diff --git a/base-validating-builders/buildSrc/src/main/kotlin/io/spine/gradle/internal/deps.kt b/base-validating-builders/buildSrc/src/main/kotlin/io/spine/gradle/internal/deps.kt
index 163234f79f..3e9250e751 100644
--- a/base-validating-builders/buildSrc/src/main/kotlin/io/spine/gradle/internal/deps.kt
+++ b/base-validating-builders/buildSrc/src/main/kotlin/io/spine/gradle/internal/deps.kt
@@ -98,6 +98,10 @@ object Versions {
     val animalSniffer    = "1.18"
     val apiguardian      = "1.1.0"
     val javaxAnnotation  = "1.3.2"
+    val klaxon           = "5.4"
+    val ouathJwt         = "3.10.3"
+    val bouncyCastlePkcs = "1.66"
+    val assertK          = "0.22"
 
     /**
      * Version of the SLF4J library.
@@ -159,7 +163,7 @@ object Build {
 
     object AutoService {
         val annotations = "com.google.auto.service:auto-service-annotations:${Versions.autoService}"
-        val processor = "com.google.auto.service:auto-service:${Versions.autoService}"
+        val processor   = "com.google.auto.service:auto-service:${Versions.autoService}"
     }
 }
 
@@ -168,6 +172,13 @@ object Gen {
     val javaxAnnotation = "javax.annotation:javax.annotation-api:${Versions.javaxAnnotation}"
 }
 
+object Publishing {
+    val klaxon           = "com.beust:klaxon:${Versions.klaxon}"
+    val oauthJwt         = "com.auth0:java-jwt:${Versions.ouathJwt}"
+    val bouncyCastlePkcs = "org.bouncycastle:bcpkix-jdk15on:${Versions.bouncyCastlePkcs}"
+    val assertK          = "com.willowtreeapps.assertk:assertk-jvm:${Versions.assertK}"
+}
+
 object Grpc {
     val core        = "io.grpc:grpc-core:${Versions.grpc}"
     val stub        = "io.grpc:grpc-stub:${Versions.grpc}"
@@ -275,6 +286,7 @@ object Deps {
     val test = Test
     val versions = Versions
     val scripts = Scripts
+    val publishing = Publishing
 }
 
 object DependencyResolution {
diff --git a/base/src/main/java/io/spine/io/Resource.java b/base/src/main/java/io/spine/io/Resource.java
index 6788568713..e72299bff5 100644
--- a/base/src/main/java/io/spine/io/Resource.java
+++ b/base/src/main/java/io/spine/io/Resource.java
@@ -25,8 +25,10 @@
 import com.google.common.collect.ImmutableList;
 import com.google.common.collect.Iterators;
 import com.google.common.collect.UnmodifiableIterator;
+import com.google.common.io.CharStreams;
 import org.checkerframework.checker.nullness.qual.Nullable;
 
+import java.io.BufferedReader;
 import java.io.IOException;
 import java.io.InputStream;
 import java.io.InputStreamReader;
@@ -203,6 +205,21 @@ public Reader openAsText() {
         return openAsText(UTF_8);
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Loads the whole resource file as a UTF-8 text file.
+     *
+     * @return the content of the resource file
+     * @throws IllegalStateException
+     *         on a failure of opening the file, e.g. if the file does not exist
+     * @throws IOException
+     *         on a failure of reading or closing the file
+     */
+    public String read() throws IOException {
+        try (Reader reader = new BufferedReader(openAsText())) {
+            return CharStreams.toString(reader);
+        }
+    }
+
     @Override
     public String toString() {
         return loaderCustomized() ? path + " via " + classLoader() : path;
diff --git a/buildSrc/src/main/kotlin/io/spine/gradle/internal/deps.kt b/buildSrc/src/main/kotlin/io/spine/gradle/internal/deps.kt
index 163234f79f..3e9250e751 100644
--- a/buildSrc/src/main/kotlin/io/spine/gradle/internal/deps.kt
+++ b/buildSrc/src/main/kotlin/io/spine/gradle/internal/deps.kt
@@ -98,6 +98,10 @@ object Versions {
     val animalSniffer    = "1.18"
     val apiguardian      = "1.1.0"
     val javaxAnnotation  = "1.3.2"
+    val klaxon           = "5.4"
+    val ouathJwt         = "3.10.3"
+    val bouncyCastlePkcs = "1.66"
+    val assertK          = "0.22"
 
     /**
      * Version of the SLF4J library.
@@ -159,7 +163,7 @@ object Build {
 
     object AutoService {
         val annotations = "com.google.auto.service:auto-service-annotations:${Versions.autoService}"
-        val processor = "com.google.auto.service:auto-service:${Versions.autoService}"
+        val processor   = "com.google.auto.service:auto-service:${Versions.autoService}"
     }
 }
 
@@ -168,6 +172,13 @@ object Gen {
     val javaxAnnotation = "javax.annotation:javax.annotation-api:${Versions.javaxAnnotation}"
 }
 
+object Publishing {
+    val klaxon           = "com.beust:klaxon:${Versions.klaxon}"
+    val oauthJwt         = "com.auth0:java-jwt:${Versions.ouathJwt}"
+    val bouncyCastlePkcs = "org.bouncycastle:bcpkix-jdk15on:${Versions.bouncyCastlePkcs}"
+    val assertK          = "com.willowtreeapps.assertk:assertk-jvm:${Versions.assertK}"
+}
+
 object Grpc {
     val core        = "io.grpc:grpc-core:${Versions.grpc}"
     val stub        = "io.grpc:grpc-stub:${Versions.grpc}"
@@ -275,6 +286,7 @@ object Deps {
     val test = Test
     val versions = Versions
     val scripts = Scripts
+    val publishing = Publishing
 }
 
 object DependencyResolution {
diff --git a/config b/config
index 15df4f3934..a92f5382c8 160000
--- a/config
+++ b/config
@@ -1 +1 @@
-Subproject commit 15df4f3934ec0ce0a9a5d1be087df623f2d50598
+Subproject commit a92f5382c816462dcfe7b4dc9aaab41aafc003ca
diff --git a/license-report.md b/license-report.md
index 05a2bac5c4..cc10127b63 100644
--- a/license-report.md
+++ b/license-report.md
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 
     
-# Dependencies of `io.spine:spine-base:1.5.26`
+# Dependencies of `io.spine:spine-base:1.5.27`
 
 ## Runtime
 1. **Group:** com.google.code.findbugs **Name:** jsr305 **Version:** 3.0.2
@@ -329,12 +329,12 @@
  The dependencies distributed under several licenses, are used according their commercial-use-friendly license.
 
