We plan to enable Bzlmod by default in Bazel 7.

Summary

--enable_bzlmod is enabled by default. Bazel will try to fetch external dependencies from MODULE.bazel, if the requested external dependency is not found, it will fallback to fetch dependencies from WORKSPACE.

Incompatible changes

TODO: write more guidance for common issues users may encounter

• Canonical label string must start with @@
• The workspace name for the main repo will be fixed to _main
• Runfiles libraries must be used to access runfiles with apparent repo name.
• @bazel_tools fetched from Bzlmod.

Migration

Bazel users are encouraged to migrate to Bzlmod. The migration guide is available at https://bazel.build/external/migration

If your project or dependencies are not yet ready for Bzlmod, you can disable Bzlmod by --noenable_bzlmod .

And please feel free to

• Report Bzlmod related issues that are blocking your migration.
• File a module wanted issue to the BCR repository.
• Upvote your missing dependencies in this Bzlmod: Poll for the most wanted modules in the Bazel Central Registry