Dependencies checker

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When developing and installing Delphi plugins, you may encounter the cryptic “Can’t load package…” error. This message provides little information about the actual cause, making troubleshooting difficult. At GDK Software, we use the Dependencies checker tool to quickly identify missing .bpl files and resolve these issues.

This error is most likely caused by missing .bpl files. Your code compiles and the plugin builds successfully, but one or more required .bpl files are missing during installation.

To identify which files are missing, use the Dependencies checker tool. This tool analyzes your compiled .bpl file and shows exactly which dependencies are not found on the system.

Download Dependencies checker (x64)

Follow these steps to diagnose missing dependencies:

• Extract the Dependencies folder from the downloaded archive
• Run DependenciesGui.exe
• Drag your compiled .bpl file into the tool window
• Look for files marked with a red X – these are the missing dependencies
• If no files are marked, the issue may have a different cause

In this example, the tool reveals that GDKToolsApiHelper.bpl is missing. After building this dependency and placing it in the correct location, the plugin installs successfully.

The Dependencies checker is an essential tool for diagnosing plugin installation issues in Delphi. By identifying missing .bpl files before deployment, you can save significant debugging time. For more debugging techniques, read our article on A comparison of various Delphi debugging tools.