When managing server infrastructure, one of the most critical questions is: “How long will our current version be supported?” This is especially important for tools like Puppet that manage your entire infrastructure. Once support ends, you lose access to security patches and technical support.

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of Puppet’s version support policy and detailed EOS (End of Support)/EOL (End of Life) schedules for all versions, based on the latest information as of October 2025.

1. What is Puppet?

Puppet is an open-source configuration management and automated deployment tool. Since its initial development in 2005, it has been used by countless enterprises worldwide as a core infrastructure automation solution.

Puppet’s key advantage is its Desired State Configuration approach. You define the desired state in code, and Puppet automatically maintains that state across your servers. For example, you can specify “Apache 2.4 must be installed with these configuration files,” and Puppet will manage hundreds or thousands of servers automatically.

Puppet Product Lines

Puppet is available in two main versions:

• Puppet Enterprise (PE): The commercial version includes a Web Console, advanced Reporting capabilities, and Technical Support. This is primarily used in enterprise environments.
• Puppet Core (formerly Open Source Puppet): As of February 2025, Perforce has taken over development of Puppet Core as a proprietary product. Versions 7 and 8 are currently supported.

Note that all open-source Puppet versions prior to February 2025 have reached EOL. However, the Puppet Community continues to develop a community-maintained version.

2. Understanding Puppet Enterprise Support Policy

To understand Puppet Enterprise’s support policy, you need to know about two release tracks.

Current Support Model (Until August 2026)

LTS (Long-Term Support) Track

• Version format: YYYY.X.Z (e.g., 2023.8.1)
• Support duration: 2 years from initial release
• Update frequency: Patch releases approximately every 6 months
• Features: Bug fixes and security patches only, no new features
• Best for: Organizations prioritizing stability and minimal environment changes

STS/Current Track (Short-Term Support)

• Version format: YYYY.Y (e.g., 2025.6)
• Support duration: Until next major version release
• Update frequency: Updates with new features approximately every 6 months
• Features: Latest features and improvements
• Best for: Organizations wanting access to the latest capabilities

New Support Model (Starting August 6, 2026)

Starting August 6, 2026, Puppet Enterprise will transition to a “Latest” and “Latest-1” model. The existing LTS model will be discontinued in favor of this new policy designed for faster innovation and simplified lifecycle management.

Latest (Current Version)

• Full support for 12 months from major version release
• Includes all new features, security patches, and bug fixes

Latest-1 (Previous Version)

• Limited support for an additional 12 months after Latest supersedes it
• Security updates and critical bug fixes only
• No new features

3. Complete Puppet Enterprise Version EOS/EOL Schedule

Currently Supported – PE 2025 Series (Current)

Currently Supported – PE 2023.8 Series (LTS)

Note: PE 2023.8 is the final LTS version. The Latest/Latest-1 model begins in August 2026.

End of Life – PE 2023 STS Series

End of Life – PE 2021.7 Series (LTS)

End of Life – PE 2021 STS Series

End of Life – PE 2019.8 Series (LTS)

End of Life – PE 2019 STS Series

End of Life – PE 2018.1 Series (LTS)

End of Life – PE 2017.3 Series (LTS)

End of Life – PE 2017.2 and Earlier

Note: For specific EOL dates for versions prior to 2017.2, contact Puppet Support.

4. Puppet Core/Agent Version Support Policy

Support schedule for Puppet Agent and open-source Puppet versions.

Puppet Agent EOL by Version

Important: Puppet Agent versions follow the EOL dates of their associated Puppet Enterprise versions.

Puppet Core (Open Source) Policy Changes

Significant changes occurred in February 2025:

• Open Source Puppet (version 6 and earlier): All EOL
• Puppet Core (versions 7 and 8): Now developed by Perforce as a proprietary product
• Community Version: Puppet Community continues open-source development

For more information, see the Puppet Core documentation.

5. Component Versions by PE Release

Key component versions included in each PE release.

PE 2025.x Series

PE 2023.8 Series

PE 2021.7 Series (EOL)

PE 2019.8 Series (EOL)

6. Upgrade Strategies by Version

Running PE 2021.7 (Already EOL)

Urgency: 🔴 Critical (Security patches discontinued)

Important Considerations:

• Puppet 7 → 8 major upgrade requires legacy fact migration
• Review the official upgrade guide before proceeding
• Thorough testing in staging environment is essential

Running PE 2023.8 (Current LTS)

Urgency: 🟡 Moderate (Supported until August 2026)

Recommendations:

• Maintain at least version 2023.8.6 (includes 50+ CVE fixes)
• Begin planning upgrade before August 2026

Running PE 2025.x (Current)

Urgency: 🟢 Low (Supported until August 2027)

New Features:

• Puppet Edge (network device management)
• AI-powered natural language queries
• Advanced Patching improvements

7. Version Verification and Resources

Check Version via Command Line

# Check Puppet Agent version
puppet --version

# Check PE version
cat /opt/puppetlabs/server/pe_version

# Check component details
puppetserver --version
facter --version

Official Resources

8. Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: PE 2021.7 is already EOL, but we haven’t upgraded yet. Will there be immediate issues?

Your system won’t stop immediately, but you’ll be exposed to security vulnerabilities without access to patches. Since Puppet is a critical infrastructure management tool, we strongly recommend upgrading to PE 2023.8 or PE 2025.x as soon as possible.

Q2: Can I switch from LTS to Current track?

Yes. You can upgrade from PE 2023.8 (LTS) to PE 2025.x (Current). However, the Current track receives more frequent updates, so ensure this aligns with your organization’s change management policies.

Q3: Can I continue using open-source Puppet for free?

Perforce’s official open-source Puppet reached EOL in February 2025. However, the Puppet Community continues development of a community-maintained version, though without official support.

Q4: Will I need to rewrite all my code when upgrading to Puppet 8?

Most Puppet code is compatible. However, some legacy facts and 3.x-style functions may require updates. Thorough testing in a staging environment is essential. See the PE 2023.8 release notes for details.

Q5: Where can I find specific EOL dates?

EOL dates for major versions are available on the Puppet official support lifecycle page. For specific dates or information about older versions, contact Puppet Support directly.

Conclusion

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of Puppet’s version support policy and EOL schedules. Key takeaways:

• PE 2021.7: EOL as of February 28, 2025 → Immediate upgrade required
• PE 2023.8: EOL August 2026 → Final LTS version
• PE 2025.x: Supported until August 2027 → Current latest version
• August 6, 2026: Transition to Latest/Latest-1 model → Annual upgrade cycle

Understanding version support policies and planning upgrades proactively helps prevent system instability from rushed migrations. Regularly review the Puppet official site and align your upgrade strategy with your organization’s change management policies. For specific version EOL dates or information about older versions, contact Puppet Support directly. 🙂

References:

• Puppet Enterprise Support Lifecycle
• Puppet Enterprise Latest Releases
• Puppet Version History
• Puppet Enterprise Upgrade Guide
• Puppet Core Documentation
• endoflife.date – Puppet
• Puppet Technical Support