23make

23make is an open-source build automation tool intended to replace traditional Make-like systems. It uses a declarative build graph, automatic dependency tracking, and reproducible builds, emphasizing speed, safety, and cross-platform support. The core is written in Rust and supports extensions through plugins in Rust or Python.

Originating in 2023 as a community-driven effort to address limitations of existing tools, 23make evolved through contributions from developers and sponsors. The first stable release appeared in late 2023, with major updates in 2024 adding remote caching, parallel execution, and a simplified 23makefile format.

Key features include a directed acyclic build graph, hermetic environments, incremental builds, and optional remote caching via cloud or self-hosted services. The system is platform-agnostic (Windows, macOS, Linux) and extensible via a plugin architecture that supports language-specific rules and custom builders.

Usage centers on defining a 23makefile or 23config that declares targets and commands. Common workflows run 23make build, 23make test, and 23make deploy, with variables, conditionals, and phony targets supported. The tool also integrates with continuous integration pipelines and can export a build graph for visualization.

Reception has been mixed. Some OSS projects adopted 23make for faster, deterministic builds and easier maintenance, while others note a learning curve and a smaller ecosystem compared with legacy tools. It is released under the MIT license and maintained by an active international community.