diff --git a/actions/stack/diff-package-receipts/action.yml b/actions/stack/diff-package-receipts/action.yml
index a74402ab..bbab2d7c 100644
--- a/actions/stack/diff-package-receipts/action.yml
+++ b/actions/stack/diff-package-receipts/action.yml
@@ -8,14 +8,15 @@ inputs:
   current:
     description: 'Path to current package receipt'
     required: true
-
-outputs:
-  added:
+  added_diff_file:
     description: 'List of packages added'
-  removed:
+    required: true
+  removed_diff_file:
     description: 'List of packages removed'
-  modified:
+    required: true
+  modified_diff_file:
     description: 'List of packages modified'
+    required: true
 
 runs:
   using: 'docker'
@@ -25,3 +26,9 @@ runs:
   - "${{ inputs.previous }}"
   - "--current"
   - "${{ inputs.current }}"
+  - "--added-diff-file"
+  - "${{ inputs.added_diff_file }}"
+  - "--removed-diff-file"
+  - "${{ inputs.removed_diff_file }}"
+  - "--modified-diff-file"
+  - "${{ inputs.modified_diff_file }}"
diff --git a/actions/stack/diff-package-receipts/entrypoint/main.go b/actions/stack/diff-package-receipts/entrypoint/main.go
index 48424e00..2b41c042 100644
--- a/actions/stack/diff-package-receipts/entrypoint/main.go
+++ b/actions/stack/diff-package-receipts/entrypoint/main.go
@@ -29,8 +29,11 @@ type ModifiedCycloneDXComponent struct {
 
 func main() {
 	var config struct {
-		CurrentPath  string
-		PreviousPath string
+		CurrentPath          string
+		PreviousPath         string
+		AddedDiffFilePath    string
+		RemovedDiffFilePath  string
+		ModifiedDiffFilePath string
 	}
 
 	flag.StringVar(&config.PreviousPath,
@@ -43,12 +46,31 @@ func main() {
 		"",
 		"Path to current package receipt")
 
+	flag.StringVar(&config.AddedDiffFilePath,
+		"added-diff-file",
+		"",
+		"List of packages added")
+
+	flag.StringVar(&config.RemovedDiffFilePath,
+		"removed-diff-file",
+		"",
+		"List of packages removed")
+
+	flag.StringVar(&config.ModifiedDiffFilePath,
+		"modified-diff-file",
+		"",
+		"List of packages modified")
+
 	flag.Parse()
 
 	if config.CurrentPath == "" || config.PreviousPath == "" {
 		log.Fatal("Must provide current and previous paths")
 	}
 
+	if config.AddedDiffFilePath == "" || config.RemovedDiffFilePath == "" || config.ModifiedDiffFilePath == "" {
+		log.Fatal("Must provide diff file paths")
+	}
+
 	absolute, err := filepath.Abs(config.CurrentPath)
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Fatalf("Failed to create absolute path for %s", config.CurrentPath)
@@ -61,6 +83,24 @@ func main() {
 	}
 	config.PreviousPath = absolute
 
+	absolute, err = filepath.Abs(config.AddedDiffFilePath)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Fatalf("Failed to create absolute path for %s", config.AddedDiffFilePath)
+	}
+	config.AddedDiffFilePath = absolute
+
+	absolute, err = filepath.Abs(config.RemovedDiffFilePath)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Fatalf("Failed to create absolute path for %s", config.RemovedDiffFilePath)
+	}
+	config.RemovedDiffFilePath = absolute
+
+	absolute, err = filepath.Abs(config.ModifiedDiffFilePath)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Fatalf("Failed to create absolute path for %s", config.ModifiedDiffFilePath)
+	}
+	config.ModifiedDiffFilePath = absolute
+
 	previous, err := parsePackagesFromFile(config.PreviousPath)
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Fatal(err)
@@ -99,28 +139,37 @@ func main() {
 		}
 	}
 
-	addedJSON, err := json.Marshal(added)
+	addedFile, err := os.OpenFile(config.AddedDiffFilePath, os.O_RDWR|os.O_CREATE, 0666)
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	if len(added) == 0 {
-		addedJSON = []byte(`[]`)
+	defer addedFile.Close()
+
+	err = json.NewEncoder(addedFile).Encode(&added)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Fatal(err)
 	}
 
