feat: sync plugin updates with update channel

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@ Docs: https://docs.clawd.bot
 ### Changes
 - Deps: update workspace + memory-lancedb dependencies.
 - Repo: remove the Peekaboo git submodule now that the SPM release is used.
+- Update: sync plugin sources on channel switches and update npm-installed plugins during `clawdbot update`.
+- Plugins: share npm plugin update logic between `clawdbot update` and `clawdbot plugins update`.
 - Plugins: require manifest-embedded config schemas, validate configs without loading plugin code, and surface plugin config warnings. (#1272) — thanks @thewilloftheshadow.
 - Plugins: move channel catalog metadata into plugin manifests; align Nextcloud Talk policy helpers with core patterns. (#1290) — thanks @NicholaiVogel.
 - Discord: fall back to /skill when native command limits are exceeded; expose /skill globally. (#1287) — thanks @thewilloftheshadow.

docs/cli/update.md

@@ -64,6 +64,7 @@ High-level:
 4. Installs deps (pnpm preferred; npm fallback).
 5. Builds + builds the Control UI.
 6. Runs `clawdbot doctor` as the final “safe update” check.
+7. Syncs plugins to the active channel (dev uses bundled extensions; stable/beta uses npm) and updates npm-installed plugins.
 
 ## `--update` shorthand
 

docs/install/development-channels.md

@@ -40,6 +40,13 @@ This updates via the corresponding npm dist-tag (`latest`, `beta`, `dev`).
 
 Tip: if you want stable + dev in parallel, keep two clones and point your gateway at the stable one.
 
+## Plugins and channels
+
+When you switch channels with `clawdbot update`, Clawdbot also syncs plugin sources:
+
+- `dev` prefers bundled plugins from the git checkout.
+- `stable` and `beta` restore npm-installed plugin packages.
+
 ## Tagging best practices
 
 - Stable: tag each release (`vYYYY.M.D` or `vYYYY.M.D-<patch>`).

src/cli/plugins-cli.ts

@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 import fs from "node:fs";
-import fsp from "node:fs/promises";
 import path from "node:path";
 import chalk from "chalk";
 import type { Command } from "commander";
@@ -7,15 +6,12 @@ import type { Command } from "commander";
 import { loadConfig, writeConfigFile } from "../config/config.js";
 import type { ClawdbotConfig } from "../config/config.js";
 import { resolveArchiveKind } from "../infra/archive.js";
-import {
+import { installPluginFromNpmSpec, installPluginFromPath } from "../plugins/install.js";
-  installPluginFromNpmSpec,
-  installPluginFromPath,
-  resolvePluginInstallDir,
-} from "../plugins/install.js";
 import { recordPluginInstall } from "../plugins/installs.js";
 import { applyExclusiveSlotSelection } from "../plugins/slots.js";
 import type { PluginRecord } from "../plugins/registry.js";
 import { buildPluginStatusReport } from "../plugins/status.js";
+import { updateNpmInstalledPlugins } from "../plugins/update.js";
 import { defaultRuntime } from "../runtime.js";
 import { formatDocsLink } from "../terminal/links.js";
 import { theme } from "../terminal/theme.js";
@@ -70,16 +66,6 @@ function formatPluginLine(plugin: PluginRecord, verbose = false): string {
   return parts.join("\n");
 }
 
-async function readInstalledPackageVersion(dir: string): Promise<string | undefined> {
-  try {
-    const raw = await fsp.readFile(path.join(dir, "package.json"), "utf-8");
-    const parsed = JSON.parse(raw) as { version?: unknown };
-    return typeof parsed.version === "string" ? parsed.version : undefined;
-  } catch {
-    return undefined;
-  }
-}
-
 function applySlotSelectionForPlugin(
   config: ClawdbotConfig,
   pluginId: string,
@@ -438,88 +424,30 @@ export function registerPluginsCli(program: Command) {
         process.exit(1);
       }
 
