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.

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.

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.

• 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).