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Drift CLI includes built-in update management to ensure you always have access to the latest features, improvements, and bug fixes.

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Current version

The latest stable release of Drift CLI is version 1.0.12. You can check your installed version at any time: 
drift> /version

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Automatic update detection

Drift CLI automatically checks for new versions when you start the application. If an update is available, you’ll see a notification: 
ℹ️  A new version (1.1.0) is available. Type /update to install.
Update checks happen automatically on startup. You don’t need to manually check for updates, but you can control when to install them.

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How it works

Drift’s update detection:
  • Checks for new releases on startup
  • Compares your current version with the latest release
  • Shows a notification if an update is available
  • Does not interrupt your work or force updates
Update notifications only appear at startup. If you keep Drift running for extended periods, restart it occasionally to check for updates.

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Using the /update command

The simplest way to update Drift CLI is using the built-in update command: 
drift> /update
This command:
  1. Downloads the latest version
  2. Installs the update automatically
  3. Handles all dependencies
  4. Preserves your configuration
The /update command will exit Drift CLI to complete the installation. You’ll need to restart Drift after the update finishes.

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Update process

When you run /update, Drift will:
  1. Download - Fetch the latest .deb package from GitHub releases
  2. Verify - Confirm the download is complete and valid
  3. Install - Use dpkg to install the new version
  4. Cleanup - Remove temporary files
  5. Complete - Exit so you can restart with the new version

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Manual update process

If the /update command fails or you prefer manual installation, you can update Drift CLI manually.

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Step 1: Download the latest release

Visit the Drift CLI releases page and download the latest .deb package: 
drift-cli_X.X.X_amd64.deb

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Step 2: Install the package

Use dpkg to install the downloaded package: 
sudo dpkg -i drift-cli_*.*.*_amd64.deb
You’ll need sudo privileges to install the .deb package manually.

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Step 3: Verify the installation

Restart Drift CLI and check the version: 
drift
Then verify: 
drift> /version

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Release notes

Detailed information about each release is available on GitHub: View Release Notes Release notes include:
  • New features - Major functionality additions
  • Improvements - Enhancements to existing features
  • Bug fixes - Resolved issues and problems
  • Breaking changes - Changes that may affect existing workflows
  • Known issues - Current limitations and workarounds
Before updating, check the release notes to understand what’s changed and whether any breaking changes might affect your projects.

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Version numbering

Drift CLI follows semantic versioning (SemVer):
  • Major version (X.0.0) - Breaking changes or major new features
  • Minor version (0.X.0) - New features, backward compatible
  • Patch version (0.0.X) - Bug fixes and minor improvements
Example: 1.0.12
  • Major: 1
  • Minor: 0
  • Patch: 12
Patch updates (like 1.0.11 to 1.0.12) are always safe to install and don’t introduce breaking changes.

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Troubleshooting updates

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Update command fails

If /update fails:
  1. Check your internet connection
  2. Ensure you have sufficient disk space
  3. Verify you have proper permissions
  4. Try the manual update process instead
# Manual update if /update fails
sudo dpkg -i drift-cli_*.*.*_amd64.deb

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Permission denied errors

The update process requires elevated privileges:
  • The /update command will prompt for your password if needed
  • Make sure your user account has sudo access
  • For manual installation, always use sudo dpkg

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”Command not found” after update

If drift isn’t found after updating: 
# Reload your shell configuration
source ~/.bashrc  # or ~/.zshrc

# Or restart your terminal
If problems persist after updating, try reinstalling Drift CLI completely using the installation script from the website.

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Staying informed

To stay up to date with Drift CLI development:

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Downgrading

If you need to downgrade to a previous version:
  1. Download the older .deb package from the releases page
  2. Install it using sudo dpkg -i drift-cli_OLD_VERSION_amd64.deb
  3. Restart Drift CLI
Downgrading is rarely necessary but can be useful if you encounter issues with a new release.