CMakeLists.txt

CMakeLists.txt file contains a set of directives and instructions describing the project's source files and targets (executable, library, or both).

When you create a new project, CLion generates CMakeLists.txt file automatically and places it in the project root directory. To open a project, you can point CLion to the top-level CMakeLists.txt and choose Open as Project.

Example below shows the CMakeLists.txt file of a simple "Hello, World!" project:

        cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 3.13)  # CMake version check
        project(simple_example)               # Create project "simple_example"
        set(CMAKE_CXX_STANDARD 14)            # Enable c++14 standard

        # Add main.cpp file of project root directory as source file
        set(SOURCE_FILES main.cpp)

        # Add executable target with source files listed in SOURCE_FILES variable
        add_executable(simple_example ${SOURCE_FILES})
    

You can edit CMakeLists.txt files right in the Editor. Make sure to reload the project after editing. Automatic reload feature is disabled by default, you can turn it on by selecting the Automatically reload CMake project on editing checkbox in Settings / Preferences | Build, Execution, Deployment | CMake.

For projects with complex structure, you can create subdirectory CMakeList.txt files to describe the build, contents, and target rules for a subdirectory. Type of a target added by a subdirectory CMakeLists.txt file can differ depending on the role of the module.

CLion provides code assistance in CMakeLists.txt files. Also, you can configure code style settings for this file format in Settings / Preferences | Editor | Code Style | CMake.

Last modified: 29 May 2021