Why is Backstage so hard to keep updated?

Backstage can feel hard to keep updated because it’s not just one product — it’s a platform composed of many fast-moving parts.

Main reasons

1. Lots of dependencies

   • Backstage core, plugins, scaffolder templates, frontend packages, backend packages, and your own custom plugins all have their own version constraints.
   • A small upgrade can ripple through many packages.

2. Rapid release cadence

   • The ecosystem moves quickly, so new versions come out often.
   • That’s good for features, but it means there’s constant upgrade pressure.

3. Plugin compatibility

   • Third-party plugins may lag behind core Backstage releases.
   • If you rely on community plugins, upgrades can get blocked by one incompatible package.

4. Customizations accumulate

   • Most teams customize Backstage heavily: auth, catalog processors, tech docs, CI integrations, theme, permissions, etc.
   • The more customized it is, the more upgrade work each release requires.

5. Breaking changes are normal

   • Even if the project follows semver, Backstage’s internal APIs and many packages are still evolving.
   • Some changes require code updates, not just dependency bumps.

6. Monorepo complexity

   • Backstage apps often live in a monorepo with many packages sharing versions.
   • That makes dependency alignment more complex than a single-service app.

7. Backend/frontend/tooling all change together

   • Upgrading may require changes in Node versions, TypeScript settings, bundler/build config, ESLint rules, or backend runtime behavior.

Why it feels worse than other frameworks

Backstage is more like maintaining a mini internal developer platform than a normal web app. You’re effectively running an ecosystem, not a library.

How teams make it easier

• Upgrade frequently in small steps instead of waiting a long time.
• Use automated dependency tooling like Renovate or Dependabot.
• Keep custom plugins isolated and well-tested.
• Avoid deep forks of upstream packages.
• Maintain good test coverage for catalog, auth, and plugin flows.
• Track Backstage release notes closely.

If you want, I can also give you:

• a checklist for painless Backstage upgrades, or
• a root-cause breakdown of upgrade pain by area (catalog, auth, plugins, backend, etc.).