Releasesby GlyphNote : Your clusters might not have these versions available
Note : Your clusters might not have these versions available. Rollouts are already in progress when we publish the release notes, and can take multiple days to complete across all Google Cloud zones. Version 1.36.4-gke.1391000 is now the default version for cluster creation in the Rapid channel.
Also shipped Sep 23, 2026Google Cloud in September 2026 →
New features and improvements in Copilot for JetBrains
GitHub Copilot for JetBrains 1.18.0 brings AI-assisted tool approvals, more control over agent conversations, and shared skills and instructions for your organization. You can also review plans with the Codex agent and manage MCP tools with persistent controls.
Scalar and Batch Unity Catalog Python UDFs are now generally available
Scalar and Batch Unity Catalog Python UDFs are now generally available on all supported compute types. This release adds named handlers for row-at-a-time scalar UDFs, removes the five-UDF-call-per-query limit, and aligns scalar TIMESTAMP inputs with PySpark behavior.
Build governed data and AI apps without code (Beta)
You can now build governed data and AI apps without code. Genie App Builder authors apps in natural language, App Spaces enforce governance, and Serverless Micro Apps scale to zero when idle. See Governed agentic app building .
Non-deterministic aggregate functions are supported with dynamic table incremental refresh (General availability)
Non-deterministic aggregate functions such as approx count distinct , approx percentile , and approx top k are now supported with dynamic table incremental refresh in INCREMENTAL, AUTO, and ADAPTIVE refresh modes. For incremental refresh, these functions are supported only in the SELECT clause. any value remains unsupported.
More ways to request and configure Copilot code reviews
GitHub Copilot code review now offers additional personal configurations to an expanded set of Copilot plans and an enterprise-level default setting. These improvements are now generally available: A dedicated personal settings page for automatic review and your default review effort An enterprise-wide default review effort setting for organization-owned...
Node 20 is no longer available in GitHub Actions
This is the final notification that Node 20 is no longer available on GitHub Actions runners. Runners now use Node 24 for JavaScript actions. The temporary ACTIONS_ALLOW_USE_UNSECURE_NODE_VERSION opt-out is no longer available. If you maintain a JavaScript action, update its runs.using value to node24 and publish a new release as soon as possible.
More from Google Kubernetes EngineEvery Google Kubernetes Engine release →
(2026-R40) Version updates
GKE cluster versions have been updated. New versions available for upgrades and new clusters. The following versions are now available for new GKE clusters, and for manual control plane upgrades and node upgrades for existing clusters. For more information about versioning and upgrades, see GKE versioning and support and About GKE cluster upgrades .
GKE ambient networking is now available in Preview through an allowlist
GKE ambient networking is now available in Preview through an allowlist. GKE ambient networking provides a simplified, sidecarless deployment model for a service mesh with Layer 4 capabilities.
GKE Standard clusters now support up to 512 maximum Pods per node, an increase from the previous limit of 256
GKE Standard clusters now support up to 512 maximum Pods per node, an increase from the previous limit of 256. Nodes configured for 257 to 512 Pods will now be allocated a /22 Pod CIDR block (1,024 IP addresses).
The storage-optimized Z4D machine series is available with GKE clusters running 1.36.3-gke.1244000 or later
The storage-optimized Z4D machine series is available with GKE clusters running 1.36.3-gke.1244000 or later. You can use Z4D machine types in Standard or Autopilot mode. For more information about limitations for this machine series in GKE, see About machine support with GKE clusters .
(2026-R39) Version updates
GKE cluster versions have been updated. New versions available for upgrades and new clusters. The following versions are now available for new GKE clusters, and for manual control plane upgrades and node upgrades for existing clusters. For more information about versioning and upgrades, see GKE versioning and support and About GKE cluster upgrades .
Note : Your clusters might not have these versions available
Note : Your clusters might not have these versions available. Rollouts are already in progress when we publish the release notes, and can take multiple days to complete across all Google Cloud zones. Version 1.36.4-gke.1247000 is now the default version for cluster creation in the Rapid channel.
GKE now automatically applies protection tier labels to TPU node pools created from Compute Engine...
GKE now automatically applies protection tier labels to TPU node pools created from Compute Engine reservations. Depending on your configuration, GKE adds: Node pool resource label: goog-gke-node-pool-protection-tier ( standard or capacity_optimized ) Kubernetes node label: cloud.google.com/protection-tier ( STANDARD or CAPACITY_OPTIMIZED ) To learn more...
(2026-R42) Version updates
GKE cluster versions have been updated. New versions available for upgrades and new clusters. The following versions are now available for new GKE clusters, and for manual control plane upgrades and node upgrades for existing clusters. For more information about versioning and upgrades, see GKE versioning and support and About GKE cluster upgrades .