
Switching Java versions on Windows is a real hassle, so I built a CLI to make it fast and seamless.
jir
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jir helps you manage Java versions without fighting JAVA_HOME.
Install a JDK, switch to it, and keep your active Java runtime behind one stable path: home/occupy.
Why
If you often switch between Java 8, 17, 21, or different vendors like Temurin, Corretto, Zulu, Oracle, and Microsoft OpenJDK, jir keeps that workflow simple.
You can set JAVA_HOME to home/occupy once. After that, jir use 21:temurin switches Java without editing environment variables again.
On Windows, switching uses a directory junction, so it is fast and does not copy the whole JDK.
Install
Download or build the Windows GUI installer:
dist/jir-0.1.0-windows-x64-gui-setup.exe
The installer lets you choose where jir lives. It can also add jir to PATH and set JAVA_HOME for you.
After installing, open a new terminal and check:
jir -h
Quick Start
See what you can install:
jir ls -i
Install Java 21. If there are multiple vendors, jir will let you choose one:
jir i 21
Already know what you want?
jir i 21:temurin
Switch to it:
jir use 21:temurin
Check what is active:
jir current
Remove something you no longer need:
jir uni 21:temurin
Commands
jir,jir -h,jir -help,jir --help: show help.jir ls: show installed JDKs.jir ls -i: show installable JDKs.jir i 21: install Java 21 and choose a vendor.jir i 21:temurin: install a specific distro.jir use 21: choose an installed Java 21 distro and activate it.jir use 21:temurin: activate a specific installed distro.jir current: show the active Java runtime.jir uni 21:temurin: uninstall a JDK after confirmation.