Update CI workflow for Node.js and caching

.github/workflows/check-dist.yml

@@ -16,4 +16,4 @@ jobs:
     name: Check dist/
     uses: actions/reusable-workflows/.github/workflows/check-dist.yml@main
     with:
-      node-version: '24.x'
+      node-version: '20.x'

.github/workflows/e2e-cache.yml

@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ on:
       - '**.md'
   push:
     branches:
-      - main
+      - macos-15-x64-runner-test
       - releases/*
     paths-ignore:
       - '**.md'
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ jobs:
         os: [ubuntu-latest, windows-latest, macos-latest, macos-latest-large]
         node-version: [20, 22, 24]
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v6
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
       - name: Clean global cache
         run: npm cache clean --force
       - name: Setup Node
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ jobs:
         os: [ubuntu-latest, windows-latest, macos-latest, macos-latest-large]
         node-version: [20, 22, 24]
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v6
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
       - name: Install pnpm
         uses: pnpm/action-setup@v4
         with:
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ jobs:
         os: [ubuntu-latest, windows-latest, macos-latest, macos-latest-large]
         node-version: [20, 22, 24]
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v6
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
       - name: Yarn version
         run: yarn --version
       - name: Generate yarn file
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ jobs:
         os: [ubuntu-latest, windows-latest, macos-latest, macos-latest-large]
         node-version: [20, 22, 24]
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v6
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
       - name: Update yarn
         run: yarn set version 3.6.4
       - name: Yarn version
@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
 
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v6
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
 
       - name: prepare sub-projects
         run: __tests__/prepare-yarn-subprojects.sh yarn1
@@ -170,7 +170,7 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
 
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v6
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
 
       - name: prepare sub-projects
         run: __tests__/prepare-yarn-subprojects.sh keepcache keepcache
@@ -197,7 +197,7 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
 
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v6
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
 
       - name: prepare sub-projects
         run: __tests__/prepare-yarn-subprojects.sh global
@@ -224,7 +224,7 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
 
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v6
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
 
       - name: prepare sub-projects
         run: /bin/bash __tests__/prepare-yarn-subprojects.sh keepcache
@@ -253,7 +253,7 @@ jobs:
         os: [ubuntu-latest, windows-latest, macos-latest, macos-latest-large]
         node-version: [20, 22, 24]
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v6
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
       - name: Create package.json with packageManager field
         run: |
           echo '{ "name": "test-project", "version": "1.0.0", "packageManager": "npm@8.0.0" }' > package.json
@@ -278,7 +278,7 @@ jobs:
         os: [ubuntu-latest, windows-latest, macos-latest, macos-latest-large]
         node-version: [20, 22, 24]
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v6
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
       - name: Create package.json with devEngines field
         run: |
           echo '{

.github/workflows/proxy.yml

@@ -25,15 +25,15 @@ jobs:
     env:
       https_proxy: http://squid-proxy:3128
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v6
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
       - name: Clear tool cache
         run: rm -rf $RUNNER_TOOL_CACHE/*
-      - name: Setup node 24
+      - name: Setup node 14
         uses: ./
         with:
-          node-version: 24.x
+          node-version: 14.x
       - name: Verify node and npm
-        run: __tests__/verify-node.sh 24
+        run: __tests__/verify-node.sh 14
 
   test-bypass-proxy:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
@@ -41,12 +41,12 @@ jobs:
       https_proxy: http://no-such-proxy:3128
       no_proxy: api.github.com,github.com,nodejs.org,registry.npmjs.org,*.s3.amazonaws.com,s3.amazonaws.com
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v6
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
       - name: Clear tool cache
         run: rm -rf $RUNNER_TOOL_CACHE/*
-      - name: Setup node 24
+      - name: Setup node 11
         uses: ./
         with:
-          node-version: 24
+          node-version: 11
       - name: Verify node and npm
-        run: __tests__/verify-node.sh 24
+        run: __tests__/verify-node.sh 11

.github/workflows/publish-immutable-actions.yml

@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ jobs:
 
     steps:
       - name: Checking out
-        uses: actions/checkout@v6
+        uses: actions/checkout@v5
       - name: Publish
         id: publish
         uses: actions/publish-immutable-action@v0.0.4

.github/workflows/release-new-action-version.yml

@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     steps:
       - name: Update the ${{ env.TAG_NAME }} tag
-        uses: actions/publish-action@v0.4.0
+        uses: actions/publish-action@v0.3.0
         with:
           source-tag: ${{ env.TAG_NAME }}
           slack-webhook: ${{ secrets.SLACK_WEBHOOK }}

.github/workflows/versions.yml

@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ on:
       - '**.md'
   push:
     branches:
-      - main
+      - macos-15-x64-runner-test
       - releases/*
     paths-ignore:
       - '**.md'
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ jobs:
         os: [ubuntu-latest, windows-latest, macos-latest, macos-latest-large]
         node-version: [20, 22, 24]
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v6
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
       - name: Setup Node
         uses: ./
         with:
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ jobs:
         os: [ubuntu-latest, windows-latest, macos-latest-large]
         node-version: [lts/dubnium, lts/erbium, lts/fermium, lts/*, lts/-1]
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v6
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
       - name: Setup Node
         uses: ./
         with:
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ jobs:
             '20.0.0-v8-canary20221101e50e45c9f8'
           ]
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v6
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
       - name: Setup Node
         uses: ./
         with:
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ jobs:
         os: [ubuntu-latest, windows-latest, macos-latest, macos-latest-large]
         node-version: [20-nightly, 25-nightly, 24.0.0-nightly]
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v6
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
       - name: Setup Node
         uses: ./
         with:
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ jobs:
         os: [ubuntu-latest, windows-latest, macos-latest, macos-latest-large]
         node-version: [20.0.0-rc.1, 22.14.0-rc.1, 24.0.0-rc.4]
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v6
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
       - name: Setup Node
         uses: ./
         with:
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ jobs:
         os: [ubuntu-latest, windows-latest, macos-latest, macos-latest-large]
         node-version: [20.10.0, 22.0.0, 24.9.0]
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v6
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
       - name: Setup Node
         uses: ./
         with:
@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@ jobs:
         os: [ubuntu-latest, windows-latest, macos-latest, macos-latest-large]
         node-version: [20, 22, 24]
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v6
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
       - name: Setup Node and check latest
         uses: ./
         with:
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ jobs:
         node-version-file:
           [.nvmrc, .tool-versions, .tool-versions-node, package.json]
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v6
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
       - name: Setup node from node version file
         uses: ./
         with:
@@ -175,7 +175,7 @@ jobs:
       matrix:
         os: [ubuntu-latest, windows-latest, macos-latest, macos-latest-large]
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v6
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
       - name: Setup node from node version file
         uses: ./
         with:
@@ -190,7 +190,7 @@ jobs:
       matrix:
         os: [ubuntu-latest, windows-latest, macos-latest, macos-latest-large]
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v6
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
       - name: Setup node from node version file
         uses: ./
         with:
@@ -206,7 +206,7 @@ jobs:
         os: [ubuntu-latest, windows-latest, macos-latest, macos-latest-large]
         node-version: [17, 19]
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v6
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
       - name: Setup Node from dist
         uses: ./
         with:
@@ -222,7 +222,7 @@ jobs:
       matrix:
         os: [ubuntu-latest, windows-latest, macos-latest-large]
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v6
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
       # test old versions which didn't have npm and layout different
       - name: Setup node 0.12.18 from dist
         uses: ./
@@ -235,7 +235,7 @@ jobs:
   arch:
     runs-on: windows-latest
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v6
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
       - name: Setup node 20 x86 from dist
         uses: ./
         with:
@@ -259,7 +259,7 @@ jobs:
           echo "LATEST_NODE_VERSION=$latestNodeVersion" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
         id: version
         shell: bash
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v6
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
       - name: Setup Node
         uses: ./
         with:

README.md

@@ -12,13 +12,7 @@ This action provides the following functionality for GitHub Actions users:
 - Registering problem matchers for error output
 - Configuring authentication for GPR or npm
 
