Vix.cpp v2.1.3

Vix.cpp v2.1.3 is a developer experience and CLI workflow release. This release improves runtime output, introduces task execution through vix.json, adds project utilities, introduces formatting support, adds environment inspection through vix info, supports global updates, improves REPL capabilities, and strengthens generated project workflows. The focus of this release is predictability. Vix output should be clean, runtime logs should be stable, generated projects should align with the build workflow, and developers should have better tools to inspect and manage their environment.

Clean runtime output

The main improvement in Vix.cpp v2.1.3 is cleaner runtime output. Terminal clearing and spinner behavior were removed from application execution. This makes vix run output more stable, minimal, and production-friendly. Runtime output should not hide what the application prints. It should not rewrite the terminal in ways that make logs harder to copy, inspect, or compare. Vix.cpp v2.1.3 moves the runtime toward predictable output that works better in terminals, CI logs, demos, and production-like workflows.

Task system and project utilities

This release introduces task execution through vix.json. The new task system gives projects a structured way to define reusable commands and workflows inside the project configuration. This is an important CLI foundation because real projects usually need more than build and run. They need repeatable tasks for formatting, checks, scripts, setup, local workflows, and project-specific commands. Vix.cpp v2.1.3 also adds new project utilities to make project management smoother from the CLI.

Formatting command

Vix.cpp v2.1.3 adds a new formatting command. The vix fmt command gives projects a direct workflow for improving code consistency. This is part of the broader Vix direction: common development tasks should be available from the same CLI that already handles project creation, build, run, checks, and environment inspection.

Info command

This release adds the vix info command. The command displays environment details, cache statistics, and disk usage. This gives developers better visibility into the local Vix environment. That matters because runtime tools often depend on caches, build directories, installed binaries, environment variables, and platform-specific paths. A good CLI should make that state inspectable.

Global update support

Vix.cpp v2.1.3 adds global update support through the -g flag. This allows users to update Vix globally when needed. For a developer tool, update behavior must be explicit and understandable. Adding a global update mode creates a clearer path for managing the installed CLI outside a single project.

REPL improvements

The REPL receives improved support for JSON access, array indexing, and typed literals. This makes runtime interaction more useful and expressive. The release also adds REPL documentation through:

docs/vix_repl.md

This gives users a better reference for understanding REPL behavior and runtime interactions.

Project scaffolding improvements

Generated projects now better align with the Vix build workflow. This is important because scaffolding is often the first experience a developer has with a tool. A generated project should teach the correct workflow by default. Vix.cpp v2.1.3 improves project generation so the created structure feels closer to how Vix expects projects to build, run, and evolve.

Template and module fixes

This release guards template examples, tests, and benchmarks subdirectories more carefully. The time module also excludes benchmarks from library sources, preventing duplicate main symbols during compilation. These fixes improve build correctness and prevent example or benchmark code from accidentally leaking into library builds.

Runtime log formatting

Vix.cpp v2.1.3 improves runtime log formatting by adding proper spacing between labels and values. This is a small change, but it improves readability. CLI output should be clear and consistent, especially when developers use it repeatedly during debugging.

Highlights

  • Removed terminal clearing from runtime output.
  • Removed spinner behavior from application execution.
  • Added task execution through vix.json.
  • Added project utilities.
  • Added the vix fmt command.
  • Added the vix info command.
  • Added environment details, cache statistics, and disk usage reporting.
  • Added global update support through -g.
  • Improved runtime output readability.
  • Improved REPL support for JSON access.
  • Improved REPL support for array indexing.
  • Improved REPL support for typed literals.
  • Improved project scaffolding.
  • Guarded template examples, tests, and benchmark subdirectories.
  • Fixed runtime log formatting spacing.
  • Excluded time benchmarks from library sources.
  • Added REPL documentation in docs/vix_repl.md.

Compatibility

Vix.cpp v2.1.3 introduces no breaking changes. Existing projects remain compatible. The main difference is developer experience: runtime output is cleaner, CLI workflows are broader, and generated projects better match the Vix build model. Applications should continue to run normally while producing more predictable terminal output.

Notes

Vix.cpp v2.1.3 improves the daily workflow around Vix. It makes runtime output cleaner, adds task execution, introduces formatting and environment inspection commands, improves global update behavior, strengthens the REPL, and makes scaffolding more consistent. This release continues the direction of turning Vix into a complete C++ development workflow, not only a build and run command.