Solana Labs today published version 1.18.25 of its core software, marking a stable release for the Mainnet Beta network. The update is intended to provide a reliable foundation for developers building on Solana’s evolving platform.
A key change in this release is the removal of channel name support from the solana-install command. Users must now specify explicit version numbers, such as `solana-install init v1.18.25`. This adjustment streamlines version management and reduces ambiguity during deployment.
The agave-install tool, maintained as a fork of the original project, retains support for channel names alongside explicit version numbers. This dual approach allows teams to choose the installation method that best fits their workflow.
All releases within the 1.18 series will be hosted on both the official Solana GitHub repository and the Agave repository. After the 1.18 series, the main Solana repo will be archived, consolidating future releases under Agave.
For developers, the update means a more predictable installation process and a clear path for migrating to newer releases. The change also signals Solana’s commitment to simplifying tooling as the network matures.