1.. cmake-manual-description: CMake Command-Line Reference
2
3cmake(1)
4********
5
6Synopsis
7========
8
9.. parsed-literal::
10
11 `Generate a Project Buildsystem`_
12  cmake [<options>] <path-to-source>
13  cmake [<options>] <path-to-existing-build>
14  cmake [<options>] -S <path-to-source> -B <path-to-build>
15
16 `Build a Project`_
17  cmake --build <dir> [<options>] [-- <build-tool-options>]
18
19 `Install a Project`_
20  cmake --install <dir> [<options>]
21
22 `Open a Project`_
23  cmake --open <dir>
24
25 `Run a Script`_
26  cmake [{-D <var>=<value>}...] -P <cmake-script-file>
27
28 `Run a Command-Line Tool`_
29  cmake -E <command> [<options>]
30
31 `Run the Find-Package Tool`_
32  cmake --find-package [<options>]
33
34 `View Help`_
35  cmake --help[-<topic>]
36
37Description
38===========
39
40The **cmake** executable is the command-line interface of the cross-platform
41buildsystem generator CMake.  The above `Synopsis`_ lists various actions
42the tool can perform as described in sections below.
43
44To build a software project with CMake, `Generate a Project Buildsystem`_.
45Optionally use **cmake** to `Build a Project`_, `Install a Project`_ or just
46run the corresponding build tool (e.g. ``make``) directly.  **cmake** can also
47be used to `View Help`_.
48
49The other actions are meant for use by software developers writing
50scripts in the :manual:`CMake language <cmake-language(7)>` to support
51their builds.
52
53For graphical user interfaces that may be used in place of **cmake**,
54see :manual:`ccmake <ccmake(1)>` and :manual:`cmake-gui <cmake-gui(1)>`.
55For command-line interfaces to the CMake testing and packaging facilities,
56see :manual:`ctest <ctest(1)>` and :manual:`cpack <cpack(1)>`.
57
58For more information on CMake at large, `see also`_ the links at the end
59of this manual.
60
61
62Introduction to CMake Buildsystems
63==================================
64
65A *buildsystem* describes how to build a project's executables and libraries
66from its source code using a *build tool* to automate the process.  For
67example, a buildsystem may be a ``Makefile`` for use with a command-line
68``make`` tool or a project file for an Integrated Development Environment
69(IDE).  In order to avoid maintaining multiple such buildsystems, a project
70may specify its buildsystem abstractly using files written in the
71:manual:`CMake language <cmake-language(7)>`.  From these files CMake
72generates a preferred buildsystem locally for each user through a backend
73called a *generator*.
74
75To generate a buildsystem with CMake, the following must be selected:
76
77Source Tree
78  The top-level directory containing source files provided by the project.
79  The project specifies its buildsystem using files as described in the
80  :manual:`cmake-language(7)` manual, starting with a top-level file named
81  ``CMakeLists.txt``.  These files specify build targets and their
82  dependencies as described in the :manual:`cmake-buildsystem(7)` manual.
83
84Build Tree
85  The top-level directory in which buildsystem files and build output
86  artifacts (e.g. executables and libraries) are to be stored.
87  CMake will write a ``CMakeCache.txt`` file to identify the directory
88  as a build tree and store persistent information such as buildsystem
89  configuration options.
90
91  To maintain a pristine source tree, perform an *out-of-source* build
92  by using a separate dedicated build tree.  An *in-source* build in
93  which the build tree is placed in the same directory as the source
94  tree is also supported, but discouraged.
95
96Generator
97  This chooses the kind of buildsystem to generate.  See the
98  :manual:`cmake-generators(7)` manual for documentation of all generators.
99  Run ``cmake --help`` to see a list of generators available locally.
100  Optionally use the ``-G`` option below to specify a generator, or simply
101  accept the default CMake chooses for the current platform.
102
103  When using one of the :ref:`Command-Line Build Tool Generators`
104  CMake expects that the environment needed by the compiler toolchain
105  is already configured in the shell.  When using one of the
106  :ref:`IDE Build Tool Generators`, no particular environment is needed.
107
108.. _`Generate a Project Buildsystem`:
109
110Generate a Project Buildsystem
111==============================
112
113Run CMake with one of the following command signatures to specify the
114source and build trees and generate a buildsystem:
115
116``cmake [<options>] <path-to-source>``
117  Uses the current working directory as the build tree, and
118  ``<path-to-source>`` as the source tree.  The specified path may
119  be absolute or relative to the current working directory.
