diff --git a/release b/release
index a321119e6..0689f8f41 100755
--- a/release
+++ b/release
@@ -1,53 +1,54 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env node
 (function () {
   'use strict';
+  const strip = require('cli-color/strip');
+  const prompt = require('prompt-sync')();
+  const {mkdirSync} = require('temp');
+  const {writeFileSync, readdirSync, statSync, readFile, writeFile} = require('fs');
+  const {execSync} = require('child_process');
+  const {relative, sep, join} = require('path');
+  const isYes = matches.bind(this, 'yes');
+  const colors = require('colors');
 
   const REPO_TITLE   = 'Angular Flex-Layout';
   const SOURCE_REPO  = 'flex-layout';         // Source repository with Demo-app and wiki docs
   const SOURCE_WIKI  = 'flex-layout.wiki';        // Source repository with Demo-app and wiki docs
-  const DEPLOY_REPO   = `${SOURCE_REPO}-builds`;   // Build repository used for npm publish and travis CI
-
-  var ORIGIN_SOURCE  = `git@github.com:angular/${SOURCE_REPO}.git`;
-  var ORIGIN_WIKI    = `git@github.com:angular/${SOURCE_WIKI}.git`;
-  var ORIGIN_DEPLOY  = `git@github.com:angular/${DEPLOY_REPO}.git`;
-
-
+  const DEPLOY_REPO  = `${SOURCE_REPO}-builds`;   // Build repository used for npm publish and travis CI
   const NPM_RELEASES = 'scripts/release/releases.json';
-
-  var lineWidth      = 80;
-  var defaultOptions = { encoding: 'utf-8' };
-  var colors         = require('colors');
-  var strip          = require('cli-color/strip');
-  var fs             = require('fs');
-  var prompt         = require('prompt-sync')();
-  var child_process  = require('child_process');
-  var releases       = require(`./${NPM_RELEASES}`);
-  var oldVersion     = require('./package.json').version;
-  var path           = require('path');
-  var temp           = require('temp');
-
-  const WIKI_PATH    = 'docs/documentation';
-  const WIKI_LOCAL   = temp.mkdirSync(`${SOURCE_REPO}.wiki`);
-
-  var cleanupCmds    = [ 'rm -rf flex-layout-builds' ];
-  var pushCmds       = [ 'rm ./abort ./push' ];
-  var abortCmds      = [ 'rm ./abort ./push', 'git reset --hard', 'git checkout master' ];
-
-  var newVersion     = "";
-  var lastMajorVer   = releases.latest;
-  var isYes          = matches.bind(this, "yes");
-  var isDryRun       = isYes(prompt(`Is this a dry-run? ${"[yes/no]".cyan} `));
-  var skipOnDryRun   = isDryRun ? '## -- ' : '';
-
-  let msg = `What would you like the old version to be? (default: ${oldVersion.cyan}) `;
-  oldVersion = prompt(msg) || oldVersion;
-  newVersion = getNewVersion();
-
-  let validated = isDryRun || validate();
-  if ( validated ) {
+  const ORIGIN_SOURCE  = `git@github.com:angular/${SOURCE_REPO}.git`;
+  const ORIGIN_WIKI    = `git@github.com:angular/${SOURCE_WIKI}.git`;
+  const ORIGIN_DEPLOY  = `git@github.com:angular/${DEPLOY_REPO}.git`;
+
+  const LINE_WIDTH      = 80;
+  const DEFAULT_OPTIONS = { encoding: 'utf-8' };
+  const WIKI_PATH       = 'docs/documentation';
+  const WIKI_LOCAL      = mkdirSync(`${SOURCE_REPO}.wiki`);
+  const IS_DRY_RUN = isYes(prompt(`Is this a dry-run? ${'[yes/no]'.cyan} `));
+  const OLD_VERSION_PACKAGE = require('./package.json').version;
+  const MSG = `What would you like the old version to be? (default: ${OLD_VERSION_PACKAGE.cyan}) `;
+  const OLD_VERSION = prompt(MSG) || OLD_VERSION_PACKAGE;
+  const NEW_VERSION = getNewVersion();
+  const SKIP_ON_DRY_RUN = IS_DRY_RUN ? '## -- ' : '';
+
+  let cleanupCmds    = ['rm -rf flex-layout-builds'];
+  let pushCmds       = ['rm ./abort ./push'];
+  let abortCmds      = ['rm ./abort ./push', 'git reset --hard', 'git checkout master'];
+
+  const validated = IS_DRY_RUN || validate();
+  if (validated) {
     build();
   }
 
