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squad version fails on Node 20 LTS: node:sqlite requires Node >= 22.5.0 #896
Description
Bug Report
Command: squad version
Error:
✗ Squad requires Node.js ≥22.5.0 (you have v20.18.3).
node:sqlite (required by the Copilot SDK for session storage) was added in Node 22.5.0.
Upgrade at: https://nodejs.org/en/download
Environment:
- OS: Windows
- Node.js: v20.18.3 (current Active LTS)
- Squad CLI: @bradygaster/squad-cli ^0.9.4-insider.1
- Repo: dispatch-insiders template
Problem:
Squad CLI refuses to run on Node 20 LTS because the Copilot SDK depends on node:sqlite, which was introduced in Node 22.5.0. Even a simple squad version command fails.
Node 20 is still the Active LTS release and widely used. Requiring Node 22.5.0+ is a significant barrier to adoption.
Expected behavior:
- Squad should either work on Node 20 LTS (e.g. by using an alternative SQLite binding like
better-sqlite3as a fallback), or - The minimum Node version should be clearly documented in the README and
package.jsonenginesfield so users know before installing.
Suggestion:
Consider offering a fallback storage provider for environments running Node < 22.5.0, or at minimum pin engines.node in package.json so npm install warns early.
Activity
paulyuk commentedon Apr 7, 2026
Workaround found
The error occurs when NVM (Node Version Manager) defaults to a Node 20 LTS version, even if Node 22+ is installed system-wide. NVM overrides the system Node in shells where it activates.
Fix:
After switching to Node 22,
squad versionworks fine (confirmed with0.9.4-insider.1).Suggestion for the project:
enginesfield topackage.json("node": ">=22.5.0") sonpm installwarns users early.onboard.ps1script in dispatch-insiders checks for Node 20+ (line 42:if ($nodeMajor -lt 20)), which passes but squad itself needs 22.5.0+. This mismatch is confusing — the prereq check says ✅ but squad fails immediately after.bradygaster commentedon Apr 8, 2026
Closing — Squad requires Node >= 22.5.0 (documented in package.json engines field) because the Copilot SDK depends on node:sqlite. NVM or fnm makes it easy to switch versions. Thanks for reporting!
docs(readme): document Node >=22.5.0 requirement (github#896)
chore: update GITHUB_ISSUES_FIXED.md for github#880, github#896, gith…
docs(readme): document Node >=22.5.0 requirement (github#896)
chore: update GITHUB_ISSUES_FIXED.md for github#880, github#896, gith…