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MotherDuck version lifecycle schedules

MotherDuck supports DuckDB versions according to a predictable lifecycle so you always know which version is safe to use.

The lifecycle schedules below form a part of MotherDuck’s Support Policies. They include Major Releases and Minor Releases to support DuckDB and DuckLake versions and specify end of life dates for both.

Supported versions​

MotherDuck supports DuckDB 1.5.3.

  • In US East (N. Virginia) - us-east-1, MotherDuck is compatible with client versions 1.4.0 through 1.5.3.
  • In US West (Oregon) - us-west-2, MotherDuck is compatible with client versions 1.4.1 through 1.5.3.
  • In Europe (Frankfurt) - eu-central-1, MotherDuck is compatible with client versions 1.4.1 through 1.5.3.

MotherDuck strives to support DuckDB Major and Minor versions in alignment with the DuckDB and DuckLake release calendars.

For new releases, MotherDuck provides updates to users through email and the Community Slack if support for new versions will take more than 48 hours. Newly supported versions are announced in our release notes.

When a version is available, we recommend that users install and run the latest MotherDuck-supported version to take advantage of the most up-to-date features and functionality.

Programmatic access​

Agents, scripts, and CI checks can read the supported version ranges as JSON:

curl https://motherduck.com/docs/duckdb-versions.json

Response shape:

{
  "title": "MotherDuck supported DuckDB versions",
  "description": "Versions of DuckDB and DuckDB-based language clients supported by MotherDuck...",
  "$comment": "https://motherduck.com/docs/troubleshooting/version-lifecycle-schedules/",
  "duckdb": {
    "motherduck_regions": {
      "global":       { "min": "1.4.0", "max": "1.5.3" },
      "us-east-1":    { "min": "1.4.0", "max": "1.5.3" },
      "us-west-2":    { "min": "1.4.1", "max": "1.5.3" },
      "eu-central-1": { "min": "1.4.1", "max": "1.5.3" }
    }
  },
  "language_clients": {
    "duckdb_jdbc": "1.5.1.0"
  }
}

How to read it:

  • duckdb.motherduck_regions.<region> is the inclusive min/max DuckDB version range that the named MotherDuck region accepts. Use this as the default compatibility window for any client.
  • language_clients lists individually-published drivers with a fixed published version. For any client not listed here (Python, Node.js, Go, and so on), use the matching region's range from duckdb.motherduck_regions.

The JSON updates whenever the support windows on this page change — the version numbers above and the <Versions> components throughout the docs render from the same file.

Updating the data (for MotherDuck contributors)​

The source of truth is static/duckdb-versions.json in the motherduck-docs repository. Update this file when:

  • A new DuckDB version is qualified for MotherDuck (bump max for each entry under duckdb.motherduck_regions).
  • A previous DuckDB version reaches End of Life and is removed from support (bump min for each entry under duckdb.motherduck_regions).
  • The published JDBC driver version changes (update language_clients.duckdb_jdbc).

The same file feeds the <Versions> and <DownloadLink> components rendered throughout these docs, so a single edit propagates everywhere.

MotherDuck support lifecycle schedules​

The chart shows current support windows. The tables list all versions.

End of life (EOL) policy​

When a new Minor version becomes available, the previous one enters Extended Support. While we don't offer support for new features, critical fixes may still be backported for the greater of:

  • 6 months after the version’s release, or
  • 4 months after the next Minor version is released

When a Minor version reaches its End of Life (EoL):

  • Connections using that DuckDB version are blocked, requiring MotherDuck users to upgrade
  • Ahead of scheduled End of Life (EoL) dates, MotherDuck provides in-app UI warnings, email communications, and targeted outreach to users about impacted versions slated for deprecation

DuckLake versions follow the published compatibility schedule above and require a supported DuckDB and DuckLake combination.

MotherDuck extended lifecycle support add-on​

MotherDuck offers an Extended Lifecycle Support Add-On to provide customers with peace of mind and flexibility to upgrade at a later date by extending ongoing technical support for a Minor DuckDB version after it reaches its End of Life (EOL) date.

For more information, please get in touch with our team.

💁 If you have additional questions about our version lifecycle, feel free to connect with us directly in our Community Slack support channel or send a note to support@motherduck.com.