+  function stringifyFunction (method) {
+    return method
+      .toString()
+      .split('\n')
+      .slice(1, -1)
+      .map(line => line.trim() )
+      .join(' ')
+      .replace(/"/g, '\\"');
+  }
+
   // ********************************************************
   // Scripts and Utils
   // ********************************************************
@@ -55,7 +56,7 @@
   /** start the build script */
 
   function build () {
-    let hint = "git add CHANGELOG.md; git commit --amend --no-edit;";
+    const hint = 'git add CHANGELOG.md; git commit --amend --no-edit;';
 
     line();
 
@@ -73,31 +74,31 @@
 
     line();
 
-    log(`Your repo is ${"ready".cyan} to be pushed.`);
-    log(`Please look over ${"CHANGELOG.md".cyan} and make any changes.`);
+    log(`Your repo is ${'ready'.cyan} to be pushed.`);
+    log(`Please look over ${'CHANGELOG.md'.cyan} and make any changes.`);
     log(`! ------------ `);
     log(`! NOTE: If you make changes to the CHANGELOG, use `);
     log(`!   ${hint.red} `);
-    log(`! before proceeding with "${"./push".cyan}"`);
+    log(`! before proceeding with '${'./push'.cyan}'`);
     log(`! ------------ `);
-    log(`If you would like to cancel this release, please run "${"./abort".cyan}"`);
-    log(`When you are ready, please run "${"./push".cyan}" to finish the process.`);
+    log(`If you would like to cancel this release, please run '${'./abort'.cyan}'`);
+    log(`When you are ready, please run '${'./push'.cyan}' to finish the process.`);
   }
 
 
   /** confirms that you will be able to perform the release before attempting */
   function validate () {
     const err = (msg) => {
-      var str = 'Error: ' + msg;
+      let str = 'Error: ' + msg;
       log(str.red);
-    }
+    };
 
-    if ( process.argv[2] == '--force' ) {
+    if (process.argv[2] === '--force' || process.argv[3] === '--force') {
       return true;
     } else if (exec('npm whoami') !== 'angular') {
-      err('You must be authenticated with npm as "angular" to perform a release.');
+      err(`You must be authenticated with npm as 'angular' to perform a release.`);
     } else if (exec('git rev-parse --abbrev-ref HEAD') !== 'staging') {
-      err('Releases must be performed from a "staging" branch.');
+      err(`Releases must be performed from a 'staging' branch.`);
       err('Please checkout the lastest source: `git checkout -B staging`.');
     } else {
       return true;
@@ -111,33 +112,35 @@
    */
   function matches(options, value) {
     value = value.toLowerCase();
-    if ( typeof options === 'string' ) options = [options];
+    if (typeof options === 'string') {
+      options = [options];
+    }
     options = [' '].concat(options);
 
     return options.reduce((prev, curr)=>{
       return !prev ? curr.indexOf(value) > -1 : true;
-    },false);
+    }, false);
   }
 
   /** creates the version branch and adds abort steps */
   function checkoutVersionBranch () {
-    exec(`git branch -q -D release/${newVersion}`);
-    exec(`git checkout -q -b release/${newVersion}`);
+    exec(`git branch -q -D release/${NEW_VERSION}`);
+    exec(`git checkout -q -b release/${NEW_VERSION}`);
 
-    pushCmds.push(`# build release/${newVersion} branch...`);
+    pushCmds.push(`# build release/${NEW_VERSION} branch...`);
     abortCmds.push('git checkout staging -q');
   }
 
   /** writes the new version to package.json */
   function updateVersion() {
-    start(`Updating ${"package.json".cyan} version from ${oldVersion.cyan} to ${newVersion.cyan}...`);
+    start(`Updating ${'package.json'.cyan} version from ${OLD_VERSION.cyan} to ${NEW_VERSION.cyan}...`);
     updatePackageVersions();
     done();
   }
 
   /** generates the changelog from the commits since the last release */
   function createChangelog () {
-    start(`Generating changelog from ${oldVersion.cyan} to ${newVersion.cyan}...`);
+    start(`Generating changelog from ${OLD_VERSION.cyan} to ${NEW_VERSION.cyan}...`);
 
     // Use the current CHANGELOG.md (that is on #master and now this branch)
     exec(`./scripts/release/changelog.js`);
@@ -148,48 +151,49 @@
 
   function updateReleasesJson () {
     const RELEASE_PATH = './scripts/release/releases.json';
-    const config = require( RELEASE_PATH );
+    const config = require(RELEASE_PATH);
 
