---
title: >-
  Shopify CLI 4.0: SemVer, auto-updates, removing deprecated flags and commands
  - Shopify developer changelog
description: >-
  Shopify’s developer changelog documents all changes to Shopify’s platform.
  Find the latest news and learn about new platform opportunities.
source_url:
  html: >-
    https://shopify.dev/changelog/shopify-cli-40-semver-auto-updates-removing-deprecated-flags-and-commands
  md: >-
    https://shopify.dev/changelog/shopify-cli-40-semver-auto-updates-removing-deprecated-flags-and-commands.md
metadata:
  effectiveApiVersion: ''
  affectedApi: []
  primaryTag:
    displayName: Tools
    handle: tools
  secondaryTag:
    displayName: Update
    handle: update
  indicatesActionRequired: false
  createdAt: '2026-05-20T17:43:10-04:00'
  postedAt: '2026-05-21T17:00:00-04:00'
  updatedAt: '2026-05-20T20:43:22-04:00'
  effectiveAt: '2026-05-21T17:00:00-04:00'
---

May 21, 2026

Tags:

* Tools

# Shopify CLI 4.0: SemVer, auto-updates, removing deprecated flags and commands

The release of Shopify CLI 4.0 today brings clarity to CLI versioning, the introduction of automatic updates, and the [announced removal](https://shopify.dev/changelog/the-shopify-cli-app-release-force-flag-is-deprecated-and-will-be-removed) of the deprecated `--force` flag from `shopify app deploy`.

## Semantic Versioning

Shopify CLI is now following semantic versioning practices. Releases with new features will be minor versions, and bug fixes will be patch versions. When required, major version releases will be used to communicate breaking changes to CLI command structure or behavior.

For more information, see [our announcement of the move to SemVer](https://community.shopify.dev/t/from-romantic-to-semantic-shopify-cli-versioning-and-auto-updates/33069).

## Automatic Upgrades

Starting with Shopify CLI 4.0, Shopify CLI upgrades itself automatically using the package manager you installed it with. Auto-upgrade is skipped in CI, project-local installs, and for major version releases. Automatic upgrades can be disabled with the `shopify config autoupgrade off` command.

For more information, see [Shopify CLI documentation](https://shopify.dev/docs/api/shopify-cli#upgrade-shopify-cli).

## Removal of the `--force` flag for app releases

The `--force` flag on the `app deploy` and `app release` commands didn’t distinguish between low-risk operations (adding or updating extensions) and high-risk ones (deleting them). This flag has been removed in Shopify CLI 4.0. The previously released `--allow-updates` and `--allow-deletes` flags give you granular control, so your CI/CD pipelines can run unattended without the risk of accidental, irreversible deletions.

For more information, see [the March 2026 changelog](https://shopify.dev/changelog/the-shopify-cli-app-release-force-flag-is-deprecated-and-will-be-removed).

## Other removed commands and flags

The following deprecated commands and flags have also been removed in Shopify CLI 4.0:

* `shopify webhook trigger` (use `shopify app webhook trigger`)
* `shopify theme serve` (use `shopify theme dev`)
* `shopify app generate schema` (use `shopify app function schema`)
* `shopify app webhook trigger --shared-secret` (use `--client-secret`)
* `shopify app generate extension --type` (use `--template`)