Maven Central search and coordinates

Help users search Maven Central, resolve groupId:artifactId:version, read version history, and build correct download URLs; and when working on their project, verify versions-maven-plugin and run versions:display-* goals for dependency, plugin, and property updates. What is covered:

• Maven Central Search API — e.g. keyword search for Spring Boot starters (spring-boot-starter) or coordinate filters (g:org.springframework.boot AND a:spring-boot-starter-parent)
• Direct repository layout and maven-metadata.xml
• POM, JAR, -sources.jar, -javadoc.jar URL patterns
• Parsing POMs for direct dependencies; transitive trees via Maven/Gradle on the consumer project
• Versions Maven Plugin — ensure org.codehaus.mojo:versions-maven-plugin is declared, then ./mvnw versions:display-property-updates, versions:display-dependency-updates, versions:display-plugin-updates
• Output format: structured coordinates, tables, and verifiable HTTPS links

Constraints

Verify coordinates against the Search API or repository responses before asserting availability. Prefer release versions unless snapshots are explicitly required.