npm version described

npmVersion.md

npm version

read https://docs.npmjs.com/cli/version it's very straight forward.

Everything in npm config cli is available to be set in .npmrc like preid.

IE this allows your to define your prerelease identifier. By default npm follows this format.

MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH-PRE

Example Minor Workflow

Let say we start at 0.0.1.

1. We want to publish a pre / alpha release of a upcoming minor release.

   • npm version preminor

     This will bump the package.json and git tag the repo in one atomic step at 0.1.0-0

2. Lets say we found another bug in our preminor, well then we make the fix and cut a new release

   • npm version prerelease (you always use prerelease to stay within current semver context)

     now we're at 0.1.0-1

3. Finally ready for a stable release

   • npm version minor at 0.1.0

Full Blown chart for explicitness

Without any .npmrc mods to local repo

scenario	command	package.json version	git tag
new minor pre	npm version preminor	0.1.0-0	v0.1.0-0
new minor pre (staying in current pre)	npm version prerelease	0.1.0-1	v0.1.0-1
stable minor ready	npm version minor	0.1.0	v0.1.0
new pre patch	npm version prepatch	0.1.1-0	v0.1.1-0
skip ahead to next pre patch (some odd reason as this is rare)	npm version prepatch	0.1.2-0	v0.1.2-0
another pre patch fix	npm version prerelease	0.1.2-1	v0.1.2-1
release patch	npm version patch	0.1.2	v0.1.2
almost ready for a major release	npm version premajor	1.0.0-0	v1.0.0-0
major release	npm version major	1.0.0	v1.0.0

With .npmrc mods to local repo

./.npmrc

tag-version-prefix=""
preid=alpha

scenario	command	package.json version	git tag
new minor pre	npm version preminor	0.1.0-0	0.1.0-alpha.0
new minor pre (staying in current pre)	npm version prerelease	0.1.0-1	0.1.0-alpha.1
stable minor ready	npm version minor	0.1.0	0.1.0
new pre patch	npm version prepatch	0.1.1-0	0.1.1-alpha.0
skip ahead to next pre patch (some odd reason as this is rare)	npm version prepatch	0.1.2-0	0.1.2-alpha.0
another pre patch fix	npm version prerelease	0.1.2-1	0.1.2-alpha.1
release patch	npm version patch	0.1.2	0.1.2
almost ready for a major release	npm version premajor	1.0.0-0	1.0.0-alpha.0
major release	npm version major	1.0.0	1.0.0