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CLI Reference
self-update - Update Update-Watcher

self-update - Update Update-Watcher

The self-update command updates the Update-Watcher binary to the latest version from GitHub Releases. It can also check whether a newer version is available without performing the update.

Usage

Terminal
update-watcher self-update [--status]

Flags

FlagDescription
--statusCheck for a newer version without updating. Prints the current and latest versions, then exits.
💡
Use --status in monitoring scripts to check for available updates without applying them. Pair it with exit codes for automated workflows.

How It Works

When self-update runs without --status:

  1. Query GitHub Releases – Contacts the GitHub Releases API for the Update-Watcher repository to determine the latest available version.
  2. Compare versions – Compares the latest release version with the currently installed version.
  3. Download – If a newer version is available, downloads the appropriate binary for your OS and architecture.
  4. Replace – Replaces the current binary in place. The old binary is overwritten with the new one.

The update preserves your configuration file. Only the binary is replaced.

Examples

Update to the Latest Version

Terminal
update-watcher self-update

If a newer version is available:

Output
Current version: v1.2.0
Latest version:  v1.3.0
Downloading update-watcher v1.3.0 for linux/amd64...
Updated successfully to v1.3.0

If already up to date:

Output
Current version: v1.3.0
Already up to date.

Check for Updates Without Installing

Terminal
update-watcher self-update --status
Output
Current version: v1.2.0
Latest version:  v1.3.0
Update available.

Or if already up to date:

Output
Current version: v1.3.0
Already up to date.

This is useful in scripts where you want to report on available updates without applying them.

Permissions

The self-update command needs write access to the directory where the binary is installed. If the binary is installed in /usr/local/bin (the default), you may need to run the command with sudo:

Terminal
sudo update-watcher self-update

Automation

Via Cron

Schedule automatic self-updates using the built-in cron management:

Terminal
update-watcher install-cron --type self-update --cron-expr "0 3 * * 0"

This runs self-update every Sunday at 3:00 AM, keeping the binary current without manual intervention. See install-cron for details.

Via Scripts

You can combine --status with exit codes in scripts to build custom update workflows:

Terminal
update-watcher self-update --status
if [ $? -eq 1 ]; then
  echo "A newer version of Update-Watcher is available"
  # Optionally trigger the update
  sudo update-watcher self-update
fi

Wizard Integration

The self-update feature is also available from the interactive setup wizard (update-watcher setup). The wizard’s “Self-Update” menu option checks for updates and, if an update is performed, automatically restarts the wizard with the new version.

Related

  • version – Display the current version, git commit, and build date.
  • install-cron – Schedule automated self-updates via cron.
  • Installation – All installation methods.
validate - Validate Configurationinstall-cron - Schedule Automated Tasks