Release Date July 11th 2025.

Release Manager: SSEBAANA Suubi Joshua

OpenMRS Platform 2.8.0-alpha is a preview release that introduces new features and improvements while maintaining backward compatibility with existing modules and implementations.

• Cloud/Scaling Support: Create a new storage service. https://openmrs.atlassian.net/browse/TRUNK-6300https://openmrs.atlassian.net/browse/TRUNK-6300https://openmrs.atlassian.net/browse/TRUNK-6301https://openmrs.atlassian.net/browse/TRUNK-6301https://openmrs.atlassian.net/browse/TRUNK-6302https://openmrs.atlassian.net/browse/TRUNK-6302

• Hibernate Upgrade: Upgrade Hibernate Search to 6.2.4. https://openmrs.atlassian.net/browse/TRUNK-6316https://openmrs.atlassian.net/browse/TRUNK-6316

• Java Upgrade: Add support for Java 21, 24 https://openmrs.atlassian.net/browse/TRUNK-6311https://openmrs.atlassian.net/browse/TRUNK-6311

• ProviderRole in Core: Migrate Provider role functionality from the Provider Management Module. https://openmrs.atlassian.net/browse/TRUNK-6354https://openmrs.atlassian.net/browse/TRUNK-6354

• Install Wizard UI: Modernize OpenMRS installation wizard UI to match the current OpenMRS branding. https://openmrs.atlassian.net/browse/TRUNK-6329https://openmrs.atlassian.net/browse/TRUNK-6329

• Security Fixes from Library Upgrades: Upgrade a number of underlying library dependencies to take advantage of security vulnerability fixes.

• Support Postgres in Setup: Add Simple Installation Method for PosgreSQL. https://openmrs.atlassian.net/browse/TRUNK-6343https://openmrs.atlassian.net/browse/TRUNK-6343

• SDK Improvements by enabling Docker build specification of a node version compatible with the bundled GCC version https://github.com/openmrs/openmrs-sdk/pull/333

• Java: OpenJDK 8 or Oracle JDK 8 (minimum)

• Database: MySQL 5.7+ or PostgreSQL 10+

• Application Server: Tomcat 8.5+ or similar servlet container

• Memory: Minimum 2GB RAM recommended

• Module Compatibility: Compatible with modules built for OpenMRS 2.x

• Database Migration: Automatic migration from 2.7.x versions

• API Compatibility: Maintains backward compatibility with existing REST APIs

1. Download the OpenMRS Platform 2.8.0-alpha WAR file here or for Docker here

2. Install using SDK (find out how to do that here)

1. Backup your database and application data

2. Stop your OpenMRS instance

3. Replace the existing WAR file with the 2.8.0-alpha version

4. Start OpenMRS - database migrations will run automatically

5. Verify all modules are compatible and functioning correctly

• Some third-party modules may require updates for full compatibility

• Test thoroughly with your specific module configuration

• Check the OpenMRS Add-Ons Index for module compatibility status

• Deploy in a non-production environment

• Test with your typical workflow and module configuration

• Pay special attention to specific areas that need testing

• Talk Forum: OpenMRS Platform 2.8.0-alpha Released

• Slack: #platform

We're particularly interested in feedback on:

• Performance and usability

• Integration with existing workflows

• Overall system stability and performance