESC', async () => {
    fetchReviews: false,
    commitMode: false,
    configuration
-  })
+  }, false, false)

-  const changeLog = buildChangelog(data.diffInfo, data.mergedPullRequests, data.options)
+  const changeLog = buildChangelog(data!.diffInfo, data!.mergedPullRequests, data!.options)
  console.log(changeLog)
  expect(changeLog).toStrictEqual(`## 🚀 Features\n\n28\n26\n25\n24\n22\n\n## 🐛 Fixes\n\n23\n\n`)
 })
@@ -184,9 +184,9 @@ it('Should match ordered by title ASC', async () => {
    fetchReviews: false,
    commitMode: false,
    configuration
-  })
+  }, false, false)

-  const changeLog = buildChangelog(data.diffInfo, data.mergedPullRequests, data.options)
+  const changeLog = buildChangelog(data!.diffInfo, data!.mergedPullRequests, data!.options)
  console.log(changeLog)
  expect(changeLog).toStrictEqual(
    `## 🚀 Features\n\nEnhanced action logs\nImprove README\nImproved configuration failure handling\nImproved defaults if no configuration is provided\nIntroduce additional placeholders [milestone, labels, assignees, reviewers]\n\n## 🐛 Fixes\n\nImproved handling for non existing tags\n\n`
@@ -207,9 +207,9 @@ it('Should match ordered by title DESC', async () => {
    fetchReviews: false,
    commitMode: false,
    configuration
-  })
+  }, false, false)

-  const changeLog = buildChangelog(data.diffInfo, data.mergedPullRequests, data.options)
+  const changeLog = buildChangelog(data!.diffInfo, data!.mergedPullRequests, data!.options)
  console.log(changeLog)
  expect(changeLog).toStrictEqual(
    `## 🚀 Features\n\nIntroduce additional placeholders [milestone, labels, assignees, reviewers]\nImproved defaults if no configuration is provided\nImproved configuration failure handling\nImprove README\nEnhanced action logs\n\n## 🐛 Fixes\n\nImproved handling for non existing tags\n\n`
@@ -230,9 +230,9 @@ it('Should ignore PRs not merged into develop branch', async () => {
    fetchReviews: false,
    commitMode: false,
    configuration
-  })
+  }, false, false)

-  const changeLog = buildChangelog(data.diffInfo, data.mergedPullRequests, data.options)
+  const changeLog = buildChangelog(data!.diffInfo, data!.mergedPullRequests, data!.options)
  console.log(changeLog)
  expect(changeLog).toStrictEqual(`150\n\n`)
 })
@@ -251,9 +251,9 @@ it('Should ignore PRs not merged into main branch', async () => {
    fetchReviews: false,
    commitMode: false,
    configuration
-  })
+  }, false, false)