-      let nextCfg = cfg;
+      const result = await updateNpmInstalledPlugins({
-      let updatedCount = 0;
+        config: cfg,
+        pluginIds: targets,
+        dryRun: opts.dryRun,
+        logger: {
+          info: (msg) => defaultRuntime.log(msg),
+          warn: (msg) => defaultRuntime.log(chalk.yellow(msg)),
+        },
+      });
 
-      for (const pluginId of targets) {
+      for (const outcome of result.outcomes) {
-        const record = installs[pluginId];
+        if (outcome.status === "error") {
-        if (!record) {
+          defaultRuntime.log(chalk.red(outcome.message));
-          defaultRuntime.log(chalk.yellow(`No install record for "${pluginId}".`));
           continue;
         }
-        if (record.source !== "npm") {
+        if (outcome.status === "skipped") {
-          defaultRuntime.log(chalk.yellow(`Skipping "${pluginId}" (source: ${record.source}).`));
+          defaultRuntime.log(chalk.yellow(outcome.message));
           continue;
         }
-        if (!record.spec) {
+        defaultRuntime.log(outcome.message);
-          defaultRuntime.log(chalk.yellow(`Skipping "${pluginId}" (missing npm spec).`));
-          continue;
-        }
-
-        const installPath = record.installPath ?? resolvePluginInstallDir(pluginId);
-        const currentVersion = await readInstalledPackageVersion(installPath);
-
-        if (opts.dryRun) {
-          const probe = await installPluginFromNpmSpec({
-            spec: record.spec,
-            mode: "update",
-            dryRun: true,
-            expectedPluginId: pluginId,
-            logger: {
-              info: (msg) => defaultRuntime.log(msg),
-              warn: (msg) => defaultRuntime.log(chalk.yellow(msg)),
-            },
-          });
-          if (!probe.ok) {
-            defaultRuntime.log(chalk.red(`Failed to check ${pluginId}: ${probe.error}`));
-            continue;
-          }
-
-          const nextVersion = probe.version ?? "unknown";
-          const currentLabel = currentVersion ?? "unknown";
-          if (currentVersion && probe.version && currentVersion === probe.version) {
-            defaultRuntime.log(`${pluginId} is up to date (${currentLabel}).`);
-          } else {
-            defaultRuntime.log(`Would update ${pluginId}: ${currentLabel} → ${nextVersion}.`);
-          }
-          continue;
-        }
-
-        const result = await installPluginFromNpmSpec({
-          spec: record.spec,
-          mode: "update",
-          expectedPluginId: pluginId,
-          logger: {
-            info: (msg) => defaultRuntime.log(msg),
-            warn: (msg) => defaultRuntime.log(chalk.yellow(msg)),
-          },
-        });
-        if (!result.ok) {
-          defaultRuntime.log(chalk.red(`Failed to update ${pluginId}: ${result.error}`));
-          continue;
-        }
-
-        const nextVersion = result.version ?? (await readInstalledPackageVersion(result.targetDir));
-        nextCfg = recordPluginInstall(nextCfg, {
-          pluginId,
-          source: "npm",
-          spec: record.spec,
-          installPath: result.targetDir,
-          version: nextVersion,
-        });
-        updatedCount += 1;
-
-        const currentLabel = currentVersion ?? "unknown";
-        const nextLabel = nextVersion ?? "unknown";
-        if (currentVersion && nextVersion && currentVersion === nextVersion) {
-          defaultRuntime.log(`${pluginId} already at ${currentLabel}.`);
-        } else {
-          defaultRuntime.log(`Updated ${pluginId}: ${currentLabel} → ${nextLabel}.`);
-        }
       }
 
-      if (updatedCount > 0) {
+      if (!opts.dryRun && result.changed) {
-        await writeConfigFile(nextCfg);
+        await writeConfigFile(result.config);
         defaultRuntime.log("Restart the gateway to load plugins.");
       }
     });

src/cli/update-cli.test.ts

@@ -38,6 +38,11 @@ vi.mock("../commands/doctor.js", () => ({
 vi.mock("./daemon-cli.js", () => ({
   runDaemonRestart: vi.fn(),
 }));
+// Mock plugin update helpers
+vi.mock("../plugins/update.js", () => ({
+  syncPluginsForUpdateChannel: vi.fn(),
+  updateNpmInstalledPlugins: vi.fn(),
+}));
 
