alr

Create a binary or library project

$ alr init [--bin|--lib] [project_name]

$ alr add [crate]

$ alr run

$ alr build [--release|--development|--validation]

alr [global-options] COMMAND [cmd-options] [args]

-h, --help
    Print help for command or subcommand

-V, --version
    Display alr version

-v, --verbose [n]
    Set verbosity (0-4; repeatable for higher)

-q, --quiet
    Reduce verbosity by one level

--root[=DIR]
    Explicit crate root directory (default: auto-detect)

--here
    Force current directory as crate root

--no-external-pkg-trees
    Ignore external package trees (use only alire dir)

--no-switch
    Do not auto-switch debug/release profile

--alire-index=URL
    Override catalog index URL

--alire-host=URL
    Override binary host URL

--keep-going
    Continue on non-fatal errors

--jobs[=n]
    Parallel jobs for build (default: auto)

alr is the command-line tool for Alire, a modern package manager and build assistant for Ada and SPARK projects. It streamlines Ada development by automating dependency resolution, project creation, building, testing, and publishing.

Alire manages crates (self-contained Ada libraries or applications) via a central index of indexed releases. It supports multiple Ada toolchains like GNAT Community, GNAT Pro, and others, generating standard GPRbuild project files.

Core workflows:
• alr init creates new crates with predefined templates (binary, library, etc.).
• alr with or alr get adds dependencies, fetching and configuring them.
• alr build compiles with full dependency closure.
• alr run, alr test execute binaries/tests.
• alr publish shares crates to the index.

Alire ensures reproducibility with locked dependency versions, switchable profiles (debug/release), and integration with CI/CD. It's cross-platform, lightweight, and requires no central registry login for basic use.

Requires GNAT toolchain (GPRbuild). Not in standard repos; install via curl -sfL https://alire.ada.dev/install.sh | sh or distro packages. Needs internet for index/deps initially. SPARK features require prover tools.

init [flags]: New crate
build: Compile
run: Execute binary
with pkg: Add dep
get pkg: Fetch dep
update: Sync deps
test: Run tests
publish: Share crate

alr init --bin myapp
cd myapp
alr with aws # e.g., add AWS
alr build
alr run
See alr help for details.

Alire launched in 2019 by AdaCore/collaborators as AdaCore's answer to Cargo-like tooling. Stable 1.0 in 2020; now v2+ supports SPARK, toolchains, binaries. Actively maintained with community contributions.

gprbuild(1), gnat(1), gnatmake(1), git(1)