Modified local library overridden/ignored

Libraries
1

This is a problem in a project for multiple esp32 boards, using the TFT_eSPI library.

The library source requires editing before use, items like specific driver chip and SPI pin assignments. SPI pin assignments are board-specific.

I made a copy of the TFT_eSPI directory from .pio/libdeps in the workspace lib directory. I made suitable modifications to the local lib copy.

This arrangement worked. I had successful tests with 2 different boards/envs. My local changes were compiled and included in the binaries.

I added a third project env for a third board type.

After saving platformio.ini, the update process showed the library manager updating and installing versions for all the project libraries, INCLUDING TFT_eSPI!

Three projects now fail.

Subsequent examination of the contents of the .pio\libdeps…copies of TFT_eSPI reveals that now for all three board types, the unmodified&unusable github version has been installed.

So, the modified local library is being ignored contrary to the docs.

How does one avoid this issue?

2

Never ever edit files localted in .pio.
These files are temporary and can change or removed at any time.

If you want to have a local library, move it to the lib folder within your project.

Fortunately, TFT_eSPI PlatformIO offers users a much better way to configure the library. You’ll find a not about this in the README :

PlatformIO users can define these settings on a per project basis within a platformio.ini file, see Docs folder in library.

Unfortunately this is not linked but take a look at TFT_eSPI/docs/PlatformIO/Configuring options.txt at master · Bodmer/TFT_eSPI · GitHub

This example shows how you can easily configure the library without having to change the library files.