---
title: The Polaris CDN is adopting semantic versioning - Shopify developer changelog
description: >-
  Shopify’s developer changelog documents all changes to Shopify’s platform.
  Find the latest news and learn about new platform opportunities.
source_url:
  html: >-
    https://shopify.dev/changelog/the-polaris-cdn-is-adopting-semantic-versioning
  md: >-
    https://shopify.dev/changelog/the-polaris-cdn-is-adopting-semantic-versioning.md
metadata:
  effectiveApiVersion: ''
  affectedApi: []
  primaryTag:
    displayName: Polaris
    handle: polaris
  secondaryTag:
    displayName: New
    handle: new
  indicatesActionRequired: false
  createdAt: '2026-08-17T12:09:30-04:00'
  postedAt: '2026-08-31T12:15:00-04:00'
  updatedAt: '2026-08-31T12:18:01-04:00'
  effectiveAt: '2026-08-18T12:00:00-04:00'
---

# The Polaris CDN is adopting semantic versioning

DateAugust 31, 2026

FlagsNew

SurfacesPolaris

Polaris Web Components loaded from the Shopify CDN are moving to semantic versioning. Most apps will continue receiving compatible improvements automatically, while developers can choose when to adopt breaking changes. Existing apps don’t need to take immediate action.

## **What changed**

Polaris CDN releases now follow familiar semantic versioning rules:

* **Major releases** may contain breaking API or behavioral changes that require app updates.
* **Minor releases** contain compatible components, APIs, bug fixes, accessibility and performance improvements, and visual refinements.
* **Security fixes** can be applied to affected stable releases, including older majors.

The `@shopify/polaris-types` package uses the same major version as the CDN release.

## **Releases**

### **Automatic compatible updates**

Apps should by default use the stable release channels, you will receive updates to this channel after updates have gone through a release candidate phase. This URL will not automatically get updated if there is a major change. Adopting a new major is always explicit.

```
<script src="https://cdn.shopify.com/shopifycloud/polaris-1.js"></script>
```

### **Pinned releases**

A pinned release doesn’t receive normal features, fixes, or visual changes.

Pinning is useful when you need to:

* Control when normal changes reach production.
* Reproduce the release used during testing.
* Recover from an update affecting your app.
* Coordinate Polaris updates with your release process.

```
<script src="https://cdn.shopify.com/shopifycloud/polaris-1.1.js"></script>
```

***

**Caution:** \<code>polaris-1.1.js\</code> is published only when Polaris 1.1 becomes stable.

***

### **Testing upcoming changes**

All upcoming changes will be available to test in release candidate builds prior to being released in stable channels.

This release candidate version will accumulate improvements during the release candidate window and update in-place at the same URL. It’s intended for development and testing.

```
<script src="https://cdn.shopify.com/shopifycloud/polaris-1.1-rc.js"></script>
```

### **Existing `polaris.js` URL**

The existing `polaris.js` will be updated at the same time as `polaris-1.js` and will not automatically update when there is a major release.

## **Who’s affected**

This applies to third-party apps that load Polaris Web Components from the Shopify CDN and developers using `@shopify/polaris-types`.

It doesn’t change versioning for App Home UI extensions, Admin UI extensions or App Bridge.

## **Related docs**

* [App Home documentation](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/app-home)
* [Polaris 1.1 release candidate](https://shopify.dev/changelog/polaris-cdn-1-1-release-candidate)