Clojure Docs Suggest Valid Syntax

Oct 13, 2025 by recoveryshake.com 83 views

Introduction

When working with Clojure, it's not uncommon to encounter issues with shebang lines in scripts. A shebang line is a special line at the beginning of a script that specifies the interpreter to use to run the script. However, some tools, like Clojure LSP, may complain about the shebang line, marking it as an error. In this article, we'll explore the issue of a shebang line being marked as an error and provide a solution.

Describe the Bug

The issue arises when using a shebang line that starts with #!/usr/bin/env. The Clojure LSP complains about the / after #!, expecting <form> instead. This is a misleading error message, as the shebang line is a valid syntax in Clojure.

Example File

The following file is an example copied from the Babashka documentation:

#!/usr/bin/env bb

(require '[babashka.http-client :as http])

This file is a simple Clojure script that uses the Babashka HTTP client. However, when opening this file in an editor with Clojure LSP support, the shebang line is marked as an error.

Clojure Docs Suggest Valid Syntax

According to the Clojure documentation, a shebang line is valid syntax on the first line of a file:

{:final-settings {},
 :classpath nil,
 :cljfmt-raw "nil",
 :analysis-summary
 {"internal" {"keyword-usages" 15905.0, "instance-invocations" 65.0, "protocol-impls" 18.0, "local-usages" 7463.0, "namespace-alias" 565.0, "namespace-usages" 621.0, "symbols" 4.0, "var-usages" 18300.0, "namespace-definitions" 26.0, "java-class-usages" 141.0, "locals" 4372.0, "var-definitions" 1131.0}, "external" {"instance-invocations" 417.0, "protocol-impls" 69.0, "local-usages" 8690.0, "namespace-alias" 17.0, "namespace-usages" 22.0, "symbols" 13.0, "var-usages" 12312.0, "namespace-definitions" 2.0, "java-class-usages" 450.0, "locals" 4850.0, "var-definitions" 1259.0}},
 :client-settings nil,
 :project-root-uri nil,
 :port "NREPL only available on :debug profile (`bb debug-cli`)",
 :project-settings nil,
 :server-version "2025.03.07-17.42.36",
 :clj-kondo-version "2025.02.20",
 :log-path "/tmp/clojure-lsp.3767883027226366171.out",
 :classpath-settings nil}

This suggests that the shebang line is a valid syntax in Clojure, and the error message from Clojure LSP is misleading.

Solution

To resolve this issue, you can simply remove the shebang line from the file. This will allow you to use the file as a Clojure script without any issues.

Alternatively, you can modify the shebang line to use a different interpreter, such as #!/usr/bin/env clojure. This will allow you to use the file as a Clojure script while still using the shebang line.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the issue of a shebang line being marked as an error is a misleading error message from Clojure LSP. The shebang line is a valid syntax in Clojure, and removing it or modifying it to use a different interpreter can resolve the issue. By understanding the issue and its solution, you can write and run Clojure scripts without any issues.

Additional Tips

When working with shebang lines, make sure to use a valid interpreter, such as #!/usr/bin/env clojure.
If you're using a shebang line, make sure to remove it when working with Clojure LSP.
Consider using a different interpreter, such as #!/usr/bin/env clojure, to avoid issues with shebang lines.

Related Issues

Acknowledgments

Introduction

In our previous article, we explored the issue of a shebang line being marked as an error by Clojure LSP. We discussed the solution to this issue and provided additional tips for working with shebang lines. In this article, we'll answer some frequently asked questions about this issue.

Q&A

Q: What is a shebang line?

A: A shebang line is a special line at the beginning of a script that specifies the interpreter to use to run the script. It's typically used in Unix-like systems to indicate the interpreter that should be used to run the script.

Q: Why is my shebang line being marked as an error by Clojure LSP?

A: Clojure LSP is marking your shebang line as an error because it's expecting a <form> tag instead of the / character after the #! characters. This is a misleading error message, as the shebang line is a valid syntax in Clojure.

Q: How can I resolve this issue?

A: You can resolve this issue by removing the shebang line from your file or modifying it to use a different interpreter, such as #!/usr/bin/env clojure.

Q: What are some common shebang lines used in Clojure?

A: Some common shebang lines used in Clojure include:

#!/usr/bin/env clojure
#!/usr/bin/env lein
#!/usr/bin/env bb

Q: Can I use a shebang line with Babashka?

A: Yes, you can use a shebang line with Babashka. However, you'll need to use the #!/usr/bin/env bb shebang line to specify the Babashka interpreter.

Q: How can I avoid issues with shebang lines in the future?

A: To avoid issues with shebang lines in the future, make sure to use a valid interpreter and remove the shebang line when working with Clojure LSP.

Q: What are some related issues that I should be aware of?

A: Some related issues that you should be aware of include:

Conclusion

In conclusion, the issue of a shebang line being marked as an error by Clojure LSP is a common issue that can be resolved by removing the shebang line or modifying it to use a different interpreter. By understanding the issue and its solution, you can write and run Clojure scripts without any issues.

Additional Tips

When working with shebang lines, make sure to use a valid interpreter.
Remove the shebang line when working with Clojure LSP.
Consider using a different interpreter, such as #!/usr/bin/env clojure, to avoid issues with shebang lines.