 
-This report was generated on **Fri Aug 21 18:11:51 EEST 2020** using [Gradle-License-Report plugin](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report) by Evgeny Naumenko, licensed under [Apache 2.0 License](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report/blob/master/LICENSE).
+This report was generated on **Wed Aug 26 14:44:28 EEST 2020** using [Gradle-License-Report plugin](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report) by Evgeny Naumenko, licensed under [Apache 2.0 License](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report/blob/master/LICENSE).
 
 
 
     
-# Dependencies of `io.spine.tools:spine-errorprone-checks:1.5.26`
+# Dependencies of `io.spine.tools:spine-errorprone-checks:1.5.27`
 
 ## Runtime
 1. **Group:** com.github.ben-manes.caffeine **Name:** caffeine **Version:** 2.7.0
@@ -785,12 +785,12 @@ This report was generated on **Fri Aug 21 18:11:51 EEST 2020** using [Gradle-Lic
  The dependencies distributed under several licenses, are used according their commercial-use-friendly license.
 
 
-This report was generated on **Fri Aug 21 18:11:51 EEST 2020** using [Gradle-License-Report plugin](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report) by Evgeny Naumenko, licensed under [Apache 2.0 License](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report/blob/master/LICENSE).
+This report was generated on **Wed Aug 26 14:44:29 EEST 2020** using [Gradle-License-Report plugin](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report) by Evgeny Naumenko, licensed under [Apache 2.0 License](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report/blob/master/LICENSE).
 
 
 
     
-# Dependencies of `io.spine.tools:spine-javadoc-filter:1.5.26`
+# Dependencies of `io.spine.tools:spine-javadoc-filter:1.5.27`
 
 ## Runtime
 1. **Group:** com.google.android **Name:** annotations **Version:** 4.1.1.4
@@ -1169,12 +1169,12 @@ This report was generated on **Fri Aug 21 18:11:51 EEST 2020** using [Gradle-Lic
  The dependencies distributed under several licenses, are used according their commercial-use-friendly license.
 
 
-This report was generated on **Fri Aug 21 18:11:52 EEST 2020** using [Gradle-License-Report plugin](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report) by Evgeny Naumenko, licensed under [Apache 2.0 License](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report/blob/master/LICENSE).
+This report was generated on **Wed Aug 26 14:44:29 EEST 2020** using [Gradle-License-Report plugin](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report) by Evgeny Naumenko, licensed under [Apache 2.0 License](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report/blob/master/LICENSE).
 
 
 
     
-# Dependencies of `io.spine.tools:spine-javadoc-prettifier:1.5.26`
+# Dependencies of `io.spine.tools:spine-javadoc-prettifier:1.5.27`
 
 ## Runtime
 1. **Group:** com.google.code.findbugs **Name:** jsr305 **Version:** 3.0.2
@@ -1545,12 +1545,12 @@ This report was generated on **Fri Aug 21 18:11:52 EEST 2020** using [Gradle-Lic
  The dependencies distributed under several licenses, are used according their commercial-use-friendly license.
 
 
-This report was generated on **Fri Aug 21 18:11:52 EEST 2020** using [Gradle-License-Report plugin](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report) by Evgeny Naumenko, licensed under [Apache 2.0 License](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report/blob/master/LICENSE).
+This report was generated on **Wed Aug 26 14:44:29 EEST 2020** using [Gradle-License-Report plugin](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report) by Evgeny Naumenko, licensed under [Apache 2.0 License](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report/blob/master/LICENSE).
 
 
 
     
-# Dependencies of `io.spine.tools:spine-model-compiler:1.5.26`
+# Dependencies of `io.spine.tools:spine-model-compiler:1.5.27`
 
 ## Runtime
 1. **Group:** com.google.code.findbugs **Name:** jsr305 **Version:** 3.0.2
@@ -1937,12 +1937,12 @@ This report was generated on **Fri Aug 21 18:11:52 EEST 2020** using [Gradle-Lic
  The dependencies distributed under several licenses, are used according their commercial-use-friendly license.
 
 
-This report was generated on **Fri Aug 21 18:11:53 EEST 2020** using [Gradle-License-Report plugin](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report) by Evgeny Naumenko, licensed under [Apache 2.0 License](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report/blob/master/LICENSE).
+This report was generated on **Wed Aug 26 14:44:30 EEST 2020** using [Gradle-License-Report plugin](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report) by Evgeny Naumenko, licensed under [Apache 2.0 License](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report/blob/master/LICENSE).
 
 
 
     
-# Dependencies of `io.spine.tools:spine-mute-logging:1.5.26`
+# Dependencies of `io.spine.tools:spine-mute-logging:1.5.27`
 
 ## Runtime
 1. **Group:** com.google.auto.value **Name:** auto-value-annotations **Version:** 1.6.3
@@ -2317,12 +2317,12 @@ This report was generated on **Fri Aug 21 18:11:53 EEST 2020** using [Gradle-Lic
  The dependencies distributed under several licenses, are used according their commercial-use-friendly license.
 
 
-This report was generated on **Fri Aug 21 18:11:53 EEST 2020** using [Gradle-License-Report plugin](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report) by Evgeny Naumenko, licensed under [Apache 2.0 License](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report/blob/master/LICENSE).
+This report was generated on **Wed Aug 26 14:44:30 EEST 2020** using [Gradle-License-Report plugin](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report) by Evgeny Naumenko, licensed under [Apache 2.0 License](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report/blob/master/LICENSE).
 
 
 
     
-# Dependencies of `io.spine.tools:spine-plugin-base:1.5.26`
+# Dependencies of `io.spine.tools:spine-plugin-base:1.5.27`
 
 ## Runtime
 1. **Group:** com.google.code.findbugs **Name:** jsr305 **Version:** 3.0.2
@@ -2693,12 +2693,12 @@ This report was generated on **Fri Aug 21 18:11:53 EEST 2020** using [Gradle-Lic
  The dependencies distributed under several licenses, are used according their commercial-use-friendly license.
 
