Is it possible to reference compiled Manifold templates without the IntelliJ plugin?

I’m testing the use of Manifold templates in IntelliJ without the Manifold IntelliJ plugin. After defining a template, and running Gradle build successfully from the command line, IntelliJ is saying that it “Cannot resolve symbol ‘Hello’”). I see the generated class file in build/classes/java/..., but I guess it doesn’t work because there’s no source file placed in generated/sources/annotationProcessor/java/main/...?

If I start using Manifold templates in production, I’ll buy the plugin, but I want to see if I can at least get IntelliJ to be able to reference compiled templates. In open source projects that use Manifold Templates, there are probably use cases where developers need to make changes to a project, they don’t need to edit templates, and all they really want is IntelliJ to not tell them the code is broken.

Maybe I’m missing some IntelliJ setting that would make this work?

[rsmckinney]

@mtdowling The latest IJ plugin release is free with Ultimate after the trial period, but nags on project load.

[mtdowling]

You’re probably right about separating the projects, it just means stuff like code generators probably need like a 3 package layout (e.g., one for shared code, one for templates that uses shared code, and one to actually use the templates).

As for the IntelliJ plugins, I wouldn’t want you to lose a revenue stream. I also wouldn’t want you to have to maintain a separate plugin if it’s a lot of work or maintenance… if you’re already considering this, what about something like making templates free as part of the plugin for Pro users, and other manifold features aren’t available after the trial period (with the option to “not show again” for people just using templates)? Free with a periodic nag works too.