fidothe/chjava

chjava is a lightweight command-line tool for macOS that lets you quickly switch between different versions of Java. If you work on multiple projects that each require a specific version of Java, this tool saves you from the repetitive, error-prone process of manually updating your system's Java configuration every time you switch folders. On macOS, Java looks for a specific environment variable to know which version to use. Normally, changing that variable requires typing out a long, cumbersome command. This tool simplifies that to a single command. You just type something like "chjava 17" to instantly set Java 17 as your active version. It also supports fuzzy matching, so asking for version 11 will automatically find the latest installed version of 11 on your machine. On newer Apple Silicon Macs, it can even help you run Intel-based versions of Java if a specific project requires it. This tool is designed for developers who frequently switch between Java versions and want a minimalist solution. For example, if you maintain an older application that runs on Java 8 but also build new services on Java 17, you can use this tool to toggle between them in seconds. It also supports automatic switching: if you place a small configuration file in your project folder, the tool will automatically change your Java version the moment you navigate into that project in your terminal. What stands out about this project is its strict commitment to doing one thing and doing it with as little overhead as possible. The creator intentionally avoided adding extra features like downloading and installing new versions of Java or interfering with other system settings. It is built as a very small script and only modifies the single environment variable that controls your active Java version. This makes it a straightforward, predictable utility for people who want to avoid heavier, more complex development tools.