Abstract: A device executing an application in a distributed system may transmit a query for capabilities of one or more components in the distributed system to a capability service and receive a response. Based on the response, the device may determine whether a first capability criteria that is based on a first version of the application is met. If the first capability criteria is met, the device may execute the first version of the application. If the first capability is not met: the device may transmit a subscription request to subscribe to one or more particular capabilities; and optionally may determine a second version of the application for which a second capability criteria is met and execute the second version until receiving a notification to the subscription. The capability service may have a capability store that is updated upon a capability change in the one or more components in the system.