-	removedJSON, err := json.Marshal(removed)
+	removedFile, err := os.OpenFile(config.RemovedDiffFilePath, os.O_RDWR|os.O_CREATE, 0666)
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	if len(removed) == 0 {
-		removedJSON = []byte(`[]`)
+	defer removedFile.Close()
+
+	err = json.NewEncoder(removedFile).Encode(&removed)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Fatal(err)
 	}
 
-	modifiedJSON, err := json.Marshal(modified)
+	modifiedFile, err := os.OpenFile(config.ModifiedDiffFilePath, os.O_RDWR|os.O_CREATE, 0666)
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Fatal(err)
 	}
-	if len(modified) == 0 {
-		modifiedJSON = []byte(`[]`)
+	defer modifiedFile.Close()
+
+	err = json.NewEncoder(modifiedFile).Encode(&modified)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Fatal(err)
 	}
 
 	fmt.Println("Added packages:")
@@ -141,19 +190,6 @@ func main() {
 			pkg.CurrentPURL,
 		)
 	}
-
-	outputFileName, ok := os.LookupEnv("GITHUB_OUTPUT")
-	if !ok {
-		log.Fatal("GITHUB_OUTPUT is not set, see https://docs.github.com/en/actions/using-workflows/workflow-commands-for-github-actions#setting-an-output-parameter")
-	}
-	file, err := os.OpenFile(outputFileName, os.O_APPEND|os.O_WRONLY, 0)
-	if err != nil {
-		log.Fatal(err)
-	}
-	defer file.Close()
-	fmt.Fprintf(file, "added=%s\n", string(addedJSON))
-	fmt.Fprintf(file, "removed=%s\n", string(removedJSON))
-	fmt.Fprintf(file, "modified=%s\n", string(modifiedJSON))
 }
 
 func parsePackagesFromFile(path string) (map[string]CycloneDXComponent, error) {
diff --git a/actions/stack/release-notes/action.yml b/actions/stack/release-notes/action.yml
index 8257c19e..64b8ccac 100644
--- a/actions/stack/release-notes/action.yml
+++ b/actions/stack/release-notes/action.yml
@@ -21,22 +21,22 @@ inputs:
     description: 'CVE scan report path of run image in markdown format'
     required: false
   build_packages_added:
-    description: 'JSON array of packages added "{ name: name, version: 1.2.3 }"'
+    description: 'Path to build packages added file'
     required: false
   build_packages_modified:
-    description: 'JSON array of packages modified "{ name: name, previousVersion: 1.2.3, currentVersion: 1.2.4 }"'
+    description: 'Path to build packages modified file'
     required: false
   build_packages_removed_with_force:
-    description: 'JSON array of packages removed with user-provided force "{ name: name, version: 1.2.3}"'
+    description: 'Path to build packages removed file'
     required: false
   run_packages_added:
-    description: 'JSON array of packages added "{ name: name, version: 1.2.3 }"'
+    description: 'Path to run packages added file'
     required: false
   run_packages_modified:
-    description: 'JSON array of packages modified "{ name: name, previousVersion: 1.2.3, currentVersion: 1.2.4 }"'
+    description: 'Path to run packages modified file'
     required: false
   run_packages_removed_with_force:
-    description: 'JSON array of packages removed with user-provided force "{ name: name, version: 1.2.3}"'
+    description: 'Path to run packages removed file'
     required: false
   patched_usns:
     description: 'JSON array of objects "{ name: USN name, url: USN URL, description: USN description}"'
diff --git a/actions/stack/release-notes/entrypoint/main.go b/actions/stack/release-notes/entrypoint/main.go
index 5c280a5e..6db7f825 100644
--- a/actions/stack/release-notes/entrypoint/main.go
+++ b/actions/stack/release-notes/entrypoint/main.go
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"log"
 	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
 	"strconv"
 	"text/template"
 )
@@ -69,6 +70,42 @@ func main() {
 	flag.StringVar(&config.ReceiptsShowLimit, "receipts-show-limit", "", "Integer which defines the limit of whether it should show or not the receipts array of each image")
 	flag.Parse()
 
