Run a Binary Target

Problem

Your project is a Thrift server, command-line tool, or other binary target that you want to execute.

Solution

The run goal enables you to run Scala, Java, or Python executables. Here's an example:

$ ./pants run myproject:bin

If you need to pass in command-line arguments when running an executable, see Pass Command-line Arguments to an Executable. If you're working on a Scala or Java project and need to pass in JVM options, see Specify JVM Options.

Discussion

Scala and Java

The run goal will both compile and execute a binary target. For Scala and Java projects, you can run any target with a jvm_binary definition. Here's an example of a BUILD file that would enable you to run a Scala or Java target:

jvm_binary(
  name='bin',
  basename='my-executable',
  ...
)

You can also run a Scala or Java binary target without compiling it first, using the run-dirty goal:

$ ./pants run-dirty src/scala/com/myorg/myproject/example:bin

Python

For Python projects, executables are specified using a python_binary definition. Here's an example:

python_binary(
  name='bin',
  basename='my-executable',
  ...
)

See Also

• Compile a Library Target
• Define a JVM Executable
• Specify a Python Executable (PEX)
• Pass Command-line Arguments to an Executable
• Specify JVM Options