# Upgrading your build from Gradle 7.x to the latest

version 7.6.3

This chapter provides the information you need to migrate your Gradle 7.x builds to the latest Gradle release. For migrating from Gradle 4.x, 5.x, or 6.x, see the older migration guide first.

We recommend the following steps for all users:

1. Try running `gradle help --scan` and view the deprecations view of the generated build scan.

   This is so that you can see any deprecation warnings that apply to your build.

   Alternatively, you could run `gradle help --warning-mode=all` to see the deprecations in the console, though it may not report as much detailed information.

2. Update your plugins.

   Some plugins will break with this new version of Gradle, for example because they use internal APIs that have been removed or changed. The previous step will help you identify potential problems by issuing deprecation warnings when a plugin does try to use a deprecated part of the API.

3. Run `gradle wrapper --gradle-version 7.6.3` to update the project to 7.6.3.

4. Try to run the project and debug any errors using the Troubleshooting Guide.

## Upgrading from 7.5 and earlier

### Updates to Attribute Disambiguation Rules related methods

The `AttributeSchema.setAttributeDisambiguationPrecedence(List)` and `AttributeSchema.getAttributeDisambiguationPrecedence()` methods now accept and return `List` instead of `Collection` to better indicate that the order of the elements in those collection is significant.

### Strict Kotlin DSL precompiled script plugins accessors generation

Type safe Kotlin DSL accessors generation for precompiled script plugins does not fail the build by default if a plugin requested in such precompiled scripts fails to be applied. Because the cause could be environmental and for backwards compatibility reasons, this behaviour hasn’t changed yet.

Back in Gradle 7.1 the `:generatePrecompiledScriptPluginAccessors` task responsible for the accessors generation has been marked as non-cacheable by default. The `org.gradle.kotlin.dsl.precompiled.accessors.strict` system property was introduced in order to offer an opt-in to a stricter mode of operation that fails the build when a plugin application fails, and enable the build cache for that task.

Starting with Gradle 7.6, non-strict accessors generation for Kotlin DSL precompiled script plugins has been deprecated. This will change in Gradle 8.0. Strict accessor generation will become the default. To opt in to the strict behavior, set the 'org.gradle.kotlin.dsl.precompiled.accessors.strict' system property to `true`.

This can be achieved persistently in the `gradle.properties` file in your build root directory:

    systemProp.org.gradle.kotlin.dsl.precompiled.accessors.strict=true

### Potential breaking changes

#### Upgrade to Kotlin 1.7.10

The embedded Kotlin has been updated to Kotlin 1.7.10.

Gradle doesn’t ship with the `kotlin-gradle-plugin` but the upgrade to 1.7.10 can bring the new version. For example when you use the `kotlin-dsl` plugin.

The `kotlin-gradle-plugin` version 1.7.10 changes the type hierarchy of the `KotlinCompile` task type. It doesn’t extend from `AbstractCompile` anymore. If you used to select Kotlin compilation tasks by `AbstractCompile` you need to change that to `KotlinCompile`.

For example, this

    tasks.named<AbstractCompile>("compileKotlin")

needs to be changed to

    tasks.named<KotlinCompile>("compileKotlin")

In the same vein, if you used to filter tasks by `AbstractCompile` you won’t obtain the Kotlin compilation tasks anymore:

    tasks.withType<AbstractCompile>().configureEach {
        // ...
    }

needs to be changed to

    tasks.withType<AbstractCompile>().configureEach {
        // ...
    }
    tasks.withType<KotlinCompile>().configureEach {
        // ...
    }

#### Upgrade to Groovy 3.0.13

Groovy has been updated to Groovy 3.0.13.

Since the previous version was 3.0.10, the 3.0.11 and 3.0.12 changes are also included.

#### Upgrade to PMD 6.48.0

PMD has been updated to PMD 6.48.0.

#### Configuring a non-existing executable now fails

When configuring an executable explicitly for `JavaCompile` or `Test` tasks, Gradle will now emit an error if this executable does not exist. In the past, the task would be executed with the default toolchain or JVM running the build.

#### Changes to dependency declarations in Test Suites

As part of the ongoing effort to evolve Test Suites, dependency declarations in the Test Suites `dependencies` block are now strongly typed. This will help make this incubating API more discoverable and easier to use in an IDE.

In some cases, this requires syntax changes. For example, build scripts that previously added Test Suite dependencies with the following syntax:

    testing {
      suites {
        register<JvmTestSuite>("integrationTest") {
          dependencies {
            implementation(project)
          }
        }
      }
    }

will now fail to compile, with a message like:

    None of the following functions can be called with the arguments supplied:
    public operator fun DependencyAdder.invoke(dependencyNotation: CharSequence): Unit defined in org.gradle.kotlin.dsl
    public operator fun DependencyAdder.invoke(dependency: Dependency): Unit defined in org.gradle.kotlin.dsl
    public operator fun DependencyAdder.invoke(files: FileCollection): Unit defined in org.gradle.kotlin.dsl
    public operator fun DependencyAdder.invoke(dependency: Provider<out Dependency>): Unit defined in org.gradle.kotlin.dsl
    public operator fun DependencyAdder.invoke(externalModule: ProviderConvertible<out MinimalExternalModuleDependency>): Unit defined in org.gradle.kotlin.dsl

To fix this, replace the reference to `project` with a call to `project()`:

    testing {
      suites {
        register<JvmTestSuite>("integrationTest") {
          dependencies {
            implementation(project())
          }
        }
      }
    }

Other syntax effected by this change includes:

- You cannot use `Provider<String>` as a dependency declaration.

