Update Node/Bun Dependencies
Overview
Update Node/Bun Dependencies is a Visual Studio Code extension for selectively upgrading packages in Node.js and Bun projects. It detects your package manager automatically, shows outdated packages grouped and color-coded by risk, and runs the install for you — all from the Command Palette.
Features
- Auto-detects your package manager — supports npm, yarn, pnpm, and bun (lockfile-based detection with
packageManager field fallback)
- mise support — if your project uses mise (
mise.toml, .mise.toml, .tool-versions, tool-versions, or a mise/ directory), commands are automatically prefixed with mise exec --
- Color-coded, grouped picker — outdated packages are sorted by upgrade risk, separated into groups with a "Select all
patch/minor/major" toggle at the top of each:
- Patch (green) — safe, bug fixes
- Minor (yellow) — new features, backwards-compatible
- Major (red) — breaking changes
- Live install output — an "Update Dependencies" output panel shows the package manager's output in real time
- Selective updates — pick exactly which packages to upgrade;
package.json is updated and the install runs only for your selection
How It Works
- Open a Node.js project in VS Code containing a
package.json.
- Open the Command Palette (
Cmd+Shift+P on Mac, Ctrl+Shift+P on Windows/Linux).
- Run Update Node/Bun Dependencies.
- The extension checks for outdated packages and shows a grouped, color-coded picker.
- Select the packages you want to upgrade and confirm.
package.json is updated and your package manager installs the new versions.
Package Manager Detection
The extension checks for lockfiles in this order:
| Lockfile |
Package manager |
bun.lockb / bun.lock |
bun |
pnpm-lock.yaml |
pnpm |
yarn.lock |
yarn |
package-lock.json |
npm |
packageManager field in package.json |
as specified |
| (none) |
npm (default) |
mise Support
If any of mise.toml, .mise.toml, .tool-versions, tool-versions, or a mise/ directory is present at the workspace root, all install commands are prefixed with mise exec -- so the correct Node/Bun version is used.
The mise binary is located by checking common install paths (~/.local/bin/mise, /opt/homebrew/bin/mise, /usr/local/bin/mise) before falling back to which mise, so this works correctly even when VS Code is launched outside of a terminal.
Commands
Update Node/Bun Dependencies (update-npm-dependencies.updateDependencies)
Requirements
- A workspace with a
package.json file
- Your package manager (
npm, yarn, pnpm, or bun) accessible in your PATH
Feedback and Contributions
Issues and pull requests welcome on GitHub.
License
MIT
