cargo-smart-build

Interactive cargo subcommand to easily select, configure, and build workspace crates with remembered preferences.

Note: This tool is still under development with new features still underway.

The Problem

Working in a multi-crate workspace often means typing repetitive, long commands: cargo build -p <package> --features <feature1,feature2> --release

The Solution

cargo smart-build remembers your choices.

Simply run cargo smart-build once, select your package and features interactively, and build. Next time? Just run it again—it remembers everything.

Features

• Interactive Workspace Selection: Automatically detects workspace members and lets you select the package to build from a list.
• Execution Modes:
  • cargo smart-build (or build): Builds the selected crate.
  • cargo smart-build run: Builds and runs the binary.
  • cargo smart-build test: Runs tests for the selected crate/features.
• Target Selector:
  • Auto-detects installed Rust targets via rustup.
  • Allows selecting a specific target architecture (e.g., wasm32-unknown-unknown) or using the default native target.
  • Supports installing new targets directly from the UI.
  • Seamless Cross-Compilation: Automatically switches to use cross when a non-native target is selected (requires Docker).
  • Auto-Install: Prompts to install cross if it's missing.
• Smart Defaults: Remembers your last selected package, build mode, target, and features. These are pre-selected (and highlighted in green) the next time you run the tool.
• Build Mode Toggle: Easily switch between Debug and Release builds without manual flags.
• Feature Management:
  • Lists all available features for the selected package (excluding default).
  • Allows multi-selection of features.
  • Remembers enabled features for each package.
• Persistence: Saves your preferences locally in a .smart-build/config.json file, so your environment is always ready.

Installation

Install via cargo:

cargo install cargo-smart-build

Usage

1. Navigate to the root of your Cargo workspace.

2. Run one of the following commands:

   # Build only
   cargo smart-build 
   
   # Run binary
   cargo smart-build run
   
   # Run tests
   cargo smart-build test

3. Follow the interactive prompts:

   • Select Package: Choose the crate you want to build/run/test.
   • Select Build Mode: Choose Debug or Release.
   • Select Features: Toggle features on/off (Space to select, Enter to confirm).

4. The tool will execute the appropriate cargo command (build, run, test).

Configuration

Your preferences are stored in .smart-build/config.json in your workspace root. You can add .smart-build/ to your .gitignore if you don't want to commit personal build preferences.

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License.