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garrytan/gstack-upgrade

garrytan

gstack-upgrade

Upgrade gstack to the latest version.

global
Allowed Tools
BashReadWriteAskUserQuestion
New~2.6k
v1.0Saved Jul 12, 2026

When to invoke this skill

Detects global vs vendored install, runs the upgrade, and shows what's new. Use when asked to "upgrade gstack", "update gstack", or "get latest version".

Voice triggers (speech-to-text aliases): "upgrade the tools", "update the tools", "gee stack upgrade", "g stack upgrade".

/gstack-upgrade

Upgrade gstack to the latest version and show what's new.

Inline upgrade flow

This section is referenced by all skill preambles when they detect UPGRADE_AVAILABLE.

Step 1: Ask the user (or auto-upgrade)

First, check if auto-upgrade is enabled:

_AUTO=""
[ "${GSTACK_AUTO_UPGRADE:-}" = "1" ] && _AUTO="true"
[ -z "$_AUTO" ] && _AUTO=$(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get auto_upgrade 2>/dev/null || true)
echo "AUTO_UPGRADE=$_AUTO"

If AUTO_UPGRADE=true or AUTO_UPGRADE=1: Skip AskUserQuestion. Log "Auto-upgrading gstack v{old} → v{new}..." and proceed directly to Step 2. If ./setup fails during auto-upgrade, restore from backup (.bak directory) and warn the user: "Auto-upgrade failed — restored previous version. Run /gstack-upgrade manually to retry."

Otherwise, use AskUserQuestion:

  • Question: "gstack v{new} is available (you're on v{old}). Upgrade now?"
  • Options: ["Yes, upgrade now", "Always keep me up to date", "Not now", "Never ask again"]

If "Yes, upgrade now": Proceed to Step 2.

If "Always keep me up to date":

~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config set auto_upgrade true

Tell user: "Auto-upgrade enabled. Future updates will install automatically." Then proceed to Step 2.

If "Not now": Write snooze state with escalating backoff (first snooze = 24h, second = 48h, third+ = 1 week), then continue with the current skill. Do not mention the upgrade again.

_SNOOZE_FILE="$HOME/.gstack/update-snoozed"
_REMOTE_VER="{new}"
_CUR_LEVEL=0
if [ -f "$_SNOOZE_FILE" ]; then
  _SNOOZED_VER=$(awk '{print $1}' "$_SNOOZE_FILE")
  if [ "$_SNOOZED_VER" = "$_REMOTE_VER" ]; then
    _CUR_LEVEL=$(awk '{print $2}' "$_SNOOZE_FILE")
    case "$_CUR_LEVEL" in *[!0-9]*) _CUR_LEVEL=0 ;; esac
  fi
fi
_NEW_LEVEL=$((_CUR_LEVEL + 1))
[ "$_NEW_LEVEL" -gt 3 ] && _NEW_LEVEL=3
echo "$_REMOTE_VER $_NEW_LEVEL $(date +%s)" > "$_SNOOZE_FILE"

Note: {new} is the remote version from the UPGRADE_AVAILABLE output — substitute it from the update check result.

Tell user the snooze duration: "Next reminder in 24h" (or 48h or 1 week, depending on level). Tip: "Set auto_upgrade: true in ~/.gstack/config.yaml for automatic upgrades."

If "Never ask again":

~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config set update_check false

Tell user: "Update checks disabled. Run ~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config set update_check true to re-enable." Continue with the current skill.

