Zulip 12.0 Released
blog.zulip.com
April 30, 2026
18 min read
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46/100
Summary
Zulip Server 12.0 introduces end-to-end encryption for mobile push notifications, a significant Docker upgrade, and configurable image previews, alongside hundreds of new features and bug fixes. Since the 11.0 release in August 2025, nearly 5,500 new commits have been merged into the project.
Key Takeaways
- Zulip Server 12.0 introduces end-to-end encryption for mobile push notifications and a major upgrade for Docker, along with hundreds of new features and bug fixes.
- The Zulip project has seen contributions from 160 individuals since the 11.0 release, bringing the total number of code contributors to 1,680.
- AI tools have influenced Zulip's development process, leading to the creation of a new AI use policy that emphasizes human responsibility for contributions.
Community Sentiment
Positives
- Zulip's open-source nature allows for extensive customization, making it a valuable platform for teams looking to tailor their collaborative tools to specific needs.
- The community appreciates Zulip's reliability, with users reporting years of successful self-hosting without failures, highlighting its robustness as a collaborative solution.
- Zulip's topic-based memory model is particularly well-suited for AI assistant applications, suggesting potential for innovative integrations in personal productivity.
Concerns
- The iOS app's lack of basic features, such as creating topics or channels, significantly hampers usability for mobile users, leading some to abandon the platform.
- Concerns about the interface being inscrutable suggest that user experience could be improved to better accommodate new users and enhance accessibility.
