# discourse changelog

> discourse release notes.

- Vendor: discourse
- Category: Communication
- Official site: https://www.discourse.org/
- Tracked by: What's New (https://whatsnew.fyi/product/discourse)
- Harvested from: Release notes
- Entries below: 25 (newest first)

What's New is an index, not a publisher: every entry below links to the vendor's own release notes, which are the authoritative source. Entries are labelled where they are hand-curated sample data, pre-releases, or drawn from a secondary source such as a developer blog.

Reuse: the summaries, labels and curation here are © What's New. Quote freely with attribution and a link back; wholesale republication of the corpus is not permitted — terms: https://whatsnew.fyi/terms. The vendors' own release notes remain their publishers'.

## Releases

### 2026.1.9 — Discourse v2026.1.9 released

- Date: 2026-09-22
- Version: 2026.1.9
- Original notes: https://releases.discourse.org/changelog/v2026.1.9
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/discourse/releases/2026.1.9

### 2026.9.0 — Discourse v2026.9.0 released

- Date: 2026-09-22
- Version: 2026.9.0
- Original notes: https://releases.discourse.org/changelog/v2026.9.0
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/discourse/releases/2026.9.0

- **added** — Ask AI section on admin dashboard at /admin to view usage and questions
- **added** — Built-in MCP server for connecting AI apps to find topics, catch up on discussions, and prepare reports
- **added** — Filter and sort options for chat channel sections including public channels, DM/group channels, and starred channels
- **added** — Rich text editor support for displaying and editing dates, polls, tables, and graphviz diagrams
- **added** — User and topic information displayed in Signups, New Contributors, and Accepted Solutions reports
- **added** — Natural language query and follow-up question support in Ask AI search
- **added** — Drag-and-drop support for adding and reordering links in custom sidebar sections

###### What users are asking with Ask AI
Ask AI - Search better in your community with Ask AI - now has its own section on your admin dashboard at /admin. As admins, you can now see how people are using it and what they’re asking about.
###### Connect your AI apps to your community with Discourse’s built-in MCP server
Discourse now has a built-in MCP server, so you can ask your favourite AI apps to find a topic, catch up on a discussion, or prepare a report on activity in your community.
###### New filter and sort options for chat channels
We’ve just added the functionality to select filter and sorting options per section of chat channels! The defaults are unchanged, but now you can specify filter and sort options for each section (public channels, DM/group channels, and starred channels).
###### Edit dates, polls, tables, and more in the rich text editor
The rich text editor can now display and edit complex content types — dates, polls, tables, and graphviz diagrams — without requiring a switch back to the Markdown editor.
###### Users and topics shown on Signups, New Contributors, and Accepted Solutions reports
We’ve updated the Signups, New Contributors, and Accepted Solutions reports to show the specific users and posts behind the numbers.
###### Better Search with Ask AI
Ask AI helps your community get to the answers they want faster, by supporting natural language queries follow up questions. It also works ’side-by-side with the existing indexed search.
###### Drag-and-drop support for custom sidebar content
You can now drag links into the sidebar to add to existing custom sections or create new sections, and drag links within custom sections to reorder them in your sidebar.

### 2026.7.3 — Discourse v2026.7.3 released

- Date: 2026-09-22
- Version: 2026.7.3
- Original notes: https://releases.discourse.org/changelog/v2026.7.3
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/discourse/releases/2026.7.3

### 2026.8.1 — Discourse v2026.8.1 released

- Date: 2026-09-22
- Version: 2026.8.1
- Original notes: https://releases.discourse.org/changelog/v2026.8.1
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/discourse/releases/2026.8.1

### 2026.8.0 — Discourse v2026.8.0 released

- Date: 2026-08-25
- Version: 2026.8.0
- Original notes: https://releases.discourse.org/changelog/v2026.8.0
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/discourse/releases/2026.8.0

- **added** — Staff can suspend or silence users directly from the User Needs Approval and queued-post review items without navigating to the admin page
- **added** — Active suspensions or silences are displayed on the user card
- **added** — Pinned chat messages now stay visible in a sticky bar at the top of the channel

###### Suspend or silence users from the review queue
Staff can now suspend or silence users directly from the “User Needs Approval” and "queued-post" review items, without navigating to the admin page. Any active suspensions or silences are shown on the user card, making it clear why certain options are unavailable.
###### New sticky bar for pinned chat messages
Pinned chat messages now stay visible in a sticky bar at the top of the channel, where they can be easily accessed by channel members no matter when they join.