-## Breaking changes in V6
-
-- Caching is now automatically enabled for npm projects when either the `devEngines.packageManager` field or the top-level `packageManager` field in `package.json` is set to `npm`. For other package managers, such as Yarn and pnpm, caching is disabled by default and must be configured manually using the `cache` input.
-
-- The `always-auth` input has been removed, as it is deprecated and will no longer be supported in future npm releases. To ensure your workflows continue to run without warnings or errors, please remove any references to `always-auth` from your configuration.
-
-## Breaking changes in V5
+## Breaking changes in V5 
 
 - Enabled caching by default with package manager detection if no cache input is provided.
   > For workflows with elevated privileges or access to sensitive information, we recommend disabling automatic caching by setting `package-manager-cache: false` when caching is not needed for secure operation.
@@ -34,7 +28,7 @@ See [action.yml](action.yml)
 
 <!-- start usage -->
 ```yaml
-- uses: actions/setup-node@v6
+- uses: actions/setup-node@v5
   with:
     # Version Spec of the version to use in SemVer notation.
     # It also admits such aliases as lts/*, latest, nightly and canary builds
@@ -42,22 +36,22 @@ See [action.yml](action.yml)
     node-version: ''
 
     # File containing the version Spec of the version to use.  Examples: package.json, .nvmrc, .node-version, .tool-versions.
-    # If node-version and node-version-file are both provided the action will use version from node-version.
+    # If node-version and node-version-file are both provided the action will use version from node-version. 
     node-version-file: ''
 
-    # Set this option if you want the action to check for the latest available version
+    # Set this option if you want the action to check for the latest available version 
     # that satisfies the version spec.
-    # It will only get affect for lts Nodejs versions (12.x, >=10.15.0, lts/Hydrogen).
+    # It will only get affect for lts Nodejs versions (12.x, >=10.15.0, lts/Hydrogen). 
     # Default: false
     check-latest: false
 
     # Target architecture for Node to use. Examples: x86, x64. Will use system architecture by default.
-    # Default: ''. The action use system architecture by default
+    # Default: ''. The action use system architecture by default 
     architecture: ''
 
-    # Used to pull node distributions from https://github.com/actions/node-versions.
-    # Since there's a default, this is typically not supplied by the user.
-    # When running this action on github.com, the default value is sufficient.
+    # Used to pull node distributions from https://github.com/actions/node-versions. 
+    # Since there's a default, this is typically not supplied by the user. 
+    # When running this action on github.com, the default value is sufficient. 
     # When running on GHES, you can pass a personal access token for github.com if you are experiencing rate limiting.
     #
     # We recommend using a service account with the least permissions necessary. Also
@@ -73,31 +67,34 @@ See [action.yml](action.yml)
     # Default: ''
     cache: ''
 
-    # Controls automatic caching for npm. By default, caching for npm is enabled if either the devEngines.packageManager field or the top-level packageManager field in package.json specifies npm and no explicit cache input is provided.
-    # To disable automatic caching for npm, set package-manager-cache to false.
+    # Used to disable automatic caching based on the package manager field in package.json. By default, caching is enabled if the package manager field is present and no cache input is provided'
     # default: true
     package-manager-cache: true
 
-    # Used to specify the path to a dependency file: package-lock.json, yarn.lock, etc.
-    # It will generate hash from the target file for primary key. It works only If cache is specified.
+    # Used to specify the path to a dependency file: package-lock.json, yarn.lock, etc. 
+    # It will generate hash from the target file for primary key. It works only If cache is specified.  
     # Supports wildcards or a list of file names for caching multiple dependencies.
     # Default: ''
     cache-dependency-path: ''
 
-    # Optional registry to set up for auth. Will set the registry in a project level .npmrc and .yarnrc file,
+    # Optional registry to set up for auth. Will set the registry in a project level .npmrc and .yarnrc file, 
     # and set up auth to read in from env.NODE_AUTH_TOKEN.
     # Default: ''
     registry-url: ''
 
-    # Optional scope for authenticating against scoped registries.
+    # Optional scope for authenticating against scoped registries. 
     # Will fall back to the repository owner when using the GitHub Packages registry (https://npm.pkg.github.com/).
     # Default: ''
     scope: ''
 
+    # Set always-auth option in npmrc file.
+    # Default: ''
+    always-auth: ''
+
     # Optional mirror to download binaries from.
     # Artifacts need to match the official Node.js
     # Example:
-    # V8 Canary Build: <mirror_url>/download/v8-canary
+    # V8 Canaray Build: <mirror_url>/download/v8-canary
     # RC Build: <mirror_url>/download/rc
     # Official: Build <mirror_url>/dist
     # Nightly build: <mirror_url>/download/nightly
@@ -115,15 +112,15 @@ See [action.yml](action.yml)
 
 ```yaml
 steps:
-- uses: actions/checkout@v6
-- uses: actions/setup-node@v6
+- uses: actions/checkout@v5
+- uses: actions/setup-node@v5
   with:
-    node-version: 24
+    node-version: 18
 - run: npm ci
 - run: npm test
 ```
 
-The `node-version` input is optional. If not supplied, the node version from PATH will be used. However, it is recommended to always specify Node.js version and not rely on the system one.
+The `node-version` input is optional. If not supplied, the node version from PATH will be used. However, it is recommended to always specify Node.js version and don't rely on the system one.
 
 The action will first check the local cache for a semver match. If unable to find a specific version in the cache, the action will attempt to download a version of Node.js. It will pull LTS versions from [node-versions releases](https://github.com/actions/node-versions/releases) and on miss or failure will fall back to the previous behavior of downloading directly from [node dist](https://nodejs.org/dist/).
 
@@ -135,9 +132,9 @@ The `node-version` input supports the Semantic Versioning Specification, for mor
 
 Examples:
 
- - Major versions: `22`, `24`
- - More specific versions: `20.19`, `22.17.1` , `24.8.0`
- - NVM LTS syntax: `lts/iron`, `lts/jod`, `lts/*`, `lts/-n`
+ - Major versions: `18`, `20`
+ - More specific versions: `10.15`, `16.15.1` , `18.4.0`
+ - NVM LTS syntax: `lts/erbium`, `lts/fermium`, `lts/*`, `lts/-n`
  - Latest release: `*` or `latest`/`current`/`node`
 
 **Note:** Like the other values, `*` will get the latest [locally-cached Node.js version](https://github.com/actions/runner-images/blob/main/images/ubuntu/Ubuntu2204-Readme.md#nodejs), or the latest version from [actions/node-versions](https://github.com/actions/node-versions/blob/main/versions-manifest.json), depending on the [`check-latest`](docs/advanced-usage.md#check-latest-version) input.
@@ -148,12 +145,24 @@ Since it will not be cached always, there is possibility of hitting rate limit w
 
 ### Checking in lockfiles
 
-It's **strongly recommended** to commit the lockfile of your package manager for security and performance reasons. For more information consult the "Working with lockfiles" section of the [Advanced usage](docs/advanced-usage.md#working-with-lockfiles) guide.
+It's **always** recommended to commit the lockfile of your package manager for security and performance reasons. For more information consult the "Working with lockfiles" section of the [Advanced usage](docs/advanced-usage.md#working-with-lockfiles) guide.
 
 ## Caching global packages data
 
 The action has a built-in functionality for caching and restoring dependencies. It uses [actions/cache](https://github.com/actions/cache) under the hood for caching global packages data but requires less configuration settings. Supported package managers are `npm`, `yarn`, `pnpm` (v6.10+). The `cache` input is optional.
 
+Caching is turned on by default when a `packageManager` field is detected in the `package.json` file and no `cache` input is provided. The `package-manager-cache` input provides control over this automatic caching behavior. By default, `package-manager-cache` is set to `true`, which enables caching when a valid package manager field is detected in the `package.json` file. To disable this automatic caching, set the `package-manager-cache` input to `false`.
+
+```yaml
+steps:
+- uses: actions/checkout@v5
+- uses: actions/setup-node@v5
+  with:
+    package-manager-cache: false
+- run: npm ci
+```
+> If no valid `packageManager` field is detected in the `package.json` file, caching will remain disabled unless explicitly configured. For workflows with elevated privileges or access to sensitive information, we recommend disabling automatic caching by setting `package-manager-cache: false` when caching is not needed for secure operation.
+
 The action defaults to search for the dependency file (`package-lock.json`, `npm-shrinkwrap.json` or `yarn.lock`) in the repository root, and uses its hash as a part of the cache key. Use `cache-dependency-path` for cases when multiple dependency files are used, or they are located in different subdirectories.
 
 **Note:** The action does not cache `node_modules`
@@ -164,10 +173,10 @@ See the examples of using cache for `yarn`/`pnpm` and `cache-dependency-path` in
 
