Introduction
Keeping your NestJS project updated is crucial for security, performance, and accessing the latest features. This guide walks you through the steps to seamlessly upgrade your existing NestJS project.
Assessing Your Current Environment
Before proceeding with an upgrade, it’s essential to understand your project’s current state. Ensure you have a backup and check the post-upgrade changes. Run the following commands to assess the versions of Node.js and NestJS:
node -v
npm list @nestjs/core
Upgrading Node.js
If the Node.js version is outdated, head over to nodejs.org and download the latest version. Note compatibility between your Node.js version and the NestJS target version.
Upgrading the NestJS CLI
Start by globally updating the NestJS CLI:
npm install -g @nestjs/cli@latest
Updating the Project Dependencies
Use the NestJS CLI’s upgrade command within your project directory:
nest update
This will attempt to update all NestJS-related packages.
Handling Breaking Changes
Check the latest NestJS version’s changelog for breaking changes and refactor your code accordingly. Follow best practices and update incrementally if you’re multiple versions behind. Use TypeScript’s strict mode to help identify potential issues:
// tsconfig.json
{
"compilerOptions": {
"strict": true
// ... other options
}
}
Updating Other Dependencies
Use npm outdated to view which packages are outdated and update them carefully, ensuring compatibility with your NestJS version.
Testing
After updating your packages, run your test suite to ensure everything is functioning as expected. If issues arise, consult the documentation and consider the impact of major upgrades on custom code or third-party packages.
Consider Using Docker
For those already using Docker or considering it, containerizing your app ensures a consistent environment, making upgrades smoother. Example Dockerfile:
# Use an official Node runtime as a parent image
FROM node:latest
# Set the working directory
WORKDIR /usr/src/app
# Install app dependencies
COPY package*.json ./
RUN npm install
# Bundle app source
COPY . .
# Expose port and run the application
EXPOSE 3000
CMD [ "npm", "run", "start" ]
See also: How to set up NestJS with Docker Compose.
Managing Environment-Specific Configurations
Remember to manage environment-specific configurations that may affect your upgrade. Use .env files and NestJS configuration services for dynamic values.
Finishing Touches
Lastly, check deprecations, remove unused packages with npm prune, and verify environmental variables.
Conclusion
Upgrading your NestJS project ensures you reap the benefits of the newest features and vital security patches. Always review changelogs, maintain good test coverage, and document custom configurations to alleviate the process.
