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Framework Backward Compatibility Policy

Status: Active
Version: 1.0.0
Last Updated: 2026-01-03
Epic: Epic 6 - Framework Management and Maintenance
Story: Story 2 - Framework Update and Migration
Task: E6:S02:T03 - Establish backward compatibility policies
Related: Framework Compatibility Tracking, Framework Versioning Strategy, Framework Update Procedures

Executive Summary​

This document establishes the backward compatibility policy for AI Dev Kit frameworks. The policy defines clear requirements and guidelines for maintaining backward compatibility across framework versions, ensuring safe updates and migrations for consuming projects.

Key Principles:

  • Semantic Versioning: MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH versioning with clear compatibility guarantees
  • Backward Compatibility Guarantees: MINOR and PATCH versions maintain backward compatibility
  • Breaking Changes: MAJOR versions indicate breaking changes requiring migration
  • Migration Support: Clear migration paths and documentation for breaking changes
  • Testing Requirements: Compatibility testing required before releases

1. Backward Compatibility Guarantees​

1.1 Compatibility by Version Type​

PATCH Versions (x.y.Z):

  • Guarantee: Fully backward compatible
  • Changes Allowed: Bug fixes, corrections, clarifications
  • Breaking Changes: Not allowed
  • Update Policy: Automatic updates recommended
  • Migration Required: No

MINOR Versions (x.Y.z):

  • Guarantee: Backward compatible
  • Changes Allowed: New features, enhancements, additions
  • Breaking Changes: Not allowed
  • Update Policy: Automatic or semi-automatic updates recommended
  • Migration Required: No

MAJOR Versions (X.y.z):

  • Guarantee: Not backward compatible
  • Changes Allowed: Breaking changes, incompatible changes
  • Breaking Changes: Allowed and expected
  • Update Policy: Manual updates required
  • Migration Required: Yes (migration guide provided)

1.2 Compatibility Scope​

What Must Remain Compatible:

  • File locations and directory structure
  • Template file formats and structures
  • Configuration file formats and schemas
  • Script interfaces and command-line arguments
  • Policy document structures and required fields
  • Integration points and APIs

What Can Change:

  • Internal implementation details
  • Optional features and enhancements
  • Documentation and examples
  • Non-breaking additions to templates
  • New optional configuration options

2. Breaking Change Policy​

2.1 Definition of Breaking Changes​

Breaking Changes Include:

  • Removing or renaming core files/directories
  • Changing required file locations or names
  • Removing templates or core components
  • Changing package directory structure significantly
  • Breaking policy changes (removing requirements, changing mandatory vs. optional)
  • Breaking API changes (for script packages)
  • Changing required configuration file formats
  • Removing required fields from templates or policies

Breaking Changes Do NOT Include:

  • Adding new optional files or directories
  • Adding new optional fields to templates
  • Adding new optional configuration options
  • Enhancing existing functionality
  • Fixing bugs or correcting errors
  • Improving documentation
  • Adding new optional features

2.2 Breaking Change Requirements​

When Making Breaking Changes:

  1. Version Bump: Must increment MAJOR version
  2. Documentation: Must provide migration guide
  3. Changelog: Must clearly document breaking changes
  4. Compatibility Matrix: Must update compatibility requirements
  5. Testing: Must test migration path
  6. Support: Must provide migration support

Migration Guide Requirements:

  • Clear description of breaking changes
  • Step-by-step migration instructions
  • Before/after examples
  • Common migration scenarios
  • Troubleshooting guidance
  • Rollback procedures

2.3 Breaking Change Examples​

Example 1: File Location Change

**Breaking Change:** Framework file location changed
- **Before:** `packages/frameworks/workflow mgt/`
- **After:** `packages/frameworks/workflow-management/`
- **Impact:** Projects referencing old path will break
- **Migration:** Update all references to new path

Example 2: Template Structure Change

**Breaking Change:** Required template field removed
- **Before:** Template requires `status` field
- **After:** Template no longer requires `status` field (optional)
- **Impact:** Projects using old template structure may break
- **Migration:** Update templates to new structure

Example 3: Configuration Schema Change

**Breaking Change:** Configuration file format changed
- **Before:** YAML format with `version` field
- **After:** JSON format with `framework_version` field
- **Impact:** Projects using old format will break
- **Migration:** Convert configuration files to new format

3. Backward Compatibility Requirements​

3.1 MINOR Version Requirements​

Required Compatibility:

  • All existing functionality must continue to work
  • Existing file structures must remain valid
  • Existing configuration formats must remain supported
  • Existing template formats must remain valid
  • Existing integration points must continue to work