### 2026.7.2 — Discourse v2026.7.2 released

- Date: 2026-08-25
- Version: 2026.7.2
- Original notes: https://releases.discourse.org/changelog/v2026.7.2
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/discourse/releases/2026.7.2

### 2026.6.3 — Discourse v2026.6.3 released

- Date: 2026-08-25
- Version: 2026.6.3
- Original notes: https://releases.discourse.org/changelog/v2026.6.3
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/discourse/releases/2026.6.3

### 2026.1.8 — Discourse v2026.1.8 released

- Date: 2026-08-25
- Version: 2026.1.8
- Original notes: https://releases.discourse.org/changelog/v2026.1.8
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/discourse/releases/2026.1.8

### 2026.1.7 — Discourse v2026.1.7 released

- Date: 2026-07-31
- Version: 2026.1.7
- Original notes: https://releases.discourse.org/changelog/v2026.1.7
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/discourse/releases/2026.1.7

### 2026.6.2 — Discourse v2026.6.2 released

- Date: 2026-07-31
- Version: 2026.6.2
- Original notes: https://releases.discourse.org/changelog/v2026.6.2
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/discourse/releases/2026.6.2

### 2026.7.1 — Discourse v2026.7.1 released

- Date: 2026-07-31
- Version: 2026.7.1
- Original notes: https://releases.discourse.org/changelog/v2026.7.1
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/discourse/releases/2026.7.1

### 2026.8.0-latest.1 — Discourse v2026.8.0-latest.1 started

- Date: 2026-07-31
- Version: 2026.8.0-latest.1
- Original notes: https://releases.discourse.org/changelog/v2026.8.0-latest.1
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/discourse/releases/2026.8.0-latest.1
- Labels: Pre-release

### 2026.6.1 — Discourse v2026.6.1 released

- Date: 2026-07-28
- Version: 2026.6.1
- Original notes: https://releases.discourse.org/changelog/v2026.6.1
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/discourse/releases/2026.6.1

### 2026.5.2 — Discourse v2026.5.2 released

- Date: 2026-07-28
- Version: 2026.5.2
- Original notes: https://releases.discourse.org/changelog/v2026.5.2
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/discourse/releases/2026.5.2

### 2026.1.6 — Discourse v2026.1.6 released

- Date: 2026-07-28
- Version: 2026.1.6
- Original notes: https://releases.discourse.org/changelog/v2026.1.6
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/discourse/releases/2026.1.6

### 2026.7.0 — Discourse v2026.7.0 released

- Date: 2026-07-28
- Version: 2026.7.0
- Original notes: https://releases.discourse.org/changelog/v2026.7.0
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/discourse/releases/2026.7.0

- **added** — AI image captions can now be generated automatically for post images to improve accessibility for screen readers and search
- **added** — Pin emoji groups to the top of the emoji picker to move custom emojis groups to the top
- **added** — Bulk import and export functionality for custom emojis
- **added** — New category management area providing a complete directory of categories and their specific types
- **added** — Livestream feature to host Zoom webinars directly in Discourse with accompanying chat channel
- **changed** — RSS Polling plugin has a fully rebuilt admin interface for easier feed configuration, validation, and monitoring

###### More accessible post images with Discourse AI
AI image captions can now be generated automatically for post images, making them more useful for screen readers, search, and image lightboxes.
###### Pinned emojis and bulk import/export custom emojis
You can now pin emoji groups to the top of the emoji picker, moving custom emojis groups to the top. New bulk import/export have also been added for custom emojis.
###### New category management area
We’ve created a complete directory of categories and their specific types for easier visibility and management.
###### Run Zoom webinars in your community
You can use livestream to host Zoom webinars directly in Discourse, so that members can watch the event and participate in the accompanying chat channel without leaving your community.
###### Improvements to RSS Polling plugin
The RSS Polling plugin has a fully rebuilt admin interface that makes it easier to configure feeds, validate them before they go live, and understand what’s happening with each poll.

