Backward compatibility preserves trust as APIs evolve. Breaking changes disrupt partners and internal teams, creating hidden costs and slowing adoption. Stable contracts and disciplined versioning enable innovation without fragmenting ecosystems.
Compatibility Policies
Define what constitutes breaking change and enforce review gates. Deprecation windows give consumers time to migrate safely.
Schema Evolution
Additive changes preserve compatibility. Clear defaults and optional fields reduce risk during rollout.
Developer Communication
Changelogs, migration guides, and early previews reduce friction and support coordinated upgrades.
