One of the "optional" tasks I need is . It will have the same effect as a -listener option on the command line ( use the parameter to create a class and add it to the project listeners ). It's easy to do - but there are some problems: - it needs to be specified under , same as top-level properties and taskdefs. This would allow it to eventually replace the default logger before the first message. - it will miss the events before it's execution. That's fine if listeners are specified at the beggining and a dummy buildStarted is sent. Does it sounds crazy ? Any chance to get this in the optional pack ? If it does, can I at least ask for a "nologger" option that would start ant without any listener ? Costin