import_workspace.md

Importing a Bazel Workspace

To work on your Bazel Workspace you must first import it.

Prerequisite: Project Views

The import if focused around project views. Project views is a concept introduced by the IntelliJ Bazel plug-in. A default one will be created if you don't have one yet.

Please read all about Project Views and how they work to understand how projects are created in Eclipse.

Prerequisite: Build

Before you import a Bazel Workspace, you should run a command line build of the full workspace. The import will likely fail if there are build errors in the workspace because import uses metadata computed from the BUILD files. Some problems are tolerated (eg., compile issues in leaf targets) but errors in BUILD files will almost certainly break the import.

# recommended (but not required)
bazel build //...

Steps to Import

In Eclipse do the following

• Got to File > Import... > Bazel > Import Bazel Workspace and click Next
• Choose either Select an existing Project View or Select a Bazel Workspace folder

Select an existing Project View

Use this if you have a specific .bazelproject file you want to import. This will ensure the workspace is imported using a .bazelproject file selected in the next step.

Select a Bazel Workspace folder

Use this if you don't have .bazelproject file. A default one will be created in the next step.

Note, After selecting this option you have to click Browse... and select the folder.

What if I already have a .eclipse/.bazelproject file?

Use Select a Bazel Workspace folder in this case. It will be discovered and re-used.

• After clicking Next you will be able to select a .bazelproject file and review the selected file.

• Click Finish to start the import.

The import may take a while. The plug-in will execute a couple of Bazel queries and builds to compute all required information.

Next Topic: Sync & Build

The next page in our guide discusses Sync & Build of the Bazel Eclipse Feature.