bazel-build-optimization

Bazel Build Optimization

Production patterns for Bazel in large-scale monorepos.

Do not use this skill when

• The task is unrelated to bazel build optimization
• You need a different domain or tool outside this scope

Instructions

• Clarify goals, constraints, and required inputs.
• Apply relevant best practices and validate outcomes.
• Provide actionable steps and verification.
• If detailed examples are required, open resources/implementation-playbook.md.

Use this skill when

• Setting up Bazel for monorepos
• Configuring remote caching/execution
• Optimizing build times
• Writing custom Bazel rules
• Debugging build issues
• Migrating to Bazel

Core Concepts

1. Bazel Architecture

workspace/
├── WORKSPACE.bazel       # External dependencies
├── .bazelrc              # Build configurations
├── .bazelversion         # Bazel version
├── BUILD.bazel           # Root build file
├── apps/
│   └── web/
│       └── BUILD.bazel
├── libs/
│   └── utils/
│       └── BUILD.bazel
└── tools/
    └── bazel/
        └── rules/

2. Key Concepts

Concept	Description
Target	Buildable unit (library, binary, test)
Package	Directory with BUILD file
Label	Target identifier //path/to:target
Rule	Defines how to build a target
Aspect	Cross-cutting build behavior

Templates

Template 1: WORKSPACE Configuration

# WORKSPACE.bazel
workspace(name = "myproject")

load("@bazel_tools//tools/build_defs/repo:http.bzl", "http_archive")

# Rules for JavaScript/TypeScript
http_archive(
    name = "aspect_rules_js",
    sha256 = "...",
    strip_prefix = "rules_js-1.34.0",
    url = "https://github.com/aspect-build/rules_js/releases/download/v1.34.0/rules_js-v1.34.0.tar.gz",
)

load("@aspect_rules_js//js:repositories.bzl", "rules_js_dependencies")
rules_js_dependencies()

load("@rules_nodejs//nodejs:repositories.bzl", "nodejs_register_toolchains")
nodejs_register_toolchains(
    name = "nodejs",
    node_version = "20.9.0",
)

load("@aspect_rules_js//npm:repositories.bzl", "npm_translate_lock")
npm_translate_lock(
    name = "npm",
    pnpm_lock = "//:pnpm-lock.yaml",
    verify_node_modules_ignored = "//:.bazelignore",
)

load("@npm//:repositories.bzl", "npm_repositories")
npm_repositories()

# Rules for Python
http_archive(
    name = "rules_python",
    sha256 = "...",
    strip_prefix = "rules_python-0.27.0",
    url = "https://github.com/bazelbuild/rules_python/releases/download/0.27.0/rules_python-0.27.0.tar.gz",
)

load("@rules_python//python:repositories.bzl", "py_repositories")
py_repositories()