- You cannot use a `Map` as a dependency declaration for Kotlin or Java.

- You cannot use a bundle as a dependency declaration directly (`implementation(libs.bundles.testing)`). Use `implementation.bundle(libs.bundles.testing)` instead.

For more information, see the updated declare an additional test suite example in the JVM Test Suite Plugin section of the user guide and the `DependencyAdder` page in the DSL reference.

### Deprecations

#### Usage of invalid Java toolchain specifications is now deprecated

Along with the Java language version, the Java toolchain DSL allows configuring other criteria such as specific vendors or VM implementations. Starting with Gradle 7.6, toolchain specifications that configure other properties without specifying the language version are considered invalid. Invalid specifications are deprecated and will become build errors in Gradle 8.0.

See more details about toolchain configuration in the user manual.

#### Deprecated members of the `org.gradle.util` package now report their deprecation

These members will be removed in Gradle 9.0.

- `ClosureBackedAction`

- `CollectionUtils`

- `ConfigureUtil`

- `DistributionLocator`

- `GFileUtils`

- `GradleVersion.getBuildTime()`

- `GradleVersion.getNextMajor()`

- `GradleVersion.getRevision()`

- `GradleVersion.isValid()`

- `GUtil`

- `NameMatcher`

- `NameValidator`

- `RelativePathUtil`

- `TextUtil`

- `SingleMessageLogger`

- `VersionNumber`

- `WrapUtil`

#### Internal DependencyFactory was renamed

The internal `org.gradle.api.internal.artifacts.dsl.dependencies.DependencyFactory` type was renamed to `org.gradle.api.internal.artifacts.dsl.dependencies.DependencyFactoryInternal`. As an internal type, it should not be used, but for compatibility reasons the inner `ClassPathNotation` type is still available. This name for the type is deprecated and will be removed in Gradle 8.0. The public API for this is on `DependencyHandler`, with methods such as `localGroovy()` providing the same functionality.

#### Replacement collections in `org.gradle.plugins.ide.idea.model.IdeaModule`

The `testResourcesDirs` and `testSourcesDirs` fields and their getters and setters have been deprecated. Replace usages with the now stable `getTestSources()` and `getTestResources()` methods and their respective setters. These new methods return and are backed by `ConfigurableFileCollection` instances for improved flexibility of use. Gradle now warns upon usage of these deprecated methods. They will be removed in a future version of Gradle.

#### Replacement methods in `org.gradle.api.tasks.testing.TestReport`

The `getDestinationDir()`, `setDestinationDir(File)`, and `getTestResultsDirs()` and `setTestResultsDirs(Iterable)` methods have been deprecated. Replace usages with the now stable `getDestinationDirectory()` and `getTestResults()` methods and their associated setters. These deprecated elements will be removed in a future version of Gradle.

#### Deprecated implicit references to outer scope methods in some configuration blocks

Prior to Gradle 7.6, Groovy scripts permitted access to root project configure methods within named container configure methods that throw `MissingMethodException`s. Consider the following snippets for examples of this behavior:

Gradle permits access to the top-level `repositories` block from within the `configurations` block when the provided closure is otherwise an invalid configure closure for a Configuration. In this case, the `repositories` closure executes as if it were called at the script-level, and creates an unconfigured `repositories` Configuration:

    configurations {
        repositories {
            mavenCentral()
        }
        someConf {
            canBeConsumed = false
            canBeResolved = false
        }
    }

The behavior also applies to closures which do not immediately execute. In this case, `afterResolve` only executes when the `resolve` task runs. The `distributions` closure is a valid top-level script closure. But it is an invalid configure closure for a Configuration. This example creates the `conf` Configuration immediately. During `resolve` task execution, the `distributions` block executed as if it were declared at the script-level:

    configurations {
        conf.incoming.afterResolve {
            distributions {
                myDist {
                    contents {}
                }
            }
        }
    }

    task resolve {
        dependsOn configurations.conf
        doFirst {
            configurations.conf.files() // Trigger `afterResolve`
        }
    }

As of Gradle 7.6, this behavior is deprecated. Starting with Gradle 8.0, this behavior will be removed. Instead, Gradle will throw the underlying `MissingMethodException`. To mitigate this change, consider the following solutions:

    configurations {
        conf.incoming.afterResolve {
            // Fully qualify the reference.
            project.distributions {
                myDist {
                    contents {}
                }
            }
        }
    }

    configurations {
        conf
    }

    // Extract the script-level closure to the script root scope.
    configurations.conf.incoming.afterResolve {
        distributions {
            myDist {
                contents {}
            }
        }
    }

## Upgrading from 7.4 and earlier

### IncrementalTaskInputs type is deprecated

The `IncrementalTaskInputs` type was used to implement incremental tasks, that is to say tasks that can be optimized to run on a subset of changed inputs instead of the whole input. This type had a number of drawbacks. In particular using this type it was not possible to determine what input a change was associated with.

You should now use the `InputChanges` type instead. Please refer to the userguide section about implementing incremental tasks for more details.