120  The source tree must contain a ``CMakeLists.txt`` file and must
121  *not* contain a ``CMakeCache.txt`` file because the latter
122  identifies an existing build tree.  For example:
123
124  .. code-block:: console
125
126    $ mkdir build ; cd build
127    $ cmake ../src
128
129``cmake [<options>] <path-to-existing-build>``
130  Uses ``<path-to-existing-build>`` as the build tree, and loads the
131  path to the source tree from its ``CMakeCache.txt`` file, which must
132  have already been generated by a previous run of CMake.  The specified
133  path may be absolute or relative to the current working directory.
134  For example:
135
136  .. code-block:: console
137
138    $ cd build
139    $ cmake .
140
141``cmake [<options>] -S <path-to-source> -B <path-to-build>``
142  Uses ``<path-to-build>`` as the build tree and ``<path-to-source>``
143  as the source tree.  The specified paths may be absolute or relative
144  to the current working directory.  The source tree must contain a
145  ``CMakeLists.txt`` file.  The build tree will be created automatically
146  if it does not already exist.  For example:
147
148  .. code-block:: console
149
150    $ cmake -S src -B build
151
152In all cases the ``<options>`` may be zero or more of the `Options`_ below.
153
154After generating a buildsystem one may use the corresponding native
155build tool to build the project.  For example, after using the
156:generator:`Unix Makefiles` generator one may run ``make`` directly:
157
158  .. code-block:: console
159
160    $ make
161    $ make install
162
163Alternatively, one may use **cmake** to `Build a Project`_ by
164automatically choosing and invoking the appropriate native build tool.
165
166.. _`CMake Options`:
167
168Options
169-------
170
171.. include:: OPTIONS_BUILD.txt
172
173``-L[A][H]``
174 List non-advanced cached variables.
175
176 List ``CACHE`` variables will run CMake and list all the variables from
177 the CMake ``CACHE`` that are not marked as ``INTERNAL`` or :prop_cache:`ADVANCED`.
178 This will effectively display current CMake settings, which can then be
179 changed with ``-D`` option.  Changing some of the variables may result
180 in more variables being created.  If ``A`` is specified, then it will
181 display also advanced variables.  If ``H`` is specified, it will also
182 display help for each variable.
183
184``-N``
185 View mode only.
186
187 Only load the cache.  Do not actually run configure and generate
188 steps.
189
190``--graphviz=[file]``
191 Generate graphviz of dependencies, see :module:`CMakeGraphVizOptions` for more.
192
193 Generate a graphviz input file that will contain all the library and
194 executable dependencies in the project.  See the documentation for
195 :module:`CMakeGraphVizOptions` for more details.
196
197``--system-information [file]``
198 Dump information about this system.
199
200 Dump a wide range of information about the current system.  If run
201 from the top of a binary tree for a CMake project it will dump
202 additional information such as the cache, log files etc.
203
204``--log-level=<ERROR|WARNING|NOTICE|STATUS|VERBOSE|DEBUG|TRACE>``
205 Set the log level.
206
207 The :command:`message` command will only output messages of the specified
208 log level or higher.  The default log level is ``STATUS``.
209
210 To make a log level persist between CMake runs, set
211 :variable:`CMAKE_MESSAGE_LOG_LEVEL` as a cache variable instead.
212 If both the command line option and the variable are given, the command line
213 option takes precedence.
214
215 For backward compatibility reasons, ``--loglevel`` is also accepted as a
216 synonym for this option.
217
218``--log-context``
219 Enable the :command:`message` command outputting context attached to each
220 message.
221
222 This option turns on showing context for the current CMake run only.
223 To make showing the context persistent for all subsequent CMake runs, set
224 :variable:`CMAKE_MESSAGE_CONTEXT_SHOW` as a cache variable instead.
225 When this command line option is given, :variable:`CMAKE_MESSAGE_CONTEXT_SHOW`
226 is ignored.
227
228``--debug-trycompile``
229 Do not delete the :command:`try_compile` build tree.
230 Only useful on one :command:`try_compile` at a time.
231
232 Do not delete the files and directories created for :command:`try_compile`
233 calls.  This is useful in debugging failed try_compiles.  It may
234 however change the results of the try-compiles as old junk from a
235 previous try-compile may cause a different test to either pass or
236 fail incorrectly.  This option is best used for one try-compile at a
237 time, and only when debugging.
238
239``--debug-output``
240 Put cmake in a debug mode.
241
242 Print extra information during the cmake run like stack traces with
243 :command:`message(SEND_ERROR)` calls.
244
245``--debug-find``
246 Put cmake find commands in a debug mode.
247
248 Print extra find call information during the cmake run to standard
249 error. Output is designed for human consumption and not for parsing.
250 See also the :variable:`CMAKE_FIND_DEBUG_MODE` variable for debugging
251 a more local part of the project.
