How to build jars from IntelliJ properly?

Question

I have a project that contains a single module, and some dependencies. I'd like to create a jar, in a separate directory, that contains the compiled module. In addition, I'd like to have the dependencies present beside my module.

No matter how I twist IntelliJ's "build jar" process, the output of my module appears empty (besides a META-INF file).

score 692 · Accepted Answer · edited Mar 05 '20 at 20:13

692

Here's how to build a jar with IntelliJ 10 http://blogs.jetbrains.com/idea/2010/08/quickly-create-jar-artifact/

File -> Project Structure -> Project Settings -> Artifacts -> Click green plus sign -> Jar -> From modules with dependencies...

The above sets the "skeleton" to where the jar will be saved to. To actually build and save it do the following:

Extract to the target Jar

OK

Build | Build Artifact | Build

Try Extracting the .jar file from

ProjectName | out | artifacts | ProjectName_jar | ProjectName.jar

edited Mar 05 '20 at 20:13

Saeed

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answered Feb 04 '11 at 18:06

simao

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It fails when some classes in your included jar are signed with RSA. – Asif Shahzad Mar 07 '12 at 13:01
Link is dead. Do you have a copy of this article? – James Schek May 31 '13 at 03:36
This creates a jar file with the class files (and the structure) only. I'm using gradle. – codepleb Feb 26 '16 at 10:28
For me it worked on 2016.2.1, but you have to first check the mark "Build on make" in the menu where you set the output directory, then you have to Run the application in Intellij so it generates the jar – sgirardin Aug 17 '16 at 12:33
how can generate Tomcat embedded jar? – Mahdi Apr 17 '17 at 08:12
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@AsifShahzad see this answer for building jar files with signed dependencies: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/41746177/how-do-i-create-a-runnable-jar-in-intellij-as-i-would-in-eclipse/43855741#43855741. – May 16 '17 at 06:08
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This method still fails, the jar file doesn't execute – samuel owino Jun 27 '17 at 10:20
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Be reminded to choose the correct `Main Class`, while doing `Create JAR from Modules`. Otherwise the JAR file will never work as you expected. – Jeff Hu Jul 31 '17 at 09:21
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It seems someone has really worked very hard to not make it work. It is such a shame it never works. I have tried at least 50 different answers and none of it worked. And its the same story every single time. Now I reserve a week to just output it as a jar as everyone in our company thinks its a genuine effort that needs to be go in producing an output jar. – Awesome Jan 15 '18 at 09:02
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As many wrote before me, this is a simplification that sometime works. Please see @zsolt tolvali's answer below. It would be good from IntelliJ's perspective to make the JAR creation process a DEFAULT ACTIVITY when creating a new project, because very few people do not need it! – Etamar Laron Mar 14 '18 at 06:51
I sleected class, but get error message: "not acceptable" – plaidshirt Apr 26 '18 at 09:11
47

it is almost 2020, and we have self driving car almost and we still can not figure out how to create executable jar in Intellij – 1234 Dec 06 '19 at 02:30
I can't thank you enough for this after literally wasting 2 hours of my life trying to figure out how to tell Maven that I want the dependencies to come with the generated jar. – Washington A. Ramos Aug 16 '20 at 04:34
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After trying 100 times to make a jar using intelliJ, I finally found a solution. Open Eclipse --> export as Jar. Done. – manikanta nvsr Aug 19 '20 at 06:25
how are Java IDEs still so garbage... this is insane – D.O. Dec 18 '20 at 11:30

score 326 · Answer 2 · edited Sep 15 '18 at 08:45

326

This is still an issue in 2017, I hope it will help somebody out there! I found 2 possibilities to create working jar-s under IntelliJ 2017.2

1. Creating artifact from IntelliJ:

Go to project structure:

Create a new artifact:

Select the main class, and be sure to change the manifest folder:

You have to change manifest directory:

<project folder>\src\main\java

replace "java" with "resources"

<project folder>\src\main\resources

This is how it should look like:

Then you choose the dependencies what you want to be packed IN your jar, or NEAR your jar file
To build your artifact go to build artifacts and choose "rebuild". It will create an "out" folder with your jar file and its dependencies.

