---

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

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

Generators

Generator	Command	Platform	Notes
Ninja	-G Ninja	macOS, Windows	Fast, recommended
Xcode	-G Xcode	macOS, iOS, visionOS	Multi-config, good for debugging
Visual Studio	-G "Visual Studio 17 2022" -A x64	Windows	Multi-config

Build Commands

Configure (choose one):

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

Build all targets:

cmake --build . --config Release

Build specific target:

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

Target Suffixes

Format	Target Suffix
Standalone App	-app
VST2	-vst2
VST3	-vst3
CLAP	-clap
AAX	-aax
AUv2	-au

Common Options

# 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:

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

iOS Simulator:

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

visionOS:

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

Web (Emscripten):

emcmake 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