Summary
Node.js 26.9 adds Web Workers support, a generic MAC API, OpenSSL provider cipher and hash discovery, default FFI support and a new node:bench implementation. It also extends perf_hooks with meanCI and CBOR operations and introduces an experimental DTLS API alongside broader crypto, HTTP, filesystem and permission changes.
Why it matters
The release changes the capabilities available to server-side JavaScript applications and makes more runtime functionality accessible without external packages or custom native integrations.
Related coverage
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- Claude Code 2.1.274 hardens MCP startup, session recovery and telemetry
- Cline 4.1.19 blocks planted executables and fixes context exhaustion