MCPInstall

java-migration

Guide for upgrading Java projects between major versions (8→11→17→21→25). Use when user says "upgrade Java", "migrate to Java 25", "update Java version", or when modernizing legacy projects.

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Install

Works with every agent the skills CLI supports.

npx skills add https://github.com/decebals/claude-code-java --skill java-migration
  1. 01

    Install

    Run the command in your project. The CLI asks which agents to install for.

  2. 02

    Describe the task

    Ask your agent for something this skill covers. It loads java-migration automatically when relevant.

  3. 03

    Review the result

    The agent follows the SKILL.md steps, scripts and references bundled with the skill.

SKILL.md

The instructions your agent reads when the skill is triggered.

Java Migration Skill

Step-by-step guide for upgrading Java projects between major versions.

When to Use

  • User says "upgrade to Java 25" / "migrate from Java 8" / "update Java version"
  • Modernizing legacy projects
  • Spring Boot 2.x → 3.x → 4.x migration
  • Preparing for LTS version adoption

Migration Paths

Java 8 (LTS) → Java 11 (LTS) → Java 17 (LTS) → Java 21 (LTS) → Java 25 (LTS)
     │              │               │              │               │
     └──────────────┴───────────────┴──────────────┴───────────────┘
                         Always migrate LTS → LTS

Quick Reference: What Breaks

From → ToMajor Breaking Changes
8 → 11Removed javax.xml.bind, module system, internal APIs
11 → 17Sealed classes (preview→final), strong encapsulation
17 → 21Pattern matching changes, finalize() deprecated for removal
21 → 25Security Manager removed, Unsafe methods removed, 32-bit dropped

Migration Workflow

Step 1: Assess Current State

# Check current Java version
java -version

# Check compiler target in Maven
grep -r "maven.compiler" pom.xml

# Find usage of removed APIs
grep -r "sun\." --include="*.java" src/
grep -r "javax\.xml\.bind" --include="*.java" src/

Step 2: Update Build Configuration

Maven:

<properties>
    <java.version>21</java.version>
    <maven.compiler.source>${java.version}</maven.compiler.source>
    <maven.compiler.target>${java.version}</maven.compiler.target>
</properties>

<!-- Or with compiler plugin -->
<plugin>
    <groupId>org.apache.maven.plugins</groupId>
    <artifactId>maven-compiler-plugin</artifactId>
    <version>3.12.1</version>
    <configuration>
        <release>21</release>
    </configuration>
</plugin>

Gradle:

java {
    toolchain {
        languageVersion = JavaLanguageVersion.of(21)
    }
}

Step 3: Fix Compilation Errors

Run compile and fix errors iteratively:

mvn clean compile 2>&1 | head -50

Step 4: Run Tests

mvn test

Step 5: Check Runtime Warnings

# Run with illegal-access warnings
java --illegal-access=warn -jar app.jar

Java 8 → 11 Migration

Removed APIs

RemovedReplacement
javax.xml.bind (JAXB)Add dependency: jakarta.xml.bind-api + jaxb-runtime
javax.activationAdd dependency: jakarta.activation-api
javax.annotationAdd dependency: jakarta.annotation-api
java.corbaNo replacement (rarely used)
java.transactionAdd dependency: jakarta.transaction-api
sun.misc.Base64*Use java.util.Base64
sun.misc.Unsafe (partially)Use VarHandle where possible

Add Missing Dependencies (Maven)

<!-- JAXB (if needed) -->
<dependency>
    <groupId>jakarta.xml.bind</groupId>
    <artifactId>jakarta.xml.bind-api</artifactId>
    <version>4.0.1</version>
</dependency>
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.glassfish.jaxb</groupId>
    <artifactId>jaxb-runtime</artifactId>
    <version>4.0.4</version>
    <scope>runtime</scope>
</dependency>

<!-- Annotation API -->
<dependency>
    <groupId>jakarta.annotation</groupId>
    <artifactId>jakarta.annotation-api</artifactId>
    <version>2.1.1</version>
</dependency>

Module System Issues

If using reflection on JDK internals, add JVM flags:

--add-opens java.base/java.lang=ALL-UNNAMED
--add-opens java.base/java.util=ALL-UNNAMED

Maven Surefire:

<plugin>
    <groupId>org.apache.maven.plugins</groupId>
    <artifactId>maven-surefire-plugin</artifactId>
    <configuration>
        <argLine>
            --add-opens java.base/java.lang=ALL-UNNAMED
        </argLine>
    </configuration>
</plugin>

New Features to Adopt

// var (local variable type inference)
var list = new ArrayList<String>();  // instead of ArrayList<String> list = ...

