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What is jbundle?

avelino/jbundle — explained in plain English

Analysis updated 2026-05-18

★ 175RustAudience · developerComplexity · 2/5LicenseSetup · easy

In one sentence

A tool that packages Java-based apps into a single self-contained binary that runs without Java installed on the target machine.

Mindmap

mindmap
  root((jbundle))
    What it does
      Bundles JVM runtime
      Self contained binary
      No Java required to run
    Tech stack
      Rust
      JVM
      Homebrew
    Use cases
      App distribution
      Alternative to GraalVM
      Bundling Clojure apps
    Audience
      Backend developers
      JVM language users

Code map

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filefunction / class

What do people build with it?

USE CASE 1

Distribute a Java, Clojure, Kotlin, Scala, or Groovy app as one binary with no Java install required.

USE CASE 2

Avoid GraalVM native-image's slow builds and reflection configuration for JVM apps that use complex libraries.

USE CASE 3

Preview a build plan with a dry run before producing the final binary.

What is it built with?

RustJVMHomebrew

How does it compare?

avelino/jbundlepi-hole/apimanyougz/velotype
Stars175170191
LanguageRustRustRust
Last pushed—2020-03-01—
Maintenance—Dormant—
Setup difficultyeasymoderateeasy
Complexity2/53/52/5
Audiencedeveloperdeveloperwriter

Figures from each repo's GitHub metadata at analysis time.

How do you get it running?

Difficulty · easy Time to first run · 5min
Use freely for any purpose, including commercial use, as long as you keep the copyright notice.

So what is it?

jbundle is a tool that packages Java-based applications into a single executable file that can run on any machine without Java being installed. It works with any language that runs on the Java Virtual Machine, including Clojure, Kotlin, Scala, and Groovy, not just Java itself. The typical problem it solves is distribution. If you build an application in one of these languages, the person running it normally needs Java installed on their computer. jbundle avoids this by bundling a minimal Java runtime directly into the output file, so the result is one self-contained binary with no external dependencies. The README positions this as a simpler alternative to GraalVM native-image, which is another tool that produces standalone binaries from Java applications. GraalVM native-image has a slow compilation process, requires complex configuration for certain code patterns, and does not work with all libraries. jbundle takes a different approach: it bundles a full (but minimal) Java runtime rather than compiling everything to native code, which means full compatibility with existing Java libraries at the cost of a larger output file. Installation is available via a shell script, Homebrew on macOS and Linux, or a Windows PowerShell script. The basic usage is to point the tool at your compiled application and specify an output path. A dry-run flag lets you preview what will happen before building. Full documentation is available at an external documentation site.

Copy-paste prompts

Prompt 1
Install jbundle and package my Clojure uberjar into a self-contained binary.
Prompt 2
Explain how jbundle differs from GraalVM native-image for distributing JVM apps.
Prompt 3
Show me the jbundle command to preview a build without actually running it.
Prompt 4
What's the simplest way to install jbundle on macOS?

Frequently asked questions

What is jbundle?

A tool that packages Java-based apps into a single self-contained binary that runs without Java installed on the target machine.

What language is jbundle written in?

Mainly Rust. The stack also includes Rust, JVM, Homebrew.

What license does jbundle use?

Use freely for any purpose, including commercial use, as long as you keep the copyright notice.

How hard is jbundle to set up?

Setup difficulty is rated easy, with roughly 5min to a first successful run.

Who is jbundle for?

Mainly developer.

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