Merge remote-tracking branch 'upstream/master' into test-staging

# Conflicts:
#	.github/workflows/windows_build.yml
#	src/server/game/Handlers/CharacterHandler.cpp

.github/SECURITY.md

@@ -23,10 +23,10 @@ We support the following versions of dependencies.
 ### Supported Operating Systems
 
 | Linux (Ubuntu) |       Status       |     Recommended      |
-| :------------- | :----------------: | :------------------: |
-| 24.04          | :white_check_mark: | :large_blue_diamond: |
-| 22.04          | :white_check_mark: |                      |
-| 20.04 ≤        |    :red_circle:    |                      |
+|:---------------| :----------------: | :------------------: |
+| 26.04          | :white_check_mark: | :large_blue_diamond: |
+| 24.04          | :white_check_mark: |                      |
+| 22.04 ≤        |    :red_circle:    |                      |
 
 | macOS |       Status       |     Recommended      |
 | :---- | :----------------: | :------------------: |

.github/actions/linux-build/action.yml

@@ -64,23 +64,14 @@ runs:
       run: |
         sudo apt update
         sudo apt remove needrestart #refer: https://github.com/actions/runner-images/issues/9937
-        sudo apt-get -y install ccache clang cmake curl google-perftools \
-          libmysqlclient-dev make unzip build-essential cmake-data  \
-          libboost-all-dev libbz2-dev libncurses5-dev libmysql++-dev \
+        sudo apt-get -y install ccache clang cmake curl \
+          make unzip build-essential cmake-data  \
+          libboost-all-dev libbz2-dev libmysql++-dev \
           libreadline6-dev libssl-dev libtool openssl zlib1g-dev
-
-        # Account for https://github.com/actions/runner-images/issues/8659
-        # based off of https://github.com/actions/runner-images/issues/8659#issuecomment-1852353116
-        UBUNTU_VERSION="$(grep VERSION_ID /etc/os-release | cut -f2 -d\")"
-        source /etc/os-release
-        if [[ "$VERSION_CODENAME" == "jammy" ]]; then
-          if [[ "${{ inputs.CC }}" =~ "clang-" ]]; then
-            CLANG_VERSION="$(echo '${{ inputs.CC }}' | cut -f2 -d\-)"
-            wget -qO- https://apt.llvm.org/llvm-snapshot.gpg.key | sudo apt-key add -
-            sudo add-apt-repository "deb http://apt.llvm.org/$VERSION_CODENAME/ llvm-toolchain-$VERSION_CODENAME-$CLANG_VERSION main"
-            sudo apt-get -qq update
-            sudo apt-get -qq install '${{ inputs.CC }}'
-          fi
+        if [[ "$(lsb_release -sr)" == "26.04" ]]; then
+          sudo apt-get -y install libgoogle-perftools-dev default-libmysqlclient-dev
+        else
+          sudo apt-get -y install google-perftools libmysqlclient-dev libncurses5-dev
         fi
 
     - name: setup ccache

.github/agents/README.md

@@ -19,14 +19,14 @@ The PR Reviewer agent is configured to review pull requests with deep understand
 - Testing and validation requirements
 - Security and quality standards
 
-**Key Feature**: This agent always references `/CLAUDE.md`, the C++ Code Standards wiki, and the SQL Standards wiki before reviewing any PR.
+**Key Feature**: This agent always references `/AGENTS.md`, the C++ Code Standards wiki, and the SQL Standards wiki before reviewing any PR.
 
 ## How It Works
 
 When an AI tool reviews a PR in this repository:
 
 1. The tool reads the appropriate agent configuration from this directory
-2. The agent configuration instructs it to read `/CLAUDE.md` for full project context
+2. The agent configuration instructs it to read `/AGENTS.md` for full project context
 3. For C++ changes, the agent also references the [C++ Code Standards wiki](https://github.com/azerothcore/wiki/blob/master/docs/cpp-code-standards.md)
 4. For SQL changes, the agent also references the [SQL Standards wiki](https://github.com/azerothcore/wiki/blob/master/docs/sql-standards.md)
 5. The agent applies project-specific rules during review
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ When an AI tool reviews a PR in this repository:
 
 If you're using AI tools to assist with contributions:
 
-1. Familiarize yourself with `/CLAUDE.md` - it contains essential project knowledge
+1. Familiarize yourself with `/AGENTS.md` - it contains essential project knowledge
 2. Review the [C++ Code Standards](https://github.com/azerothcore/wiki/blob/master/docs/cpp-code-standards.md) for C++ contributions
 3. Review the [SQL Standards](https://github.com/azerothcore/wiki/blob/master/docs/sql-standards.md) for database contributions
 4. The AI agents will help ensure your changes follow project standards
@@ -47,13 +47,13 @@ If you're using AI tools to assist with contributions:
 To update agent configurations:
 
 1. Edit the relevant `.md` file in this directory
-2. Ensure any changes align with documentation in `/CLAUDE.md` and the wiki standards
+2. Ensure any changes align with documentation in `/AGENTS.md` and the wiki standards
 3. Test the updated configuration with a sample PR review
 4. Commit changes following the project's commit message format
 
