diff --git a/.changeset/techdocs-give-it-all-back.md b/.changeset/techdocs-give-it-all-back.md
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+---
+'@backstage/techdocs-common': minor
+---
+
+TechDocs has dropped all support for the long-ago deprecated git-based common
+prepares as well as all corresponding values in `backstage.io/techdocs-ref`
+annotations.
+
+Entities whose `backstage.io/techdocs-ref` annotation values still begin with
+`github:`, `gitlab:`, `bitbucket:`, or `azure/api:` will no longer be generated
+by TechDocs. Be sure to update these values so that they align with their
+expected format and your usage of TechDocs.
+
+For details, see [this explainer on TechDocs ref annotation values][how].
+
+[how]: https://backstage.io/docs/features/techdocs/how-to-guides#how-to-understand-techdocs-ref-annotation-values
diff --git a/.changeset/techdocs-if-i-could.md b/.changeset/techdocs-if-i-could.md
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+++ b/.changeset/techdocs-if-i-could.md
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+---
+'@backstage/plugin-techdocs-backend': patch
+'@backstage/plugin-scaffolder-backend': patch
+'@backstage/create-app': patch
+---
+
+The recommended value for a `backstage.io/techdocs-ref` annotation is now
+`dir:.`, indicating "documentation source files are located in the same
+directory relative to the catalog entity." Note that `url:<location>` values
+are still supported.