Most Pants functionality is opt-in by adding the relevant backend to the [GLOBAL].backend_packages option in pants.toml. For example:

[GLOBAL]
backend_packages = [
  "pants.backend.shell",
  "pants.backend.python",
  "pants.backend.python.lint.black",
]

Available backends

Backend	What it does	Docs
`pants.backend.awslambda.python`	Enables generating an AWS Lambda zip file from Python code.	AWS Lambda
`pants.backend.codegen.protobuf.lint.buf`	Activate the Buf formatter and linter for Protocol Buffers.	Protobuf
`pants.backend.codegen.protobuf.python`	Enables generating Python from Protocol Buffers. Includes gRPC support.	Protobuf and gRPC
`pants.backend.codegen.thrift.apache.python`	Enables generating Python from Apache Thrift.	Thrift
`pants.backend.docker`	Enables building, running, and publishing Docker images.	Docker overview
`pants.backend.docker.lint.hadolint`	Enables Hadolint, a Docker linter: https://github.com/hadolint/hadolint	Docker overview
`pants.backend.experimental.codegen.protobuf.go`	Enables generating Go from Protocol Buffers.
`pants.backend.experimental.go`	Enables Go support.	Go overview
`pants.backend.experimental.java`	Enables core Java support.	Java & Scala overview
`pants.backend.experimental.java.lint.google_java_format`	Enables Google Java Format.	Java & Scala overview
`pants.backend.experimental.scala`	Enables core Scala support.	Java & Scala overview
`pants.backend.experimental.scala.lint.scalafmt`	Enables the Scalafmt formatter.	Java & Scala overview
`pants.backend.experimental.python.lint.autoflake`	Enables Autoflake, which removes unused Python imports: https://pypi.org/project/autoflake/	Linters and formatters
`pants.backend.experimental.python.lint.pyupgrade`	Enables Pyupgrade, which upgrades to new Python syntax: https://pypi.org/project/pyupgrade/	Linters and formatters
`pants.backend.experimental.python.packaging.pyoxidizer`	Enables `pyoxidizer_binary` target.	PyOxidizer
`pants.backend.google_cloud_function.python`	Enables generating a Google Cloud Function from Python code.	Google Cloud Function
`pants.backend.plugin_devoplment`	Enables `pants_requirements` target.	Plugins overview
`pants.backend.python`	Core Python support.	Enabling Python support
`pants.backend.python.mixed_interpreter_constraints`	Adds the `py-constraints` goal for insights on Python interpreter constraints.	Interpreter compatibility
`pants.backend.python.lint.bandit`	Enables Bandit, the Python security linter: https://bandit.readthedocs.io/en/latest/.	Linters and formatters
`pants.backend.python.lint.black`	Enables Black, the Python autoformatter: https://black.readthedocs.io/en/stable/.	Linters and formatters
`pants.backend.python.lint.docformatter`	Enables Docformatter, the Python docstring autoformatter: https://github.com/myint/docformatter.	Linters and formatters
`pants.backend.python.lint.flake8`	Enables Flake8, the Python linter: https://flake8.pycqa.org/en/latest/.	Linters and formatters
`pants.backend.python.lint.isort`	Enables isort, the Python import autoformatter: https://timothycrosley.github.io/isort/.	Linters and formatters
`pants.backend.python.lint.pylint`	Enables Pylint, the Python linter: https://www.pylint.org	Linters and formatters
`pants.backend.python.lint.yapf`	Enables Yapf, the Python formatter: https://pypi.org/project/yapf/	Linters and formatters
`pants.backend.python.typecheck.mypy`	Enables MyPy, the Python type checker: https://mypy.readthedocs.io/en/stable/.	typecheck
`pants.backend.shell`	Core Shell support, including shUnit2 test runner.	Shell overview
`pants.backend.shell.lint.shfmt`	Enables shfmt, a Shell autoformatter: https://github.com/mvdan/sh.	Shell overview
`pants.backend.shell.lint.shellcheck`	Enables Shellcheck, a Shell linter: https://www.shellcheck.net/.	Shell overview