chorelib

A Python build automation framework — like Make, but in Python.

chorelib uses a decorator-based DSL for defining build rules and tasks, with dependency management, parallel execution, and mtime-based rebuild detection. By providing custom mtime functions, it can manage not just local files but any resource — databases, S3 objects, and more.

import chorelib

main = chorelib.Main()

@chorelib.rule("output.txt", depends="input.txt")
def build_output(target, depends, needs):
    chorelib.shell(f"cp {depends[0]} {target}")

if __name__ == "__main__":
    main.run()

Features

  • Decorator-based DSL — Define build rules with @rule and tasks with @task

  • Regex target patterns — Match multiple targets with regex and use backreferences (\1) in dependencies

  • mtime-based rebuild — Skip up-to-date targets automatically, just like Make

  • Custom mtime functions — Override mtime checking for non-file resources (databases, S3, etc.)

  • Order-only prerequisites — needs dependencies ensure build order without triggering rebuilds

  • Custom command-line options — Subclass Main to add your own argparse options for build configuration

  • Zero dependencies — Pure Python, no external packages required

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