diff --git a/README.adoc b/README.adoc
index 750e20a437..ee192f3c5f 100644
--- a/README.adoc
+++ b/README.adoc
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ You'll build a service that imports data from a CSV spreadsheet, transforms it w
 
 == What you'll need
 
+:java_version: 1.8
 include::https://raw.githubusercontent.com/spring-guides/getting-started-macros/master/prereq_editor_jdk_buildtools.adoc[]
 
 include::https://raw.githubusercontent.com/spring-guides/getting-started-macros/master/how_to_complete_this_guide.adoc[]
diff --git a/complete/build.gradle b/complete/build.gradle
index 5b4d53ef6a..30121d4562 100644
--- a/complete/build.gradle
+++ b/complete/build.gradle
@@ -21,6 +21,9 @@ repositories {
     mavenCentral()
 }
 
+sourceCompatibility = 1.8
+targetCompatibility = 1.8
+
 dependencies {
     compile("org.springframework.boot:spring-boot-starter-batch")
     compile("org.hsqldb:hsqldb")
diff --git a/complete/pom.xml b/complete/pom.xml
index 11d5722b95..03cb63db4c 100644
--- a/complete/pom.xml
+++ b/complete/pom.xml
@@ -13,6 +13,10 @@
         <version>1.2.4.RELEASE</version>
     </parent>
     
+    <properties>
+        <java.version>1.8</java.version>
+    </properties>
+
     <dependencies>
         <dependency>
             <groupId>org.springframework.boot</groupId>
diff --git a/initial/build.gradle b/initial/build.gradle
index 5b4d53ef6a..30121d4562 100644
--- a/initial/build.gradle
+++ b/initial/build.gradle
@@ -21,6 +21,9 @@ repositories {
     mavenCentral()
 }
 
+sourceCompatibility = 1.8
+targetCompatibility = 1.8
+
 dependencies {
     compile("org.springframework.boot:spring-boot-starter-batch")
     compile("org.hsqldb:hsqldb")
diff --git a/initial/pom.xml b/initial/pom.xml
index 11d5722b95..03cb63db4c 100644
--- a/initial/pom.xml
+++ b/initial/pom.xml
@@ -13,6 +13,10 @@
         <version>1.2.4.RELEASE</version>
     </parent>
     
+    <properties>
+        <java.version>1.8</java.version>
+    </properties>
+
     <dependencies>
         <dependency>
             <groupId>org.springframework.boot</groupId>