config-validator shows inconsistent results when using JSON5 or JSONC config

[mschoettle]

How are you running Renovate?

A Mend.io-hosted app

Which platform you running Renovate on?

GitHub.com

Which version of Renovate are you using?

43.275.2

Please tell us more about your question or problem

I created a branch renovate/reconfigure where I added a renovate.json5 file. I use the :enablePrecommit preset. However, the Renovate comment explaining what will happen does not show that it is enabled and that I will get a PR for a pre-commit hook.

When the file is renovate.json it works. See this comment: mschoettle/renovate-test-reconfigure#1 (comment) (click on "edited" and the first entry, it will show the diff going from .json to .json5).

The problem also happens with .jsonc (noticed in a private repo).

Minimal reproduction repo: https://github.com/mschoettle/renovate-test-reconfigure

Logs (if relevant)

Logs

INFO: Renovate started
{
  "renovateVersion": "43.275.2"
}

DEBUG: Using RE2 regex engine
DEBUG: Parsing configs
DEBUG: Checking for config file in /runner/renovate/cf1/config_file.json
DEBUG: No additional config file found specified - skipping
DEBUG: Detected config in env RENOVATE_CONFIG
{
  "config": {
    "extends": [
      "mergeConfidence:all-badges"
    ],
    "prFooter": "This PR was generated by [Mend Renovate](https://mend.io/renovate/). View the [repository job log](https://developer.mend.io/{{platform}}/{{repository}}).",
    "userAgent": "Mend-hosted Renovate/{{renovateVersion}} (https://**redacted**@mend.io)",
    "binarySource": "install",
    "globalExtends": [
      "global:safeEnv"
    ],
    "logLevelRemap": [
      {
        "newLogLevel": "info",
        "matchMessage": "Cache fallback URLs"
      }
    ],
    "platformCommit": "enabled",
    "allowedCommands": [
      "^git add --all$",
      "^git reset$",
      "^pwd$"
    ],
    "repositoryCache": "enabled",
    "cacheTtlOverride": {
      "datasource-docker-hub-tags": 90
    },
    "encryptedWarning": "Encrypted secrets were detected in the repository config. This feature has been deprecated. Please migrate them to this portal. See the guide at http://docs.renovatebot.com/mend-hosted/migrating-secrets/",
    "onboardingConfig": {
      "$schema": "https://docs.renovatebot.com/renovate-schema.json",
      "extends": [
        "config:recommended"
      ]
    },
    "gitIgnoredAuthors": [
      "29139614+renovate[bot]@users.noreply.github.com"
    ],
    "customizeDashboard": {
      "repoProblemsHeader": "These problems occurred while renovating this repository. [View logs](https://developer.mend.io//{{platform}}/{{repository}})."
    },
    "repositoryCacheType": "local",
    "onboardingAutoCloseAge": 366,
    "allowedUnsafeExecutions": [
      "gradleWrapper",
      "mise"
    ],
    "dependencyDashboardFooter": "\n- [ ] <!-- manual job -->Check this box to trigger a request for Renovate to run again on this repository\n",
    "dependencyDashboardHeader": "This issue lists Renovate updates and detected dependencies. Read the [Dependency Dashboard](https://docs.renovatebot.com/key-concepts/dashboard/) docs to learn more.<br>[View this repository on the Mend.io Web Portal](https://developer.mend.io/{{platform}}/{{repository}})."
  }
}

DEBUG: File config
{
  "config": {
    "token": "***********",
    "redisUrl": "rediss://**redacted**@master.developer-platform-bare-metal-prd-auth.aqffol.use1.cache.amazonaws.com:6379",
    "hostRules": [
      {
        "hostType": "docker",
        "matchHost": "docker.io",
        "username": "mdpprod3renovate",
        "password": "***********"
      },
      {
        "hostType": "docker",
        "matchHost": "hub.docker.com",
        "username": "mdpprodrenovatedc",
        "password": "***********"
      }
    ],
    "secrets": {}
  }
}

DEBUG: Additional file config
{
  "config": {}
}

DEBUG: CLI config
{
  "config": {}
}

DEBUG: Env config
{
  "config": {
    "extends": [
      "mergeConfidence:all-badges"
    ],
    "prFooter": "This PR was generated by [Mend Renovate](https://mend.io/renovate/). View the [repository job log](https://developer.mend.io/{{platform}}/{{repository}}).",
    "userAgent": "Mend-hosted Renovate/{{renovateVersion}} (https://**redacted**@mend.io)",
    "binarySource": "install",
    "globalExtends": [
      "global:safeEnv"
    ],
    "logLevelRemap": [
      {
        "newLogLevel": "info",
        "matchMessage": "Cache fallback URLs"
      }
    ],
    "platformCommit": "enabled",
    "allowedCommands": [
      "^git add --all$",
      "^git reset$",
      "^pwd$"
    ],
    "repositoryCache": "enabled",
    "cacheTtlOverride": {
      "datasource-docker-hub-tags": 90
    },
    "encryptedWarning": "Encrypted secrets were detected in the repository config. This feature has been deprecated. Please migrate them to this portal. See the guide at http://docs.renovatebot.com/mend-hosted/migrating-secrets/",
    "onboardingConfig": {
      "$schema": "https://docs.renovatebot.com/renovate-schema.json",
      "extends": [
        "config:recommended"
      ]
    },
    "gitIgnoredAuthors": [
      "29139614+renovate[bot]@users.noreply.github.com"
    ],
    "customizeDashboard": {
      "repoProblemsHeader": "These problems occurred while renovating this repository. [View logs](https://developer.mend.io//{{platform}}/{{repository}})."
    },
    "repositoryCacheType": "local",
    "onboardingAutoCloseAge": 366,
    "allowedUnsafeExecutions": [
      "gradleWrapper",
      "mise"
    ],
    "dependencyDashboardFooter": "\n- [ ] <!-- manual job -->Check this box to trigger a request for Renovate to run again on this repository\n",
    "dependencyDashboardHeader": "This issue lists Renovate updates and detected dependencies. Read the [Dependency Dashboard](https://docs.renovatebot.com/key-concepts/dashboard/) docs to learn more.<br>[View this repository on the Mend.io Web Portal](https://developer.mend.io/{{platform}}/{{repository}}).",
    "hostRules": [],
    "onboardingNoDeps": "enabled",
    "cacheDir": "/runner/cache",
    "onboarding": true,
    "forkProcessing": "enabled",
    "requireConfig": "required",
    "platform": "github",
    "username": "renovate[bot]",
    "repositories": [
      "mschoettle/renovate-test-reconfigure"
    ],
    "gitAuthor": "renovate[bot] <29139614+renovate[bot]@users.noreply.github.com>",
    "deleteConfigFile": true
  }
}