### Potential breaking changes

#### Version catalog only accepts a single TOML import file

Only a single file will be accepted when using a `from` import method. This means that notations, which resolve to multiple files (e.g. the Project.files(java.lang.Object…​) method, when more then one file is passed) will result in a build failure.

#### Updates to default tool integration versions

- Checkstyle has been updated to Checkstyle 8.45.1.

- JaCoCo has been updated to 0.8.8.

#### Classpath file generated by the `eclipse` plugin has changed

Project dependencies defined in test configurations get the `test=true` classpath attribute. All source sets and dependencies defined by the JVM Test Suite plugin are also marked as test code by default. You can now customize test source sets and dependencies via the `eclipse` plugin DSL:

    eclipse {
        classpath {
            testSourceSets = [sourcesSets.test, sourceSets.myTestSourceSet]
            testConfigurations = [configuration.myTestConfiguration]
        }
    }

Alternatively, you can adjust or remove classpath attributes in the `eclipse.classpath.file.whenMerged { }` block.

#### Signing plugin defaults to `gpg` instead of `gpg2` when using the GPG command

The signature plugin’s default executable when using the GPG command changed from `gpg2` to `gpg`. The change was motivated as GPG 2.x became stable, and distributions started to migrate by not linking the `gpg2` executable.

In order to set the old default, the executable can be manually defined in `gradle.properties`:

    signing.gnupg.executable=gpg2

#### `mustRunAfter` constraints no longer violated by `finalizedBy` dependencies

In previous Gradle versions, `mustRunAfter` constraints between regular tasks and finalizer task dependencies would not be honored.

For a concrete example, consider the following task graph definition:

    tasks {
        register("dockerTest") {
            dependsOn("dockerUp")     // dependsOn createContainer mustRunAfter removeContainer
            finalizedBy("dockerStop") // dependsOn removeContainer
        }

        register("dockerUp") {
            dependsOn("createContainer")
        }

        register("dockerStop") {
            dependsOn("removeContainer")
        }

        register("createContainer") {
            mustRunAfter("removeContainer")
        }

        register("removeContainer") {
        }
    }

The relevant constraints are:

- `dockerStop` is a finalizer of `dockerTest` so it must be run after `dockerTest`;

- `removeContainer` is a dependency of `dockerStop` so it must be run before `dockerStop`;

- `createContainer` must run after `removeContainer`;

Prior to Gradle 7.5, `gradle dockerTest` would yield the following order of execution, in violation of the `mustRunAfter` constraint between `:createContainer` and `:removeContainer`:

    > Task :createContainer UP-TO-DATE
    > Task :dockerUp UP-TO-DATE
    > Task :dockerTest UP-TO-DATE
    > Task :removeContainer UP-TO-DATE
    > Task :dockerStop UP-TO-DATE

Starting with Gradle 7.5, `mustRunAfter` constraints are fully honored yielding the following order of execution:

    > Task :removeContainer UP-TO-DATE
    > Task :createContainer UP-TO-DATE
    > Task :dockerUp UP-TO-DATE
    > Task :dockerTest UP-TO-DATE
    > Task :dockerStop UP-TO-DATE

#### Updates to bundled Gradle dependencies

- Groovy has been updated to Groovy 3.0.11.

#### Scala Zinc version updated to 1.6.1

Zinc is the Scala incremental compiler that allows Gradle to always compile the minimal set of files needed by the current file changes. It takes into account which methods are being used and which have changed, which means it’s much more granular than just interfile dependencies.

Zinc version has been updated to the newest available one in order to benefit from all the recent bugfixes. Due to that, if you use `zincVersion` setting it’s advised to remove it and only use the default version, because Gradle will only be able to compile Scala code with Zinc versions set to 1.6.x or higher.

#### Removes implicit `--add-opens` for test workers

Prior to Gradle 7.5, JDK modules `java.base/java.util` and `java.base/java.lang` were automatically opened in test workers on JDK9+ by passing `--add-opens` CLI arguments. This meant any tests were able to perform deep reflection on JDK internals without warning or failing. This caused tests to be unreliable by allowing code to pass when it would otherwise fail in a production environment.

These implicit arguments have been removed and are no longer added by default. If your code or any of your dependencies are performing deep reflection into JDK internals during test execution, you may see the following behavior changes:

Before Java 16, new build warnings are shown. These new warnings are printed to stderr and will not fail the build:

    WARNING: An illegal reflective access operation has occurred
    WARNING: Illegal reflective access by com.google.inject.internal.cglib.core.ReflectUtils$2 (file:/.../testng-5.12.1.jar) to <method>
    WARNING: Please consider reporting this to the maintainers of com.google.inject.internal.cglib.core.ReflectUtils$2
    WARNING: Use --illegal-access=warn to enable warnings of further illegal reflective access operations
    WARNING: All illegal access operations will be denied in a future release

With Java 16 or higher, exceptions are thrown that fail the build:

    // Thrown by TestNG
    java.lang.reflect.InaccessibleObjectException: Unable to make <method> accessible: module java.base does not "opens java.lang" to unnamed module @1e92bd61
    	at java.base/java.lang.reflect.AccessibleObject.checkCanSetAccessible(AccessibleObject.java:354)
    	at java.base/java.lang.reflect.AccessibleObject.checkCanSetAccessible(AccessibleObject.java:297)
    	at java.base/java.lang.reflect.Method.checkCanSetAccessible(Method.java:199)
    	at java.base/java.lang.reflect.Method.setAccessible(Method.java:193)
        ...

