Maven uses repositories to manage and store the libraries, plugins, and other project dependencies you need for your Java applications. When you build a project with Maven, it automatically downloads required files from these repositories, so you do not have to manually search for or install dependencies.

Local Repository

Your local repository is a folder on your own computer where Maven stores the libraries and plugins you have already downloaded. By default, this folder is located at ~/.m2/repository. When you build a project, Maven checks your local repository first to see if the dependency is already available. This makes builds faster and avoids unnecessary downloads.

Central Repository

The central repository is a large, public repository maintained by the Maven community. It contains thousands of open-source Java libraries and plugins. If a dependency is not found in your local repository, Maven automatically tries to download it from the central repository at central repository;.

Remote Repositories

Remote repositories are any repositories other than your local and the central repository. These can be private repositories set up by your company, or public repositories hosted by third parties. You can configure Maven to use additional remote repositories in your project’s pom.xml file. This is useful if you need to use libraries that are not available in the central repository.

Understanding how Maven uses these repositories helps you control where your dependencies come from and how your projects are built.

How Maven Downloads Artifacts

When you build a project with Maven, you often need external libraries or plugins. Maven calls these artifacts. Maven manages these artifacts automatically using repositories.

Artifact Download Process

1. Maven checks your local repository for the required artifact;
2. If the artifact is not found locally, Maven checks each remote repository listed in your pom.xml file, in the order they appear;
3. If the artifact is still not found, Maven checks the central repository;
4. Once Maven finds the artifact, it downloads it and stores it in your local repository for future use.

Repository Priority

• Maven always checks the local repository first;
• If the artifact is not present locally, Maven checks remote repositories in the order they are listed in your pom.xml file;
• If none of your configured repositories have the artifact, Maven tries the central repository last.

This order ensures that Maven uses your local and preferred repositories before searching the wider internet. You can control which repositories Maven uses and their order by editing your pom.xml file.

Tip: If you want Maven to use a private repository (such as a company server), list it before the central repository in your pom.xml.