How to upgrade Vue version
Stefan Izdrail
Founder & Senior Architect · 2026-06-29
Title: Easily Upgrading Vue Versions: A Comprehensive Guide for Developers
Body:
Updating your Vue version can be essential to keep up with the latest tools, features, and security fixes. However, sometimes simply updating the global installation of the CLI is not enough - you need to make sure that the projects affected by this update are also updated accordingly. In this blog post, we will discuss how to effectively upgrade Vue versions for both your local development environment as well as a live project.
Step 1: Upgrading Your Local Development Environment
To begin with, updating your global Vue installation should be the first step in the process. Run the following command to install the latest version of the CLI globally:
npm install -g @vue/cli
This command will ensure that you have the latest version of the CLI, which can then be used for creating new projects or updating existing ones.
Step 2: Updating Existing Projects
To upgrade a Vue project to the latest version, first enter the directory containing your project and execute this command:
npm install -g @vue/cli
This command will update your local NPM installation with the latest version of the CLI. However, it is essential to note that this step only ensures that you have the latest CLI, which might still use the previous Vue version for creating projects.
Step 3: Create a New Project and Compare Versions
Assuming that we already have a project named 'test-project,' generate a new test project with the updated CLI using this command:
vue create test-project-updated
This command will prompt you to choose from various presets, including Vue 2 (2.x) and Vue 3. Make sure to select Vue 3 as your preferred version to create the new project with the latest features and functionalities. If the new test-project-updated is created successfully, use this command to check the CLI version:
vue --version
Step 4: Upgrading Your 'test-project' Version
Now that you have a working Vue 3 project, it's time to upgrade your legacy 'test-project.' Run the following commands from inside the 'test-project' directory:
npm install -g @vue/cli // Updating the global CLI
cd test-project && npm uninstall vue-template-compiler // Removing the old Vue version
cd test-project && npm install --save-dev @vue/cli // Installing the latest CLI
cd test-project && npx vue upgrade @vue/cli@latest --force // Upgrading your project to Vue 3 with the updated CLI
This process will update all the necessary dependencies and files in order to align your project with Vue 3. Once this is done, make sure you check your 'test-project' version by running:
vue --version
Step 5: Conclusion
Upgrading a Vue version can be an essential task for ensuring that your projects remain up-to-date with the latest features and security fixes. However, upgrading to a newer version requires careful attention and precise steps to ensure a smooth transition. Following these steps should help you update both your local development environment and existing projects seamlessly. If you encounter any issues or need additional support, feel free to visit our online community at https://laravelcompany.com/ for detailed discussions on various topics related to programming and software development.