DEBUG: Resolved global extends
{
  "config": {
    "allowedEnv": [
      "BUN_CONFIG_MAX_HTTP_REQUESTS",
      "GO*",
      "GRADLE_OPTS",
      "RUSTC_BOOTSTRAP",
      "PNPM_WORKERS",
      "PNPM_MAX_WORKERS"
    ],
    "description": [
      "Hopefully safe environment variables to allow users to configure."
    ]
  }
}

DEBUG: Combined config
{
  "config": {
    "allowedEnv": [
      "BUN_CONFIG_MAX_HTTP_REQUESTS",
      "GO*",
      "GRADLE_OPTS",
      "RUSTC_BOOTSTRAP",
      "PNPM_WORKERS",
      "PNPM_MAX_WORKERS"
    ],
    "description": [
      "Hopefully safe environment variables to allow users to configure."
    ],
    "token": "***********",
    "redisUrl": "rediss://**redacted**@master.developer-platform-bare-metal-prd-auth.aqffol.use1.cache.amazonaws.com:6379",
    "hostRules": [
      {
        "hostType": "docker",
        "matchHost": "docker.io",
        "username": "mdpprod3renovate",
        "password": "***********"
      },
      {
        "hostType": "docker",
        "matchHost": "hub.docker.com",
        "username": "mdpprodrenovatedc",
        "password": "***********"
      }
    ],
    "secrets": {},
    "extends": [
      "mergeConfidence:all-badges"
    ],
    "prFooter": "This PR was generated by [Mend Renovate](https://mend.io/renovate/). View the [repository job log](https://developer.mend.io/{{platform}}/{{repository}}).",
    "userAgent": "Mend-hosted Renovate/{{renovateVersion}} (https://**redacted**@mend.io)",
    "binarySource": "install",
    "logLevelRemap": [
      {
        "newLogLevel": "info",
        "matchMessage": "Cache fallback URLs"
      }
    ],
    "platformCommit": "enabled",
    "allowedCommands": [
      "^git add --all$",
      "^git reset$",
      "^pwd$"
    ],
    "repositoryCache": "enabled",
    "cacheTtlOverride": {
      "datasource-docker-hub-tags": 90
    },
    "encryptedWarning": "Encrypted secrets were detected in the repository config. This feature has been deprecated. Please migrate them to this portal. See the guide at http://docs.renovatebot.com/mend-hosted/migrating-secrets/",
    "onboardingConfig": {
      "$schema": "https://docs.renovatebot.com/renovate-schema.json",
      "extends": [
        "config:recommended"
      ]
    },
    "gitIgnoredAuthors": [
      "29139614+renovate[bot]@users.noreply.github.com"
    ],
    "customizeDashboard": {
      "repoProblemsHeader": "These problems occurred while renovating this repository. [View logs](https://developer.mend.io//{{platform}}/{{repository}})."
    },
    "repositoryCacheType": "local",
    "onboardingAutoCloseAge": 366,
    "allowedUnsafeExecutions": [
      "gradleWrapper",
      "mise"
    ],
    "dependencyDashboardFooter": "\n- [ ] <!-- manual job -->Check this box to trigger a request for Renovate to run again on this repository\n",
    "dependencyDashboardHeader": "This issue lists Renovate updates and detected dependencies. Read the [Dependency Dashboard](https://docs.renovatebot.com/key-concepts/dashboard/) docs to learn more.<br>[View this repository on the Mend.io Web Portal](https://developer.mend.io/{{platform}}/{{repository}}).",
    "onboardingNoDeps": "enabled",
    "cacheDir": "/runner/cache",
    "onboarding": true,
    "forkProcessing": "enabled",
    "requireConfig": "required",
    "platform": "github",
    "username": "renovate[bot]",
    "repositories": [
      "mschoettle/renovate-test-reconfigure"
    ],
    "gitAuthor": "renovate[bot] <29139614+renovate[bot]@users.noreply.github.com>",
    "deleteConfigFile": true
  }
}

