Build tool window

Last modified: 28 June 2024

View | Tool Windows | Build

The Build tool window helps you view the output of your builds that were done by IntelliJ IDEA, delegated to Maven or Gradle, and the results of the projects' synchronization.

Build Output tab

IntelliJ IDEA displays the result of your build in the Build Output tab. Depending on a project, the build output shows tasks, goals, and commands that were executed and error messages that were produced.

By default, the tab also displays all successful steps and warnings.

Build a project

  1. In the main menu, go to Build | Build Project .

  2. Check the results in the Build tool window.

    IntelliJ IDEA build output

Sync tab

When you open a Gradle or Maven project, the sync is done automatically. Click the Build the Build icon icon on the status bar to view the results of the sync in the Build tool window.

If you need, you can manually trigger the synchronization of your project.

Reimport a project

  1. Open a Gradle or Maven tool window.

  2. Right-click a project you want to sync and from the context menu, depending on the project, select Reimport Gradle Project or Reimport Maven Project.

  3. Check the results in the Build tool window.

    the Build tool window: Sync tab

For more information, refer to Maven and Gradle section.

Error handling

When an error occurs during the build process, IntelliJ IDEA displays an error message with the line and column number that could be easily located. If IntelliJ IDEA can locate the error place, it displays a link that you can click and navigate to the needed line in the editor.

Build tool window: error navigation

When the Build tool window displays multi errors or warnings, it enables you to navigate between the next or the previous problem from the context menu or using the and shortcuts.

If the error occurs during the synchronization process, IntelliJ IDEA displays an error message. IntelliJ IDEA also displays the issue description in the text console and offers a solution if possible.

Build tool window: error message

Context menu

Several options such as Rerun and Stop are the same as in the side toolbar, the rest of the options are described in the following table:

Item

Shortcut

Description

Jump to Source

Open the corresponding location in the editor.

Show Warnings

Select this option for IntelliJ IDEA to display warnings.

Show Successful Steps

Select this option for IntelliJ IDEA to display all the steps of the build process.

Exclude from Compile

Exclude the relevant file from compilation.

Exclude from Validation

Exclude the relevant file from validation.

Previous Problem

Navigate to the previous problem.

Next Problem

Navigate to the next problem.

For the options in the context menu of the messages displayed in the right part of the output, use the following table:

Item

Description

Compare with Clipboard

Compare the output in a built-in Diff Viewer.

Fold Lines Like This

You can fold a line that is too long.

Pause Output

Pause the compilation process.

Create Gist

Save your console output to a gist and share it on GitHub.

For more information, refer to Share code with GitHub gists.

Clear All

Delete the output messages.

Side Toolbar buttons

Icon

Tooltip

Description

Rerun

Rerun

Rerun the project.

For IntelliJ IDEA, it reruns the compilation.

Resume Build from the Specified Module

Resume build from the specified module

Resume build from the specific module.

the Compiler properties

Compiler Properties

Configure the compiler settings.

Stop

Stop

Stop the building process.

For IntelliJ IDEA, it terminates compilation. This button is enabled when compilation is in progress.

the Pin icon

Pin tab

Pin the tab with which you are working.

Filters

Filters

Filter the output displaying or hiding warnings and successful steps.

Soft wraps

Soft-Wrap

Creates soft wraps in the message text.

Scroll to the end

Scroll to the end

Scrolls to the end of displayed messages.

Upper Toolbar buttons

Icon

Tooltip

Description

Show Options Menu

Show Options Menu

Click this icon to open a menu with more options for managing the tool window such as displaying or hiding side toolbars, group tabs, selecting viewing mode, resizing, and so on.

Hide

Hide

Hides the tool window. Click the Build the Build icon icon on the status bar, to open it up again.