 ## References
 
-- Project guidelines: `/CLAUDE.md`
+- Project guidelines: `/AGENTS.md`
 - C++ standards: [C++ Code Standards](https://github.com/azerothcore/wiki/blob/master/docs/cpp-code-standards.md)
 - SQL standards: [SQL Standards](https://github.com/azerothcore/wiki/blob/master/docs/sql-standards.md)
 - PR template: `/pull_request_template.md`

.github/agents/pr-reviewer.md

@@ -5,13 +5,13 @@ You are an expert code reviewer for the AzerothCore project. When reviewing pull
 ## Required Reading
 
 Before reviewing any PR, you MUST read and follow the instructions in:
-- `/CLAUDE.md` - Contains comprehensive project architecture, coding standards, build instructions, and PR requirements
+- `/AGENTS.md` - Contains comprehensive project architecture, coding standards, build instructions, and PR requirements
 - [C++ Code Standards](https://github.com/azerothcore/wiki/blob/master/docs/cpp-code-standards.md) - Detailed C++ coding conventions and style guide
 - [SQL Standards](https://github.com/azerothcore/wiki/blob/master/docs/sql-standards.md) - SQL query formatting and database standards
 
 ## Key Review Focus Areas
 
-Based on CLAUDE.md, always verify:
+Based on AGENTS.md, always verify:
 
 ### 1. Commit Message Format
 - Uses Conventional Commits: `Type(Scope/Subscope): Short description`
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ Based on CLAUDE.md, always verify:
 
 ## Review Process
 
-1. Read CLAUDE.md to understand project context
+1. Read AGENTS.md to understand project context
 2. Review C++ Code Standards wiki for C++ changes
 3. Review SQL Standards wiki for database changes
 4. Check commit message format
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ Based on CLAUDE.md, always verify:
 ## Feedback Style
 
 - Be constructive and educational
-- Reference specific sections of CLAUDE.md, C++ Code Standards, or SQL Standards when applicable
+- Reference specific sections of AGENTS.md, C++ Code Standards, or SQL Standards when applicable
 - Suggest specific fixes with code examples if necessary
 - Highlight both issues and good practices
 - For C++ issues, cite specific rule from C++ Code Standards wiki

.github/workflows/core-build-nopch.yml

@@ -25,10 +25,6 @@ jobs:
       fail-fast: true
       matrix:
         include:
-          - os: ubuntu-22.04
-            compiler:
-              CC: clang-15
-              CXX: clang++-15
           - os: ubuntu-24.04
             compiler:
               CC: clang-18
@@ -37,6 +33,10 @@ jobs:
             compiler:
               CC: gcc-14
               CXX: g++-14
+          - os: ubuntu-26.04
+            compiler:
+              CC: clang-20
+              CXX: clang++-20
     runs-on: ${{ matrix.os }}
     name: ${{ matrix.os }}-${{ matrix.compiler.CC }}-nopch
     if: github.repository == 'mod-playerbots/azerothcore-wotlk' && !github.event.pull_request.draft

.github/workflows/core-build-pch.yml

@@ -25,14 +25,14 @@ jobs:
       fail-fast: true
       matrix:
         include:
-          - os: ubuntu-22.04
-            compiler:
-              CC: clang-15
-              CXX: clang++-15
           - os: ubuntu-24.04
             compiler:
               CC: clang-18
               CXX: clang++-18
+          - os: ubuntu-26.04
+            compiler:
+              CC: clang-20
+              CXX: clang++-20
     runs-on: ${{ matrix.os }}
     name: ${{ matrix.os }}-${{ matrix.compiler.CC }}-pch
     if: github.repository == 'mod-playerbots/azerothcore-wotlk' && !github.event.pull_request.draft

.github/workflows/dashboard-ci.yml

@@ -42,8 +42,8 @@ jobs:
       fail-fast: true
       matrix:
         include:
-          - os: ubuntu-22.04
           - os: ubuntu-24.04
+          - os: ubuntu-26.04
     runs-on: ${{ matrix.os }}
     if: github.repository == 'azerothcore/azerothcore-wotlk' && !github.event.pull_request.draft
     steps:
@@ -74,8 +74,8 @@ jobs:
       fail-fast: true
       matrix:
         include:
-          - os: ubuntu-22.04
           - os: ubuntu-24.04
+          - os: ubuntu-26.04
     runs-on: ${{ matrix.os }}
     if: github.repository == 'azerothcore/azerothcore-wotlk' && !github.event.pull_request.draft
     steps:

.github/workflows/windows_build.yml

@@ -39,15 +39,73 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: ccache
         uses: hendrikmuhs/ccache-action@v1.2.13
-
+      # Cache the fetched Boost + MySQL client so we don't re-download ~350 MB
+      # and re-run the Boost installer on every run. The Test-Path guards in
+      # "Configure OS" short-circuit the install work when these are restored.
+      - name: Cache Boost & MySQL
+        uses: actions/cache@v4
+        with:
+          path: |
+            C:\local\boost_1_87_0
+            C:\tools\mysql\current
+          key: winbuild-deps:boost-1.87.0:mysql-8.4.9
       - name: Configure OS
-        shell: bash
-        env:
-          CONTINUOUS_INTEGRATION: true
+        shell: pwsh
         run: |
-          cd C:/ac
-          ./acore.sh install-deps
+          $ErrorActionPreference = 'Stop'
 
