diff --git a/.github/dependabot.yml b/.github/dependabot.yml
index 7ecb4bd..1e5a877 100644
--- a/.github/dependabot.yml
+++ b/.github/dependabot.yml
@@ -17,3 +17,20 @@ updates:
     labels:
       - "Dependencies"
     open-pull-requests-limit: 10
+  - package-ecosystem: npm
+    directory: /
+    schedule:
+      interval: daily
+    target-branch: "release/v6"
+    allow:
+      - dependency-type: direct
+        dependency-name: "@npmcli/template-oss"
+    versioning-strategy: increase-if-necessary
+    commit-message:
+      prefix: deps
+      prefix-development: chore
+    labels:
+      - "Dependencies"
+      - "Backport"
+      - "release/v6"
+    open-pull-requests-limit: 10
diff --git a/.github/settings.yml b/.github/settings.yml
index c742871..b7c5cf1 100644
--- a/.github/settings.yml
+++ b/.github/settings.yml
@@ -25,3 +25,17 @@ branches:
         apps: []
         users: []
         teams: [ "cli-team" ]
+  - name: release/v6
+    protection:
+      required_status_checks: null
+      enforce_admins: true
+      block_creations: true
+      required_pull_request_reviews:
+        required_approving_review_count: 1
+        require_code_owner_reviews: true
+        require_last_push_approval: true
+        dismiss_stale_reviews: true
+      restrictions:
+        apps: []
+        users: []
+        teams: [ "cli-team" ]
diff --git a/.github/workflows/audit.yml b/.github/workflows/audit.yml
index 85282bd..628ed3b 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/audit.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/audit.yml
@@ -32,10 +32,6 @@ jobs:
         with:
           node-version: 22.x
           check-latest: contains('22.x', '.x')
-      - name: Install Latest npm
-        uses: ./.github/actions/install-latest-npm
-        with:
-          node: ${{ steps.node.outputs.node-version }}
       - name: Install Dependencies
         run: npm i --ignore-scripts --no-audit --no-fund --package-lock
       - name: Run Production Audit
diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci-release.yml b/.github/workflows/ci-release.yml
index dcf9ef9..9d86337 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci-release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci-release.yml
@@ -53,10 +53,6 @@ jobs:
         with:
           node-version: 22.x
           check-latest: contains('22.x', '.x')
-      - name: Install Latest npm
-        uses: ./.github/actions/install-latest-npm
-        with:
-          node: ${{ steps.node.outputs.node-version }}
       - name: Install Dependencies
         run: npm i --ignore-scripts --no-audit --no-fund
       - name: Lint
@@ -85,7 +81,7 @@ jobs:
             os: macos-latest
             shell: bash
           - name: macOS
-            os: macos-13
+            os: macos-15-intel
             shell: bash
         node-version:
           - 20.17.0
@@ -93,13 +89,13 @@ jobs:
           - 22.9.0
           - 22.x
         exclude:
-          - platform: { name: macOS, os: macos-13, shell: bash }
+          - platform: { name: macOS, os: macos-15-intel, shell: bash }
             node-version: 20.17.0
-          - platform: { name: macOS, os: macos-13, shell: bash }
+          - platform: { name: macOS, os: macos-15-intel, shell: bash }
             node-version: 20.x
-          - platform: { name: macOS, os: macos-13, shell: bash }
+          - platform: { name: macOS, os: macos-15-intel, shell: bash }
             node-version: 22.9.0
-          - platform: { name: macOS, os: macos-13, shell: bash }
+          - platform: { name: macOS, os: macos-15-intel, shell: bash }
             node-version: 22.x
     runs-on: ${{ matrix.platform.os }}
     defaults:
@@ -128,10 +124,6 @@ jobs:
         with:
           node-version: ${{ matrix.node-version }}
           check-latest: contains(matrix.node-version, '.x')
-      - name: Install Latest npm
-        uses: ./.github/actions/install-latest-npm
-        with:
-          node: ${{ steps.node.outputs.node-version }}
       - name: Install Dependencies
         run: npm i --ignore-scripts --no-audit --no-fund
       - name: Add Problem Matcher
diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index f4bf745..922091f 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ on:
   push:
     branches:
       - main
+      - release/v*
   schedule:
     # "At 09:00 UTC (02:00 PT) on Monday" https://crontab.guru/#0_9_*_*_1
     - cron: "0 9 * * 1"
@@ -36,10 +37,6 @@ jobs:
         with:
           node-version: 22.x
           check-latest: contains('22.x', '.x')
-      - name: Install Latest npm
-        uses: ./.github/actions/install-latest-npm
-        with:
-          node: ${{ steps.node.outputs.node-version }}
       - name: Install Dependencies
         run: npm i --ignore-scripts --no-audit --no-fund
       - name: Lint
@@ -61,7 +58,7 @@ jobs:
             os: macos-latest
             shell: bash
           - name: macOS
-            os: macos-13
+            os: macos-15-intel
             shell: bash
         node-version:
           - 20.17.0
@@ -69,13 +66,13 @@ jobs:
           - 22.9.0
           - 22.x
         exclude:
-          - platform: { name: macOS, os: macos-13, shell: bash }
+          - platform: { name: macOS, os: macos-15-intel, shell: bash }
             node-version: 20.17.0
-          - platform: { name: macOS, os: macos-13, shell: bash }
+          - platform: { name: macOS, os: macos-15-intel, shell: bash }
             node-version: 20.x
-          - platform: { name: macOS, os: macos-13, shell: bash }
+          - platform: { name: macOS, os: macos-15-intel, shell: bash }
             node-version: 22.9.0
-          - platform: { name: macOS, os: macos-13, shell: bash }
+          - platform: { name: macOS, os: macos-15-intel, shell: bash }
             node-version: 22.x
     runs-on: ${{ matrix.platform.os }}
     defaults:
@@ -94,10 +91,6 @@ jobs:
         with:
           node-version: ${{ matrix.node-version }}
           check-latest: contains(matrix.node-version, '.x')
-      - name: Install Latest npm
-        uses: ./.github/actions/install-latest-npm
-        with:
-          node: ${{ steps.node.outputs.node-version }}
       - name: Install Dependencies
         run: npm i --ignore-scripts --no-audit --no-fund
       - name: Add Problem Matcher
diff --git a/.github/workflows/codeql-analysis.yml b/.github/workflows/codeql-analysis.yml
index af848e1..5304739 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/codeql-analysis.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/codeql-analysis.yml
@@ -6,9 +6,11 @@ on:
   push:
     branches:
       - main
+      - release/v*
   pull_request:
     branches:
       - main
+      - release/v*
   schedule:
     # "At 10:00 UTC (03:00 PT) on Monday" https://crontab.guru/#0_10_*_*_1
     - cron: "0 10 * * 1"
diff --git a/.github/workflows/post-dependabot.yml b/.github/workflows/post-dependabot.yml
index 3a91911..8439f84 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/post-dependabot.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/post-dependabot.yml
@@ -30,10 +30,6 @@ jobs:
         with:
           node-version: 22.x
           check-latest: contains('22.x', '.x')
-      - name: Install Latest npm
-        uses: ./.github/actions/install-latest-npm
-        with:
-          node: ${{ steps.node.outputs.node-version }}
       - name: Install Dependencies
         run: npm i --ignore-scripts --no-audit --no-fund
       - name: Fetch Dependabot Metadata
diff --git a/.github/workflows/pull-request.yml b/.github/workflows/pull-request.yml
index c69932d..bb7672c 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/pull-request.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/pull-request.yml
@@ -36,10 +36,6 @@ jobs:
         with:
           node-version: 22.x
           check-latest: contains('22.x', '.x')
-      - name: Install Latest npm
-        uses: ./.github/actions/install-latest-npm
-        with:
-          node: ${{ steps.node.outputs.node-version }}
       - name: Install Dependencies
         run: npm i --ignore-scripts --no-audit --no-fund
       - name: Run Commitlint on Commits
diff --git a/.github/workflows/release-integration.yml b/.github/workflows/release-integration.yml
index 9ca9a2b..6d7fc3e 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release-integration.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release-integration.yml
@@ -47,10 +47,6 @@ jobs:
         with:
           node-version: 22.x
           check-latest: contains('22.x', '.x')
-      - name: Install Latest npm
-        uses: ./.github/actions/install-latest-npm
-        with:
-          node: ${{ steps.node.outputs.node-version }}
       - name: Install Dependencies
         run: npm i --ignore-scripts --no-audit --no-fund
       - name: Set npm authToken
diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
index 53ff3c2..fcc31e9 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ on:
   push:
     branches:
       - main
+      - release/v*
 