 // Mock the runtime
 vi.mock("../runtime.js", () => ({
@@ -74,6 +79,8 @@ describe("update-cli", () => {
     const { resolveClawdbotPackageRoot } = await import("../infra/clawdbot-root.js");
     const { readConfigFileSnapshot } = await import("../config/config.js");
     const { checkUpdateStatus, fetchNpmTagVersion } = await import("../infra/update-check.js");
+    const { syncPluginsForUpdateChannel, updateNpmInstalledPlugins } =
+      await import("../plugins/update.js");
     vi.mocked(resolveClawdbotPackageRoot).mockResolvedValue(process.cwd());
     vi.mocked(readConfigFileSnapshot).mockResolvedValue(baseSnapshot);
     vi.mocked(fetchNpmTagVersion).mockResolvedValue({
@@ -105,6 +112,16 @@ describe("update-cli", () => {
         latestVersion: "1.2.3",
       },
     });
+    vi.mocked(syncPluginsForUpdateChannel).mockResolvedValue({
+      config: baseSnapshot.config,
+      changed: false,
+      summary: { switchedToBundled: [], switchedToNpm: [], warnings: [], errors: [] },
+    });
+    vi.mocked(updateNpmInstalledPlugins).mockResolvedValue({
+      config: baseSnapshot.config,
+      changed: false,
+      outcomes: [],
+    });
     setTty(false);
     setStdoutTty(false);
   });
@@ -146,6 +163,25 @@ describe("update-cli", () => {
     expect(defaultRuntime.log).toHaveBeenCalled();
   });
 
+  it("updateCommand syncs plugins after a successful update", async () => {
+    const { runGatewayUpdate } = await import("../infra/update-runner.js");
+    const { syncPluginsForUpdateChannel, updateNpmInstalledPlugins } =
+      await import("../plugins/update.js");
+    const { updateCommand } = await import("./update-cli.js");
+
+    vi.mocked(runGatewayUpdate).mockResolvedValue({
+      status: "ok",
+      mode: "git",
+      steps: [],
+      durationMs: 100,
+    });
+
+    await updateCommand({});
+
+    expect(syncPluginsForUpdateChannel).toHaveBeenCalled();
+    expect(updateNpmInstalledPlugins).toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+
   it("updateStatusCommand prints table output", async () => {
     const { defaultRuntime } = await import("../runtime.js");
     const { updateStatusCommand } = await import("./update-cli.js");

src/cli/update-cli.ts

@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ import {
   formatUpdateOneLiner,
   resolveUpdateAvailability,
 } from "../commands/status.update.js";
+import { syncPluginsForUpdateChannel, updateNpmInstalledPlugins } from "../plugins/update.js";
 
 export type UpdateCommandOptions = {
   json?: boolean;
@@ -389,6 +390,7 @@ export async function updateCommand(opts: UpdateCommandOptions): Promise<void> {
     })) ?? process.cwd();
 
   const configSnapshot = await readConfigFileSnapshot();
+  let activeConfig = configSnapshot.valid ? configSnapshot.config : null;
   const storedChannel = configSnapshot.valid
     ? normalizeUpdateChannel(configSnapshot.config.update?.channel)
     : null;
@@ -459,6 +461,7 @@ export async function updateCommand(opts: UpdateCommandOptions): Promise<void> {
       },
     };
     await writeConfigFile(next);
+    activeConfig = next;
     if (!opts.json) {
       defaultRuntime.log(theme.muted(`Update channel set to ${requestedChannel}.`));
     }
@@ -513,6 +516,87 @@ export async function updateCommand(opts: UpdateCommandOptions): Promise<void> {
     return;
   }
 
