adding-dependencies

Development

Adding or updating crate dependencies in the Golem workspace. Use when adding a new Rust dependency, changing dependency versions, or configuring dependency features.

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Adding Dependencies

All crate dependencies in the Golem workspace are centrally managed. Versions and default features are specified once in the root Cargo.toml under [workspace.dependencies], and workspace members reference them with { workspace = true }.

Adding a New Dependency

Step 1: Add to root workspace Cargo.toml

Add the dependency under [workspace.dependencies] in the root Cargo.toml, specifying the version and any default features:

# Simple version
my-crate = "1.2.3"

# With features
my-crate = { version = "1.2.3", features = ["feature1", "feature2"] }

# With default-features disabled
my-crate = { version = "1.2.3", default-features = false }

Keep entries alphabetically sorted within the section. Internal workspace crates are listed first (with path), followed by external dependencies.

Step 2: Reference from workspace member

In the member crate's Cargo.toml, add the dependency using workspace = true:

[dependencies]
my-crate = { workspace = true }

# To add extra features beyond what the workspace specifies
my-crate = { workspace = true, features = ["extra-feature"] }

# To make it optional
my-crate = { workspace = true, optional = true }

Never specify a version directly in a member crate's Cargo.toml. Always use { workspace = true }.

The same pattern applies to [dev-dependencies] and [build-dependencies].

Step 3: Verify

cargo build -p <crate>   # Build the specific crate
cargo make build          # Full workspace build

Updating a Dependency Version

Change the version only in the root Cargo.toml under [workspace.dependencies]. All workspace members automatically pick up the new version.

Pinned and Patched Dependencies

Some dependencies use exact versions (=x.y.z) to ensure compatibility. Check the [patch.crates-io] section in the root Cargo.toml for git-overridden crates (e.g., wasmtime). When updating patched dependencies, both the version under [workspace.dependencies] and the corresponding [patch.crates-io] entry must be updated together.

Checklist

Version specified in root Cargo.toml under [workspace.dependencies]
Member crate references it with { workspace = true }
No version numbers in member crate Cargo.toml files
Entry is alphabetically sorted in the workspace dependencies list
cargo make build succeeds