This is a backport release, Gradle @version@.

This release features bugfixes and other changes that were [backported](#backports) from Gradle 7.0 to Gradle 6.x.

We would like to thank the following community contributors to this release of Gradle:
[Ståle Undheim](https://github.com/staale)

## Upgrade instructions

Switch your build to use Gradle @version@ by updating your wrapper:

`./gradlew wrapper --gradle-version=@version@`

See the [Gradle 6.x upgrade guide](userguide/upgrading_version_6.html#changes_@baseVersion@) to learn about deprecations, breaking changes and other considerations when upgrading to Gradle @version@.

For Java, Groovy, Kotlin and Android compatibility, see the [full compatibility notes](userguide/compatibility.html).

## Backports

### Limited support for Java 16

This release does not support _running_ Gradle with JDK 16, but you can use [Java toolchains](userguide/toolchains.html) to request Java 16 and compile your project.

### Using dynamic versions in the plugins block

Until now, the `plugins { }` block only supported fixed versions for community plugins. All [version string notations Gradle supports](userguide/single_versions.html) are now accepted, including `+` or `latest.release`.

We recommend using the `plugins {}` block for applying plugins using Gradle 7. The old `apply plugin:` mechanism will be deprecated in the future.

Note that dynamic versions will introduce non-deterministic behavior to your build process and should be used judiciously. You can use [dependency locking](userguide/dependency_locking.html) to save the set of dependencies resolved when using dynamic versions.

### Native support for Apple Silicon

Previous Gradle versions were able to run on new Macs with Apple Silicon processors with some disadvantages:

* With a native ARM JDK, Gradle features like the [rich console](userguide/command_line_interface.html#sec:command_line_customizing_log_format) and [file system watching](userguide/gradle_daemon.html#sec:daemon_watch_fs) would be disabled.
* With an Intel JDK, Gradle would run at about half speed through the Rosetta2 compatibility layer.

With this release, every feature is now supported using a native ARM JDK.
If you're using a new Mac with Apple Silicon, you should use Gradle with a native ARM JDK for optimal performance.

### Other backports

Please refer to the list below for all issues backported from Gradle 7.0.

## Fixed issues

## Known issues

Known issues are problems that were discovered post release that are directly related to changes made in this release.

## External contributions

We love getting contributions from the Gradle community. For information on contributing, please see [gradle.org/contribute](https://gradle.org/contribute).

## Reporting Problems

If you find a problem with this release, please file a bug on [GitHub Issues](https://github.com/gradle/gradle/issues) adhering to our issue guidelines.
If you're not sure you're encountering a bug, please use the [forum](https://discuss.gradle.org/c/help-discuss).

We hope you will build happiness with Gradle, and we look forward to your feedback via [Twitter](https://twitter.com/gradle) or on [GitHub](https://github.com/gradle).