// String methods
"  hello  ".isBlank();      // true for whitespace-only
"  hello  ".strip();        // better trim() (Unicode-aware)
"line1\nline2".lines();     // Stream<String>
"ha".repeat(3);             // "hahaha"

// Collection factory methods (Java 9+)
List.of("a", "b", "c");     // immutable list
Set.of(1, 2, 3);            // immutable set
Map.of("k1", "v1");         // immutable map

// Optional improvements
optional.ifPresentOrElse(
    value -> process(value),
    () -> handleEmpty()
);

// HTTP Client (replaces HttpURLConnection)
HttpClient client = HttpClient.newHttpClient();
HttpRequest request = HttpRequest.newBuilder()
    .uri(URI.create("https://api.example.com"))
    .build();
HttpResponse<String> response = client.send(request,
    HttpResponse.BodyHandlers.ofString());

Java 11 → 17 Migration

Breaking Changes

ChangeImpact
Strong encapsulation--illegal-access no longer works, must use explicit --add-opens
Sealed classes (final)If you used preview features
Pattern matching instanceofPreview → final syntax change

New Features to Adopt

// Records (immutable data classes)
public record User(String name, String email) {}
// Auto-generates: constructor, getters, equals, hashCode, toString

// Sealed classes
public sealed class Shape permits Circle, Rectangle {}
public final class Circle extends Shape {}
public final class Rectangle extends Shape {}

// Pattern matching for instanceof
if (obj instanceof String s) {
    System.out.println(s.length());  // s already cast
}

// Switch expressions
String result = switch (day) {
    case MONDAY, FRIDAY -> "Work";
    case SATURDAY, SUNDAY -> "Rest";
    default -> "Midweek";
};

// Text blocks
String json = """
    {
        "name": "John",
        "age": 30
    }
    """;

// Helpful NullPointerException messages
// a.b.c.d() → tells exactly which part was null

Java 17 → 21 Migration

Breaking Changes

ChangeImpact
Pattern matching switch (final)Minor syntax differences from preview
finalize() deprecated for removalReplace with Cleaner or try-with-resources
UTF-8 by defaultMay affect file reading if assumed platform encoding

New Features to Adopt

// Virtual Threads (Project Loom) - MAJOR
try (ExecutorService executor = Executors.newVirtualThreadPerTaskExecutor()) {
    executor.submit(() -> handleRequest());
}
// Or simply:
Thread.startVirtualThread(() -> doWork());

// Pattern matching in switch
String formatted = switch (obj) {
    case Integer i -> "int: " + i;
    case String s -> "string: " + s;
    case null -> "null value";
    default -> "unknown";
};

// Record patterns
record Point(int x, int y) {}
if (obj instanceof Point(int x, int y)) {
    System.out.println(x + ", " + y);
}

// Sequenced Collections
List<String> list = new ArrayList<>();
list.addFirst("first");    // new method
list.addLast("last");      // new method
list.reversed();           // reversed view

// String templates (preview in 21)
// May need --enable-preview

// Scoped Values (preview) - replace ThreadLocal
ScopedValue<User> CURRENT_USER = ScopedValue.newInstance();
ScopedValue.where(CURRENT_USER, user).run(() -> {
    // CURRENT_USER.get() available here
});

Java 21 → 25 Migration

Breaking Changes

ChangeImpact
Security Manager removedApplications relying on it need alternative security approaches
sun.misc.Unsafe methods removedUse VarHandle or FFM API instead
32-bit platforms droppedNo more x86-32 support
Record pattern variables finalCannot reassign pattern variables in switch
ScopedValue.orElse(null) disallowedMust provide non-null default
Dynamic agents restrictedRequires -XX:+EnableDynamicAgentLoading flag