 
-This report was generated on **Fri Aug 21 18:11:53 EEST 2020** using [Gradle-License-Report plugin](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report) by Evgeny Naumenko, licensed under [Apache 2.0 License](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report/blob/master/LICENSE).
+This report was generated on **Wed Aug 26 14:44:30 EEST 2020** using [Gradle-License-Report plugin](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report) by Evgeny Naumenko, licensed under [Apache 2.0 License](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report/blob/master/LICENSE).
 
 
 
     
-# Dependencies of `io.spine.tools:spine-plugin-testlib:1.5.26`
+# Dependencies of `io.spine.tools:spine-plugin-testlib:1.5.27`
 
 ## Runtime
 1. **Group:** com.google.auto.value **Name:** auto-value-annotations **Version:** 1.6.3
@@ -3123,12 +3123,12 @@ This report was generated on **Fri Aug 21 18:11:53 EEST 2020** using [Gradle-Lic
  The dependencies distributed under several licenses, are used according their commercial-use-friendly license.
 
 
-This report was generated on **Fri Aug 21 18:11:54 EEST 2020** using [Gradle-License-Report plugin](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report) by Evgeny Naumenko, licensed under [Apache 2.0 License](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report/blob/master/LICENSE).
+This report was generated on **Wed Aug 26 14:44:31 EEST 2020** using [Gradle-License-Report plugin](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report) by Evgeny Naumenko, licensed under [Apache 2.0 License](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report/blob/master/LICENSE).
 
 
 
     
-# Dependencies of `io.spine.tools:spine-proto-dart-plugin:1.5.26`
+# Dependencies of `io.spine.tools:spine-proto-dart-plugin:1.5.27`
 
 ## Runtime
 1. **Group:** com.google.code.findbugs **Name:** jsr305 **Version:** 3.0.2
@@ -3499,12 +3499,12 @@ This report was generated on **Fri Aug 21 18:11:54 EEST 2020** using [Gradle-Lic
  The dependencies distributed under several licenses, are used according their commercial-use-friendly license.
 
 
-This report was generated on **Fri Aug 21 18:11:54 EEST 2020** using [Gradle-License-Report plugin](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report) by Evgeny Naumenko, licensed under [Apache 2.0 License](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report/blob/master/LICENSE).
+This report was generated on **Wed Aug 26 14:44:31 EEST 2020** using [Gradle-License-Report plugin](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report) by Evgeny Naumenko, licensed under [Apache 2.0 License](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report/blob/master/LICENSE).
 
 
 
     
-# Dependencies of `io.spine.tools:spine-proto-js-plugin:1.5.26`
+# Dependencies of `io.spine.tools:spine-proto-js-plugin:1.5.27`
 
 ## Runtime
 1. **Group:** com.google.code.findbugs **Name:** jsr305 **Version:** 3.0.2
@@ -3875,12 +3875,12 @@ This report was generated on **Fri Aug 21 18:11:54 EEST 2020** using [Gradle-Lic
  The dependencies distributed under several licenses, are used according their commercial-use-friendly license.
 
 
-This report was generated on **Fri Aug 21 18:11:54 EEST 2020** using [Gradle-License-Report plugin](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report) by Evgeny Naumenko, licensed under [Apache 2.0 License](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report/blob/master/LICENSE).
+This report was generated on **Wed Aug 26 14:44:31 EEST 2020** using [Gradle-License-Report plugin](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report) by Evgeny Naumenko, licensed under [Apache 2.0 License](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report/blob/master/LICENSE).
 
 
 
     
-# Dependencies of `io.spine.tools:spine-protoc-api:1.5.26`
+# Dependencies of `io.spine.tools:spine-protoc-api:1.5.27`
 
 ## Runtime
 1. **Group:** com.google.code.findbugs **Name:** jsr305 **Version:** 3.0.2
@@ -4201,12 +4201,12 @@ This report was generated on **Fri Aug 21 18:11:54 EEST 2020** using [Gradle-Lic
  The dependencies distributed under several licenses, are used according their commercial-use-friendly license.
 
 
-This report was generated on **Fri Aug 21 18:11:55 EEST 2020** using [Gradle-License-Report plugin](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report) by Evgeny Naumenko, licensed under [Apache 2.0 License](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report/blob/master/LICENSE).
+This report was generated on **Wed Aug 26 14:44:32 EEST 2020** using [Gradle-License-Report plugin](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report) by Evgeny Naumenko, licensed under [Apache 2.0 License](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report/blob/master/LICENSE).
 
 
 
     
-# Dependencies of `io.spine.tools:spine-protoc-plugin:1.5.26`
+# Dependencies of `io.spine.tools:spine-protoc-plugin:1.5.27`
 
 ## Runtime
 1. **Group:** com.google.code.findbugs **Name:** jsr305 **Version:** 3.0.2
@@ -4545,12 +4545,12 @@ This report was generated on **Fri Aug 21 18:11:55 EEST 2020** using [Gradle-Lic
  The dependencies distributed under several licenses, are used according their commercial-use-friendly license.
 
 
-This report was generated on **Fri Aug 21 18:11:55 EEST 2020** using [Gradle-License-Report plugin](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report) by Evgeny Naumenko, licensed under [Apache 2.0 License](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report/blob/master/LICENSE).
+This report was generated on **Wed Aug 26 14:44:32 EEST 2020** using [Gradle-License-Report plugin](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report) by Evgeny Naumenko, licensed under [Apache 2.0 License](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report/blob/master/LICENSE).
 
 
 
     
-# Dependencies of `io.spine:spine-testlib:1.5.26`
+# Dependencies of `io.spine:spine-testlib:1.5.27`
 
 ## Runtime
 1. **Group:** com.google.auto.value **Name:** auto-value-annotations **Version:** 1.6.3
@@ -4925,12 +4925,12 @@ This report was generated on **Fri Aug 21 18:11:55 EEST 2020** using [Gradle-Lic
  The dependencies distributed under several licenses, are used according their commercial-use-friendly license.
 
