June/July 2026 releases blogpost

blog/2026-08-03-july-releases.md

@@ -0,0 +1,198 @@
+---
+title: June and July 2026 Releases
+slug: 2026-08-03-july-releases
+authors: [kenodegard]
+tags:
+  - announcement
+  - conda
+  - conda-build
+  - conda-libmamba-solver
+  - conda-pypi
+  - constructor
+  - menuinst
+  - rattler
+description: |
+  June and July releases across the conda org: conda and conda-build 26.7.0, constructor 3.16, libmamba and conda-pypi updates, faster solves in rattler, and more. 🎉
+image: img/blog/2026-08-03-july-releases/banner.png
+---
+
+The June and July 2026 releases included updates to conda, conda-build, conda-libmamba-solver, conda-pypi, constructor, menuinst, rattler, and more! 🎉 All of these have been released to both `defaults` and `conda-forge` channels.
+
+<!-- truncate -->
+
+## Changes in conda [26.7.0](https://github.com/conda/conda/releases/tag/26.7.0)
+
+To update `conda` to the latest version, run:
+
+```bash
+conda install --name base conda=26.7.0
+```
+
+- Large-prefix transaction work: unlink/link ordering no longer does a quadratic scan (about **780×** faster for that step alone on a 50,000-record synthetic prefix), `PrefixGraph` builds a per-name candidate index, package extraction can use a process pool so zstd work runs outside the GIL, and osx-arm64 batches `codesign` into one end-of-transaction call.
+- Error guidance scaffolding: `CondaError` can carry structured guidance (terminal hints plus a `guidance` field in `--json`), with a **`conda_error_hints`** plugin hook and light starter coverage for a few common errors. This is foundation work for richer hints over time, not a wholesale change to how failures look today.
+- Leaner CLI path: shell activation skips plugin loading when the plugin manager is not already up; heavy imports are deferred in several modules; progress bars and spinners stay quiet when stdout is not a TTY (and respect `NO_COLOR` / `TERM=dumb`).
+- `conda env create` is now an alias of `conda create` (aligned dry-run output; safer behavior around existing prefixes).
+- Plugin subcommand aliases; `conda config --show-sources` can show plugin parameter values; `BaseSolver` base class for solver plugins; `conda search` works with sharded repodata (while refusing `conda search *`).
+- Fixes include URL-form `MatchSpec` channel identity, cleanup of failed creates, preserving environment history on rollback, and several sharded-repodata / wheel-record edge cases.
+
+Full changelog: [26.7.0](https://github.com/conda/conda/releases/tag/26.7.0)
+
+## Changes in rattler and py-rattler [0.24.0](https://github.com/conda/rattler/releases/tag/py-rattler-v0.24.0) / [0.25.0](https://github.com/conda/rattler/releases/tag/py-rattler-v0.25.0)
+
+```bash
+conda install py-rattler=0.25.0
+```
+
+- Faster solves: rattler moved to [resolvo](https://github.com/prefix-dev/resolvo) 0.11.1, which cuts the larger solve benchmarks by roughly **40%** (quetz 413 ms → 242 ms, tensorflow 283 ms → 175 ms). Every tool built on rattler gets that without changing a line. Matchspec and version parsing are faster too, which you notice when loading repodata.
+- conda packages for iOS and Android: new `ios-*`, `iossimulator-*` and `android-*` subdirs, with the minimum OS version carried as an `__ios` or `__android` virtual package. Compatibility then falls out of the solver the way `__glibc` and `__osx` already do. The subdirs and virtual packages are going through [a draft CEP](https://github.com/conda/ceps/pull/183).
+- Channel behavior: the gateway follows [CEP 42](https://conda.org/learn/ceps/cep-0042/) channel relations, so a channel like bioconda can name conda-forge as its base and asking for `bioconda` alone is enough. rattler also implements conda's **`flexible`** channel priority.
+- Working offline: an offline mode keeps the whole stack off the network, and a solve can be restricted to a set of candidates the caller supplies. Build that set from the package cache and a solve that succeeds will install without downloading anything.
+- Authentication and CLI: reading a private prefix.dev channel from CI now authenticates itself off a `WWW-Authenticate` challenge, with no per-channel configuration, and OAuth defaults to the device-code flow. New commands: `rattler exec`, `solve`, and `inject-into-prefix` / `remove-from-prefix`.
