(build-targets)=

# Build Targets

When you build with `mach build`, there are some special targets that can be
built. This page attempts to document them.

## Partial Tree Targets

The targets in this section only build part of the tree. Please note that
partial tree builds can be unreliable. Use at your own risk.

export

: Build the *export* tier. The *export* tier builds everything that is
  required for C/C++ compilation. It stages all header files, processes
  IDLs, etc.

compile

: Build the *compile* tier. The *compile* tier compiles all C/C++ files.

libs

: Build the *libs* tier. The *libs* tier performs linking and performs
  most build steps which aren't related to compilation.

tools

: Build the *tools* tier. The *tools* tier mostly deals with supplementary
  tools and compiled tests. It will link tools against libXUL, including
  compiled test binaries.

binaries:

: Recompiles and relinks C/C++ files. Only works after a complete normal
  build, but allows for much faster rebuilds of C/C++ code. For performance
  reasons, however, it skips nss, nspr, icu and ffi. This is targeted to
  improve local developer workflow when touching C/C++ code.

install-manifests

: Process install manifests. Install manifests handle the installation of
  files into the object directory.

  Unless `NO_REMOVE=1` is defined in the environment, files not accounted
  in the install manifests will be deleted from the object directory.

install-tests

: Processes the tests install manifest.

## Common Actions

The targets in this section correspond to common build-related actions. Many
of the actions in this section are effectively frontends to shell scripts.
These actions will likely all be replaced by mach commands someday.

buildsymbols

: Create a symbols archive for the current build.

  This must be performed after a successful build.

check

: Run build system tests.