-  const changeLog = buildChangelog(data.diffInfo, data.mergedPullRequests, data.options)
+  const changeLog = buildChangelog(data!.diffInfo, data!.mergedPullRequests, data!.options)
  console.log(changeLog)
  expect(changeLog).toStrictEqual(`153\n\n`)
 })
@@ -40,6 +40,12 @@ inputs:
  commitMode:
    description: 'Enables a `light` commit based mode. This mode generates changelogs based on the commits. Please note that this is not officially supported, and lacks a lot of features only possible with PRs.'
    default: "false"
+  exportCollected:
+    description: 'Enables the export of all collected PR information to an environment variable'
+    default: "false"
+  exportOnly:
+    description: 'If enabled, the action will only collect the data and terminate afterwards. Data can then be consumed by steps afterwards'
+    default: "false"
  outputFile:
    description: 'If defined, the changelog will get written to this file. (relative to the checkout dir)'
  token:
@@ -186,7 +186,7 @@ class Commits {
                    mergeCommitSha: commit.sha,
                    author: commit.author || '',
                    repoName: '',
-                    labels: new Set(),
+                    labels: [],
                    milestone: '',
                    body: commit.message || '',
                    assignees: [],
@@ -487,7 +487,9 @@ function run() {
            const fetchReleaseInformation = core.getInput('fetchReleaseInformation') === 'true';
            const fetchReviews = core.getInput('fetchReviews') === 'true';
            const commitMode = core.getInput('commitMode') === 'true';
-            const result = yield new releaseNotesBuilder_1.ReleaseNotesBuilder(baseUrl, token, repositoryPath, owner, repo, fromTag, toTag, includeOpen, failOnError, ignorePreReleases, fetchReviewers, fetchReleaseInformation, fetchReviews, commitMode, configuration).build();
+            const exportCollected = core.getInput('exportCollected') === 'true';
+            const exportOnly = core.getInput('exportOnly') === 'true';
+            const result = yield new releaseNotesBuilder_1.ReleaseNotesBuilder(baseUrl, token, repositoryPath, owner, repo, fromTag, toTag, includeOpen, failOnError, ignorePreReleases, fetchReviewers, fetchReleaseInformation, fetchReviews, commitMode, exportCollected, exportOnly, configuration).build();
            core.setOutput('changelog', result);
            // write the result in changelog to file if possible
            const outputFile = core.getInput('outputFile');
@@ -873,7 +875,7 @@ function retrieveProperty(pr, property, useCase) {
 exports.retrieveProperty = retrieveProperty;
 // helper function to add a special open label to prs not merged.
 function attachSpeciaLabels(status, labels) {
-    labels.add(`--rcba-${status}`);
+    labels.push(`--rcba-${status}`);
    return labels;
 }
 const mapPullRequest = (pr, status = 'open') => {
@@ -889,7 +891,7 @@ const mapPullRequest = (pr, status = 'open') => {
        mergeCommitSha: pr.merge_commit_sha || '',
        author: ((_a = pr.user) === null || _a === void 0 ? void 0 : _a.login) || '',
        repoName: pr.base.repo.full_name,
-        labels: attachSpeciaLabels(status, new Set(((_b = pr.labels) === null || _b === void 0 ? void 0 : _b.map(lbl => { var _a; return ((_a = lbl.name) === null || _a === void 0 ? void 0 : _a.toLocaleLowerCase('en')) || ''; })) || [])),
+        labels: attachSpeciaLabels(status, ((_b = pr.labels) === null || _b === void 0 ? void 0 : _b.map(lbl => { var _a; return ((_a = lbl.name) === null || _a === void 0 ? void 0 : _a.toLocaleLowerCase('en')) || ''; })) || []),
        milestone: ((_c = pr.milestone) === null || _c === void 0 ? void 0 : _c.title) || '',
        body: pr.body || '',
        assignees: ((_d = pr.assignees) === null || _d === void 0 ? void 0 : _d.map(asignee => (asignee === null || asignee === void 0 ? void 0 : asignee.login) || '')) || [],
@@ -1087,7 +1089,7 @@ const pullRequests_1 = __nccwpck_require__(4217);
 const commits_1 = __nccwpck_require__(3916);
 const transform_1 = __nccwpck_require__(1644);
 class ReleaseNotesBuilder {
-    constructor(baseUrl, token, repositoryPath, owner, repo, fromTag, toTag, includeOpen = false, failOnError, ignorePreReleases, fetchReviewers = false, fetchReleaseInformation = false, fetchReviews = false, commitMode, configuration) {
+    constructor(baseUrl, token, repositoryPath, owner, repo, fromTag, toTag, includeOpen = false, failOnError, ignorePreReleases, fetchReviewers = false, fetchReleaseInformation = false, fetchReviews = false, commitMode = false, exportCollected = false, exportOnly = false, configuration) {
        this.baseUrl = baseUrl;
        this.token = token;
        this.repositoryPath = repositoryPath;
@@ -1102,98 +1104,143 @@ class ReleaseNotesBuilder {
        this.fetchReleaseInformation = fetchReleaseInformation;
        this.fetchReviews = fetchReviews;
        this.commitMode = commitMode;
+        this.exportCollected = exportCollected;
+        this.exportOnly = exportOnly;
        this.configuration = configuration;
    }
    build() {
        return __awaiter(this, void 0, void 0, function* () {
-            if (!this.owner) {
-                (0, utils_1.failOrError)(`💥 Missing or couldn't resolve 'owner'`, this.failOnError);
-                return null;
-            }
-            else {
-                core.setOutput('owner', this.owner);
-                core.debug(`Resolved 'owner' as ${this.owner}`);
-            }
-            if (!this.repo) {
-                (0, utils_1.failOrError)(`💥 Missing or couldn't resolve 'owner'`, this.failOnError);
-                return null;
-            }
-            else {
-                core.setOutput('repo', this.repo);
-                core.debug(`Resolved 'repo' as ${this.repo}`);
-            }
-            core.endGroup();
-            // check proxy setup for GHES environments
-            const proxy = process.env.https_proxy || process.env.HTTPS_PROXY;
-            const noProxy = process.env.no_proxy || process.env.NO_PROXY;
-            let noProxyArray = [];
-            if (noProxy) {
-                noProxyArray = noProxy.split(',');
-            }
-            // load octokit instance
-            const octokit = new rest_1.Octokit({
-                auth: `token ${this.token || process.env.GITHUB_TOKEN}`,
-                baseUrl: `${this.baseUrl || 'https://api.github.com'}`
-            });
-            if (proxy) {
-                const agent = new https_proxy_agent_1.HttpsProxyAgent(proxy);
-                octokit.hook.before('request', options => {
-                    if (noProxyArray.includes(options.request.hostname)) {
-                        return;
-                    }
-                    options.request.agent = agent;
+            let releaseNotesData = (0, utils_1.checkExportedData)();
+            if (releaseNotesData == null) {
+                if (!this.owner) {
+                    (0, utils_1.failOrError)(`💥 Missing or couldn't resolve 'owner'`, this.failOnError);
+                    return null;
+                }
+                else {
+                    core.setOutput('owner', this.owner);
+                    core.debug(`Resolved 'owner' as ${this.owner}`);
+                }
+                if (!this.repo) {
+                    (0, utils_1.failOrError)(`💥 Missing or couldn't resolve 'owner'`, this.failOnError);
+                    return null;
+                }
+                else {
+                    core.setOutput('repo', this.repo);
+                    core.debug(`Resolved 'repo' as ${this.repo}`);
+                }
+                core.endGroup();
+                // check proxy setup for GHES environments
+                const proxy = process.env.https_proxy || process.env.HTTPS_PROXY;
+                const noProxy = process.env.no_proxy || process.env.NO_PROXY;
+                let noProxyArray = [];
+                if (noProxy) {
+                    noProxyArray = noProxy.split(',');
+                }
