Makefile Cheat Sheet/Set explicit default goal

Choose which target runs when the user invokes plain `make`.

Section: Targets, prerequisites, and recipes

Set explicit default goal

makefile
makefile
.DEFAULT_GOAL := help
Explanation

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
Basic rule
Define a target, prerequisites, and recipe.
OpenIn sheetmakefilesame section
Rule with multiple prerequisites
Rebuild target when any listed prerequisite changes.
OpenIn sheetmakefilesame section
Phony target
Create a target that does not represent a file.
OpenIn sheetmakefilesame section
Multiple targets one recipe
Attach the same recipe to multiple targets.
OpenIn sheetmakefilesame section
Order-only prerequisite
Require creation order without forcing rebuilds when the prerequisite timestamp changes.
OpenIn sheetmakefilesame section
Stamp file target
Track completion of a step using a timestamp file.
OpenIn sheetmakefilesame section