 ```yaml
 steps:
-- uses: actions/checkout@v6
-- uses: actions/setup-node@v6
+- uses: actions/checkout@v5
+- uses: actions/setup-node@v5
   with:
-    node-version: 24
+    node-version: 20
     cache: 'npm'
 - run: npm ci
 - run: npm test
@@ -177,30 +186,16 @@ steps:
 
 ```yaml
 steps:
-- uses: actions/checkout@v6
-- uses: actions/setup-node@v6
+- uses: actions/checkout@v5
+- uses: actions/setup-node@v5
   with:
-    node-version: 24
+    node-version: 20
     cache: 'npm'
     cache-dependency-path: subdir/package-lock.json
 - run: npm ci
 - run: npm test
 ```
 
-Caching for npm dependencies is automatically enabled when your `package.json` contains either `devEngines.packageManager` field or top-level `packageManager` field set to `npm`, and no explicit cache input is provided.
-
-This behavior is controlled by the `package-manager-cache` input, which defaults to `true`. To turn off automatic caching, set `package-manager-cache` to `false`.
-
-```yaml
-steps:
-- uses: actions/checkout@v6
-- uses: actions/setup-node@v6
-  with:
-    package-manager-cache: false
-- run: npm ci
-```
-> If your `package.json` file does not include a `packageManager` field set to `npm`, caching will be disabled unless you explicitly enable it. For workflows with elevated privileges or access to sensitive information, we recommend disabling automatic caching for npm by setting `package-manager-cache: false` when caching is not required for secure operation.
-
 ## Matrix Testing
 
 ```yaml
@@ -209,12 +204,12 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     strategy:
       matrix:
-        node: [ 20, 22, 24 ]
+        node: [ 14, 16, 18 ]
     name: Node ${{ matrix.node }} sample
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v6
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
       - name: Setup node
-        uses: actions/setup-node@v6
+        uses: actions/setup-node@v5
         with:
           node-version: ${{ matrix.node }}
       - run: npm ci
@@ -228,10 +223,10 @@ jobs:
 To get a higher rate limit, you can [generate a personal access token on github.com](https://github.com/settings/tokens/new) and pass it as the `token` input for the action:
 