Step 2: Detect install type

if [ -d "$HOME/.claude/skills/gstack/.git" ]; then
  INSTALL_TYPE="global-git"
  INSTALL_DIR="$HOME/.claude/skills/gstack"
elif [ -d "$HOME/.gstack/repos/gstack/.git" ]; then
  INSTALL_TYPE="global-git"
  INSTALL_DIR="$HOME/.gstack/repos/gstack"
elif [ -d ".claude/skills/gstack/.git" ]; then
  INSTALL_TYPE="local-git"
  INSTALL_DIR=".claude/skills/gstack"
elif [ -d ".agents/skills/gstack/.git" ]; then
  INSTALL_TYPE="local-git"
  INSTALL_DIR=".agents/skills/gstack"
elif [ -d ".claude/skills/gstack" ]; then
  INSTALL_TYPE="vendored"
  INSTALL_DIR=".claude/skills/gstack"
elif [ -d "$HOME/.claude/skills/gstack" ]; then
  INSTALL_TYPE="vendored-global"
  INSTALL_DIR="$HOME/.claude/skills/gstack"
else
  echo "ERROR: gstack not found"
  exit 1
fi
echo "Install type: $INSTALL_TYPE at $INSTALL_DIR"

The install type and directory path printed above will be used in all subsequent steps.

Step 3: Save old version

Use the install directory from Step 2's output below:

OLD_VERSION=$(cat "$INSTALL_DIR/VERSION" 2>/dev/null || echo "unknown")

Step 4: Upgrade

Use the install type and directory detected in Step 2:

For git installs (global-git, local-git):

cd "$INSTALL_DIR"
STASH_OUTPUT=$(git stash 2>&1)
git fetch origin
git reset --hard origin/main
./setup

If $STASH_OUTPUT contains "Saved working directory", warn the user: "Note: local changes were stashed. Run git stash pop in the skill directory to restore them."

For vendored installs (vendored, vendored-global):

PARENT=$(dirname "$INSTALL_DIR")
TMP_DIR=$(mktemp -d)
git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/garrytan/gstack.git "$TMP_DIR/gstack"
mv "$INSTALL_DIR" "$INSTALL_DIR.bak"
mv "$TMP_DIR/gstack" "$INSTALL_DIR"
cd "$INSTALL_DIR" && ./setup
rm -rf "$INSTALL_DIR.bak" "$TMP_DIR"

Step 4.5: Handle local vendored copy

Use the install directory from Step 2. Check if there's also a local vendored copy, and whether team mode is active:

_ROOT=$(git rev-parse --show-toplevel 2>/dev/null)
LOCAL_GSTACK=""
if [ -n "$_ROOT" ] && [ -d "$_ROOT/.claude/skills/gstack" ]; then
  _RESOLVED_LOCAL=$(cd "$_ROOT/.claude/skills/gstack" && pwd -P)
  _RESOLVED_PRIMARY=$(cd "$INSTALL_DIR" && pwd -P)
  if [ "$_RESOLVED_LOCAL" != "$_RESOLVED_PRIMARY" ]; then
    LOCAL_GSTACK="$_ROOT/.claude/skills/gstack"
  fi
fi
_TEAM_MODE=$(~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-config get team_mode 2>/dev/null || echo "false")
echo "LOCAL_GSTACK=$LOCAL_GSTACK"
echo "TEAM_MODE=$_TEAM_MODE"

If LOCAL_GSTACK is non-empty AND TEAM_MODE is true: Remove the vendored copy. Team mode uses the global install as the single source of truth.

cd "$_ROOT"
git rm -r --cached .claude/skills/gstack/ 2>/dev/null || true
if ! grep -qF '.claude/skills/gstack/' .gitignore 2>/dev/null; then
  echo '.claude/skills/gstack/' >> .gitignore
fi
rm -rf "$LOCAL_GSTACK"

Tell user: "Removed vendored copy at $LOCAL_GSTACK (team mode active — global install is the source of truth). Commit the .gitignore change when ready."

