The End of an Era: Saying Goodbye to GWT​

Let's be honest: the classic BPMN and DMN editors served us well for many years. Built on Google Web Toolkit (GWT), they were powerful tools that enabled thousands of developers and business analysts to model complex processes and decisions. But technology moves forward, and what was cutting-edge a decade ago can become a maintenance burden today.

The classic GWT-based BPMN Editor - showing the old interface with its characteristic styling and layout

The GWT-based editors had their strengths:

• Robust functionality that powered enterprise applications
• Familiar interface for long-time users
• Comprehensive feature sets built over years of development

However, they also came with significant challenges:

• Performance bottlenecks with large, complex models
• Limited responsiveness on modern devices and screen sizes
• Maintenance complexity as GWT itself moved toward end-of-life
• Integration friction with contemporary web technologies and frameworks
• Accessibility concerns that didn't meet modern standards

As we committed to Apache KIE's graduation from incubation, it became clear: we needed to modernize our tooling to align with Apache guidelines and contemporary development practices.

The New Generation: Built for the Modern Web​

The new BPMN Editor in Apache KIE 10.2.0 is a complete rewrite built from the ground up using modern web technologies. This editor incorporates extensive research, community feedback, and lessons learned from years of development.

The new BPMN Editor - showcasing the modern, clean interface with improved UX

What Makes the New Editors Stand Out?​

1. Modern Technology Stack​

The new editors leverage contemporary web technologies that ensure longevity and maintainability:

• React-based architecture for component reusability and performance
• TypeScript for type safety and better developer experience
• PatternFly v5 for consistent, accessible UI components
• Modern build tooling for faster development cycles

These technologies were chosen for their stability, strong community support, and long-term viability.

2. Performance That Scales​

One of the most dramatic improvements is performance. The new editor handles large, complex process models with ease:

• Instant loading even for models with hundreds of nodes
• Smooth panning and zooming without lag or stuttering
• Real-time validation that doesn't slow down your workflow
• Optimized rendering that uses modern browser capabilities

3. Enhanced User Experience​

Every interaction has been thoughtfully designed:

• Intuitive drag-and-drop with smart snapping and alignment
• Context-aware property panels that show exactly what you need
• Visual feedback that guides you through complex operations

Classic properties panel

New properties panel with improved organization

DMN 1.6 Support: Staying Current with Standards​

While we're talking about modernization, it's worth highlighting that both the new editor and the Drools engine now support DMN 1.6, the latest specification from the Object Management Group (OMG). This ensures you're working with current standards and can leverage the newest decision modeling capabilities.

The Deprecation Journey: A Necessary Step Forward​

Change is never easy, especially when it involves tools that teams have relied on for years. The deprecation of the classic editors didn't happen overnight; it was a carefully planned transition:

• 10.0.0 (December 2024): New DMN Editor released. Classic editors marked as deprecated with warnings added
• 10.1.0 (July 2025): New Test Scenario Editor released
• 10.2.0 (April 2026): New BPMN Editor released. Classic editors removed

This phased approach gave the community time to:

• Test the new editors in non-production environments
• Provide feedback that shaped the final implementation
• Plan migration strategies for existing projects

Migration: Easier Than You Think​

I know what you're thinking: "This sounds great, but what about my existing models?" Good news - the migration path is straightforward:

1. File Format Compatibility: The new editors read your existing BPMN, DMN and SCESIM files without modification. If you encounter any problems please raise a bug at https://github.com/apache/incubator-kie-issues/issues.
2. Comprehensive Documentation: Step-by-step guides for common scenarios https://github.com/apache/incubator-kie-tools/blob/main/packages/bpmn-editor/docs/MIGRATION_GUIDE.md
3. Community Support: Active mailing lists and forums for questions

Important: Once you migrate to the new editors, we recommend committing to them fully. Switching back and forth between classic and new editors can lead to inconsistencies and unexpected behavior. Plan your migration carefully and make the transition in one go.

Technology Stack​

The new editors are built with modern, well-supported technologies:

• React with TypeScript for component-based architecture
• Zustand and Immer for state management
• PatternFly v5 for accessible UI components
• SVG rendering for crisp visuals at any zoom level

For developers interested in embedding these editors in their own applications, standalone packages are available on NPM:

• @kie-tools/bpmn-editor-standalone
• @kie-tools/dmn-editor-standalone
• @kie-tools/scesim-editor-standalone

Getting Started Today​

Ready to experience the new generation of editors? Here's how to get started:

1. Download Apache KIE 10.2.0 from the official download page
2. Review the migration guide in the documentation
3. Try the KIE Sandbox for a quick online demo
4. Join the community on the users mailing list

What's Next?​

While the new editors represent a major step forward, we're continuing to improve and expand their capabilities. Here are some areas we're actively working on:

Known Issues and Ongoing Work​

• Code Sharing: We're working to consolidate common code between the DMN and BPMN editors to improve maintainability and consistency. This includes refactoring the DMN Editor to use @kie-tools/xyflow-react-kie-diagram.
• DRL Support: Adding support for DRL-based SceSim files in the new SceSim Editor.
• Documentation: Publishing BPMN, DMN, and SceSim Editor Storybooks on public GitHub pages for better developer documentation.

