diff --git a/pnpm-lock.yaml b/pnpm-lock.yaml
index 9b093c8032..34139840eb 100644
--- a/pnpm-lock.yaml
+++ b/pnpm-lock.yaml
@@ -8660,6 +8660,9 @@ importers:
       render-help:
         specifier: 'catalog:'
         version: 1.0.3
+      semver:
+        specifier: 'catalog:'
+        version: 7.7.4
       symlink-dir:
         specifier: 'catalog:'
         version: 6.0.5
@@ -8682,6 +8685,9 @@ importers:
       '@types/ramda':
         specifier: 'catalog:'
         version: 0.29.12
+      '@types/semver':
+        specifier: 'catalog:'
+        version: 7.5.3
       cross-spawn:
         specifier: 'catalog:'
         version: 7.0.6
diff --git a/tools/plugin-commands-self-updater/package.json b/tools/plugin-commands-self-updater/package.json
index 3610a8fed3..da767f94a5 100644
--- a/tools/plugin-commands-self-updater/package.json
+++ b/tools/plugin-commands-self-updater/package.json
@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@
     "path-temp": "catalog:",
     "ramda": "catalog:",
     "render-help": "catalog:",
+    "semver": "catalog:",
     "symlink-dir": "catalog:"
   },
   "peerDependencies": {
@@ -56,6 +57,7 @@
     "@pnpm/tools.plugin-commands-self-updater": "workspace:*",
     "@types/cross-spawn": "catalog:",
     "@types/ramda": "catalog:",
+    "@types/semver": "catalog:",
     "cross-spawn": "catalog:",
     "nock": "catalog:"
   },
diff --git a/tools/plugin-commands-self-updater/src/selfUpdate.ts b/tools/plugin-commands-self-updater/src/selfUpdate.ts
index 06e07966f7..0610c3d486 100644
--- a/tools/plugin-commands-self-updater/src/selfUpdate.ts
+++ b/tools/plugin-commands-self-updater/src/selfUpdate.ts
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import { readProjectManifest } from '@pnpm/read-project-manifest'
 import { linkBins } from '@pnpm/link-bins'
 import pick from 'ramda/src/pick'
 import renderHelp from 'render-help'
+import semver from 'semver'
 import { installPnpmToTools } from './installPnpmToTools.js'
 
 export function rcOptionsTypes (): Record<string, unknown> {
@@ -23,6 +24,15 @@ export function cliOptionsTypes (): Record<string, unknown> {
 
 export const commandNames = ['self-update']
 
+// Migration guidance printed once when `pnpm self-update` crosses a major
+// boundary. Add an entry here for each future major that ships breaking
+// changes users need to act on.
+const MAJOR_UPGRADE_HINTS: Record<number, string> = {
+  11:
+    'pnpm v11 removed or renamed several v10 settings. ' +
+    'See https://pnpm.io/11.x/migration for migration instructions.',
+}
+
 export function help (): string {
   return renderHelp({
     description: 'Updates pnpm to the latest version (or the one specified)',
@@ -69,6 +79,30 @@ export async function handler (
     throw new PnpmError('CANNOT_RESOLVE_PNPM', `Cannot find "${bareSpecifier}" version of pnpm`)
   }
 
+  // Determine the "previous" pnpm version being upgraded FROM. If the
+  // project pins pnpm via `packageManager`, the pin is the source of
+  // truth — the running pnpm binary may already be at a newer major
+  // (e.g. a globally-installed v11 operating on a project still pinned
+  // to v10). Otherwise fall back to the running binary. Skip the hint
+  // entirely on a no-op (target === previous).
+  const targetVersion = resolution.manifest.version
+  let previousVersion: string | undefined
+  if (opts.wantedPackageManager?.name === packageManager.name && opts.managePackageManagerVersions) {
+    if (opts.wantedPackageManager.version !== targetVersion) {
+      previousVersion = opts.wantedPackageManager.version
+    }
+  } else if (packageManager.version !== targetVersion) {
+    previousVersion = packageManager.version
+  }
+  const previousMajor = previousVersion != null
+    ? semver.coerce(previousVersion)?.major
+    : undefined
+  const targetMajor = semver.major(targetVersion)
+  if (previousMajor != null && targetMajor > previousMajor) {
+    const hint = MAJOR_UPGRADE_HINTS[targetMajor]
+    if (hint) globalWarn(hint)
+  }
+
   if (opts.wantedPackageManager?.name === packageManager.name && opts.managePackageManagerVersions) {
     if (opts.wantedPackageManager?.version !== resolution.manifest.version) {
       const { manifest, writeProjectManifest } = await readProjectManifest(opts.rootProjectManifestDir)