 permissions:
   contents: write
@@ -41,10 +42,6 @@ jobs:
         with:
           node-version: 22.x
           check-latest: contains('22.x', '.x')
-      - name: Install Latest npm
-        uses: ./.github/actions/install-latest-npm
-        with:
-          node: ${{ steps.node.outputs.node-version }}
       - name: Install Dependencies
         run: npm i --ignore-scripts --no-audit --no-fund
       - name: Release Please
@@ -121,10 +118,6 @@ jobs:
         with:
           node-version: 22.x
           check-latest: contains('22.x', '.x')
-      - name: Install Latest npm
-        uses: ./.github/actions/install-latest-npm
-        with:
-          node: ${{ steps.node.outputs.node-version }}
       - name: Install Dependencies
         run: npm i --ignore-scripts --no-audit --no-fund
       - name: Create Release Manager Checklist Text
diff --git a/lib/check-bin.js b/lib/check-bin.js
index c5b997b..a7fc8d5 100644
--- a/lib/check-bin.js
+++ b/lib/check-bin.js
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 // either rejects or resolves to nothing.  return value not relevant.
 const isWindows = require('./is-windows.js')
 const binTarget = require('./bin-target.js')
-const { resolve, dirname } = require('path')
+const { resolve, dirname, sep } = require('path')
 const readCmdShim = require('read-cmd-shim')
 const { readlink } = require('fs/promises')
 
