npm-check-updates — Claude Code skill: updates and setup
This skill checks and upgrades package.json dependencies with npm-check-updates. Use it for selective, bulk, or guarded version changes.
npx skills add ilteoood/harness --skill npm-check-updates -a claude-codeWhat npm-check-updates does
The skill lets an agent inspect stale dependencies and raise their versions in package.json while keeping the project’s existing range style. It can call ncu or npm-check-updates, include packages with --filter, leave them out with --reject, and limit upgrades with --target such as patch or minor.
It also covers monorepos through --deep, --workspaces, --workspace, and --packageFile. --interactive lets you choose packages from a checklist. With --doctor, the tool applies upgrades one at a time and runs tests to identify a breaking change; --cooldown, --peer, and --enginesNode add selection constraints.
Only package.json is edited. After ncu -u, run the project’s package-manager install command, such as npm install, to refresh the lockfile and node_modules. Until that happens, the installed dependencies stay unchanged.
What it helps with
- find stale dependencies in
package.json - upgrade a selected set of packages
- exclude packages from a version bump
- scan workspaces and nested package files
- trace a breaking upgrade with
--doctor
Example prompts for the agent
- Check
package.jsonfor outdated dependencies and show the proposed changes. - Upgrade only
reactandreact-domwith--filter, then give me the install command. - Scan all workspaces and use
--doctorto identify the upgrade that breaks the tests.
How to install npm-check-updates
1Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add ilteoood/harness --skill npm-check-updates -a claude-code2Manually: put the files in place
~/.claude/skills/npm-check-updates/SKILL.mdCopy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/npm-check-updates/
1Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add ilteoood/harness --skill npm-check-updates -a codex2Manually: put the files in place
.agents/skills/npm-check-updates/SKILL.mdFor all projects use ~/.agents/skills/
1Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add ilteoood/harness --skill npm-check-updates -a cursor2Manually: put the files in place
.cursor/skills/npm-check-updates/SKILL.mdCursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/
1GitHub CLI
gh skill install ilteoood/harness npm-check-updates2Manually: put the files in place
.github/skills/npm-check-updates/SKILL.md1Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add ilteoood/harness --skill npm-check-updates -a gemini-cli2Platform CLI
gemini skills install https://github.com/ilteoood/harness --path skills/nodejs-development/npm-check-updatesManually: put the files in place
.devin/skills/npm-check-updates/SKILL.mdThe legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works
Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add ilteoood/harness --skill npm-check-updates -a opencodeClaude.ai
Zip the folder and upload it in Settings → Capabilities → Skills
Step by step, with commands for each platform: How to install skills in Claude Code: five ways
Questions about npm-check-updates
How do I install npm-check-updates in Claude Code?
Run npx skills add ilteoood/harness --skill npm-check-updates -a claude-code, then check ~/.claude/skills/npm-check-updates/SKILL.md.
What does npm-check-updates do?
It finds newer dependency versions and writes the selected changes to package.json. Updating the lockfile and node_modules requires a separate install step.
What is --doctor used for?
It installs and tests upgrades one by one so the breaking version can be isolated. The mode requires -u.