-        config.versions.unshift(newVersion);
-        config.latest = newVersion;
+    config.versions.unshift(NEW_VERSION);
+    config.latest = NEW_VERSION;
 
-    require('fs').writeFileSync(RELEASE_PATH, JSON.stringify(config, null, 2));
+    writeFileSync(RELEASE_PATH, JSON.stringify(config, null, 2));
   }
 
   /** utility method for clearing the terminal */
   function clear () {
-    write("\u001b[2J\u001b[0;0H");
+    write('\u001b[2J\u001b[0;0H');
   }
 
   /** prompts the user for the new version */
   function getNewVersion () {
-    var options = getVersionOptions(oldVersion), key, type, version;
+    let options = getVersionOptions(OLD_VERSION), key, type, version;
 
     header();
-    log(`The current version is ${oldVersion.cyan}.`);
+    log(`The current version is ${OLD_VERSION.cyan}.`);
     log('');
     log('What should the next version be?');
-    for (key in options) { log((+key + 1) + ') ' + options[ key ].cyan); }
+    for (key in options) {
+      log((+key + 1) + ') ' + options[key].cyan);
+    }
     log('');
     type = prompt('Please select a new version: ');
 
-    if (options[ type - 1 ]) version = options[ type - 1 ];
-    else version = type;
+    version = options[type - 1] ? options[type - 1] : type;
     // else if (type.match(/^\d+\.\d+\.\d+(-rc\.?\d+)?$/)) version = type;
     // else throw new Error('Your entry was invalid.');
 
     log('');
     log('The new version will be ' + version.cyan + '.');
-    return isYes(prompt(`Is this correct? ${"[yes/no]".cyan} `)) ? version : getNewVersion();
+    return isYes(prompt(`Is this correct? ${'[yes/no]'.cyan} `)) ? version : getNewVersion();
 
     function getVersionOptions (version) {
-      return version.match(/-alpha\.?\d+$/) ? [ increment(version, 'alpha'), addBeta(increment(version, 'minor')) ] :
-             version.match(/-beta\.?\d+$/) ? [ increment(version, 'beta'), increment(version, 'rc') ] :
-             version.match(/-rc\.?\d+$/) ? [ increment(version, 'rc'), increment(version, 'patch') ] :
-             [ increment(version, 'patch'), increment(version, 'minor') ];
+      return version.match(/-alpha\.?\d+$/) ? [increment(version, 'alpha'), addBeta(increment(version, 'minor'))] :
+        version.match(/-beta\.?\d+$/) ? [increment(version, 'beta'), increment(version, 'rc')] :
+          version.match(/-rc\.?\d+$/) ? [increment(version, 'rc'), increment(version, 'patch')] :
+            [increment(version, 'patch'), increment(version, 'minor')];
 
       function increment (versionString, type) {
-        var version = parseVersion(versionString);
+        let version = parseVersion(versionString);
         switch (type) {
           case 'alpha':
           case 'beta' :
@@ -204,8 +208,8 @@
         return buildVersionString(version);
 
         function parseVersion (version) {
-          var hasBeta = version.indexOf("-beta") > -1;
-          var parts = version.split(/\-beta\.|\-rc\.|\./g);
+          let hasBeta = version.indexOf('-beta') > -1;
+          let parts = version.split(/\-beta\.|\-rc\.|\./g);
           return {
             string: version,
             major:  parts[ 0 ],
@@ -217,19 +221,27 @@
         }
 
         function buildVersionString (version) {
-          var  str = version.major + '.' + version.minor + '.' + version.patch;
-              str += version.rc    ? `-rc.${version.rc}`       :
-                     version.beta  ? `-beta.${version.beta}`   :
-                     version.alpha ? `-alpha.${version.alpha}` : "";
+          let  str = version.major + '.' + version.minor + '.' + version.patch;
+          str += version.rc    ? `-rc.${version.rc}`       :
+            version.beta  ? `-beta.${version.beta}`   :
+              version.alpha ? `-alpha.${version.alpha}` : '';
           return str;
         }
 
         function resetVersionParts() {
           switch (type) {
-            case 'minor' : version.patch = 0;
-            case 'patch' : version.rc    = 0;
-            case 'rc'    : version.beta  = 0;
-            case 'beta'  : version.alpha = 0;
+            case 'minor':
+              version.patch = 0;
+              break;
+            case 'patch':
+              version.rc = 0;
+              break;
+            case 'rc':
+              version.beta = 0;
+              break;
+            case 'beta':
+              version.alpha = 0;
+              break;
           }
         }
       }
@@ -247,8 +259,8 @@
   function tagRelease () {
 
     pushCmds.push(
-        `git tag v${newVersion} -f`,
-        `${skipOnDryRun} git push --tags ${ORIGIN_SOURCE}`
+      `git tag v${NEW_VERSION} -f`,
+      `${SKIP_ON_DRY_RUN} git push --tags ${ORIGIN_SOURCE}`
     );
 