DEBUG: Enabling forkProcessing while in non-autodiscover mode
DEBUG: Enabling onboardingNoDeps while in non-autodiscover mode
DEBUG: Found valid git version: 2.54.0
DEBUG: Setting global hostRules
DEBUG: Adding password authentication for docker.io (hostType=docker) to hostRules
DEBUG: Adding password authentication for hub.docker.com (hostType=docker) to hostRules
DEBUG: Using default github endpoint: https://api.github.com/
DEBUG: Platform config
{
  "platformConfig": {
    "hostType": "github",
    "endpoint": "https://api.github.com/",
    "isGHApp": true,
    "isGhe": false,
    "isGheCloud": false
  },
  "renovateUsername": "renovate[bot]"
}

DEBUG: Using configured gitAuthor (renovate[bot] <29139614+renovate[bot]@users.noreply.github.com>)
DEBUG: Adding token authentication for api.github.com (hostType=github) to hostRules
DEBUG: Using baseDir: /tmp/renovate
DEBUG: Using configured cacheDir: /runner/cache
DEBUG: Using containerbaseDir: /runner/cache/containerbase
DEBUG: Redis cache init
DEBUG: Redis cache connected
DEBUG: Commits limit = null
DEBUG: Setting global hostRules
DEBUG: Adding password authentication for docker.io (hostType=docker) to hostRules
DEBUG: Adding password authentication for hub.docker.com (hostType=docker) to hostRules
DEBUG: Adding token authentication for api.github.com (hostType=github) to hostRules
DEBUG: validatePresets()
DEBUG: Reinitializing hostRules for repo
DEBUG: Clearing hostRules
DEBUG: Adding password authentication for docker.io (hostType=docker) to hostRules
DEBUG: Adding password authentication for hub.docker.com (hostType=docker) to hostRules
DEBUG: Adding token authentication for api.github.com (hostType=github) to hostRules
INFO: Repository started
{
  "renovateVersion": "43.275.2"
}

DEBUG: Using localDir: /tmp/renovate/repos/github/mschoettle/renovate-test-reconfigure
DEBUG: PackageFiles.clear() - Package files deleted
DEBUG: initRepo("mschoettle/renovate-test-reconfigure")
DEBUG: hostRules: authentication already set for api.github.com
DEBUG: Using queue: host=api.github.com, concurrency=16
DEBUG: mschoettle/renovate-test-reconfigure default branch = main
DEBUG: Issues cache: Adding 0 issues to reconcile queue
DEBUG: Using app token for git init
DEBUG: fetchBranchCommits(): url=https://**redacted**@github.com/mschoettle/renovate-test-reconfigure.git
DEBUG: Repository cache is restored from revision 13
DEBUG: Resetting npmrc
DEBUG: Resetting npmrc
DEBUG: checkOnboarding()
DEBUG: isOnboarded()
DEBUG: findPr(renovate/configure, Configure Renovate, !open)
DEBUG: PR cache: sync fetch
DEBUG: http cache: saving https://api.github.com/repos/mschoettle/renovate-test-reconfigure/pulls?per_page=20&state=all&sort=updated&direction=desc&page=1 (etag=W/"5de131b33f38f2a6b3e7a79e3f38298279ce15f373b1645ad1d3033a0416a878", lastModified=undefined)
DEBUG: PR cache: Filtered 2 PRs to 1 (user=renovate[bot])
DEBUG: PR cache: getPrList success
{
  "pullsTotal": 1,
  "requestsTotal": 1,
  "apiQuotaAffected": true,
  "durationMs": 264
}

DEBUG: findPr(renovate/configure, chore: Configure Renovate, !open)
DEBUG: Onboarding cache is valid. Repo is not onboarded
DEBUG: Repo is not onboarded
DEBUG: getBranchPr(renovate/configure)
DEBUG: findPr(renovate/configure, undefined, open)
DEBUG: Found PR #2
DEBUG: Onboarding PR already exists
DEBUG: Checking if onboarding branch needs rebasing
DEBUG: Checking for a default Renovate preset which can be used.
DEBUG: Checking for preset: local>mschoettle/renovate-config
DEBUG: GET https://api.github.com/repos/mschoettle/renovate-config/contents/default.json = (code=ERR_NON_2XX_3XX_RESPONSE, statusCode=404 retryCount=0, duration=26)
DEBUG: Preset file default.json not found in mschoettle/renovate-config: Request failed with status code 404 (Not Found): GET https://api.github.com/repos/mschoettle/renovate-config/contents/default.json
DEBUG: GET https://api.github.com/repos/mschoettle/renovate-config/contents/renovate.json = (code=ERR_NON_2XX_3XX_RESPONSE, statusCode=404 retryCount=0, duration=40)
DEBUG: Preset file renovate.json not found in mschoettle/renovate-config: Request failed with status code 404 (Not Found): GET https://api.github.com/repos/mschoettle/renovate-config/contents/renovate.json
DEBUG: Checking for preset: local>mschoettle/.github:renovate-config
DEBUG: GET https://api.github.com/repos/mschoettle/.github/contents/renovate-config.json = (code=ERR_NON_2XX_3XX_RESPONSE, statusCode=404 retryCount=0, duration=30)
DEBUG: Preset file renovate-config.json not found in mschoettle/.github: Request failed with status code 404 (Not Found): GET https://api.github.com/repos/mschoettle/.github/contents/renovate-config.json
DEBUG: No default org/owner preset found, so the default onboarding config will be used instead.
DEBUG: onboarding config
{
  "config": {
    "$schema": "https://docs.renovatebot.com/renovate-schema.json",
    "extends": [
      "config:recommended"
    ]
  }
}

