What is a dependency cooldown and why does it matter?

A dependency cooldown is a policy that skips any package version younger than N days (typically 3-7). Most npm supply chain attacks use fresh malicious versions — cooldowns block them automatically.

Is there a CLI tool that enforces dependency cooldowns in npm or yarn?

No maintained CLI tool exists for this. Developers must implement cooldown logic manually in CI scripts or build their own tooling.

How do I implement dependency cooldowns in my CI pipeline?

You currently have to write a custom script that reads package-lock.json, checks each package's publish date via the npm registry API, and fails the build if any package is newer than your cooldown window.

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clawsmith.com/signal/dependency-cooldown-no-cli-enforcement

⚠ IssueWide Opendev_tool_cliLive

Dependency cooldowns are the recommended npm security practice but no CLI enforces them

The security community settled on dependency cooldowns (skip any package version younger than N days) as a cheap effective defense against supply chain attacks. 489+187 HN points across two threads agree. But there is no CLI tool or CI integration that actually enforces cooldowns — developers must do it manually or build their own.

Product Idea from this Signal

A CLI tool that intercepts npm installs, flags behavioral risks, and enforces per-team cooldown policies before any package lands in a project

1.8k ▲

Developers installing npm packages have no fast local defense against malicious or newly-published packages before they run. Socket is enterprise-priced SaaS and Bumblebee only scans what is already installed. This tool wraps the npm install command, pulls behavioral signals on every package at install time, blocks installs that fail a configurable risk threshold, and enforces a cooldown window on packages published within N days, all from a single binary with no cloud dependency.

npmsupply-chain-securitydeveloper-toolsclipackage-managementdevopsdevsecops

Competitive541 leadsView Opportunity →

Score Breakdown

876

Social Proof 2 sources

We should all be using dependency cooldowns

todsacerdoti · 11/21/2025

609 HN

Dependency cooldowns turn you into a free-rider

pabs3 · 4/15/2026

267

Gap Assessment

Wide OpenNo dedicated solution exists

No existing npm CLI enforces cooldown policies; only manual workarounds or custom scripts exist; the pattern is validated by the community but has no tooling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Virality Score

876

across 1 platforms

Details

Signalissue

Ecosystemdev_tool_cli

Sources2

Platforms1

Updated2h ago

Trend→ stable

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2.3KBitdefender Launches Free AI Skills Checker for OpenClaw — Finds 17-20% of ClawHub Skills Are Malicious 895npm ecosystem hit by repeated supply chain attacks with no fast local scanner