Shake
Shake: A specialized build system for dynamic dependencies and minimal Haskell-defined rebuilds. Ranked #28 of 42 in Build Automation Software by our editors (7.1/10); pricing: Free plan; best for haskell-defined builds needing dynamic dependencies.
At a glance
- Editor score7.1 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forHaskell-defined builds needing dynamic dependencies
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Facts checked22 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Tracks dynamic, polymorphic, and generated-file dependencies
- Supports minimal rebuilding with automatic parallel execution
- Includes profiling, linting, reports, and progress estimation
Where it doesn't
- Build definitions require Haskell programs
- Platform support is limited to Linux and Windows
- Cloud Shake shared caching is still under development
Our verdict on Shake
Shake is an open-source build system and Haskell library for developers who need an alternative to Make. Build rules are defined in Haskell programs, with support for file, generated-file, and non-file dependencies. It suits custom build systems ranging from small projects to large codebases, particularly when dependency behavior is dynamic or difficult to express with static build rules.
Its strongest technical focus is dependency-aware incremental execution. Shake supports dynamic and polymorphic dependency tracking, minimal rebuilding, generated-file dependencies, and automatic parallel execution. Build profiling, dependency reports, linting, sanity checks, and progress or completion-time prediction add visibility around build behavior. These capabilities make it a strong fit for projects where avoiding unnecessary work and understanding dependency decisions matter. Ninja file execution also gives teams a way to incorporate Ninja-based build output into their workflows.
The ecosystem fit is practical but specialized. Shake can be used with CMake and Meson, and its supported operating systems are Linux and Windows. Shared cache support is available through Cloud Shake, while the Cloud Shake documentation describes that service as still under development. The published product details establish shared caching but not remote execution. Teams comfortable expressing build logic in Haskell should find Shake aligned with custom, dependency-heavy workflows; teams seeking a broadly packaged build tool or a build platform centered on remote execution should consider a different option.
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Shake pricing
Shake fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Build as code | Yes |
| Dependency locking | Not verified |
| Build caching | Yes |
| Remote execution | Not verified |
| Artifact packaging | Not verified |
| Supported operating systems | Multi-platform |
| Deployment | Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Support | Email, Community, Docs |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 3 integrations: Ninja, CMake, Meson |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | shakebuild.com |
| Facts checked | 22 Sep 2026 |
Shake integrations
Shake lists 3 integrations on its own site.
- Ninja
- CMake
- Meson
Alternatives to Shake
- BazelA powerful open-source choice for large polyglot builds and remote execution.9.4
- PantsA capable open-source choice for monorepos that need precise caching and dependency handling.9.3
- NxA capable choice for JavaScript monorepos that need affected builds and managed CI scaling.9.1
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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