DEBUG: No rebase needed
DEBUG: Skip processing since the onboarding branch is up to date and default branch has not changed
DEBUG: GET https://api.github.com/repos/mschoettle/renovate-test-reconfigure/contents/renovate.json = (code=ERR_NON_2XX_3XX_RESPONSE, statusCode=404 retryCount=0, duration=83)
DEBUG: Existing config file no longer exists
DEBUG: Found renovate.json config file
DEBUG: migrateAndValidate()
DEBUG: No config migration necessary
DEBUG: Resolved shallow config, without merging internal presets
{
  "renovateVersion": "43.275.2",
  "config": {
    "$schema": "https://docs.renovatebot.com/renovate-schema.json"
  },
  "visitedPresets": {
    "merged": [],
    "unmerged": [
      "mergeConfidence:all-badges",
      "config:recommended"
    ]
  }
}

DEBUG: Found repo ignorePaths
{
  "ignorePaths": [
    "**/node_modules/**",
    "**/bower_components/**",
    "**/vendor/**",
    "**/examples/**",
    "**/__tests__/**",
    "**/test/**",
    "**/tests/**",
    "**/__fixtures__/**"
  ]
}

DEBUG: No vulnerability alerts enabled for repo
DEBUG: No vulnerability alerts found
DEBUG: detectSemanticCommits()
DEBUG: semanticCommits: returning "disabled" from cache
DEBUG: ensureOnboardingPr()
DEBUG: getBranchPr(renovate/configure)
DEBUG: findPr(renovate/configure, undefined, open)
DEBUG: Found PR #2
DEBUG: Determining that the onboarding PR created at `2026-07-23T18:24:55Z` was created 0.00 days ago
{
  "onboardingAutoCloseAge": 366,
  "createdAt": "2026-07-23T18:24:55Z",
  "ageOfOnboardingPr": 0.0014777777777777777
}

DEBUG: processRepo()
DEBUG: GET https://api.github.com/repos/mschoettle/renovate-test-reconfigure/contents/renovate.json = (code=ERR_NON_2XX_3XX_RESPONSE, statusCode=404 retryCount=0, duration=58)
DEBUG: Existing config file no longer exists
DEBUG: Found renovate.json config file
DEBUG: Config does not need migration
DEBUG: ensureDependencyDashboard()
DEBUG: Repo is onboarding - skipping dependency dashboard
DEBUG: checkReconfigureBranch()
DEBUG: findPr(renovate/reconfigure, undefined, open)
DEBUG: http cache: saving https://api.github.com/repos/mschoettle/renovate-test-reconfigure/pulls?head=mschoettle:renovate/reconfigure&state=open (etag=W/"96196972a54e7867f6ad536d98cd4d88a91d12cd15881e5310463585d6d0de70", lastModified=undefined)
DEBUG: Setting current branch to renovate/reconfigure
DEBUG: syncGit(): Initializing git repository into /tmp/renovate/repos/github/mschoettle/renovate-test-reconfigure
DEBUG: Performing blobless clone
DEBUG: git clone completed
{
  "durationMs": 297
}

DEBUG: latest repository commit
{
  "latestCommit": {
    "hash": "c6a22e556c5a1b37087b1d1f425a2cd558ce24d2",
    "date": "2026-07-23T18:19:06Z",
    "message": "Add files",
    "refs": "HEAD -> main, origin/main, origin/HEAD",
    "body": "",
    "author_name": "Matthias Schoettle",
    "author_email": "git@mattsch.com"
  }
}

DEBUG: Current branch SHA: c6a22e556c5a1b37087b1d1f425a2cd558ce24d2
DEBUG: latest commit
{
  "branchName": "renovate/reconfigure",
  "latestCommitDate": "2026-07-23T18:26:36.000Z",
  "sha": "3383f531dc102a38350db6451ae73936d7203f00"
}

DEBUG: validateReconfigureBranch()
DEBUG: http cache: saving https://api.github.com/repos/mschoettle/renovate-test-reconfigure/commits/3383f531dc102a38350db6451ae73936d7203f00/statuses (etag="b0f9f6e435dd0a694cd828269b5253af46a0f00879446398992f3c8214288800", lastModified=undefined)
DEBUG: migrateAndValidate()
DEBUG: No config migration necessary
DEBUG: Setting branch status (branch="renovate/reconfigure")
{
  "context": "renovate/config-validation",
  "state": "green"
}

DEBUG: http cache: saving https://api.github.com/repos/mschoettle/renovate-test-reconfigure/commits/renovate/reconfigure/status (etag=W/"b649c1b1878a1b02c758e5eacdcad84dcdae9d23a61c812a1838a01770c93a62", lastModified=undefined)
DEBUG: GET https://api.github.com/repos/mschoettle/renovate-test-reconfigure/contents/renovate.json?ref=renovate/reconfigure = (code=ERR_NON_2XX_3XX_RESPONSE, statusCode=404 retryCount=0, duration=85)
DEBUG: Existing config file no longer exists
DEBUG: Found renovate.json config file
DEBUG: migrateAndValidate()
DEBUG: No config migration necessary
DEBUG: Resolved shallow config, without merging internal presets
{
  "renovateVersion": "43.275.2",
  "config": {
    "$schema": "https://docs.renovatebot.com/renovate-schema.json"
  },
  "visitedPresets": {
    "merged": [],
    "unmerged": [
      "mergeConfidence:all-badges",
      "config:recommended"
    ]
  }
}

DEBUG: Found repo ignorePaths
{
  "ignorePaths": [
    "**/node_modules/**",
    "**/bower_components/**",
    "**/vendor/**",
    "**/examples/**",
    "**/__tests__/**",
    "**/test/**",
    "**/tests/**",
    "**/__fixtures__/**"
  ]
}

