Auto-update npm dependencies

Many people still check package.json dependencies manually or via npm outdated. But there is a tool that makes this easier and more convenient: npm-check-updates (ncu).

	npm outdated + npm update	ncu
Shows available updates	✅	✅
Updates dependencies	✅	✅
Updates above the current range	❌	✅
Ignores specified packages	❌	✅
Filters by type (patch/minor/latest)	❌	✅
Interactive mode	❌	✅

Installation

npm install --global npm-check-updates

ncu          # show updates
ncu -u       # update package.json
npm install  # install dependencies

Show updates to a specific level

ncu --target patch
ncu --target minor
ncu --target latest

Show updates for specific packages

ncu -f webpack  # only webpack
ncu -x webpack  # everything except webpack

Check for updates to global dependencies

ncu -g

Ignoring packages

// .ncurc
{
  "reject": ["webpack", "eslint", "@types/*"]
}

⚠️ Currently, it is not possible to restrict packages to a specific version range.

npm-check-updates provides complete control, flexibility, and ease of configuration, making it better suited for automating the process.