 
-This report was generated on **Fri Aug 21 18:11:55 EEST 2020** using [Gradle-License-Report plugin](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report) by Evgeny Naumenko, licensed under [Apache 2.0 License](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report/blob/master/LICENSE).
+This report was generated on **Wed Aug 26 14:44:32 EEST 2020** using [Gradle-License-Report plugin](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report) by Evgeny Naumenko, licensed under [Apache 2.0 License](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report/blob/master/LICENSE).
 
 
 
     
-# Dependencies of `io.spine.tools:spine-tool-base:1.5.26`
+# Dependencies of `io.spine.tools:spine-tool-base:1.5.27`
 
 ## Runtime
 1. **Group:** com.google.code.findbugs **Name:** jsr305 **Version:** 3.0.2
@@ -5269,12 +5269,12 @@ This report was generated on **Fri Aug 21 18:11:55 EEST 2020** using [Gradle-Lic
  The dependencies distributed under several licenses, are used according their commercial-use-friendly license.
 
 
-This report was generated on **Fri Aug 21 18:11:56 EEST 2020** using [Gradle-License-Report plugin](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report) by Evgeny Naumenko, licensed under [Apache 2.0 License](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report/blob/master/LICENSE).
+This report was generated on **Wed Aug 26 14:44:33 EEST 2020** using [Gradle-License-Report plugin](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report) by Evgeny Naumenko, licensed under [Apache 2.0 License](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report/blob/master/LICENSE).
 
 
 
     
-# Dependencies of `io.spine.tools:spine-validation-generator:1.5.26`
+# Dependencies of `io.spine.tools:spine-validation-generator:1.5.27`
 
 ## Runtime
 1. **Group:** com.google.code.findbugs **Name:** jsr305 **Version:** 3.0.2
@@ -5613,4 +5613,4 @@ This report was generated on **Fri Aug 21 18:11:56 EEST 2020** using [Gradle-Lic
  The dependencies distributed under several licenses, are used according their commercial-use-friendly license.
 
 
-This report was generated on **Fri Aug 21 18:11:56 EEST 2020** using [Gradle-License-Report plugin](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report) by Evgeny Naumenko, licensed under [Apache 2.0 License](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report/blob/master/LICENSE).
\ No newline at end of file
+This report was generated on **Wed Aug 26 14:44:33 EEST 2020** using [Gradle-License-Report plugin](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report) by Evgeny Naumenko, licensed under [Apache 2.0 License](https://github.com/jk1/Gradle-License-Report/blob/master/LICENSE).
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/pom.xml b/pom.xml
index 6caa600aa8..77249425d0 100644
--- a/pom.xml
+++ b/pom.xml
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ all modules and does not describe the project structure per-subproject.
 
 <groupId>io.spine</groupId>
 <artifactId>spine-base</artifactId>
-<version>1.5.26</version>
+<version>1.5.27</version>
 
 <inceptionYear>2015</inceptionYear>
 
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ all modules and does not describe the project structure per-subproject.
   <dependency>
     <groupId>io.spine.tools</groupId>
     <artifactId>spine-protoc-plugin</artifactId>
-    <version>1.5.26</version>
+    <version>1.5.27</version>
     <scope>test</scope>
   </dependency>
   <dependency>
diff --git a/tools/model-compiler/src/main/java/io/spine/tools/gradle/compiler/CopyPluginJar.java b/tools/model-compiler/src/main/java/io/spine/tools/gradle/compiler/CopyPluginJar.java
deleted file mode 100644
index 920b72a8a3..0000000000
--- a/tools/model-compiler/src/main/java/io/spine/tools/gradle/compiler/CopyPluginJar.java
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,75 +0,0 @@
-/*
- * Copyright 2020, TeamDev. All rights reserved.
- *
- * Redistribution and use in source and/or binary forms, with or without
- * modification, must retain the above copyright notice and the following
- * disclaimer.
- *
- * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS
- * "AS IS" AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT
- * LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR
- * A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT
- * OWNER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL,
- * SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT
- * LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE,
- * DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY
- * THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT
- * (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE
- * OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
- */
-
-package io.spine.tools.gradle.compiler;
-
-import org.gradle.api.Action;
-import org.gradle.api.GradleException;
-import org.gradle.api.Project;
-import org.gradle.api.Task;
-import org.gradle.api.artifacts.Configuration;
-import org.gradle.api.artifacts.Dependency;
-
-import java.io.File;
-import java.io.IOException;
-import java.nio.file.Files;
-import java.nio.file.Path;
-
-import static com.google.common.base.Preconditions.checkNotNull;
-import static io.spine.tools.gradle.compiler.JavaProtocConfigurationPlugin.rootSpineDirectory;
-import static io.spine.tools.gradle.compiler.JavaProtocConfigurationPlugin.spineDirectory;
-import static java.nio.file.StandardCopyOption.REPLACE_EXISTING;
-
-/**
- * Downloads and lays out the {@code protoc} plugin executable JAR.
- */
-public final class CopyPluginJar implements Action<Task> {
-
-    private final Project project;
-    private final Dependency protocPluginDependency;
-    private final Configuration fetch;
-
-    CopyPluginJar(Project project, Dependency protocPlugin, Configuration fetch) {
-        this.project = checkNotNull(project);
-        this.protocPluginDependency = checkNotNull(protocPlugin);
-        this.fetch = checkNotNull(fetch);
-    }
-
-    @Override
-    public void execute(Task task) {
-        File executableJar = fetch.fileCollection(protocPluginDependency)
-                                  .getSingleFile();
-        File spineDir = spineDirectory(project);
-        File rootSpineDir = rootSpineDirectory(project);
-        copy(executableJar, spineDir);
-        copy(executableJar, rootSpineDir);
-    }
-
-    private static void copy(File file, File destinationDir) {
-        try {
-            destinationDir.mkdirs();
-            Path destination = destinationDir.toPath()
-                                             .resolve(file.getName());
-            Files.copy(file.toPath(), destination, REPLACE_EXISTING);
-        } catch (IOException e) {
-            throw new GradleException("Failed to copy Spine Protoc executable JAR.", e);
-        }
-    }
-}
diff --git a/tools/model-compiler/src/main/java/io/spine/tools/gradle/compiler/JavaProtocConfigurationPlugin.java b/tools/model-compiler/src/main/java/io/spine/tools/gradle/compiler/JavaProtocConfigurationPlugin.java
index d5f4ddbba3..7479ae69aa 100644
--- a/tools/model-compiler/src/main/java/io/spine/tools/gradle/compiler/JavaProtocConfigurationPlugin.java
+++ b/tools/model-compiler/src/main/java/io/spine/tools/gradle/compiler/JavaProtocConfigurationPlugin.java
@@ -20,19 +20,20 @@
 
 package io.spine.tools.gradle.compiler;
 
