feat: add u as alias for update command

[Ausoj]

Summary

Adds u as a short alias for the update command, making it consistent with i for install.

Motivation

npm i is the canonical short form for npm install — the most commonly used npm command. However, npm update lacks an equivalent single-character alias. The existing npm up alias works, but feels inconsistent compared to i.

Adding u makes the CLI more ergonomic and intuitive:

npm i    # install   ✅ already exists
npm u    # update    ✅ this PR

Changes

• Added u: 'update' alias in lib/utils/cmd-list.js, grouped alongside the existing up: 'update' alias

Notes

• u is not currently used by any other alias or command, so there is no conflict
• Follows the same pattern as other single-character aliases (i, r, t, c, s, v, x)

[ItsAMirko]

I would love that. Always running in the same problem and would really like to have that additional shortcut.

[arnemileswinter]

second this, a mitigation to RSI as well.

[owlstronaut]

I'm not sure about this. My brain tells me npm u means uninstall. I don't think the u is unambiguous enough to add it here. I find the existing r equally misleading, but we're already here.

[KevinExtremo]

I think this is a great idea! I love using the shorthands.

I also do not believe that the argument about u standing for uninstall to be a counter. Uninstall is a destructive action while the other shorthands are constructive actions.

I understand one could argue that an update can change contracts but to me its not the same as a full on removal.

So in that sense I am actually happy that uninstall does not come with a shorthand.

[larsmenzel]

Actually a regular thing I run into. Seems like a neat addition which wouldn't hurt to add :)

[wraithgar]

What about npm uninstall?

[KevinExtremo]

What about npm uninstall?

Did you read the discussion? This was already addressed.

[wraithgar]

Ah yes I missed the very end there, sorry

[Ausoj]

I think the need here is straightforward: update is common enough to deserve the same shorthand treatment that npm already gives to other frequently used commands.

Today, install has i, while update is left with up. That is an inconsistency in regards to UX between two very commonly used commands. This PR aims to address that inconsistency in the most minimal way possible: by adding a single new alias, with no behaviour changes and no conflicts with existing commands.

As others have already mentioned, I do not think "someone might imagine another meaning for u" is a particularly strong argument against it, because npm already accepts aliases that are short, learnable and not always fully self-evident at first glance.

For example, the install command already has quite a few aliases, such as i, in, ins, inst, as well as typo-tolerant variants as well as isnt and isntall. Likewise, ci is also available as ic. So npm's current alias design is already based on practicality and ergonomics, not on every shorthand being uniquely obvious to first-time readers.

This shows that npm has already been willing to optimize for convenience where the tradeoff is low. Against that backdrop, u for update is a small, consistent, and entirely reasonable addition to npm's existing alias conventions.

[owlstronaut]

not sure where CI went on this, closing and reopening to try and trigger it...

I think you make good points. I'm good with this

[owlstronaut]

@Ausoj Will need an npm run snap on this to update the snapshots

[Ausoj]

@owlstronaut done - 2fd83ac

  🌈 SUMMARY RESULTS 🌈

 SKIP  test/bin/windows-shims.js 7 skip of 17 60.553ms
 ~ cmd - test not relevant on platform
 ~ powershell - test not relevant on platform
 ~ pwsh - test not relevant on platform
 ~ git bash - test not relevant on platform
 ~ user git bash - test not relevant on platform
 ~ wsl bash - test not relevant on platform
 ~ cygwin bash - test not relevant on platform


Suites:   109 passed, 109 of 109 completed
Asserts:  5122 passed, 7 skip, of 5129

[github-actions]

🎉 Backport to release/v11 created: #9246