Note non-exact versions syntax installing outdated versions by karlhorky · Pull Request #1335

Note non-exact versions syntax installing outdated versions by karlhorky · Pull Request #1335 · actions/setup-node

Closes actions#1236 
Closes actions#1114
Closes actions#940

As extensively documented in actions#1236 and actions#940, the non-exact aliases `lts/*`, `*`, `current`, `latest`, and `22` are slow to be upgraded, lagging several days behind the Node.js releases.

Let users know about this downside.

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August 2, 2025 13:39

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Pull Request Overview

Updates the README documentation to warn users about potential delays when using non-exact Node.js version aliases in GitHub Actions workflows.

Adds a warning that non-exact version aliases (lts/*, *, latest, etc.) can be several days outdated
Recommends using specific versions for timely upgrades

		- Latest release: `*` or `latest`/`current`/`node`

		Note: Like the other values, `*` will get the latest [locally-cached Node.js version](https://github.com/actions/runner-images/blob/main/images/ubuntu/Ubuntu2204-Readme.md#nodejs), or the latest version from [actions/node-versions](https://github.com/actions/node-versions/blob/main/versions-manifest.json), depending on the [`check-latest`](docs/advanced-usage.md#check-latest-version) input.
		Note: If you require timely version upgrades, use specific versions like `22.18.0` and upgrade the versions yourself. Values like `lts/`, ``, `latest`, etc. will get the latest [locally-cached Node.js version](https://github.com/actions/runner-images/blob/main/images/ubuntu/Ubuntu2204-Readme.md#nodejs), or the latest version from [actions/node-versions](https://github.com/actions/node-versions/blob/main/versions-manifest.json), depending on the [`check-latest`](docs/advanced-usage.md#check-latest-version) input. Both can be several days outdated.

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[nitpick] The sentence structure is overly complex and could be difficult to follow. Consider breaking this into separate sentences or restructuring for better readability.

	Note: If you require timely version upgrades, use specific versions like `22.18.0` and upgrade the versions yourself. Values like `lts/`, ``, `latest`, etc. will get the latest [locally-cached Node.js version](https://github.com/actions/runner-images/blob/main/images/ubuntu/Ubuntu2204-Readme.md#nodejs), or the latest version from [actions/node-versions](https://github.com/actions/node-versions/blob/main/versions-manifest.json), depending on the [`check-latest`](docs/advanced-usage.md#check-latest-version) input. Both can be several days outdated.
	Note: If you require timely version upgrades, use specific versions like `22.18.0` and upgrade the versions yourself.
	Values like `lts/`, ``, `latest`, etc. will get the latest [locally-cached Node.js version](https://github.com/actions/runner-images/blob/main/images/ubuntu/Ubuntu2204-Readme.md#nodejs), or the latest version from [actions/node-versions](https://github.com/actions/node-versions/blob/main/versions-manifest.json).
	Which version you get depends on the [`check-latest`](docs/advanced-usage.md#check-latest-version) input.
	Both can be several days outdated.

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karlhorky changed the title ~~Add note about NVM and latest release syntax being outdated~~ Note non-exact versions syntax installing outdated versions

Aug 2, 2025

	Note: If you require timely version upgrades, use specific versions like `22.18.0` and upgrade the versions yourself. Values like `lts/`, ``, `latest`, etc. will get the latest [locally-cached Node.js version](https://github.com/actions/runner-images/blob/main/images/ubuntu/Ubuntu2204-Readme.md#nodejs), or the latest version from [actions/node-versions](https://github.com/actions/node-versions/blob/main/versions-manifest.json), depending on the [`check-latest`](docs/advanced-usage.md#check-latest-version) input. Both can be several days outdated.
	Note: If you require timely version upgrades, use specific versions like `22.18.0` and upgrade the versions yourself.
	Values like `lts/`, ``, `latest`, etc. will get the latest [locally-cached Node.js version](https://github.com/actions/runner-images/blob/main/images/ubuntu/Ubuntu2204-Readme.md#nodejs), or the latest version from [actions/node-versions](https://github.com/actions/node-versions/blob/main/versions-manifest.json).
	Which version you get depends on the [`check-latest`](docs/advanced-usage.md#check-latest-version) input.
	Both can be several days outdated.