+- **py-rattler 0.24.0** brings lockfile v7 (breaking), CEP 42 channel relations, repodata revisions, `__cuda_arch`, and extras, conditionals and `flags` out of experimental. It also fixes two security advisories ([GHSA-h672-p7h7-97v9](https://github.com/conda/rattler/security/advisories/GHSA-h672-p7h7-97v9), [CVE-2026-47425](https://github.com/conda/rattler/security/advisories/GHSA-q53q-5r4j-5729)), so it is worth updating for those alone. **0.25.0** reworks the `repodata_revisions` API (breaking) and stops the metadata parsers raising when a component is simply absent.
+
+Full changelogs: [py-rattler 0.24.0](https://github.com/conda/rattler/releases/tag/py-rattler-v0.24.0), [0.25.0](https://github.com/conda/rattler/releases/tag/py-rattler-v0.25.0), and the [rattler releases](https://github.com/conda/rattler/releases) for the individual crates.
+
+## Changes in conda-build [26.7.0](https://github.com/conda/conda-build/releases/tag/26.7.0)
+
+```bash
+conda install --name base conda-build=26.7.0
+```
+
+- `conda-debug` supports v1 (`recipe.yaml`) recipes, with additional UX improvements and user docs; `conda render` sorts dependencies stably.
+- v1 build/host platform handling aligned with `meta.yaml` (no accidental `{build,host}_platform` in `conda_build_config.yaml`; use `CONDA_SUBDIR` / `target_platform`).
+- `conda develop` is pending removal in **27.9**; prefer editable installs via **[conda-pypi](https://conda.github.io/conda-pypi/)** (`conda pypi install --editable <path>`).
+- Negative build numbers fail at metadata validation; duplicate rpaths on macOS are guarded; Jinja variables without spaces (e.g. `{{python_min}}`) are found correctly.
+
+Full changelog: [26.7.0](https://github.com/conda/conda-build/releases/tag/26.7.0)
+
+## Changes in conda-libmamba-solver [26.6.0](https://github.com/conda/conda-libmamba-solver/releases/tag/26.6.0) / [26.7.0](https://github.com/conda/conda-libmamba-solver/releases/tag/26.7.0)
+
+```bash
+conda install --name base conda-libmamba-solver=26.7.0
+```
+
+**26.6.0:**
+
+- Sharded-repodata subset building moves into **conda** (via `build_repodata_subset`); requires **conda >=26.5**.
+- Removes `plugins.use_sharded_repodata` / `CONDA_PLUGINS_USE_SHARDED_REPODATA` in favor of conda's `repodata_use_shards`.
+- `conda update` no longer allows package downgrades; drops direct `requests` / `zstandard` dependencies.
+
+**26.7.0:**
+
+- Large-environment solves cache installed state for the lifetime of a single solve (a 50,000-record prefix that previously timed out after 5+ minutes can complete in on the order of **~10 seconds** for install/update/remove-style operations).
+- Virtual-package constraints such as `constrains` on `__cuda` are enforced correctly.
+- Suggests updating conda with `conda self` when that plugin is installed.
+
+Full changelogs: [26.6.0](https://github.com/conda/conda-libmamba-solver/releases/tag/26.6.0), [26.7.0](https://github.com/conda/conda-libmamba-solver/releases/tag/26.7.0)
+
+## Changes in conda-pypi [0.10.0](https://github.com/conda/conda-pypi/releases/tag/0.10.0) / [0.10.1](https://github.com/conda/conda-pypi/releases/tag/0.10.1) / [0.11.0](https://github.com/conda/conda-pypi/releases/tag/0.11.0)
+
+```bash
+conda install --name base conda-pypi=0.11.0
+```
+
+**0.10.0:**
+
+- Richer `info/about.json` when converting PyPI projects; **`external-packages`** health check for `conda doctor` (with `--fix` to reinstall eligible packages from conda channels).
+- `--dry-run` / `--yes` / repeated `--editable` for editable installs; shorter conda-pypi beta tip (and a setting to toggle the pip warning).
+
+**0.10.1:**
+
+- Docs landing page focused on `conda install` workflows.
+- Removes the `conda-pypi-post-install-create` post-install plugin.
+
+**0.11.0:**
+
+- `conda pypi index <dir>` builds a conda channel from local wheel files.
+- Direct `.whl` installs get correct `info/index.json` `fn` / `build` metadata (aligned with repodata v3), fixing lockfile restore mismatches.
+- The conda-pypi beta tip is visible again at default verbosity.
