cli: plugin option set in cdk.json is ignored

[wiget]

Describe the bug

The plugin option in the project's cdk.json file is ignored.

Regression Issue

• Select this option if this issue appears to be a regression.

Last Known Working CDK Version

2.173.4

Expected Behavior

The plugin option in the project's cdk.json file is honoured and defined plugins are used to obtain credentials.

Current Behavior

The plugin option in the project's cdk.json file is ignored.

Reproduction Steps

npx cdk init app --language=typescript --generate-only
jq '. += {"plugin": ["dummy"]}' < cdk.json > edited-cdk.json
mv edited-cdk.json cdk.json
npx cdk --debug -vvv --no-color version

In the output, there will be merged settings section. Look for plugin. If it's [] then the bug is present.

Possible Solution

No response

Additional Information/Context

No response

CDK CLI Version

2.174.0

Framework Version

No response

Node.js Version

22.11.0

OS

Ubuntu 24.04

Language

TypeScript

Language Version

Typescript (5.7.2)

Other information

No response

[brander-john]

In case this helps, looks like it was introduced here -> https://github.com/aws/aws-cdk/pull/32596/files#r1896971697

When the settings are merged due to the order of operations the default value [] for plugins in this.commandLineArguments overwrites any previous set value.

https://github.com/aws/aws-cdk/blob/main/packages/aws-cdk/lib/settings.ts#L146-L151
https://github.com/aws/aws-cdk/blob/main/packages/aws-cdk/lib/util/objects.ts#L110-L111

[khushail]

Hi @wiget , thanks for reaching out. Looks like this has already been added to the core team's backlog and team should be working on it.

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