# Dependency Policy

As a library consumed by downstream projects, the MCP Java SDK takes a conservative approach to dependency updates. Dependencies are kept stable unless there is a specific reason to update, such as a security vulnerability, a bug fix, or a need for new functionality.

## Update Triggers

Dependencies are updated when:

- A **security vulnerability** is disclosed (via GitHub security alerts).
- A bug in a dependency directly affects the SDK.
- A new dependency feature is needed for SDK development.
- A dependency drops support for a Java version the SDK still targets.

Routine version bumps without a clear motivation are avoided to minimize churn for downstream consumers.

## What We Don't Do

The SDK does not run scheduled version bumps for production Maven dependencies. Updating a dependency can force downstream consumers to adopt that update transitively, which can be disruptive for projects with strict dependency policies.

Dependencies are only updated when there is a concrete reason, not simply because a newer version is available.

## Automated Tooling

- **GitHub security updates** are enabled at the repository level and automatically open pull requests for Maven packages with known vulnerabilities. This is a GitHub repo setting, separate from the `dependabot.yml` configuration.
- **GitHub Actions versions** are kept up to date via Dependabot on a monthly schedule (see `.github/dependabot.yml`).
- **Maven dependencies** are monitored via Dependabot on a monthly schedule for non-production updates only (see `.github/dependabot.yml`).
