---
description: 'Pointer to the java-upgrade skill when changing the Java version in Maven or Gradle build files'
applyTo: '**/pom.xml, **/build.gradle, **/build.gradle.kts'
---

# Java Version Upgrades

When the task changes the Java version of this project (compiler release, toolchain, `java.version`), use the `java-upgrade` skill. It detects the current version and loads only the matching guide for Java 11 → 17, 17 → 21 or 21 → 25.

If the skill is not installed, install it with `gh skills install github/awesome-copilot java-upgrade` or copy `skills/java-upgrade/` from this repository.

- Upgrade one LTS version at a time and run the full test suite after each step.
- Check the minimum Java version supported by the project's frameworks and dependencies before raising the target.


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Source: awesome-copilot (github/awesome-copilot) https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot/blob/cb64ad12e32737ae764becd6885462e9b4c7cb00/instructions/java-upgrade.instructions.md
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