Allowed Changes:

  • Add new optional features
  • Add new optional files or directories
  • Add new optional configuration options
  • Enhance existing functionality
  • Improve documentation
  • Add new examples

Prohibited Changes:

  • Remove existing functionality
  • Change required file locations
  • Break existing configuration formats
  • Remove required template fields
  • Break existing integration points

3.2 PATCH Version Requirements​

Required Compatibility:

  • Full backward compatibility (same as MINOR)
  • No functional changes (bug fixes only)
  • No new features
  • No breaking changes

Allowed Changes:

  • Bug fixes
  • Corrections
  • Clarifications
  • Documentation improvements
  • Typo fixes

Prohibited Changes:

  • New features
  • Functional changes
  • Breaking changes
  • File structure changes

3.3 Compatibility Testing Requirements​

Pre-Release Testing:

  • Test all existing functionality
  • Verify backward compatibility
  • Test integration points
  • Validate configuration formats
  • Test template compatibility

Testing Checklist:

  • All existing functionality works
  • Existing file structures valid
  • Existing configuration formats supported
  • Existing templates valid
  • Integration points functional
  • No breaking changes introduced

4. Migration Policy​

4.1 Migration Requirements​

MAJOR Version Updates:

  • Migration guide required
  • Step-by-step instructions provided
  • Before/after examples included
  • Common scenarios covered
  • Troubleshooting guidance provided
  • Rollback procedures documented

Migration Guide Contents:

  1. Overview: Summary of breaking changes
  2. Migration Steps: Step-by-step instructions
  3. Examples: Before/after examples
  4. Scenarios: Common migration scenarios
  5. Troubleshooting: Common issues and solutions
  6. Rollback: Rollback procedures

4.2 Migration Support​

Support Provided:

  • Migration guides for all breaking changes
  • Migration tools and scripts (when applicable)
  • Migration examples and templates
  • Migration support documentation
  • Rollback procedures

Migration Timeline:

  • Migration guides available at release
  • Migration support provided during transition period
  • Deprecation warnings before breaking changes (when possible)
  • Extended support for previous MAJOR version (when applicable)

4.3 Deprecation Policy​

Deprecation Process:

  1. Deprecation Notice: Announce deprecation in changelog
  2. Deprecation Period: Maintain deprecated features for at least one MINOR version
  3. Breaking Change: Remove deprecated features in next MAJOR version
  4. Migration Guide: Provide migration guide for breaking change

Deprecation Timeline:

  • v2.0.0: Feature introduced
  • v2.1.0: Feature deprecated (deprecation notice)
  • v2.2.0: Feature still available but deprecated
  • v3.0.0: Feature removed (breaking change, migration guide provided)

5. Compatibility Testing​

5.1 Testing Requirements​

Pre-Release Testing:

  • Test all existing functionality
  • Verify backward compatibility
  • Test integration points
  • Validate configuration formats
  • Test template compatibility
  • Run compatibility test suite

Testing Process:

  1. Unit Tests: Test framework functionality
  2. Integration Tests: Test framework integration
  3. Compatibility Tests: Test backward compatibility
  4. Migration Tests: Test migration paths (for MAJOR versions)
  5. Regression Tests: Verify no regressions

5.2 Compatibility Test Suite​

Test Coverage:

  • Existing functionality tests
  • Configuration format tests
  • Template format tests
  • Integration point tests
  • Migration path tests (for MAJOR versions)

Test Automation:

  • Automated compatibility test suite
  • CI/CD integration
  • Automated regression testing
  • Automated migration testing

5.3 Testing Best Practices​

Best Practices:

  • Test against previous version
  • Test all integration points
  • Test all configuration formats
  • Test all template formats
  • Test migration paths (for MAJOR versions)
  • Document test results

6. Version Bump Decision Matrix​

6.1 Decision Criteria​

PATCH Version (x.y.Z → x.y.Z+1):

  • Bug fixes only
  • No new features
  • No breaking changes
  • Full backward compatibility

MINOR Version (x.Y.z → x.Y+1.0):

  • New features added
  • Enhancements made
  • No breaking changes
  • Backward compatible

MAJOR Version (X.y.z → X+1.0.0):

  • Breaking changes made
  • Incompatible changes
  • Migration required
  • Not backward compatible

6.2 Decision Process​

Step 1: Identify Changes

  • List all changes made
  • Categorize changes (bug fix, feature, breaking)
  • Assess impact of changes

Step 2: Evaluate Compatibility

  • Check if changes break compatibility
  • Verify backward compatibility
  • Test existing functionality

