add-rust-dependency

Development

Guide for safely adding a new Rust crate dependency in torrust-tracker, starting from the latest stable crates.io version, minimizing features, documenting version rationale, and validating with cargo machete and repository quality gates. Use when introducing a new dependency, selecting a crate version, or justifying why an older version is required.

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How to use this skill

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Source SKILL.md: https://github.com/torrust/torrust-tracker/blob/HEAD/.github/skills/dev/maintenance/add-rust-dependency/SKILL.md

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Adding a Rust Dependency

Use this workflow when introducing a new crate to Cargo.toml.

Goal

Add only necessary dependencies, prefer the latest stable version, and keep the resulting change reviewable, justified, and maintainable.

Skill Links

AGENTS.md
.github/agents/implementer.agent.md
.github/skills/dev/maintenance/update-dependencies/SKILL.md

Workflow

Step 1: Confirm a new dependency is necessary

Before adding a crate, check whether the need can be met by:

the Rust standard library,
an existing workspace dependency,
a small local implementation with lower long-term cost.

If one of these options is sufficient, do not add a new crate.

Step 2: Check the latest stable version first

Identify the latest stable crates.io version before choosing a version.

cargo search <crate-name> --limit 1

Start from the latest stable version by default.

If you must choose an older version, document the reason in the PR/issue spec and, when useful, in a nearby code comment.

Step 3: Choose the minimal feature set

Prefer default-features = false when appropriate and enable only required features.

[dependencies]
example-crate = { version = "<latest-stable>", default-features = false, features = ["needed-feature"] }

Avoid broad feature enables without a concrete need.

Step 4: Apply and verify

After editing Cargo.toml/Cargo.lock:

cargo update -p <crate-name>
cargo machete
./contrib/dev-tools/git/hooks/pre-commit.sh --format=json

If the run fails and more diagnostics are needed, retry with:

./contrib/dev-tools/git/hooks/pre-commit.sh --format=text --verbosity=verbose

If checks fail, resolve issues or revert the dependency addition.

Step 5: Document rationale

In commit/PR/issue notes, record:

why this crate is needed,
why alternatives were not selected,
why a non-latest version is used (if applicable),
any noteworthy feature-flag choices.

Constraints

Do not introduce a dependency without checking latest stable first.
Do not keep a non-latest version without explicit rationale.
Do not add dependency bloat when existing dependencies already solve the problem.
Do not skip cargo machete and pre-commit validation.

Related Skills

Update existing dependencies: .github/skills/dev/maintenance/update-dependencies/SKILL.md
Commit workflow: .github/skills/dev/git-workflow/commit-changes/SKILL.md