How to automatically Build JAR with Code

Question

Is there a way to automatically build the JAR file whenever I build the code in IntelliJ IDEA?

Answer

Yes, you can configure IntelliJ IDEA to include your JAR files in the normal project build process. Here are the steps:

1. Open File > Project Structure.
2. Select Artifacts on the left side of the dialog.
3. Find and select your JAR artifact.
4. Enable the checkbox labeled Include in project build.

After doing this, every time you perform a Build | Build Project, IntelliJ IDEA will rebuild your JAR file alongside the code.

Alternatively, if you only need the JAR file rebuilt before running a specific Run/Debug configuration (and not on every project build), you can:

1. Go to your specific Run/Debug configuration settings.
2. Add a Before launch | Build Artifacts step for your selected JAR artifact.

This setup ensures the JAR file is rebuilt every time you execute that specific Run/Debug configuration.

For more details, refer to the official IntelliJ IDEA documentation: Working with Artifacts.