npm-check-updates is a command line utility and package version manager used to find and apply newer versions of dependencies within npm package manifests. It functions as a dependency version validator that identifies outdated packages and updates version strings in the project manifest to the latest available releases.
The tool features an interactive CLI for selecting specific packages to upgrade through a prompt-based interface. It distinguishes itself by enforcing version cooldown periods to restrict the adoption of very recent releases and providing a mechanism to iteratively install upgrades and run test suites to identify breaking changes.
The project covers a broad range of dependency management capabilities, including peer dependency validation, regex-based dependency filtering, and support for custom registries. It allows for granular control over upgrade targets, such as limiting updates to patches or minor versions, while preserving semantic versioning policies.
Configuration can be defined via JSON, YAML, or JavaScript files using a hierarchical precedence system.