@@ -34,7 +34,9 @@ const checkLink = async ({ target, path }) => {
 
   const resolved = resolve(dirname(target), current)
 
-  if (resolved.toLowerCase().indexOf(path.toLowerCase()) !== 0) {
+  const resolvedLower = resolved.toLowerCase()
+  const pathLower = path.toLowerCase()
+  if (resolvedLower !== pathLower && !resolvedLower.startsWith(pathLower + sep)) {
     return failEEXIST({ target })
   }
 }
@@ -65,7 +67,9 @@ const checkShim = async ({ target, path }) => {
 
     const resolved = resolve(dirname(shim), current.replace(/\\/g, '/'))
 
-    if (resolved.toLowerCase().indexOf(path.toLowerCase()) !== 0) {
+    const resolvedLower = resolved.toLowerCase()
+    const pathLower = path.toLowerCase()
+    if (resolvedLower !== pathLower && !resolvedLower.startsWith(pathLower + sep)) {
       return failEEXIST({ target: shim })
     }
   }))
diff --git a/lib/link-gently.js b/lib/link-gently.js
index a39d3bc..c4a38f7 100644
--- a/lib/link-gently.js
+++ b/lib/link-gently.js
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 // if there's a symlink already, pointing into our pkg, remove it first
 // then create the symlink
 
-const { resolve, dirname } = require('path')
+const { resolve, dirname, sep } = require('path')
 const { lstat, mkdir, readlink, rm, symlink } = require('fs/promises')
 const { log } = require('proc-log')
 const throwSignificant = er => {
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ const linkGently = async ({ path, to, from, absFrom, force }) => {
         } // skip it, already set up like we want it.
 