DEBUG: Setting current branch to main
DEBUG: latest commit
{
  "branchName": "main",
  "latestCommitDate": "2026-07-23T18:19:06.000Z",
  "sha": "c6a22e556c5a1b37087b1d1f425a2cd558ce24d2"
}

DEBUG: findIssue(Dependency Dashboard)
DEBUG: Issues cache: Done reconciling by iterating over all items
DEBUG: Issues cache: synced
DEBUG: No baseBranches
DEBUG: extract()
DEBUG: Setting current branch to main
DEBUG: latest commit
{
  "branchName": "main",
  "latestCommitDate": "2026-07-23T18:19:06.000Z",
  "sha": "c6a22e556c5a1b37087b1d1f425a2cd558ce24d2"
}

DEBUG: Using file pattern: **/build.xml for manager ant
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)tasks/[^/]+\.ya?ml$/ for manager ansible
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)(galaxy|requirements)(\.ansible)?\.ya?ml$/ for manager ansible-galaxy
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)\.tool-versions$/ for manager asdf
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/).azuredevops/.+\.ya?ml$/ for manager azure-pipelines
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /azure.*pipelines?.*\.ya?ml$/ for manager azure-pipelines
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)batect(-bundle)?\.ya?ml$/ for manager batect
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)batect$/ for manager batect-wrapper
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)WORKSPACE(|\.bazel|\.bzlmod)$/ for manager bazel
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /\.WORKSPACE\.bazel$/ for manager bazel
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /\.bzl$/ for manager bazel
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/|\.)MODULE\.bazel$/ for manager bazel-module
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)\.bazelversion$/ for manager bazelisk
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /\.bicep$/ for manager bicep
DEBUG: Using file pattern: **/*-pipelines.yml for manager bitbucket-pipelines
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)bitrise\.ya?ml$/ for manager bitrise
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /buildkite\.ya?ml/ for manager buildkite
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /\.buildkite/.+\.ya?ml$/ for manager buildkite
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)project\.toml$/ for manager buildpacks
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)bun\.lockb?$/ for manager bun
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)package\.json$/ for manager bun
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)\.bun-version$/ for manager bun-version
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)Gemfile$/ for manager bundler
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /\.cake$/ for manager cake
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)Cargo\.toml$/ for manager cargo
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)\.circleci/.+\.ya?ml$/ for manager circleci
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)cloudbuild\.ya?ml/ for manager cloudbuild
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)Podfile$/ for manager cocoapods
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)([\w-]*)composer\.json$/ for manager composer
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)conanfile\.(txt|py)$/ for manager conan
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)\.copier-answers(\..+)?\.ya?ml/ for manager copier
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)cpanfile$/ for manager cpanfile
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /^\.crow(?:/[^/]+)?\.ya?ml$/ for manager crow
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)deno\.lock$/ for manager deno
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)deno\.(json|jsonc)$/ for manager deno
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)(?:deps|bb)\.edn$/ for manager deps-edn
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)devbox\.json$/ for manager devbox
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /^.devcontainer/devcontainer.json$/ for manager devcontainer
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /^.devcontainer.json$/ for manager devcontainer
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)(?:docker-)?compose[^/]*\.ya?ml$/ for manager docker-compose
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/|\.)([Dd]ocker|[Cc]ontainer)file$/ for manager dockerfile
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)([Dd]ocker|[Cc]ontainer)file[^/]*$/ for manager dockerfile
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)\.drone\.yml$/ for manager droneci
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)fleet\.ya?ml/ for manager fleet
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(?:^|/)gotk-components\.ya?ml$/ for manager flux
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)\.fvm/fvm_config\.json$/ for manager fvm
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)\.fvmrc$/ for manager fvm
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)\.gitmodules$/ for manager git-submodules
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)(workflow-templates|\.(?:github|gitea|forgejo)/(?:workflows|actions))/.+\.ya?ml$/ for manager github-actions
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)action\.ya?ml$/ for manager github-actions
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /\.gitlab-ci\.ya?ml$/ for manager gitlabci
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /\.gitlab-ci\.ya?ml$/ for manager gitlabci-include
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)gleam.toml$/ for manager gleam
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)go\.mod$/ for manager gomod
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /\.gradle(\.kts)?$/ for manager gradle
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)gradle\.properties$/ for manager gradle
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)gradle/.+\.toml$/ for manager gradle
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)buildSrc/.+\.kt$/ for manager gradle
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /\.versions\.toml$/ for manager gradle
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)versions.props$/ for manager gradle
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)versions.lock$/ for manager gradle
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)gradle/wrapper/gradle-wrapper\.properties$/ for manager gradle-wrapper
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /\.cabal$/ for manager haskell-cabal
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)requirements\.ya?ml$/ for manager helm-requirements
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)values\.ya?ml$/ for manager helm-values
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)helmfile\.ya?ml(?:\.gotmpl)?$/ for manager helmfile
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)helmfile\.d/.+\.ya?ml(?:\.gotmpl)?$/ for manager helmfile
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)Chart\.ya?ml$/ for manager helmv3
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)bin/hermit$/ for manager hermit
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)manifest\.json$/ for manager homeassistant-manifest
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /^Formula/\w*/?[^/]+[.]rb$/ for manager homebrew
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /\.html?$/ for manager html
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)plugins\.(txt|ya?ml)$/ for manager jenkins
