How to stop Spacemacs from asking for a required layer installation

Question

Each time I open a .toml file I'm asked in the minibuffer:

Support for toml-mode requires installation of layer rust, do you want to install it? (y or n) n

How can I stop that question?

Answer 1

You have to learn how to ask Emacs questions.

I didn't know the answer to your question when I first read it. However, Emacs revealed the answer after I asked it some questions.

• Usually, behaviors are controlled by variables.
• To ask Emacs about variables, you hit C-h v.
  • The Spacemacs alternative is SPC h d v. (Same thing.)
• Then I typed "spacemacs installation", and I got an autocompleted list of some likely candidates.
  • dotspacemacs-enable-lazy-installation
  • dotspacemacs-ask-for-lazy-installation

After reading their docstrings, I figured out that you have to do this:

(setq dotspacemacs-ask-for-lazy-installation nil)

Remember to ask Emacs first.

The more you learn how to ask Emacs questions about itself, the faster you'll get good at it. Here are a few more to commit to memory.

• C-h f :: describe function
• C-h k :: describe key binding
• M-x ielm :: start an Elisp REPL

Emacs can tell you so much about itself if you ask.