How to enable modules through configuration?

Question

I am trying to enable modules by adding them to core.extension.yml file without getting involved with Features, Configuration Installer or similar modules or profiles. The modules are enabled but their default configuration under module_folder/config/install or module_folder/config/optional are not imported. Is there a way to do this?

Answer 1

This will not works because you are only saying to Drupal that your module is installed, but when you install a module there are other process that need to runs to import the configs and execute the .install functions.

But you can create a new module that will install all the other modules, create a .install file and add this inside:

/**
 * Implements hook_install().
 */
function MY_MODULE_install() {
  $modules_list = [
    'nbsp',
    'typogrify',
    'other_module',
  ];
  \Drupal::service('module_installer')->install($modules_list);
  drupal_flush_all_caches();
}

And then you only need to install this module that will install all the other modules.

Answer 2

A possible alternative would be use the dependencies section of a module's mymod.info.yml description. Enabling the module will enable the dependencies.

name: My Module
description: Provides something great
core: 8.x
type: module
dependencies:
  - views

If you need to make sure that certain modules are enabled due to code changes in an existing module, then use update system. E.g. add a hook_update_N function to the mymod.install file that calls the module.installer service.

/**
 * Install file module.
 */
function mymod_update_8001() {
  \Drupal::service('module_installer')->install(['file']);
}

FYI - Trying to install an installed module will not cause problems.

Trying to go outside the normal system by accessing the core.extensions is probably not a long term maintainable option.