Check for Unsafe Usage

# Find sun.misc.Unsafe usage
grep -rn "sun\.misc\.Unsafe" --include="*.java" src/

# Find Security Manager usage
grep -rn "SecurityManager\|System\.getSecurityManager" --include="*.java" src/

New Features to Adopt

// Scoped Values (FINAL in Java 25) - replaces ThreadLocal
private static final ScopedValue<User> CURRENT_USER = ScopedValue.newInstance();

public void handleRequest(User user) {
    ScopedValue.where(CURRENT_USER, user).run(() -> {
        processRequest();  // CURRENT_USER.get() available here and in child threads
    });
}

// Structured Concurrency (Preview, redesigned API in 25)
try (StructuredTaskScope.ShutdownOnFailure scope = StructuredTaskScope.open()) {
    Subtask<User> userTask = scope.fork(() -> fetchUser(id));
    Subtask<Orders> ordersTask = scope.fork(() -> fetchOrders(id));

    scope.join();
    scope.throwIfFailed();

    return new Profile(userTask.get(), ordersTask.get());
}

// Stable Values (Preview) - lazy initialization made easy
private static final StableValue<ExpensiveService> SERVICE =
    StableValue.of(() -> new ExpensiveService());

public void useService() {
    SERVICE.get().doWork();  // Initialized on first access, cached thereafter
}

// Compact Object Headers - automatic, no code changes
// Objects now use 64-bit headers instead of 128-bit (less memory)

// Primitive Patterns in instanceof (Preview)
if (obj instanceof int i) {
    System.out.println("int value: " + i);
}

// Module Import Declarations (Preview)
import module java.sql;  // Import all public types from module

Performance Improvements (Automatic)

Java 25 includes several automatic performance improvements:

  • Compact Object Headers: 8 bytes instead of 16 bytes per object
  • String.hashCode() constant folding: Faster Map lookups with String keys
  • AOT class loading: Faster startup with ahead-of-time cache
  • Generational Shenandoah GC: Better throughput, lower pauses

Migration with OpenRewrite

# Automated Java 25 migration
mvn -U org.openrewrite.maven:rewrite-maven-plugin:run \
  -Drewrite.recipeArtifactCoordinates=org.openrewrite.recipe:rewrite-migrate-java:LATEST \
  -Drewrite.activeRecipes=org.openrewrite.java.migrate.UpgradeToJava25

Spring Boot Migration

Spring Boot 2.x → 3.x

Requirements:

  • Java 17+ (mandatory)
  • Jakarta EE 9+ (javax.* → jakarta.*)

Package Renames:

// Before (Spring Boot 2.x)
import javax.persistence.*;
import javax.validation.*;
import javax.servlet.*;

// After (Spring Boot 3.x)
import jakarta.persistence.*;
import jakarta.validation.*;
import jakarta.servlet.*;

Find & Replace:

# Find all javax imports that need migration
grep -r "import javax\." --include="*.java" src/ | grep -v "javax.crypto" | grep -v "javax.net"

Automated migration:

# Use OpenRewrite
mvn -U org.openrewrite.maven:rewrite-maven-plugin:run \
  -Drewrite.recipeArtifactCoordinates=org.openrewrite.recipe:rewrite-spring:LATEST \
  -Drewrite.activeRecipes=org.openrewrite.java.spring.boot3.UpgradeSpringBoot_3_0

Dependency Updates (Spring Boot 3.x)

<parent>
    <groupId>org.springframework.boot</groupId>
    <artifactId>spring-boot-starter-parent</artifactId>
    <version>3.2.2</version>
</parent>

<!-- Hibernate 6 (auto-included) -->
<!-- Spring Security 6 (auto-included) -->

Hibernate 5 → 6 Changes

// ID generation strategy changed
@Id
@GeneratedValue(strategy = GenerationType.IDENTITY)  // preferred
private Long id;

// Query changes
// Before: createQuery returns raw type
// After: createQuery requires type parameter

// Before
Query query = session.createQuery("from User");