+                // load octokit instance
+                const octokit = new rest_1.Octokit({
+                    auth: `token ${this.token || process.env.GITHUB_TOKEN}`,
+                    baseUrl: `${this.baseUrl || 'https://api.github.com'}`
                });
-            }
-            // ensure proper from <-> to tag range
-            core.startGroup(`🔖 Resolve tags`);
-            const tagsApi = new tags_1.Tags(octokit);
-            const tagRange = yield tagsApi.retrieveRange(this.repositoryPath, this.owner, this.repo, this.fromTag, this.toTag, this.ignorePreReleases, this.configuration.max_tags_to_fetch, this.configuration.tag_resolver);
-            let thisTag = tagRange.to;
-            if (!thisTag) {
-                (0, utils_1.failOrError)(`💥 Missing or couldn't resolve 'toTag'`, this.failOnError);
-                return null;
+                if (proxy) {
+                    const agent = new https_proxy_agent_1.HttpsProxyAgent(proxy);
+                    octokit.hook.before('request', options => {
+                        if (noProxyArray.includes(options.request.hostname)) {
+                            return;
+                        }
+                        options.request.agent = agent;
+                    });
+                }
+                // ensure proper from <-> to tag range
+                core.startGroup(`🔖 Resolve tags`);
+                const tagsApi = new tags_1.Tags(octokit);
+                const tagRange = yield tagsApi.retrieveRange(this.repositoryPath, this.owner, this.repo, this.fromTag, this.toTag, this.ignorePreReleases, this.configuration.max_tags_to_fetch, this.configuration.tag_resolver);
+                let thisTag = tagRange.to;
+                if (!thisTag) {
+                    (0, utils_1.failOrError)(`💥 Missing or couldn't resolve 'toTag'`, this.failOnError);
+                    return null;
+                }
+                else {
+                    core.setOutput('toTag', thisTag.name);
+                    core.debug(`Resolved 'toTag' as ${thisTag.name}`);
+                }
+                let previousTag = tagRange.from;
+                if (previousTag == null) {
+                    (0, utils_1.failOrError)(`💥 Unable to retrieve previous tag given ${this.toTag}`, this.failOnError);
+                    return null;
+                }
+                core.setOutput('fromTag', previousTag.name);
+                core.debug(`fromTag resolved via previousTag as: ${previousTag.name}`);
+                if (this.fetchReleaseInformation) {
+                    // load release information from the GitHub API
+                    core.info(`ℹ️ Fetching release information was enabled`);
+                    thisTag = yield tagsApi.fillTagInformation(this.repositoryPath, this.owner, this.repo, thisTag);
+                    previousTag = yield tagsApi.fillTagInformation(this.repositoryPath, this.owner, this.repo, previousTag);
+                }
+                else {
+                    core.debug(`ℹ️ Fetching release information was disabled`);
+                }
+                core.endGroup();
+                const options = {
+                    owner: this.owner,
+                    repo: this.repo,
+                    fromTag: previousTag,
+                    toTag: thisTag,
+                    includeOpen: this.includeOpen,
+                    failOnError: this.failOnError,
+                    fetchReviewers: this.fetchReviewers,
+                    fetchReleaseInformation: this.fetchReleaseInformation,
+                    fetchReviews: this.fetchReviews,
+                    commitMode: this.commitMode,
+                    configuration: this.configuration
+                };
+                releaseNotesData = yield pullData(octokit, options, this.exportCollected, this.exportOnly);
            }
            else {
-                core.setOutput('toTag', thisTag.name);
-                core.debug(`Resolved 'toTag' as ${thisTag.name}`);
+                core.info(`ℹ️ Retrieved previously exported collected data`);
+                // merge input with options (in case some data was updated)
+                const diffInfo = releaseNotesData.diffInfo;
+                const mergedPullRequests = releaseNotesData.mergedPullRequests;
+                const orgOptions = releaseNotesData.options;
+                // merge fromTag info with provided info || otherwise use cached info
+                const fromTag = orgOptions.fromTag;
+                if (this.fromTag != null) {
+                    fromTag.name = this.fromTag;
+                }
+                const toTag = orgOptions.toTag;
+                if (this.toTag != null) {
+                    toTag.name = this.toTag;
+                }
+                // merge provided values with previous options (prefer provided)
+                const options = {
+                    owner: this.owner || orgOptions.owner,
+                    repo: this.repo || orgOptions.repo,
+                    fromTag,
+                    toTag,
+                    includeOpen: this.includeOpen || orgOptions.includeOpen,
+                    failOnError: this.failOnError || orgOptions.failOnError,
+                    fetchReviewers: this.fetchReviewers || orgOptions.fetchReviewers,
+                    fetchReleaseInformation: this.fetchReleaseInformation || orgOptions.fetchReleaseInformation,
+                    fetchReviews: this.fetchReviews || orgOptions.fetchReviews,
+                    commitMode: this.commitMode || orgOptions.commitMode,
+                    configuration: this.configuration || orgOptions.configuration
+                };
+                releaseNotesData = {
+                    diffInfo,
+                    mergedPullRequests,
+                    options
+                };
            }
-            let previousTag = tagRange.from;
-            if (previousTag == null) {
-                (0, utils_1.failOrError)(`💥 Unable to retrieve previous tag given ${this.toTag}`, this.failOnError);
-                return null;
-            }
-            core.setOutput('fromTag', previousTag.name);
-            core.debug(`fromTag resolved via previousTag as: ${previousTag.name}`);
-            if (this.fetchReleaseInformation) {
-                // load release information from the GitHub API
-                core.info(`ℹ️ Fetching release information was enabled`);
-                thisTag = yield tagsApi.fillTagInformation(this.repositoryPath, this.owner, this.repo, thisTag);
-                previousTag = yield tagsApi.fillTagInformation(this.repositoryPath, this.owner, this.repo, previousTag);
+            if (releaseNotesData != null) {
+                return (0, transform_1.buildChangelog)(releaseNotesData.diffInfo, releaseNotesData.mergedPullRequests, releaseNotesData.options);
            }
            else {
-                core.debug(`ℹ️ Fetching release information was disabled`);
+                return null;
            }
-            core.endGroup();
-            const options = {
-                owner: this.owner,
-                repo: this.repo,
-                fromTag: previousTag,
-                toTag: thisTag,
-                includeOpen: this.includeOpen,
-                failOnError: this.failOnError,
-                fetchReviewers: this.fetchReviewers,
-                fetchReleaseInformation: this.fetchReleaseInformation,
-                fetchReviews: this.fetchReviews,
-                commitMode: this.commitMode,
-                configuration: this.configuration
-            };
-            const releaseNotesData = yield pullData(octokit, options);
-            return (0, transform_1.buildChangelog)(releaseNotesData.diffInfo, releaseNotesData.mergedPullRequests, releaseNotesData.options);
        });
    }
 }
 exports.ReleaseNotesBuilder = ReleaseNotesBuilder;
-function pullData(octokit, options) {
+function pullData(octokit, options, exportCollected, exportOnly) {
    return __awaiter(this, void 0, void 0, function* () {
        let mergedPullRequests;