We welcome your feedback and bug reports at https://github.com/apache/incubator-kie-issues/issues to help us prioritize and improve these editors.

Conclusion​

The new generation of editors in Apache KIE 10.2.0 represents a significant modernization of our tooling. By moving to contemporary web technologies, we've improved performance, accessibility, and maintainability while maintaining compatibility with existing models. This foundation enables us to continue evolving and improving the editing experience for years to come.

Join the Conversation​

Have you tried the new editors yet? We'd love to hear your feedback, success stories, or questions:

users@kie.apache.org

Share your experiences, ask questions, or just connect with other Apache KIE users who are making the transition.

Apache KIE (Incubating) 10.2.0 is available now. Visit the official download page to get started with the new editors today.

Disclaimer: Apache KIE is an effort undergoing incubation at The Apache Software Foundation (ASF), sponsored by the Apache Incubator. Incubation is required of all newly accepted projects until a further review indicates that the infrastructure, communications, and decision making process have stabilized in a manner consistent with other successful ASF projects. While incubation status is not necessarily a reflection of the completeness or stability of the code, it does indicate that the project has yet to be fully endorsed by the ASF.

A Major Leap in Modernization​

The 10.2.0 release focuses on critical infrastructure improvements and a transformative update to our editing capabilities. This release removes legacy dependencies and introduces modern tooling that aligns with Apache guidelines and contemporary development practices.

Important Tooling Changes​

New BPMN Editor​

The most significant change in this release is the introduction of the new BPMN Editor. This modern editor replaces the legacy GWT-based tooling and represents a fundamental shift in our approach to process modeling.

Key benefits of the new BPMN Editor:

• Modern, responsive user interface
• Improved performance and user experience
• Better integration with contemporary web technologies
• Enhanced maintainability and extensibility

Removal of Classic Editors​

As part of our commitment to modernization and Apache compliance, we have removed the classic BPMN and DMN editors. These GWT-based editors have been deprecated in previous releases, and their removal in 10.2.0 brings us one step closer to graduating.

Platform Upgrades​

• Quarkus upgraded to version 3.27.2 (from 3.15.3.1)
• Spring Boot upgraded to version 3.5.10 (from 3.4.3)
• Java 21 support

These updates ensure KIE technologies remain current with the latest Java ecosystem advancements, providing improved performance, security, and feature sets.

Drools​

Rule Engine Enhancements​

• Fixed critical issues with activation groups and agenda groups
• Improved executable model generation with deterministic argument ordering
• Enhanced memory management to prevent leaks in dormant matches
• Better handling of custom operators in executable model
• Resolved issues with rule firing after session restoration

Build and Tooling​

• Improved Maven and Gradle build discovery
• Enhanced kJar code generation with better error reporting
• Support for Java versions 19+ in DRL compilation

DMN 1.6 Support​

Both the editor and engine now support the latest DMN 1.6 specification.

jBPM and Kogito​

• Test Scenario engine modernized to use JUnit 5
• Gradle 9.2 support for Kogito projects
• Process Instance Migration (PIM) externalized to independent addon with improved functionality
• User Tasks major performance improvements with reduced database queries, new indexes, and WS-Human Task Lifecycle support
• Data Index new Spring Boot persistence addons (JPA and common), improved GraphQL queries, and custom UI support
• Job Service enhanced reliability with better error handling, configurable retry scheduling, and custom collocated service support
• Security improvements including OAuth2 token exchange, JWT token parsing, and secured task management API
• OpenTelemetry support for process instance aware logging and distributed tracing
• Cloud Events improved event handling with proper headers propagation and Knative eventing support
• Spring Boot enhanced compatibility with new addons and improved transaction handling

SonataFlow Operator Enhancements​

• Incorporates native Horizontal Pod Autoscaler (HPA) support for SonataFlow workflows and Data Index service deployments
• Incorporates native Pod Disruption Budget (PDB) support for SonataFlow workflows and Data Index service deployments
• Incorporates the ability to configure leader lease parameters for improved operator reliability
• Enhanced database configuration options for Data Index and Job Service PostgreSQL deployments
• Improved catalog image management and platform configuration for air-gapped installations
• Support for configurable Quarkus registry and offline dependency caching

Tooling Updates​

• PatternFly v5 major UI framework upgrade across all editors and consoles
• KIE Sandbox GitLab support, improved authentication, and enhanced DMN Runner with lenient/strict mode selection
• Management Console read-only mode support, improved OpenTelemetry integration, and enhanced user experience
• Build Tools Gradle plugin improvements, enhanced Maven plugin, and better build discovery
• Various bug fixes and UX improvements across all tooling components

OptaPlanner​

• Removed experimental optaplanner-operator to streamline the codebase
• Documentation migrated to unified kie-docs repository

Acknowledgments​

We would like to extend a special thank you to Alex Procelli for his exceptional work in helping to deliver this release. His dedication and effort were instrumental in bringing 10.2.0 to completion in an accelerated timeframe.

