Read the Upgrade Path Before Reading the Feature List

The feature list says what you might gain, while the upgrade path says what you will definitely have to do, and the second list decides the real cost of a release.

Features are optional; the upgrade path is not. A release with modest features and a clean path often delivers more operational value than a headline release with a risky migration.

Reading the path like an operator

• List the steps that touch state, permissions, or adapters.
• Identify which steps are reversible and which commit you.
• Estimate the verification work, not just the installation work.

Use the changelog, quickstart, and architecture guide to price each release by its upgrade path first.