If LOCAL_GSTACK is non-empty AND TEAM_MODE is NOT true: Update it by copying from the freshly-upgraded primary install (same approach as README vendored install):

mv "$LOCAL_GSTACK" "$LOCAL_GSTACK.bak"
cp -Rf "$INSTALL_DIR" "$LOCAL_GSTACK"
rm -rf "$LOCAL_GSTACK/.git"
cd "$LOCAL_GSTACK" && ./setup
rm -rf "$LOCAL_GSTACK.bak"

Tell user: "Also updated vendored copy at $LOCAL_GSTACK — commit .claude/skills/gstack/ when you're ready."

If ./setup fails, restore from backup and warn the user:

rm -rf "$LOCAL_GSTACK"
mv "$LOCAL_GSTACK.bak" "$LOCAL_GSTACK"

Tell user: "Sync failed — restored previous version at $LOCAL_GSTACK. Run /gstack-upgrade manually to retry."

Step 4.75: Run version migrations

After ./setup completes, run any migration scripts for versions between the old and new version. Migrations handle state fixes that ./setup alone can't cover (stale config, orphaned files, directory structure changes).

MIGRATIONS_DIR="$INSTALL_DIR/gstack-upgrade/migrations"
if [ -d "$MIGRATIONS_DIR" ]; then
  for migration in $(find "$MIGRATIONS_DIR" -maxdepth 1 -name 'v*.sh' -type f 2>/dev/null | sort -V); do
    # Extract version from filename: v0.15.2.0.sh → 0.15.2.0
    m_ver="$(basename "$migration" .sh | sed 's/^v//')"
    # Run if this migration version is newer than old version
    # (simple string compare works for dotted versions with same segment count)
    if [ "$OLD_VERSION" != "unknown" ] && [ "$(printf '%s\n%s' "$OLD_VERSION" "$m_ver" | sort -V | head -1)" = "$OLD_VERSION" ] && [ "$OLD_VERSION" != "$m_ver" ]; then
      echo "Running migration $m_ver..."
      bash "$migration" || echo "  Warning: migration $m_ver had errors (non-fatal)"
    fi
  done
fi

Migrations are idempotent bash scripts in gstack-upgrade/migrations/. Each is named v{VERSION}.sh and runs only when upgrading from an older version. See CONTRIBUTING.md for how to add new migrations.

Step 5: Write marker + clear cache

mkdir -p ~/.gstack
echo "$OLD_VERSION" > ~/.gstack/just-upgraded-from
rm -f ~/.gstack/last-update-check
rm -f ~/.gstack/update-snoozed

Step 6: Show What's New

Read $INSTALL_DIR/CHANGELOG.md. Find all version entries between the old version and the new version. Summarize as 5-7 bullets grouped by theme. Don't overwhelm — focus on user-facing changes. Skip internal refactors unless they're significant.

Format:

gstack v{new} — upgraded from v{old}!

What's new:
- [bullet 1]
- [bullet 2]
- ...

Happy shipping!

Step 7: Continue

After showing What's New, continue with whatever skill the user originally invoked. The upgrade is done — no further action needed.


Standalone usage

When invoked directly as /gstack-upgrade (not from a preamble):

  1. Force a fresh update check (bypass cache):
~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-update-check --force 2>/dev/null || \
.claude/skills/gstack/bin/gstack-update-check --force 2>/dev/null || true

Use the output to determine if an upgrade is available.

  1. If UPGRADE_AVAILABLE <old> <new>: follow Steps 2-6 above.

  2. If no output (primary is up to date): check for a stale local vendored copy.

Run the Step 2 bash block above to detect the primary install type and directory (INSTALL_TYPE and INSTALL_DIR). Then run the Step 4.5 detection bash block above to check for a local vendored copy (LOCAL_GSTACK) and team mode status (TEAM_MODE).

If LOCAL_GSTACK is empty (no local vendored copy): tell the user "You're already on the latest version (v{version})."

If LOCAL_GSTACK is non-empty AND TEAM_MODE is true: Remove the vendored copy using the Step 4.5 team-mode removal bash block above. Tell user: "Global v{version} is up to date. Removed stale vendored copy (team mode active). Commit the .gitignore change when ready."