 ```yaml
-uses: actions/setup-node@v6
+uses: actions/setup-node@v5
 with:
   token: ${{ secrets.GH_DOTCOM_TOKEN }}
-  node-version: 24
+  node-version: 20
 ```
 
 If the runner is not able to access github.com, any Nodejs versions requested during a workflow run must come from the runner's tool cache. See "[Setting up the tool cache on self-hosted runners without internet access](https://docs.github.com/en/enterprise-server@3.2/admin/github-actions/managing-access-to-actions-from-githubcom/setting-up-the-tool-cache-on-self-hosted-runners-without-internet-access)" for more information.
@@ -249,7 +244,6 @@ If the runner is not able to access github.com, any Nodejs versions requested du
  - [Publishing to npmjs and GPR with npm](docs/advanced-usage.md#publish-to-npmjs-and-gpr-with-npm)
  - [Publishing to npmjs and GPR with yarn](docs/advanced-usage.md#publish-to-npmjs-and-gpr-with-yarn)
  - [Using private packages](docs/advanced-usage.md#use-private-packages)
- - [Using private mirror](docs/advanced-usage.md#use-private-mirror)
 
 ## Recommended permissions
 
@@ -270,4 +264,4 @@ Contributions are welcome! See [Contributor's Guide](docs/contributors.md)
 
 ## Code of Conduct
 
-:wave: Be nice. See [our code of conduct](CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md)
+:wave: Be nice. See [our code of conduct](CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md)

__tests__/authutil.test.ts

@@ -76,102 +76,115 @@ describe('authutil tests', () => {
   }
 
   it('Sets up npmrc for npmjs', async () => {
-    await auth.configAuthentication('https://registry.npmjs.org/');
+    await auth.configAuthentication('https://registry.npmjs.org/', 'false');
 
     expect(fs.statSync(rcFile)).toBeDefined();
     const contents = fs.readFileSync(rcFile, {encoding: 'utf8'});
     const rc = readRcFile(rcFile);
     expect(rc['registry']).toBe('https://registry.npmjs.org/');
+    expect(rc['always-auth']).toBe('false');
   });
 
   it('Appends trailing slash to registry', async () => {
-    await auth.configAuthentication('https://registry.npmjs.org');
+    await auth.configAuthentication('https://registry.npmjs.org', 'false');
 
     expect(fs.statSync(rcFile)).toBeDefined();
     const rc = readRcFile(rcFile);
     expect(rc['registry']).toBe('https://registry.npmjs.org/');
+    expect(rc['always-auth']).toBe('false');
   });
 
   it('Configures scoped npm registries', async () => {
     process.env['INPUT_SCOPE'] = 'myScope';
-    await auth.configAuthentication('https://registry.npmjs.org');
+    await auth.configAuthentication('https://registry.npmjs.org', 'false');
 
     expect(fs.statSync(rcFile)).toBeDefined();
     const rc = readRcFile(rcFile);
     expect(rc['@myscope:registry']).toBe('https://registry.npmjs.org/');
+    expect(rc['always-auth']).toBe('false');
   });
 
   it('Automatically configures GPR scope', async () => {
-    await auth.configAuthentication('npm.pkg.github.com');
+    await auth.configAuthentication('npm.pkg.github.com', 'false');
 
     expect(fs.statSync(rcFile)).toBeDefined();
     const rc = readRcFile(rcFile);
     expect(rc['@ownername:registry']).toBe('npm.pkg.github.com/');
+    expect(rc['always-auth']).toBe('false');
+  });
+
+  it('Sets up npmrc for always-auth true', async () => {
+    await auth.configAuthentication('https://registry.npmjs.org/', 'true');
+    expect(fs.statSync(rcFile)).toBeDefined();
+    const rc = readRcFile(rcFile);
+    expect(rc['registry']).toBe('https://registry.npmjs.org/');
+    expect(rc['always-auth']).toBe('true');
   });
 
   it('is already set the NODE_AUTH_TOKEN export it', async () => {
     process.env.NODE_AUTH_TOKEN = 'foobar';
-    await auth.configAuthentication('npm.pkg.github.com');
+    await auth.configAuthentication('npm.pkg.github.com', 'false');
     expect(fs.statSync(rcFile)).toBeDefined();
     const rc = readRcFile(rcFile);
     expect(rc['@ownername:registry']).toBe('npm.pkg.github.com/');
+    expect(rc['always-auth']).toBe('false');
     expect(process.env.NODE_AUTH_TOKEN).toEqual('foobar');
   });
 
   it('configAuthentication should overwrite non-scoped with non-scoped', async () => {
     fs.writeFileSync(rcFile, 'registry=NNN');
-    await auth.configAuthentication('https://registry.npmjs.org/');
+    await auth.configAuthentication('https://registry.npmjs.org/', 'true');
     const contents = fs.readFileSync(rcFile, {encoding: 'utf8'});
     expect(contents).toBe(
-      `//registry.npmjs.org/:_authToken=\${NODE_AUTH_TOKEN}${os.EOL}registry=https://registry.npmjs.org/`
+      `//registry.npmjs.org/:_authToken=\${NODE_AUTH_TOKEN}${os.EOL}registry=https://registry.npmjs.org/${os.EOL}always-auth=true`
     );
   });
 
   it('configAuthentication should overwrite only non-scoped', async () => {
     fs.writeFileSync(rcFile, `registry=NNN${os.EOL}@myscope:registry=MMM`);
-    await auth.configAuthentication('https://registry.npmjs.org/');
+    await auth.configAuthentication('https://registry.npmjs.org/', 'true');
     const contents = fs.readFileSync(rcFile, {encoding: 'utf8'});
     expect(contents).toBe(
-      `@myscope:registry=MMM${os.EOL}//registry.npmjs.org/:_authToken=\${NODE_AUTH_TOKEN}${os.EOL}registry=https://registry.npmjs.org/`
+      `@myscope:registry=MMM${os.EOL}//registry.npmjs.org/:_authToken=\${NODE_AUTH_TOKEN}${os.EOL}registry=https://registry.npmjs.org/${os.EOL}always-auth=true`
     );
   });
 
   it('configAuthentication should add non-scoped to scoped', async () => {
     fs.writeFileSync(rcFile, '@myscope:registry=NNN');
-    await auth.configAuthentication('https://registry.npmjs.org/');
+    await auth.configAuthentication('https://registry.npmjs.org/', 'true');
     const contents = fs.readFileSync(rcFile, {encoding: 'utf8'});
     expect(contents).toBe(
-      `@myscope:registry=NNN${os.EOL}//registry.npmjs.org/:_authToken=\${NODE_AUTH_TOKEN}${os.EOL}registry=https://registry.npmjs.org/`
+      `@myscope:registry=NNN${os.EOL}//registry.npmjs.org/:_authToken=\${NODE_AUTH_TOKEN}${os.EOL}registry=https://registry.npmjs.org/${os.EOL}always-auth=true`
     );
   });
 
   it('configAuthentication should overwrite scoped with scoped', async () => {
     process.env['INPUT_SCOPE'] = 'myscope';
     fs.writeFileSync(rcFile, `@myscope:registry=NNN`);
-    await auth.configAuthentication('https://registry.npmjs.org/');
+    await auth.configAuthentication('https://registry.npmjs.org/', 'true');
     const contents = fs.readFileSync(rcFile, {encoding: 'utf8'});
     expect(contents).toBe(
-      `//registry.npmjs.org/:_authToken=\${NODE_AUTH_TOKEN}${os.EOL}@myscope:registry=https://registry.npmjs.org/`
+      `//registry.npmjs.org/:_authToken=\${NODE_AUTH_TOKEN}${os.EOL}@myscope:registry=https://registry.npmjs.org/${os.EOL}always-auth=true`
     );
   });
 
   it('configAuthentication should overwrite only scoped', async () => {
     process.env['INPUT_SCOPE'] = 'myscope';
     fs.writeFileSync(rcFile, `registry=NNN${os.EOL}@myscope:registry=MMM`);
-    await auth.configAuthentication('https://registry.npmjs.org/');
+    await auth.configAuthentication('https://registry.npmjs.org/', 'true');
     const contents = fs.readFileSync(rcFile, {encoding: 'utf8'});
     expect(contents).toBe(
-      `registry=NNN${os.EOL}//registry.npmjs.org/:_authToken=\${NODE_AUTH_TOKEN}${os.EOL}@myscope:registry=https://registry.npmjs.org/`
+      `registry=NNN${os.EOL}//registry.npmjs.org/:_authToken=\${NODE_AUTH_TOKEN}${os.EOL}@myscope:registry=https://registry.npmjs.org/${os.EOL}always-auth=true`
     );
   });
 
   it('configAuthentication should add scoped to non-scoped', async () => {
     process.env['INPUT_SCOPE'] = 'myscope';
     fs.writeFileSync(rcFile, `registry=MMM`);
-    await auth.configAuthentication('https://registry.npmjs.org/');
+    await auth.configAuthentication('https://registry.npmjs.org/', 'true');
     const contents = fs.readFileSync(rcFile, {encoding: 'utf8'});
     expect(contents).toBe(
-      `registry=MMM${os.EOL}//registry.npmjs.org/:_authToken=\${NODE_AUTH_TOKEN}${os.EOL}@myscope:registry=https://registry.npmjs.org/`
+      `registry=MMM${os.EOL}//registry.npmjs.org/:_authToken=\${NODE_AUTH_TOKEN}${os.EOL}@myscope:registry=https://registry.npmjs.org/${os.EOL}always-auth=true`
     );
   });
 
@@ -181,20 +194,20 @@ describe('authutil tests', () => {
       rcFile,
       `@otherscope:registry=NNN${os.EOL}@myscope:registry=MMM`
     );
-    await auth.configAuthentication('https://registry.npmjs.org/');
+    await auth.configAuthentication('https://registry.npmjs.org/', 'true');
     const contents = fs.readFileSync(rcFile, {encoding: 'utf8'});
     expect(contents).toBe(
-      `@otherscope:registry=NNN${os.EOL}//registry.npmjs.org/:_authToken=\${NODE_AUTH_TOKEN}${os.EOL}@myscope:registry=https://registry.npmjs.org/`
+      `@otherscope:registry=NNN${os.EOL}//registry.npmjs.org/:_authToken=\${NODE_AUTH_TOKEN}${os.EOL}@myscope:registry=https://registry.npmjs.org/${os.EOL}always-auth=true`
     );
   });
 
   it('configAuthentication should add scoped to another scoped', async () => {
     process.env['INPUT_SCOPE'] = 'myscope';
     fs.writeFileSync(rcFile, `@otherscope:registry=MMM`);
-    await auth.configAuthentication('https://registry.npmjs.org/');
+    await auth.configAuthentication('https://registry.npmjs.org/', 'true');
     const contents = fs.readFileSync(rcFile, {encoding: 'utf8'});
     expect(contents).toBe(
-      `@otherscope:registry=MMM${os.EOL}//registry.npmjs.org/:_authToken=\${NODE_AUTH_TOKEN}${os.EOL}@myscope:registry=https://registry.npmjs.org/`
+      `@otherscope:registry=MMM${os.EOL}//registry.npmjs.org/:_authToken=\${NODE_AUTH_TOKEN}${os.EOL}@myscope:registry=https://registry.npmjs.org/${os.EOL}always-auth=true`
     );
   });
 });

__tests__/canary-installer.test.ts

@@ -227,6 +227,7 @@ describe('setup-node', () => {
     const versionSpec = '11.15.0';
 
     inputs['node-version'] = versionSpec;
+    inputs['always-auth'] = false;
     inputs['token'] = 'faketoken';
 
     // ... but not in the local cache
@@ -282,6 +283,7 @@ describe('setup-node', () => {
     const versionSpec = '19.0.0-v8-canary';
 
     inputs['node-version'] = versionSpec;
+    inputs['always-auth'] = false;
     inputs['token'] = 'faketoken';
 
     findSpy.mockImplementation(() => '');
@@ -322,6 +324,7 @@ describe('setup-node', () => {
 
       inputs['node-version'] = version;
       inputs['architecture'] = arch;
+      inputs['always-auth'] = false;
       inputs['token'] = 'faketoken';
 
       const expectedUrl = `https://nodejs.org/download/v8-canary/v${version}/node-v${version}-${platform}-${arch}.${fileExtension}`;
@@ -566,6 +569,7 @@ describe('setup-node', () => {
       const versionSpec = 'v20-v8-canary';
 
       inputs['node-version'] = versionSpec;
+      inputs['always-auth'] = false;
       inputs['token'] = 'faketoken';
 
       os.platform = 'linux';

__tests__/main.test.ts

@@ -285,124 +285,34 @@ describe('main tests', () => {
   });
 
   describe('cache feature tests', () => {
-    it('Should enable caching when packageManager is npm and cache input is not provided', async () => {
+    it('Should enable caching with the resolved package manager from packageManager field in package.json when the cache input is not provided', async () => {
       inputs['package-manager-cache'] = 'true';
-      inputs['cache'] = '';
-      isCacheActionAvailable.mockImplementation(() => true);
+      inputs['cache'] = ''; // No cache input is provided
 
       inSpy.mockImplementation(name => inputs[name]);
+
       const readFileSpy = jest.spyOn(fs, 'readFileSync');
       readFileSpy.mockImplementation(() =>
         JSON.stringify({
-          packageManager: 'npm@10.8.2'
+          packageManager: 'yarn@3.2.0'
         })
       );
 
       await main.run();
 
-      expect(saveStateSpy).toHaveBeenCalledWith(expect.anything(), 'npm');
+      expect(saveStateSpy).toHaveBeenCalledWith(expect.anything(), 'yarn');
     });
 
-    it('Should enable caching when devEngines.packageManager.name is "npm" and cache input is not provided', async () => {
+    it('Should not enable caching if the packageManager field is missing in package.json and the cache input is not provided', async () => {
       inputs['package-manager-cache'] = 'true';
-      inputs['cache'] = '';
-      isCacheActionAvailable.mockImplementation(() => true);
+      inputs['cache'] = ''; // No cache input is provided
 
       inSpy.mockImplementation(name => inputs[name]);
+
       const readFileSpy = jest.spyOn(fs, 'readFileSync');
       readFileSpy.mockImplementation(() =>
         JSON.stringify({
-          devEngines: {
-            packageManager: {name: 'npm'}
-          }
-        })
-      );
-
-      await main.run();
-
-      expect(saveStateSpy).toHaveBeenCalledWith(expect.anything(), 'npm');
-    });
-
-    it('Should enable caching when devEngines.packageManager is array and one entry has name "npm"', async () => {
-      inputs['package-manager-cache'] = 'true';
-      inputs['cache'] = '';
-      isCacheActionAvailable.mockImplementation(() => true);
-
-      inSpy.mockImplementation(name => inputs[name]);
-      const readFileSpy = jest.spyOn(fs, 'readFileSync');
-      readFileSpy.mockImplementation(() =>
-        JSON.stringify({
-          devEngines: {
-            packageManager: [{name: 'pnpm'}, {name: 'npm'}]
-          }
-        })
-      );
-
-      await main.run();
-
-      expect(saveStateSpy).toHaveBeenCalledWith(expect.anything(), 'npm');
-    });
-
-    it('Should not enable caching if packageManager is "pnpm@8.0.0" and cache input is not provided', async () => {
-      inputs['package-manager-cache'] = 'true';
-      inputs['cache'] = '';
-      inSpy.mockImplementation(name => inputs[name]);
