Updating npm packages versions in package.json

I chose to use npm-check-updates to check for available updates of packages in my package.json files, and it always works without issues, so I guess I can recommend it.

I'm also using this as a reminder for my own use… 😁

Here are the steps:

npm-check-updates is a npm package:

npm install -g npm-check-updates

Run ncu (as in npm-check-update) to list updatable packages:

ncu

If everything looks fine, update all package versions in your package.json file at once:

ncu -u

If you have doubts about at least one of the package versions, update your package.json file manually to test the results progressively.

Don't forget to actually update the installed packages

Permalink to heading Don't forget to actually update the installed packages

npm-check-updates "only" updates the version numbers in your package.json file.

You now have to really install them.

Make sure current version of your package-lock.json file is versioned (for any rollback need), then run:

npm install

There is also salita, which has a few differences.

I prefer npm-check-update because its default behavior prevents accidental modification of the package.json file.