-import com.google.errorprone.annotations.OverridingMethodsMustInvokeSuper;
+import com.google.common.base.Charsets;
+import com.google.common.io.CharSink;
 import com.google.protobuf.gradle.ExecutableLocator;
 import com.google.protobuf.gradle.GenerateProtoTask;
 import io.spine.code.fs.java.DefaultJavaProject;
 import io.spine.code.fs.java.DefaultJavaProject.GeneratedRoot;
 import io.spine.code.proto.DescriptorReference;
+import io.spine.io.Resource;
 import io.spine.tools.gradle.Artifact;
 import io.spine.tools.gradle.ConfigurationName;
 import io.spine.tools.gradle.GradleTask;
 import io.spine.tools.gradle.ProtocConfigurationPlugin;
 import io.spine.tools.gradle.SourceScope;
 import io.spine.tools.gradle.TaskName;
-import org.gradle.api.Action;
 import org.gradle.api.NamedDomainObjectContainer;
 import org.gradle.api.Project;
 import org.gradle.api.Task;
@@ -41,21 +42,29 @@
 import org.gradle.api.plugins.JavaPluginConvention;
 
 import java.io.File;
+import java.io.IOException;
 import java.nio.file.Path;
 import java.nio.file.Paths;
 import java.util.Base64;
+import java.util.regex.Matcher;
+import java.util.regex.Pattern;
 
-import static com.google.common.base.Charsets.UTF_8;
-import static com.google.common.base.Preconditions.checkNotNull;
+import static com.google.common.base.Preconditions.checkState;
+import static com.google.common.io.Files.asCharSink;
 import static io.spine.code.fs.java.DefaultJavaProject.at;
 import static io.spine.tools.gradle.BaseTaskName.clean;
-import static io.spine.tools.gradle.ModelCompilerTaskName.copyPluginJar;
+import static io.spine.tools.gradle.ConfigurationName.fetch;
 import static io.spine.tools.gradle.ModelCompilerTaskName.writeDescriptorReference;
 import static io.spine.tools.gradle.ModelCompilerTaskName.writePluginConfiguration;
 import static io.spine.tools.gradle.ModelCompilerTaskName.writeTestDescriptorReference;
 import static io.spine.tools.gradle.ModelCompilerTaskName.writeTestPluginConfiguration;
 import static io.spine.tools.gradle.ProtocPluginName.grpc;
 import static io.spine.tools.gradle.ProtocPluginName.spineProtoc;
+import static io.spine.util.Exceptions.illegalStateWithCauseOf;
+import static java.nio.charset.StandardCharsets.UTF_8;
+import static java.nio.file.Files.createTempFile;
+import static java.util.regex.Matcher.quoteReplacement;
+import static org.gradle.internal.os.OperatingSystem.current;
 
 /**
  * A Gradle plugin that performs additional {@code protoc} configurations relevant for Java
@@ -63,18 +72,83 @@
  */
 public final class JavaProtocConfigurationPlugin extends ProtocConfigurationPlugin {
 
-    private static final String PLUGIN_ARTIFACT_PROPERTY = "Protoc plugin artifact";
     private static final String JAR_EXTENSION = "jar";
-
     private static final String GRPC_GROUP = "io.grpc";
     private static final String GRPC_PLUGIN_NAME = "protoc-gen-grpc-java";
+    private static final String DOT_SH = ".sh";
+    private static final String DOT_BAT = ".bat";
+    private static final String SPINE_PLUGIN_NAME = "spine-protoc-plugin";
+    private static final Pattern JAR_FILE_INSERTION_POINT = Pattern.compile("\\{jar-file}");
+
+    @Override
+    protected void
+    configureProtocPlugins(NamedDomainObjectContainer<ExecutableLocator> plugins, Project project) {
+        plugins.create(grpc.name(),
+                       locator -> locator.setArtifact(Artifact.newBuilder()
+                                                              .setGroup(GRPC_GROUP)
+                                                              .setName(GRPC_PLUGIN_NAME)
+                                                              .setVersion(VERSIONS.grpc())
+                                                              .build()
+                                                              .notation()));
+        project.afterEvaluate(p -> {
+            Dependency dependency = pluginJarDependency(project);
+            Path jarFile = project.getConfigurations()
+                                  .getByName(fetch.name())
+                                  .fileCollection(dependency)
+                                  .getSingleFile()
+                                  .toPath()
+                                  .toAbsolutePath();
+            plugins.create(spineProtoc.name(),
+                           locator -> locator.setPath(tryWriteLaunchScript(jarFile).toString()));
+        });
+    }
+
+    private static Dependency pluginJarDependency(Project project) {
+        Configuration fetch = project.getConfigurations()
+                                     .maybeCreate(ConfigurationName.fetch.name());
+        Artifact protocPluginArtifact = Artifact
+                .newBuilder()
+                .useSpineToolsGroup()
+                .setName(SPINE_PLUGIN_NAME)
+                .setVersion(VERSIONS.spineBase())
+                .setExtension(JAR_EXTENSION)
+                .build();
+        Dependency protocPluginDependency = project
+                .getDependencies()
+                .add(fetch.getName(), protocPluginArtifact.notation());
+        return protocPluginDependency;
+    }
+
+    private static Path tryWriteLaunchScript(Path jarFile) {
+        try {
+            return writeLaunchScript(jarFile);
+        } catch (IOException e) {
+            throw illegalStateWithCauseOf(e);
+        }
+    }
+
+    private static Path writeLaunchScript(Path jarFile) throws IOException {
+        boolean windows = current().isWindows();
+        String scriptExt = windows ? DOT_BAT : DOT_SH;
+        Resource launcherTemplate = Resource.file("plugin_runner" + scriptExt);
+        String template = launcherTemplate.read();
+        Matcher matcher = JAR_FILE_INSERTION_POINT.matcher(template);
+        String script = matcher.replaceAll(quoteReplacement(jarFile.toString()));
+        Path path = createTempFile(JavaProtocConfigurationPlugin.class.getSimpleName(), scriptExt);
+        File file = path.toFile();
+        CharSink sink = asCharSink(file, UTF_8);
+        sink.write(script);
+        boolean canBeExecuted = file.setExecutable(true, false);
+        checkState(canBeExecuted, "Failed to make file `%s` executable.", file);
+        return path;
+    }
 