-      const readFileSpy = jest.spyOn(fs, 'readFileSync');
-      readFileSpy.mockImplementation(() =>
-        JSON.stringify({
-          packageManager: 'pnpm@8.0.0'
-        })
-      );
-
-      await main.run();
-
-      expect(saveStateSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
-    });
-
-    it('Should not enable caching if devEngines.packageManager.name is "pnpm"', async () => {
-      inputs['package-manager-cache'] = 'true';
-      inputs['cache'] = '';
-      inSpy.mockImplementation(name => inputs[name]);
-      const readFileSpy = jest.spyOn(fs, 'readFileSync');
-      readFileSpy.mockImplementation(() =>
-        JSON.stringify({
-          devEngines: {
-            packageManager: {name: 'pnpm'}
-          }
-        })
-      );
-
-      await main.run();
-
-      expect(saveStateSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
-    });
-
-    it('Should not enable caching if devEngines.packageManager is array without "npm"', async () => {
-      inputs['package-manager-cache'] = 'true';
-      inputs['cache'] = '';
-      inSpy.mockImplementation(name => inputs[name]);
-      const readFileSpy = jest.spyOn(fs, 'readFileSync');
-      readFileSpy.mockImplementation(() =>
-        JSON.stringify({
-          devEngines: {
-            packageManager: [{name: 'pnpm'}, {name: 'yarn'}]
-          }
-        })
-      );
-
-      await main.run();
-
-      expect(saveStateSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
-    });
-
-    it('Should not enable caching if packageManager field is missing in package.json and cache input is not provided', async () => {
-      inputs['package-manager-cache'] = 'true';
-      inputs['cache'] = '';
-      inSpy.mockImplementation(name => inputs[name]);
-      const readFileSpy = jest.spyOn(fs, 'readFileSync');
-      readFileSpy.mockImplementation(() =>
-        JSON.stringify({
-          // packageManager field is not present
+          //packageManager field is not present
         })
       );
 
@@ -413,18 +323,24 @@ describe('main tests', () => {
 
     it('Should skip caching when package-manager-cache is false', async () => {
       inputs['package-manager-cache'] = 'false';
-      inputs['cache'] = '';
+      inputs['cache'] = ''; // No cache input is provided
+
       inSpy.mockImplementation(name => inputs[name]);
+
       await main.run();
+
       expect(saveStateSpy).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
     });
 
     it('Should enable caching with cache input explicitly provided', async () => {
       inputs['package-manager-cache'] = 'true';
-      inputs['cache'] = 'npm';
+      inputs['cache'] = 'npm'; // Explicit cache input provided
+
       inSpy.mockImplementation(name => inputs[name]);
-      isCacheActionAvailable.mockImplementation(() => true);
+      isCacheActionAvailable.mockReturnValue(true);
+
       await main.run();
+
       expect(saveStateSpy).toHaveBeenCalledWith(expect.anything(), 'npm');
     });
   });

__tests__/nightly-installer.test.ts

@@ -255,6 +255,7 @@ describe('setup-node', () => {
     const versionSpec = '13.13.1-nightly20200415947ddec091';
 
     inputs['node-version'] = versionSpec;
+    inputs['always-auth'] = false;
     inputs['token'] = 'faketoken';
 
     // ... but not in the local cache
@@ -290,6 +291,7 @@ describe('setup-node', () => {
     ];
 
     inputs['node-version'] = versionSpec;
+    inputs['always-auth'] = false;
     inputs['token'] = 'faketoken';
 
     // ... but not in the local cache
@@ -331,6 +333,7 @@ describe('setup-node', () => {
     ];
 
     inputs['node-version'] = versionSpec;
+    inputs['always-auth'] = false;
     inputs['token'] = 'faketoken';
 
     // ... but not in the local cache
@@ -386,6 +389,7 @@ describe('setup-node', () => {
     const versionSpec = '18.0.0-nightly202204180699150267';
 
     inputs['node-version'] = versionSpec;
+    inputs['always-auth'] = false;
     inputs['token'] = 'faketoken';
 
     findSpy.mockImplementation(() => '');
@@ -423,6 +427,7 @@ describe('setup-node', () => {
 
       inputs['node-version'] = version;
       inputs['architecture'] = arch;
+      inputs['always-auth'] = false;
       inputs['token'] = 'faketoken';
 
       const expectedUrl = `https://nodejs.org/download/nightly/v${version}/node-v${version}-${platform}-${arch}.${fileExtension}`;
@@ -468,6 +473,7 @@ describe('setup-node', () => {
 
       inputs['node-version'] = version;
       inputs['architecture'] = arch;
+      inputs['always-auth'] = false;
       inputs['token'] = 'faketoken';
       inputs['mirror'] = 'https://my-mirror.org';
       inputs['mirror-token'] = 'my-mirror-token';

__tests__/official-installer.test.ts

@@ -235,6 +235,7 @@ describe('setup-node', () => {
     const resolvedVersion = versionSpec;
 
     inputs['node-version'] = versionSpec;
+    inputs['always-auth'] = false;
     inputs['token'] = 'faketoken';
 
     const expectedUrl =
@@ -289,6 +290,7 @@ describe('setup-node', () => {
     const versionSpec = '11.15.0';
     const mirror = 'https://my_mirror_url';
     inputs['node-version'] = versionSpec;
+    inputs['always-auth'] = false;
     inputs['token'] = 'faketoken';
     inputs['mirror'] = mirror;
     inputs['mirror-token'] = 'faketoken';
@@ -325,6 +327,7 @@ describe('setup-node', () => {
     const versionSpec = '11.15.0';
 
     inputs['node-version'] = versionSpec;
+    inputs['always-auth'] = false;
     inputs['token'] = 'faketoken';
 
     // ... but not in the local cache
@@ -382,6 +385,7 @@ describe('setup-node', () => {
     const resolvedVersion = versionSpec;
 
     inputs['node-version'] = versionSpec;
+    inputs['always-auth'] = false;
     inputs['token'] = 'faketoken';
 
     findSpy.mockImplementation(() => '');
@@ -401,6 +405,7 @@ describe('setup-node', () => {
     const versionSpec = '11.15.0';
 
     inputs['node-version'] = versionSpec;
+    inputs['always-auth'] = false;
     inputs['token'] = 'faketoken';
 
     // ... but not in the local cache
@@ -443,6 +448,7 @@ describe('setup-node', () => {
 
       inputs['node-version'] = version;
       inputs['architecture'] = arch;
+      inputs['always-auth'] = false;
       inputs['token'] = 'faketoken';
 
       const expectedUrl =
@@ -554,6 +560,7 @@ describe('setup-node', () => {
 
       inputs['node-version'] = versionSpec;
       inputs['check-latest'] = 'true';
+      inputs['always-auth'] = false;
       inputs['token'] = 'faketoken';
 
       // ... but not in the local cache
@@ -595,6 +602,7 @@ describe('setup-node', () => {
 
       inputs['node-version'] = versionSpec;
       inputs['check-latest'] = 'true';
+      inputs['always-auth'] = false;
       inputs['token'] = 'faketoken';
 
       // ... but not in the local cache
@@ -874,6 +882,7 @@ describe('setup-node', () => {
 
       inputs['node-version'] = version;
       inputs['architecture'] = arch;
+      inputs['always-auth'] = false;
       inputs['token'] = 'faketoken';
       inputs['mirror'] = 'https://my_mirror_url';
       inputs['mirror-token'] = 'faketoken';

__tests__/rc-installer.test.ts

@@ -194,6 +194,7 @@ describe('setup-node', () => {
     const versionSpec = '13.0.0-rc.0';
 
     inputs['node-version'] = versionSpec;
+    inputs['always-auth'] = false;
     inputs['token'] = 'faketoken';
 
     // ... but not in the local cache
@@ -238,6 +239,7 @@ describe('setup-node', () => {
     const versionSpec = '14.7.0-rc.1';
 
     inputs['node-version'] = versionSpec;
+    inputs['always-auth'] = false;
     inputs['token'] = 'faketoken';
 
     findSpy.mockImplementation(() => '');
@@ -266,6 +268,7 @@ describe('setup-node', () => {
 
       inputs['node-version'] = version;
       inputs['architecture'] = arch;
+      inputs['always-auth'] = false;
       inputs['token'] = 'faketoken';
 
       const expectedUrl = `https://nodejs.org/download/rc/v${version}/node-v${version}-${platform}-${arch}.${fileExtension}`;

action.yml

@@ -2,6 +2,9 @@ name: 'Setup Node.js environment'
 description: 'Setup a Node.js environment by adding problem matchers and optionally downloading and adding it to the PATH.'
 author: 'GitHub'
 inputs:
+  always-auth:
+    description: 'Set always-auth in npmrc.'
+    default: 'false'
   node-version:
     description: 'Version Spec of the version to use. Examples: 12.x, 10.15.1, >=10.15.0.'
   node-version-file:
@@ -21,18 +24,18 @@ inputs:
   cache:
     description: 'Used to specify a package manager for caching in the default directory. Supported values: npm, yarn, pnpm.'
   package-manager-cache:
-    description: 'Set to false to disable automatic caching. By default, caching is enabled when either devEngines.packageManager or the top-level packageManager field in package.json specifies npm as the package manager.'
+    description: 'Set to false to disable automatic caching based on the package manager field in package.json. By default, caching is enabled if the package manager field is present.'
     default: true
   cache-dependency-path:
     description: 'Used to specify the path to a dependency file: package-lock.json, yarn.lock, etc. Supports wildcards or a list of file names for caching multiple dependencies.'
   mirror:
-    description: 'Used to specify an alternative mirror to download Node.js binaries from'
+    description: 'Used to specify an alternative mirror to downlooad Node.js binaries from'
   mirror-token:
     description: 'The token used as Authorization header when fetching from the mirror'
 # TODO: add input to control forcing to pull from cloud or dist.
 #       escape valve for someone having issues or needing the absolute latest which isn't cached yet
 outputs:
-  cache-hit:
+  cache-hit: 
     description: 'A boolean value to indicate if a cache was hit.'
   node-version:
     description: 'The installed node version.'

docs/adrs/0001-support-caching-deps-for-monorepos.md

@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ Currently, `actions/setup-node` supports caching dependencies for Npm and Yarn p
 For the first iteration, we have decided to not support cases where `package-lock.json` / `yarn.lock` are located outside of repository root.  
 Current implementation searches the following file patterns in the repository root: `package-lock.json`, `yarn.lock` (in order of resolving priorities)
 
-Obviously, it made built-in caching unusable for mono-repos and repos with complex structure.  
+Obviously, it made build-in caching unusable for mono-repos and repos with complex structure.  
 We would like to revisit this decision and add customization for dependencies lock file location.
 
 ## Proposal
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ The second option looks more generic because it allows to:
 ## Decision
 
 Add `cache-dependency-path` input that will accept path (relative to repository root) to dependencies lock file.  
-If provided path contains wildcards, the action will search all matching files and calculate common hash like `${{ hashFiles('**/package-lock.json') }}` YAML construction does.  
+If provided path contains wildcards, the action will search all maching files and calculate common hash like `${{ hashFiles('**/package-lock.json') }}` YAML construction does.  
 The hash of provided matched files will be used as a part of cache key.
 
 Yaml examples:

docs/advanced-usage.md

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 ## Working with lockfiles
 
-Most supported package managers recommend that you **always** commit the lockfile, although implementations vary doing so generally provides the following benefits:
+All supported package managers recommend that you **always** commit the lockfile, although implementations vary doing so generally provides the following benefits:
 
 - Enables faster installation for CI and production environments, due to being able to skip package resolution.
 - Describes a single representation of a dependency tree such that teammates, deployments, and continuous integration are guaranteed to install exactly the same dependencies.
@@ -35,25 +35,6 @@ Ensure that `pnpm-lock.yaml` is always committed, when on CI pass `--frozen-lock
 - [Working with Git - Lockfiles](https://pnpm.io/git#lockfiles)
 - [Documentation of `--frozen-lockfile` option](https://pnpm.io/cli/install#--frozen-lockfile)
 
-### Running without a lockfile
-
-If you choose not to use a lockfile, you must ensure that **caching is disabled**. The `cache` feature relies on the lockfile to generate a unique key for the cache entry.
-
-To run without a lockfile:
-1. Do not set the `cache` input.
-2. If your `package.json` contains a `packageManager` field set to npm (or devEngines.packageManager), automatic caching is enabled by default. Override this by setting `package-manager-cache: false`.
-
-```yaml
-steps:
-- uses: actions/checkout@v6
-- uses: actions/setup-node@v6
-  with:
-    node-version: '24'
-    package-manager-cache: false # Explicitly disable caching if you don't have a lockfile
-- run: npm install
-- run: npm test
-```
-
 ## Check latest version
 
 The `check-latest` flag defaults to `false`. When set to `false`, the action will first check the local cache for a semver match. If unable to find a specific version in the cache, the action will attempt to download a version of Node.js. It will pull LTS versions from [node-versions releases](https://github.com/actions/node-versions/releases) and on miss or failure will fall back to the previous behavior of downloading directly from [node dist](https://nodejs.org/dist/). Use the default or set `check-latest` to `false` if you prefer stability and if you want to ensure a specific version of Node.js is always used.
@@ -64,10 +45,10 @@ If `check-latest` is set to `true`, the action first checks if the cached versio
 