We also want to recognize Tiago Bento for his contribution of the new and improved BPMN Editor. This work represents a major advancement in our tooling capabilities and will benefit the entire Apache KIE community for years to come.

Join the Conversation​

Have questions or want to connect with the community? We encourage all users to join the official user mailing list:

users@kie.apache.org
This is the best place to ask for help, share feedback, or discuss how you are using Apache KIE in your projects.

Download​

Apache KIE (Incubating) 10.2.0 is available now. Visit the official download page for the artifacts and to explore what's new.

We welcome your feedback and contributions. Thank you for being part of this growing community and supporting our journey toward a more modern, Apache-compliant future.

Laying Groundwork for the Future​

Following the foundational work in 10.0.0, this release introduces key upgrades and deprecations, improves compatibility, and continues efforts to simplify the developer and authoring experience. While not as sweeping as the prior release, 10.1.0 brings meaningful enhancements across the stack.

Platform Upgrades​

• Quarkus upgraded to version 3.15.3.1 (from 3.8.4)
• Spring Boot upgraded to version 3.4.3 (from 3.2.6)

These updates align with our goal of keeping KIE technologies up-to-date with modern Java ecosystems.

Drools​

Advancing Rule Units​

Rule Units remain targeted at greenfield projects and continue to evolve. These projects are better positioned to work around current limitations.

While RuleUnits provide a strong foundation, there are critical gaps that must be addressed before they can be considered a complete replacement for classic DRL. Examples include ambiguity in OOPath syntax, limited support for Decision Tables, and a lack of comprehensive test coverage.

Improvements are being investigated to simplify the use of OOPath in combination with accumulate and to improve the overall authoring experience.

Rule Orchestration / startProcess​

The startProcess() API has been deprecated since version 8.x and should not be called from client code, as doing so will result in a RuntimeException. Although the method still exists due to internal dependencies and because it is part of a shared interface with jBPM, it is no longer functional and is expected to be removed in a future version. The recommended approach is to use the new code-generation-based process.

DMN 1.5 Support​

Both the editor and engine now support the latest DMN 1.5 specification.

jBPM and Kogito​

• Introduction of a new user task subsystem
• Support for transactions in compact architecture
• Infinispan usage is now deprecated and will be removed in the next version

SonataFlow Operator Enhancements​

• Incorporates the ability to configure the SonataFlow workflows and supporting services databases using the SonataFlowPlatform.
• Incorporates the ability to initialize the supporting services databases using a dedicated Job, via configuration in the SonataFlowPlatForm.
• Incorporates the ability to produce all the events communications using the Knative Eventing System, via configuration in the SonataFlowPlatform.

Tooling Updates​

• A new Test Scenario Editor with full DMN 1.5 support is now available
• Classic DMN Editor and native binaries for Extended Services are both deprecated and will be removed in the next release

Known Limitations​

• JIT runners are not working on Windows and macOS

Join the Conversation​

Have questions or want to connect with the community? We encourage all users to join the official user mailing list:

users@kie.apache.org
This is the best place to ask for help, share feedback, or discuss how you are using Apache KIE in your projects.

Download​

Apache KIE (Incubating) 10.1.0 is available now. Visit the official download page for the artifacts and to explore what's new.

We welcome your feedback and contributions. Thank you for being part of this growing community.

A "Journey of Transformation"​

Transitioning to the Apache Foundation was a monumental step for the KIE community, and the path to this release has been transformative. While the prolonged gap between releases posed challenges, it allowed us to focus on critical adjustments and improvements, paving the way for a stronger foundation. Here's an overview of the significant efforts that made this release possible:

• Comprehensive CI system overhaul to align with Apache standards.
• Code adjustments for Apache policy compliance, including license reviews.
• Fully reproducible builds for all .jar artifacts.
• Remove cyclical dependencies and other technical debt.
• Automate critical release processes to streamline future releases.
• Java 17, Jakarta 10, Quarkus, and SpringBoot upgrades
• And many more...

A Leap Forward​

Despite the frustrations of a longer-than-usual release cycle, the challenges have ultimately strengthened the project. Apache KIE (Incubating) 10.0.0 is not just a new version; it represents a rebirth under the Apache umbrella, with improvements that will serve our community for years to come. The lessons learned and the investments made in this release cycle position Apache KIE (Incubating) to achieve greater velocity and innovation in the future.

Looking Ahead​

With this release, we hope to return to a predictable release cadence. Our focus is now on leveraging the enhanced foundation to deliver new features, performance improvements, and continued community-driven innovation. The journey to Apache KIE 10.0.0 has been a labor of love, and we are grateful for the support and patience of our contributors and users.

Download​

Apache KIE (Incubating) 10.0.0 is available now. Visit the official download page for the artifacts and to explore what's new.

We welcome your feedback and contributions as we continue to build the future of Apache KIE (Incubating) together. Thank you for being part of this journey!