+  if (activeConfig) {
+    const pluginLogger = opts.json
+      ? {}
+      : {
+          info: (msg: string) => defaultRuntime.log(msg),
+          warn: (msg: string) => defaultRuntime.log(theme.warn(msg)),
+          error: (msg: string) => defaultRuntime.log(theme.error(msg)),
+        };
+
+    if (!opts.json) {
+      defaultRuntime.log("");
+      defaultRuntime.log(theme.heading("Updating plugins..."));
+    }
+
+    const syncResult = await syncPluginsForUpdateChannel({
+      config: activeConfig,
+      channel,
+      workspaceDir: root,
+      logger: pluginLogger,
+    });
+    let pluginConfig = syncResult.config;
+
+    const npmResult = await updateNpmInstalledPlugins({
+      config: pluginConfig,
+      skipIds: new Set(syncResult.summary.switchedToNpm),
+      logger: pluginLogger,
+    });
+    pluginConfig = npmResult.config;
+
+    if (syncResult.changed || npmResult.changed) {
+      await writeConfigFile(pluginConfig);
+    }
+
+    if (!opts.json) {
+      const summarizeList = (list: string[]) => {
+        if (list.length <= 6) return list.join(", ");
+        return `${list.slice(0, 6).join(", ")} +${list.length - 6} more`;
+      };
+
+      if (syncResult.summary.switchedToBundled.length > 0) {
+        defaultRuntime.log(
+          theme.muted(
+            `Switched to bundled plugins: ${summarizeList(syncResult.summary.switchedToBundled)}.`,
+          ),
+        );
+      }
+      if (syncResult.summary.switchedToNpm.length > 0) {
+        defaultRuntime.log(
+          theme.muted(`Restored npm plugins: ${summarizeList(syncResult.summary.switchedToNpm)}.`),
+        );
+      }
+      for (const warning of syncResult.summary.warnings) {
+        defaultRuntime.log(theme.warn(warning));
+      }
+      for (const error of syncResult.summary.errors) {
+        defaultRuntime.log(theme.error(error));
+      }
+
+      const updated = npmResult.outcomes.filter((entry) => entry.status === "updated").length;
+      const unchanged = npmResult.outcomes.filter((entry) => entry.status === "unchanged").length;
+      const failed = npmResult.outcomes.filter((entry) => entry.status === "error").length;
+      const skipped = npmResult.outcomes.filter((entry) => entry.status === "skipped").length;
+
+      if (npmResult.outcomes.length === 0) {
+        defaultRuntime.log(theme.muted("No plugin updates needed."));
+      } else {
+        const parts = [`${updated} updated`, `${unchanged} unchanged`];
+        if (failed > 0) parts.push(`${failed} failed`);
+        if (skipped > 0) parts.push(`${skipped} skipped`);
+        defaultRuntime.log(theme.muted(`npm plugins: ${parts.join(", ")}.`));
+      }
+
+      for (const outcome of npmResult.outcomes) {
+        if (outcome.status !== "error") continue;
+        defaultRuntime.log(theme.error(outcome.message));
+      }
+    }
+  } else if (!opts.json) {
+    defaultRuntime.log(theme.warn("Skipping plugin updates: config is invalid."));
+  }
+
   // Restart daemon if requested
   if (opts.restart) {
     if (!opts.json) {