        let diffInfo;
@@ -1223,12 +1270,18 @@ function pullData(octokit, options) {
        core.setOutput('deletions', diffInfo.deletions);
        core.setOutput('changes', diffInfo.changes);
        core.setOutput('commits', diffInfo.commits);
-        const collectAndExport = true;
-        if (collectAndExport) {
+        if (exportCollected) {
            core.info('📦 Exporting collected data');
-            core.exportVariable('_diffInfo', JSON.stringify(diffInfo));
-            core.exportVariable('_mergedPullRequests', JSON.stringify(mergedPullRequests));
-            core.exportVariable('_options', JSON.stringify(options));
+            core.exportVariable(`RCBA_EXPORT_diffInfo`, JSON.stringify(diffInfo));
+            //fs.writeFileSync(path.resolve('diffInfo.json'), JSON.stringify(diffInfo))
+            core.exportVariable(`RCBA_EXPORT_mergedPullRequests`, JSON.stringify(mergedPullRequests));
+            //fs.writeFileSync(path.resolve('mergedPullRequests.json'), JSON.stringify(mergedPullRequests))
+            core.exportVariable(`RCBA_EXPORT_options`, JSON.stringify(options));
+            //fs.writeFileSync(path.resolve('options.json'), JSON.stringify(options))
+            if (exportOnly) {
+                core.endGroup();
+                return null;
+            }
        }
        core.endGroup();
        return {
@@ -1688,7 +1741,7 @@ function buildChangelog(diffInfo, prs, options) {
            const extracted = extractValues(pr, extractor, 'label_extractor');
            if (extracted !== null) {
                for (const label of extracted) {
-                    pr.labels.add(label);
+                    pr.labels.push(label);
                }
                if (core.isDebug()) {
                    core.debug(`    Extracted the following labels (${JSON.stringify(extracted)}) for PR ${pr.number}`);
@@ -1723,7 +1776,7 @@ function buildChangelog(diffInfo, prs, options) {
    const uncategorizedPrs = [];
    // bring elements in order
    for (const [pr, body] of transformedMap) {
-        if ((0, utils_1.haveCommonElements)(ignoredLabels.map(lbl => lbl.toLocaleLowerCase('en')), pr.labels)) {
+        if ((0, utils_1.haveCommonElementsArr)(ignoredLabels.map(lbl => lbl.toLocaleLowerCase('en')), pr.labels)) {
            ignoredPrs.push(body);
            continue;
        }
@@ -1735,7 +1788,7 @@ function buildChangelog(diffInfo, prs, options) {
            let matched = false; // check if we matched within the given category
            // check if any exclude label matches
            if (category.exclude_labels !== undefined) {
-                if ((0, utils_1.haveCommonElements)(category.exclude_labels.map(lbl => lbl.toLocaleLowerCase('en')), pr.labels)) {
+                if ((0, utils_1.haveCommonElementsArr)(category.exclude_labels.map(lbl => lbl.toLocaleLowerCase('en')), pr.labels)) {
                    if (core.isDebug()) {
                        const excludeLabels = JSON.stringify(category.exclude_labels);
                        core.debug(`    PR ${pr.number} with labels: ${pr.labels} excluded from category via exclude label: ${excludeLabels}`);
@@ -1747,7 +1800,7 @@ function buildChangelog(diffInfo, prs, options) {
            // validate for an exhaustive match (e.g. every provided rule applies)
            if (category.exhaustive === true && (category.labels !== undefined || category.rules !== undefined)) {
                if (category.labels !== undefined) {
-                    matched = (0, utils_1.haveEveryElements)(category.labels.map(lbl => lbl.toLocaleLowerCase('en')), pr.labels);
+                    matched = (0, utils_1.haveEveryElementsArr)(category.labels.map(lbl => lbl.toLocaleLowerCase('en')), pr.labels);
                }
                let exhaustive_rules = true;
                if (category.exhaustive_rules !== undefined) {
@@ -1761,7 +1814,7 @@ function buildChangelog(diffInfo, prs, options) {
                // if not exhaustive, do individual matches
                if (category.labels !== undefined) {
                    // check if either any of the labels applies
-                    matched = (0, utils_1.haveCommonElements)(category.labels.map(lbl => lbl.toLocaleLowerCase('en')), pr.labels);
+                    matched = (0, utils_1.haveCommonElementsArr)(category.labels.map(lbl => lbl.toLocaleLowerCase('en')), pr.labels);
                }
                let exhaustive_rules = false;
                if (category.exhaustive_rules !== undefined) {
@@ -2108,12 +2161,16 @@ var __importStar = (this && this.__importStar) || function (mod) {
    __setModuleDefault(result, mod);
    return result;
 };
+var __importDefault = (this && this.__importDefault) || function (mod) {
+    return (mod && mod.__esModule) ? mod : { "default": mod };
+};
 Object.defineProperty(exports, "__esModule", ({ value: true }));
-exports.haveEveryElements = exports.haveCommonElements = exports.createOrSet = exports.writeOutput = exports.directoryExistsSync = exports.mergeConfiguration = exports.parseConfiguration = exports.resolveConfiguration = exports.failOrError = exports.retrieveRepositoryPath = void 0;
+exports.haveEveryElementsArr = exports.haveEveryElements = exports.haveCommonElementsArr = exports.haveCommonElements = exports.createOrSet = exports.writeOutput = exports.directoryExistsSync = exports.mergeConfiguration = exports.parseConfiguration = exports.resolveConfiguration = exports.checkExportedData = exports.failOrError = exports.retrieveRepositoryPath = void 0;
 const core = __importStar(__nccwpck_require__(2186));
 const fs = __importStar(__nccwpck_require__(7147));
 const path = __importStar(__nccwpck_require__(1017));
 const configuration_1 = __nccwpck_require__(5527);
+const moment_1 = __importDefault(__nccwpck_require__(9623));
 /**
 * Resolves the repository path, relatively to the GITHUB_WORKSPACE
 */
@@ -2144,6 +2201,42 @@ function failOrError(message, failOnError) {
    }
 }
 exports.failOrError = failOrError;
+/**
+ * Retrieves the exported information from a previous run of the `release-changelog-builder-action`.
+ * If available, return a [ReleaseNotesData].
+ */
+function checkExportedData() {
+    const rawDiffInfo = process.env[`RCBA_EXPORT_diffInfo`];
+    const rawMergedPullRequests = process.env[`RCBA_EXPORT_mergedPullRequests`];
+    const rawOptions = process.env[`RCBA_EXPORT_options`];
+    if (rawDiffInfo && rawMergedPullRequests && rawOptions) {
+        const diffInfo = JSON.parse(rawDiffInfo);
+        const mergedPullRequests = JSON.parse(rawMergedPullRequests);
+        for (const pr of mergedPullRequests) {
+            pr.createdAt = (0, moment_1.default)(pr.createdAt);
+            if (pr.mergedAt) {
+                pr.mergedAt = (0, moment_1.default)(pr.mergedAt);
+            }
+            if (pr.reviews) {
+                for (const review of pr.reviews) {
+                    if (review.submittedAt) {
+                        review.submittedAt = (0, moment_1.default)(review.submittedAt);
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        const options = JSON.parse(rawOptions);
+        return {
+            diffInfo,
+            mergedPullRequests,
+            options
+        };
+    }
+    else {
+        return null;
+    }
+}
+exports.checkExportedData = checkExportedData;
 /**
 * Retrieves the configuration given the file path, if not found it will fallback to the `DefaultConfiguration`
 */
@@ -2285,10 +2378,18 @@ function haveCommonElements(arr1, arr2) {
    return arr1.some(item => arr2.has(item));
 }
 exports.haveCommonElements = haveCommonElements;
+function haveCommonElementsArr(arr1, arr2) {
+    return haveCommonElements(arr1, new Set(arr2));
+}
+exports.haveCommonElementsArr = haveCommonElementsArr;
 function haveEveryElements(arr1, arr2) {
    return arr1.every(item => arr2.has(item));
 }
 exports.haveEveryElements = haveEveryElements;
+function haveEveryElementsArr(arr1, arr2) {
+    return haveEveryElements(arr1, new Set(arr2));
+}
+exports.haveEveryElementsArr = haveEveryElementsArr;