     @Override
     protected void customizeTask(GenerateProtoTask protocTask) {
         customizeDescriptorSetGeneration(protocTask);
         Path spineProtocConfigPath = spineProtocConfigPath(protocTask);
         Task writeConfig = newWriteSpineProtocConfigTask(protocTask, spineProtocConfigPath);
-        protocTask.dependsOn(createCopyPluginJarTask(protocTask.getProject()), writeConfig);
+        protocTask.dependsOn(writeConfig);
         protocTask.getPlugins()
                   .create(grpc.name());
         protocTask.getPlugins()
@@ -97,7 +171,8 @@ private void customizeDescriptorSetGeneration(GenerateProtoTask protocTask) {
                                                      .getPlugin(JavaPluginConvention.class);
         SourceScope sourceScope = tests ? SourceScope.test : SourceScope.main;
         File descriptorFile = new File(protocTask.getDescriptorPath());
-        Path resourceDirectory = descriptorFile.toPath().getParent();
+        Path resourceDirectory = descriptorFile.toPath()
+                                               .getParent();
         javaConvention.getSourceSets()
                       .getByName(sourceScope.name())
                       .getResources()
@@ -110,59 +185,6 @@ private void customizeDescriptorSetGeneration(GenerateProtoTask protocTask) {
         protocTask.finalizedBy(writeRef.getTask());
     }
 
-    private Task createCopyPluginJarTask(Project project) {
-        Configuration fetch = project.getConfigurations()
-                                     .maybeCreate(ConfigurationName.fetch.name());
-        Artifact protocPluginArtifact = Artifact
-                .newBuilder()
-                .useSpineToolsGroup()
-                .setName(SPINE_PLUGIN_NAME)
-                .setVersion(VERSIONS.spineBase())
-                .setExtension(JAR_EXTENSION)
-                .build();
-        Dependency protocPluginDependency = project
-                .getDependencies()
-                .add(fetch.getName(), protocPluginArtifact.notation());
-        checkNotNull(protocPluginDependency,
-                     "Could not create dependency %s %s", fetch.getName(), protocPluginArtifact);
-        Action<Task> action = new CopyPluginJar(project, protocPluginDependency, fetch);
-
-        Task copyPluginJarTask = project.getTasks()
-                                        .findByPath(copyPluginJar.name());
-        if (copyPluginJarTask == null) {
-            GradleTask copyPluginJarBuilder = newTask(copyPluginJar, action)
-                    .allowNoDependencies()
-                    .withInputProperty(PLUGIN_ARTIFACT_PROPERTY, protocPluginArtifact.notation())
-                    .withOutputFiles(project.fileTree(spineDirectory(project)))
-                    .withOutputFiles(project.fileTree(rootSpineDirectory(project)))
-                    .applyNowTo(project);
-            copyPluginJarTask = copyPluginJarBuilder.getTask();
-        }
-        return copyPluginJarTask;
-    }
-
-    static File spineDirectory(Project project) {
-        return at(project.getProjectDir()).tempArtifacts();
-    }
-
-    static File rootSpineDirectory(Project project) {
-        return at(project.getRootDir()).tempArtifacts();
-    }
-
-    @OverridingMethodsMustInvokeSuper
-    @Override
-    protected void
-    configureProtocPlugins(NamedDomainObjectContainer<ExecutableLocator> plugins) {
-        super.configureProtocPlugins(plugins);
-        plugins.create(grpc.name(),
-                       locator -> locator.setArtifact(Artifact.newBuilder()
-                                                              .setGroup(GRPC_GROUP)
-                                                              .setName(GRPC_PLUGIN_NAME)
-                                                              .setVersion(VERSIONS.grpc())
-                                                              .build()
-                                                              .notation()));
-    }
-
     @Override
     protected File getTestDescriptorSet(Project project) {
         return Extension.getTestDescriptorSet(project);
@@ -197,7 +219,7 @@ private Task newWriteSpineProtocConfigTask(GenerateProtoTask protocTask, Path co
 
     private static String base64Encoded(String value) {
         Base64.Encoder encoder = Base64.getEncoder();
-        byte[] valueBytes = value.getBytes(UTF_8);
+        byte[] valueBytes = value.getBytes(Charsets.UTF_8);
         String result = encoder.encodeToString(valueBytes);
         return result;
     }
diff --git a/tools/model-compiler/src/main/resources/plugin_runner.bat b/tools/model-compiler/src/main/resources/plugin_runner.bat
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..c21bc1507a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tools/model-compiler/src/main/resources/plugin_runner.bat
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+@echo off
+
+java -jar {jar-file}
diff --git a/tools/model-compiler/src/main/resources/plugin_runner.sh b/tools/model-compiler/src/main/resources/plugin_runner.sh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..a18ce9aa18
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tools/model-compiler/src/main/resources/plugin_runner.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+
+java -jar {jar-file}
diff --git a/tools/plugin-base/src/main/java/io/spine/tools/gradle/ModelCompilerTaskName.java b/tools/plugin-base/src/main/java/io/spine/tools/gradle/ModelCompilerTaskName.java
index 3da907de28..5af66a8c93 100644
--- a/tools/plugin-base/src/main/java/io/spine/tools/gradle/ModelCompilerTaskName.java
+++ b/tools/plugin-base/src/main/java/io/spine/tools/gradle/ModelCompilerTaskName.java
@@ -73,11 +73,6 @@ public enum ModelCompilerTaskName implements TaskName {
      */
     mergeTestDescriptorSet,
 
