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+# Claro v1.09.26 RC9 Notes
+
+RC9 is the final-candidate release before the first stable v1 release.
+
+The goal of RC9 is not to make Claro bigger. The goal is to make the current learner-friendly language easier to test, validate, and ship.
+
+## Added in RC9
+
+```bash
+claro validate
+```
+
+This runs a final-candidate validation pass over the package:
+
+- package health check
+- regression tests
+- checker pass over lessons
+- checker pass over main examples
+
+## Still beginner-first
+
+Claro continues to prefer plain-text, readable code:
+
+```claro
+SET name TO "Jon"
+ASK "What is your name?" name
+SAY "Hello " + name
+
+TEACH greet person
+    SAY "Hi " + person
+END
+
+DO greet "Friend"
+```
+
+## Compatibility
+
+Older RC forms still work:
+
+```claro
+ASK "Name?" AS name
+TEACH greet TAKES name
+    SAY name
+LEARNED
+CALL greet WITH "Jon"
+```
+
+## After RC9
+
+The next recommended release is `Claro v1.10.26`, the first stable v1 release, after final manual testing on Windows and a clean public package check.