    // Thrown by ProjectBuilder
    org.gradle.api.GradleException: Could not inject synthetic classes.
    	at org.gradle.initialization.DefaultLegacyTypesSupport.injectEmptyInterfacesIntoClassLoader(DefaultLegacyTypesSupport.java:91)
    	at org.gradle.testfixtures.internal.ProjectBuilderImpl.getGlobalServices(ProjectBuilderImpl.java:182)
    	at org.gradle.testfixtures.internal.ProjectBuilderImpl.createProject(ProjectBuilderImpl.java:111)
    	at org.gradle.testfixtures.ProjectBuilder.build(ProjectBuilder.java:120)
    	...
    Caused by: java.lang.RuntimeException: java.lang.IllegalAccessException: module java.base does not open java.lang to unnamed module @1e92bd61

In most cases, these errors can be resolved by updating the code or dependency performing the illegal access. If the code-under-test or the newest version of the dependency in question performs illegal access by design, the old behavior can be restored by opening the `java.base/java.lang` and `java.base/java.util` modules manually with `--add-opens`:

    tasks.withType(Test).configureEach {
        jvmArgs(["--add-opens=java.base/java.lang=ALL-UNNAMED",
                 "--add-opens=java.base/java.util=ALL-UNNAMED"]
    }

If you are developing Gradle plugins, `ProjectBuilder` relies on reflection in the `java.base/java.lang` module. Gradle will automatically add the appropriate `--add-opens` flag to tests when the `java-gradle-plugin` plugin is applied.

If you are using TestNG, versions prior to `5.14.6` perform illegal reflection. Updating to at least `5.14.6` should fix the incompatibility.

#### Checkstyle tasks use toolchains and execute in parallel by default

The Checkstyle plugin now uses the Gradle worker API to run Checkstyle as an external worker process, so that multiple Checkstyle tasks may now run in parallel within a project.

Since Checkstyle runs as an external process you can control the memory via the `minHeapSize` and `maxHeapSize` properties on the Checkstyle tasks. In case of out of memory errors, increasing the max memory via the `maxHeapSize` property should solve the issue. By default, the process will start with `maxHeapSize` of 512MB. We also recommend to update Checkstyle to version 9.3 or later.

#### Missing files specified with relative paths when running Checkstyle

Gradle 7.5 consistently sets the current working directory for the Checkstyle task to `GRADLE_USER_HOME/workers`. This may cause problems with custom Checkstyle tasks or Checkstyle configuration files that assume a different directory for relative paths.

Previously, Gradle selected the current working directory based on the directory where you ran Gradle. If you ran Gradle in:

- the root directory of a project: Gradle uses the root directory as the current working directory.

- a nested directory of a project: Gradle uses the root directory of the subproject as the current working directory.

In version 7.5 and above, Gradle consistently sets the current working directory for the Checkstyle task to `GRADLE_USER_HOME/workers`.

### Deprecations

#### Converting files to a classpath where paths contain file separator

Java has the concept of a path separator which is used to separate individual paths in a list of paths, for example in a classpath string. The individual paths must not contain the path separator. Consequently, using `@FileCollection.getAsPath()` for files with paths that contain a path separator has been deprecated, and it will be an error in Gradle 8.0 and later. Using a file collection with paths which contain a path separator may lead to incorrect builds, since Gradle doesn’t find the files as inputs, or even to build failures when the path containing the path separator is illegal on the operating system.

#### `dependencyInsight` `--singlepath` option is deprecated

For consistency, this was changed to `--single-path`. The API method has remained the same, this only affects the CLI.

#### Groovydoc `includePrivate` property is deprecated

There is a new `access` property that allows finer control over what is included in the Groovydoc.

#### Provider-based API must be used to run external processes at the configuration time

Using `Project.exec`, `Project.javaexec`, and standard Java and Groovy APIs to run external processes at the configuration time is now deprecated when the configuration cache is enabled. It will be an error in Gradle 8.0 and later. Gradle 7.5 introduces configuration cache-compatible ways to execute and obtain output of an external process with the provider-based APIs or a custom implementation of the `ValueSource` interface. The configuration cache chapter has more details to help with the migration to the new APIs.

## Upgrading from 7.3 and earlier

### Potential breaking changes

#### Updates to default tool integration versions

- PMD has been updated to PMD 6.39.0.

### Deprecations

#### AdoptOpenJDK toolchain download

Following the move from AdoptOpenJDK to Adoptium, under the Eclipse foundation, it is no longer possible to download an AdoptOpenJDK build from their end point. Instead, an Eclipse Temurin or IBM Semeru build is returned.

Gradle 7.4+ will now emit a deprecation warning when the AdoptOpenJDK vendor is specified in the toolchain specification and it is used by auto provisioning. If you must use AdoptOpenJDK, you should turn off auto-download. If an Eclipse Temurin or IBM Semeru build works for you, specify `JvmVendorSpec.ADOPTIUM` or `JvmVendorSpec.IBM` as the vendor or leave the vendor unspecified.

