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
bash
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):
bash
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:
bash
cmake --build . --config Release
Build specific target:
bash
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
bash
# 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:
bash
cmake -G Xcode -DCMAKE_SYSTEM_NAME=iOS -DIPLUG2_IOS_PLATFORM=OS ..
iOS Simulator:
bash
cmake -G Xcode -DCMAKE_SYSTEM_NAME=iOS -DIPLUG2_IOS_PLATFORM=SIMULATOR ..
visionOS:
bash
cmake -G Xcode -DCMAKE_SYSTEM_NAME=iOS -DIPLUG2_IOS_PLATFORM=VISIONOS ..
Web (Emscripten):
bash
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
- •
Ask for build preferences:
- •Generator (Ninja/Xcode/VS)
- •Configuration (Debug/Release)
- •Specific target or all
- •IGraphics backend if relevant
- •
Configure if needed (only once per build directory)
- •
Build the requested target(s)
- •
Report output location from
build/out/
Tips
- •Ninja is fastest for iterative development
- •Xcode generator required for Swift examples (IPlugSwiftUI, IPlugCocoaUI)
- •Use
--targetto build specific formats and avoid SDK-related failures - •Check Documentation/cmake.md for full reference