+	absolute, err := filepath.Abs(config.BuildPackagesAddedJSON)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Fatalf("Failed to create absolute path for %s", config.BuildPackagesAddedJSON)
+	}
+	config.BuildPackagesAddedJSON = absolute
+
+	absolute, err = filepath.Abs(config.BuildPackagesModifiedJSON)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Fatalf("Failed to create absolute path for %s", config.BuildPackagesModifiedJSON)
+	}
+	config.BuildPackagesModifiedJSON = absolute
+
+	absolute, err = filepath.Abs(config.BuildPackagesRemovedJSON)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Fatalf("Failed to create absolute path for %s", config.BuildPackagesRemovedJSON)
+	}
+	config.BuildPackagesRemovedJSON = absolute
+
+	absolute, err = filepath.Abs(config.RunPackagesAddedJSON)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Fatalf("Failed to create absolute path for %s", config.RunPackagesAddedJSON)
+	}
+	config.RunPackagesAddedJSON = absolute
+
+	absolute, err = filepath.Abs(config.RunPackagesModifiedJSON)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Fatalf("Failed to create absolute path for %s", config.RunPackagesModifiedJSON)
+	}
+	config.RunPackagesModifiedJSON = absolute
+
+	absolute, err = filepath.Abs(config.RunPackagesRemovedJSON)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Fatalf("Failed to create absolute path for %s", config.RunPackagesRemovedJSON)
+	}
+	config.RunPackagesRemovedJSON = absolute
+
 	var contents struct {
 		PatchedArray      []USN
 		SupportsUsns      bool
@@ -85,7 +122,7 @@ func main() {
 		ReceiptsShowLimit int
 	}
 
-	err := json.Unmarshal([]byte(fixEmptyArray(config.PatchedJSON)), &contents.PatchedArray)
+	err = json.Unmarshal([]byte(fixEmptyArray(config.PatchedJSON)), &contents.PatchedArray)
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Fatalf("failed unmarshalling patched USNs: %s", err.Error())
 	}
@@ -99,32 +136,68 @@ func main() {
 		}
 	}
 
-	err = json.Unmarshal([]byte(fixEmptyArray(config.BuildPackagesAddedJSON)), &contents.BuildAdded)
+	buildAddedFile, err := os.Open(config.BuildPackagesAddedJSON)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	defer buildAddedFile.Close()
+
+	err = json.NewDecoder(buildAddedFile).Decode(&contents.BuildAdded)
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Fatalf("failed unmarshalling build packages added: %s", err.Error())
 	}
 
-	err = json.Unmarshal([]byte(fixEmptyArray(config.BuildPackagesModifiedJSON)), &contents.BuildModified)
+	buildModifiedFile, err := os.Open(config.BuildPackagesModifiedJSON)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	defer buildModifiedFile.Close()
+
+	err = json.NewDecoder(buildModifiedFile).Decode(&contents.BuildModified)
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Fatalf("failed unmarshalling build packages modified: %s", err.Error())
 	}
 
-	err = json.Unmarshal([]byte(fixEmptyArray(config.BuildPackagesRemovedJSON)), &contents.BuildRemoved)
+	buildRemovedFile, err := os.Open(config.BuildPackagesRemovedJSON)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	defer buildRemovedFile.Close()
+
+	err = json.NewDecoder(buildRemovedFile).Decode(&contents.BuildRemoved)
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Fatalf("failed unmarshalling build packages removed: %s", err.Error())
 	}
 
-	err = json.Unmarshal([]byte(fixEmptyArray(config.RunPackagesAddedJSON)), &contents.RunAdded)
+	runAddedFile, err := os.Open(config.RunPackagesAddedJSON)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	defer runAddedFile.Close()
+
+	err = json.NewDecoder(runAddedFile).Decode(&contents.RunAdded)
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Fatalf("failed unmarshalling run packages added: %s", err.Error())
 	}
 
-	err = json.Unmarshal([]byte(fixEmptyArray(config.RunPackagesModifiedJSON)), &contents.RunModified)
+	runModifiedFile, err := os.Open(config.RunPackagesModifiedJSON)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	defer runModifiedFile.Close()
+
+	err = json.NewDecoder(runModifiedFile).Decode(&contents.RunModified)
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Fatalf("failed unmarshalling run packages modified: %s", err.Error())
 	}
 