 ```yaml
 steps:
-- uses: actions/checkout@v6
-- uses: actions/setup-node@v6
+- uses: actions/checkout@v5
+- uses: actions/setup-node@v5
   with:
-    node-version: '24'
+    node-version: '16'
     check-latest: true
 - run: npm ci
 - run: npm test
@@ -82,8 +63,8 @@ See [supported version syntax](https://github.com/actions/setup-node#supported-v
 
 ```yaml
 steps:
-- uses: actions/checkout@v6
-- uses: actions/setup-node@v6
+- uses: actions/checkout@v5
+- uses: actions/setup-node@v5
   with:
     node-version-file: '.nvmrc'
 - run: npm ci
@@ -116,10 +97,10 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: windows-latest
     name: Node sample
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v6
-      - uses: actions/setup-node@v6
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
+      - uses: actions/setup-node@v5
         with:
-          node-version: '24'
+          node-version: '14'
           architecture: 'x64' # optional, x64 or x86. If not specified, x64 will be used by default
       - run: npm ci
       - run: npm test
@@ -137,10 +118,10 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     name: Node sample
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v6
-      - uses: actions/setup-node@v6
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
+      - uses: actions/setup-node@v5
         with:
-          node-version: '24.0.0-v8-canary' # it will install the latest v8 canary release for node 24.0.0
+          node-version: '20.0.0-v8-canary' # it will install the latest v8 canary release for node 20.0.0
       - run: npm ci
       - run: npm test
 ```
@@ -152,10 +133,10 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     name: Node sample
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v6
-      - uses: actions/setup-node@v6
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
+      - uses: actions/setup-node@v5
         with:
-          node-version: '24-v8-canary' # it will install the latest v8 canary release for node 24
+          node-version: '20-v8-canary' # it will install the latest v8 canary release for node 20
       - run: npm ci
       - run: npm test
 ```
@@ -168,10 +149,10 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     name: Node sample
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v6
-      - uses: actions/setup-node@v6
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
+      - uses: actions/setup-node@v5
         with:
-          node-version: 'v24.0.0-v8-canary2025030537242e55ac'
+          node-version: 'v20.1.1-v8-canary20221103f7e2421e91'
       - run: npm ci
       - run: npm test
 ```
@@ -188,10 +169,10 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     name: Node sample
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v6
-      - uses: actions/setup-node@v6
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
+      - uses: actions/setup-node@v5
         with:
-          node-version: '24-nightly' # it will install the latest nightly release for node 24
+          node-version: '16-nightly' # it will install the latest nightly release for node 16
       - run: npm ci
       - run: npm test
 ```
@@ -204,10 +185,10 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     name: Node sample
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v6
-      - uses: actions/setup-node@v6
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
+      - uses: actions/setup-node@v5
         with:
-          node-version: '24.0.0-nightly' # it will install the latest nightly release for node 24.0.0
+          node-version: '16.0.0-nightly' # it will install the latest nightly release for node 16.0.0
       - run: npm ci
       - run: npm test
 ```
@@ -220,10 +201,10 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     name: Node sample
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v6
-      - uses: actions/setup-node@v6
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
+      - uses: actions/setup-node@v5
         with:
-          node-version: '24.0.0-nightly202505066102159fa1'
+          node-version: '16.0.0-nightly20210420a0261d231c'
       - run: npm ci
       - run: npm test
 ```
@@ -238,28 +219,27 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     name: Node sample
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v6
-      - uses: actions/setup-node@v6
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
+      - uses: actions/setup-node@v5
         with:
-          node-version: '24.0.0-rc.4'
+          node-version: '16.0.0-rc.1'
       - run: npm ci
       - run: npm test
 ```
 
