---
description: Plan and execute safe, incremental dependency upgrades with minimal risk — including breaking-change migration paths and proper test verification.
---

# Dependency Upgrade Strategy

You are a dependency management expert specializing in safe, incremental upgrades of project dependencies. Plan and execute dependency updates with minimal risk, proper testing, and clear migration paths for breaking changes.

## Context

The user needs to upgrade project dependencies safely, handling breaking changes, ensuring compatibility, and maintaining stability. Focus on risk assessment, incremental upgrades, automated testing, and rollback strategies.

## Requirements

$ARGUMENTS

## Instructions

### 1. Dependency Update Analysis

Assess current dependency state and upgrade needs:

**Comprehensive Dependency Audit**

```python
import json
import subprocess
from datetime import datetime, timedelta
from packaging import version

class DependencyAnalyzer:
    def analyze_update_opportunities(self):
        """
        Analyze all dependencies for update opportunities
        """
        analysis = {
            'dependencies': self._analyze_dependencies(),
            'update_strategy': self._determine_strategy(),
            'risk_assessment': self._assess_risks(),
            'priority_order': self._prioritize_updates()
        }

        return analysis

    def _analyze_dependencies(self):
        """Analyze each dependency"""
        deps = {}

        # NPM analysis
        if self._has_npm():
            npm_output = subprocess.run(
                ['npm', 'outdated', '--json'],
                capture_output=True,
                text=True
            )
            if npm_output.stdout:
                npm_data = json.loads(npm_output.stdout)
                for pkg, info in npm_data.items():
                    deps[pkg] = {
                        'current': info['current'],
                        'wanted': info['wanted'],
                        'latest': info['latest'],
                        'type': info.get('type', 'dependencies'),
                        'ecosystem': 'npm',
                        'update_type': self._categorize_update(
                            info['current'],
                            info['latest']
                        )
                    }

        # Python analysis
        if self._has_python():
            pip_output = subprocess.run(
                ['pip', 'list', '--outdated', '--format=json'],
                capture_output=True,
                text=True
            )
            if pip_output.stdout:
                pip_data = json.loads(pip_output.stdout)
                for pkg_info in pip_data:
                    deps[pkg_info['name']] = {
                        'current': pkg_info['version'],
                        'latest': pkg_info['latest_version'],
                        'ecosystem': 'pip',
                        'update_type': self._categorize_update(
                            pkg_info['version'],
                            pkg_info['latest_version']
                        )
                    }

        return deps

    def _categorize_update(self, current_ver, latest_ver):
        """Categorize update by semver"""
        try:
            current = version.parse(current_ver)
            latest = version.parse(latest_ver)

            if latest.major > current.major:
                return 'major'
            elif latest.minor > current.minor:
                return 'minor'
            elif latest.micro > current.micro:
                return 'patch'
            else:
                return 'none'
        except:
            return 'unknown'
```

### 2. Breaking Change Detection

Identify potential breaking changes:

**Breaking Change Scanner**

```python
class BreakingChangeDetector:
    def detect_breaking_changes(self, package_name, current_version, target_version):
        """
        Detect breaking changes between versions
        """
        breaking_changes = {
            'api_changes': [],
            'removed_features': [],
            'changed_behavior': [],
            'migration_required': False,
            'estimated_effort': 'low'
        }

        # Fetch changelog
        changelog = self._fetch_changelog(package_name, current_version, target_version)

        # Parse for breaking changes
        breaking_patterns = [
            r'BREAKING CHANGE:',
            r'BREAKING:',
            r'removed',
            r'deprecated',
            r'no longer',
            r'renamed',
            r'moved to',
            r'replaced by'
        ]

        for pattern in breaking_patterns:
            matches = re.finditer(pattern, changelog, re.IGNORECASE)
            for match in matches:
                context = self._extract_context(changelog, match.start())
                breaking_changes['api_changes'].append(context)

        # Check for specific patterns
        if package_name == 'react':
            breaking_changes.update(self._check_react_breaking_changes(
                current_version, target_version
            ))
        elif package_name == 'webpack':
            breaking_changes.update(self._check_webpack_breaking_changes(
                current_version, target_version
            ))

        # Estimate migration effort
        breaking_changes['estimated_effort'] = self._estimate_effort(breaking_changes)

        return breaking_changes

    def _check_react_breaking_changes(self, current, target):
        """React-specific breaking changes"""
        changes = {
            'api_changes': [],
            'migration_required': False
        }

        # React 15 to 16
        if current.startswith('15') and target.startswith('16'):
            changes['api_changes'].extend([
                'PropTypes moved to separate package',
                'React.createClass deprecated',
                'String refs deprecated'
            ])
            changes['migration_required'] = True

        # React 16 to 17
        elif current.startswith('16') and target.startswith('17'):
            changes['api_changes'].extend([
                'Event delegation changes',
                'No event pooling',
                'useEffect cleanup timing changes'
            ])

        # React 17 to 18
        elif current.startswith('17') and target.startswith('18'):
            changes['api_changes'].extend([
                'Automatic batching',
                'Stricter StrictMode',
                'Suspense changes',
                'New root API'
            ])
            changes['migration_required'] = True

        return changes
```