-	err = json.Unmarshal([]byte(fixEmptyArray(config.RunPackagesRemovedJSON)), &contents.RunRemoved)
+	runRemovedFile, err := os.Open(config.RunPackagesRemovedJSON)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	defer runRemovedFile.Close()
+
+	err = json.NewDecoder(runRemovedFile).Decode(&contents.RunRemoved)
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Fatalf("failed unmarshalling run packages removed: %s", err.Error())
 	}
diff --git a/stack/.github/workflows/create-release.yml b/stack/.github/workflows/create-release.yml
index c254c617..d25dcff6 100644
--- a/stack/.github/workflows/create-release.yml
+++ b/stack/.github/workflows/create-release.yml
@@ -25,6 +25,12 @@ env:
   BUILD_RECEIPT_FILENAME: "build-receipt.cyclonedx.json"
   RUN_RECEIPT_FILENAME: "run-receipt.cyclonedx.json"
   PATCHED_USNS_FILENAME: "patched-usns.json"
+  BUILD_DIFF_ADDED_FILENAME: "build-diff-added.json"
+  BUILD_DIFF_MODIFIED_FILENAME: "build-diff-modified.json"
+  BUILD_DIFF_REMOVED_FILENAME: "build-diff-removed.json"
+  RUN_DIFF_ADDED_FILENAME: "run-diff-added.json"
+  RUN_DIFF_MODIFIED_FILENAME: "run-diff-modified.json"
+  RUN_DIFF_REMOVED_FILENAME: "run-diff-removed.json"
 jobs:
   poll_usns:
     name: Poll USNs
@@ -183,12 +189,6 @@ jobs:
   diff:
     name: Diff Packages
     outputs:
-      build_added: ${{ steps.build_diff.outputs.added }}
-      build_modified: ${{ steps.build_diff.outputs.modified }}
-      build_removed_with_force: ${{ steps.build_diff.outputs.removed }}
-      run_added: ${{ steps.run_diff.outputs.added }}
-      run_modified: ${{ steps.run_diff.outputs.modified }}
-      run_removed_with_force: ${{ steps.run_diff.outputs.removed }}
       removed_with_force: ${{ steps.removed_with_force.outputs.packages_removed }}
     needs: [ create_stack ]
     runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
@@ -248,6 +248,9 @@ jobs:
       with:
         previous: "/github/workspace/previous-${{ env.BUILD_RECEIPT_FILENAME }}"
         current: "/github/workspace/${{ env.BUILD_RECEIPT_FILENAME }}"
+        added_diff_file: "/github/workspace/${{ env.BUILD_DIFF_ADDED_FILENAME }}"
+        modified_diff_file: "/github/workspace/${{ env.BUILD_DIFF_MODIFIED_FILENAME }}"
+        removed_diff_file: "/github/workspace/${{ env.BUILD_DIFF_REMOVED_FILENAME }}"
 
     - name: Compare Run Packages
       id: run_diff
@@ -255,14 +258,17 @@ jobs:
       with:
         previous: "/github/workspace/previous-${{ env.RUN_RECEIPT_FILENAME }}"
         current: "/github/workspace/${{ env.RUN_RECEIPT_FILENAME }}"
+        added_diff_file: "/github/workspace/${{ env.RUN_DIFF_ADDED_FILENAME }}"
+        modified_diff_file: "/github/workspace/${{ env.RUN_DIFF_MODIFIED_FILENAME }}"
+        removed_diff_file: "/github/workspace/${{ env.RUN_DIFF_REMOVED_FILENAME }}"
 
     - name: Fail If Packages Removed
       id: removed_with_force
       run: |
-         build=$(jq '. | length' <<< "${BUILD_REMOVED}")
+         build=$(jq '. | length' "${BUILD_REMOVED}")
          echo "Build packages removed: ${build}"
 
-         run=$(jq '. | length' <<< "${RUN_REMOVED}")
+         run=$(jq '. | length' "${RUN_REMOVED}")
          echo "Run packages removed: ${run}"
 
