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name: build-cmake description: Build an iPlug2 plugin project using CMake with Ninja, Xcode, or Visual Studio generators

Build iPlug2 Plugin with CMake

Use this skill when the user wants to build their plugin project using CMake.

Prerequisites

• CMake 3.14+
• Ninja (recommended) or Xcode/Visual Studio
• Plugin SDKs downloaded (VST3, CLAP, etc.) via /setup-deps

Quick Start

Copycd [ProjectFolder]
mkdir -p build && cd build
cmake -G Ninja -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release ..
cmake --build .

Generators

Build Commands

Configure (choose one):

Copycmake -G Ninja -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release ..          # Ninja
cmake -G Xcode ..                                      # Xcode
cmake -G "Visual Studio 17 2022" -A x64 ..             # VS 2022

Build all targets:

Copycmake --build . --config Release

Build specific target:

Copycmake --build . --config Release --target [PluginName]-vst3

Target Suffixes

Common Options

Copy# Debug build
-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Debug

# Release build
-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release

# Universal binaries (macOS)
-DIPLUG2_UNIVERSAL=ON

# IGraphics backend
-DIGRAPHICS_BACKEND=SKIA -DIGRAPHICS_RENDERER=METAL

# Debug host for plugins
-DIPLUG2_DEBUG_HOST="/Applications/REAPER.app"

Platform-Specific

iOS Device:

Copycmake -G Xcode -DCMAKE_SYSTEM_NAME=iOS -DIPLUG2_IOS_PLATFORM=OS ..

iOS Simulator:

Copycmake -G Xcode -DCMAKE_SYSTEM_NAME=iOS -DIPLUG2_IOS_PLATFORM=SIMULATOR ..

visionOS:

Copycmake -G Xcode -DCMAKE_SYSTEM_NAME=iOS -DIPLUG2_IOS_PLATFORM=VISIONOS ..

Web (Emscripten):

Copyemcmake cmake -G Ninja -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release ..
cmake --build . --target [PluginName]-wam

Build Output

Output goes to build/out/:

• [PluginName].app - Standalone
• [PluginName].vst3/ - VST3
• [PluginName].clap/ - CLAP
• [PluginName].component/ - AUv2
• [PluginName].aaxplugin/ - AAX

Workflow

1. Ask for build preferences:

   • Generator (Ninja/Xcode/VS)
   • Configuration (Debug/Release)
   • Specific target or all
   • IGraphics backend if relevant

2. Configure if needed (only once per build directory)

3. Build the requested target(s)

4. Report output location from build/out/

Tips

• Ninja is fastest for iterative development
• Xcode generator required for Swift examples (IPlugSwiftUI, IPlugCocoaUI)
• Use --target to build specific formats and avoid SDK-related failures
• Check Documentation/cmake.md for full reference