# JLink Gradle plugin

This project defines a Gradle plugin that enable the use of
[jlink](https://docs.oracle.com/javase/9/tools/jlink.htm) in Gradle builds. 
In general, the plugin enables developers to create Java Runtimes with jlink. 
It  uses the java toolchain to locate the `jlink` executable and creates 
a java runtime for your module path based Java application. This
modularization allows small, secure and tailored application distributions.

## Jlink plugin usage

This Gradle plugin integrates with the [Gradle Java Library plugin](https://docs.gradle.org/current/userguide/java_library_plugin.html)
to create distributions automatically using a jlink runtime rather than a user provided JDK runtime.

It applies the `org.xbib.gradle.plugin.jlink` plugin which configures a `jlink` task that executes the jlink tool.

```groovy
plugins {
  id 'org.xbib.gradle.plugin.jlink' version "8.8.0"
}

java {
  toolchain {
    languageVersion.set(JavaLanguageVersion.of(21))
  }
}

jlink {
  modules.set(List.of("org.example.app"))
  launcher.set("app=org.example.app/org.example.app.Main")
  stripDebug.set(true)
}

```

In addition, the plugin configures a `jmod` task to download the dependent artifacts on the
runtime class path and create jmod files for the `jlink` task. Also, a `jdeps` task is automatically
configured to show the dependent modules.

The plugin is currently only available under Linux.