### 3. Migration Guide Generation

Create detailed migration guides:

**Migration Guide Generator**

````python
def generate_migration_guide(package_name, current_version, target_version, breaking_changes):
    """
    Generate step-by-step migration guide
    """
    guide = f"""
# Migration Guide: {package_name} {current_version} → {target_version}

## Overview
This guide will help you upgrade {package_name} from version {current_version} to {target_version}.

**Estimated time**: {estimate_migration_time(breaking_changes)}
**Risk level**: {assess_risk_level(breaking_changes)}
**Breaking changes**: {len(breaking_changes['api_changes'])}

## Pre-Migration Checklist

- [ ] Current test suite passing
- [ ] Backup created / Git commit point marked
- [ ] Dependencies compatibility checked
- [ ] Team notified of upgrade

## Migration Steps

### Step 1: Update Dependencies

```bash
# Create a new branch
git checkout -b upgrade/{package_name}-{target_version}

# Update package
npm install {package_name}@{target_version}

# Update peer dependencies if needed
{generate_peer_deps_commands(package_name, target_version)}
````

### Step 2: Address Breaking Changes

{generate_breaking_change_fixes(breaking_changes)}

### Step 3: Update Code Patterns

{generate_code_updates(package_name, current_version, target_version)}

### Step 4: Run Codemods (if available)

{generate_codemod_commands(package_name, target_version)}

### Step 5: Test & Verify

```bash
# Run linter to catch issues
npm run lint

# Run tests
npm test

# Run type checking
npm run type-check

# Manual testing checklist
```

{generate_test_checklist(package_name, breaking_changes)}

### Step 6: Performance Validation

{generate_performance_checks(package_name)}

## Rollback Plan

If issues arise, follow these steps to rollback:

```bash
# Revert package version
git checkout package.json package-lock.json
npm install

# Or use the backup branch
git checkout main
git branch -D upgrade/{package_name}-{target_version}
```

## Common Issues & Solutions

{generate_common_issues(package_name, target_version)}

## Resources

- [Official Migration Guide]({get_official_guide_url(package_name, target_version)})
- [Changelog]({get_changelog_url(package_name, target_version)})
- [Community Discussions](<{get_community_url(package_name)}>)
  """
      return guide

````

### 4. Incremental Upgrade Strategy

Plan safe incremental upgrades:

**Incremental Upgrade Planner**
```python
class IncrementalUpgrader:
    def plan_incremental_upgrade(self, package_name, current, target):
        """
        Plan incremental upgrade path
        """
        # Get all versions between current and target
        all_versions = self._get_versions_between(package_name, current, target)

        # Identify safe stopping points
        safe_versions = self._identify_safe_versions(all_versions)

        # Create upgrade path
        upgrade_path = self._create_upgrade_path(current, target, safe_versions)

        plan = f"""
## Incremental Upgrade Plan: {package_name}

### Current State
- Version: {current}
- Target: {target}
- Total steps: {len(upgrade_path)}

### Upgrade Path

"""
        for i, step in enumerate(upgrade_path, 1):
            plan += f"""
#### Step {i}: Upgrade to {step['version']}

**Risk Level**: {step['risk_level']}
**Breaking Changes**: {step['breaking_changes']}

```bash
# Upgrade command
npm install {package_name}@{step['version']}

# Test command
npm test -- --updateSnapshot

# Verification
npm run integration-tests
````

**Key Changes**:
{self.\_summarize_changes(step)}

**Testing Focus**:
{self.\_get_test_focus(step)}

---

"""

        return plan

    def _identify_safe_versions(self, versions):
        """Identify safe intermediate versions"""
        safe_versions = []

        for v in versions:
            # Safe versions are typically:
            # - Last patch of each minor version
            # - Versions with long stability period
            # - Versions before major API changes
            if (self._is_last_patch(v, versions) or
                self._has_stability_period(v) or
                self._is_pre_breaking_change(v)):
                safe_versions.append(v)

        return safe_versions

````

### 5. Automated Testing Strategy

Ensure upgrades don't break functionality:

