Helloworld sample and intellij (unsynced) sources

[DragonAxe]

I am attempting to use the helloworld sample from the v20241115 tag with Intellij.
I'm using the Google Bazel Plugin 2025.03.18.0.1-api-version-243

The java source files are (unsynced) and have many IDE errors. Also, the src/main/java folder is not marked as a sources root (blue java folder expected). (See screenshot 1).

It seems the j2cl_library BUILD macro does not correctly configure something the IDE is expecting. A possible solution I have identified is to add a java_library BUILD macro (something I think I will need anyway for a mixed java/j2cl project).

I added the following to src/main/java/com/google/j2cl/samples/helloworldlib/BUILD:

java_library(
  name = "HelloWorld",
  srcs = glob(["*.java"]),
  deps = [
    "@com_google_j2cl//:jsinterop-annotations-j2cl"
  ]
)

However, I am running into a rather cryptic error. (See screenshot 2)

Error:ANALYSIS_FAILURE: //src/main/java/com/google/j2cl/samples/helloworldlib:HelloWorld
in deps attribute of java_library rule //src/main/java/com/google/j2cl/samples/helloworldlib:HelloWorld: alias '@@com_google_j2cl//:jsinterop-annotations-j2cl' referring to j2cl_java_import rule '@@com_google_jsinterop_annotations-j2cl//java/jsinterop/annotations:annotations-j2cl' through '@@com_google_j2cl//third_party:jsinterop-annotations-j2cl' -> '@@com_google_jsinterop_annotations-j2cl//:jsinterop-annotations-j2cl' is misplaced here (expected cc_binary, cc_library, genrule, genproto, java_import, java_library, java_proto_library, java_lite_proto_library, proto_library, sh_binary or sh_library) and '@@com_google_jsinterop_annotations-j2cl//java/jsinterop/annotations:annotations-j2cl' does not have mandatory providers: 'CcInfo' or 'JavaInfo'

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[treblereel]

I’ve had exactly the same experience — I’ve tried various combinations of IntelliJ IDEA and the Bazel plugin, but the result is pretty much the same. Sometimes, IDEA completely freezes when opening the project.

Since I use j2cl with maven, it’s not a major issue for me.

I wonder if anyone actually has a working setup of IDEA with the Bazel plugin?

[gkdn]

I haven't tried Intellij with J2CL but if you are trying to workaround Bazel plugin issue by adding a java_library you need to make sure the dependencies are also converted to java_library dependencies. In your example @com_google_j2cl//:jsinterop-annotations-j2cl would need to be replaced with @com_google_j2cl//:jsinterop-annotations.

Taking a quick look at https://github.com/bazelbuild/intellij, they are aspecting Bazel providers like JavaInfo. That should be ultimately updated to handle J2clInfo provider to support J2CL. https://github.com/bazelbuild/intellij/blob/df5f04bc4e412fb6a938af826f9c86a0c4a4591d/aspect/intellij_info_impl.bzl looks like the main part collecting information for various languages.

[treblereel]

Could you tell us more about your work setup please?

[gkdn]

Most folks use Google internal cloud IDE based on vscode.
Also most code is multiplatform intended to work android, server, web etc.;there will be a macro (xplat_java_library) that generates java_library, j2cl_library etc. so folks using Intellij is likely just relying on the generated java_library targets.

[treblereel]

Thank you. Do you use this Bazel plugin? https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=BazelBuild.vscode-bazel

[gkdn]

It is a quite custom IDE that fully understands Google monorepo, source control, build system, language/indexing servers and tons of other stuff. Not based on public Bazel plugin.

[DragonAxe]

Using the non-j2cl deps worked for me: @com_google_j2cl//:jsinterop-annotations.
Thanks!