#### File trees and empty directory handling

When using `@SkipWhenEmpty` on an input file collection, Gradle skips the task when it determines that the input is empty. If the input file collection consists only of file trees, Gradle ignores directories for the emptiness check. Though when checking for changes to the input file collection, Gradle only ignores directories when the `@IgnoreEmptyDirectories` annotation is present.

Gradle will now ignore directories for both the `@SkipWhenEmpty` check and for determining changes consistently. Until Gradle 8.0, Gradle will detect if an input file collection annotated with `@SkipWhenEmpty` consists only of file trees and then ignore directories automatically. Moreover, Gradle will issue a deprecation warning to advise the user that the behavior will change in Gradle 8.0, and that the input property should be annotated with `@IgnoreEmptyDirectories`. To ignore directories in Gradle 8.0 and later, the input property needs to be annotated with `@IgnoreEmptyDirectories`.

Finally, using `@InputDirectory` implies `@IgnoreEmptyDirectories`, so no changes are necessary when using this annotation. The same is true for `inputs.dir()` when registering an input directory via the runtime API.

#### Using LazyPublishArtifact without a FileResolver is deprecated

When using a LazyPublishArtifact without a FileResolver, a different file resolution strategy is used, which duplicates some logic in the FileResolver. To improve consistency, LazyPublishArtifact should be used with a FileResolver, and will require it in the future.

This also affects other internal APIs that use LazyPublishArtifact, which now also have deprecation warnings where needed.

#### TAR trees from resources without backing files

It is possible to create TAR trees from arbitrary resources. If the resource is not created via `project.resources`, then it may not have a backing file. Creating a TAR tree from a resource with no backing file has been deprecated. Instead, convert the resource to a file and use `project.tarTree()` on the file. To convert the resource to a file you can use a custom task or use dependency management to download the file via a URL. This way, Gradle is able to apply optimizations like up-to-date checks instead of re-running the logic to create the resource every time.

#### Unique attribute sets

The set of Attributes associated with a consumable configuration within a project, must be unique across all other configurations within that project which share the same set of Capabilitys. This will be checked at the end of configuring variant configurations, as they are locked against further mutation.

If the set of attributes is shared across configurations, consider adding an additional attribute to one of the variants for the sole purpose of disambiguation.

#### `Provider#forUseAtConfigurationTime()` has been deprecated

Provider#forUseAtConfigurationTime is now deprecated and scheduled for removal in Gradle 9.0. Clients should simply remove the call.

The call was mandatory on providers of external values such as system properties, environment variables, Gradle properties and file contents meant to be used at configuration time together with the configuration cache feature.

Starting with version 7.4 Gradle will implicitly treat an external value used at configuration time as a configuration cache input.

Clients are also free to use standard Java APIs such as `System#getenv` to read environment variables, `System#getProperty` to read system properties as well as Gradle APIs such as `Project#property(String)` and `Project#findProperty(String)` to read Gradle properties at configuration time. The `Provider` based APIs are still the recommended way to connect external values to task inputs for maximum configuration cache reuse.

#### `ConfigurableReport#setDestination(org.gradle.api.provider.Provider<java.io.File>)` has been deprecated

`ConfigurableReport#setDestination(org.gradle.api.provider.Provider<java.io.File>)` is now deprecated and scheduled for removal in Gradle 8.0.

Use `Report#getOutputLocation().set(…​)` instead.

#### Task execution listeners and events

The Gradle configuration cache does not support listeners and events that have direct access to `Task` and `Project` instances, which allows Gradle to execute tasks in parallel and to store the minimal amount of data in the configuration cache. In order to move towards an API that is consistent whether the configuration cache is enabled or not, the following APIs are deprecated and will be removed or be made an error in Gradle 8.0:

- Interface TaskExecutionListener

- Interface TaskActionListener

- Method TaskExecutionGraph.addTaskExecutionListener()

- Method TaskExecutionGraph.removeTaskExecutionListener()

- Method TaskExecutionGraph.beforeTask()

- Method TaskExecutionGraph.afterTask()

- Registering TaskExecutionListener, TaskActionListener, TestListener, TestOutputListener via Gradle.addListener()

See the configuration cache chapter for details on how to migrate these usages to APIs that are supported by the configuration cache.

#### Build finished events

Build finished listeners are not supported by the Gradle configuration cache. And so, the following API are deprecated and will be removed in Gradle 8.0:

- Method Gradle.buildFinished()

- Method BuildListener.buildFinished()

See the configuration cache chapter for details on how to migrate these usages to APIs that are supported by the configuration cache.

#### Calling `Task.getProject()` from a task action

Calling Task.getProject() from a task action at execution time is now deprecated and will be made an error in Gradle 8.0. This method can be used during configuration time, but it is recommended to avoid doing this.

See the configuration cache chapter for details on how to migrate these usages to APIs that are supported by the configuration cache.

#### Calling `Task.getTaskDependencies()` from a task action

Calling Task.getTaskDependencies() from a task action at execution time is now deprecated and will be made an error in Gradle 8.0. This method can be used during configuration time, but it is recommended to avoid doing this.

See the configuration cache chapter for details on how to migrate these usages to APIs that are supported by the configuration cache.

#### Using a build service from a task without the corresponding `Task.usesService` declaration

Gradle needs the information so it can properly honor the build service lifecycle and its usage constraints.

