{"id":11486,"library":"oc-get-unix-utc-timestamp","title":"UTC Unix Timestamp Utility","description":"This package, `oc-get-unix-utc-timestamp` (v1.0.6), provides a straightforward utility function to retrieve the current Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) Unix timestamp. Published over four years ago, it maintains a stable, minimal footprint with zero external runtime dependencies. It ships with built-in TypeScript type definitions, enhancing development in typed environments. The primary function likely returns the timestamp in milliseconds since the Unix epoch (January 1, 1970, 00:00:00 UTC), aligning with JavaScript's native `Date.now()` behavior, which is a common source of confusion when \"Unix timestamp\" often refers to seconds. Its release cadence appears to be stable rather than actively developed, positioning it as a mature, low-maintenance utility. With weekly downloads around 19,000, it remains a used option for developers needing this specific functionality without additional overhead.","status":"maintenance","version":"1.0.6","language":"javascript","source_language":"en","source_url":"https://github.com/opencomponents/base-templates","tags":["javascript","oc","opencomponents","typescript"],"install":[{"cmd":"npm install oc-get-unix-utc-timestamp","lang":"bash","label":"npm"},{"cmd":"yarn add oc-get-unix-utc-timestamp","lang":"bash","label":"yarn"},{"cmd":"pnpm add oc-get-unix-utc-timestamp","lang":"bash","label":"pnpm"}],"dependencies":[],"imports":[{"note":"The library primarily uses named exports. Using a default import or CommonJS `require` might result in `undefined` or a `TypeError` if the module system cannot resolve the export. The package ships with TypeScript types.","wrong":"import getUnixUtcTimestamp from 'oc-get-unix-utc-timestamp';\nconst getUnixUtcTimestamp = require('oc-get-unix-utc-timestamp');","symbol":"getUnixUtcTimestamp","correct":"import { getUnixUtcTimestamp } from 'oc-get-unix-utc-timestamp';"},{"note":"Type definitions are included with the package. Use `import type` for explicit type imports.","symbol":"TypeScript types","correct":"import type { GetUnixUtcTimestamp } from 'oc-get-unix-utc-timestamp';"}],"quickstart":{"code":"import { getUnixUtcTimestamp } from 'oc-get-unix-utc-timestamp';\n\n// Get the current UTC Unix timestamp in milliseconds\nconst timestampMs: number = getUnixUtcTimestamp();\nconsole.log(`Current UTC Unix timestamp (ms): ${timestampMs}`);\n\n// To get the timestamp in seconds, divide by 1000 and floor\nconst timestampSeconds: number = Math.floor(timestampMs / 1000);\nconsole.log(`Current UTC Unix timestamp (seconds): ${timestampSeconds}`);\n\n// Example: Convert to a Date object\nconst dateFromTimestamp = new Date(timestampMs);\nconsole.log(`Date object from timestamp: ${dateFromTimestamp.toUTCString()}`);","lang":"typescript","description":"Demonstrates how to import and use `getUnixUtcTimestamp` to retrieve the current UTC Unix timestamp in milliseconds and convert it to seconds or a Date object."},"warnings":[{"fix":"Always explicitly handle or convert the timestamp to the expected unit. If seconds are needed, divide the result by 1000 and use `Math.floor()` to round down to a whole second.","message":"The term \"Unix timestamp\" traditionally refers to the number of *seconds* since the Unix epoch (January 1, 1970, 00:00:00 UTC). However, JavaScript's native `Date.now()` (which this utility likely wraps) returns the time in *milliseconds*. This package is inferred to return milliseconds to align with standard JavaScript `Date` behavior. Always confirm the unit (milliseconds vs. seconds) when integrating with systems expecting Unix timestamps.","severity":"gotcha","affected_versions":">=1.0.0"},{"fix":"For basic timestamp retrieval, this stability is often sufficient. If your project requires a more actively maintained library or advanced time manipulation features, consider alternatives like `date-fns` or `luxon`, or directly using native `Date.now()`.","message":"The package has not been updated in over four years (as of April 2026), with the last publish being October 2021. While this indicates stability for a simple utility, it also means no new features, bug fixes, or dependency updates will be provided.","severity":"gotcha","affected_versions":">=1.0.0"},{"fix":"Evaluate if the convenience of an explicit package name outweighs the overhead of an additional (albeit small) dependency. For minimal applications, `Date.now()` provides the same core functionality for milliseconds since epoch in UTC.","message":"This package provides a simple wrapper around basic JavaScript `Date` object functionality (`Date.now()`). For many use cases, directly using `Date.now()` might be sufficient and avoid an extra dependency.","severity":"gotcha","affected_versions":">=1.0.0"}],"env_vars":null,"last_verified":"2026-04-19T00:00:00.000Z","next_check":"2026-07-18T00:00:00.000Z","problems":[{"fix":"Ensure you are using the correct named import syntax for ES Modules: `import { getUnixUtcTimestamp } from 'oc-get-unix-utc-timestamp';`. If you are in a CommonJS environment, verify the package's actual export structure, though named exports are typical for TypeScript libraries.","cause":"Attempting to use `require()` or an incorrect ES module import syntax, or trying to access a named export when the package only offers a default export (or vice-versa).","error":"TypeError: oc_get_unix_utc_timestamp_1.getUnixUtcTimestamp is not a function"},{"fix":"If your application or API expects seconds, convert the result by dividing by 1000 and rounding down: `Math.floor(getUnixUtcTimestamp() / 1000);`. If it expects milliseconds, use the value directly.","cause":"Misinterpreting the unit of the returned timestamp. This utility is inferred to return milliseconds, but you might be expecting seconds (the traditional Unix timestamp unit).","error":"My timestamps are off by a factor of 1000!"}],"ecosystem":"npm"}