April 2026 Highlights: NPM version resolution enhancements and robust install_before handling in jdx/mise, delivering stronger supply chain protection and more reliable builds. Key achievements: - Implemented NPM Version Resolution Controls (Security and Stability): added --min-release-age for npm 11.10.0+ and install_before-aware resolution to fetch latest stable versions before a given date, with backward-compatible fallback. (Commit 914b52a...) - Fixed install_before awareness in dist-tag resolution: ensured per-tool/global install_before is honored when resolving versions, preferring date-filtered stable releases over dist-tags. (Commit 5a4a768...) - Expanded test coverage and CI readiness: introduced unit and end-to-end tests for install_before behavior and version resolution paths; CI workflows updated to validate new paths. Impact and accomplishments: - Strengthened security and stability by aligning npm resolution with widely adopted age-based protections; reduced risk of supply-chain compromises. - Improved reproducible builds and reliability for downstream deployments by respecting install_before across per-tool and global configurations. - Maintained compatibility with older tooling while adopting modern, recommended flags. Technologies and skills demonstrated: - NPM backend integration, version resolution logic, and build/tooling interoperability - Robust test development (unit and E2E tests), CI integration, and code quality/observability (debug-level fallbacks) - Cross-language/backend coordination (Rust backend behavior with npm CLI changes) and security-focused engineering