Fetch Latest Dependency Versions On Project Creation

Hey guys! Let's dive into an exciting feature discussion: fetching the latest stable versions of dependencies when creating a new project. Currently, the tstack create command copies the deno.json file directly from the starter template. While this works, it means new projects can end up with outdated dependency versions. Think of it like inheriting your grandpa's old software – it might work, but it's definitely not the latest and greatest! This leads to users inheriting versions from the last template update, and there's no automatic dependency update without some manual intervention. Nobody wants that hassle, right?

The Problem with Outdated Dependencies

The core issue is that the CLI copies packages/starter/deno.json as-is, with hardcoded versions. For example, you might see something like this in your deno.json:

"imports": {
  "@std/dotenv": "jsr:@std/dotenv@^0.225.0",
  "hono": "jsr:@hono/hono@^4.6.0",
  "drizzle-orm": "npm:drizzle-orm@^0.36.0",
  "zod": "npm:zod@^3.23.0"
}

These versions might be outdated the moment you create your project! This means you could be missing out on the latest features, bug fixes, and performance improvements. Keeping your dependencies up-to-date is crucial for a healthy and secure project. Think of it as giving your project a regular check-up to ensure everything is running smoothly.

Outdated dependencies can lead to a variety of problems. You might encounter bugs that have already been fixed in newer versions, or your project might not be compatible with other libraries or tools. Furthermore, using older versions can expose your project to security vulnerabilities. It's like leaving your front door unlocked – you're just asking for trouble!

So, what's the solution? We need a way to automatically fetch the latest stable versions of our dependencies when we create a new project. This ensures that we're always starting with the most up-to-date code, reducing the risk of issues down the line. This automated approach saves developers valuable time and effort, allowing them to focus on building great features instead of wrestling with dependency management.

Desired Behavior: Fresh Dependencies on Creation

Our goal is simple: when you run tstack create my-api, the CLI should do the following:

1. Fetch the latest stable versions from registries like JSR and npm. Think of this as checking the app store for the latest updates before you even install the app.
2. Generate deno.json with these updated versions. This is like pre-installing the latest version of everything so you're ready to go.
3. Ensure compatibility between dependencies. We don't want to just grab the latest versions if they're going to clash with each other. It's like making sure all the parts of your machine work together smoothly.

This ensures that every new project starts with the freshest possible dependencies, setting you up for success from the get-go. This proactive approach to dependency management can save countless hours of debugging and troubleshooting down the road. It's like preventative maintenance for your codebase!

Proposed Solutions: Let's Get Technical

So, how do we make this happen? Here are a few options we've been kicking around:

Option 1: Query Registries Dynamically

This approach involves fetching the latest versions directly from the registries each time a new project is created. It's like asking the app store for the latest version every single time you go to download something.

// Fetch latest versions on project creation
const latestHono = await fetchLatestVersion('jsr:@hono/hono');
const latestDrizzle = await fetchLatestVersion('npm:drizzle-orm');
// Generate deno.json with fresh versions

This is a pretty straightforward approach, but it has some potential downsides. It could be slow if we have a lot of dependencies to fetch, and we might run into rate limits from the registries if we make too many requests. The dynamic approach ensures that you always have the absolute latest versions, but it comes with a trade-off in terms of speed and potential rate limiting issues.

Option 2: Version Config File

Another idea is to maintain a versions.json file that gets automatically updated. This file would act as a central source of truth for our dependency versions. It's like having a master list of the latest versions that we can refer to whenever we need them.

{
  "hono": "latest",
  "drizzle-orm": "latest",
  "zod": "^3.x"
}

This approach is more efficient than querying the registries every time, but it means we need to keep the versions.json file up-to-date. We could automate this process using a script or a bot. A version config file provides a centralized way to manage dependencies, but it adds the overhead of maintaining the file and ensuring it stays current.