   }
@@ -256,7 +268,7 @@
   /** amends the commit to include local changes (ie. changelog) */
   function commitChanges () {
     start('Committing changes...');
-    exec(`git commit -am "build(release): version ${newVersion}"`);
+    exec(`git commit -am "build(release): version ${NEW_VERSION}"`);
     done();
 
     // Now any other changes (on the release branch will
@@ -267,7 +279,7 @@
 
   /** utility method for cloning github repos */
   function cloneDeployRepo () {
-    let deployPath = "./"+DEPLOY_REPO;
+    const deployPath = `./${DEPLOY_REPO}`;
     start(`Cloning ${deployPath.cyan} from Github...`);
     exec(`rm -Rf ${deployPath}`);
     exec(`git clone git@github.com:angular/${DEPLOY_REPO}.git --depth=1`);
@@ -275,15 +287,14 @@
 
     cleanupCmds.push(
       'rm -rf dist',
-      `${skipOnDryRun} rm -Rf ${deployPath}`,
-      `${skipOnDryRun} git branch -D release/${newVersion}`
+      `${SKIP_ON_DRY_RUN} rm -Rf ${deployPath}`,
+      `${SKIP_ON_DRY_RUN} git branch -D release/${NEW_VERSION}`
     );
-
   }
 
   /** writes an array of commands to a bash script */
   function writeScript (name, cmds) {
-    fs.writeFileSync(name, '#!/usr/bin/env bash\n\n' + cmds.join('\n'));
+    writeFileSync(name, '#!/usr/bin/env bash\n\n' + cmds.join('\n'));
     exec('chmod +x ' + name);
   }
 
@@ -293,19 +304,19 @@
     exec([
       'rm -rf dist',
       'gulp flex-layout:build-release:clean'
-     ]);
+    ]);
     done();
 
     // Execute the next commands relative to the nightly builds repo
-    let options = {cwd: "./"+DEPLOY_REPO};
+    let options = {cwd: `./${DEPLOY_REPO}`};
 
     start(`Copy files into ${options.cwd.cyan} repo...`);
 
     exec([
-      `cp -Rf ../dist/@angular/${SOURCE_REPO}/* ./`,                   // local build output dir
+      `cp -Rf ../dist/@angular/${SOURCE_REPO}/* ./`,                // local build output dir
       'cp -f ../CHANGELOG.md .',                                    // always over the CHANGELOG
       'git add -A',
-      `git commit -m "build(deploy): release version ${newVersion}"`
+      `git commit -m "build(deploy): release version ${NEW_VERSION}"`
     ], options);
     done();
 
@@ -313,34 +324,24 @@
     pushCmds.push(
       comment(`push to angular/${DEPLOY_REPO} (master and tag) and publish to npm`),
       `cd ./${DEPLOY_REPO}`,
-      `node -e "var newVersion = '${newVersion}'; ${stringifyFunction(updatePackageVersions)}"`,
+      `node -e "const NEW_VERSION = '${NEW_VERSION}'; ${stringifyFunction(updatePackageVersions)}"`,
       'git add package.json',
 
       'cp -f ../CHANGELOG.md .',                  // Copy Changelog from root (if changed)
       'git add CHANGELOG.md',                     // re-add to the commit
       'git commit --amend --no-edit',
-      `git tag -f v${newVersion}`,            // Tag and update nightly builds
+      `git tag -f v${NEW_VERSION}`,            // Tag and update nightly builds
       'git pull --rebase --strategy=ours',
 
