Tips on setting up an npm package for automatic updates

Question

Tips on setting up an npm package for automatic updates

I recently created a package called https://www.npmjs.com/package/nestjs-notifications

After running

npm install nestjs-notifications --save

, I noticed that it installed successfully but saved the version as:

"nestjs-notifications": "0.0.10"

Is there a way to configure it so it installs with the semantic version like this:

"nestjs-notifications": "^0.0.10".

Currently, I am unable to automatically pick up new versions and have to manually update the package.json file.

Edit: My relevant config settings are set to default (with the caret symbol), which should result in saving with a caret:

save = true
save-bundle = false
save-dev = false
save-exact = false
save-optional = false
save-prefix = "^"
save-prod = false
...

typescript npm package.json

Answer 1

Answer №1

The behavior you are experiencing is part of the normal process. When installing a package with a semver version like 0.0.x, it does not automatically receive the caret (^) prefix in your package.json file, and updates will not be applied.

According to npm's documentation on caret ranges:

"Allows changes that do not modify the left-most non-zero digit in the [major, minor, patch] tuple. This allows for patch and minor updates for versions 1.0.0 and above, patch updates for versions 0.X >=0.1.0, and no updates for versions 0.0.X."

_{Note: The emphasis added in the above excerpt was done by me.}

Only when you update your package's semver to >=0.1.0 will you see the desired behavior take effect.

Here's a demonstration of when the caret (^) is and isn't added to package.json:

Install a package version less than 0.1.0. For example, install eslint version 0.0.7 with the following command:
```
npm i <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection" class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ff9a8c9396918bbfcfd1cfd1c8">[email protected]</a> --save
```
This command will show up in your package.json without the caret (^):
```
"eslint": "0.0.7"
```
_{Note: The caret (^) is not included.}
Uninstall eslint by running:
```
npm un eslint --save
```
Then install the first available version of eslint that is >=0.1.0 using this command:
```
run npm i <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection" class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="157066797c7b6155253b243b25">[email protected]</a> --save
```
This time, the command will add the following to package.json:
```
"eslint": "^0.1.0"
```
_{Note: The caret (^) is now included.}

Answer 2

The behavior you are experiencing is part of the normal process. When installing a package with a semver version like 0.0.x, it does not automatically receive the caret (^) prefix in your package.json file, and updates will not be applied.

According to npm's documentation on caret ranges:

"Allows changes that do not modify the left-most non-zero digit in the [major, minor, patch] tuple. This allows for patch and minor updates for versions 1.0.0 and above, patch updates for versions 0.X >=0.1.0, and no updates for versions 0.0.X."

_{Note: The emphasis added in the above excerpt was done by me.}

Only when you update your package's semver to >=0.1.0 will you see the desired behavior take effect.

Here's a demonstration of when the caret (^) is and isn't added to package.json:

Install a package version less than 0.1.0. For example, install eslint version 0.0.7 with the following command:
```
npm i <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection" class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ff9a8c9396918bbfcfd1cfd1c8">[email protected]</a> --save
```
This command will show up in your package.json without the caret (^):
```
"eslint": "0.0.7"
```
_{Note: The caret (^) is not included.}
Uninstall eslint by running:
```
npm un eslint --save
```
Then install the first available version of eslint that is >=0.1.0 using this command:
```
run npm i <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection" class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="157066797c7b6155253b243b25">[email protected]</a> --save
```
This time, the command will add the following to package.json:
```
"eslint": "^0.1.0"
```
_{Note: The caret (^) is now included.}

Tips on setting up an npm package for automatic updates

Answer №1

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