NetBeans 30

Release Date: May 18, 2026

Apache NetBeans 30 has been released — the latest quarterly update to the open-source Java IDE brings Gradle improvements, PHP 8.5 support, Git performance boosts, and a refreshed platform foundation.

What Changed

The Apache NetBeans team shipped version 30 on May 18, 2026, the second quarterly release of the year. With 20 contributors (including two first-timers), this release focuses on toolchain currency, Java editing reliability, and enterprise server support.

Gradle, Maven and Ant Updates

Gradle defaults have been bumped for JDK 26, resolving several "invalid project.xml" warnings that have been irritating users. Maven is bundled at version 3.9.15, and Ant has been upgraded to 1.10.17. These may sound like housekeeping tasks, but they eliminate a steady trickle of support tickets from developers hitting edge cases with outdated build tools.

Java Editor Improvements

Several long-standing Java editing issues have been addressed in NetBeans 30. The "Fix Imports" command is now exposed to LSP clients, record component types complete correctly, and diamond-base new class expressions no longer produce erroneous type inferences. The form editor has been fixed so that designing a large form scrolls properly, and code completion now behaves better in the presence of local classes. Unnamed variable reformatting — a pain point since Java 22 — has also been resolved.

PHP 8.5 and Web Development

PHP developers get support for the PHP 8.5 pipe operator, while web developers gain TypeScript React language support through the enhanced LSP client integration. The JavaScript reformatter no longer chokes on classes with static initializers.

Enterprise and Server Support

GlassFish 7.1.0 and 8.0.0 are now supported, and the Payara server integration has been updated. The CDI injection warning for Jakarta predefined bean classes has been fixed, and the "New JSF Bean" wizard has been modernized.

Git and Versioning Performance

Git operations see a meaningful speed-up in this release. File status loading in the commit dialog has been optimized by batching events and skipping up-to-date files, and the underlying jgit library has been updated from 7.2.0 to 7.6.0. These changes make everyday Git workflows noticeably snappier on large repositories.

Platform and UI Polish

FlatLaf has been updated to version 3.7.1, the splash screen is no longer modal, and a wait cursor delay has been implemented for the TreeView to prevent flicker on fast operations. Compact Object Headers (JEP 519) are now enabled, reducing JVM memory overhead. The minimum build and runtime requirement has been raised to JDK 21, allowing the team to use modern Java APIs throughout the codebase.

Why It Matters

NetBeans 30 is not a flashy release — it is a solid, incremental update that addresses the friction points users encounter daily. The Git performance work alone will save every developer a few seconds per commit, and the JDK 26 readiness ensures the IDE stays relevant as the Java platform evolves. For teams running GlassFish or Payara, the updated server support removes a deployment headache. It is a release that quietly makes the IDE better without asking anything in return.