just

Project Overview

just is a handy way to save and run project-specific commands. Commands (called recipes) are stored in a justfile with syntax inspired by make.

Key Features

• Command runner, not a build system, avoiding make's complexity
• Supports Linux, macOS, Windows, and other unixes with no additional dependencies
• Specific and informative error messages
• Recipes can accept command-line arguments
• Rich expression language and built-in functions
• .env file loading support
• Multi-file organization with modules and imports

Target Audience

• Developers needing project command management
• Users looking for a make alternative
• Cross-platform project maintainers

Quick Start

1. Install via package manager: cargo install just
2. Create a justfile
3. Write recipes
4. Run: just RECIPE
5. List available recipes: just --list

Core Advantages

• Simpler than make, no .PHONY needed
• Cross-platform with no extra dependencies
• Static error resolution, detects circular dependencies early
• Recipes can be written in any language

System Requirements

• OS: Linux, macOS, Windows, BSD
• Architectures: x86_64, arm64
• Additional Dependencies: sh (Windows via Git for Windows)

Notes

• Filename is justfile, not Makefile
• Full documentation at just.systems/man/en/