-    /**
-     * Downloads the Protobuf compiler plugin executable JAR into the required paths in the project.
-     */
-    copyPluginJar,
-
     /**
      * Creates the Protobuf compiler plugin configuration.
      *
diff --git a/tools/plugin-base/src/main/java/io/spine/tools/gradle/ProtocConfigurationPlugin.java b/tools/plugin-base/src/main/java/io/spine/tools/gradle/ProtocConfigurationPlugin.java
index 19e851772e..5e763d53e2 100644
--- a/tools/plugin-base/src/main/java/io/spine/tools/gradle/ProtocConfigurationPlugin.java
+++ b/tools/plugin-base/src/main/java/io/spine/tools/gradle/ProtocConfigurationPlugin.java
@@ -21,12 +21,12 @@
 package io.spine.tools.gradle;
 
 import com.google.common.collect.ImmutableList;
-import com.google.errorprone.annotations.OverridingMethodsMustInvokeSuper;
 import com.google.protobuf.gradle.ExecutableLocator;
 import com.google.protobuf.gradle.GenerateProtoTask;
 import com.google.protobuf.gradle.ProtobufConfigurator;
 import com.google.protobuf.gradle.ProtobufConfigurator.GenerateProtoTaskCollection;
 import com.google.protobuf.gradle.ProtobufConvention;
+import io.spine.tools.groovy.ConsumerClosure;
 import io.spine.tools.groovy.GStrings;
 import org.gradle.api.NamedDomainObjectContainer;
 import org.gradle.api.Project;
@@ -37,9 +37,7 @@
 
 import static io.spine.tools.gradle.ProtobufDependencies.gradlePlugin;
 import static io.spine.tools.gradle.ProtobufDependencies.protobufCompiler;
-import static io.spine.tools.gradle.ProtocPluginName.spineProtoc;
 import static io.spine.tools.groovy.ConsumerClosure.closure;
-import static org.gradle.internal.os.OperatingSystem.current;
 
 /**
  * An abstract base for Gradle plugins that configure Protobuf compilation.
@@ -49,11 +47,6 @@
  */
 public abstract class ProtocConfigurationPlugin extends SpinePlugin {
 
-    protected static final String SPINE_PLUGIN_NAME = "spine-protoc-plugin";
-    private static final String SH_EXTENSION = "sh";
-    private static final String BAT_EXTENSION = "bat";
-    private static final String SCRIPT_CLASSIFIER = "script";
-
     protected static final DependencyVersions VERSIONS = DependencyVersions.get();
 
     @Override
@@ -78,7 +71,10 @@ private void configureProtobuf(Project project, ProtobufConfigurator protobuf) {
                                         protocLocator.setArtifact(protobufCompiler()
                                                                           .ofVersion(version)
                                                                           .notation())));
-        protobuf.plugins(closure(this::configureProtocPlugins));
+        ConsumerClosure<NamedDomainObjectContainer<ExecutableLocator>> pluginConfig = closure(
+                plugins -> configureProtocPlugins(plugins, project)
+        );
+        protobuf.plugins(pluginConfig);
         protobuf.generateProtoTasks(closure(this::configureProtocTasks));
     }
 
@@ -103,32 +99,14 @@ private void configureProtocTasks(GenerateProtoTaskCollection tasks) {
      *
      * @param plugins
      *         container of all plugins
+     * @param project
+     *         the target project in which the codegen occurs
      * @apiNote overriding methods must invoke super to add the {@code spineProtoc} plugin,
      *         which
      *         is a required plugin
      */
-    @OverridingMethodsMustInvokeSuper
-    protected void configureProtocPlugins(NamedDomainObjectContainer<ExecutableLocator> plugins) {
-        if (!spineProtocIsPresent(plugins)) {
-            plugins.create(spineProtoc.name(), locator -> {
-                boolean windows = current().isWindows();
-                String scriptExt = windows ? BAT_EXTENSION : SH_EXTENSION;
-                locator.setArtifact(Artifact.newBuilder()
-                                            .useSpineToolsGroup()
-                                            .setName(SPINE_PLUGIN_NAME)
-                                            .setVersion(VERSIONS.spineBase())
-                                            .setClassifier(SCRIPT_CLASSIFIER)
-                                            .setExtension(scriptExt)
-                                            .build()
-                                            .notation());
-            });
-        }
-    }
-
-    private static boolean
-    spineProtocIsPresent(NamedDomainObjectContainer<ExecutableLocator> plugins) {
-        return plugins.findByName(spineProtoc.name()) != null;
-    }
+    protected abstract void
+    configureProtocPlugins(NamedDomainObjectContainer<ExecutableLocator> plugins, Project project);
 
     private void configureProtocTask(GenerateProtoTask protocTask) {
         configureDescriptorSetGeneration(protocTask);
diff --git a/tools/proto-dart-plugin/src/main/java/io/spine/generate/dart/DartProtocConfigurationPlugin.java b/tools/proto-dart-plugin/src/main/java/io/spine/generate/dart/DartProtocConfigurationPlugin.java
index 109459be93..91c536319a 100644
--- a/tools/proto-dart-plugin/src/main/java/io/spine/generate/dart/DartProtocConfigurationPlugin.java
+++ b/tools/proto-dart-plugin/src/main/java/io/spine/generate/dart/DartProtocConfigurationPlugin.java
@@ -20,7 +20,6 @@
 
 package io.spine.generate.dart;
 
-import com.google.errorprone.annotations.OverridingMethodsMustInvokeSuper;
 import com.google.protobuf.gradle.ExecutableLocator;
 import io.spine.tools.gradle.ProtocConfigurationPlugin;
 import org.gradle.api.NamedDomainObjectContainer;
@@ -52,10 +51,9 @@ protected File getTestDescriptorSet(Project project) {
         return Extension.findIn(project).testDescriptorSetFile();
     }
 
-    @OverridingMethodsMustInvokeSuper
     @Override
-    protected void configureProtocPlugins(NamedDomainObjectContainer<ExecutableLocator> plugins) {
-        super.configureProtocPlugins(plugins);
+    protected void configureProtocPlugins(NamedDomainObjectContainer<ExecutableLocator> plugins,
+                                          Project project) {
         Path executable = CachedDartProtocPlugin.locate();
         plugins.create(dart.name(), locator -> locator.setPath(executable.toString()));
     }
diff --git a/tools/proto-js-plugin/src/main/java/io/spine/js/gradle/JsProtocConfigurationPlugin.java b/tools/proto-js-plugin/src/main/java/io/spine/js/gradle/JsProtocConfigurationPlugin.java
index 2a5e7cf13e..bc0a533302 100644
--- a/tools/proto-js-plugin/src/main/java/io/spine/js/gradle/JsProtocConfigurationPlugin.java
+++ b/tools/proto-js-plugin/src/main/java/io/spine/js/gradle/JsProtocConfigurationPlugin.java
@@ -20,8 +20,10 @@
 
 package io.spine.js.gradle;
 
