Release v2.0

[shuds13]

Target: March 2026

• Remove use_persis_return_sim (ensure persistent gens return None as first parameter unless want to return something.)
• Updating forces and other examples (inc. notebooks) for using gen on manager. Update platform tutorials.
• To make persistent_gens the default alloc, all alloc_specs options should be reflected by gen_specs options of same name that can be used in place. E.g., async_return (maybe just async? or batch=False). So users do not suddenly have to import the alloc specs to change these options.
• Botorch example Add botorch_mfkg use-case. #1608
• Docs should have gest-api gen info, also show support for dictionary(gest-api?) style sims.
• Compatability with Ax v 1.0 / or remove our Ax generator - in favor of using Optimas generators.
• Ensure any Xopt/Optimas tests are enabled in CI.
• Updating forces and other examples (inc. notebooks) to use gen on manager. Update platform tutorials.
• Make tests and sims/gens agent ready Make tests and sim/gen directories agent ready #1691
• Remove use of add_unique_random_streams where can (if only one gen and usually sims dont use).
• Determine how we random sample when using Xopt generators. Determine how we random sample when using Xopt generators #1696
• Add the missing sampling methods to gen_classes/sampling.py (if use initial_sample_method gen_specs option, add dictionary lookup.)

Questions:

• Should H0 be an argument to ensemble.run()?
• naming "persistent_" do we update as most examples are persistent (2.0 consideration).
• Consider order of arguments to Ensemble object
• Check naming of ask/tell v classic tests/generators
• Review layout of docs for generators and how gest-api gens are documeneted (inc. Optimas and Xopt).