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)jsonnetfile\.json$/ for manager jsonnet-bundler
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /^.+\.main\.kts$/ for manager kotlin-script
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)kustomization\.ya?ml$/ for manager kustomize
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)project\.clj$/ for manager leiningen
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/|\.)pom\.xml$/ for manager maven
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)pom\.template\.xml$/ for manager maven
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /^(((\.mvn)|(\.m2))/)?settings\.xml$/ for manager maven
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)\.mvn/extensions\.xml$/ for manager maven
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|\/).mvn/wrapper/maven-wrapper.properties$/ for manager maven-wrapper
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|\/)mvnw(.cmd)?$/ for manager maven-wrapper
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)package\.js$/ for manager meteor
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)Mintfile$/ for manager mint
DEBUG: Using file pattern: **/{,.}mise{,.*}.toml for manager mise
DEBUG: Using file pattern: **/{,.}mise/config{,.*}.toml for manager mise
DEBUG: Using file pattern: **/.config/mise{,.*}.toml for manager mise
DEBUG: Using file pattern: **/.config/mise/{mise,config}{,.*}.toml for manager mise
DEBUG: Using file pattern: **/.config/mise/conf.d/*.toml for manager mise
DEBUG: Using file pattern: **/.rtx{,.*}.toml for manager mise
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)mix\.exs$/ for manager mix
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)flake\.nix$/ for manager nix
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)\.node-version$/ for manager nodenv
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)package\.json$/ for manager npm
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)pnpm-workspace\.yaml$/ for manager npm
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)\.yarnrc\.yml$/ for manager npm
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /\.(?:cs|fs|vb|sql)proj$/ for manager nuget
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /\.(?:props|targets)$/ for manager nuget
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)dotnet-tools\.json$/ for manager nuget
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)global\.json$/ for manager nuget
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)\.nvmrc$/ for manager nvm
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)src/main/features/.+\.json$/ for manager osgi
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)pyproject\.toml$/ for manager pep621
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)[\w-]*requirements([-._]\w+)?\.(txt|pip)$/ for manager pip_requirements
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)setup\.py$/ for manager pip_setup
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)Pipfile$/ for manager pipenv
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)pyproject\.toml$/ for manager pixi
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)pixi\.toml$/ for manager pixi
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)pyproject\.toml$/ for manager poetry
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)\.pre-commit-config\.ya?ml$/ for manager pre-commit
DEBUG: Using file pattern: **/.prototools for manager proto
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)pubspec\.ya?ml$/ for manager pub
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)Puppetfile$/ for manager puppet
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)\.python-version$/ for manager pyenv
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /.+\.container$/ for manager quadlet
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /.+\.image$/ for manager quadlet
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /.+\.volume$/ for manager quadlet
DEBUG: Using file pattern: renovate.json for manager renovate-config
DEBUG: Using file pattern: renovate.jsonc for manager renovate-config
DEBUG: Using file pattern: renovate.json5 for manager renovate-config
DEBUG: Using file pattern: .github/renovate.json for manager renovate-config
DEBUG: Using file pattern: .github/renovate.jsonc for manager renovate-config
DEBUG: Using file pattern: .github/renovate.json5 for manager renovate-config
DEBUG: Using file pattern: .gitlab/renovate.json for manager renovate-config
DEBUG: Using file pattern: .gitlab/renovate.jsonc for manager renovate-config
DEBUG: Using file pattern: .gitlab/renovate.json5 for manager renovate-config
DEBUG: Using file pattern: .renovaterc for manager renovate-config
DEBUG: Using file pattern: .renovaterc.json for manager renovate-config
DEBUG: Using file pattern: .renovaterc.jsonc for manager renovate-config
DEBUG: Using file pattern: .renovaterc.json5 for manager renovate-config
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)\.ruby-version$/ for manager ruby-version
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)runtime.txt$/ for manager runtime-version
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)rust-toolchain(\.toml)?$/ for manager rust-toolchain
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /\.sbt$/ for manager sbt
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /project/[^/]*\.scala$/ for manager sbt
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /project/build\.properties$/ for manager sbt
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)repositories$/ for manager sbt
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)\.scalafmt.conf$/ for manager scalafmt
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)setup\.cfg$/ for manager setup-cfg
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)Package\.swift/ for manager swift
DEBUG: Using file pattern: **/*.tf for manager terraform
DEBUG: Using file pattern: **/*.tofu for manager terraform
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)\.terraform-version$/ for manager terraform-version
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)terragrunt\.hcl$/ for manager terragrunt
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)\.terragrunt-version$/ for manager terragrunt-version
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /\.tflint\.hcl$/ for manager tflint-plugin
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /^\.travis\.ya?ml$/ for manager travis
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /\.typ$/ for manager typst
DEBUG: Using file pattern: **/ProjectSettings/ProjectVersion.txt for manager unity3d
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)\.vela\.ya?ml$/ for manager velaci
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /(^|/)vendir\.yml$/ for manager vendir
DEBUG: Using file pattern: /^\.woodpecker(?:/[^/]+)?\.ya?ml$/ for manager woodpecker
DEBUG: Using file pattern: **/project.yml for manager xcodegen
DEBUG: Using file pattern: **/{j,t}sconfig.json for manager regex
DEBUG: Using file pattern: **/{j,t}sconfig.*.json for manager regex
DEBUG: Using file pattern: **/{j,t}sconfig.json for manager regex
DEBUG: Using file pattern: **/{j,t}sconfig.*.json for manager regex
DEBUG: Matched 1 file(s) for manager gomod: go.mod
DEBUG: pre-commit is disabled
DEBUG: manager extract durations (ms)
{
  "managers": {
    "gomod": 3,
    "pre-commit": 0
  }
}

