iPlug2

build-cmake

@iPlug2/build-cmake
iPlug2
131
32 forks
Updated 1/6/2026
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Build an iPlug2 plugin project using CMake (Ninja or Xcode generator)

Installation

$skills install @iPlug2/build-cmake
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Details

RepositoryiPlug2/iPlug2OOS
Path.claude/skills/build-cmake/SKILL.md
Branchmaster
Scoped Name@iPlug2/build-cmake

Usage

After installing, this skill will be available to your AI coding assistant.

Verify installation:

skills list

Skill Instructions

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

PresetPlatformGeneratorDescription
macos-ninjamacOSNinjaFast command-line builds (NanoVG/Metal)
macos-makemacOSMakeUnix Makefiles (NanoVG/Metal)
macos-xcodemacOSXcodeIDE builds with debugging
macos-xcode-universalmacOSXcodeUniversal binary (arm64+x86_64)
ios-xcodeiOSXcodeiOS device builds
ios-sim-xcodeiOSXcodeiOS Simulator builds
visionos-xcodevisionOSXcodevisionOS device builds
visionos-sim-xcodevisionOSXcodevisionOS Simulator builds
windows-ninjaWindowsNinjaFast Windows command-line builds
windows-vs2022WindowsVS2022Windows x64 builds
windows-vs2022-arm64ecWindowsVS2022Windows ARM64EC builds
wamWebNinjaEmscripten/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

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