### 2026.1.5 — Discourse v2026.1.5 released

- Date: 2026-06-30
- Version: 2026.1.5
- Original notes: https://releases.discourse.org/changelog/v2026.1.5
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/discourse/releases/2026.1.5

### 2026.6.0 — Discourse v2026.6.0 released

- Date: 2026-06-30
- Version: 2026.6.0
- Original notes: https://releases.discourse.org/changelog/v2026.6.0
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/discourse/releases/2026.6.0

- **added** — Livestream features can now be toggled in a single click when creating a new event with a URL
- **added** — Livestream chat is gated on event attendance
- **added** — Stream link oneboxes alongside the event
- **added** — Filter on the Admin Users page to surface unverified accounts on the New tab
- **added** — Bulk suspend option for users alongside the existing bulk delete option
- **changed** — Notification email subject lines are now cleaner and simpler without prefixes, brackets, tags, or category annotations
- **added** — High context topic cards are now enabled in the Horizon theme showing solved status, votes, assignee, tags, and excerpts
- **added** — Discourse Reactions is now enabled by default for all sites

###### Livestreams now built into Discourse Events
When creating a new event with a URL, you can now toggle livestream features in a single click. The stream link oneboxes alongside the event, and livestream chat is gated on event attendance.
###### Filter new users by activation status and bulk suspend options
The Admin > Users page now has a filter to easily surface unverified accounts on the New tab. You can now bulk suspend them alongside the existing bulk delete option, making it much easier to clean up spam registration waves.
###### Simpler email subject lines
Notification emails are now cleaner and simpler for your members. No more prefixes, brackets, tags, or category annotations. Enable the upcoming change to try it out.
###### High context topic cards are now enabled in the Horizon theme
Sites using the Horizon theme will now show richer topic cards with solved status, votes, assignee, tags, and excerpts, rolling out via an upcoming change. You can revert to simple cards anytime via a theme setting.
###### Discourse Reactions enabled by default for all sites
Reactions are now being rolled out to all new and existing sites via an upcoming change, ensuring no community has to miss out on this popular and engaging feature already used on many sites.

### 2026.5.1 — Discourse v2026.5.1 released

- Date: 2026-06-30
- Version: 2026.5.1
- Original notes: https://releases.discourse.org/changelog/v2026.5.1
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/discourse/releases/2026.5.1

### 2026.4.2 — Discourse v2026.4.2 released

- Date: 2026-06-30
- Version: 2026.4.2
- Original notes: https://releases.discourse.org/changelog/v2026.4.2
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/discourse/releases/2026.4.2

### 2026.5.0 — Discourse v2026.5.0 released

- Date: 2026-05-28
- Version: 2026.5.0
- Original notes: https://releases.discourse.org/changelog/v2026.5.0
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/discourse/releases/2026.5.0

- **added** — Create events directly from the calendar and edit events in the composer
- **added** — Experimental nested replies feature for displaying threaded, tree-style conversations on topics and categories
- **added** — Star favorite AI conversations to keep them in the sidebar and reply inline with docked composer
- **added** — Tag names now support dots in the middle for version-style tags
- **added** — OAuth2 plugin can now auto-sync group memberships from identity providers
- **added** — OAuth2 and OIDC plugins can sync identity provider data into Discourse User Fields
- **added** — Staff action logs now link to originating reviewable when moderation actions are triggered from the review queue
- **added** — Inline GitHub oneboxes now show live PR status icons
- **added** — RSVP to recurring events with option to indicate attendance for next occurrence or all future occurrences
- **added** — Bulk action to remove, add, or replace topic tags

