Java Maven Gradle Skill

Master Java build tools for efficient project management and CI/CD integration.

Overview

This skill covers Maven and Gradle configuration including dependency management, plugin setup, multi-module projects, and CI/CD pipeline integration. Follows 2024-2025 best practices for both tools.

When to Use This Skill

Use when you need to:

• Set up Maven/Gradle projects
• Manage dependencies with BOMs
• Configure build plugins
• Optimize build performance
• Set up CI/CD pipelines

Topics Covered

Maven

• POM structure and inheritance
• Dependency management with BOMs
• Plugin configuration
• Profiles and properties
• Multi-module projects

Gradle

• Kotlin DSL (build.gradle.kts)
• Dependency catalogs
• Task configuration
• Build cache optimization
• Composite builds

CI/CD Integration

• GitHub Actions workflows
• Dependency caching
• Matrix builds
• Artifact publishing

Quick Reference

Maven POM

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<project xmlns="http://maven.apache.org/POM/4.0.0">
    <modelVersion>4.0.0</modelVersion>

    <groupId>com.example</groupId>
    <artifactId>my-app</artifactId>
    <version>1.0.0-SNAPSHOT</version>

    <properties>
        <java.version>21</java.version>
        <maven.compiler.source>${java.version}</maven.compiler.source>
        <maven.compiler.target>${java.version}</maven.compiler.target>
        <spring-boot.version>3.2.1</spring-boot.version>
    </properties>

    <dependencyManagement>
        <dependencies>
            <dependency>
                <groupId>org.springframework.boot</groupId>
                <artifactId>spring-boot-dependencies</artifactId>
                <version>${spring-boot.version}</version>
                <type>pom</type>
                <scope>import</scope>
            </dependency>
        </dependencies>
    </dependencyManagement>

    <build>
        <plugins>
            <plugin>
                <groupId>org.apache.maven.plugins</groupId>
                <artifactId>maven-enforcer-plugin</artifactId>
                <version>3.4.1</version>
            </plugin>
        </plugins>
    </build>
</project>

Gradle Kotlin DSL

// build.gradle.kts
plugins {
    java
    id("org.springframework.boot") version "3.2.1"
    id("io.spring.dependency-management") version "1.1.4"
}

java {
    toolchain {
        languageVersion = JavaLanguageVersion.of(21)
    }
}

dependencies {
    implementation("org.springframework.boot:spring-boot-starter-web")
    testImplementation("org.springframework.boot:spring-boot-starter-test")
}

tasks.test {
    useJUnitPlatform()
    maxParallelForks = Runtime.getRuntime().availableProcessors() / 2
}

Version Catalog (libs.versions.toml)

[versions]
spring-boot = "3.2.1"
junit = "5.10.1"

[libraries]
spring-boot-starter-web = { module = "org.springframework.boot:spring-boot-starter-web", version.ref = "spring-boot" }
junit-jupiter = { module = "org.junit.jupiter:junit-jupiter", version.ref = "junit" }

[plugins]
spring-boot = { id = "org.springframework.boot", version.ref = "spring-boot" }

CI/CD Templates

# .github/workflows/ci.yml
name: CI
on: [push, pull_request]

jobs:
  build:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
      - uses: actions/setup-java@v4
        with:
          java-version: '21'
          distribution: 'temurin'
          cache: 'maven'  # or 'gradle'
      - run: ./mvnw -B verify

Useful Commands

# Maven
mvn dependency:tree
mvn versions:display-dependency-updates
mvn help:effective-pom

# Gradle
gradle dependencies
gradle dependencyInsight --dependency log4j
gradle build --scan

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Problem	Cause	Solution
Dependency not found	Wrong version	Check Maven Central
Version conflict	Transitive deps	Use BOM or enforcer
Build OOM	Heap too small	Set MAVEN_OPTS
Slow builds	No caching	Enable build cache

Debug Checklist

□ Check effective POM/build
□ Analyze dependency tree
□ Verify repository order
□ Check plugin versions
□ Review build cache

Usage

Skill("java-maven-gradle")

Related Skills

• java-maven - Maven specific
• java-gradle - Gradle specific