dd-trace follows a major-version release model. Each release line targets a specific range of Node.js versions and follows a defined support lifecycle.
Release line table
| Release line | Node.js | SSI | K8s Injection | Status | Initial release | End of life |
|---|
| v1 | >= 12 | No | No | EOL | 2021-07-13 | 2022-02-25 |
| v2 | >= 12 | No | No | EOL | 2022-01-28 | 2023-08-15 |
| v3 | >= 14 | No | Yes | EOL | 2022-08-15 | 2024-05-15 |
| v4 | >= 16 | Yes | Yes | EOL | 2023-05-12 | 2025-01-11 |
| v5 | >= 18 | Yes | Yes | Current | 2024-01-11 | Unknown |
Current maintained release
Datadog currently maintains v5 only. For new projects, install the latest version:
Or with yarn:
To install a specific major version for older Node.js runtimes:
npm install dd-trace@4 # Last version supporting Node.js 16
npm install dd-trace@3 # Last version supporting Node.js 14
How to check the current version
Check the latest published version on npm:
npm show dd-trace version
Support lifecycle
Active (current) release
The current release line receives all bug fixes, security patches, and new features. Only one release line is active at a time: v5.
Maintenance mode
When a new major version is published, the previous release line enters maintenance mode for one year. During maintenance mode, a release line receives:
- Critical bug fixes
- Security patches
It does not receive new features.
End of life (EOL)
After the one-year maintenance window, a release line reaches end of life. EOL release lines receive no further updates of any kind.
v4 released → v3 enters maintenance → (1 year) → v3 reaches EOL
v5 released → v4 enters maintenance → (1 year) → v4 reaches EOL
Running an EOL version of dd-trace means you will not receive security updates. Plan upgrades before the maintenance window closes.
Node.js LTS alignment
dd-trace release lines track the Node.js LTS lifecycle. When a Node.js version reaches EOL, the next dd-trace major release drops support for it. The previous release line continues to receive updates during its maintenance window, giving teams time to upgrade both runtimes.
Changelog
Changes for each individual release are documented on the GitHub Releases page.
For detailed compatibility requirements, see the Node.js Compatibility Requirements page in the Datadog documentation. 