src/plugins/update.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,401 @@
+import fs from "node:fs/promises";
+
+import type { ClawdbotConfig } from "../config/config.js";
+import type { UpdateChannel } from "../infra/update-channels.js";
+import { resolveUserPath } from "../utils.js";
+import { discoverClawdbotPlugins } from "./discovery.js";
+import { installPluginFromNpmSpec, resolvePluginInstallDir } from "./install.js";
+import { recordPluginInstall } from "./installs.js";
+import { loadPluginManifest } from "./manifest.js";
+
+export type PluginUpdateLogger = {
+  info?: (message: string) => void;
+  warn?: (message: string) => void;
+  error?: (message: string) => void;
+};
+
+export type PluginUpdateStatus = "updated" | "unchanged" | "skipped" | "error";
+
+export type PluginUpdateOutcome = {
+  pluginId: string;
+  status: PluginUpdateStatus;
+  message: string;
+  currentVersion?: string;
+  nextVersion?: string;
+};
+
+export type PluginUpdateSummary = {
+  config: ClawdbotConfig;
+  changed: boolean;
+  outcomes: PluginUpdateOutcome[];
+};
+
+export type PluginChannelSyncSummary = {
+  switchedToBundled: string[];
+  switchedToNpm: string[];
+  warnings: string[];
+  errors: string[];
+};
+
+export type PluginChannelSyncResult = {
+  config: ClawdbotConfig;
+  changed: boolean;
+  summary: PluginChannelSyncSummary;
+};
+
+type BundledPluginSource = {
+  pluginId: string;
+  localPath: string;
+  npmSpec?: string;
+};
+
+async function readInstalledPackageVersion(dir: string): Promise<string | undefined> {
+  try {
+    const raw = await fs.readFile(`${dir}/package.json`, "utf-8");
+    const parsed = JSON.parse(raw) as { version?: unknown };
+    return typeof parsed.version === "string" ? parsed.version : undefined;
+  } catch {
+    return undefined;
+  }
+}
+
+function resolveBundledPluginSources(params: {
+  workspaceDir?: string;
+}): Map<string, BundledPluginSource> {
+  const discovery = discoverClawdbotPlugins({ workspaceDir: params.workspaceDir });
+  const bundled = new Map<string, BundledPluginSource>();
+
+  for (const candidate of discovery.candidates) {
+    if (candidate.origin !== "bundled") continue;
+    const manifest = loadPluginManifest(candidate.rootDir);
+    if (!manifest.ok) continue;
+    const pluginId = manifest.manifest.id;
+    if (bundled.has(pluginId)) continue;
+
+    const npmSpec =
+      candidate.packageClawdbot?.install?.npmSpec?.trim() ||
+      candidate.packageName?.trim() ||
+      undefined;
+
+    bundled.set(pluginId, {
+      pluginId,
+      localPath: candidate.rootDir,
+      npmSpec,
+    });
+  }
+
+  return bundled;
+}
+
+function pathsEqual(left?: string, right?: string): boolean {
+  if (!left || !right) return false;
+  return resolveUserPath(left) === resolveUserPath(right);
+}
+
+function buildLoadPathHelpers(existing: string[]) {
+  let paths = [...existing];
+  const resolveSet = () => new Set(paths.map((entry) => resolveUserPath(entry)));
+  let resolved = resolveSet();
+  let changed = false;
+
+  const addPath = (value: string) => {
+    const normalized = resolveUserPath(value);
+    if (resolved.has(normalized)) return;
+    paths.push(value);
+    resolved.add(normalized);
+    changed = true;
+  };
+
+  const removePath = (value: string) => {
+    const normalized = resolveUserPath(value);
+    if (!resolved.has(normalized)) return;
+    paths = paths.filter((entry) => resolveUserPath(entry) !== normalized);
+    resolved = resolveSet();
+    changed = true;
+  };
+
+  return {
+    addPath,
+    removePath,
+    get changed() {
+      return changed;
+    },
+    get paths() {
+      return paths;
+    },
+  };
+}
+
+export async function updateNpmInstalledPlugins(params: {
+  config: ClawdbotConfig;
+  logger?: PluginUpdateLogger;
+  pluginIds?: string[];
+  skipIds?: Set<string>;
+  dryRun?: boolean;
+}): Promise<PluginUpdateSummary> {
