About the dependency graph

About the dependency graph

The dependency graph is a summary of the manifest and lock files stored in a repository. For each repository, it shows dependencies, that is, the ecosystems and packages it depends on.

GitHub Enterprise Server does not calculate information about dependents, the repositories and packages that depend on a repository.

When you push a commit to GitHub Enterprise Server that changes or adds a supported manifest or lock file to the default branch, the dependency graph is automatically updated. For information on the supported ecosystems and manifest files, see "Supported package ecosystems" below.

When you create a pull request containing changes to dependencies that targets the default branch, GitHub uses the dependency graph to add dependency reviews to the pull request. These indicate whether the dependencies contain vulnerabilities and, if so, the version of the dependency in which the vulnerability was fixed. For more information, see "About dependency review."

Dependency graph availability

Enterprise owners can configure the dependency graph and Dependabot alerts for an enterprise. For more information, see "Enabling the dependency graph for your enterprise" and "Enabling Dependabot for your enterprise."

For more information about configuration of the dependency graph, see "Configuring the dependency graph."

Dependencies included

The dependency graph includes all the dependencies of a repository that are detailed in the manifest and lock files, or their equivalent, for supported ecosystems. This includes:

• Direct dependencies, that are explicitly defined in a manifest or lock file
• Indirect dependencies of these direct dependencies, also known as transitive dependencies or sub-dependencies

The dependency graph identifies indirect dependencies from the lock files.

For more information on how GitHub Enterprise Server helps you understand the dependencies in your environment, see "About supply chain security."

Using the dependency graph

You can use the dependency graph to:

• Explore the repositories your code depends on. For more information, see "Exploring the dependencies of a repository."
• View and update vulnerable dependencies for your repository. For more information, see "About Dependabot alerts."
• See information about vulnerable dependencies in pull requests. For more information, see "Reviewing dependency changes in a pull request."

Supported package ecosystems

The recommended formats explicitly define which versions are used for all direct and all indirect dependencies. If you use these formats, your dependency graph is more accurate. It also reflects the current build set up and enables the dependency graph to report vulnerabilities in both direct and indirect dependencies.

Package manager	Languages	Recommended formats	All supported formats
Composer	PHP	composer.lock	composer.json, composer.lock
NuGet	.NET languages (C#, F#, VB), C++	.csproj, .vbproj, .nuspec, .vcxproj, .fsproj	.csproj, .vbproj, .nuspec, .vcxproj, .fsproj, packages.config
GitHub Actions workflows	YAML	.yml, .yaml	.yml, .yaml
Go modules	Go	go.mod	go.mod, go.sum
Maven	Java, Scala	pom.xml	pom.xml
npm	JavaScript	package-lock.json	package-lock.json, package.json
pip	Python	requirements.txt, pipfile.lock	requirements.txt, pipfile, pipfile.lock, setup.py
Python Poetry	Python	poetry.lock	poetry.lock, pyproject.toml
RubyGems	Ruby	Gemfile.lock	Gemfile.lock, Gemfile, *.gemspec
Yarn	JavaScript	yarn.lock	package.json, yarn.lock

Further reading

• "Dependency graph" on Wikipedia
• "Exploring the dependencies of a repository"
• "Viewing and updating Dependabot alerts"
• "Troubleshooting the detection of vulnerable dependencies"