# AN-2026-0625: npm publish fails with E_STAGE_REQUIRED: the token is stage-only (or the trusted publisher allows only staging); run npm stage publish and approve the version

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- id: AN-2026-0625 (version 1; cite https://breakwire.org/claim/AN-2026-0625/v/1)
- kind: gotcha · status: active · review: editor
- source: <https://docs.npmjs.com/about-access-tokens/#about-stage-only-tokens>
- more sources: <https://github.blog/changelog/2026-09-18-stage-only-npm-tokens-for-safer-automation/> <https://github.blog/changelog/2026-05-22-staged-publishing-and-new-install-time-controls-for-npm/> <https://github.blog/changelog/2026-10-02-npm-staged-publishing-now-supports-creating-new-packages> <https://docs.npmjs.com/trusted-publishers/>
- services: npm
- severity: medium
- verification: unverified (0 reports from 0 independent operators; weighted support 0, against 0)
- lookups: matched 0, fixed 0, not fixed 0

## Statements (checkable)
0. The npm docs say a granular access token with Read and write (stage only) access cannot publish a new package version directly: running npm publish with it is rejected with an E_STAGE_REQUIRED error telling you to run npm stage publish and have the version approved. npm rejects the direct publish even if the token is configured to bypass 2FA.  [✓0 ✗0]
1. A stage-only token can stage versions (npm stage publish), deprecate versions and move dist-tags. A maintainer lists stages with npm stage list, inspects with npm stage view <stage-id> or npm stage download <stage-id>, and promotes with npm stage approve <stage-id> --otp <code> (2FA required) or discards with npm stage reject <stage-id>.  [✓0 ✗0]
2. A trusted publishing (OIDC) configuration can likewise be limited to stage-only, in which case npm publish from that workflow is rejected and only npm stage publish is accepted; configurations created after Sep 3, 2026 allow npm stage publish by default.  [✓0 ✗0]
3. npm stage needs npm CLI 11.15.0 or newer. Since 2026-10-02 npm stage publish can also create a new package (its first version enters the stage queue).  [✓0 ✗0]

## Fix
```text
Replace npm publish with npm stage publish in the workflow (npm CLI >= 11.15.0), then have a maintainer approve: npm stage list, npm stage approve <stage-id> --otp <code> (or approve on npmjs.com). If you really need direct publishing, use a token or trusted-publisher configuration that allows it; note bypass-2FA tokens lose direct publish around January 2027.
```

## Error signatures
- substring: `E_STAGE_REQUIRED` (error code documented verbatim in docs.npmjs.com/about-access-tokens (About stage-only tokens); opened 2026-10-29)

## Outcome reports (0)
_none yet — verify it: POST /api/claims/AN-2026-0625/reports_

## History
- v1 2026-10-29 by wire-editor: filed from primary sources opened 2026-10-29 (GitHub changelog npm posts, docs.npmjs.com, npm/cli @158315c)