2. Using maven-assembly-plugin

Add build section to the pom file

    <build>
        <plugins>
            <plugin>
                <artifactId>maven-assembly-plugin</artifactId>
                <configuration>
                    <finalName>ServiceCreate</finalName>
                    <appendAssemblyId>false</appendAssemblyId>
                    <archive>
                        <manifest>
                            <mainClass>com.svt.optimoo.App</mainClass>
                        </manifest>
                    </archive>
                    <descriptorRefs>
                        <descriptorRef>jar-with-dependencies</descriptorRef>
                    </descriptorRefs>
                </configuration>
            </plugin>
            <plugin>
                <groupId>org.apache.maven.plugins</groupId>
                <artifactId>maven-compiler-plugin</artifactId>
                <configuration>
                    <source>1.8</source>
                    <target>1.8</target>
                </configuration>
            </plugin>
        </plugins>
    </build>

Create a new run/debug configuration:

Choose application:

Fill in the form
Add the "assembly:single" maven goal after build to be executed last

Save it, then run

This procedure will create the jar file under the "target" folder

edited Sep 15 '18 at 08:45

Zemljoradnik

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answered Jul 25 '17 at 12:41

Zsolt Tolvaly

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change manifest directory to src/resources is the key point !!! thanks~ – fantouch Nov 28 '17 at 12:28
4

This MANIFEST path is the most critical one, thanks @Zsolt Tolvaly – fruqi Mar 30 '18 at 09:47
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I was getting `no main manifest attribute` adopting above solutions. No one has mentioned changing the `path to manifest`. Thnx!! – Prometheus Sep 02 '18 at 05:46
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this should be the top answer. Thanks! – Giorgos Lamprakis Oct 17 '18 at 09:59
how about source code in scala ? java is not what I'm using – Kiwy Feb 20 '19 at 15:52
I need to give this more upvotes. That path thing was a killer – D2TheC Sep 02 '19 at 17:17
**Select the main class, and ...** made the job! – CodeToLife Feb 03 '20 at 10:44
I think this should be the best answer. – Pronoy999 Aug 13 '20 at 07:55
Instead of resources, you can also change the directory to the one above java, e.g. `...\src\main\java` -> `...\src\main` and it works. Jet Brains should really fix this default, it's still a problem in 2020.1.4. – Keeely Sep 22 '20 at 10:19
@Keeely I think they fixed it. The default is now `...\src\main\resourses` and if you don't have a manifest file there, a file will be created automatically. – Roy Cohen Dec 12 '20 at 21:41
I am getting no main manifest attribute, but it is in there and I followed all the gradle steps perfectly? – Trajan Apr 07 '21 at 09:12

score 145 · Answer 3 · edited Dec 19 '15 at 17:09

145

I recently had this problem and think these steps are easy to follow if any prior solution or link is missing detail.

How to create a .jar using IntelliJ IDEA 14.1.5:

File > Save All.
Run driver or class with main method.
File > Project Structure.
Select Tab "Artifacts".
Click green plus button near top of window.
Select JAR from Add drop down menu. Select "From modules with dependencies"
Select main class.
The radio button should be selecting "extract to the target JAR." Press OK.
Check the box "Build on make"
Press apply and OK.
From the main menu, select the build dropdown.
Select the option build artifacts.

edited Dec 19 '15 at 17:09

RAnders00

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answered Oct 13 '15 at 20:13

user5442490

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did you miss something ? There is an option about module what should be that. In my case it's creating JAR but JVM through error due to security. – sonus21 Oct 24 '15 at 21:26
i think that list is everything. You might have something with your java settings stopping it due to security. Does anyone else have thoughts on this? – user5442490 Dec 11 '15 at 01:33
Followed the same and I have Error: Could not find or load main class JavaFundamentals.jar when running this jar file. Explained here: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/40636790/intellij-build-wrong-jar-could-not-find-or-load-main-class – laggerok19 Nov 16 '16 at 20:08
Does this 12 step process have to be taken every time I want to build a jar, or will IntelliJ remember these actions so you can use a shortcut to it? – Andy Apr 13 '18 at 16:16

score 39 · Answer 4 · edited Mar 05 '20 at 20:14

39

For those that benefit from images as I do:

File -> Project Structure

edited Mar 05 '20 at 20:14

Saeed

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answered May 08 '17 at 17:40

Crt

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@samuelowino i don't appreciate you saying that. Explain what "doesn't work at all". – Crt Jun 27 '17 at 12:43
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Hey @Crt I was not checking the right jar file, apparently, Inteliji produced two jar files on different directories, apologies, my bad, your solution works, thanks – samuel owino Jun 28 '17 at 08:01
@Crt I tried the above steps. but i keep getting no main manifest attribute, in myFile-0.1.jar – tharindu Apr 10 '21 at 02:05

score 23 · Answer 5 · edited Mar 05 '20 at 20:16

Here are 2 examples with maven project, step by step:

Method 1: Build jar with maven and pom.xml

File, new, project, maven
create a package , create a java program inside that package

at pom.xml, add maven-jar-plugin.

    <plugin>
        <!-- Build an executable JAR -->
        <groupId>org.apache.maven.plugins</groupId>
        <artifactId>maven-jar-plugin</artifactId>
        <version>3.1.0</version>
        <configuration>
            <archive>
                <manifest>
                    <addClasspath>true</addClasspath>
                    <classpathPrefix>lib/</classpathPrefix>
                    <mainClass>somePackage.sample</mainClass>
                </manifest>
            </archive>
        </configuration>
    </plugin>

screen capture: 4. open maven project box by click on the search icon and type maven,

click on clean, then click on install
your jar file will show up inside the target folder
test your jar using java -jar

Method 2: Build jar with maven without pom.xml change

File, new, project, maven
create a package , create a java program inside that package (same as above)
File -> Project Structure -> Project Settings -> Artifacts -> Click green plus sign -> Jar -> From modules with dependencies

Very important!

The MANIFEST.MF needs to be in your resources folder and the Main.Class needs to refer to {package}-{class-name-that-contains-main-class}

then click build on menu , build artifacts, build

find the jar in the out folder

run it :)

this works. Can you explain why MANIFEST.MF needs to be in that directory? — Ubeogesh, May 21 '20 at 13:38
This is very helpful! The second option worked best for me. Just a quick update: IntelliJ opens an extra wizard to create the manifest file. This will allow you to create it and place it in the right location without having to write anything. — Microbob, Jul 02 '20 at 04:30

score 7 · Answer 6 · edited Jun 20 '20 at 09:12

7

When i use these solution this error coming:

java -jar xxxxx.jar

no main manifest attribute, in xxxxx.jar

and solution is:

You have to change manifest directory:

<project folder>\src\main\java

change java to resources

<project folder>\src\main\resources

edited Jun 20 '20 at 09:12

Community

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answered Feb 20 '19 at 07:49

Saeed

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I already have this, but still have a problem – Trajan Apr 07 '21 at 09:13

jbakirov · Answer 7 · 2015-08-06T09:58:21.860

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It is probably little bit late, but I managed to solve it this way -> open with winrar and delete ECLIPSEF.RSA and ECLIPSEF.SF in META-INF folder, moreover put "Main-class: main_class_name" (without ".class") in MANIFEST.MF. Make sure that you pressed "Enter" twice after the last line, otherwise it won't work.

edited Aug 06 '15 at 09:58

answered Jun 27 '15 at 16:23

jbakirov

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For signed dependencies, please have a look at this answer: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/41746177/how-do-i-create-a-runnable-jar-in-intellij-as-i-would-in-eclipse/43855741#43855741 – May 16 '17 at 06:12
What an insane issue. Any idea why this happens or how to fix? This feels hacky – Andrew No Apr 21 '18 at 22:42

score 3 · Answer 8 · answered Apr 18 '19 at 16:55

3

I was trying to build a jar from a multi-module Kotlin app and was getting the notorious 'no main manifest attribute' error. Creating the manifest directory in src/main/resources didn't work either.