-**Note:** Unlike nightly versions, which support version range specifiers, you must specify the exact version for a release candidate: `24.0.0-rc.4`.
+**Note:** Unlike nightly versions, which support version range specifiers, you must specify the exact version for a release candidate: `16.0.0-rc.1`.
 
 ## Caching packages data
 The action follows [actions/cache](https://github.com/actions/cache/blob/main/examples.md#node---npm) guidelines, and caches global cache on the machine instead of `node_modules`, so cache can be reused between different Node.js versions.
 
 **Caching yarn dependencies:**
-Yarn caching handles both Yarn Classic (v1) and Yarn Berry (v2, v3, v4+).
-
+Yarn caching handles both yarn versions: 1 or 2.
 ```yaml
 steps:
-- uses: actions/checkout@v6
-- uses: actions/setup-node@v6
+- uses: actions/checkout@v5
+- uses: actions/setup-node@v5
   with:
-    node-version: '24'
+    node-version: '14'
     cache: 'yarn'
 - run: yarn install --frozen-lockfile # optional, --immutable
 - run: yarn test
@@ -275,13 +255,13 @@ steps:
 # NOTE: pnpm caching support requires pnpm version >= 6.10.0
 
 steps:
-- uses: actions/checkout@v6
-- uses: pnpm/action-setup@v4
+- uses: actions/checkout@v5
+- uses: pnpm/action-setup@v2
   with:
-    version: 10
-- uses: actions/setup-node@v6
+    version: 6.32.9
+- uses: actions/setup-node@v5
   with:
-    node-version: '24'
+    node-version: '14'
     cache: 'pnpm'
 - run: pnpm install
 - run: pnpm test
@@ -294,10 +274,10 @@ steps:
 **Using wildcard patterns to cache dependencies**
 ```yaml
 steps:
-- uses: actions/checkout@v6
-- uses: actions/setup-node@v6
+- uses: actions/checkout@v5
+- uses: actions/setup-node@v5
   with:
-    node-version: '24'
+    node-version: '14'
     cache: 'npm'
     cache-dependency-path: '**/package-lock.json'
 - run: npm ci
@@ -307,10 +287,10 @@ steps:
 **Using a list of file paths to cache dependencies**
 ```yaml
 steps:
-- uses: actions/checkout@v6
-- uses: actions/setup-node@v6
+- uses: actions/checkout@v5
+- uses: actions/setup-node@v5
   with:
-    node-version: '24'
+    node-version: '14'
     cache: 'npm'
     cache-dependency-path: |
       server/app/package-lock.json
@@ -319,35 +299,6 @@ steps:
 - run: npm test
 ```
 
-**Restore-Only Cache**
-
-```yaml
-## In some workflows, you may want to restore a cache without saving it. This can help reduce cache writes and storage usage in workflows that only need to read from cache
-jobs:
-  build:
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
-    steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v6
-      # Restore Node.js modules cache (restore-only)
-      - name: Restore Node modules cache
-        uses: actions/cache@v5
-        id: cache-node-modules
-        with:
-          path: ~/.npm
-          key: ${{ runner.os }}-node-${{ hashFiles('**/package-lock.json') }}
-          restore-keys: |
-            ${{ runner.os }}-node-
-      # Setup Node.js
-      - name: Setup Node.js
-        uses: actions/setup-node@v6
-        with:
-          node-version: '24'
-      # Install dependencies
-      - run: npm install
-```
-
-> For more details related to cache scenarios, please refer [Node – npm](https://github.com/actions/cache/blob/main/examples.md#node---npm).
-
 ## Multiple Operating Systems and Architectures
 
 ```yaml
@@ -361,21 +312,21 @@ jobs:
           - macos-latest
           - windows-latest
         node_version:
-          - 20
-          - 22
-          - 24
+          - 12
+          - 14
+          - 16
         architecture:
           - x64
         # an extra windows-x86 run:
         include:
-          - os: windows-latest
-            node_version: 24
+          - os: windows-2016
+            node_version: 12
             architecture: x86
     name: Node ${{ matrix.node_version }} - ${{ matrix.architecture }} on ${{ matrix.os }}
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v6
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v5
       - name: Setup node
-        uses: actions/setup-node@v6
+        uses: actions/setup-node@v5
         with:
           node-version: ${{ matrix.node_version }}
           architecture: ${{ matrix.architecture }}
@@ -386,16 +337,16 @@ jobs:
 ## Publish to npmjs and GPR with npm
 ```yaml
 steps:
-- uses: actions/checkout@v6
-- uses: actions/setup-node@v6
+- uses: actions/checkout@v5
+- uses: actions/setup-node@v5
   with:
-    node-version: '24.x'
+    node-version: '14.x'
     registry-url: 'https://registry.npmjs.org'
 - run: npm ci
 - run: npm publish
   env:
     NODE_AUTH_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.NPM_TOKEN }}
-- uses: actions/setup-node@v6
+- uses: actions/setup-node@v5
   with:
     registry-url: 'https://npm.pkg.github.com'
 - run: npm publish
@@ -406,16 +357,16 @@ steps:
 ## Publish to npmjs and GPR with yarn
 ```yaml
 steps:
-- uses: actions/checkout@v6
-- uses: actions/setup-node@v6
+- uses: actions/checkout@v5
+- uses: actions/setup-node@v5
   with:
-    node-version: '24.x'
+    node-version: '14.x'
     registry-url: <registry url>
 - run: yarn install --frozen-lockfile
 - run: yarn publish
   env:
     NODE_AUTH_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.YARN_TOKEN }}
-- uses: actions/setup-node@v6
+- uses: actions/setup-node@v5
   with:
     registry-url: 'https://npm.pkg.github.com'
 - run: yarn publish
@@ -426,10 +377,10 @@ steps:
 ## Use private packages
 ```yaml
 steps:
-- uses: actions/checkout@v6
-- uses: actions/setup-node@v6
+- uses: actions/checkout@v5
+- uses: actions/setup-node@v5
   with:
-    node-version: '24.x'
+    node-version: '14.x'
     registry-url: 'https://registry.npmjs.org'
 # Skip post-install scripts here, as a malicious
 # script could steal NODE_AUTH_TOKEN.
@@ -446,10 +397,10 @@ Below you can find a sample "Setup .yarnrc.yml" step, that is going to allow you
 
 ```yaml
 steps:
-- uses: actions/checkout@v6
-- uses: actions/setup-node@v6
+- uses: actions/checkout@v5
+- uses: actions/setup-node@v5
   with:
-    node-version: '24.x'
+    node-version: '14.x'
 - name: Setup .yarnrc.yml
   run: |
     yarn config set npmScopes.my-org.npmRegistryServer "https://npm.pkg.github.com"
@@ -465,6 +416,9 @@ To access private GitHub Packages within the same organization, go to "Manage Ac
 
 Please refer to the [Ensuring workflow access to your package - Configuring a package's access control and visibility](https://docs.github.com/en/packages/learn-github-packages/configuring-a-packages-access-control-and-visibility#ensuring-workflow-access-to-your-package) for more details.
 
+### always-auth input
+The always-auth input sets `always-auth=true` in .npmrc file. With this option set [npm](https://docs.npmjs.com/cli/v6/using-npm/config#always-auth)/yarn sends the authentication credentials when making a request to the registries.
+
 ## Use private mirror
 
 It is possible to use a private mirror hosting Node.js binaries. This mirror must be a full mirror of the official Node.js distribution.
@@ -473,9 +427,9 @@ It is possible to specify a token to authenticate with the mirror using the `mir
 The token will be passed as a bearer token in the `Authorization` header.
 
