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Tech riderRev. 20 Sept 2026

SDKMAN!

Ch 137.1of 51 Development Environment Managers
  1. 1Runs onAPI, Linux, Mac, Windows
  2. 2CostsNot stated by the maker
  3. 3Supported scopelanguage + sdk
  4. 4Project version pinningYes
  5. 5Lockfile supportYes
  6. 6Automatic switchingYes
  7. 7Shell integrationYes
  8. 8Operating systemscross platform
7 lines stated Written from the maker's own pages: sdkman.io
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Overview

SDKMAN! is ranked #13 of 51 in development environment managers on Specifiction. It runs on API, Linux, macOS, Windows.

Compared on development environment managers

Free plan
Yessdkman.io
Supported scope
language_and_sdksdkman.io
Project version pinning
Yessdkman.io
Lockfile support
Yessdkman.io
Automatic switching
Yessdkman.io
Shell integration
Yessdkman.io
Operating systems
cross_platformsdkman.io
CI/CD usage
Yessdkman.io

Facts

Purpose
SDKMAN! manages multiple Software Development Kits on Unix systems through a command-line interface and API.sdkman.io · 30 Sept 2026
JVM ecosystem
It supports JVM SDKs and tools including Java, Scala, Kotlin, Groovy, Ant, Gradle, Maven, SBT, Spark, Spring Boot and Vert.x.sdkman.io · 30 Sept 2026
Version switching
Users can install, uninstall, list, use, default, upgrade and inspect SDK versions from the CLI.sdkman.io · 30 Sept 2026
Project environments
An .sdkmanrc file can define SDK versions for a project, and automatic switching can occur when entering a directory.sdkman.io · 30 Sept 2026
Installation platforms
SDKMAN! supports macOS, Linux and Windows through WSL or Git Bash with MinGW.sdkman.io · 30 Sept 2026
Windows limitation
Windows cannot run SDKMAN! natively; it requires WSL or MSYS+MinGW, and Cygwin is no longer supported.sdkman.io · 30 Sept 2026
Dependencies
The installer requires curl, zip and unzip, and SDKMAN! works with Bash and ZSH.sdkman.io · 30 Sept 2026
CI mode
The installer offers CI mode that answers prompts, disables colored output and turns off self-updates.sdkman.io · 30 Sept 2026
Vendor publishing
JVM SDK vendors can publish releases through the SDKMAN! State API and choose the default user version.sdkman.io · 30 Sept 2026
JDK integration
Java distributions are pulled automatically from the Foojay DISCO API.sdkman.io · 30 Sept 2026
Ecosystem limit
SDKMAN! is intended for the JVM ecosystem and is not the right home for Go, Rust, Node.js, Python or Ruby toolchains.sdkman.io · 30 Sept 2026
Open source
SDKMAN! is open source and licensed under Apache 2.0.sdkman.io · 30 Sept 2026
Security support
Only the latest released CLI version receives security updates.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
Vulnerability reporting
Security issues can be reported through GitHub Private Vulnerability Reporting or by emailing [email protected].github.com · 30 Sept 2026
Community support
The project identifies its Discord #vendors channel as the fastest way for vendors to get help.sdkman.io · 30 Sept 2026
Interface
It provides a command-line interface and an API.sdkman.io · 1 Oct 2026
Supported SDKs
Supported JVM SDKs include Java, Scala, Kotlin and Groovy, plus tools such as Ant, Gradle, Grails, Maven, SBT, Spark, Spring Boot and Vert.x.sdkman.io · 1 Oct 2026
Shells
The installer supports Bash and ZSH shells.sdkman.io · 1 Oct 2026
Version management
Users can install, uninstall, list, switch and set default SDK versions.sdkman.io · 1 Oct 2026
Java distributions
Java distributions are pulled automatically from the Foojay DISCO API.sdkman.io · 1 Oct 2026
Scope limitation
SDKMAN! is built for the JVM ecosystem and says Go, Rust, Node.js, Python and Ruby toolchains are not the right fit.sdkman.io · 1 Oct 2026

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Where it ranks on Specifiction

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