AEMaaCS SDK 2026.2 – /var/clientlibs resolves as NonExistingResource (RTE toolbar broken locally)

Hi all,

We are experiencing an issue in AEMaaCS SDK 2026.2.24288 where /var/clientlibs is not being resolved correctly in local environments.

 

Issue

In local SDK only (all developers, clean instances):

• Requests to /var/clientlibs/... return 404

• Sling resolves them as NonExistingResource

• debugClientLibs=true fails (multiple 404 under /var/clientlibs/.../generated/*.css)

• RTE toolbar does not render (including Core Components Text)

• Console shows strict mode error:

Uncaught TypeError: 'caller', 'callee', and 'arguments' properties may not be accessed on strict mode functions
    at createRegisteredPlugins(...)
    at startEditing(...)

Cloud environments (DEV/STAGE/PROD) work correctly.

 

Clean Reproduction

1. Delete crx-quickstart

2. Start SDK:

java -Xmx4096m -jar aem-sdk-quickstart-2026.2.24288.20260204T121510Z.jar -r author

3. Open:

http://localhost:4502/editor.html/... ?debugClientLibs=true

4. Check:

http://localhost:4502/var/clientlibs/libs/cq/gui/components/authoring/dialog/richtext/clientlibs/rte/coralui3/css/generated/richtext.css

→ Returns 404
→ Request resolves to NonExistingResource

 

What we validated

• HtmlLibraryServlet → ACTIVE

• HtmlLibraryManagerImpl → ACTIVE

• No unsatisfied OSGi components

• Default ResourceResolver config

• No permission issues

• No custom project code required to reproduce

• Happens on clean SDK

It looks like /var/clientlibs is not being handled virtually by the SDK runtime.

 

Question

Has anyone seen /var/clientlibs not being virtualized in SDK 2026.2?
Is there a known regression or missing feature flag related to virtual clientlibs handling in this version?
 

Any insight would be appreciated.

Thank you!