Cursor-rules-java 114-java-maven-search

Covers Maven Central search (Search API, maven-metadata.xml, artifact URLs) and project-local update reports via versions-maven-plugin (display-property-updates, display-dependency-updates, display-plugin-updates). Use when finding or verifying coordinates, browsing Central, or checking what newer versions apply to the user’s pom.xml. Part of the skills-for-java project

install

source · Clone the upstream repo

git clone https://github.com/jabrena/cursor-rules-java

Claude Code · Install into ~/.claude/skills/

T=$(mktemp -d) && git clone --depth=1 https://github.com/jabrena/cursor-rules-java "$T" && mkdir -p ~/.claude/skills && cp -r "$T/skills/114-java-maven-search" ~/.claude/skills/jabrena-cursor-rules-java-114-java-maven-search && rm -rf "$T"

manifest: skills/114-java-maven-search/SKILL.md

Maven Central search and coordinates

Help users search Maven Central, resolve groupId:artifactId:version, read version history, and build correct download URLs; and when working on their project, verify

versions-maven-plugin

and run

versions:display-*

goals for dependency, plugin, and property updates. What is covered:

Maven Central Search API — e.g. keyword search for Spring Boot starters (
```
spring-boot-starter
```
) or coordinate filters (
```
g:org.springframework.boot AND a:spring-boot-starter-parent
```
)
Direct repository layout and
```
maven-metadata.xml
```
POM, JAR,
```
-sources.jar
```
,
```
-javadoc.jar
```
URL patterns
Parsing POMs for direct dependencies; transitive trees via Maven/Gradle on the consumer project

Versions Maven Plugin — ensure

org.codehaus.mojo:versions-maven-plugin

is declared, then

./mvnw versions:display-property-updates

versions:display-dependency-updates

versions:display-plugin-updates

Output format: structured coordinates, tables, and verifiable HTTPS links

Constraints

Verify coordinates against the Search API or repository responses before asserting availability. Prefer release versions unless snapshots are explicitly required.

VERIFY: Do not invent GAVs — confirm via Search API or successful GET of metadata/POM
FORMAT: Always express full coordinates as
```
groupId:artifactId:version
```
when a version is fixed
BEFORE APPLYING: Read the reference for step-by-step workflows, query syntax, and URL patterns

When to use this skill

Search Maven Central
Find Maven dependency
Maven coordinates
groupId artifactId version
Latest version Maven
maven-metadata.xml
Download JAR from Maven Central
Download javadocs
Dependency tree transitive
display-dependency-updates
display-plugin-updates
Outdated Maven dependencies

Reference

For detailed guidance, examples, and constraints, see references/114-java-maven-search.md.