          # only fail if packages are removed AND the release has not been forced
@@ -277,8 +283,8 @@ jobs:
            echo "packages_removed=false" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
          fi
       env:
-        BUILD_REMOVED: ${{ steps.build_diff.outputs.removed }}
-        RUN_REMOVED: ${{ steps.run_diff.outputs.removed }}
+        BUILD_REMOVED: "/github/workspace/${{ env.BUILD_DIFF_REMOVED_FILENAME }}"
+        RUN_REMOVED: "/github/workspace/${{ env.RUN_DIFF_REMOVED_FILENAME }}"
 
   run_if_packages_removed_with_force:
     name: Run If Packages Removed With Force
@@ -301,19 +307,19 @@ jobs:
       id: compare
       run: |
         # shellcheck disable=SC2153
-        build_added=$(jq '. | length' <<< "${BUILD_ADDED}")
+        build_added=$(jq '. | length' "${BUILD_ADDED}")
         echo "Build packages added: ${build_added}"
 
         # shellcheck disable=SC2153
-        build_modified=$(jq '. | length' <<< "${BUILD_MODIFIED}")
+        build_modified=$(jq '. | length' "${BUILD_MODIFIED}")
         echo "Build packages modified: ${build_modified}"
 
         # shellcheck disable=SC2153
-        run_added=$(jq '. | length' <<< "${RUN_ADDED}")
+        run_added=$(jq '. | length' "${RUN_ADDED}")
         echo "Run packages added: ${run_added}"
 
         # shellcheck disable=SC2153
-        run_modified=$(jq '. | length' <<< "${RUN_MODIFIED}")
+        run_modified=$(jq '. | length' "${RUN_MODIFIED}")
         echo "Run packages modified: ${run_modified}"
 
         if [ "${build_added}" -eq 0 ] && [ "${build_modified}" -eq 0 ] && [ "${run_added}" -eq 0 ] && [ "${run_modified}" -eq 0 ]; then
@@ -325,10 +331,10 @@ jobs:
         fi
 
       env:
-        BUILD_ADDED: ${{ needs.diff.outputs.build_added }}
-        BUILD_MODIFIED: ${{ needs.diff.outputs.build_modified }}
-        RUN_ADDED: ${{ needs.diff.outputs.run_added }}
-        RUN_MODIFIED: ${{ needs.diff.outputs.run_modified }}
+        BUILD_ADDED: "/github/workspace/${{ env.BUILD_DIFF_ADDED_FILENAME }}"
+        BUILD_MODIFIED: "/github/workspace/${{ env.BUILD_DIFF_MODIFIED_FILENAME }}"
+        RUN_ADDED: "/github/workspace/${{ env.RUN_DIFF_ADDED_FILENAME }}"
+        RUN_MODIFIED: "/github/workspace/${{ env.RUN_DIFF_MODIFIED_FILENAME }}"
 
   run_if_packages_changed:
     name: Run If Packages Changed
@@ -468,12 +474,12 @@ jobs:
       with:
         build_image: "paketobuildpacks/build-${{ steps.repo_name.outputs.registry_repo_name }}:${{ steps.tag.outputs.tag }}"
         run_image: "paketobuildpacks/run-${{ steps.repo_name.outputs.registry_repo_name }}:${{ steps.tag.outputs.tag }}"
-        build_packages_added: ${{ needs.diff.outputs.build_added }}
-        build_packages_modified: ${{ needs.diff.outputs.build_modified }}
-        build_packages_removed_with_force: ${{ needs.diff.outputs.build_removed_with_force }}
-        run_packages_added: ${{ needs.diff.outputs.run_added }}
-        run_packages_modified: ${{ needs.diff.outputs.run_modified }}
-        run_packages_removed_with_force: ${{ needs.diff.outputs.run_removed_with_force }}
+        build_packages_added: "/github/workspace/${{ env.BUILD_DIFF_ADDED_FILENAME }}"
+        build_packages_modified: "/github/workspace/${{ env.BUILD_DIFF_MODIFIED_FILENAME }}"
+        build_packages_removed_with_force: "/github/workspace/${{ env.BUILD_DIFF_REMOVED_FILENAME }}"
+        run_packages_added: "/github/workspace/${{ env.RUN_DIFF_ADDED_FILENAME }}"
+        run_packages_modified: "/github/workspace/${{ env.RUN_DIFF_MODIFIED_FILENAME }}"
+        run_packages_removed_with_force: "/github/workspace/${{ env.RUN_DIFF_REMOVED_FILENAME }}"
         patched_usns: ${{ needs.poll_usns.outputs.usns }}
 
     - name: Setup Release Assets