DEBUG: Found gomod package files
DEBUG: Found 1 package file(s)
INFO: Dependency extraction complete
{
  "baseBranch": "main",
  "stats": {
    "managers": {
      "gomod": {
        "fileCount": 1,
        "depCount": 1
      }
    },
    "total": {
      "fileCount": 1,
      "depCount": 1
    }
  }
}

DEBUG: PackageFiles.add() - Package file saved for base branch
{
  "baseBranch": "main"
}

DEBUG: Package releases lookups complete
{
  "baseBranch": "main"
}

DEBUG: Repository libYears
{
  "libYears": {
    "managers": {
      "gomod": 0.8909898845763572
    },
    "total": 0.8909898845763572
  },
  "dependencyStatus": {
    "outdated": 1,
    "total": 1
  }
}

DEBUG: branchifyUpgrades
DEBUG: detectSemanticCommits()
DEBUG: getCommitMessages
DEBUG: semanticCommits: score=-3
DEBUG: semanticCommits: disabled
DEBUG: 1 flattened updates found: github.com/wasilibs/go-shellcheck/cmd/shellcheck
DEBUG: Returning 1 branch(es)
DEBUG: Branch is not pending, removing pending upgrades (branch="renovate/github.com-wasilibs-go-shellcheck-cmd-shellcheck-0.x")
DEBUG: config.repoIsOnboarded=true
DEBUG: packageFiles with updates
{
  "baseBranch": "main",
  "config": {
    "gomod": [
      {
        "deps": [
          {
            "datasource": "go",
            "depType": "require",
            "depName": "github.com/wasilibs/go-shellcheck/cmd/shellcheck",
            "currentValue": "v0.10.0",
            "managerData": {
              "lineNumber": 2
            },
            "updates": [
              {
                "bucket": "non-major",
                "newVersion": "v0.11.1",
                "newValue": "v0.11.1",
                "releaseTimestamp": "2025-10-11T10:29:36.000Z",
                "newVersionAgeInDays": 285,
                "newMajor": 0,
                "newMinor": 11,
                "newPatch": 1,
                "updateType": "minor",
                "isBreaking": true,
                "libYears": 0.8909898845763572,
                "branchName": "renovate/github.com-wasilibs-go-shellcheck-cmd-shellcheck-0.x"
              }
            ],
            "packageName": "github.com/wasilibs/go-shellcheck/cmd/shellcheck",
            "versioning": "semver",
            "warnings": [],
            "sourceUrl": "https://github.com/wasilibs/go-shellcheck",
            "mostRecentTimestamp": "2025-10-11T10:29:36.000Z",
            "currentVersion": "v0.10.0",
            "currentVersionTimestamp": "2024-11-20T05:25:19.000Z",
            "currentVersionAgeInDays": 610,
            "isSingleVersion": true,
            "fixedVersion": "v0.10.0"
          }
        ],
        "packageFile": "go.mod"
      }
    ]
  }
}

DEBUG: ensureReconfigurePrComment()
DEBUG: getConfigDesc()
DEBUG: getDescriptionArray()
DEBUG: getScheduleDesc()
DEBUG: No schedule
DEBUG: Found description array with length:17
DEBUG: getExpectedPrList()
DEBUG: Getting comments for #1
DEBUG: http cache: saving https://api.github.com/repos/mschoettle/renovate-test-reconfigure/issues/1/comments?per_page=100 (etag=W/"a098954fe5d35b1b4c525b88181c9fbecddd880c8a43cdb6c65ad72255bcd930", lastModified=undefined)
DEBUG: Found 1 comments
DEBUG: Ensuring comment "Reconfigure PR Results" in #1
DEBUG: Comment updated
{
  "issueNo": 1
}

DEBUG: Setting branch status (branch="renovate/reconfigure")
{
  "context": "renovate/config-validation",
  "state": "green"
}

DEBUG: http cache: saving https://api.github.com/repos/mschoettle/renovate-test-reconfigure/commits/renovate/reconfigure/status (etag=W/"c04a8b75fe7ef9090dd4c243b0be0f298521545fd8bb1a6551b66bb20aef5a39", lastModified=undefined)
DEBUG: Update reconfigure branch cache
{
  "reconfigureBranchSha": "3383f531dc102a38350db6451ae73936d7203f00",
  "isConfigValid": true
}

DEBUG: Setting current branch to main
DEBUG: latest commit
{
  "branchName": "main",
  "latestCommitDate": "2026-07-23T18:19:06.000Z",
  "sha": "c6a22e556c5a1b37087b1d1f425a2cd558ce24d2"
}

DEBUG: Removing any stale branches
DEBUG: config.repoIsOnboarded=false
DEBUG: Branch lists
{
  "branchList": [
    "renovate/configure"
  ],
  "renovateBranches": [
    "renovate/configure"
  ]
}

DEBUG: remainingBranches=
DEBUG: No branches to clean up
DEBUG: PackageFiles.clear() - Package files deleted
DEBUG: Branch summary
{
  "cacheModified": true,
  "baseBranches": [
    {
      "branchName": "main",
      "sha": "c6a22e556c5a1b37087b1d1f425a2cd558ce24d2"
    }
  ],
  "branches": [],
  "defaultBranch": "main",
  "inactiveBranches": [
    "renovate/github.com-wasilibs-go-shellcheck-cmd-shellcheck-0.x"
  ]
}