+
+Full changelogs: [0.10.0](https://github.com/conda/conda-pypi/releases/tag/0.10.0), [0.10.1](https://github.com/conda/conda-pypi/releases/tag/0.10.1), [0.11.0](https://github.com/conda/conda-pypi/releases/tag/0.11.0)
+
+## Changes in constructor [3.16.0](https://github.com/conda/constructor/releases/tag/3.16.0) / [3.16.1](https://github.com/conda/constructor/releases/tag/3.16.1) / [3.16.2](https://github.com/conda/constructor/releases/tag/3.16.2) / [3.16.3](https://github.com/conda/constructor/releases/tag/3.16.3)
+
+```bash
+conda install constructor=3.16.3
+```
+
+**3.16.0:**
+
+- Experimental **Windows MSI** installers (via BeeWare Briefcase).
+- **`installer_type: docker`** (Dockerfile + staged `.sh`) and **`docker_image_format: tar`** for portable images (Buildx).
+- **`constructor --render`** to render `construct.yaml`.
+- EXE: Windows path-length check before install, clearer package-cache cleanup on uninstall, and temp dirs under `$INSTDIR` to avoid Defender issues with conda-standalone.
+- Shell installers skip creating `~/.conda` when `register_envs` is false.
+
+**3.16.1:**
+
+- Include Briefcase batch templates so MSI builds work from an installed constructor.
+
+**3.16.2:**
+
+- `--installer-type` CLI option.
+- EXE path-length check also accounts for the package-cache extraction path.
+- AzureSignTool verification works when installer paths contain spaces.
+
+**3.16.3:**
+
+- Set `TEMP` / `TMPDIR` as well as `TMP` when redirecting temp dirs inside `$INSTDIR`.
+
+Full changelogs: [3.16.0](https://github.com/conda/constructor/releases/tag/3.16.0), [3.16.1](https://github.com/conda/constructor/releases/tag/3.16.1), [3.16.2](https://github.com/conda/constructor/releases/tag/3.16.2), [3.16.3](https://github.com/conda/constructor/releases/tag/3.16.3)
+
+## Changes in menuinst [2.5.0](https://github.com/conda/menuinst/releases/tag/2.5.0) / [2.5.1](https://github.com/conda/menuinst/releases/tag/2.5.1) / [2.5.2](https://github.com/conda/menuinst/releases/tag/2.5.2)
+
+```bash
+conda install menuinst=2.5.2
+```
+
+**2.5.0:**
+
+- Windows fixes for registry quoting, activation scripts with spaces in the path, and `.nonadmin` handling under `@elevate_as_needed`.
+- Skip malformed menu JSON with a warning; drop Python 3.9.
+
+**2.5.1:**
+
+- Handle permission errors when writing `menuinst.toml` in read-only environments.
+
+**2.5.2:**
+
+- Escape white-space characters in Linux desktop files ([GHSA-fqh4-w37r-x339](https://github.com/conda/menuinst/security/advisories/GHSA-fqh4-w37r-x339)).
+
+Full changelogs: [2.5.0](https://github.com/conda/menuinst/releases/tag/2.5.0), [2.5.1](https://github.com/conda/menuinst/releases/tag/2.5.1), [2.5.2](https://github.com/conda/menuinst/releases/tag/2.5.2)
+
+## Other releases
+
+A few more projects shipped without a deep dive here:
+
+- [**conda-standalone** 26.5.2](https://github.com/conda/conda-standalone/releases/tag/26.5.2)
+- [**conda-index** 0.12.0](https://github.com/conda/conda-index/releases/tag/0.12.0) / [0.12.1](https://github.com/conda/conda-index/releases/tag/0.12.1)
+- [**conda-package-handling** 2.5.0](https://github.com/conda/conda-package-handling/releases/tag/2.5.0)
+- [**conda-package-streaming** v0.13.0](https://github.com/conda/conda-package-streaming/releases/tag/v0.13.0)
+- [**conda-pack** 0.9.2](https://github.com/conda/conda-pack/releases/tag/0.9.2)
+
+## We ❤️ our community
+
+Thank you to everyone who landed changes across these releases. A special welcome to contributors who contributed for the first time:
+
+- [@Adelagric](https://github.com/Adelagric) in [conda#16420](https://github.com/conda/conda/pull/16420)
+- [@agriyakhetarpal](https://github.com/agriyakhetarpal) in [rattler#2311](https://github.com/conda/rattler/pull/2311)
+- [@Ashish-Kumar-Dash](https://github.com/Ashish-Kumar-Dash) in [rattler#2610](https://github.com/conda/rattler/pull/2610)