 ```yaml
-- uses: actions/setup-node@v6
+- uses: actions/setup-node@v5
   with:
-    node-version: '24.x'
+    node-version: '14.x'
     mirror: 'https://nodejs.org/dist'
     mirror-token: 'your-mirror-token'
 ```

package.json

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "setup-node",
-  "version": "6.2.0",
+  "version": "5.0.0",
   "private": true,
   "description": "setup node action",
   "main": "lib/setup-node.js",
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
   "author": "GitHub",
   "license": "MIT",
   "dependencies": {
-    "@actions/cache": "^5.0.1",
+    "@actions/cache": "^4.0.3",
     "@actions/core": "^1.11.1",
     "@actions/exec": "^1.1.1",
     "@actions/github": "^6.0.1",

src/authutil.ts

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import * as path from 'path';
 import * as core from '@actions/core';
 import * as github from '@actions/github';
 
-export function configAuthentication(registryUrl: string) {
+export function configAuthentication(registryUrl: string, alwaysAuth: string) {
   const npmrc: string = path.resolve(
     process.env['RUNNER_TEMP'] || process.cwd(),
     '.npmrc'
@@ -13,10 +13,14 @@ export function configAuthentication(registryUrl: string) {
     registryUrl += '/';
   }
 
-  writeRegistryToFile(registryUrl, npmrc);
+  writeRegistryToFile(registryUrl, npmrc, alwaysAuth);
 }
 
-function writeRegistryToFile(registryUrl: string, fileLocation: string) {
+function writeRegistryToFile(
+  registryUrl: string,
+  fileLocation: string,
+  alwaysAuth: string
+) {
   let scope: string = core.getInput('scope');
   if (!scope && registryUrl.indexOf('npm.pkg.github.com') > -1) {
     scope = github.context.repo.owner;
@@ -43,7 +47,8 @@ function writeRegistryToFile(registryUrl: string, fileLocation: string) {
   const authString: string =
     registryUrl.replace(/(^\w+:|^)/, '') + ':_authToken=${NODE_AUTH_TOKEN}';
   const registryString = `${scope}registry=${registryUrl}`;
-  newContents += `${authString}${os.EOL}${registryString}`;
+  const alwaysAuthString = `always-auth=${alwaysAuth}`;
+  newContents += `${authString}${os.EOL}${registryString}${os.EOL}${alwaysAuthString}`;
   fs.writeFileSync(fileLocation, newContents);
   core.exportVariable('NPM_CONFIG_USERCONFIG', fileLocation);
   // Export empty node_auth_token if didn't exist so npm doesn't complain about not being able to find it

src/main.ts

@@ -62,29 +62,24 @@ export async function run() {
     await printEnvDetailsAndSetOutput();
 
     const registryUrl: string = core.getInput('registry-url');
+    const alwaysAuth: string = core.getInput('always-auth');
     if (registryUrl) {
-      auth.configAuthentication(registryUrl);
+      auth.configAuthentication(registryUrl, alwaysAuth);
     }
 
+    const resolvedPackageManager = getNameFromPackageManagerField();
     const cacheDependencyPath = core.getInput('cache-dependency-path');
-
-    if (isCacheFeatureAvailable()) {
-      // if the cache input is provided, use it for caching.
-      if (cache) {
-        core.saveState(State.CachePackageManager, cache);
-        await restoreCache(cache, cacheDependencyPath);
-        // package manager npm is detected from package.json, enable auto-caching for npm.
-      } else if (packagemanagercache) {
-        const resolvedPackageManager = getNameFromPackageManagerField();
-        if (resolvedPackageManager) {
-          core.info(
-            "Detected npm as the package manager from package.json's packageManager field. " +
-              'Auto caching has been enabled for npm. If you want to disable it, set package-manager-cache input to false'
-          );
-          core.saveState(State.CachePackageManager, resolvedPackageManager);
-          await restoreCache(resolvedPackageManager, cacheDependencyPath);
-        }
-      }
+    if (cache && isCacheFeatureAvailable()) {
+      core.saveState(State.CachePackageManager, cache);
+      await restoreCache(cache, cacheDependencyPath);
+    } else if (resolvedPackageManager && packagemanagercache) {
+      core.info(
+        "Detected package manager from package.json's packageManager field: " +
+          resolvedPackageManager +
+          '. Auto caching has been enabled for it. If you want to disable it, set package-manager-cache input to false'
+      );
+      core.saveState(State.CachePackageManager, resolvedPackageManager);
+      await restoreCache(resolvedPackageManager, cacheDependencyPath);
     }
 
     const matchersPath = path.join(__dirname, '../..', '.github');
@@ -137,7 +132,8 @@ function resolveVersionInput(): string {
 }
 
 export function getNameFromPackageManagerField(): string | undefined {
-  const npmRegex = /^(\^)?npm(@.*)?$/; // matches "npm", "npm@...", "^npm@..."
+  // Check packageManager field in package.json
+  const SUPPORTED_PACKAGE_MANAGERS = ['npm', 'yarn', 'pnpm'];
   try {
     const packageJson = JSON.parse(
       fs.readFileSync(
@@ -145,24 +141,16 @@ export function getNameFromPackageManagerField(): string | undefined {
         'utf-8'
       )
     );
-
-    // Check devEngines.packageManager first (object or array)
-    const devPM = packageJson?.devEngines?.packageManager;
-    const devPMArray = devPM ? (Array.isArray(devPM) ? devPM : [devPM]) : [];
-    for (const obj of devPMArray) {
-      if (typeof obj?.name === 'string' && npmRegex.test(obj.name)) {
-        return 'npm';
-      }
+    const pm = packageJson.packageManager;
+    if (typeof pm === 'string') {
+      const regex = new RegExp(
+        `^(?:\\^)?(${SUPPORTED_PACKAGE_MANAGERS.join('|')})@`
+      );
+      const match = pm.match(regex);
+      return match ? match[1] : undefined;
     }
-
-    // Check top-level packageManager
-    const topLevelPM = packageJson?.packageManager;
-    if (typeof topLevelPM === 'string' && npmRegex.test(topLevelPM)) {
-      return 'npm';
-    }
-
     return undefined;
-  } catch {
+  } catch (err) {
     return undefined;
   }
 }

tsconfig.json

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "compilerOptions": {
-    "target": "ES2022",                          /* Specify ECMAScript target version: 'ES3' (default), 'ES5', 'ES2015', 'ES2016', 'ES2017', 'ES2018', 'ES2019' or 'ESNEXT'. */
+    "target": "es6",                          /* Specify ECMAScript target version: 'ES3' (default), 'ES5', 'ES2015', 'ES2016', 'ES2017', 'ES2018', 'ES2019' or 'ESNEXT'. */
     "module": "commonjs",                     /* Specify module code generation: 'none', 'commonjs', 'amd', 'system', 'umd', 'es2015', or 'ESNext'. */
     "outDir": "./lib",                        /* Redirect output structure to the directory. */
     "rootDir": "./src",                       /* Specify the root directory of input files. Use to control the output directory structure with --outDir. */