Initial draft of the new LTS cadence blog post

Author: cescoffier

_posts/2025-02-01-lts-cadence.adoc

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+---
+layout: post
+title: 'Quarkus LTS - New Release Cadence Explained'
+date: 2025-01-28
+tags: release
+synopsis: 'We are introducing a new release cadence for the LTS streams.'
+author: cescoffier
+---
+:imagesdir: /assets/images/posts/lts-cadence
+
+Quarkus releases an https://quarkus.io/blog/lts-releases/[LTS] (Long-Term Support) version every six months.
+LTS is designed for users who prioritize stability over new features.
+These versions are maintained for one year and receive critical bug and CVE fixes.
+An overlap period allows a smooth upgrade to the next LTS.
+
+Until now, LTS micro-releases (e.g., 3.8.1, and 3.8.2) have occurred regularly but without a predictable schedule.
+**We’re changing this.**
+
+****
+**TLDR:**
+LTS releases will follow a predictable cadence, with micro-releases every two months.
+The <<new-cadence>> section provides more details.
+****
+
+== Releases, Releases, and More Releases
+
+Since its inception, Quarkus has followed a fast-paced release cycle:
+
+* _Minor releases:_ Once per month (e.g., 3.16, 3.17).
+* _Micro-releases:_ Weekly (e.g., 3.17.1, 3.17.2).
+
+The development process revolves around the main branch, which serves as the cutting edge of Quarkus development.
+
+Here’s how the regular release process works:
+
+* _Minor releases (3.y)_: A new branch is created from _main_, capturing all the changes from development up to that point.
+* _Micro-releases (3.y.z)_: These only include bug fixes and CVE remediations, backported from _main_ to the minor release branch.
+
+image::regular-release-cadence.png[align="center", caption="Regular Release Cadence"]
+
+== How LTS Releases Differ
+
+LTS releases prioritize stability over the latest features, and the process reflects this.
+Let’s look at the example of 3.19 (a minor release) and 3.20 (the next LTS):
+
+1. A new branch for 3.19 is created from main, containing the latest development at that time.
+2. Bug fixes and CVE remediations are backported to the 3.19 branch for its micro-releases.
+3. When preparing the LTS release (3.20), the branch is not created from main.
+Instead, it is created from the 3.19 branch, ensuring no new features from main are included.
+
+This approach improves the reliability of LTS releases by excluding potentially unstable or unproven changes.
+
+image::lts-release-principle.png[align="center", caption="LTS Release Principle"]
+
+Once we had this initial release, we did not have clear rules about the new micro releases of the LTS (3.20.1, 3.20.2…).
+So, while we have a predictable release calendar for the regular micro and minor releases, LTS micro releases were irregular.
+
+[[new-cadence]]
+== A New Cadence for LTS Micro-Releases
+
+Starting with 3.15 LTS, we’re introducing a predictable cadence for LTS micro-releases:
+
+* A new LTS version will be released every six months.
+* For each LTS, micro-releases will occur every two months (e.g., 3.20.1, 3.20.2).
+
+image::new-lts-cadence.png[align="center", caption="LTS Micro-Release Cadence"]
+
+== What’s Included in an LTS Micro-Release?
+
+LTS micro-releases are strictly limited to:
+
+* Bug fixes considered low-risk.
+* CVE fixes (moderate and critical).
+* Dependency updates for CVE remediation or critical bug fixes.
+
+**Nothing else.**
+
+== Emergency Exceptions
+
+In the event of a critical CVE (because we know it will happen), we’ll release an emergency micro-release outside the two-month cadence.
+These releases may follow a separate versioning scheme (e.g., 3.20.0.1) to indicate their exceptional nature (still under discussion).
+
+== What if?
+
+_What if I want a feature in the next LTS?_
+
+To be included, the feature must be merged into main at least one month before the LTS branch is created.
+Don’t play with the clock - having a feature merged can take time, and the CI tends to be busy just before releases.
+
+_What if I want a feature to be added to an existing LTS?_
+
+**No.** New features are only included in future LTS versions.
+For immediate access, consider using regular (non-LTS) releases.
+
+_What if a bug fix is needed in the next LTS micro-release?_
+
+We’re happy to consider backporting bug fixes, provided they are low-risk.
+Risky fixes will require further discussion and may not be included.
+We will particularly consider bugs impacting features from previous LTS releases.
+
+_What if I want to know what’s included in the next LTS micro-release?_
+
+We’re establishing an LTS working group to improve transparency and track backports.
+
+_What if a moderate CVE is reported against an LTS?_
+
+The next LTS micro will include moderate CVE fixes every two months.
+Exceptional releases are only for important (where there is no mitigation) and critical CVEs.
+
+_How will the Quarkus Platform align with this cadence?_
+
+The Quarkus Platform will follow the same release schedule.
+If you are a platform member,  we recommend subscribing to this coordination group if you have not already done so.
+
+== Two-Line Summary
+
+* For regular users: Monthly minor and weekly micro-releases continue as before.
+* For LTS users: Expect LTS versions every 6 months, with micro releases every 2 months.
+
+The next LTS will be https://quarkus.io/blog/next-lts-3-20/[3.20].
+The dates and schedule are communicated on the https://github.com/quarkusio/quarkus/wiki/Release-Planning[Release Planning Wiki Page].
+