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clarify LTS commitment #3093

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clarify LTS commitment
jan--f Sep 2, 2026
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Update docs/introduction/release-cycle.md
jan--f Sep 2, 2026
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21 changes: 13 additions & 8 deletions docs/introduction/release-cycle.md
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Expand Up @@ -3,11 +3,11 @@ title: Long-term support
sort_rank: 10
---

Prometheus LTS are selected releases of Prometheus that receive bugfixes for an
extended period of time.
Prometheus LTS are selected releases of Prometheus that receive selected bug
fixes for an extended period of one year.

Every 6 weeks, a new Prometheus minor release cycle begins. After those 6
weeks, minor releases generally no longer receive bugfixes. If a user is
weeks, minor releases generally no longer receive bug fixes. If a user is
impacted by a bug in a minor release, they often need to upgrade to the
latest Prometheus release.

Expand All @@ -16,9 +16,14 @@ guarantees][stab]. However,
there is a risk that new features and enhancements could also bring regressions,
requiring another upgrade.

Prometheus LTS only receive bug, security, and documentation fixes, but over a
time window of one year. The build toolchain will also be kept up-to-date. This
allows companies that rely on Prometheus to limit the upgrade risks while still
Prometheus LTS version will only receive fixes for selected issues with high
severity, i.e. a CVSS rating of 7.0 or higher. Additional changes for bug fixes
or documentation fixes might be added. The build toolchain will also be kept
up-to-date. This is **a best effort commitment by the community**, contributions are
welcome.
Support periods of two subsequent LTS version should overlap by at least one

@bwplotka bwplotka Sep 2, 2026 •
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This will be a contentious point as 1 month for using latest (even if LTS) version can be scary.

"Best effort" 3 months might be the same effect as "best effort" 1 month IMO, but I know we discussed not extending.

@jan--f jan--f Sep 2, 2026

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Yeah this is not meant to address longer overlap request. The goal here is more to clarify what LTS support actually means. Based on the perhaps we can better discuss if we can handle more overlap or not.

month.
This allows users that rely on Prometheus to limit the upgrade risks while still
having a Prometheus server maintained by the community.

## List of LTS releases
Expand All @@ -28,15 +33,15 @@ having a Prometheus server maintained by the community.
| Prometheus 2.37 | 2022-07-14 | 2023-07-31 | End of life |
| Prometheus 2.45 | 2023-06-23 | 2024-07-31 | End of life |
| Prometheus 2.53 | 2024-06-16 | 2025-07-31 | End of life |
| **Prometheus 3.5** | **2025-07-14** | **2026-07-31** | **Supported** |
| Prometheus 3.5 | 2025-07-14 | 2026-07-31 | End of life |
| **Prometheus 3.13** | **2026-07-01** | **2027-07-31** | **Supported** |
| TBD | 2027-06 | 2028-07-31 | Upcoming |

## Limitations of LTS support

Some features are excluded from LTS support:

- Things listed as unstable in our [API stability guarantees][stab].
- Unstable features as listed in our [API stability guarantees][stab].
- [Experimental features][fflag].
- OpenBSD support.

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