If LOCAL_GSTACK is non-empty AND TEAM_MODE is NOT true, compare versions:

PRIMARY_VER=$(cat "$INSTALL_DIR/VERSION" 2>/dev/null || echo "unknown")
LOCAL_VER=$(cat "$LOCAL_GSTACK/VERSION" 2>/dev/null || echo "unknown")
echo "PRIMARY=$PRIMARY_VER LOCAL=$LOCAL_VER"

If versions differ: follow the Step 4.5 sync bash block above to update the local copy from the primary. Tell user: "Global v{PRIMARY_VER} is up to date. Updated local vendored copy from v{LOCAL_VER} → v{PRIMARY_VER}. Commit .claude/skills/gstack/ when you're ready."

If versions match: tell the user "You're on the latest version (v{PRIMARY_VER}). Global and local vendored copy are both up to date."

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Overall Score

82/100

Grade

B

Good

Safety

78

Quality

85

Clarity

88

Completeness

80

Summary

A skill that upgrades the gstack tool from a global or local Git/vendored install to the latest version. It detects the installation type, optionally prompts the user, performs the upgrade via git pull or fresh clone, syncs vendored copies if needed, runs version migrations, and displays a changelog summary. Operates with full filesystem and shell access scoped to the gstack directory and configuration.

Static Analysis Findings

1 finding

Patterns detected by deterministic static analysis before AI scoring. Hover over any finding code for detailed information and remediation guidance.

Destructive Operation
SEC-001Recursive Deletion5x in 1 fileMax: B

Recursive deletion pattern (rm -rf)

SKILL.mdrm -rf5x

Detected Capabilities

shell executionfile writefile readgit operationsdirectory managementbackup creationuser prompts

Trigger Keywords

Phrases that MCP clients use to match this skill to user intent.

upgrade gstackgstack version updatelatest gstack releaseauto-upgrade toolvendor gstack syncgstack migration

Risk Signals

WARNING

Recursive deletion (rm -rf) used 5 times in upgrade and cleanup operations

SKILL.md: Step 4 (vendored install cleanup), Step 4.5 (team mode removal), Step 4.5 (sync failure restore), Step 4 (post-setup cleanup)
INFO

Git clone from external repository (github.com/garrytan/gstack.git) during vendored upgrade

SKILL.md: Step 4 (vendored installs)
INFO

File write to user home directory (~/.gstack, ~/.claude/skills/gstack/bin config)

SKILL.md: Step 1 (auto_upgrade config), Step 5 (version markers)
INFO

Backup and restore mechanism (.bak directories) with conditional file ops

SKILL.md: Step 4, Step 4.5

Referenced Domains

External domains referenced in skill content, detected by static analysis.

github.com

Use Cases

  • Upgrade gstack to the latest version when available
  • Auto-upgrade gstack based on user preferences
  • Detect and sync multiple gstack installations (global and local/vendored)
  • Restore from backup if upgrade fails
  • Apply version-specific migrations post-upgrade
  • Manage team mode vs local vendored configurations

Quality Notes

  • Clear step-by-step breakdown with numbered flow and inline bash examples
  • Well-documented branching logic (auto-upgrade, user prompts, install type detection)
  • Explicit error handling with backup/restore patterns for both primary and vendored upgrades
  • Step 4.75 shows thoughtful handling of version migrations between old/new versions
  • Scope is tightly bounded to gstack installation directory and user config
  • Migration system is idempotent and version-aware
  • Team mode vs local vendored copy distinction is clearly explained
  • Escalating snooze backoff logic (24h → 48h → 1 week) is well-designed
  • AskUserQuestion integration gives users explicit control over upgrade timing
  • Edge cases covered: stashed local changes, missing VERSION file, stale vendored copies, failed ./setup during auto-upgrade
Model: claude-haiku-4-5-20251001Analyzed: Jul 12, 2026

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