This will become an error in a future Gradle version.

Check the Shared Build Services documentation for more information.

#### VersionCatalog and VersionCatalogBuilder deprecations

Some methods in VersionCatalog and VersionCatalogBuilder are now deprecated and scheduled for removal in Gradle 8.0. Specific replacements can be found in the JavaDoc of the affected methods.

These methods were changed to improve the consistency between the `libs.versions.toml` file and the API classes.

## Upgrading from 7.2 and earlier

### Potential breaking changes

#### Updates to bundled Gradle dependencies

- Kotlin has been updated to Kotlin 1.5.31.

- Groovy has been updated to Groovy 3.0.9.

- Ant has been updated to Ant 1.10.11 to fix CVE-2021-36373 and CVE-2021-36374.

- Commons compress has been updated to Commons-compress 1.21 to fix CVE-2021-35515, CVE-2021-35516, CVE-2021-35517 and CVE-2021-36090.

#### Application order of plugins in the `plugins` block

The order in which plugins in the `plugins` block were actually applied was inconsistent and depended on how a plugin was added to the class path. Now the plugins are always applied in the same order they are declared in the `plugins` block which in rare cases might change behavior of existing builds.

#### Effects of exclusion on substituted dependencies in dependency resolution

Prior to this version, a dependency substitution target could not be excluded from a dependency graph. This was caused by checking for exclusions prior to performing the substitution. Now Gradle will also check for exclusion on the substitution result.

#### Version catalog

Generated accessors no longer give access to the type unsafe API. You have to use the version catalog extension instead.

#### Toolchain support in Scala

When using toolchains in Scala, the `-target` option of the Scala compiler will now be set automatically. This means that using a version of Java that cannot be targeted by a version of Scala will result in an error. Providing this flag in the compiler options will disable this behaviour and allow to use a higher Java version to compile for a lower bytecode target.

#### Declaring input or output directories which contain unreadable content

For up-to-date checks Gradle relies on tracking the state of the inputs and the outputs of a task. Gradle used to ignore unreadable files in the input or outputs to support certain use-cases, although it cannot track their state. Declaring input or output directories on tasks which contain unreadable content has been deprecated and these use-cases are now supported by declaring the task to be untracked. Use the @UntrackedTask annotation or the Task.doNotTrackState() method to declare a task as untracked.

When you are using a `Copy` task for copying single files into a directory which contains unreadable files, use the method Task.doNotTrackState().

## Upgrading from 7.1 and earlier

### Potential breaking changes

#### Security changes to application start scripts and Gradle wrapper scripts

Due to CVE-2021-32751, `gradle`, `gradlew` and start scripts generated by Gradle’s application plugin have been updated to avoid situations where these scripts could be used for arbitrary code execution when an attacker is able to change environment variables.

You can use the latest version of Gradle to generate a `gradlew` script and use it to execute an older version of Gradle.

This should be transparent for most users; however, there may be changes for Gradle builds that rely on the environment variables `JAVA_OPTS` or `GRADLE_OPTS` to pass parameters with complicated quote escaping. Contact us if you suspect something has broken your build and you cannot find a solution.

#### Updates to bundled Gradle dependencies

- Groovy has been updated to Groovy 3.0.8.

- Kotlin has been updated to Kotlin 1.5.21.

#### Updates to default tool integration versions

- PMD has been updated to PMD 6.36.0.

### Deprecations

#### Using Java lambdas as task actions

When using a Java lambda to implement a task action, Gradle cannot track the implementation and the task will never be up-to-date or served from the build cache. Since it is easy to add such a task action, using task actions implemented by Java lambdas is now deprecated. See Validation problems for more details how to fix the issue.

#### Relying on equals for up-to-date checks is deprecated

When a task input is annotated with `@Input` and is not a type Gradle understand directly (like `String`), then Gradle uses the serialized form of the input for up-to-date checks and the build cache key. Historically, Gradle also loads the serialized value from the last execution and then uses `equals()` to compare it to the current value for up-to-date checks. Doing so is error prone, doesn’t work with the build cache and has a performance impact, therefore it has been deprecated. Instead of using `@Input` on a type Gradle doesn’t understand directly, use `@Nested` and annotate the properties of the type accordingly.

## Upgrading from 7.0 and earlier

### Potential breaking changes

#### Updates to default tool integration versions

- JaCoCo has been updated to 0.8.7.

#### The `org.gradle.util` package is now a public API

Officially, the `org.gradle.util` package is not part of the public API. But, because this package name doesn’t contain the word `internal`, many Gradle plugins already consider as one. Gradle 7.1 addresses the situation and marks the package as public. The classes that were unintentionally exposed are either deprecated or removed, depending on their external usage.

##### The following classes are now officially recognized as public API:

- `GradleVersion`

- `Path`

- `Configurable`

##### The following classes have known usages in external plugins and are now deprecated and set for removal in Gradle 8.0:

- `VersionNumber`

- `TextUtil`

- `WrapUtil`

- `RelativePathUtil`

- `DistributionLocator`

- `SingleMessageLogger`

- `ConfigureUtil`

`ConfigureUtil` is being removed without a replacement. Plugins can avoid the need for using `ConfigureUtil` by following our example.