+  const logger = params.logger ?? {};
+  const installs = params.config.plugins?.installs ?? {};
+  const targets = params.pluginIds?.length ? params.pluginIds : Object.keys(installs);
+  const outcomes: PluginUpdateOutcome[] = [];
+  let next = params.config;
+  let changed = false;
+
+  for (const pluginId of targets) {
+    if (params.skipIds?.has(pluginId)) {
+      outcomes.push({
+        pluginId,
+        status: "skipped",
+        message: `Skipping "${pluginId}" (already updated).`,
+      });
+      continue;
+    }
+
+    const record = installs[pluginId];
+    if (!record) {
+      outcomes.push({
+        pluginId,
+        status: "skipped",
+        message: `No install record for "${pluginId}".`,
+      });
+      continue;
+    }
+
+    if (record.source !== "npm") {
+      outcomes.push({
+        pluginId,
+        status: "skipped",
+        message: `Skipping "${pluginId}" (source: ${record.source}).`,
+      });
+      continue;
+    }
+
+    if (!record.spec) {
+      outcomes.push({
+        pluginId,
+        status: "skipped",
+        message: `Skipping "${pluginId}" (missing npm spec).`,
+      });
+      continue;
+    }
+
+    const installPath = record.installPath ?? resolvePluginInstallDir(pluginId);
+    const currentVersion = await readInstalledPackageVersion(installPath);
+
+    if (params.dryRun) {
+      let probe: Awaited<ReturnType<typeof installPluginFromNpmSpec>>;
+      try {
+        probe = await installPluginFromNpmSpec({
+          spec: record.spec,
+          mode: "update",
+          dryRun: true,
+          expectedPluginId: pluginId,
+          logger,
+        });
+      } catch (err) {
+        outcomes.push({
+          pluginId,
+          status: "error",
+          message: `Failed to check ${pluginId}: ${String(err)}`,
+        });
+        continue;
+      }
+      if (!probe.ok) {
+        outcomes.push({
+          pluginId,
+          status: "error",
+          message: `Failed to check ${pluginId}: ${probe.error}`,
+        });
+        continue;
+      }
+
+      const nextVersion = probe.version ?? "unknown";
+      const currentLabel = currentVersion ?? "unknown";
+      if (currentVersion && probe.version && currentVersion === probe.version) {
+        outcomes.push({
+          pluginId,
+          status: "unchanged",
+          currentVersion: currentVersion ?? undefined,
+          nextVersion: probe.version ?? undefined,
+          message: `${pluginId} is up to date (${currentLabel}).`,
+        });
+      } else {
+        outcomes.push({
+          pluginId,
+          status: "updated",
+          currentVersion: currentVersion ?? undefined,
+          nextVersion: probe.version ?? undefined,
+          message: `Would update ${pluginId}: ${currentLabel} -> ${nextVersion}.`,
+        });
+      }
+      continue;
+    }
+
+    let result: Awaited<ReturnType<typeof installPluginFromNpmSpec>>;
+    try {
+      result = await installPluginFromNpmSpec({
+        spec: record.spec,
+        mode: "update",
+        expectedPluginId: pluginId,
+        logger,
+      });
+    } catch (err) {
+      outcomes.push({
+        pluginId,
+        status: "error",
+        message: `Failed to update ${pluginId}: ${String(err)}`,
+      });
+      continue;
+    }
+    if (!result.ok) {
+      outcomes.push({
+        pluginId,
+        status: "error",
+        message: `Failed to update ${pluginId}: ${result.error}`,
+      });
+      continue;
+    }
+
+    const nextVersion = result.version ?? (await readInstalledPackageVersion(result.targetDir));
+    next = recordPluginInstall(next, {
+      pluginId,
+      source: "npm",
+      spec: record.spec,
+      installPath: result.targetDir,
+      version: nextVersion,
+    });
+    changed = true;
+
+    const currentLabel = currentVersion ?? "unknown";
+    const nextLabel = nextVersion ?? "unknown";
