Hey all 👋 Can a plugin provide macros? We currently have a bunch of useful macros that we want to share across multiple repositories, so I'm wondering if it's possible to provide those macros though a plugin?

I think a plugin can contain 'build file aliases', by defining a

def build_file_aliases() -> BuildFileAliases:

function in

register.py

, e.g.:

def build_file_aliases() -> BuildFileAliases:
    return BuildFileAliases(
        objects={
            "foo": some_function,
        }
    )

It's a bit different to a macro, though, I think, as it has to work with the internal API for targets etc., rather than calling the external BUILD file ones. (NB. I could easily be wrong, it may be worth repeating the question in the lower-volume #C01CQHVDMMW channel, so people with the right knowledge are more likely to see it.)

Huon is correct, the macros are provided and configured from the project directly, there's currently no mechanism for a plugin to provide this. Build file aliases is an alternative but is slightly different as Huon points out.

Got it, thanks for the response @broad-processor-92400 @curved-television-6568

no, you're right.. that part of the Plugin API is undocumented, so would need to go to the pants sources to find out how to use it..

Could make sense to support macros shipped in plugins

It would be pretty useful imo. Is there any reason why there isn't support for that yet?

Because you haven't added it yet? 😉

Got it, thanks for the response.