+          # The windows-latest runner image already ships CMake, Visual Studio
+          # (with the native desktop workload + MSVC) and OpenSSL, so we only need to
+          # provide Boost and the MySQL client libraries. We fetch these directly
+          # instead of via chocolatey, whose pinned packages keep breaking on CI
+          # (VS detection failures and slproweb removing old OpenSSL installers).
+
+          # --- Boost 1.87.0 (msvc-14.3, 64-bit) prebuilt binaries -> C:\local\boost_1_87_0 (BOOST_ROOT) ---
+          # Use the direct-download host; the plain /download URL serves an HTML interstitial.
+          if (-not (Test-Path 'C:\local\boost_1_87_0\boost'))
+          {
+              $boostExe = Join-Path $env:RUNNER_TEMP 'boost.exe'
+              Invoke-WebRequest -Uri 'https://master.dl.sourceforge.net/project/boost/boost-binaries/1.87.0/boost_1_87_0-msvc-14.3-64.exe?viasf=1' -OutFile $boostExe
+              $boostMB = (Get-Item $boostExe).Length / 1MB
+              Write-Host ("Downloaded Boost installer: {0:N1} MB" -f $boostMB)
+              if ($boostMB -lt 50) { throw "Boost installer download looks wrong ($([int]$boostMB) MB) - likely an HTML page." }
+              $boostProc = Start-Process -FilePath $boostExe -ArgumentList '/VERYSILENT','/SUPPRESSMSGBOXES','/NORESTART','/DIR=C:\local\boost_1_87_0' -Wait -PassThru
+              if ($boostProc.ExitCode -ne 0) { throw "Boost installer failed with exit code $($boostProc.ExitCode)." }
+              # Fail fast if the installer "succeeded" but didn't lay down the expected tree,
+              # instead of surfacing a cryptic error later during CMake configuration.
+              if (-not (Test-Path 'C:\local\boost_1_87_0\boost\version.hpp')) { throw 'Boost install missing headers at C:\local\boost_1_87_0\boost.' }
+              if (-not (Test-Path 'C:\local\boost_1_87_0\lib64-msvc-14.3')) { throw 'Boost install missing prebuilt libs at C:\local\boost_1_87_0\lib64-msvc-14.3.' }
+          }
+
+          # --- MySQL 8.4 client headers + libs -> C:\tools\mysql\current (path the build expects) ---
+          if (-not (Test-Path 'C:\tools\mysql\current\lib\mysqlclient.lib'))
+          {
+              # Use the archives CDN directly (keeps every version, unlike dev.mysql.com/get which only
+              # serves the current GA). A browser user-agent is required or Oracle returns an HTML error page.
+              $mysqlZip = Join-Path $env:RUNNER_TEMP 'mysql.zip'
+              Invoke-WebRequest -Uri 'https://cdn.mysql.com/archives/mysql-8.4/mysql-8.4.9-winx64.zip' -OutFile $mysqlZip -UserAgent 'Mozilla/5.0'
+              $mysqlMB = (Get-Item $mysqlZip).Length / 1MB
+              Write-Host ("Downloaded MySQL zip: {0:N1} MB" -f $mysqlMB)
+              if ($mysqlMB -lt 50) { throw "MySQL zip download looks wrong ($([int]$mysqlMB) MB)." }
+              New-Item -ItemType Directory -Force -Path 'C:\tools\mysql' | Out-Null
+              Expand-Archive -Path $mysqlZip -DestinationPath 'C:\tools\mysql' -Force
+              if (Test-Path 'C:\tools\mysql\current') { Remove-Item -Recurse -Force 'C:\tools\mysql\current' }
+              Rename-Item 'C:\tools\mysql\mysql-8.4.9-winx64' 'C:\tools\mysql\current'
+              # Fail fast if the archive layout changed and the client import library isn't
+              # where the build expects it, rather than failing later during CMake/link.
+              if (-not (Test-Path 'C:\tools\mysql\current\lib\mysqlclient.lib')) { throw 'MySQL client import library missing at C:\tools\mysql\current\lib\mysqlclient.lib.' }
+          }
+
+          # --- OpenSSL: use the copy already installed on the runner image ---
+          $opensslRoot = @($env:OPENSSL_ROOT_DIR, 'C:\Program Files\OpenSSL', 'C:\Program Files\OpenSSL-Win64') |
+              Where-Object { $_ -and (Test-Path (Join-Path $_ 'include\openssl\opensslv.h')) } |
+              Select-Object -First 1
+          if (-not $opensslRoot)
+          {
+              throw 'No OpenSSL development install found on the runner image.'
+          }
+          "OPENSSL_ROOT_DIR=$opensslRoot" | Out-File -FilePath $env:GITHUB_ENV -Append -Encoding utf8
+          Write-Host "Using OpenSSL at $opensslRoot"
       - name: Build
         shell: bash
         run: |