deprecationpolicy

DeprecationPolicy is a formal guideline used by software projects to manage the lifecycle of features, APIs, or configurations that are planned for removal or replacement. The policy sets expectations for developers and users by documenting when something becomes deprecated, how long it will remain available, and what the recommended alternatives are. The goal is to provide warning, preserve stability during the transition, and simplify maintenance.

Scope includes public APIs, CLI commands, data formats, configuration options, plugins, integrations, and any related documentation or tooling. The policy applies to both internal components and published interfaces, and it describes what constitutes a deprecation, how notices are issued, and how removal is executed.

Lifecycle typically follows stages such as introduction, deprecation, scheduled removal, and removal. Items may be marked as deprecated in a current release, with a defined window (for example, across several releases) before removal. The policy often specifies compatibility guarantees during the deprecation window and outlines a clear removal date, along with migration guidance.

Process and governance outline who reviews deprecation requests, approves them, and ensures consistency. Deprecation notices are documented in release notes and the project wiki, and user-facing communications explain the reason, impact, alternatives, and migration steps. Warnings may be emitted at runtime and in documentation to aid developers in migrating away from deprecated items.

Communication and transparency are key, with a deprecation calendar or roadmap maintained for visibility. Compliance is supported by usage data, automated checks, and testing to track deprecated usage and measure progress toward removal. The policy may include exceptions for urgent security or reliability concerns.