Improve build script robustness by validating module imports and safely handling missing dependencies.

This update enhances the module build script to ensure all required modules are explicitly imported and verified before use. The script now:

Imports the target module with proper error handling

Attempts to import PSScriptAnalyzer, Pester, and PlatyPS only when needed

Skips analyzer, test, or documentation steps if their respective modules are unavailable

Prevents calls to Invoke-ScriptAnalyzer, Invoke-Pester, or PlatyPS commands unless the module successfully loaded

Provides clear informational and warning messages for missing dependencies

Improves reliability across fresh environments, CI runners, and developer machines

These changes make the build pipeline more predictable, resilient, and self‑diagnosing, reducing friction during development and module publishing.

Author: kael-sterling

Docs/New-ModuleTemplate.md

@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ Creates a full or minimal PowerShell module project scaffold.
 
 ```
 New-ModuleTemplate [-Path] <String> [-Name] <String> [-Minimal] [-Force] [-NoGit] [-NoTests] [-NoDocs]
- [-NoAnalyzer] [-NoScripts] [-ProgressAction <ActionPreference>] [-WhatIf] [-Confirm] [<CommonParameters>]
+ [-NoAnalyzer] [-NoScripts] [-ProgressAction <ActionPreference>] [<CommonParameters>]
 ```
 
 ## DESCRIPTION
@@ -193,37 +193,6 @@ Accept pipeline input: False
 Accept wildcard characters: False
 ```
 
-### -WhatIf
-Shows what would happen if the cmdlet runs.
-The cmdlet is not run.
-
-```yaml
-Type: SwitchParameter
-Parameter Sets: (All)
-Aliases: wi
-
-Required: False
-Position: Named
-Default value: None
-Accept pipeline input: False
-Accept wildcard characters: False
-```
-
-### -Confirm
-Prompts you for confirmation before running the cmdlet.
-
-```yaml
-Type: SwitchParameter
-Parameter Sets: (All)
-Aliases: cf
-
-Required: False
-Position: Named
-Default value: None
-Accept pipeline input: False
-Accept wildcard characters: False
-```
-
 ### -ProgressAction
 {{ Fill ProgressAction Description }}
 

Scripts/build.ps1

@@ -3,29 +3,83 @@ param(
     [switch]$SkipAnalyzer,
     [switch]$SkipDocs
 )
+
 $InformationPreference = 'Continue'
 
 Write-Information "Building NewModuleTemplate..."
-Import-Module -Name "$PSScriptRoot\..\" -Force
 
+# Import the module being built
+try {
+    Import-Module -Name "$PSScriptRoot\..\" -Force -ErrorAction Stop
+    Write-Information "Module imported successfully."
+}
+catch {
+    Write-Error "Failed to import module from $PSScriptRoot\..\. Build aborted."
+    exit 1
+}
+
+# ---------------------------
+# Analyzer
+# ---------------------------
 if (-not $SkipAnalyzer) {
     Write-Information "Running PSScriptAnalyzer..."
-    Invoke-ScriptAnalyzer -Path $PSScriptRoot -Settings "$PSScriptRoot\..\Analyzer\PSScriptAnalyzerSettings.psd1"
+
+    try {
+        Import-Module PSScriptAnalyzer -ErrorAction Stop
+    }
+    catch {
+        Write-Warning "PSScriptAnalyzer is not installed. Skipping analyzer step."
+        $SkipAnalyzer = $true
+    }
+
+    if (-not $SkipAnalyzer) {
+        Invoke-ScriptAnalyzer -Path $PSScriptRoot `
+            -Settings "$PSScriptRoot\..\Analyzer\PSScriptAnalyzerSettings.psd1"
+    }
 }
 
+# ---------------------------
+# Tests
+# ---------------------------
 if (-not $SkipTests) {
     Write-Information "Running Pester tests..."
-    Invoke-Pester -Path "$PSScriptRoot\..\Tests"
-    if ($LASTEXITCODE -ne 0) {
-        Write-Error "Pester tests failed."
-        exit $LASTEXITCODE
+
+    try {
+        Import-Module Pester -ErrorAction Stop
+    }
+    catch {
+        Write-Warning "Pester is not installed. Skipping tests."
+        $SkipTests = $true
+    }
+
+    if (-not $SkipTests) {
+        Invoke-Pester -Path "$PSScriptRoot\..\Tests"
+        if ($LASTEXITCODE -ne 0) {
+            Write-Error "Pester tests failed."
+            exit $LASTEXITCODE
+        }
     }
 }
 
+# ---------------------------
+# Documentation
+# ---------------------------
 if (-not $SkipDocs) {
     Write-Information "Updating PlatyPS docs..."
-    Import-Module PlatyPS -ErrorAction Stop
-    New-MarkdownHelp -Module NewModuleTemplate  -OutputFolder "$PSScriptRoot\..\Docs\" -WithModulePage -Force
+
+    try {
+        Import-Module PlatyPS -ErrorAction Stop
+    }
+    catch {
+        Write-Warning "PlatyPS is not installed. Skipping documentation generation."
+        $SkipDocs = $true
+    }
+
+    if (-not $SkipDocs) {
+        New-MarkdownHelp -Module NewModuleTemplate `
+            -OutputFolder "$PSScriptRoot\..\Docs\" `
+            -WithModulePage -Force
+    }
 }
 
 Write-Information "Build complete."