semver

Applies Semantic Versioning 2.0.0 rules to decide version bumps and compare version precedence.

Updated Sep 9, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/DeepSpaceCartel/skills --skill semver-deepspacecartel
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: semver
Source: https://github.com/DeepSpaceCartel/skills/tree/main/skills/semver
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/DeepSpaceCartel/skills --skill semver-deepspacecartel

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve? Choosing the next version number for a release is error-prone: teams bump PATCH for breaking changes, misuse pre-release tags, or misread precedence rules. This Skill encodes the Semantic Versioning 2.0.0 specification so version decisions stay consistent and trustworthy. ## Core Features & Use Cases - Version bump decisions: Maps changes to MAJOR (breaking), MINOR (backward-compatible features and deprecations), or PATCH (backward-compatible fixes) per the semver.org spec. - Pre-release and build metadata grammar: Explains -alpha.1 suffixes, +build metadata, and why build metadata is ignored for precedence. - Precedence and validation: Provides the full comparison algorithm with a worked ordering example plus the official validation regex for checking version strings before tagging. - Use Case: You are about to tag a release that removes a deprecated function. The Skill confirms this requires a MAJOR bump (e.g., 1.4.2 to 2.0.0), not a MINOR one, and reminds you that a released version is immutable. ## Quick Start Ask the AI to determine the correct next version number for your release given the changes since the last tag, using Semantic Versioning rules.

Frequently Asked Questions about semver

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I decide between a MAJOR, MINOR, or PATCH version bump?▼

Bump MAJOR for any backward-incompatible change, MINOR for backward-compatible new functionality or deprecations, and PATCH only for backward-compatible bug fixes. The decision is relative to your declared public API, not the size of the code change.

How do I compare two semantic versions with pre-release tags?▼

Compare MAJOR, MINOR, then PATCH numerically. A pre-release version has lower precedence than its release (1.0.0-alpha < 1.0.0). Pre-release identifiers compare field by field: numeric fields numerically, alphanumeric lexically, and numeric always ranks below alphanumeric.

Does build metadata affect version precedence in semver?▼

No, build metadata after the plus sign (e.g., 1.0.0+001) is ignored for precedence. Two versions differing only in build metadata are considered equal, so strip the suffix or use a semver-aware comparison library before ordering versions.

What version should a new project start with?▼

Per the semver specification FAQ, start at 0.1.0 and increment MINOR for each pre-1.0 release. The 0.y.z range signals initial development where anything may change; tag 1.0.0 once a stable public API exists that users depend on.

Can I fix a bug in an already released version without a new number?▼

No, a released version is immutable under Semantic Versioning. A bug found in 1.4.2 after tagging must ship as 1.4.3, because anyone who already pulled 1.4.2 needs a new version number to know something changed.

Is 1.01.0 a valid semantic version?▼

No, leading zeros are explicitly forbidden by the spec in MAJOR, MINOR, and PATCH segments, so 1.01.0 is invalid rather than merely unconventional. Use the official semver regex to validate version strings before tagging.