+    if (currentVersion && nextVersion && currentVersion === nextVersion) {
+      outcomes.push({
+        pluginId,
+        status: "unchanged",
+        currentVersion: currentVersion ?? undefined,
+        nextVersion: nextVersion ?? undefined,
+        message: `${pluginId} already at ${currentLabel}.`,
+      });
+    } else {
+      outcomes.push({
+        pluginId,
+        status: "updated",
+        currentVersion: currentVersion ?? undefined,
+        nextVersion: nextVersion ?? undefined,
+        message: `Updated ${pluginId}: ${currentLabel} -> ${nextLabel}.`,
+      });
+    }
+  }
+
+  return { config: next, changed, outcomes };
+}
+
+export async function syncPluginsForUpdateChannel(params: {
+  config: ClawdbotConfig;
+  channel: UpdateChannel;
+  workspaceDir?: string;
+  logger?: PluginUpdateLogger;
+}): Promise<PluginChannelSyncResult> {
+  const summary: PluginChannelSyncSummary = {
+    switchedToBundled: [],
+    switchedToNpm: [],
+    warnings: [],
+    errors: [],
+  };
+  const bundled = resolveBundledPluginSources({ workspaceDir: params.workspaceDir });
+  if (bundled.size === 0) {
+    return { config: params.config, changed: false, summary };
+  }
+
+  let next = params.config;
+  const loadHelpers = buildLoadPathHelpers(next.plugins?.load?.paths ?? []);
+  const installs = next.plugins?.installs ?? {};
+  let changed = false;
+
+  if (params.channel === "dev") {
+    for (const [pluginId, record] of Object.entries(installs)) {
+      const bundledInfo = bundled.get(pluginId);
+      if (!bundledInfo) continue;
+
+      loadHelpers.addPath(bundledInfo.localPath);
+
+      const alreadyBundled =
+        record.source === "path" && pathsEqual(record.sourcePath, bundledInfo.localPath);
+      if (alreadyBundled) continue;
+
+      next = recordPluginInstall(next, {
+        pluginId,
+        source: "path",
+        sourcePath: bundledInfo.localPath,
+        installPath: bundledInfo.localPath,
+        spec: record.spec ?? bundledInfo.npmSpec,
+        version: record.version,
+      });
+      summary.switchedToBundled.push(pluginId);
+      changed = true;
+    }
+  } else {
+    for (const [pluginId, record] of Object.entries(installs)) {
+      const bundledInfo = bundled.get(pluginId);
+      if (!bundledInfo) continue;
+
+      if (record.source === "npm") {
+        loadHelpers.removePath(bundledInfo.localPath);
+        continue;
+      }
+
+      if (record.source !== "path") continue;
+      if (!pathsEqual(record.sourcePath, bundledInfo.localPath)) continue;
+
+      const spec = record.spec ?? bundledInfo.npmSpec;
+      if (!spec) {
+        summary.warnings.push(`Missing npm spec for ${pluginId}; keeping local path.`);
+        continue;
+      }
+
+      let result: Awaited<ReturnType<typeof installPluginFromNpmSpec>>;
+      try {
+        result = await installPluginFromNpmSpec({
+          spec,
+          mode: "update",
+          expectedPluginId: pluginId,
+          logger: params.logger,
+        });
+      } catch (err) {
+        summary.errors.push(`Failed to install ${pluginId}: ${String(err)}`);
+        continue;
+      }
+      if (!result.ok) {
+        summary.errors.push(`Failed to install ${pluginId}: ${result.error}`);
+        continue;
+      }
+
+      next = recordPluginInstall(next, {
+        pluginId,
+        source: "npm",
+        spec,
+        installPath: result.targetDir,
+        version: result.version,
+        sourcePath: undefined,
+      });
+      summary.switchedToNpm.push(pluginId);
+      changed = true;
+      loadHelpers.removePath(bundledInfo.localPath);
+    }
+  }
+
+  if (loadHelpers.changed) {
+    next = {
+      ...next,
+      plugins: {
+        ...next.plugins,
+        load: {
+          ...next.plugins?.load,
+          paths: loadHelpers.paths,
+        },
+      },
+    };
+    changed = true;
+  }
+
+  return { config: next, changed, summary };
+}