apache / apache/netbeans

Maven Project Dependency Replaced with JAR, Breaking Source Navigation

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kind:bug Maven needs:triage
Dominant language
Java
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Description

### Apache NetBeans version

Apache NetBeans 25

### What happened

When adding an open Maven library project as a dependency to another Maven project in NetBeans 25, the IDE sometimes silently replaces the project reference with the compiled JAR file from the local repository. This breaks:

"Go to Source" navigation (Ctrl+Click).

Real-time dependency updates (changes in the library project aren’t reflected until rebuilt).

### Language / Project Type / NetBeans Component

Java Maven Swing project

### How to reproduce

Open two Maven projects in NetBeans 25:

Project A (main project)

Project B (dependency library).

In Project A, add Project B as a dependency via:

Right-click Dependencies / Add Project / Open Projects / Select Project B.

Verify it works (Ctrl+Click on a method call in Project A navigates to Project B’s source).

Perform one of these actions:

It is unknown at this point what actions cause the issue to occur, it happens after a few days work and with different projects, sometimes several at a time.

### Did this work correctly in an earlier version?

No / Don't know

### Operating System

Linux Mint Debian Edition 6 (LMDE 6)

### JDK

zulu21.34.19-ca-fx-jdk21.0.3-linux_amd64.deb

### Apache NetBeans packaging

Apache NetBeans provided installer

### Anything else

The issue occurs every few days. The workaround is to remove the jar dependency and manually re-add the open project dependency, but this is temporary.

### Are you willing to submit a pull request?

No

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

Research direction

Reproduce the issue with two open Maven projects in NetBeans 25, adding Project B through Dependencies / Add Project / Open Projects. Determine which actions cause the project dependency to become a local JAR, then verify that the fix preserves Ctrl+Click source navigation and real-time updates without needing to remove and re-add the dependency.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
java
Domain
developer-experience
Issue type
Bug
Difficulty
4/5
Estimated time
3-5 days
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Needs clarification
Newbie friendliness
35/100

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