Development Focus ----------------- Work on libraries should be wrapping up, in preparation for the various library-related deadlines coming up. Now is a good time to make decisions on deferring feature work to the next development cycle in order to be able to focus on finishing already-started feature work. General Information ------------------- We are now getting close to the end of the cycle, and will be gradually freezing feature work on the various deliverables that make up the OpenStack release. This coming week is the deadline for general libraries (except client libraries): their last feature release needs to happen before "Non client library freeze" on February 19th, 2026. Only bugfixes releases will be allowed beyond this point. When requesting those library releases, you can also include the stable/2026.1 branching request with the review (as an example, see the "branches" section here: https://opendev.org/openstack/releases/src/branch/master/deliverables/pike/o... In the next weeks we will have deadlines for: * Client libraries (think python-*client libraries), which need to have their last feature release before "Client library freeze" (February 26th, 2026) * Deliverables following a cycle-with-rc model (that would be most services), which observe a Feature freeze on that same date, February 26th, 2026. Any feature addition beyond that date should be discussed on the mailing-list and get PTL approval. As we are getting to the point of creating stable/2026.1 branches, this would be a good point for teams to review membership in their $project-stable-maint groups. Once the stable/2026.1 branches are cut for a repo, the ability to approve any necessary backports into those branches for 2026.1 "Gazpacho" will be limited to the members of that stable team. If there are any questions about stable policy or stable team membership, please reach out in the #openstack-stable channel. Upcoming Deadlines & Dates -------------------------- Non-client library freeze: February 19th, 2026 (R-6 week) Client library freeze: February 26th, 2026 (R-5 week) Gazpacho-3 milestone: February 26th, 2026 (R-5 week) Cycle Highlights Due: March 5th, 2026 (R-4 week) 2026.1 "Gazpacho" final release: April 1st, 2026 2026.2 "Hibiscus" (virtual) PTG: April 20-24, 2026 -- Thierry Carrez (ttx)