###### Improvements to make it easier to create an event
We've made a number of improvements to make it easier to create events — including creating events directly from the calendar, editing the event directly in the composer, and more.
###### Introducing nested replies
Discourse now has an experimental nested replies feature that lets sites display threaded, tree-style conversations instead of flat timelines on a topic and category level.
###### AI bot gets starred conversations and a docked composer
You can now star your favorite AI conversations to keep them in your sidebar, and reply inline without the full composer taking over the screen.
###### Tag names now support dots
Tag names can now include dots in the middle, so version-style tags like "5.0-release" or "xyz.js" are now possible to use.
###### Introducing group sync for OAuth2
The OAuth2 plugin can now auto-sync group memberships from your provider, and both OAuth2 and OIDC plugins can sync identity provider data into Discourse User Fields.
###### Staff action logs now link to originating reviewable
When a moderation action is triggered from the review queue, its staff action log entry now includes a direct link back to the original reviewable, making it easy to trace any logged decision.
###### Inline GitHub oneboxes now show live PR status icons
Extending status indicators for full oneboxes, Discourse can now also show PR status icons within inline GitHub oneboxes.
###### More flexible RSVPs for recurring events
When RSVPing to a recurring event, members can now indicate whether they’re going to just the next occurrence or to all future occurrences, so organizers can understand who's coming and members only get reminders for events they want to attend.
###### Manage topic tags in bulk
Staff can now remove, add, or replace topic tags in bulk from the new Manage Tags bulk action.

### 2026.1.4 — Discourse v2026.1.4 released

- Date: 2026-05-18
- Version: 2026.1.4
- Original notes: https://releases.discourse.org/changelog/v2026.1.4
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/discourse/releases/2026.1.4

### 2026.5.0-latest.1 — Discourse v2026.5.0-latest.1 started

- Date: 2026-05-18
- Version: 2026.5.0-latest.1
- Original notes: https://releases.discourse.org/changelog/v2026.5.0-latest.1
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/discourse/releases/2026.5.0-latest.1
- Labels: Pre-release

- **added** — Nested replies feature that displays threaded, tree-style conversations instead of flat timelines on a topic and category level
- **added** — Ability to star favorite AI conversations to keep them in your sidebar
- **added** — Docked composer for replying inline to AI conversations without the full composer taking over the screen
- **changed** — Tag names now support dots in the middle, enabling version-style tags like 5.0-release or xyz.js
- **added** — OAuth2 plugin can now auto-sync group memberships from your provider
- **added** — OAuth2 and OIDC plugins can sync identity provider data into Discourse User Fields
- **added** — Staff action logs now include a direct link back to the original reviewable when a moderation action is triggered from the review queue
- **added** — Inline GitHub oneboxes now show live PR status icons
- **added** — When RSVPing to a recurring event, members can now indicate whether they're going to just the next occurrence or to all future occurrences
- **added** — Manage Tags bulk action for staff to remove, add, or replace topic tags in bulk

###### Introducing nested replies
Discourse now has an experimental nested replies feature that lets sites display threaded, tree-style conversations instead of flat timelines on a topic and category level.
###### AI bot gets starred conversations and a docked composer
You can now star your favorite AI conversations to keep them in your sidebar, and reply inline without the full composer taking over the screen.
###### Tag names now support dots
Tag names can now include dots in the middle, so version-style tags like "5.0-release" or "xyz.js" are now possible to use.
###### Introducing group sync for OAuth2
The OAuth2 plugin can now auto-sync group memberships from your provider, and both OAuth2 and OIDC plugins can sync identity provider data into Discourse User Fields.
###### Staff action logs now link to originating reviewable
When a moderation action is triggered from the review queue, its staff action log entry now includes a direct link back to the original reviewable, making it easy to trace any logged decision.
###### Inline GitHub oneboxes now show live PR status icons
Extending status indicators for full oneboxes, Discourse can now also show PR status icons within inline GitHub oneboxes.
###### More flexible RSVPs for recurring events
When RSVPing to a recurring event, members can now indicate whether they’re going to just the next occurrence or to all future occurrences, so organizers can understand who's coming and members only get reminders for events they want to attend.
###### Manage topic tags in bulk
Staff can now remove, add, or replace topic tags in bulk from the new Manage Tags bulk action.

### 2026.4.1 — Discourse v2026.4.1 released

- Date: 2026-05-18
- Version: 2026.4.1
- Original notes: https://releases.discourse.org/changelog/v2026.4.1
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/discourse/releases/2026.4.1

### 2026.3.1 — Discourse v2026.3.1 released

- Date: 2026-05-18
- Version: 2026.3.1
- Original notes: https://releases.discourse.org/changelog/v2026.3.1
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/discourse/releases/2026.3.1