// After
TypedQuery<User> query = session.createQuery("from User", User.class);

Common Migration Issues

Issue: Reflection Access Denied

Symptom:

java.lang.reflect.InaccessibleObjectException: Unable to make field accessible

Fix:

--add-opens java.base/java.lang=ALL-UNNAMED
--add-opens java.base/java.lang.reflect=ALL-UNNAMED

Issue: JAXB ClassNotFoundException

Symptom:

java.lang.ClassNotFoundException: javax.xml.bind.JAXBContext

Fix: Add JAXB dependencies (see Java 8→11 section)

Issue: Lombok Not Working

Fix: Update Lombok to latest version:

<dependency>
    <groupId>org.projectlombok</groupId>
    <artifactId>lombok</artifactId>
    <version>1.18.30</version>
</dependency>

Issue: Test Failures with Mockito

Fix: Update Mockito:

<dependency>
    <groupId>org.mockito</groupId>
    <artifactId>mockito-core</artifactId>
    <version>5.8.0</version>
    <scope>test</scope>
</dependency>

Migration Checklist

Pre-Migration

  • Document current Java version
  • List all dependencies and their versions
  • Identify usage of internal APIs (sun.*, com.sun.*)
  • Check framework compatibility (Spring, Hibernate, etc.)
  • Backup / create branch

During Migration

  • Update build tool configuration
  • Add missing Jakarta dependencies
  • Fix javax.* → jakarta.* imports (if Spring Boot 3)
  • Add --add-opens flags if needed
  • Update Lombok, Mockito, other tools
  • Fix compilation errors
  • Run tests

Post-Migration

  • Remove unnecessary --add-opens flags
  • Adopt new language features (records, var, etc.)
  • Update CI/CD pipeline
  • Document changes made

Quick Commands

# Check Java version
java -version

# Find internal API usage
grep -rn "sun\.\|com\.sun\." --include="*.java" src/

# Find javax imports (for Jakarta migration)
grep -rn "import javax\." --include="*.java" src/

# Compile and show first errors
mvn clean compile 2>&1 | head -100

# Run with verbose module warnings
java --illegal-access=debug -jar app.jar

# OpenRewrite Spring Boot 3 migration
mvn org.openrewrite.maven:rewrite-maven-plugin:run \
  -Drewrite.recipeArtifactCoordinates=org.openrewrite.recipe:rewrite-spring:LATEST \
  -Drewrite.activeRecipes=org.openrewrite.java.spring.boot3.UpgradeSpringBoot_3_0

Version Compatibility Matrix

FrameworkJava 8Java 11Java 17Java 21Java 25
Spring Boot 2.7.x✅✅✅⚠️❌
Spring Boot 3.2.x❌❌✅✅✅
Spring Boot 3.4+❌❌✅✅✅
Hibernate 5.6✅✅✅⚠️❌
Hibernate 6.4+❌❌✅✅✅
JUnit 5.10+✅✅✅✅✅
Mockito 5+❌✅✅✅✅
Lombok 1.18.34+✅✅✅✅✅

LTS Support Timeline:

  • Java 21: Oracle free support until September 2028
  • Java 25: Oracle free support until September 2033

FAQ

What does the java-migration skill do?

Guide for upgrading Java projects between major versions (8→11→17→21→25). Use when user says "upgrade Java", "migrate to Java 25", "update Java version", or when modernizing legacy projects.

How do I install java-migration?

Run npx skills add https://github.com/decebals/claude-code-java --skill java-migration in your project. The skills CLI detects the agents you use and copies the skill into the right folder. For Claude Code you can also place the skill folder at ~/.claude/skills/java-migration/ (personal) or .claude/skills/java-migration/ (project).

Which AI agents can use java-migration?

Any agent that supports the open Agent Skills format (a folder with a SKILL.md file), including Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, Windsurf, Cline, OpenCode and more.

Is java-migration safe to install?

No partner security audit is available yet. Skills can run commands and scripts, so read the SKILL.md and any bundled files before installing.

Who maintains java-migration?

It is published by decebals in decebals/claude-code-java. It has 327 recorded installs.

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