IMR6/libraries/linux/graalvm/lib/svm/skills/build-native-image-maven/SKILL.md

name, description

name	description
build-native-image-maven	Build GraalVM native images using the native-maven-plugin (org.graalvm.buildtools). Use this skill to build Java applications with Maven, configure pom.xml native image settings, run native tests, collect metadata, or resolve build or runtime issues.

Maven Native Image Build

Prerequisites

• Set JAVA_HOME to a GraalVM JDK installation so the plugin can find native-image.
• Do not require GRAALVM_HOME in the normal case. Only mention it if the user already relies on it or their environment needs an explicit override.
• Use Maven 3.6+.

Plugin Setup

Add the following to your pom.xml inside a native profile:

<profiles>
  <profile>
    <id>native</id>
    <build>
      <plugins>
        <plugin>
          <groupId>org.graalvm.buildtools</groupId>
          <artifactId>native-maven-plugin</artifactId>
          <version>0.11.1</version>
          <extensions>true</extensions>
          <executions>
            <execution>
              <id>build-native</id>
              <goals>
                <goal>compile-no-fork</goal>
              </goals>
              <phase>package</phase>
            </execution>
            <execution>
              <id>test-native</id>
              <goals>
                <goal>test</goal>
              </goals>
              <phase>test</phase>
            </execution>
          </executions>
          <configuration>
            <mainClass>org.example.Main</mainClass>
          </configuration>
        </plugin>
      </plugins>
    </build>
  </profile>
</profiles>

Build and Run

./mvnw -Pnative package                    # Build native image → target/<imageName>
./target/myapp                             # Run the native executable
./mvnw -Pnative test                       # Build and run JUnit tests as a native image
./mvnw -Pnative -DskipTests package        # Skip all tests
./mvnw -Pnative -DskipNativeTests package  # Run JVM tests only, skip native

Plugin Not Resolving or Activating

• "Could not resolve artifact" — Ensure mavenCentral() is in repositories and the version is correct.
• "Could not find goal 'compile-no-fork'" — Verify <extensions>true</extensions> is set on the plugin.
• Build runs without native compilation — Check you are activating the profile: ./mvnw -Pnative package.

Build or Runtime Failures

For class initialization errors, linking issues, memory problems, or unexpected runtime behavior, see references/maven-plugin-options.md.

Missing Reachability Metadata

When native-image reports missing reflection, resources, serialization, or JNI entries, see references/reachability-metadata.md.

Native Testing

For nativeTest failures or setting up native JUnit tests, see references/testing.md.

Reference Files

Topic	File
Plugin configuration options	references/maven-plugin-options.md
Missing reachability metadata	references/reachability-metadata.md
Native testing	references/testing.md