UpdatePeek: See macOS, Homebrew and npm updates.

What updates are available?

Features

• macOS version and build, and the updates macOS lists (name, version, recommended, restart required), shown on the launcher too
• A prominent button that opens Software Update, where macOS updates are installed
• Check now asks Apple's update servers through softwareupdate and says exactly what it answered, or that it could not check
• Homebrew outdated packages (formulae and casks) with installed and current versions, only when you press Check
• Globally installed npm packages that are outdated, with installed and latest versions, only when you press Check
• An Update button on each npm package: confirm the exact command and MacPeek runs npm install -g name@latest, never with elevated rights; if npm lacks permission you get the same command with sudo to copy into Terminal
• A copyable upgrade command for Homebrew and npm packages to run yourself in Terminal
• Runs fixed commands with no shell and cancels checks when you leave the screen

How it works

1. Open UpdatePeek from the launcher.
2. Read the macOS status, press Check now to ask Apple, or open Software Update.
3. Press Check under Homebrew or npm, then update an npm package with its Update button or copy the command for any package.

Installation

UpdatePeek is part of MacPeek. Install MacPeek, open Manage utilities and make sure UpdatePeek is switched on (it is on by default). There is nothing separate to download.

Privacy

What UpdatePeek reads:

• The macOS version and build; macOS's own Software Update record; `softwareupdate --list` only when you press Check now, which asks Apple's update servers; `brew outdated` (read-only, no brew update) only when you press Check; `npm outdated -g` only when you press Check, which asks the npm registry; `npm install -g <package>@latest` only for the one package you press Update on and confirm

Access it needs: None. macOS and Homebrew updates are never installed from MacPeek, and npm is never run with elevated rights.

Nothing about your Mac is sent to any server, and there is no account and no telemetry. UpdatePeek makes network requests only when you ask it to run a check. Check now asks Apple's update servers; the npm check and an npm update use the npm registry (npmjs.org unless your npm config says otherwise), which sees the names of your global packages. The Homebrew check makes no request. Read the full privacy statement.

Open source

MacPeek and every utility in it are MIT-licensed. Read the code on GitHub, or see how a utility is built.

Frequently asked questions

What does UpdatePeek do?

UpdatePeek shows your macOS version and the updates macOS lists, from its own record or when you press Check now, and opens Software Update where macOS updates are installed. When you press Check it lists the packages Homebrew reports as outdated (without running brew update) and the globally installed npm packages that npm reports as outdated, and it can update an npm package for you after you confirm. It never installs macOS or Homebrew updates and never says your Mac is up to date: it shows what macOS reports.

What does UpdatePeek read from my Mac?

The macOS version and build; macOS's own Software Update record; `softwareupdate --list` only when you press Check now, which asks Apple's update servers; `brew outdated` (read-only, no brew update) only when you press Check; `npm outdated -g` only when you press Check, which asks the npm registry; `npm install -g <package>@latest` only for the one package you press Update on and confirm.

Does UpdatePeek need any permissions?

None. macOS and Homebrew updates are never installed from MacPeek, and npm is never run with elevated rights.

Does UpdatePeek send my data anywhere?

No information about your Mac is sent anywhere, and there is no account and no telemetry. UpdatePeek makes network requests only when you ask it to run a check. Check now asks Apple's update servers; the npm check and an npm update use the npm registry (npmjs.org unless your npm config says otherwise), which sees the names of your global packages. The Homebrew check makes no request.

Is UpdatePeek free?

Yes. UpdatePeek is part of MacPeek, which is free and open source under the MIT license.