DEBUG: branches info extended
{
  "branchesInformation": [
    {
      "branchName": "renovate/github.com-wasilibs-go-shellcheck-cmd-shellcheck-0.x",
      "prNo": null,
      "prTitle": "Update module github.com/wasilibs/go-shellcheck/cmd/shellcheck to v0.11.1",
      "upgrades": [
        {
          "datasource": "go",
          "depName": "github.com/wasilibs/go-shellcheck/cmd/shellcheck",
          "displayPending": "",
          "fixedVersion": "v0.10.0",
          "currentVersion": "v0.10.0",
          "currentValue": "v0.10.0",
          "newValue": "v0.11.1",
          "newVersion": "v0.11.1",
          "packageFile": "go.mod",
          "updateType": "minor",
          "packageName": "github.com/wasilibs/go-shellcheck/cmd/shellcheck"
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}

DEBUG: Updates summary
{
  "updateSummary": [
    {
      "baseBranch": "main",
      "total": 1,
      "vulnerabilityAlert": 0,
      "updates": {
        "minor": 1
      },
      "managers": {
        "gomod": {
          "total": 1,
          "vulnerabilityAlert": 0,
          "updates": {
            "minor": 1
          }
        }
      }
    }
  ]
}

DEBUG: Renovate repository PR statistics
{
  "stats": {
    "total": 0,
    "open": 0,
    "closed": 0,
    "merged": 0
  }
}

DEBUG: Repository result: undefined, status: onboarding, enabled: true, onboarded: false
DEBUG: Repository timing splits (milliseconds)
{
  "splits": {
    "init": 2114,
    "onboarding": 5,
    "extract": 4171,
    "lookup": 330,
    "update": 1
  },
  "total": 8411
}

DEBUG: Package cache statistics
{
  "get": {
    "count": 1,
    "avgMs": 4,
    "medianMs": 4,
    "maxMs": 4,
    "totalMs": 4
  },
  "set": {
    "count": 0,
    "avgMs": 0,
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}

DEBUG: HTTP statistics
{
  "hosts": {
    "api.github.com": {
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      "reqAvgMs": 180,
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  },
  "requests": 18
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DEBUG: HTTP cache statistics
{
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    "/repos/mschoettle/renovate-test-reconfigure/pulls": {
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[rakeshutekar]

The reason this can differ between renovate.json and renovate.json5 is that the reconfigure flow resolves the config file twice, through two different code paths, and only one of them is a fresh per-branch detection.

Path 1 — validation (fresh, per-branch)

getReconfigureConfig() checks out the branch and detects from the working tree:

// lib/workers/repository/reconfigure/utils.ts
export async function getReconfigureConfig(branchName) {
  await scm.checkoutBranch(branchName);
  const configFileName = await detectConfigFile();
  ...
  configFileParsed = parseJson(configFileRaw, configFileName);

detectConfigFile() walks getConfigFileNames() against scm.getFileList(), and parseJson() dispatches on the extension, so JSON5/JSONC is handled correctly here. This is why your branch status check goes green.

Path 2 — the PR comment (cache-first)

The comment is not built from the config that was just validated. checkReconfigureBranch() recomputes it from scratch:

newConfig = await mergeInheritedConfig(newConfig);
newConfig = await mergeRenovateConfig(newConfig, reconfigureBranch);
await scm.checkoutBranch(config.defaultBranch!);
extractResult = await extractDependencies(newConfig, false);
...
commentEnsured = await ensureReconfigurePrComment(newConfig, ...);

and mergeRenovateConfig() goes through detectRepoFileConfig(), which consults the repository cache before looking at the branch:

// lib/workers/repository/init/merge.ts
export async function detectRepoFileConfig(branchName?: string) {
  const cache = getCache();
  let { configFileName } = cache;
  if (isNonEmptyString(configFileName)) {
    configFileRaw = await platform.getRawFile(configFileName, undefined, branchName);
    if (configFileRaw) {
      let configFileParsed = parseJson(configFileRaw, configFileName);
      return { configFileName, configFileParsed };      // <-- early return
    }
    logger.debug('Existing config file no longer exists');
    delete cache.configFileName;
  }
  // only now does it fall through to a fresh detectConfigFile()

cache.configFileName is whatever was remembered from the default branch — renovate.json in your case. So if that file is still present on renovate/reconfigure, getRawFile succeeds and the function returns early with the old file, and your renovate.json5 is never consulted for the comment. The presets you added (:enablePrecommit) therefore never make it into extractDependencies(), which is exactly the symptom you describe.

Your Mend-hosted config has repositoryCache: "enabled" and repositoryCacheType: "local" in the log you posted, so this cache path is definitely live.

How to confirm which case you're in

Two things to check in the debug log for the reconfigure run:

1. Grep for Found … config file (emitted at merge.ts right after the fresh detection) and for Existing config file no longer exists. If you see neither, the early return fired and the comment was built from the cached renovate.json.
2. Check whether renovate.json still exists on the renovate/reconfigure branch alongside renovate.json5.

If both files are present, note that getConfigFileNames() is ordered — renovate.json is checked before renovate.json5 — so the fresh detection would also prefer the .json. In that situation deleting renovate.json on the branch is the fix, and the behaviour is arguably working as intended (ambiguous config, first match wins).

If renovate.json is absent from the branch and you still get a stale comment, that's the genuine bug: validation read the .json5 while the comment path early-returned from a cache entry that should have been invalidated for a different branch.

Workaround meanwhile

Since the divergence is cache-driven, forcing a cache miss should make the comment match validation — either drop renovate.json from the reconfigure branch so getRawFile returns null and detection falls through, or reset the repository cache for the repo.

Repro repo is helpful, thanks for including it — a maintainer can tell quickly from it whether both files coexist on the branch, which distinguishes the two cases above.