 /***/ }),
@@ -165,7 +165,7 @@ export class Commits {
        mergeCommitSha: commit.sha,
        author: commit.author || '',
        repoName: '',
-        labels: new Set(),
+        labels: [],
        milestone: '',
        body: commit.message || '',
        assignees: [],
@@ -54,6 +54,8 @@ async function run(): Promise<void> {
    const fetchReleaseInformation = core.getInput('fetchReleaseInformation') === 'true'
    const fetchReviews = core.getInput('fetchReviews') === 'true'
    const commitMode = core.getInput('commitMode') === 'true'
+    const exportCollected = core.getInput('exportCollected') === 'true'
+    const exportOnly = core.getInput('exportOnly') === 'true'

    const result = await new ReleaseNotesBuilder(
      baseUrl,
@@ -70,6 +72,8 @@ async function run(): Promise<void> {
      fetchReleaseInformation,
      fetchReviews,
      commitMode,
+      exportCollected,
+      exportOnly,
      configuration
    ).build()

@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ export interface PullRequestInfo {
  mergeCommitSha: string
  author: string
  repoName: string
-  labels: Set<string>
+  labels: string[]
  milestone: string
  body: string
  assignees: string[]
@@ -329,8 +329,8 @@ export function retrieveProperty(pr: PullRequestInfo, property: Property, useCas
 }

 // helper function to add a special open label to prs not merged.
-function attachSpeciaLabels(status: 'open' | 'merged', labels: Set<string>): Set<string> {
-  labels.add(`--rcba-${status}`)
+function attachSpeciaLabels(status: 'open' | 'merged', labels: string[]): string[] {
+  labels.push(`--rcba-${status}`)
  return labels
 }