         target = resolve(dirname(to), target)
-        if (target.indexOf(path) === 0 || force) {
+        if (target === path || target.startsWith(path + sep) || force) {
           return rm(to, rmOpts).then(() => CLOBBER)
         }
         // neither skip nor clobber
diff --git a/lib/shim-bin.js b/lib/shim-bin.js
index 67e2702..91a6fcc 100644
--- a/lib/shim-bin.js
+++ b/lib/shim-bin.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-const { resolve, dirname } = require('path')
+const { resolve, dirname, sep } = require('path')
 const { lstat } = require('fs/promises')
 const throwNonEnoent = er => {
   if (er.code !== 'ENOENT') {
@@ -64,7 +64,8 @@ const shimBin = ({ path, to, from, absFrom, force }) => {
       return readCmdShim(s)
         .then(target => {
           target = resolve(dirname(to), target)
-          if (target.indexOf(resolve(path)) !== 0) {
+          const base = resolve(path)
+          if (target !== base && !target.startsWith(base + sep)) {
             return failEEXIST({ from, to, path })
           }
           return false
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 23f52cf..17bccdd 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@
   },
   "devDependencies": {
     "@npmcli/eslint-config": "^5.0.0",
-    "@npmcli/template-oss": "4.27.1",
+    "@npmcli/template-oss": "4.30.0",
     "require-inject": "^1.4.4",
     "tap": "^16.0.1"
   },
@@ -55,7 +55,8 @@
   "templateOSS": {
     "//@npmcli/template-oss": "This file is partially managed by @npmcli/template-oss. Edits may be overwritten.",
     "windowsCI": false,
-    "version": "4.27.1",
-    "publish": true
+    "version": "4.30.0",
+    "publish": true,
+    "updateNpm": false
   }
 }
diff --git a/test/check-bin.js b/test/check-bin.js
index 1cfd1b8..424c7a1 100644
--- a/test/check-bin.js
+++ b/test/check-bin.js
@@ -132,4 +132,12 @@ t.test('not windows', async t => {
     top: true,
     path: `${dir}/lib/node_modules/foo`,
   }))
+
+  // prefix collision: "fo" should NOT be treated as owner of "foo"'s symlink
+  t.rejects(checkBin({
+    bin: 'foo',
+    global: true,
+    top: true,
+    path: `${dir}/lib/node_modules/fo`,
+  }), { code: 'EEXIST' }, 'rejects prefix-colliding package name')
 })
diff --git a/test/link-gently.js b/test/link-gently.js
index 772d756..c8f5671 100644
--- a/test/link-gently.js
+++ b/test/link-gently.js
@@ -9,6 +9,9 @@ t.test('make links gently', async t => {
     pkg: {
       'hello.js': `#!/usr/bin/env node\nconsole.log('hello')`,
     },
+    pk: {
+      'hello.js': `#!/usr/bin/env node\nconsole.log('prefix collision')`,
+    },
     otherpkg: {
       'hello.js': `#!/usr/bin/env node\nconsole.log('other hello')`,
     },
@@ -86,6 +89,24 @@ t.test('make links gently', async t => {
   })
   t.throws(() => fs.readlinkSync(`${dir}/bin/missing`), { code: 'ENOENT' })
   linkGently.resetSeen()
+
+  // prefix collision: "pk" should NOT clobber a symlink owned by "pkg"
+  linkResult = await linkGently({
+    path: `${dir}/pkg`,
+    to: `${dir}/bin/collide`,
+    from: `../pkg/hello.js`,
+    absFrom: `${dir}/pkg/hello.js`,
+  })
+  t.equal(linkResult, true, 'legitimate link created')
+  linkGently.resetSeen()
+  await t.rejects(linkGently({
+    path: `${dir}/pk`,
+    to: `${dir}/bin/collide`,
+    from: `../pk/hello.js`,
+    absFrom: `${dir}/pk/hello.js`,
+  }), { code: 'EEXIST' }, 'rejects prefix-colliding package name')
+  t.equal(fs.readlinkSync(`${dir}/bin/collide`), '../pkg/hello.js', 'original symlink preserved')
+  linkGently.resetSeen()
 })
 
 t.test('handles link errors', async t => {
diff --git a/test/shim-bin.js b/test/shim-bin.js
index bf0f41b..66deadf 100644
--- a/test/shim-bin.js
+++ b/test/shim-bin.js
@@ -9,6 +9,9 @@ t.test('basic shim bin', async t => {
     pkg: {
       'hello.js': `#!/usr/bin/env node\r\nconsole.log('hello')`,
     },
+    pk: {
+      'hello.js': `#!/usr/bin/env node\r\nconsole.log('prefix collision')`,
+    },
     otherpkg: {
       'hello.js': `#!/usr/bin/env node\r\nconsole.log('hello')`,
     },
@@ -52,6 +55,15 @@ t.test('basic shim bin', async t => {
     force: true,
   })
   statSync(`${dir}/notashim.cmd`)
+  // prefix collision: "pk" should NOT be treated as owner of "pkg"'s shims
+  shimBin.resetSeen()
+  await t.rejects(shimBin({
+    path: `${dir}/pk`,
+    to: `${dir}/bin/hello`,
+    from: `../pk/hello.js`,
+    absFrom: `${dir}/pk/hello.js`,
+  }), { code: 'EEXIST' }, 'rejects prefix-colliding package name')
+
   shimBin.resetSeen()
   await shimBin({
     path: `${dir}/pkg`,