dependency-upgrade
Lets your agent update important parts of your code to newer versions. It helps ensure everything works well and is secure after updates.
What it does
Helps update major software library versions (dependencies) in a project. It checks if new versions are compatible with each other and suggests a safe way to perform the updates.
When to use it
- ✓When updating a key library to a new major version.
- ✓When you need to ensure project libraries work well together.
- ✓To plan security updates for outdated packages.
Example of what to ask your AI
“How can I safely upgrade React from version 16 to 18?”
Want more? Open the sections below.
How to use
The easiest way: copy the message below and paste it into Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor or any AI. It reads the skill and follows the instructions.
Skill link
Ready-to-paste message
How it works
The AI analyzes your project's dependencies, checks their compatibility using a compatibility matrix, and suggests a phased upgrade plan with testing at each step.
Installation
Easiest way: copy the skill link and paste it into Claude, ChatGPT or Cursor asking it to follow the instructions.
In the terminal (Claude Code, Codex, Cursor), in your project folder:
npx skills add sickn33/agentic-awesome-skills --skill dependency-upgradeOr download just the file:
curl -L https://raw.githubusercontent.com/sickn33/agentic-awesome-skills/main/plugins/agentic-awesome-skills-claude/skills/dependency-upgrade/SKILL.md -o SKILL.mdTechnical content (original SKILL.md)
Original text by the author, straight from GitHub.
Supporting material availability
This catalog copy contains the inline guidance below, but does not include the following supporting paths. They are external prerequisites, not bundled files:
<support-root>/references/semver.md<support-root>/references/compatibility-matrix.md<support-root>/references/staged-upgrades.md<support-root>/references/testing-strategy.md<support-root>/assets/upgrade-checklist.md<support-root>/assets/compatibility-matrix.csv<support-root>/scripts/audit-dependencies.sh
Ask for the original supporting material or an existing installation before using a step that depends on these paths; this catalog does not identify a verified download source for them. Resolve each path relative to that installation, inspect its contents, and verify any applicable license and execution prerequisites. Do not run a command or claim a referenced procedure was followed until its required file exists. Do not fabricate the missing scripts or treat an unrelated file with the same name as equivalent. Independent steps fully documented here can proceed within the user’s authorized scope; report any dependent step as unavailable.
Dependency Upgrade
Master major dependency version upgrades, compatibility analysis, staged upgrade strategies, and comprehensive testing approaches.
Do not use this skill when
- The task is unrelated to dependency upgrade
- You need a different domain or tool outside this scope
Instructions
- Clarify goals, constraints, and required inputs.
- Apply relevant best practices and validate outcomes.
- Provide actionable steps and verification.
Use this skill when
- Upgrading major framework versions
- Updating security-vulnerable dependencies
- Modernizing legacy dependencies
- Resolving dependency conflicts
- Planning incremental upgrade paths
- Testing compatibility matrices
- Automating dependency updates
Semantic Versioning Review
MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH (e.g., 2.3.1)
MAJOR: Breaking changes
MINOR: New features, backward compatible
PATCH: Bug fixes, backward compatible
^2.3.1 = >=2.3.1 <3.0.0 (minor updates)
~2.3.1 = >=2.3.1 <2.4.0 (patch updates)
2.3.1 = exact version
Dependency Analysis
Audit Dependencies
# npm
npm outdated
npm audit
npm audit fix
# yarn
yarn outdated
yarn audit
# Check for major updates
npx npm-check-updates
npx npm-check-updates -u # Update package.json
Analyze Dependency Tree
# See why a package is installed
npm ls package-name
yarn why package-name
# Find duplicate packages
npm dedupe
yarn dedupe
# Visualize dependencies
npx madge --image graph.png src/
Compatibility Matrix
// compatibility-matrix.js
const compatibilityMatrix = {
'react': {
'16.x': {
'react-dom': '^16.0.0',
'react-router-dom': '^5.0.0',
'@testing-library/react': '^11.0.0'
},
'17.x': {
'react-dom': '^17.0.0',
'react-router-dom': '^5.0.0 || ^6.0.0',
'@testing-library/react': '^12.0.0'
},
'18.x': {
'react-dom': '^18.0.0',
'react-router-dom': '^6.0.0',
'@testing-library/react': '^13.0.0'
}
}
};
function checkCompatibility(packages) {
// Validate package versions against matrix
}
Staged Upgrade Strategy
Phase 1: Planning
# 1. Identify current versions
npm list --depth=0
# 2. Check for breaking changes
# Read CHANGELOG.md and MIGRATION.md
# 3. Create upgrade plan
echo "Upgrade order:
1. TypeScript
2. React
3. React Router
4. Testing libraries
5. Build tools" > UPGRADE_PLAN.md
Phase 2: Incremental Updates
# Don't upgrade everything at once!
# Step 1: Update TypeScript
npm install typescript@latest
# Test
npm run test
npm run build
# Step 2: Update React (one major version at a time)
npm install react@17 react-dom@17
# Test again
npm run test
# Step 3: Continue with other packages
npm install react-router-dom@6
# And so on...
Phase 3: Validation
// tests/compatibility.test.js
describe('Dependency Compatibility', () => {
it('should have compatible React versions', () => {
const reactVersion = require('react/package.json').version;
const reactDomVersion = require('react-dom/package.json').version;
expect(reactVersion).toBe(reactDomVersion);
});
it('should not have peer dependency warnings', () => {
// Run npm ls and check for warnings
});
});
Breaking Change Handling
Identifying Breaking Changes
…
FAQ
What is Semantic Versioning (SemVer)?
It's a rule for how software version numbers change. MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH: MAJOR indicates breaking changes, MINOR adds backward-compatible features, and PATCH fixes bugs.
What are 'breaking changes'?
These are changes in a new software version that might break projects using the previous version. They usually occur in MAJOR version updates.
Why upgrade in stages?
Upgrading everything at once can be risky and hard to debug if something goes wrong. Phased upgrades allow testing each change individually, making it easier to identify and fix issues.
Details
Original description by the author
Master major dependency version upgrades, compatibility analysis, staged upgrade strategies, and comprehensive testing approaches.
Popularity
- GitHub stars
- 48k
- Ranking position
- #2756
- License
- MIT
- Updated
- 10/15/2026
Comments
- …
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