@@ -345,7 +345,7 @@ const mapPullRequest = (pr: PullData | Unpacked<PullsListData>, status: 'open' |
  mergeCommitSha: pr.merge_commit_sha || '',
  author: pr.user?.login || '',
  repoName: pr.base.repo.full_name,
-  labels: attachSpeciaLabels(status, new Set(pr.labels?.map(lbl => lbl.name?.toLocaleLowerCase('en') || '') || [])),
+  labels: attachSpeciaLabels(status, pr.labels?.map(lbl => lbl.name?.toLocaleLowerCase('en') || '') || []),
  milestone: pr.milestone?.title || '',
  body: pr.body || '',
  assignees: pr.assignees?.map(asignee => asignee?.login || '') || [],
@@ -2,11 +2,13 @@ import * as core from '@actions/core'
 import {Configuration} from './configuration'
 import {Octokit} from '@octokit/rest'
 import {TagInfo, Tags} from './tags'
-import {failOrError} from './utils'
+import {checkExportedData, failOrError} from './utils'
 import {HttpsProxyAgent} from 'https-proxy-agent'
 import {PullRequestInfo, PullRequests} from './pullRequests'
 import {Commits, DiffInfo} from './commits'
 import {buildChangelog} from './transform'
+import * as fs from 'fs'
+import path from 'path'

 export interface ReleaseNotesOptions {
  owner: string // the owner of the repository
@@ -43,114 +45,166 @@ export class ReleaseNotesBuilder {
    private fetchReviewers: boolean = false,
    private fetchReleaseInformation: boolean = false,
    private fetchReviews: boolean = false,
-    private commitMode: boolean,
+    private commitMode: boolean = false,
+    private exportCollected: boolean = false,
+    private exportOnly: boolean = false,
    private configuration: Configuration
  ) {}

  async build(): Promise<string | null> {
-    if (!this.owner) {
-      failOrError(`💥 Missing or couldn't resolve 'owner'`, this.failOnError)
-      return null
-    } else {
-      core.setOutput('owner', this.owner)
-      core.debug(`Resolved 'owner' as ${this.owner}`)
-    }
+    let releaseNotesData = checkExportedData()
+    if (releaseNotesData == null) {
+      if (!this.owner) {
+        failOrError(`💥 Missing or couldn't resolve 'owner'`, this.failOnError)
+        return null
+      } else {
+        core.setOutput('owner', this.owner)
+        core.debug(`Resolved 'owner' as ${this.owner}`)
+      }

-    if (!this.repo) {
-      failOrError(`💥 Missing or couldn't resolve 'owner'`, this.failOnError)
-      return null
-    } else {
-      core.setOutput('repo', this.repo)
-      core.debug(`Resolved 'repo' as ${this.repo}`)
-    }
-    core.endGroup()
+      if (!this.repo) {
+        failOrError(`💥 Missing or couldn't resolve 'owner'`, this.failOnError)
+        return null
+      } else {
+        core.setOutput('repo', this.repo)
+        core.debug(`Resolved 'repo' as ${this.repo}`)
+      }
+      core.endGroup()

-    // check proxy setup for GHES environments
-    const proxy = process.env.https_proxy || process.env.HTTPS_PROXY
-    const noProxy = process.env.no_proxy || process.env.NO_PROXY
-    let noProxyArray: string[] = []
-    if (noProxy) {
-      noProxyArray = noProxy.split(',')
-    }
+      // check proxy setup for GHES environments
+      const proxy = process.env.https_proxy || process.env.HTTPS_PROXY
+      const noProxy = process.env.no_proxy || process.env.NO_PROXY
+      let noProxyArray: string[] = []
+      if (noProxy) {
+        noProxyArray = noProxy.split(',')
+      }

-    // load octokit instance
-    const octokit = new Octokit({
-      auth: `token ${this.token || process.env.GITHUB_TOKEN}`,
-      baseUrl: `${this.baseUrl || 'https://api.github.com'}`
-    })
-
-    if (proxy) {
-      const agent = new HttpsProxyAgent(proxy)
-      octokit.hook.before('request', options => {
-        if (noProxyArray.includes(options.request.hostname)) {
-          return
-        }
-        options.request.agent = agent
+      // load octokit instance
+      const octokit = new Octokit({
+        auth: `token ${this.token || process.env.GITHUB_TOKEN}`,
+        baseUrl: `${this.baseUrl || 'https://api.github.com'}`
      })
-    }

-    // ensure proper from <-> to tag range
-    core.startGroup(`🔖 Resolve tags`)
-    const tagsApi = new Tags(octokit)
-    const tagRange = await tagsApi.retrieveRange(
-      this.repositoryPath,
-      this.owner,
-      this.repo,
-      this.fromTag,
-      this.toTag,
-      this.ignorePreReleases,
-      this.configuration.max_tags_to_fetch,
-      this.configuration.tag_resolver
-    )
+      if (proxy) {
+        const agent = new HttpsProxyAgent(proxy)
+        octokit.hook.before('request', options => {
+          if (noProxyArray.includes(options.request.hostname)) {
+            return
+          }
+          options.request.agent = agent
+        })
+      }

-    let thisTag = tagRange.to
-    if (!thisTag) {
-      failOrError(`💥 Missing or couldn't resolve 'toTag'`, this.failOnError)
-      return null
+      // ensure proper from <-> to tag range
+      core.startGroup(`🔖 Resolve tags`)
+      const tagsApi = new Tags(octokit)
+      const tagRange = await tagsApi.retrieveRange(
+        this.repositoryPath,
+        this.owner,
+        this.repo,
+        this.fromTag,
+        this.toTag,
+        this.ignorePreReleases,
+        this.configuration.max_tags_to_fetch,
+        this.configuration.tag_resolver
+      )
+
+      let thisTag = tagRange.to
+      if (!thisTag) {
+        failOrError(`💥 Missing or couldn't resolve 'toTag'`, this.failOnError)
+        return null
+      } else {
+        core.setOutput('toTag', thisTag.name)
+        core.debug(`Resolved 'toTag' as ${thisTag.name}`)
+      }
+
+      let previousTag = tagRange.from
+      if (previousTag == null) {
+        failOrError(`💥 Unable to retrieve previous tag given ${this.toTag}`, this.failOnError)
+        return null
+      }
+      core.setOutput('fromTag', previousTag.name)
+      core.debug(`fromTag resolved via previousTag as: ${previousTag.name}`)
+
+      if (this.fetchReleaseInformation) {
+        // load release information from the GitHub API
+        core.info(`ℹ️ Fetching release information was enabled`)
+        thisTag = await tagsApi.fillTagInformation(this.repositoryPath, this.owner, this.repo, thisTag)
+        previousTag = await tagsApi.fillTagInformation(this.repositoryPath, this.owner, this.repo, previousTag)
+      } else {
+        core.debug(`ℹ️ Fetching release information was disabled`)
+      }
+
+      core.endGroup()
+
+      const options = {
+        owner: this.owner,
+        repo: this.repo,
+        fromTag: previousTag,
+        toTag: thisTag,
+        includeOpen: this.includeOpen,
+        failOnError: this.failOnError,
+        fetchReviewers: this.fetchReviewers,
+        fetchReleaseInformation: this.fetchReleaseInformation,
+        fetchReviews: this.fetchReviews,
+        commitMode: this.commitMode,
+        configuration: this.configuration
+      }
+
+      releaseNotesData = await pullData(octokit, options, this.exportCollected, this.exportOnly)
    } else {
-      core.setOutput('toTag', thisTag.name)
-      core.debug(`Resolved 'toTag' as ${thisTag.name}`)
-    }
+      core.info(`ℹ️ Retrieved previously exported collected data`)

