diff --git a/delegate.go b/delegate.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c4f5f24
--- /dev/null
+++ b/delegate.go
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+
+	"github.com/ipfs/kubo/repo/fsrepo/migrations"
+)
+
+// maxLegacyRepoVersion is the last repo version that requires ipfs-update.
+// Kubo v0.37+ migrated to repo version 17 and embedded migration tooling,
+// making ipfs-update unnecessary.
+const maxLegacyRepoVersion = 16
+
+// exitIfBuiltinUpdateAvailable checks the IPFS repo version and exits
+// with guidance to use `ipfs update` when Kubo v0.37+ is detected.
+func exitIfBuiltinUpdateAvailable() {
+	repoVer, err := migrations.RepoVersion("")
+	if err != nil {
+		return
+	}
+	if repoVer <= maxLegacyRepoVersion {
+		return
+	}
+
+	fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "IPFS repo version %d (> %d) detected, indicating Kubo v0.37 or later.\n", repoVer, maxLegacyRepoVersion)
+	fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr, "ipfs-update is no longer needed. Use `ipfs update --help` instead.\n")
+	os.Exit(1)
+}
diff --git a/main.go b/main.go
index 359f294..912c7e4 100644
--- a/main.go
+++ b/main.go
@@ -48,6 +48,8 @@ Otherwise you can close this window.`, exeName, windowsHelpURL)
 		}
 	}
 
+	exitIfBuiltinUpdateAvailable()
+
 	app := cli.NewApp()
 	app.Usage = "Update ipfs."
 	app.Version = CurrentVersionNumber
diff --git a/version.json b/version.json
index f4c86bc..0280025 100644
--- a/version.json
+++ b/version.json
@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
 {
-  "version": "v1.9.0"
+  "version": "v1.10.0"
 }