Maven - fix for [ERROR] Unknown lifecycle phase ".test.skip.exec=true". You must specify a valid lifecycle phase or a goal in the format

Hi, today we would like to show how to fix the unknown lifecycle phase error when using maven on Windows.

Problem

When I tried to execute some commands with define a system property (-D parameter) and I get error:

PS C:\projects\examples> mvn clean install -Dmaven.test.skip.exec=true
[ERROR] Unknown lifecycle phase ".test.skip.exec=true". You must specify a valid lifecycle phase or a goal in the format

In this example I use maven.test.skip.exec parameter: -Dmaven.test.skip.exec=true.

This problem occurs not only for this parameter but for some other parameters also.

Solution

I found the solution for this problem.

The fix is quite simple, on Windows we just need to add back quote sign before -D parameter.

Example:

`-D

Full working command line:

PS C:\projects\examples> mvn clean install `-Dmaven.test.skip.exec=true

It turned out that it is platform dependend problem.

It occurss only on Windows.

Linux and MacOS it works without back quote sign.