How does the rollback mechanism work?

Pre-update snapshots and lockfile backups allow quick rollback; rollbackId and snapshot details are captured in the output schema.

What is considered a breaking change?

API modifications, behavior changes, and deprecations identified via changelog and migration guides.

Which tools are supported?

Dependabot, Renovate, npm-check-updates, pyup, bundler-audit, go get -u.

dependency-updater

npx machina-cli add skill a5c-ai/babysitter/dependency-updater --openclaw

Files (1)

SKILL.md

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Dependency Updater Skill

Executes automated dependency updates safely with breaking change detection, rollback capability, and intelligent update batching.

Purpose

Enable safe, automated dependency updates for:

Security patch application
Version upgrades
Breaking change management
Update batching and sequencing
Rollback coordination

Capabilities

1. Safe Update Execution

Execute updates with validation
Run tests after updates
Verify build success
Check runtime compatibility

2. Breaking Change Detection

Analyze changelogs for breaking changes
Detect API modifications
Identify behavioral changes
Flag deprecation impacts

3. Rollback Capability

Create pre-update snapshots
Enable quick rollback
Preserve lockfile history
Document rollback procedures

4. Update Batching

Group compatible updates
Prioritize security updates
Sequence breaking changes
Minimize update iterations

5. Lock File Management

Update lockfiles consistently
Handle peer dependencies
Resolve version conflicts
Maintain reproducibility

6. Changelog Parsing

Extract version changes
Identify migration guides
Document upgrade steps
Link to release notes

Tool Integrations

Tool	Purpose	Integration Method
Dependabot	GitHub automation	API
Renovate	Multi-platform updates	CLI / Config
npm-check-updates	npm updates	CLI
pyup	Python updates	CLI
bundler-audit	Ruby updates	CLI
go get -u	Go updates	CLI

Output Schema

{
  "updateId": "string",
  "timestamp": "ISO8601",
  "updates": [
    {
      "package": "string",
      "from": "string",
      "to": "string",
      "type": "major|minor|patch|security",
      "breakingChanges": "boolean",
      "status": "applied|failed|skipped",
      "rollbackAvailable": "boolean"
    }
  ],
  "validation": {
    "testsPass": "boolean",
    "buildSuccess": "boolean",
    "runtimeChecks": "boolean"
  },
  "rollback": {
    "snapshotId": "string",
    "lockfileBackup": "string"
  }
}

Integration with Migration Processes

dependency-analysis-updates: Update execution
framework-upgrade: Coordinated upgrades

Related Skills

dependency-scanner: Pre-update analysis
vulnerability-scanner: Security prioritization

Related Agents

dependency-modernization-agent: Update orchestration
framework-upgrade-specialist: Framework updates

Source

git clone https://github.com/a5c-ai/babysitter/blob/main/plugins/babysitter/skills/babysit/process/specializations/code-migration-modernization/skills/dependency-updater/SKILL.md

View on GitHub

Overview

Dependency Updater automates safe dependency refreshes with breaking change detection, rollback capability, and update batching. It supports security patches, version upgrades, and careful sequencing to preserve reproducibility through lockfile management and changelog parsing.

How This Skill Works

It executes updates with validation, runs tests, and checks builds and runtime compatibility. It analyzes changelogs for breaking changes, creates pre-update snapshots and lockfile backups, batches compatible updates, and coordinates quick rollbacks if problems arise.

When to Use It

Applying security patches across dependencies while preserving stability
Upgrading major versions with breaking API changes
Coordinating updates across multiple packages or services
Rolling back after a failed build, test, or runtime check
Maintaining reproducible builds by consistent lockfile updates and conflict resolution

Quick Start

Step 1: Run a dependency analysis using your preferred tools (Dependabot, Renovate, npm-check-updates) to gather candidate updates
Step 2: Execute safe updates, run tests, build, and verify runtime compatibility; ensure a rollback plan is ready
Step 3: Parse changelogs, document upgrade steps, and prepare release notes for stakeholders

Best Practices

Validate updates with automated tests and successful builds
Review changelogs for breaking changes and migration guides
Create pre-update snapshots and maintain lockfile history
Batch compatible updates and sequence breaking changes to minimize risk
Document rollback procedures and ensure peers are updated accordingly

Example Use Cases

NPM project patches security updates with npm-check-updates and Dependabot integration
React app upgrades a major framework version with migration steps and testing
Monorepo dependency updates coordinated across packages and CI pipelines
Rollback after failed tests or runtime incompatibility discovered post-update
Lockfile conflicts resolved during cross-package updates in a multi-repo setup

Frequently Asked Questions

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