`releases.json` Breaking Change

> This issue is a locked mirror of https://github.com/dotnet/core/issues/7522. See that issue for discussion.

# `releases.json` Breaking Change

releases.json is a family of files (and schema) that the .NET Team publishes to enable programatic access to the catalog of .NET releases.

We are making some [targeted changes](https://github.com/dotnet/designs/pull/265) to these files, primarily to reduce user confusion, in response to consistent and broad feedback.

We are making three primary changes, ordered from most to least breaking:

- Replace the `current` value with `sts`, in the `support-phase` property.
- Document the allowable values for `support-phase`. This will include `go-live`, in addition to `sts`.
- Add a new `release-type` property, with immutable values of `lts` or `sts`, as appropriate.

## Timing

The change will be made in two phases:

- The `release-type` property, and .NET 7 EOL date, will be added on July 13th via https://github.com/dotnet/core/pull/7499.
- The `support-phase` property for .NET 7 will transition from `preview` to `go-live` on September 13th. Previously, this [would have been `rc`](https://github.com/dotnet/core/commit/2a8b4e188160c07c3129589e3c9d1447804b139e#diff-a826fec60406672d75ce76c1fcc4a405161fc05954281e93efec3936b71007bdL11).
- The `support-phase` property for .NET 7 will transition from `go-live` to `sts` on November 8th. Previously, this [would have been `current`](https://github.com/dotnet/core/commit/5ac49903d593d23ae0f66dd868aa86409a1555e2#diff-a826fec60406672d75ce76c1fcc4a405161fc05954281e93efec3936b71007bdR11).

## Context

"Current" releases will now be referred to as "Short-term Support (STS)" releases, in obvious contrast to "Long-term Support (LTS)" releases. The duration of the [support periods and related policies](https://github.com/dotnet/core/blob/main/release-policies.md) are not changing.

The "Current" term will no longer be used.

See [.NET Release Labels](https://github.com/dotnet/designs/pull/265) for more information.