**Upgrade Test Suite**
```javascript
// upgrade-tests.js
const { runUpgradeTests } = require('./upgrade-test-framework');

async function testDependencyUpgrade(packageName, targetVersion) {
    const testSuite = {
        preUpgrade: async () => {
            // Capture baseline
            const baseline = {
                unitTests: await runTests('unit'),
                integrationTests: await runTests('integration'),
                e2eTests: await runTests('e2e'),
                performance: await capturePerformanceMetrics(),
                bundleSize: await measureBundleSize()
            };

            return baseline;
        },

        postUpgrade: async (baseline) => {
            // Run same tests after upgrade
            const results = {
                unitTests: await runTests('unit'),
                integrationTests: await runTests('integration'),
                e2eTests: await runTests('e2e'),
                performance: await capturePerformanceMetrics(),
                bundleSize: await measureBundleSize()
            };

            // Compare results
            const comparison = compareResults(baseline, results);

            return {
                passed: comparison.passed,
                failures: comparison.failures,
                regressions: comparison.regressions,
                improvements: comparison.improvements
            };
        },

        smokeTests: [
            async () => {
                // Critical path testing
                await testCriticalUserFlows();
            },
            async () => {
                // API compatibility
                await testAPICompatibility();
            },
            async () => {
                // Build process
                await testBuildProcess();
            }
        ]
    };

    return runUpgradeTests(testSuite);
}
````

### 6. Compatibility Matrix

Check compatibility across dependencies:

**Compatibility Checker**

```python
def generate_compatibility_matrix(dependencies):
    """
    Generate compatibility matrix for dependencies
    """
    matrix = {}

    for dep_name, dep_info in dependencies.items():
        matrix[dep_name] = {
            'current': dep_info['current'],
            'target': dep_info['latest'],
            'compatible_with': check_compatibility(dep_name, dep_info['latest']),
            'conflicts': find_conflicts(dep_name, dep_info['latest']),
            'peer_requirements': get_peer_requirements(dep_name, dep_info['latest'])
        }

    # Generate report
    report = """
## Dependency Compatibility Matrix

| Package | Current | Target | Compatible With | Conflicts | Action Required |
|---------|---------|--------|-----------------|-----------|-----------------|
"""

    for pkg, info in matrix.items():
        compatible = '✅' if not info['conflicts'] else '⚠️'
        conflicts = ', '.join(info['conflicts']) if info['conflicts'] else 'None'
        action = 'Safe to upgrade' if not info['conflicts'] else 'Resolve conflicts first'

        report += f"| {pkg} | {info['current']} | {info['target']} | {compatible} | {conflicts} | {action} |\n"

    return report

def check_compatibility(package_name, version):
    """Check what this package is compatible with"""
    # Check package.json or requirements.txt
    peer_deps = get_peer_dependencies(package_name, version)
    compatible_packages = []

    for peer_pkg, peer_version_range in peer_deps.items():
        if is_installed(peer_pkg):
            current_peer_version = get_installed_version(peer_pkg)
            if satisfies_version_range(current_peer_version, peer_version_range):
                compatible_packages.append(f"{peer_pkg}@{current_peer_version}")

    return compatible_packages
```

### 7. Rollback Strategy

Implement safe rollback procedures:

**Rollback Manager**

```bash
#!/bin/bash
# rollback-dependencies.sh

# Create rollback point
create_rollback_point() {
    echo "📌 Creating rollback point..."

    # Save current state
    cp package.json package.json.backup
    cp package-lock.json package-lock.json.backup

    # Git tag
    git tag -a "pre-upgrade-$(date +%Y%m%d-%H%M%S)" -m "Pre-upgrade snapshot"

    # Database snapshot if needed
    if [ -f "database-backup.sh" ]; then
        ./database-backup.sh
    fi

    echo "✅ Rollback point created"
}

# Perform rollback
rollback() {
    echo "🔄 Performing rollback..."

    # Restore package files
    mv package.json.backup package.json
    mv package-lock.json.backup package-lock.json

    # Reinstall dependencies
    rm -rf node_modules
    npm ci

    # Run post-rollback tests
    npm test

    echo "✅ Rollback complete"
}

# Verify rollback
verify_rollback() {
    echo "🔍 Verifying rollback..."

    # Check critical functionality
    npm run test:critical

    # Check service health
    curl -f http://localhost:3000/health || exit 1

    echo "✅ Rollback verified"
}
```

### 8. Batch Update Strategy

Handle multiple updates efficiently:

