diff --git a/content/demoting-x8664-apple-darwin-to-tier-2-with-host-tools.md b/content/demoting-x8664-apple-darwin-to-tier-2-with-host-tools.md new file mode 100644 index 000000000..2efb8175a --- /dev/null +++ b/content/demoting-x8664-apple-darwin-to-tier-2-with-host-tools.md @@ -0,0 +1,50 @@ ++++ +path = "9999/12/31/demoting-x8664-apple-darwin-to-tier-2-with-host-tools" +title = "Demoting x86_64-apple-darwin to Tier 2 with host tools" +authors = ["Jake Goulding"] + +[extra] +team = "the Infrastructure team" +team_url = "https://www.rust-lang.org/governance/teams/infra#team-infra" ++++ + +In Rust 1.90.0, the target `x86_64-apple-darwin` will be demoted to Tier 2 with host tools. +The standard library and the compiler will continue to be built and distributed, +but automated tests of these components are no longer guaranteed to be run. + +## Background + +Rust has supported macOS for a long time, +with some amount of support dating back to Rust 0.1 and likely before that. +During that time period, +Apple has changed CPU architectures from x86 to x86\_64 and now to Apple silicon, +ultimately announcing the [end of support][timeline] for the x86\_64 architecture. + +Similarly, +[GitHub has announced][gha] that they will no longer provide free macOS x86\_64 runners for public repositories. +The Rust Project uses these runners to execute automated tests for the `x86_64-apple-darwin` target. +Since the [target tier policy][policy] requires that Tier 1 platforms must run tests in CI, +the `x86_64-apple-darwin` target must be demoted to Tier 2. + +## What changes? + +Starting with Rust 1.90.0, `x86_64-apple-darwin` will be Tier 2 with host tools. +For users, +nothing will change immediately; +builds of both the standard library and the compiler will still be distributed by the Rust Project for use via `rustup` or alternative installation methods. + +Over time, +this target will likely accumulate bugs faster due to reduced testing. + +## Future + +If the `x86_64-apple-darwin` target causes concrete problems, +it may be demoted further. +No plans for further demotion have been made yet. + +For more details on the motivation of the demotion, see [RFC 3841][]. + +[policy]: https://doc.rust-lang.org/stable/rustc/target-tier-policy.html +[timeline]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mac_transition_to_Apple_silicon#Timeline +[gha]: https://github.blog/changelog/2025-07-11-upcoming-changes-to-macos-hosted-runners-macos-latest-migration-and-xcode-support-policy-updates/#macos-13-is-closing-down +[RFC 3841]: https://rust-lang.github.io/rfcs/3841-demote-x86_64-apple-darwin.html