##### The following classes have only internal usages and were moved from `org.gradle.util` to the `org.gradle.util.internal` package:

- `Resources`

- `RedirectStdOutAndErr`

- `Swapper`

- `StdInSwapper`

- `IncubationLogger`

- `RedirectStdIn`

- `MultithreadedTestRule`

- `DisconnectableInputStream`

- `BulkReadInputStream`

- `MockExecutor`

- `FailsWithMessage`

- `FailsWithMessageExtension`

- `TreeVisitor`

- `AntUtil`

- `JarUtil`

##### The last set of classes have no external or internal usages and therefore were deleted:

- `DiffUtil`

- `NoopChangeListener`

- `EnumWithClassBody`

- `AlwaysTrue`

- `ReflectionEqualsMatcher`

- `DynamicDelegate`

- `IncubationLogger`

- `NoOpChangeListener`

- `DeferredUtil`

- `ChangeListener`

#### The return type of source set extensions have changed

The following source sets are contributed via an extension with a custom type:

- `groovy`: GroovySourceDirectorySet

- `antlr`: AntlrSourceDirectorySet

- `scala`: ScalaSourceDirectorySet

The 'idiomatic' DSL declaration is backward compatible:

    sourceSets {
        main {
            groovy {
                // ...
            }
        }
    }

However, the return type of the groovy block has changed to the extension type. This means that the following snippet no longer works in Gradle 7.1:

     sourceSets {
         main {
             GroovySourceSet sourceSet = groovy {
                 // ...
             }
         }
     }

#### Start scripts require bash shell

The command used to start Gradle, the Gradle wrapper as well as the scripts generated by the `application` plugin now require `bash` shell.

### Deprecations

#### Using convention mapping with properties with type Provider is deprecated

Convention mapping is an internal feature that is been replaced by the Provider API. When mixing convention mapping with the Provider API, unexpected behavior can occur. Gradle emits a deprecation warning when a property in a task, extension or other domain object uses convention mapping with the Provider API.

To fix this, the plugin that configures the convention mapping for the task, extension or domain object needs to be changed to use the Provider API only.

#### JacocoMerge task type is deprecated

The `JacocoMerge` task was used for merging coverage reports from different subprojects into a single report. The same functionality is also available on the `JacocoReport` task. Because of the duplication, `JacocoMerge` is now deprecated and scheduled for removal in Gradle 8.0.

#### Setting custom build layout

Command line options:

- `-c`, `--settings-file` for specifying a custom settings file location

- `-b`, `--build-file` for specifying a custom build file location

have been deprecated.

Setting custom build file using buildFile property in GradleBuild task has been deprecated.

Please use the dir property instead to specify the root of the nested build. Alternatively, consider using one of the recommended alternatives for GradleBuild task as suggested in Avoid using the GradleBuild task type section.

Setting custom build layout using StartParameter methods setBuildFile(File) and setSettingsFile(File) as well as the counterpart getters getBuildFile() and getSettingsFile() have been deprecated.

Please use standard locations for settings and build files:

- settings file in the root of the build

- build file in the root of each subproject

For the use case where custom settings or build files are used to model different behavior (similar to Maven profiles), consider using system properties with conditional logic. For example, given a piece of code in either settings or build file:

    if (System.getProperty("profile") == "custom") {
        println("custom profile")
    } else {
        println("default profile")
    }

You can pass the `profile` system property to Gradle using `gradle -Dprofile=custom` to execute the code in the `custom` profile branch.

#### Substitution.with replaced with Substitution.using

Dependency substitutions using `with` method have been deprecated and are replaced with `using` method that also allows chaining. For example, a dependency substitution rule `substitute(project(':a')).with(project(':b'))` should be replaced with `substitute(project(':a')).using(project(':b'))`. With chaining you can, for example, add a reason for a substitution like this: `substitute(project(':a')).using(project(':b')).because("a reason")`.

#### Properties deprecated in JavaExec task

- The main getters and setters in JavaExec task have been deprecated. Use the mainClass property instead.

#### Deprecated properties in `compile` task

- The JavaCompile.destinationDir property has been deprecated. Use the JavaCompile.destinationDirectory property instead.

- The GroovyCompile.destinationDir property has been deprecated. Use the GroovyCompile.destinationDirectory property instead.

- The ScalaCompile.destinationDir property has been deprecated. Use the ScalaCompile.destinationDirectory property instead.

#### Non-hierarchical project layouts

Gradle 7.1 deprecated project layouts where subprojects were located outside of the project root. However, based on community feedback we decided to roll back in Gradle 7.4 and removed the deprecation. As a consequence, the Settings.includeFlat() method is deprecated in Gradle 7.1, 7.2, and 7.3 only.

#### Deprecated `Upload` task

Gradle used to have two ways of publishing artifacts. Now, the situation has been cleared and all build should use the `maven-publish` plugin. The last remaining artifact of the old way of publishing is the `Upload` task that has been deprecated and scheduled for removal in Gradle 8.0. Existing clients should migrate to the `maven-publish` plugin.

#### Deprecated conventions

The concept of conventions is outdated and superseded by extensions. To reflect this in the Gradle API, the following elements are now deprecated:

- Project.html#getConvention()

- HasConvention

The internal usages of conventions have been also cleaned up (see the deprecated items below).

