# Pre-release software

Pre-release software is still under development and testing. It may contain [bugs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_bug) and missing features. Sometimes, pre-release software includes [experimental features](/encyclopedia/software/bactobox-r-software-changelog/experimental-feature.md).

## Availability

Pre-release software is not generally available. We offer pre-release software to selected users.

{% hint style="success" %}

## Want to test pre-release software?

[Reach out to us](mailto:customersupport@sbtinstruments.com)! Make sure to mention if there is a specific [experimental feature](/encyclopedia/software/bactobox-r-software-changelog/experimental-feature.md) that you are interested in.
{% endhint %}

## Support

We offer *limited* support for pre-release software. We can not guarantee to address issues in a timely manner.

Use released software to *full* support. We fix issues in a timely manner (sometimes same-day fixes) for released software.

## How to install pre-release software

The procedure is the same as regular software releases. See [Update BactoBox® software](/protocols/best-practices/update-bactobox-r-software.md).

{% hint style="success" %}

## Installing an alpha or beta version? Create a backup first!

[Create a backup](/encyclopedia/software/access/pages/backup-and-restore.md) before you install [pre-release software](/encyclopedia/software/bactobox-r-software-changelog/pre-release-software.md). This ensures that your data is safe from any [bugs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_bug) in the pre-release software.
{% endhint %}

## Alpha, beta, and release candidate

At SBT, pre-release software goes through an *alpha*, *beta*, and *release candidate* phase. The corresponding [software version](/encyclopedia/software/bactobox-r-software-changelog.md) uses this terminology. Examples:

* `v2026.02-alpha.7`
* `v2026.02-beta.3`
* `v2026.02-rc.5` (`rc` is short for release candidate)

Once development and testing is done, the final software version looks something like `v2026.02` . Sometimes, we issue a [hotfix](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hotfix) version such as `v2026.02a` .

See also [software release life cycle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_release_life_cycle).


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://help.sbtinstruments.com/encyclopedia/software/bactobox-r-software-changelog/pre-release-software.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.