JHipster 9.3.0 drops Spring Boot 3 and Jackson 2 support

The latest release of JHipster, version 9.3.0, finalizes its transition to Spring Boot 4, as noted in the project's GitHub release notes. With this update, support for Spring Boot 3 and Jackson 2 has been removed, and all generated applications now run exclusively on Spring Boot 4.1.1. This release also introduces updates to the frontend, including Angular 22 with OnPush change detection and strictTemplates enabled by default, and React applications now building with Vite instead of Webpack. Backend integration tests have transitioned to using Testcontainers ServiceConnection across multiple databases and services, including Elasticsearch, MongoDB, and Kafka. Additionally, the LoggingAspect now supports reactive applications, and SecurityUtils no longer returns anonymousUser. The toolchain has been updated to Node.js 24.20.0, npm 12, and Gradle 9.7.1.

Operators planning to upgrade to JHipster 9.3.0 should carefully evaluate the implications of the removal of Spring Boot 3 and Jackson 2 support. Applications relying on these older versions will require updates to ensure compatibility with Spring Boot 4.1.1. Additionally, the migration to Angular 22 and React with Vite may necessitate adjustments to frontend codebases and build pipelines. Testing environments should also be reviewed to ensure compatibility with the new Testcontainers ServiceConnection approach. This release reflects a broader trend in the software ecosystem of projects aligning with the latest versions of foundational frameworks and tools, often necessitating significant migrations for operators.