How to make GNU Make fail if a shell command assigned to a variable failed?

Question

I have a Make variable:

PASSWORD:=$(shell vault read -field=password test/password)

If vault is not installed, make

Answer 1

Maybe this idea should work:

X!=lsx /

all:
ifeq (${.SHELLSTATUS},0)
    @echo OK
else
    @exit 1
endif

For example you can create a check: PHONY-target which is needed by every (other) target.

Explanation see here:

After the shell function or ‘!=’ assignment operator is used, its exit status is placed in the .SHELLSTATUS variable.

The X=$(shell ls /) doesn't work but IMHO should.