Plugin authors migrate to extensions if they replicate the changes we’ve done internally. Here are some examples:

- Migrate plugin configuration: gradle/gradle#16900.

- Migrate custom source sets: gradle/gradle#17149.

#### Deprecated `base` plugin conventions

The convention properties contributed by the `base` plugin have been deprecated and scheduled for removal in Gradle 8.0. The conventions are replaced by the `base { }` configuration block backed by BasePluginExtension.

The old convention object defines the `distsDirName`, `libsDirName` and `archivesBaseName` properties with simple getter and setter methods. Those methods are available in the extension only to maintain backwards compatibility. Build scripts should solely use the properties of type `Property`:

    base {
        archivesName = 'customBase'
        distsDirectory = layout.buildDirectory.dir('custom-dist')
        libsDirectory = layout.buildDirectory.dir('custom-libs')
    }

#### Deprecated `ApplicationPluginConvention`

ApplicationPluginConvention was already listed as deprecated in the documentation. Now, it is officially annotated as deprecated and scheduled for removal in Gradle 8.0.

#### Deprecated `java` plugin conventions

The convention properties contributed by the `java` plugin have been deprecated and scheduled for removal in Gradle 8.0. They are replaced by the properties of JavaPluginExtension which can be configured in the `java {}` block.

#### Deprecated consumption of internal plugin configurations

Some of the core Gradle plugins declare configurations that are used by the plugin itself and are not meant to be published or consumed by another subproject directly. Gradle did not explicitly prohobit this. Gradle 7.1 deprecates consumption of those configurations and this will become an error in Gradle 8.0.

The following plugin configurations have been deprecated for consumption:

plugin | configurations deprecated for consumption
--- | ---
`codenarc` | `codenarc`
`pmd` | `pmd`
`checkstyle` | `checkstyle`
`antlr` | `antlr`
`jacoco` | `jacocoAnt`, `jacocoAgent`
`scala` | `zinc`
`war` | `providedCompile`, `providedRuntime`

If your use case needs to consume any of the above mentioned configurations in another project, please create a separate consumable configuration that extends from the internal ones. For example:

    plugins {
        id("codenarc")
    }
    configurations {
        codenarc {
            // because currently this is consumable until Gradle 8.0 and can clash with the configuration below depending on the attributes set
            canBeConsumed = false
        }
        codenarcConsumable {
            extendsFrom(codenarc)
            canBeConsumed = true
            canBeResolved = false
            // the attributes below make this configuration consumable by a `java-library` project using `implementation` configuration
            attributes {
                attribute(Usage.USAGE_ATTRIBUTE, objects.named(Usage, Usage.JAVA_RUNTIME))
                attribute(Category.CATEGORY_ATTRIBUTE, objects.named(Category, Category.LIBRARY))
                attribute(LibraryElements.LIBRARY_ELEMENTS_ATTRIBUTE, objects.named(LibraryElements, LibraryElements.JAR))
                attribute(Bundling.BUNDLING_ATTRIBUTE, objects.named(Bundling, Bundling.EXTERNAL))
                attribute(TargetJvmEnvironment.TARGET_JVM_ENVIRONMENT_ATTRIBUTE, objects.named(TargetJvmEnvironment, TargetJvmEnvironment.STANDARD_JVM));
            }
        }
    }

#### Deprecated `project-report` plugin conventions

ProjectReportsPluginConvention is now deprecated and scheduled for removal in Gradle 8.0. Clients should configure the project report tasks directly. Also, tasks.withType(…​).configureEach(…​) can be used to configure each task of the same type (`HtmlDependencyReportTask` for example).

#### Deprecated `war` plugin conventions

WarPluginConvention is now deprecated and scheduled for removal in Gradle 8.0. Clients should configure the `war` task directly. Also, tasks.withType(War.class).configureEach(…​) can be used to configure each task of type `War`.

#### Deprecated `ear` plugin conventions

EarPluginConvention is now deprecated and scheduled for removal in Gradle 8.0. Clients should configure the `ear` task directly. Also, tasks.withType(Ear.class).configureEach(…​) can be used to configure each task of type `Ear`.

#### Deprecated custom source set interfaces

The following source set interfaces are now deprecated and scheduled for removal in Gradle 8.0:

- GroovySourceSet

- AntlrSourceVirtualDirectory

- ScalaSourceSet

Clients should configure the sources with their plugin-specific configuration:

- `groovy`: GroovySourceDirectorySet

- `antlr`: AntlrSourceDirectorySet

- `scala`: ScalaSourceDirectorySet

For example, here’s how you configure the groovy sources from a plugin:

    GroovySourceDirectorySet groovySources = sourceSet.getExtensions().getByType(GroovySourceDirectorySet.class);
    groovySources.setSrcDirs(Arrays.asList("sources/groovy"));

#### Registering artifact transforms extending `ArtifactTransform`

When Gradle first introduced artifact transforms, it used the base class `ArtifactTransform` for implementing them. Gradle 5.3 introduced the interface `TransformAction` for implementing artifact transforms, replacing the previous class `ArtifactTransform` and addressing various shortcomings. Using the registration method DependencyHandler.registerTransform(Action) for `ArtifactTransform` has been deprecated. Migrate your artifact transform to use `TransformAction` and use DependencyHandler.registerTransform(Class, Action) instead. See the user manual for more information on implementing `TransformAction`.