Instead, it works when creating it in src directly: src/META-INF/MANIFEST.MF.

answered Apr 18 '19 at 16:55

Tobias Uhmann

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Hi, Thanks it's working fine. But now I have a new error that it's not finding the resources "java.desktop/javax.swing.ImageIcon java.lang.NullPointerException" – Shivam Mathur Jan 28 '20 at 07:34

score 2 · Answer 9 · edited Mar 07 '17 at 09:29

With Maven you can use this plugin:

 <build>
    <plugins>

        <plugin>
            <artifactId>maven-assembly-plugin</artifactId>
            <configuration>
                <archive>
                    <manifest>
                        <mainClass>[path you class main]</mainClass>
                    </manifest>
                </archive>
                <descriptorRefs>
                    <descriptorRef>jar-with-dependencies</descriptorRef>
                </descriptorRefs>
            </configuration>
            <executions>
                <execution>
                    <id>make-assembly</id>
                    <phase>package</phase> 
                    <goals>
                        <goal>single</goal>
                    </goals>
                </execution>
            </executions>
        </plugin>
    </plugins>
</build>

score 2 · Answer 10 · answered Jun 03 '19 at 03:19

2

As the people above says, but I have to note one point. You have to check the checkbox:

Include in project build

answered Jun 03 '19 at 03:19

Benchur Wong

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score 1 · Answer 11 · answered Jul 04 '09 at 21:15

1

Idea 8.1.3

Jar is ok, since there is compiled output in 'output' directory (project/out/production//)

I guess, you have to run 'make' before building jar

for dependencies just check "show library" and choose what you want.

answered Jul 04 '09 at 21:15

Vugluskr

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Without gradle its working properly but when i build gradle based project in IntelliJIdea its show C:\Validate\out\artifacts\Validate_jar>java -jar Validate.jar Error: Could not find or load main class Validate Caused by: java.lang.ClassNotFoundException: Validate – Gyan Swaroop Awasthi Aug 13 '20 at 14:44

score 1 · Answer 12 · answered Mar 04 '19 at 23:00

My problem was this: I used Intellij IDEA (tried different versions) + Gradle. When I compiled the project and builded artifacf jar, as indicated in the above responses, I received an error - "no main manifest attrubute ..."

This solution worked for me (special thanks to Thilina Ashen Gamage (see above) for tip):

Excerpt - if you use external libraries and build a project through Project Settings - Artifacts - Add (+) - Jar - From modules with dependencies, then probably because of a program bug the META-INF folder with MANIFEST_MF file not including to jar. To avoid it create EMPTY jar file.

Project Settings - Artifacts - Add (+) - Jar - EMPTY JAR. META-INF folder will added to resources folder. Then select your main class. You will see following jar structure: Note the presence of a folder META-INF Then you can build your project and build artifacts. This solution worked for javaFX applications too.

score 1 · Answer 13 · answered Mar 25 '21 at 10:04

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Using

mvn clean package spring-boot:repackage

type above command inside IntelliJ Terminal. It generates a Target file with Executable Jar.

answered Mar 25 '21 at 10:04

bhavya

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Gary Rowe · Answer 14 · 2014-10-30T09:16:54.800

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You might want to take a look at Maven (http://maven.apache.org). You can use it either as the main build process for your application, or just to perform certain tasks through the Edit Configurations dialog. The process of creating a JAR of a module within Maven is fairly trivial, if you want it to include all the dependencies in a self-executable JAR that is trivial as well.

If you've never used Maven before then you want to read Better Builds With Maven.

edited Oct 30 '14 at 09:16

answered Feb 05 '10 at 09:52

Gary Rowe

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Maven is obviously overhead for a simple tasks like creating jar. Maybe Ant but not maven for sure. – Juriy Jun 02 '10 at 17:46
Link is dead (Oct 2014) – KathyA. Oct 29 '14 at 15:46
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@KathyA. Thanks - updated to use the Maven team's recommendations. – Gary Rowe Oct 30 '14 at 09:17
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If it's so trivial, why not include it in your answer? – nuzzolilo Jan 27 '15 at 09:32
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Because I wish the reader to visit the site and begin the learning process. – Gary Rowe Jan 27 '15 at 14:02

score 0 · Answer 15 · answered Apr 08 '17 at 19:10

If you are using third party libraries with your project or if you have problems with creating MANIFEST.MF file properly, there can be conflicts when running JAR files generated using

File > Project Structure > Artifacts > '+' > JAR > From modules with dependencies > .....

method mentioned above.