-       comment(!isDryRun ? '' : `Updating deploy repo @angular/${DEPLOY_REPO} with tag ${newVersion}`),
-      `${skipOnDryRun} git push ${ORIGIN_DEPLOY} master`,
-      `${skipOnDryRun} git push --tags ${ORIGIN_DEPLOY} master`,
+      comment(!IS_DRY_RUN ? '' : `Updating deploy repo @angular/${DEPLOY_REPO} with tag ${NEW_VERSION}`),
+      `${SKIP_ON_DRY_RUN} git push ${ORIGIN_DEPLOY} master`,
+      `${SKIP_ON_DRY_RUN} git push --tags ${ORIGIN_DEPLOY} master`,
 
-      comment(!isDryRun ? '' : `Publishing @angular/${SOURCE_REPO} ${newVersion} to npm`),
-      `${skipOnDryRun} npm publish`,
+      comment(!IS_DRY_RUN ? '' : `Publishing @angular/${SOURCE_REPO} ${NEW_VERSION} to npm`),
+      `${SKIP_ON_DRY_RUN} npm publish${(process.argv[2] === '--next' || process.argv[3] === '--next') ? ' --tag next' : ''}`,
 
       'cd ../'
     );
-
-    function stringifyFunction (method) {
-      return method
-          .toString()
-          .split('\n')
-          .slice(1, -1)
-          .map((line) => line.trim() )
-          .join(' ')
-          .replace(/"/g, '\\"');
-    }
   }
 
   /**
@@ -351,10 +352,10 @@
    *  ./scripts/release/package.json == package for the deployed npm build
    */
   function updatePackageVersions () {
-    [ './package.json'].forEach(filePath => {
+    ['./package.json'].forEach(filePath => {
       let json = require(filePath);
-          json.version = newVersion;
-      require('fs').writeFileSync(filePath, JSON.stringify(json, null, 2));
+      json.version = NEW_VERSION;
+      writeFileSync(filePath, JSON.stringify(json, null, 2));
     });
   }
 
@@ -367,26 +368,16 @@
    */
   function updateMaster () {
     pushCmds.push(
-        comment('update package.json in master'),
-        'git checkout master -q',
-        `git checkout release/${newVersion} -- CHANGELOG.md`,
-        `node -e "var newVersion = '${newVersion}'; ${stringifyFunction(updatePackageVersions)}"`,
-        'git add package.json',
-        `node -e "var newVersion = '${newVersion}'; ${stringifyFunction(updateReleasesJson)}"`,
-        `git add ${NPM_RELEASES}`,
-        `git commit -m "chore(version): update version number in package.json to ${newVersion}"`,
-        `${skipOnDryRun} git push ${ORIGIN_SOURCE} master`
+      comment('update package.json in master'),
+      'git checkout master -q',
+      `git checkout release/${NEW_VERSION} -- CHANGELOG.md`,
+      `node -e "const NEW_VERSION = '${NEW_VERSION}'; ${stringifyFunction(updatePackageVersions)}"`,
+      'git add package.json',
+      `node -e "const NEW_VERSION = '${NEW_VERSION}'; ${stringifyFunction(updateReleasesJson)}"`,
+      `git add ${NPM_RELEASES}`,
+      `git commit -m "chore(version): update version number in package.json to ${NEW_VERSION}"`,
+      `${SKIP_ON_DRY_RUN} git push ${ORIGIN_SOURCE} master`
     );
-
-    function stringifyFunction (method) {
-      return method
-          .toString()
-          .split('\n')
-          .slice(1, -1)
-          .map((line) => line.trim() )
-          .join(' ')
-          .replace(/"/g, '\\"');
-    }
   }
 
   /**
@@ -399,8 +390,8 @@
       comment('push docs to Wiki'),
       `cd ${WIKI_LOCAL}`,
       'git add .',
-      `git commit -m "docs(wiki): update to version ${newVersion}"`,
-      `${skipOnDryRun} git push ${ORIGIN_WIKI} master`
+      `git commit -m "docs(wiki): update to version ${NEW_VERSION}"`,
+      `${SKIP_ON_DRY_RUN} git push ${ORIGIN_WIKI} master`
     )
   }
 
@@ -409,20 +400,20 @@
    * be copied
    */
   function readDocFiles(directory, filelist) {
-    if(directory[directory.length - 1] != `${path.sep}`) {
-      directory = directory.concat(`${path.sep}`);
+    if (directory[directory.length - 1] !== `${sep}`) {
+      directory = directory.concat(`${sep}`);
     }
 