+- [@bdice](https://github.com/bdice) in [conda#16328](https://github.com/conda/conda/pull/16328)
+- [@bltavares](https://github.com/bltavares) in [rattler#2533](https://github.com/conda/rattler/pull/2533)
+- [@carterbox](https://github.com/carterbox) in [conda#16446](https://github.com/conda/conda/pull/16446) and [conda-libmamba-solver#962](https://github.com/conda/conda-libmamba-solver/pull/962)
+- [@colobas](https://github.com/colobas) in [rattler#2548](https://github.com/conda/rattler/pull/2548)
+- [@doraem-on](https://github.com/doraem-on) in [rattler#2488](https://github.com/conda/rattler/pull/2488)
+- [@Functionhx](https://github.com/Functionhx) in [conda#16391](https://github.com/conda/conda/pull/16391)
+- [@btraven00](https://github.com/btraven00) in [conda#16266](https://github.com/conda/conda/pull/16266)
+- [@eeshsaxena](https://github.com/eeshsaxena) in [conda#16338](https://github.com/conda/conda/pull/16338)
+- [@flferretti](https://github.com/flferretti) in [rattler#2614](https://github.com/conda/rattler/pull/2614)
+- [@jirib](https://github.com/jirib) in [rattler#2524](https://github.com/conda/rattler/pull/2524)
+- [@jlmoraleshellin](https://github.com/jlmoraleshellin) in [rattler#2474](https://github.com/conda/rattler/pull/2474)
+- [@mgorny](https://github.com/mgorny) in [conda-build#6036](https://github.com/conda/conda-build/pull/6036)
+- [@nehaljwani](https://github.com/nehaljwani) in [rattler#2475](https://github.com/conda/rattler/pull/2475)
+- [@Nikil-D-Gr8](https://github.com/Nikil-D-Gr8) in [conda-build#6000](https://github.com/conda/conda-build/pull/6000)
+- [@olantwin](https://github.com/olantwin) in [rattler#2594](https://github.com/conda/rattler/pull/2594)
+- [@pb01ka](https://github.com/pb01ka) in [conda-build#5997](https://github.com/conda/conda-build/pull/5997)
+- [@pya](https://github.com/pya) in [conda-pypi#368](https://github.com/conda/conda-pypi/pull/368)
+- [@russkel](https://github.com/russkel) in [rattler#2553](https://github.com/conda/rattler/pull/2553)
+- [@ytausch](https://github.com/ytausch) in [rattler#2595](https://github.com/conda/rattler/pull/2595)

blog/news.json

@@ -1,4 +1,24 @@
 [
+  {
+    "title": "June and July 2026 Releases",
+    "slug": "2026-08-03-july-releases",
+    "authors": [
+      "kenodegard"
+    ],
+    "tags": [
+      "announcement",
+      "conda",
+      "conda-build",
+      "conda-libmamba-solver",
+      "conda-pypi",
+      "constructor",
+      "menuinst",
+      "rattler"
+    ],
+    "description": "June and July releases across the conda org: conda and conda-build 26.7.0, constructor 3.16, libmamba and conda-pypi updates, faster solves in rattler, and more. \ud83c\udf89\n",
+    "image": "img/blog/2026-08-03-july-releases/banner.png",
+    "date": "2026-08-03T00:00:00"
+  },
   {
     "title": "Bridging conda and PyPI ecosystems: Install PyPI packages with conda install",
     "slug": "2026-06-25-bridging-conda-and-pypi-ecosystems",
@@ -63,26 +83,5 @@
     "image": "img/blog/2026-04-17-vision-for-conda-cli/banner.png",
     "image_credit": "<a href=\"https://unsplash.com/de/@mcnoble?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText\">Matt Noble on Unsplash</a>",
     "date": "2026-04-17T00:00:00"
-  },
-  {
-    "title": "March 2026 Releases",
-    "slug": "2026-04-06-march-releases",
-    "authors": [
-      "kenodegard"
-    ],
-    "tags": [
-      "announcement",
-      "conda",
-      "conda-build",
-      "conda-libmamba-solver",
-      "conda-content-trust",
-      "conda-rattler-solver",
-      "conda-standalone",
-      "constructor",
-      "conda-pypi"
-    ],
-    "description": "conda 26.3.x, conda-build 26.3.0, conda-libmamba-solver 26.3.0, conda-content-trust 0.3.0, constructor 3.15.x, conda-pypi 0.5/0.6, and more have shipped! \ud83c\udf89\n",
-    "image": "img/blog/2026-04-06-march-releases/banner.jpg",
-    "date": "2026-04-06T00:00:00"
   }
 ]