Proposal: Add `rewrite` support for `errorprone.refasterrules`
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Description
## Proposal: Add `rewrite` support for `errorprone.refasterrules`
I’d like to propose integrating [Google’s Error Prone](https://github.com/google/error-prone) and its Picnic extension (demonstrated in [Automating Away Bugs with Error Prone | PlatformCon 2023](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6llnrUtVlrE)) to enable automated bug fixes via `rewrite` rules. This would complement Checkstyle’s static analysis capabilities by addressing semantic bugs rather than stylistic issues.
## Motivation
Error Prone’s `refaster`/`rewrite` rules can automatically:
- Fix common bug patterns (e.g., `String.equals()` misuse)
- Modernize code (e.g., JDK migration helpers)
- Enforce best practices (e.g., null-check improvements)
Real-world adoptions show tangible benefits:
- https://github.com/pmd/pmd/pull/5956
- https://github.com/checkstyle/checkstyle/pull/17490
- https://github.com/apache/kafka/pull/20219
- https://github.com/diffplug/spotless/pull/2576
## Proposal
1. Add support for `errorprone.refasterrules`-based rewrites
2. Implement with opt-in adoption (no breaking changes)
3. Include suppression mechanisms for API constraints
## Discussion Points
- Need consensus on:
- Scope of auto-fixes
- Preferred suppression strategy
- Integration approach
## Next Steps
I’m happy to:
- Prepare a PoC demonstrating the value
- Collaborate on implementation strategy
- Address any concerns about compatibility
relates to:
- https://github.com/apache/maven-parent/issues/238
Contributor guide
No contributing guide indexed for this repository
Research direction
No files, tests, or implementation entry points are named. Start by reviewing the Maven parent POMs and the linked Error Prone, Picnic, PMD, Checkstyle, Kafka, and Spotless examples; done means reaching consensus on scope, suppression, compatibility, and an opt-in integration approach.
Written by the indexing model from the issue text.
Assessment
- Tech stack
- java
- Domain
- build-system, tooling
- Issue type
- Feature
- Difficulty
- 5/5
- Estimated time
- Over a week
- Activity status
- Stale
- Clarity
- Needs clarification
- Newbie friendliness
- 25/100