Vix.cpp

Appearance

vix build ​

Configure and build a Vix project using embedded CMake presets.

Usage ​

bash
vix build [options] -- [cmake args...]

Description ​

vix build wraps CMake + Ninja with:

  • Embedded presets
  • Strong signature cache (tool versions + CMake file hashes)
  • Optional fast no-op exit
  • Auto sccache / ccache detection
  • Auto mold / lld detection
  • Clean log separation

Designed for ultra-fast iteration loops.

Presets ​

dev        -> Ninja + Debug   (build-dev)
dev-ninja  -> Ninja + Debug   (build-dev-ninja)
release    -> Ninja + Release (build-release)

Default preset: dev

Options ​

--preset <name>       dev | dev-ninja | release
--target <triple>     Cross-compilation target triple
--sysroot <path>      Sysroot for cross toolchain
--static              Enable VIX_LINK_STATIC=ON
-j, --jobs <n>        Parallel jobs (default: CPU count)
--clean               Force reconfigure (ignore signature cache)
--no-cache            Disable signature cache
--fast                Exit immediately if up-to-date (Ninja dry-run)
--linker <mode>       auto | default | mold | lld
--launcher <mode>     auto | none | sccache | ccache
--no-status           Disable NINJA_STATUS progress formatting
--no-up-to-date       Disable Ninja dry-run check
-d, --dir <path>      Project directory
-q, --quiet           Minimal output
--targets             List detected cross toolchains
--cmake-verbose       Show full CMake output
--build-target <name> Build specific CMake target
-h, --help            Show help

Environment Variables ​

VIX_BUILD_HEARTBEAT=1

Enables heartbeat output when build is silent for several seconds.

Examples ​

Basic build:

bash
vix build

Fast loop:

bash
vix build --fast

Release:

bash
vix build --preset release

Static release:

bash
vix build --preset release --static

With launcher + linker:

bash
vix build --launcher sccache --linker mold

Cross-compile:

bash
vix build --target aarch64-linux-gnu

Pass raw CMake arguments:

bash
vix build -- -DVIX_SYNC_BUILD_TESTS=ON

Parallel jobs:

bash
vix build -j 8

Logs ​

Each preset has its own directory:

build-dev*/configure.log
build-dev*/build.log

Logs are always written even if console output is minimal.

Signature Cache ​

Vix calculates a strong signature based on:

  • Compiler version
  • CMake version
  • Linker version
  • Relevant CMake file hashes

If nothing changed, configure is skipped.

--clean bypasses this cache.

Fast Mode ​

vix build --fast

If Ninja reports the project is already up-to-date, Vix exits immediately without full build processing.

Optimized for tight dev loops.

Design Goals ​

  • Deterministic builds
  • Fast iteration
  • Clean output
  • Explicit configuration
  • Cross-compilation ready
  • Secure and reproducible artifacts

vix build is the foundation of the Vix development workflow.