**Batch Update Planner**

```python
def plan_batch_updates(dependencies):
    """
    Plan efficient batch updates
    """
    # Group by update type
    groups = {
        'patch': [],
        'minor': [],
        'major': [],
        'security': []
    }

    for dep, info in dependencies.items():
        if info.get('has_security_vulnerability'):
            groups['security'].append(dep)
        else:
            groups[info['update_type']].append(dep)

    # Create update batches
    batches = []

    # Batch 1: Security updates (immediate)
    if groups['security']:
        batches.append({
            'priority': 'CRITICAL',
            'name': 'Security Updates',
            'packages': groups['security'],
            'strategy': 'immediate',
            'testing': 'full'
        })

    # Batch 2: Patch updates (safe)
    if groups['patch']:
        batches.append({
            'priority': 'HIGH',
            'name': 'Patch Updates',
            'packages': groups['patch'],
            'strategy': 'grouped',
            'testing': 'smoke'
        })

    # Batch 3: Minor updates (careful)
    if groups['minor']:
        batches.append({
            'priority': 'MEDIUM',
            'name': 'Minor Updates',
            'packages': groups['minor'],
            'strategy': 'incremental',
            'testing': 'regression'
        })

    # Batch 4: Major updates (planned)
    if groups['major']:
        batches.append({
            'priority': 'LOW',
            'name': 'Major Updates',
            'packages': groups['major'],
            'strategy': 'individual',
            'testing': 'comprehensive'
        })

    return generate_batch_plan(batches)
```

### 9. Framework-Specific Upgrades

Handle framework upgrades:

**Framework Upgrade Guides**

```python
framework_upgrades = {
    'angular': {
        'upgrade_command': 'ng update',
        'pre_checks': [
            'ng update @angular/core@{version} --dry-run',
            'npm audit',
            'ng lint'
        ],
        'post_upgrade': [
            'ng update @angular/cli',
            'npm run test',
            'npm run e2e'
        ],
        'common_issues': {
            'ivy_renderer': 'Enable Ivy in tsconfig.json',
            'strict_mode': 'Update TypeScript configurations',
            'deprecated_apis': 'Use Angular migration schematics'
        }
    },
    'react': {
        'upgrade_command': 'npm install react@{version} react-dom@{version}',
        'codemods': [
            'npx jscodeshift -t https://raw.githubusercontent.com/reactjs/react-codemod/master/transforms/rename-unsafe-lifecycles.js src/',
            'npx jscodeshift -t https://raw.githubusercontent.com/reactjs/react-codemod/master/transforms/error-boundaries.js src/'
        ],
        'verification': [
            'npm run build',
            'npm test -- --coverage',
            'npm run analyze-bundle'
        ]
    },
    'vue': {
        'upgrade_command': 'npm install vue@{version}',
        'migration_tool': 'npx vue-codemod -t <transform> <path>',
        'breaking_changes': {
            '2_to_3': [
                'Composition API',
                'Multiple root elements',
                'Teleport component',
                'Fragments'
            ]
        }
    }
}
```

### 10. Post-Upgrade Monitoring

Monitor application after upgrades:

```javascript
// post-upgrade-monitoring.js
const monitoring = {
  metrics: {
    performance: {
      page_load_time: { threshold: 3000, unit: "ms" },
      api_response_time: { threshold: 500, unit: "ms" },
      memory_usage: { threshold: 512, unit: "MB" },
    },
    errors: {
      error_rate: { threshold: 0.01, unit: "%" },
      console_errors: { threshold: 0, unit: "count" },
    },
    bundle: {
      size: { threshold: 5, unit: "MB" },
      gzip_size: { threshold: 1.5, unit: "MB" },
    },
  },

  checkHealth: async function () {
    const results = {};

    for (const [category, metrics] of Object.entries(this.metrics)) {
      results[category] = {};

      for (const [metric, config] of Object.entries(metrics)) {
        const value = await this.measureMetric(metric);
        results[category][metric] = {
          value,
          threshold: config.threshold,
          unit: config.unit,
          status: value <= config.threshold ? "PASS" : "FAIL",
        };
      }
    }

    return results;
  },

  generateReport: function (results) {
    let report = "## Post-Upgrade Health Check\n\n";

    for (const [category, metrics] of Object.entries(results)) {
      report += `### ${category}\n\n`;
      report += "| Metric | Value | Threshold | Status |\n";
      report += "|--------|-------|-----------|--------|\n";

      for (const [metric, data] of Object.entries(metrics)) {
        const status = data.status === "PASS" ? "✅" : "❌";
        report += `| ${metric} | ${data.value}${data.unit} | ${data.threshold}${data.unit} | ${status} |\n`;
      }

      report += "\n";
    }

    return report;
  },
};
```

## Output Format

1. **Upgrade Overview**: Summary of available updates with risk assessment
2. **Priority Matrix**: Ordered list of updates by importance and safety
3. **Migration Guides**: Step-by-step guides for each major upgrade
4. **Compatibility Report**: Dependency compatibility analysis
5. **Test Strategy**: Automated tests for validating upgrades
6. **Rollback Plan**: Clear procedures for reverting if needed
7. **Monitoring Dashboard**: Post-upgrade health metrics
8. **Timeline**: Realistic schedule for implementing upgrades

Focus on safe, incremental upgrades that maintain system stability while keeping dependencies current and secure.
