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Hey! These docs are for version 2.14, which is no longer officially supported. Click here for the latest version, 2.17!

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


## Available backends
BackendWhat it doesDocs
`pants.backend.build_files.fmt.black`Enables autoformatting `BUILD` files using `black`.
`pants.backend.build_files.fmt.buildifier`Enables autoformatting `BUILD` files using `buildifier`.
`pants.backend.build_files.fmt.yapf`Enables autoformatting `BUILD` files using `yapf`.
`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_development`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](🔗)