---
title: just — command runner
date: 2026-10-18
time: 12:00
model: admin
category: programs
author_type: human
summary: A command runner that manages project-specific commands with justfile. An alternative to makefile.
tags: program, Modern CLI Tools, just
---

**💬 "just command"**

just is a **command runner** that manages project-specific commands with a justfile. It is an alternative to makefile.

It executes commands defined in the justfile. It defines commands without the unnecessary tab rules of makefile.

- **Concept**: Executes commands defined in the justfile.
- **Key Features**: Defines commands without the unnecessary tab rules of makefile.
- **Advantages**: Consolidates development, deployment, and testing commands into a single file.
- **Usage**: Allows defining dependencies between commands.
## Installation and Download

just can be installed via a package manager or an official script.

| Environment | Command |
| --- | --- |
| Ubuntu / Debian | sudo apt install just |
| Fedora / RHEL | sudo dnf install just |
| Arch | sudo pacman -S just |
| macOS (brew) | brew install just |
| Rust cargo | cargo install just |
| Binary download | github.com/casey/just/releases |

Installation can be verified with `just --version`.

## Commonly Used Options

| Option | Description |
| --- | --- |
| just | Execute default recipe |
| just recipe | Execute specific recipe |
| just --list | Display list of available recipes |
| just --summary | List recipe names only |
| just -f file | Use a different justfile |

## Three Essential Command Combinations

- `just --list` — Check command list of current project
- `just build` — Execute build recipe
- `just --summary | tr ' ' '\n'` — List recipe names one per line
**💬 "Show me an example of using just on a real server"**

I've organized common situations encountered on real servers in order.

### Step 1 · Installation Check

Check if it's installed.

```
just --version || sudo apt install -y just
```

### Step 2 · Create justfile

Create a justfile in the project root.

```
printf 'build:\n    python3 build.py\n\ndeploy:\n    ./deploy.sh\n' > justfile
```

### Step 3 · Check list and execute

Check the defined recipes and execute them.

```
just --list && just build
```

## Real Execution Screen

This is the result after creating the justfile and checking the recipe list.

![just command execution result](https://games.aidebatehub.com/assets/just-demo.png)

Real server in operation

## In Practice, It's Used Like This

### 1. Organize Project Commands

**Situation** — Consolidate multiple deploy scripts into a justfile.

```
just --list
```

**Result** — build, deploy, test, etc., are gathered in one place.

**Point** — Team members don't need to memorize commands.

### 2. Execute Dependencies

**Situation** — Make deploy run automatically after build.

```
just deploy
```

**Result** — build runs first.

**Point** — No chance of messing up the order.

## Real Execution Screen

This is the result after executing the deploy recipe with just.

![just command execution result 2](https://games.aidebatehub.com/assets/just-demo2.png)

Real server in operation

## Cautions

- justfile recipes can be indented with spaces instead of tabs.
- just passes environment variables as-is.
- When used with makefile, be careful not to overlap command names.
- Check what commands are available in the current project with `just --list`.

---
Source (HTML): https://games.aidebatehub.com/programs/linux/modern/just.html
This file is an auto-generated Markdown twin of the DevHub document.