+import com.google.protobuf.gradle.ExecutableLocator;
 import io.spine.code.fs.js.DefaultJsProject;
 import io.spine.tools.gradle.ProtocConfigurationPlugin;
+import org.gradle.api.NamedDomainObjectContainer;
 import org.gradle.api.Project;
 
 import java.io.File;
@@ -49,4 +51,10 @@ protected Path generatedFilesBaseDir(Project project) {
     protected File getMainDescriptorSet(Project project) {
         return Extension.getMainDescriptorSet(project);
     }
+
+    @Override
+    protected void configureProtocPlugins(NamedDomainObjectContainer<ExecutableLocator> plugins,
+                                          Project project) {
+        // Do nothing.
+    }
 }
diff --git a/tools/protoc-plugin/build.gradle.kts b/tools/protoc-plugin/build.gradle.kts
index bbba0eb00b..7964c6d22d 100644
--- a/tools/protoc-plugin/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/tools/protoc-plugin/build.gradle.kts
@@ -19,7 +19,6 @@
  */
 
 import io.spine.gradle.internal.Deps
-import java.nio.file.Files
 
 group = "io.spine.tools"
 
@@ -52,41 +51,3 @@ tasks.jar {
         }
     })
 }
-
-val shellRunner = injectVersion(file("plugin_runner.sh"))
-val batchRunner = injectVersion(file("plugin_runner.bat"))
-
-artifacts {
-    archives(shellRunner) {
-        classifier = "script"
-    }
-    archives(batchRunner) {
-        classifier = "script"
-    }
-}
-
-/**
- * Inserts the current Spine version into the given file replacing the {@code {@literal {version}}}
- * string.
- *
- * <p>This insertion point is conventional for the runner scripts for the Spine protoc plugin.
- *
- * <p>Before the runner script is published, the version must be injected into it.
- *
- * <p>The standard Grade filtering mechanism (involving the Copy task) cannot be used in this case
- * since the injection should be performed on the configuration stage.
- *
- * @param scriptFile the script file to modify
- * @return the new script file to publish
- */
-fun injectVersion(scriptFile: File): File {
-    var text = scriptFile.readText()
-    text = text.replace("{version}", project.version as String)
-    val extension = when {
-        scriptFile.name.endsWith(".sh") -> ".sh"
-        else -> ".bat"
-    }
-    val tempFile = Files.createTempFile("build", extension)
-    tempFile.toFile().writeText(text)
-    return project.file(tempFile.toAbsolutePath())
-}
diff --git a/tools/protoc-plugin/plugin_runner.bat b/tools/protoc-plugin/plugin_runner.bat
deleted file mode 100644
index 2f0c10d197..0000000000
--- a/tools/protoc-plugin/plugin_runner.bat
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,3 +0,0 @@
-@echo off
-
-java -jar ./.spine/spine-protoc-plugin-{version}.jar
diff --git a/tools/protoc-plugin/plugin_runner.sh b/tools/protoc-plugin/plugin_runner.sh
deleted file mode 100644
index 777a998c02..0000000000
--- a/tools/protoc-plugin/plugin_runner.sh
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,5 +0,0 @@
-#!/usr/bin/env bash
-
-CURRENT_DIR="$(pwd)"
-
-java -jar "${CURRENT_DIR}"/.spine/spine-protoc-plugin-{version}.jar
diff --git a/tools/smoke-tests/buildSrc/src/main/kotlin/io/spine/gradle/internal/deps.kt b/tools/smoke-tests/buildSrc/src/main/kotlin/io/spine/gradle/internal/deps.kt
index 163234f79f..3e9250e751 100644
--- a/tools/smoke-tests/buildSrc/src/main/kotlin/io/spine/gradle/internal/deps.kt
+++ b/tools/smoke-tests/buildSrc/src/main/kotlin/io/spine/gradle/internal/deps.kt
@@ -98,6 +98,10 @@ object Versions {
     val animalSniffer    = "1.18"
     val apiguardian      = "1.1.0"
     val javaxAnnotation  = "1.3.2"
+    val klaxon           = "5.4"
+    val ouathJwt         = "3.10.3"
+    val bouncyCastlePkcs = "1.66"
+    val assertK          = "0.22"
 
     /**
      * Version of the SLF4J library.
@@ -159,7 +163,7 @@ object Build {
 
     object AutoService {
         val annotations = "com.google.auto.service:auto-service-annotations:${Versions.autoService}"
-        val processor = "com.google.auto.service:auto-service:${Versions.autoService}"
+        val processor   = "com.google.auto.service:auto-service:${Versions.autoService}"
     }
 }
 
@@ -168,6 +172,13 @@ object Gen {
     val javaxAnnotation = "javax.annotation:javax.annotation-api:${Versions.javaxAnnotation}"
 }
 
+object Publishing {
+    val klaxon           = "com.beust:klaxon:${Versions.klaxon}"
+    val oauthJwt         = "com.auth0:java-jwt:${Versions.ouathJwt}"
+    val bouncyCastlePkcs = "org.bouncycastle:bcpkix-jdk15on:${Versions.bouncyCastlePkcs}"
+    val assertK          = "com.willowtreeapps.assertk:assertk-jvm:${Versions.assertK}"
+}
+
 object Grpc {
     val core        = "io.grpc:grpc-core:${Versions.grpc}"
     val stub        = "io.grpc:grpc-stub:${Versions.grpc}"
@@ -275,6 +286,7 @@ object Deps {
     val test = Test
     val versions = Versions
     val scripts = Scripts
+    val publishing = Publishing
 }
 
 object DependencyResolution {
diff --git a/version.gradle.kts b/version.gradle.kts
index 56669201bd..8609a1d222 100644
--- a/version.gradle.kts
+++ b/version.gradle.kts
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@
  * as we want to manage the versions in a single source.
  */
 
-val SPINE_VERSION = "1.5.26"
+val SPINE_VERSION = "1.5.27"
 
 project.extra.apply {
     this["spineVersion"] = SPINE_VERSION