-    let previousTag = tagRange.from
-    if (previousTag == null) {
-      failOrError(`💥 Unable to retrieve previous tag given ${this.toTag}`, this.failOnError)
+      // merge input with options (in case some data was updated)
+      const diffInfo = releaseNotesData.diffInfo
+      const mergedPullRequests = releaseNotesData.mergedPullRequests
+      const orgOptions = releaseNotesData.options
+
+      // merge fromTag info with provided info || otherwise use cached info
+      const fromTag: TagInfo = orgOptions.fromTag
+      if (this.fromTag != null) {
+        fromTag.name = this.fromTag
+      }
+      const toTag: TagInfo = orgOptions.toTag
+      if (this.toTag != null) {
+        toTag.name = this.toTag
+      }
+
+      // merge provided values with previous options (prefer provided)
+      const options: ReleaseNotesOptions = {
+        owner: this.owner || orgOptions.owner,
+        repo: this.repo || orgOptions.repo,
+        fromTag,
+        toTag,
+        includeOpen: this.includeOpen || orgOptions.includeOpen,
+        failOnError: this.failOnError || orgOptions.failOnError,
+        fetchReviewers: this.fetchReviewers || orgOptions.fetchReviewers,
+        fetchReleaseInformation: this.fetchReleaseInformation || orgOptions.fetchReleaseInformation,
+        fetchReviews: this.fetchReviews || orgOptions.fetchReviews,
+        commitMode: this.commitMode || orgOptions.commitMode,
+        configuration: this.configuration || orgOptions.configuration
+      }
+
+      releaseNotesData = {
+        diffInfo,
+        mergedPullRequests,
+        options
+      }
+    }
+    if (releaseNotesData != null) {
+      return buildChangelog(releaseNotesData.diffInfo, releaseNotesData.mergedPullRequests, releaseNotesData.options)
+    } else {
      return null
    }
-    core.setOutput('fromTag', previousTag.name)
-    core.debug(`fromTag resolved via previousTag as: ${previousTag.name}`)
-
-    if (this.fetchReleaseInformation) {
-      // load release information from the GitHub API
-      core.info(`ℹ️ Fetching release information was enabled`)
-      thisTag = await tagsApi.fillTagInformation(this.repositoryPath, this.owner, this.repo, thisTag)
-      previousTag = await tagsApi.fillTagInformation(this.repositoryPath, this.owner, this.repo, previousTag)
-    } else {
-      core.debug(`ℹ️ Fetching release information was disabled`)
-    }
-
-    core.endGroup()
-
-    const options = {
-      owner: this.owner,
-      repo: this.repo,
-      fromTag: previousTag,
-      toTag: thisTag,
-      includeOpen: this.includeOpen,
-      failOnError: this.failOnError,
-      fetchReviewers: this.fetchReviewers,
-      fetchReleaseInformation: this.fetchReleaseInformation,
-      fetchReviews: this.fetchReviews,
-      commitMode: this.commitMode,
-      configuration: this.configuration
-    }
-
-    const releaseNotesData = await pullData(octokit, options)
-    return buildChangelog(releaseNotesData.diffInfo, releaseNotesData.mergedPullRequests, releaseNotesData.options)
  }
 }

-export async function pullData(octokit: Octokit, options: ReleaseNotesOptions): Promise<ReleaseNotesData> {
+export async function pullData(
+  octokit: Octokit,
+  options: ReleaseNotesOptions,
+  exportCollected: boolean,
+  exportOnly: boolean
+): Promise<ReleaseNotesData | null> {
  let mergedPullRequests: PullRequestInfo[]
  let diffInfo: DiffInfo

@@ -184,12 +238,19 @@ export async function pullData(octokit: Octokit, options: ReleaseNotesOptions):
  core.setOutput('changes', diffInfo.changes)
  core.setOutput('commits', diffInfo.commits)