Step 3: Determine Version Bump

  • If breaking changes → MAJOR version
  • If new features → MINOR version
  • If bug fixes only → PATCH version

Step 4: Document Decision

  • Document version bump decision
  • Document breaking changes (if MAJOR)
  • Create migration guide (if MAJOR)
  • Update changelog

7. Compatibility Documentation​

7.1 Required Documentation​

For All Versions:

  • Changelog entry
  • Version release notes
  • Compatibility matrix update (if dependencies change)

For MINOR Versions:

  • New features documentation
  • Enhancement documentation
  • Compatibility verification

For MAJOR Versions:

  • Migration guide
  • Breaking changes documentation
  • Compatibility matrix update
  • Migration examples

7.2 Documentation Standards​

Changelog Format:

  • Clear categorization (Added, Changed, Deprecated, Removed, Fixed)
  • Breaking changes clearly marked
  • Migration guide references (for MAJOR versions)
  • Compatibility notes

Migration Guide Format:

  • Overview of breaking changes
  • Step-by-step migration instructions
  • Before/after examples
  • Common scenarios
  • Troubleshooting
  • Rollback procedures

8. Compatibility Enforcement​

8.1 Enforcement Mechanisms​

Pre-Release Validation:

  • Compatibility test suite
  • Backward compatibility verification
  • Integration testing
  • Configuration format validation
  • Template format validation

Release Validation:

  • Compatibility matrix verification
  • Migration guide verification (for MAJOR versions)
  • Documentation completeness check
  • Test suite execution

Post-Release Monitoring:

  • Monitor for compatibility issues
  • Track migration adoption
  • Collect feedback
  • Address compatibility concerns

8.2 Compliance Requirements​

Framework Developers:

  • Must maintain backward compatibility for MINOR/PATCH versions
  • Must provide migration guides for MAJOR versions
  • Must test compatibility before release
  • Must document breaking changes clearly

Framework Consumers:

  • Should test updates before applying
  • Should review migration guides for MAJOR updates
  • Should report compatibility issues
  • Should follow migration procedures

9. Compatibility Best Practices​

9.1 Framework Development​

Best Practices:

  • Maintain backward compatibility for MINOR/PATCH versions
  • Clearly document breaking changes for MAJOR versions
  • Provide comprehensive migration guides
  • Test compatibility before release
  • Use deprecation warnings before breaking changes
  • Maintain compatibility test suite

9.2 Framework Consumption​

Best Practices:

  • Test updates in development first
  • Review changelog before updating
  • Follow migration guides for MAJOR updates
  • Pin framework versions in production
  • Monitor for compatibility issues
  • Report compatibility problems

9.3 Compatibility Maintenance​

Best Practices:

  • Keep compatibility matrix up to date
  • Document breaking changes clearly
  • Provide migration guides promptly
  • Monitor framework versions across projects
  • Maintain compatibility history
  • Support migration processes

10.1 Core Documents​

  • Framework Compatibility Tracking: framework-compatibility-tracking.md

    • Compatibility matrix and dependency tracking
    • Version compatibility requirements

  • Framework Versioning Strategy: framework-versioning-strategy.md

    • Framework versioning schema and conventions
    • Version bump criteria

  • Framework Update Procedures: framework-update-procedures.md

    • Update workflows and procedures
    • Update testing and validation

10.2 Supporting Documents​

  • Framework Migration Guide: framework-migration-guide.md

    • Migration procedures and tools
    • Migration scenarios and examples

  • Framework Release Process: framework-release-process.md

    • Framework release workflow
    • Release validation procedures

11. Summary​

11.1 Key Principles​

  1. Semantic Versioning: MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH with clear compatibility guarantees
  2. Backward Compatibility: MINOR and PATCH versions maintain backward compatibility
  3. Breaking Changes: MAJOR versions indicate breaking changes requiring migration
  4. Migration Support: Clear migration paths and documentation for breaking changes
  5. Testing Requirements: Compatibility testing required before releases

11.2 Compatibility Guarantees​

  • PATCH Versions: Fully backward compatible (bug fixes only)
  • MINOR Versions: Backward compatible (new features, no breaking changes)
  • MAJOR Versions: Not backward compatible (breaking changes, migration required)

11.3 Policy Enforcement​

  • Pre-release compatibility testing
  • Migration guide requirements for MAJOR versions
  • Documentation standards and requirements
  • Compliance requirements for developers and consumers

Last Updated: 2026-01-03
Document Version: 1.0.0
Related Task: E6:S02:T03 - Establish backward compatibility policies