i think the changes i described in this comment (https://github.com/pantsbuild/pants/pull/5703#issuecomment-381384226) would be a good use of time to implement but even with stu's very helpful comment below i can't figure out how to implement it without having the scheduler run the

execute_process_noop

rule (which just throws because it shouldn't be run). i have a branch up with my attempts -- would this be enough context to make into a separate issue for someone to pick up if it turns out to really be that easy?