Add new unstable attribute: `#[export_visibility = ...]`. #151431

anforowicz · 2026-01-20T21:02:55Z

This PR is an implementation of the RFC tracked in #151425

rustbot · 2026-01-20T21:02:59Z

Some changes occurred in compiler/rustc_hir/src/attrs

cc @jdonszelmann, @JonathanBrouwer

Some changes occurred in compiler/rustc_passes/src/check_attr.rs

cc @jdonszelmann, @JonathanBrouwer

Some changes occurred in compiler/rustc_attr_parsing

cc @jdonszelmann, @JonathanBrouwer

rustbot · 2026-01-20T21:03:01Z

r? @chenyukang

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Kivooeo · 2026-01-20T21:29:28Z

i had a quick look, mostly looks good, but i'd like to maybe @JonathanBrouwer take a look on this as well, i may overlooked something

r? JonathanBrouwer

JonathanBrouwer · 2026-01-20T21:36:42Z

Would like to take a look, will do so tomorrow :)

JonathanBrouwer

Some minor questions, looks good on a high level :)

View changes since this review

compiler/rustc_attr_parsing/src/attributes/codegen_attrs.rs

JonathanBrouwer · 2026-01-21T08:44:09Z

compiler/rustc_attr_parsing/src/attributes/codegen_attrs.rs

+            return None;
+        };
+        let Ok(visibility) = ExportVisibilityAttrValue::from_str(sv.as_str()) else {
+            cx.emit_err(InvalidExportVisibility {


Could this use cx.expected_specific_argument_strings instead?
(not sure)

I am also not sure. Right now the new attribute expects a string literal as an argument (e.g. #[export_visibility = "target_default"] - this is the syntax that has been used so far by the RFC) . And it seems that expected_specific_argument_strings is meant to be used with symbols rather than with string literals (e.g. #[export_visibility = target_default]). Do you think the new attribute should use the latter syntax?

I think the attribute should continue to use the #[export_visibility = "target_default"] syntax.
If expected_specific_argument_strings does not give the proper suggestions, could you make a new method that does?

compiler/rustc_codegen_ssa/src/codegen_attrs.rs

compiler/rustc_hir/src/attrs/data_structures.rs

JonathanBrouwer · 2026-01-21T08:56:47Z

compiler/rustc_hir/src/attrs/encode_cross_crate.rs

            EiiImpls(..) => No,
            ExportName { .. } => Yes,
            ExportStable => No,
+            ExportVisibility { .. } => Yes,


Is exporting this attribute needed? (Not sure, genuine question)

I am also not sure. I think if #[export_name = ...] needs to be exported, then so does #[export_visibility = ...] although I can't really convincingly point to a specific scenario where this is needed.

I think export_name is exported for rustdoc, tho not sure. I suppose it can't hurt to set this to Yes for now to be sure, it's a pretty niche attribute anyways

rustbot · 2026-01-21T08:57:44Z

Reminder, once the PR becomes ready for a review, use @rustbot ready.

tests/codegen-llvm/export-visibility.rs

rustbot · 2026-01-24T00:33:00Z

This PR was rebased onto a different main commit. Here's a range-diff highlighting what actually changed.

Rebasing is a normal part of keeping PRs up to date, so no action is needed—this note is just to help reviewers.

tgross35 · 2026-01-27T23:27:06Z

tests/run-make/cdylib-export-visibility/rmake.rs

+
+fn main() {
+    // Compile a cdylib
+    rustc().input("foo.rs").arg("-Zdefault-visibility=hidden").run();


Maybe the test should build one version with the flag and one without?

tgross35 · 2026-01-27T23:48:04Z

tests/run-make/cdylib-export-visibility/rmake.rs

+    let out =
+        llvm_readobj().arg("--dyn-symbols").input(dynamic_lib_name("foo")).run().stdout_utf8();
+
+    // `#[no_mangle]` with no other attributes means: publicly exported function.
+    assert!(out.contains("test_fn_no_attr"), "{out}");
+
+    // `#[no_mangle]` with `#[export_visibility = "target_default"]` means
+    // that visibility is inherited from `-Zdefault-visibility=hidden`.
+    assert!(!out.contains("test_fn_export_visibility_asks_for_target_default"), "{out}");


The run_make_support::object module may be helpful here so it gives a symbol dump on failure:

assert_eq!(object_contains_all_symbols(path, ["test_fn_no_attr"]), ContainsAllSymbolsOutcome::Ok); assert!(!object_contains_any_symbols(path, ["test_fn_export_visibility_asks_for_target_default"]));

Or, more complicated but maybe useful if there are more properties to check down the line, inspect the file directly.

use run_make_support::object; let obj = object::File::parse(path).unwrap(); let s = obj.symbol_by_name("test_fn_no_attr").unwrap(); assert!(s.is_global()); assert!(!s.is_undefined()); // ...

rustbot added A-attributes Area: Attributes (`#[…]`, `#![…]`) S-waiting-on-review Status: Awaiting review from the assignee but also interested parties. labels Jan 20, 2026

rustbot assigned chenyukang Jan 20, 2026

rustbot added the T-compiler Relevant to the compiler team, which will review and decide on the PR/issue. label Jan 20, 2026

rustbot assigned JonathanBrouwer and unassigned chenyukang Jan 20, 2026

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rustbot added S-waiting-on-author Status: This is awaiting some action (such as code changes or more information) from the author. and removed S-waiting-on-review Status: Awaiting review from the assignee but also interested parties. labels Jan 21, 2026

tgross35 mentioned this pull request Jan 22, 2026

Tracking Issue for #[export_visibility = ...] attribute #151425

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tgross35 reviewed Jan 22, 2026

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anforowicz force-pushed the export-visibility branch from 2043b51 to 8dc8f60 Compare January 24, 2026 00:32

anforowicz force-pushed the export-visibility branch from 8dc8f60 to 6ccbf57 Compare January 27, 2026 20:34

rustbot added the A-run-make Area: port run-make Makefiles to rmake.rs label Jan 27, 2026

anforowicz force-pushed the export-visibility branch 3 times, most recently from 88ddd87 to a741ebc Compare January 27, 2026 22:55

tgross35 reviewed Jan 27, 2026

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Add new unstable attribute: #[export_visibility = ...].

aa26225

anforowicz force-pushed the export-visibility branch from a741ebc to aa26225 Compare January 28, 2026 00:33

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Add new unstable attribute: `#[export_visibility = ...]`. #151431

Add new unstable attribute: `#[export_visibility = ...]`. #151431

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