Deno 2.2 Improves Dependency Management and Expands Node.js Compatibility

Deno continues to evolve as a modern runtime for JavaScript and TypeScript, and with the release of version 2.2, it introduces several updates that improve developer experience, enhance dependency management, and strengthen compatibility with the Node.js ecosystem. These changes bring Deno closer to being a practical alternative for more teams while maintaining its security-focused approach to package management.

Improved Node.js Compatibility#

One of the standout updates in Deno 2.2 is the expanded support for Node.js APIs, particularly the introduction of node:sqlite. This enhancement makes it easier for developers to work with SQLite databases within Deno without needing third-party workarounds. As Deno aims to provide seamless interoperability with npm packages, each step toward supporting widely-used Node.js modules makes it a more viable choice for developers transitioning from traditional Node.js environments.

Observability and Performance Enhancements#

Another major addition in Deno 2.2 is built-in support for OpenTelemetry, an observability framework and toolkit designed to create and manage telemetry data such as traces, metrics, and logs. This enables automatic instrumentation for key APIs like console.log, Deno.serve, and fetch, making it easier for developers to monitor application performance and track issues.

When running applications at scale, observability really matters. Deno’s built-in OpenTelemetry support is a significant addition because it directly impacts production monitoring, giving developers visibility into their applications. It provides structured insights into what your processes are doing, allowing you to analyze this data without having to manually comb through countless log files.

More Powerful Linting and Code Analysis#

Deno has a built-in linter with some default rules, but it doesn’t offer all the rules developers might need in order to enforce special conventions. Prior to version 2.2 it was not possible to write custom rules, but the latest update expands Deno’s linter capabilities. The new plugin system allows developers to create custom lint rules, in addition to the 15 built-in rules that mainly focus on JSX and React best practices.

Before 2.2, many developers resorted to using ESLint with Deno for their custom rules. Version 2.2 now supports plugins for custom linting. For those familiar with ESLint’s API, Deno’s will feel very similar. In the 2.2 demo video, the Deno team said one of their goals is to eventually provide compatibility with ESLint, allowing existing ESLint plugins to work seamlessly within Deno environments.

Additionally, updates to the Deno language server and deno check improve the reliability of type checking and editor tooling. These enhancements ensure a smoother development experience, especially for teams working on larger codebases where type safety and autocompletion speed are critical.

New Features for Dependency Management#

For teams concerned with software supply chain security, dependency management is a top priority. Deno’s approach to package management—favoring URL-based imports and avoiding a centralized registry—already offers security benefits. However, improvements in deno task further streamline automation and workflow customization, making it easier for developers to define, manage, and execute project-specific tasks.

Deno 2.2 updates the deno outdated tool to enable interactive dependency updates. It tells developers what is outdated but also lets them choose what to update and how, including dependencies across the ecosystem originating from both npm and JSR. This first iteration offers an interactive selection of which packages to update (but not their versions).

With each release, Deno continues to refine its approach to dependency management, security, and compatibility with existing JavaScript ecosystems. Version 2.1 has been designated as the LTS release the Deno team has committed to give it bug fixes, security updates, and critical performance improvements for the next six months.

Check out the changelog for a full breakdown of everything that’s new in Deno 2.2, along with the feature demo video.