diff --git a/mknodes/cli/__init__.py b/mknodes/cli/__init__.py
index d7f2514b..cd71f71b 100644
--- a/mknodes/cli/__init__.py
+++ b/mknodes/cli/__init__.py
@@ -177,6 +177,7 @@ def create_config(
         build_fn=build_fn,
         clone_depth=1,
     )
+    proj.build()
     requirements = proj.get_requirements()
     info = proj.context.metadata
     config["markdown_extensions"] = requirements.markdown_extensions
diff --git a/mknodes/plugin/mkdocsbackend.py b/mknodes/plugin/mkdocsbackend.py
index e1d08f91..1e259dd4 100644
--- a/mknodes/plugin/mkdocsbackend.py
+++ b/mknodes/plugin/mkdocsbackend.py
@@ -163,4 +163,5 @@ def add_template(self, template: pagetemplate.PageTemplate):
         build_fn=paths.DEFAULT_BUILD_FN,
         clone_depth=1,
     )
+    proj.build()
     reqs = proj.get_requirements()
diff --git a/mknodes/project.py b/mknodes/project.py
index 60622b60..d09aaa9b 100644
--- a/mknodes/project.py
+++ b/mknodes/project.py
@@ -101,24 +101,28 @@ def for_mknodes(cls, config=None) -> Project:
         from mknodes import mkdocsconfig
 
         config = mkdocsconfig.Config(config)
-        return cls(
+        kls = cls(
             base_url=config.site_url or "",
             use_directory_urls=config.use_directory_urls,
             theme=theme_.Theme.get_theme(config.theme.name, data=config.theme._vars),
             build_fn=config.plugins["mknodes"].config.build_fn,
         )
+        kls.build()
+        return kls
 
     @classmethod
     def for_path(cls, path: str, config=None) -> Project:
         from mknodes import mkdocsconfig
 
         config = mkdocsconfig.Config(config)
-        return cls(
+        kls = cls(
             base_url=config.site_url or "",
             use_directory_urls=config.use_directory_urls,
             theme=theme_.Theme.get_theme(config.theme.name, data=config.theme._vars),
             repo=folderinfo.FolderInfo.clone_from(path),
         )
+        kls.build()
+        return kls
 
     def set_root(self, nav: mknav.MkNav):
         self._root = nav