diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index d1603b5d8b..1453ddd530 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -1,5 +1,30 @@
 [tool.towncrier]
     package = "synapse"
-    filename = "CHANGES.rst"
+    filename = "CHANGES.md"
     directory = "changelog.d"
-    issue_format = "`#{issue} <https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/{issue}>`_"
+    issue_format = "[\#{issue}](https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/{issue}>)"
+
+    [[tool.towncrier.type]]
+        directory = "feature"
+        name = "Features"
+        showcontent = true
+
+    [[tool.towncrier.type]]
+        directory = "bugfix"
+        name = "Bugfixes"
+        showcontent = true
+
+    [[tool.towncrier.type]]
+        directory = "doc"
+        name = "Improved Documentation"
+        showcontent = true
+
+    [[tool.towncrier.type]]
+        directory = "removal"
+        name = "Deprecations and Removals"
+        showcontent = true
+
+    [[tool.towncrier.type]]
+        directory = "misc"
+        name = "Internal Changes"
+        showcontent = true