Choose which target runs when the user invokes plain `make`.
Section: Targets, prerequisites, and recipes
Set explicit default goal
makefile
makefile
.DEFAULT_GOAL := helpExplanation
Clearer than relying on the first target in the file.
Learn the surrounding workflow
Compare similar commands or jump into common fixes when this command is part of a bigger troubleshooting path.
Related commands
Same sheet · prioritizing Targets, prerequisites, and recipes
Rule with multiple prerequisites
Rebuild target when any listed prerequisite changes.
Multiple targets one recipe
Attach the same recipe to multiple targets.
Order-only prerequisite
Require creation order without forcing rebuilds when the prerequisite timestamp changes.