buildtooldepend

Buildtooldepend is a term used in some packaging and build systems to denote dependencies on tools that are required to build software, but not needed to run the software once built. It is intended to separate the software’s required build-time utilities from its runtime and even from other build-time dependencies, making the build environment more explicit and reproducible.

In practice, buildtooldepend may appear as a dedicated field or tag in a package’s metadata. Different ecosystems use different naming conventions; some may refer to it as build tool dependencies, native build dependencies, or a distinct build tool requirement category. Not all packaging systems include an explicit buildtooldepend field, and in many cases build tools are counted among general build-time dependencies or handled by the toolchain itself. When present, buildtooldepend helps ensure that essential utilities such as compilers, code generators, or configuration tools are available in the build environment.

Common examples of items that might be listed under buildtooldepend include compilers (gcc, clang), interpreters or runtimes used by build scripts (python, perl, ruby), build systems and generators (autoconf, automake, cmake, meson, ninja), and support tools (pkg-config, libtool). Some projects also require language-specific toolchains (JDK for certain Java builds, Rust toolchain for Rust projects).

The use of buildtooldepend supports reproducible builds, easier cross-platform builds, and clearer maintenance by explicitly declaring build prerequisites. Adoption varies by project and distribution, and where not supported, tools may be inferred from other build-dependency fields or managed through external toolchains.