---
id: colcon-powershell
version: "0.5.0"
license: Apache-2.0
license_treatment: permissive
maintenance: aging
---

# colcon-powershell — Extension for colcon to provide PowerShell scripts.

License: permissive · Maintenance: aging · Downloads: 182.9K/mo

## What it is and what it does

colcon-powershell is a plugin for the colcon build system that generates PowerShell shell scripts instead of the default bash scripts. It integrates with colcon-core to provide environment setup and task execution scripts tailored for PowerShell on Windows, macOS, and POSIX platforms. The package is classified as Alpha and is maintained by the colcon project.

Developers use this extension when they need colcon to output PowerShell-compatible scripts—particularly on Windows systems where PowerShell is the native shell, or in mixed environments where PowerShell is preferred. It has a single runtime dependency on colcon-core and installs with low friction. The package has been in development since 2018 and receives occasional updates, though activity is minimal.

Use it for:

- Generate PowerShell setup scripts for colcon workspaces on Windows development machines.
- Integrate colcon builds into Windows CI/CD pipelines that use PowerShell as the shell environment.
- Provide cross-platform colcon support for teams using PowerShell on macOS or Linux alongside Windows developers.

## Worth the install?

AI-flagged interpretation of the facts above — verify before relying.

Extends colcon-core to generate PowerShell shell scripts for build environment setup and task execution on Windows, macOS, and POSIX systems.

Yes, if you use colcon and need PowerShell script generation. Install friction is low and the license is permissive. However, maintenance is aging (last update 185 days ago) and the package is still Alpha, so verify that PowerShell script generation meets your specific build requirements before relying on it in production.

## Install

pip install colcon-powershell
uv add colcon-powershell
poetry add colcon-powershell

## Installing colcon-powershell

Before you install: Low install friction with a single dependency on colcon-core. Maintenance is aging—last release was 185 days ago and the repository shows minimal activity (2 stars), though it remains active and not archived.

License in practice: Licensed under Apache-2.0 (permissive), allowing free use, modification, and distribution with minimal restrictions; suitable for both open-source and commercial projects.

Quickstart:

pip install colcon-powershell

from colcon_core.plugin_system import instantiate_extensions
# colcon-powershell is auto-discovered and registered as a shell extension

Requires colcon-core to be installed and a compatible Python version (3.6+); PowerShell scripts are only functional on Windows, macOS, or POSIX systems where PowerShell is available.

Verify before relying:

- Whether PowerShell script generation covers all colcon task types or has known limitations.
- Compatibility with recent PowerShell versions and whether Windows-specific shell features are fully supported.

## Package facts

- License: Apache-2.0 (permissive)
- Python support: supports_current
- Install friction: low
- Maintenance: aging
- Downloads: 182.9K/month (top 15,000 on PyPI)
- Known vulnerabilities: none known

## Tags

colcon powershell extension, powershell build environment setup, colcon shell script generation, windows build tool integration, colcon core plugin, colcon-plugin, powershell, build-system

[View on SkillFed](https://skillfed.io/packages/colcon-powershell) · [View on PyPI](https://pypi.org/project/colcon-powershell/)