-    const files = fs.readdirSync(directory);
+    const files = readdirSync(directory);
     filelist = filelist || [];
     files.forEach((file) => {
-      if (fs.statSync(directory + file).isDirectory()) {
-        filelist = readDocFiles(directory + file + `${path.sep}`, filelist);
+      if (statSync(directory + file).isDirectory()) {
+        filelist = readDocFiles(directory + file + `${sep}`, filelist);
       } else {
         const originalPath = directory + file;
-        const newPath = path.join(WIKI_LOCAL, originalPath
-          .replace(WIKI_PATH + `${path.sep}`, '')
-          .replace(`${path.sep}`, '-'));
+        const newPath = join(WIKI_LOCAL, originalPath
+          .replace(WIKI_PATH + `${sep}`, '')
+          .replace(`${sep}`, '-'));
 
         filelist.push({ originalPath, newPath });
       }
@@ -442,10 +433,10 @@
   function checkNameLinks(files) {
     return files.reduce((pValue, cValue) => {
       const oldName = cValue.originalPath
-        .replace(WIKI_PATH + `${path.sep}`, '')
+        .replace(WIKI_PATH + `${sep}`, '')
         .replace('.md', '')
-        .replace(`${path.sep}`, '/');
-      const newName = '(' + cValue.newPath.split(`${path.sep}`).slice(-1).pop().replace('.md', '') + ')';
+        .replace(`${sep}`, '/');
+      const newName = '(' + cValue.newPath.split(`${sep}`).slice(-1).pop().replace('.md', '') + ')';
       if (oldName !== newName) {
         pValue.push({
           oldName,
@@ -457,11 +448,11 @@
   }
 
   function copyDocFile(from, to, linksToReplace) {
-    from = path.relative(process.cwd(), from);
-    to = path.relative(process.cwd(), to);
+    from = relative(process.cwd(), from);
+    to = relative(process.cwd(), to);
     const replaceHyphen = new RegExp('-', 'gi');
     return new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
-      fs.readFile(from, (error, data) => {
+      readFile(from, (error, data) => {
         if (error) {
           reject(error);
         }
@@ -471,7 +462,7 @@
           const r = new RegExp(str, 'gi');
           fileData = fileData.replace(r, link.newName);
         });
-        fs.writeFile(to, fileData, (error2) => {
+        writeFile(to, fileData, (error2) => {
           if (error2) {
             reject(error2);
           }
@@ -491,10 +482,10 @@
 
   /** outputs a centered message in the terminal */
   function center (msg) {
-    msg        = ' ' + msg.trim() + ' ';
-    var length = msg.length;
-    var spaces = Math.floor((lineWidth - length) / 2);
-    return Array(spaces + 1).join('-') + msg.green + Array(lineWidth - msg.length - spaces + 1).join('-');
+    msg = ` ${msg.trim()} `;
+    let length = msg.length;
+    let spaces = Math.floor((LINE_WIDTH - length) / 2);
+    return Array(spaces + 1).join('-') + msg.green + Array(LINE_WIDTH - msg.length - spaces + 1).join('-');
   }
 
   /** outputs done text when a task is completed */
@@ -505,12 +496,14 @@
   /** utility method for executing terminal commands */
   function exec (cmd, userOptions) {
     if (cmd instanceof Array) {
-      return cmd.map( (cmd) => exec(cmd, userOptions) );
+      return cmd.map((cmd) => exec(cmd, userOptions));
     }
     try {
-      var options = Object.create(defaultOptions);
-      for (var key in userOptions) options[ key ] = userOptions[ key ];
-      return child_process.execSync(cmd + ' 2> /dev/null', options).toString().trim();
+      let options = Object.create(DEFAULT_OPTIONS);
+      for (let key in userOptions) {
+        options[key] = userOptions[key];
+      }
+      return execSync(cmd + ' 2> /dev/null', options).toString().trim();
     } catch (err) {
       return err;
     }
@@ -518,13 +511,13 @@
 
   /** returns a commented message for use in bash scripts */
   function comment (msg) {
-    return '\n# ' + msg + '\n';
+    return `\n# ${msg}\n`;
   }
 
   /** prints the left side of a task while it is being performed */
   function start (msg) {
-    var msgLength = strip(msg).length,
-        diff      = lineWidth - 4 - msgLength;
+    let msgLength = strip(msg).length,
+      diff = LINE_WIDTH - 4 - msgLength;
     write(msg + Array(diff + 1).join(' '));
   }
 
@@ -541,6 +534,6 @@
 
   /** prints a horizontal line to the terminal */
   function line () {
-    log(Array(lineWidth + 1).join('-'));
+    log(Array(LINE_WIDTH + 1).join('-'));
   }
 })();