Claude API: structured outputs support expands, and older models keep getting retired.

Production users: pin versions and stop ignoring deprecation notes.

What changed
Structured outputs support expanded to additional Claude variants
Model deprecations continue (older models retired or scheduled to retire)
Docs + console experience is being consolidated for developers
Who it affects
API users
Anyone shipping Claude in production
RAG/agents teams
What to do now
Pin model versions in production (avoid surprise changes)
Track deprecation notices and set upgrade windows
Prefer structured outputs for tool-calling and pipelines