Update LightNow CLI and Proxy
The LightNow CLI checks and updates both local LightNow components. The Local Proxy reports its version and update status, but never invokes a package manager or delays MCP startup for a release check.
Check before changing anything
lightnow update --check
For automation, request the same result as JSON:
lightnow update --check --json
The command exits successfully when the check completes, including when an update is available. Network, catalog, or validation failures return a non-zero exit code.
Apply updates
lightnow update
Use --yes only when the update is already approved:
lightnow update --yes
Managed updates support:
| Installer | Commands managed by LightNow |
|---|---|
| Homebrew | Tap refresh followed by formula upgrade |
| pipx | Isolated package upgrade |
| uv | Isolated tool upgrade |
LightNow does not modify editable installs, plain pip environments, unknown virtual environments, or repository checkouts. The result identifies these as unsupported and leaves them untouched; update them with the installation method that owns that environment.
Automatic notices
Interactive terminal commands read a private cache under ~/.lightnow/. At
most once per day, the CLI refreshes that cache in a detached helper and shows a
short notice on a later invocation when an update is ready. Checks are skipped
for non-interactive output, CI, and JSON workflows.
Disable automatic notices without disabling the explicit update command:
export LIGHTNOW_NO_UPDATE_CHECK=1
Verify and restart
lightnow --version
lightnow-proxy --version
lightnow update --check
The updated CLI is active on the next invocation. Restart MCP clients after a Proxy update so they launch the new executable. If the update fails, preserve the JSON result and continue with Debug LightNow Proxy.