# Automatic step template updates

:::div{.warning}
**Deprecated**

The "step package" format described on this page is part of the Step Package Framework (SPF), which is [being deprecated](/docs/deprecations#step-package-framework-spf-deprecation) in favor of steps built as native Octopus step types. Steps built on SPF are being migrated to native step types over time, with no behavioral change to existing deployment processes.
:::

Built-in step templates that use the new "step package" format can be updated automatically to the latest versions without updating Octopus Server. Octopus will check for updates to the built-in step templates every hour and automatically download them from the publicly available feed located at steps-feed.octopus.com.

Optionally, the automatic version updates of built-in steps can be turned off by navigating to **Configuration ➜ Features** and turning off the **Step Template Updates** feature.

:::figure
![Step Template Updates feature toggle in Configuration ➜ Features](/docs/img/projects/built-in-step-templates/images/automatic-updates-configuration.png)
:::

## Notes

- Existing deployment processes and runbooks will be automatically updated to use the latest **minor version** of the built-in step templates, without any user-intervention. This enables rapid deployment of security and patch fixes in a backward compatible manner.
- **Major version** upgrades of steps within existing deployment processes and runbooks will require manual intervention, as the steps will not be backward compatible and likely require additional input.

:::figure
![Step migration prompt shown for a major version upgrade](/docs/img/projects/built-in-step-templates/images/step-migration-v2.png)
:::

- Only steps that are compatible with the current Octopus Server version will be automatically downloaded and updated.
- Only the steps built with the new "step package" format are updated using the described mechanism. Existing steps will still require Octopus to be updated to receive new versions.

## Older versions

Automatic step template updates are available from Octopus **2022.1**.