Auto Bump Package.json Version Via GitHub Action

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Introduction

In the world of software development, managing version numbers is a crucial task. It ensures that your project's dependencies are up-to-date, and your users receive the latest features and bug fixes. However, manually updating the version number in package.json can be a tedious and error-prone process. In this article, we will explore how to set up a GitHub Action to automatically bump the package.json version when changes are merged into the main branch.

Why Auto-Bump package.json Version?

Automating version updates can save you time and reduce the likelihood of human error. By using a GitHub Action, you can ensure that your version numbers are always up-to-date, and your users receive the latest updates without any manual intervention.

Benefits of Auto-Bumping package.json Version

  • Time-saving: Automating version updates saves you time and effort.
  • Reduced errors: Manual updates can lead to errors, which can be costly and time-consuming to fix.
  • Improved user experience: With auto-bumped version numbers, your users receive the latest updates without any manual intervention.

Implementation Steps

Step 1: Install standard-version

To handle versioning, we will install standard-version. This package provides a simple and efficient way to manage version numbers.

npm install standard-version

Step 2: Add a release script to package.json

We need to add a release script to package.json to handle version updates. This script will use standard-version to bump the version number.

"scripts": {
  "release": "standard-version"
}

Step 3: Create a GitHub Action

We will create a GitHub Action to automate the version update process. This Action will:

  • Bump the version number using standard-version.
  • Commit the updated package.json file.
  • Push the changes to the main branch.

Here is an example GitHub Action YAML file:

name: Auto Bump package.json Version

on:
  push:
    branches:
      - main

jobs:
  auto-bump:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - name: Checkout code
        uses: actions/checkout@v2

      - name: Bump version
        run: |
          npm run release

      - name: Commit changes
        run: |
          git config --global user.name "GitHub Action"
          git config --global user.email "github-action@github.com"
          git add package.json
          git commit -m "chore(release): bump package version"

      - name: Push changes
        run: |
          git push origin main

Acceptance Criteria

To ensure that our GitHub Action is working correctly, we need to define some acceptance criteria.

  • package.json version auto-bumps on merges to main: When changes are merged into the main branch, the version number in package.json should be updated automatically.
  • A commit is created with the new version number: A new commit should be created with the updated version number.
  • The workflow runs automatically without manual intervention: The GitHub Action should run automatically without any manual intervention.

Testing Steps

To test our GitHub Action, we will follow these steps:

  1. Merge a test PR into main: Merge a test pull request into the main branch.
  2. Expect GitHub Action to trigger version bump: Expect the GitHub Action to trigger the version bump process.
  3. Check commit logs: Check the commit logs to ensure that a new commit is created with the updated version number.
  4. Confirm version update in package.json: Confirm that the version number in package.json is updated correctly.

By following these steps, we can ensure that our GitHub Action is working correctly and automating the version update process.

Conclusion

Introduction

In our previous article, we explored how to set up a GitHub Action to automatically bump the package.json version when changes are merged into the main branch. In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to this topic.

Q: What is the purpose of using standard-version?

A: standard-version is a package that helps manage version numbers in your package.json file. It provides a simple and efficient way to bump version numbers, which is essential for automating the version update process.

Q: Why do I need to add a release script to package.json?

A: The release script is used to handle version updates. By adding this script to package.json, you can easily bump version numbers using standard-version.

Q: Can I use other packages to handle versioning instead of standard-version?

A: Yes, you can use other packages to handle versioning. However, standard-version is a popular and widely-used package that provides a simple and efficient way to manage version numbers.

Q: How do I configure the GitHub Action to work with my repository?

A: To configure the GitHub Action, you need to create a new file in your repository's .github/workflows directory. This file should contain the YAML configuration for the GitHub Action. You can customize this configuration to suit your needs.

Q: Can I use the GitHub Action to bump version numbers for other branches?

A: Yes, you can use the GitHub Action to bump version numbers for other branches. However, you need to modify the YAML configuration to specify the branch you want to target.

Q: How do I troubleshoot issues with the GitHub Action?

A: To troubleshoot issues with the GitHub Action, you can check the GitHub Action logs, commit logs, and package.json file. You can also use tools like git and npm to debug the issue.

Q: Can I use the GitHub Action with other CI/CD tools?

A: Yes, you can use the GitHub Action with other CI/CD tools. However, you need to modify the YAML configuration to integrate with the other tool.

Q: How do I secure the GitHub Action to prevent unauthorized access?

A: To secure the GitHub Action, you can use GitHub's built-in features like secrets and permissions. You can also use tools like git and npm to secure the Action.

Q: Can I use the GitHub Action with private repositories?

A: Yes, you can use the GitHub Action with private repositories. However, you need to configure the repository to allow GitHub Actions to run.

Conclusion

In this article, we answered some frequently asked questions related to setting up a GitHub Action to automatically bump the package.json version when changes are merged into the main branch. We hope this Q&A article helps you understand the process better and troubleshoot any issues you may encounter.

Additional Resources