Instead I suggest you to create an empty JAR and add all other elements to the output root manually. A wonderful blog article for this method can be found here: http://karthicraghupathi.com/2016/07/10/creating-an-executable-jar-in-intellij-idea/ I tried the steps mentioned there and everything worked fine for me!

Thanks, this helped me! There appears to be a bug in Intellij where the manifest of the project is overwritten in the JAR by a default manifest if you select "JAR" as the artifact type instead of "Other". — red, Aug 02 '17 at 20:13

score 0 · Answer 16 · answered Mar 25 '18 at 17:53

Some of the other answers are useless because as soon as you re-import the IntelliJ IDEA project from the maven project, all changes will be lost.

The building of the jar needs to be triggered by a run/debug configuration, not by the project settings.

Jetbrains has a nice description of how you can accomplish this here:

https://www.jetbrains.com/help/idea/maven.html

Scroll down to the section called "Configuring triggers for Maven goals".

(The only disadvantage of their description is that their screenshots are in the default black-on-white color scheme instead of the super-awesome darcula theme. Ugh!)

So, basically, what you do is that you open the "Maven Projects" panel, you find the project of interest, (in your case, the project that builds your jar,) underneath it you find the maven goal that you want to execute, (usually the "package" goal creates jars,) you open up the context menu on it, (right-click on a Windows machine,) and there will be an "Execute before Run/Debug..." option that you can select and it will take you by the hand from there. Really easy.

score 0 · Answer 17 · answered Jul 07 '18 at 13:57

0

In case you are trying to build a jar with kotlin you need to create a src/main/java folder and use this folder as a location for the META-INF folder.

answered Jul 07 '18 at 13:57

Chris

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score 0 · Answer 18 · answered Jan 07 '19 at 12:26

Here is the official answer of IntelliJ IDEA 2018.3 Help. I tried and It worked.

To build a JAR file from a module;

On the main menu, choose Build | Build Artifact.

From the drop-down list, select the desired artifact of the type JAR. The list shows all the artifacts configured for the current project. To have all the configured artifacts built, choose the Build all artifacts option.

score 0 · Answer 19 · answered Jul 22 '20 at 11:33

In case you are reading this answer because you are facing "resource file not found" error, try this:

File -> Project Structure -> Artiface -> New, type is Other.
Give it a nice name, and in the Output Layout, press Create Archive to create a new jar, and again, give it a nice name ;)
Click on the jar you just added, add your compiled module output in the jar.
Click on the jar again, in the lower pane, select your project path and add Manifest File then set correct Main Class and Class Path.
Click Add Library Files, and select libraries you need (you can use Ctrl+A to select all).
Build -> Build Artifact -> Clean & Build and see if the error is gone.

score 0 · Answer 20 · edited Jan 28 '21 at 09:36

0

Use Gradle to build your project, then the jar is within the build file. Here is a Stack Overflow link on how to build .jar files with Gradle.

Java project with Gradle and building jar file in Intellij IDEA - how to?

edited Jan 28 '21 at 09:36

Community

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answered Jan 26 '21 at 23:14

KeepAtIt

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score -3 · Answer 21 · answered Oct 23 '18 at 18:57

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If you are working on spring/mvn project you can use this command:

mvn package -DskipTests

The jar file will be saved on target directoy.

answered Oct 23 '18 at 18:57

Hans Pour

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score -4 · Answer 22 · answered Jun 03 '10 at 07:41

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Ant and Maven are widely used. I prefer Ant, I feel it's more lightweight and you the developer are more in control. Some would suggest that's its downside :-)

answered Jun 03 '10 at 07:41

Brian

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This does nothing to explain why the error is happening. – baordog Jun 01 '17 at 17:23

How to build jars from IntelliJ properly?

22 Answers22

Method 1: Build jar with maven and pom.xml

Method 2: Build jar with maven without pom.xml change

Very important!

Linked

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