What Happens to Your npm / PyPI / Package Registries Account When You Die
Quick Facts
Dependents
May break if unmaintained
Unpublishing
Breaks downstream projects
Step-by-Step Guide
Transfer maintainership
Add a co-maintainer on npm (npm owner add), PyPI (add maintainer in settings), or your registry. This is the most important action.
Do not unpublish popular packages
Unpublishing breaks every project that depends on yours. Transfer ownership instead.
Contact registry support
npm: npmjs.com/support, PyPI: pypi.org for account transfer.
Document Now Checklist
- npm/PyPI/RubyGems usernames
- List all published packages
- Note download counts (popular packages need succession plans)
- Note any paid packages
Save this to your vault
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Start your vault — free for 30 daysLast verified: June 2026. Platform policies may change. Verify current procedures directly with npm / PyPI / Package Registries. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
Related Guides
WordPress.com
Document every WordPress.com site URL, admin login email, and whether each has a premium plan. Add a separate vault entry for each site if you manage multiple.
WordPress.org (Self-Hosted)
Document every self-hosted WordPress site URL, hosting provider, wp-admin login, and database credentials. Add a separate vault entry for each site.
GitHub
GitHub has no formal memorialization process. Private repos become permanently inaccessible without account credentials. Add a trusted contact as org owner for any organizations you manage.
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