Option 3: Hybrid Approach (Recommended)

We think the best approach is a hybrid one that combines the strengths of both options. Here's the idea:

• Default: Use proven versions from the template (current behavior). This provides stability and ensures that new projects are built with versions that we know work well together. The default behavior prioritizes stability and avoids potential breaking changes that can arise from using the absolute latest versions.
• Flag: Add a --latest flag to the tstack create command. When this flag is used, the CLI would fetch the newest versions. This gives users the flexibility to choose whether they want the latest and greatest or the proven stable versions. The --latest flag provides users with the option to opt-in to using the latest dependency versions, giving them control over their project's dependencies.
• Pin critical deps, allow minor/patch updates with ^. We can pin the major versions of critical dependencies to avoid breaking changes, while allowing minor and patch updates to provide bug fixes and improvements. Pinning major versions strikes a balance between stability and staying up-to-date, ensuring that projects benefit from the latest improvements without introducing major breaking changes.

This hybrid approach gives us the best of both worlds: stability by default, with the option to grab the latest versions when needed. It's like having a safety net while still being able to try out the newest features. The hybrid approach offers a flexible and robust solution that caters to different user needs and preferences.

Implementation Checklist: Let's Get to Work

To make this happen, we've put together a checklist of tasks:

• [ ] Research JSR API for version queries. We need to figure out how to get the latest version information from the JSR registry.
• [ ] Research npm registry API. Similarly, we need to learn how to get version information from the npm registry.
• [ ] Implement version fetcher utility. We'll need to write some code to actually fetch the versions from the registries.
• [ ] Add caching to avoid rate limits. We don't want to get rate-limited by the registries, so we'll need to cache the version information.
• [ ] Handle network failures gracefully (fallback to template versions). If we can't connect to the registries, we should fall back to the versions in the template.
• [ ] Add --latest flag option. We need to add the --latest flag to the tstack create command.
• [ ] Update tests. We'll need to write some tests to make sure everything is working correctly.
• [ ] Document behavior in README. We need to document how this feature works in the README file.

This checklist ensures that we cover all the bases and deliver a solid, well-tested feature. The implementation checklist provides a structured approach to development, ensuring that all aspects of the feature are thoroughly addressed.

Dependencies to Manage: A Long List

We have quite a few dependencies to keep track of, including:

JSR Packages:

• @std/dotenv
• @hono/hono

npm Packages:

• jose
• drizzle-orm
• drizzle-kit
• drizzle-zod
• postgres
• zod

Managing this many dependencies can be a challenge, but it's crucial to ensure that everything works together smoothly. Effective dependency management is essential for maintaining the stability and reliability of the project.

Success Criteria: How We'll Know We've Succeeded

We'll know we've nailed it when:

• New projects get the latest stable versions by default (or with the --latest flag).
• There are no breaking changes from version updates. Avoiding breaking changes is crucial for ensuring a smooth transition to the latest versions.
• The system gracefully falls back if a registry is unavailable. Graceful fallback mechanisms are essential for handling unexpected situations and ensuring a positive user experience.
• Project creation is still fast (we'll cache versions to help with this).

These criteria will help us measure our success and ensure that we've delivered a valuable feature. Clearly defined success criteria provide a benchmark for evaluating the effectiveness of the feature and ensuring that it meets the project's goals.

Priority: Medium - But Important!

We've given this a medium priority. It's a quality-of-life improvement, not a blocker, but it's definitely something that will make developers' lives easier. Prioritizing effectively allows the team to focus on the most impactful features while still addressing important quality-of-life improvements.

Notes: Some Final Thoughts

Here are a few extra things to consider:

• Semver compatibility checks: We should think about checking semantic versioning compatibility to avoid potential issues.
• Version compatibility matrix: We might need a matrix to ensure compatibility between related dependencies (e.g., drizzle-orm + drizzle-kit). A version compatibility matrix can help prevent conflicts and ensure that dependencies work well together.
• Pinning major versions: Should we pin major versions to avoid breaking changes altogether? This is a trade-off between stability and access to the latest features. Pinning major versions provides a high degree of stability but may limit access to the newest features and improvements.

This discussion highlights the complexities of dependency management and the importance of a thoughtful approach. By carefully considering these factors, we can create a robust and user-friendly system for managing dependencies in our projects. A comprehensive approach to dependency management is essential for building and maintaining high-quality software.

So, what do you guys think? Let's keep the conversation going and make this feature awesome! This feature is designed to streamline the project creation process, ensuring that developers always have access to the latest and greatest tools. By automating the process of fetching dependency versions, we can save developers time and effort, allowing them to focus on what they do best: building amazing applications. The ultimate goal is to create a more efficient and enjoyable development experience for everyone involved.