---

name: build-cmake description: Build an iPlug2 plugin project using CMake (Ninja or Xcode generator)

Build iPlug2 Plugin with CMake

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

Workflow

1. Identify the project:

   • Look for CMakeLists.txt in project directories

2. Choose a preset based on platform and build requirements

Using CMake Presets

The project uses CMake presets for standardized builds. Prefer --preset instead of manual -G flags.

List Available Presets

cmake --list-presets

macOS Builds

# Configure with Ninja (fast builds)
cmake --preset macos-ninja -S [ProjectName]

# Build
cmake --build build/macos-ninja --target [ProjectName]-app

# Or with Xcode (for debugging)
cmake --preset macos-xcode -S [ProjectName]
cmake --build build/macos-xcode --config Release --target [ProjectName]-app

# Universal binary (arm64 + x86_64)
cmake --preset macos-xcode-universal -S [ProjectName]
cmake --build build/macos-xcode-universal --config Release

iOS Builds

# iOS Device
cmake --preset ios-xcode -S [ProjectName]
cmake --build build/ios-xcode --config Release

# iOS Simulator
cmake --preset ios-sim-xcode -S [ProjectName]
cmake --build build/ios-sim-xcode --config Release

For running in Simulator, use the run-ios-simulator skill.

visionOS Builds

# visionOS Device
cmake --preset visionos-xcode -S [ProjectName]
cmake --build build/visionos-xcode --config Release

# visionOS Simulator
cmake --preset visionos-sim-xcode -S [ProjectName]
cmake --build build/visionos-sim-xcode --config Release

Windows Builds

# Visual Studio 2022 (x64)
cmake --preset windows-vs2022 -S [ProjectName]
cmake --build build/windows-vs2022 --config Release

# ARM64EC
cmake --preset windows-vs2022-arm64ec -S [ProjectName]
cmake --build build/windows-vs2022-arm64ec --config Release

Web/WAM Build (Emscripten)

# Configure (requires EMSDK environment)
cmake --preset wam -S [ProjectName]

# Build
cmake --build build/wam --target [ProjectName]-wam

# Create distribution
cmake --build build/wam --target [ProjectName]-wam-dist

Output in build/wam/out/[ProjectName]-wam/

Available Configure Presets

Preset	Platform	Generator	Description
macos-ninja	macOS	Ninja	Fast command-line builds (NanoVG/Metal)
macos-make	macOS	Make	Unix Makefiles (NanoVG/Metal)
macos-xcode	macOS	Xcode	IDE builds with debugging
macos-xcode-universal	macOS	Xcode	Universal binary (arm64+x86_64)
ios-xcode	iOS	Xcode	iOS device builds
ios-sim-xcode	iOS	Xcode	iOS Simulator builds
visionos-xcode	visionOS	Xcode	visionOS device builds
visionos-sim-xcode	visionOS	Xcode	visionOS Simulator builds
windows-ninja	Windows	Ninja	Fast Windows command-line builds
windows-vs2022	Windows	VS2022	Windows x64 builds
windows-vs2022-arm64ec	Windows	VS2022	Windows ARM64EC builds
wam	Web	Ninja	Emscripten/WebAssembly builds

Available Targets

• [ProjectName]-app - Standalone application
• [ProjectName]-vst3 - VST3 plugin
• [ProjectName]-au - Audio Unit (AUv2)
• [ProjectName]-clap - CLAP plugin
• [ProjectName]AU-framework - AUv3 framework
• [ProjectName]AUv3-appex - AUv3 app extension
• [ProjectName]-ios-app - iOS standalone app
• [ProjectName]-wam - Web Audio Module

Graphics Backend and Renderer

Default configuration uses NanoVG with Metal (macOS/iOS) or GL2 (Windows).

To use Skia backend, add cache variables:

cmake --preset macos-ninja -S [ProjectName] \
  -DIGRAPHICS_BACKEND=SKIA \
  -DIGRAPHICS_RENDERER=METAL

Valid combinations:

• NanoVG: GL2, GL3, METAL
• Skia: GL3, METAL, CPU

Note: Skia requires prebuilt libraries:

./iPlug2/Dependencies/download-prebuilt-libs.sh mac

Build Locations (symlinked on macOS)

• APP: ~/Applications/[ProjectName].app
• VST3: ~/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/
• AU: ~/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components/
• CLAP: ~/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/

Clean Build

# Remove build directory and reconfigure
rm -rf build/macos-ninja
cmake --preset macos-ninja -S [ProjectName]

Example

# Quick build of standalone app
cmake --preset macos-ninja -S MySynth
cmake --build build/macos-ninja --target MySynth-app

# Open the built app
open ~/Applications/MySynth.app

# Build for iOS Simulator
cmake --preset ios-sim-xcode -S MySynth
cmake --build build/ios-sim-xcode --config Release