-  const collectAndExport = true
-  if (collectAndExport) {
+  if (exportCollected) {
    core.info('📦 Exporting collected data')
-    core.exportVariable('_diffInfo', JSON.stringify(diffInfo))
-    core.exportVariable('_mergedPullRequests', JSON.stringify(mergedPullRequests))
-    core.exportVariable('_options', JSON.stringify(options))
+    core.exportVariable(`RCBA_EXPORT_diffInfo`, JSON.stringify(diffInfo))
+    //fs.writeFileSync(path.resolve('diffInfo.json'), JSON.stringify(diffInfo))
+    core.exportVariable(`RCBA_EXPORT_mergedPullRequests`, JSON.stringify(mergedPullRequests))
+    //fs.writeFileSync(path.resolve('mergedPullRequests.json'), JSON.stringify(mergedPullRequests))
+    core.exportVariable(`RCBA_EXPORT_options`, JSON.stringify(options))
+    //fs.writeFileSync(path.resolve('options.json'), JSON.stringify(options))
+
+    if (exportOnly) {
+      core.endGroup()
+      return null
+    }
  }

  core.endGroup()
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import {Category, Configuration, Placeholder, Property, Transformer} from './con
 import {CommentInfo, EMPTY_COMMENT_INFO, PullRequestInfo, retrieveProperty, sortPullRequests} from './pullRequests'
 import {ReleaseNotesOptions} from './releaseNotesBuilder'
 import {DiffInfo} from './commits'
-import {createOrSet, haveCommonElements, haveEveryElements} from './utils'
+import {createOrSet, haveCommonElementsArr, haveEveryElementsArr} from './utils'
 import {matchesRules, RegexTransformer, validateTransformer} from './regexUtils'

 const EMPTY_MAP = new Map<string, string>()
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ export function buildChangelog(diffInfo: DiffInfo, prs: PullRequestInfo[], optio
      const extracted = extractValues(pr, extractor, 'label_extractor')
      if (extracted !== null) {
        for (const label of extracted) {
-          pr.labels.add(label)
+          pr.labels.push(label)
        }

        if (core.isDebug()) {
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ export function buildChangelog(diffInfo: DiffInfo, prs: PullRequestInfo[], optio
  // bring elements in order
  for (const [pr, body] of transformedMap) {
    if (
-      haveCommonElements(
+      haveCommonElementsArr(
        ignoredLabels.map(lbl => lbl.toLocaleLowerCase('en')),
        pr.labels
      )
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ export function buildChangelog(diffInfo: DiffInfo, prs: PullRequestInfo[], optio
      // check if any exclude label matches
      if (category.exclude_labels !== undefined) {
        if (
-          haveCommonElements(
+          haveCommonElementsArr(
            category.exclude_labels.map(lbl => lbl.toLocaleLowerCase('en')),
            pr.labels
          )
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ export function buildChangelog(diffInfo: DiffInfo, prs: PullRequestInfo[], optio
      // validate for an exhaustive match (e.g. every provided rule applies)
      if (category.exhaustive === true && (category.labels !== undefined || category.rules !== undefined)) {
        if (category.labels !== undefined) {
-          matched = haveEveryElements(
+          matched = haveEveryElementsArr(
            category.labels.map(lbl => lbl.toLocaleLowerCase('en')),
            pr.labels
          )
@@ -152,7 +152,7 @@ export function buildChangelog(diffInfo: DiffInfo, prs: PullRequestInfo[], optio
        // if not exhaustive, do individual matches
        if (category.labels !== undefined) {
          // check if either any of the labels applies
-          matched = haveCommonElements(
+          matched = haveCommonElementsArr(
            category.labels.map(lbl => lbl.toLocaleLowerCase('en')),
            pr.labels
          )
@@ -2,6 +2,10 @@ import * as core from '@actions/core'
 import * as fs from 'fs'
 import * as path from 'path'
 import {Configuration, DefaultConfiguration} from './configuration'
+import {ReleaseNotesData, ReleaseNotesOptions} from './releaseNotesBuilder'
+import {DiffInfo} from './commits'
+import {PullRequestInfo} from './pullRequests'
+import moment from 'moment'
 /**
 * Resolves the repository path, relatively to the GITHUB_WORKSPACE
 */
@@ -32,6 +36,45 @@ export function failOrError(message: string | Error, failOnError: boolean): void
  }
 }

+/**
+ * Retrieves the exported information from a previous run of the `release-changelog-builder-action`.
+ * If available, return a [ReleaseNotesData].
+ */
+export function checkExportedData(): ReleaseNotesData | null {
+  const rawDiffInfo = process.env[`RCBA_EXPORT_diffInfo`]
+  const rawMergedPullRequests = process.env[`RCBA_EXPORT_mergedPullRequests`]
+  const rawOptions = process.env[`RCBA_EXPORT_options`]
+
+  if (rawDiffInfo && rawMergedPullRequests && rawOptions) {
+    const diffInfo: DiffInfo = JSON.parse(rawDiffInfo)
+    const mergedPullRequests: PullRequestInfo[] = JSON.parse(rawMergedPullRequests)
+
+    for (const pr of mergedPullRequests) {
+      pr.createdAt = moment(pr.createdAt)
+      if (pr.mergedAt) {
+        pr.mergedAt = moment(pr.mergedAt)
+      }
+
+      if (pr.reviews) {
+        for (const review of pr.reviews) {
+          if (review.submittedAt) {
+            review.submittedAt = moment(review.submittedAt)
+          }
+        }
+      }
+    }
+
+    const options: ReleaseNotesOptions = JSON.parse(rawOptions)
+    return {
+      diffInfo,
+      mergedPullRequests,
+      options
+    }
+  } else {
+    return null
+  }
+}
+
 /**
 * Retrieves the configuration given the file path, if not found it will fallback to the `DefaultConfiguration`
 */
@@ -172,6 +215,14 @@ export function haveCommonElements(arr1: string[], arr2: Set<string>): boolean {
  return arr1.some(item => arr2.has(item))
 }

+export function haveCommonElementsArr(arr1: string[], arr2: string[]): boolean {
+  return haveCommonElements(arr1, new Set(arr2))
+}
+
 export function haveEveryElements(arr1: string[], arr2: Set<string>): boolean {
  return arr1.every(item => arr2.has(item))
 }
+
+export function haveEveryElementsArr(arr1: string[], arr2: string[]): boolean {
+  return haveEveryElements(arr1, new Set(arr2))
+}