252
253``--trace``
254 Put cmake in trace mode.
255
256 Print a trace of all calls made and from where.
257
258``--trace-expand``
259 Put cmake in trace mode.
260
261 Like ``--trace``, but with variables expanded.
262
263``--trace-format=<format>``
264 Put cmake in trace mode and sets the trace output format.
265
266 ``<format>`` can be one of the following values.
267
268   ``human``
269     Prints each trace line in a human-readable format. This is the
270     default format.
271
272   ``json-v1``
273     Prints each line as a separate JSON document. Each document is
274     separated by a newline ( ``\n`` ). It is guaranteed that no
275     newline characters will be present inside a JSON document.
276
277     JSON trace format:
278
279     .. code-block:: json
280
281       {
282         "file": "/full/path/to/the/CMake/file.txt",
283         "line": 0,
284         "cmd": "add_executable",
285         "args": ["foo", "bar"],
286         "time": 1579512535.9687231,
287         "frame": 2
288       }
289
290     The members are:
291
292     ``file``
293       The full path to the CMake source file where the function
294       was called.
295
296     ``line``
297       The line in ``file`` of the function call.
298
299     ``defer``
300       Optional member that is present when the function call was deferred
301       by :command:`cmake_language(DEFER)`.  If present, its value is a
302       string containing the deferred call ``<id>``.
303
304     ``cmd``
305       The name of the function that was called.
306
307     ``args``
308       A string list of all function parameters.
309
310     ``time``
311       Timestamp (seconds since epoch) of the function call.
312
313     ``frame``
314       Stack frame depth of the function that was called.
315
316     Additionally, the first JSON document outputted contains the
317     ``version`` key for the current major and minor version of the
318
319     JSON trace format:
320
321     .. code-block:: json
322
323       {
324         "version": {
325           "major": 1,
326           "minor": 1
327         }
328       }
329
330     The members are:
331
332     ``version``
333       Indicates the version of the JSON format. The version has a
334       major and minor components following semantic version conventions.
335
336``--trace-source=<file>``
337 Put cmake in trace mode, but output only lines of a specified file.
338
339 Multiple options are allowed.
340
341``--trace-redirect=<file>``
342 Put cmake in trace mode and redirect trace output to a file instead of stderr.
343
344``--warn-uninitialized``
345 Warn about uninitialized values.
346
347 Print a warning when an uninitialized variable is used.
348
349``--warn-unused-vars``
350 Does nothing.  In CMake versions 3.2 and below this enabled warnings about
351 unused variables.  In CMake versions 3.3 through 3.18 the option was broken.
352 In CMake 3.19 and above the option has been removed.
353
354``--no-warn-unused-cli``
355 Don't warn about command line options.
356
357 Don't find variables that are declared on the command line, but not
358 used.
359
360``--check-system-vars``
361 Find problems with variable usage in system files.
362
363 Normally, unused and uninitialized variables are searched for only
364 in :variable:`CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR` and :variable:`CMAKE_BINARY_DIR`.
365 This flag tells CMake to warn about other files as well.
366
367``--profiling-output=<path>``
368 Used in conjunction with ``--profiling-format`` to output to a given path.
369
370``--profiling-format=<file>``
371 Enable the output of profiling data of CMake script in the given format.
372
373 This can aid performance analysis of CMake scripts executed. Third party
374 applications should be used to process the output into human readable format.
375
376 Currently supported values are:
377 ``google-trace`` Outputs in Google Trace Format, which can be parsed by the
378 about:tracing tab of Google Chrome or using a plugin for a tool like Trace
379 Compass.
380
381``--preset <preset>``, ``--preset=<preset>``
382 Reads a :manual:`preset <cmake-presets(7)>` from
383 ``<path-to-source>/CMakePresets.json`` and
384 ``<path-to-source>/CMakeUserPresets.json``. The preset may specify the
385 generator and the build directory, and a list of variables and other
386 arguments to pass to CMake. The current working directory must contain
387 CMake preset files. The :manual:`CMake GUI <cmake-gui(1)>` can
388 also recognize ``CMakePresets.json`` and ``CMakeUserPresets.json`` files. For
389 full details on these files, see :manual:`cmake-presets(7)`.
390
391 The presets are read before all other command line options. The options
392 specified by the preset (variables, generator, etc.) can all be overridden by
393 manually specifying them on the command line. For example, if the preset sets
394 a variable called ``MYVAR`` to ``1``, but the user sets it to ``2`` with a
395 ``-D`` argument, the value ``2`` is preferred.
396
397``--list-presets, --list-presets=<[configure | build | test | all]>``
398 Lists the available presets. If no option is specified only configure presets
399 will be listed. The current working directory must contain CMake preset files.
400
401.. _`Build Tool Mode`:
402
403Build a Project
404===============
405
406CMake provides a command-line signature to build an already-generated
407project binary tree:
408
409.. code-block:: shell
410
411  cmake --build <dir>             [<options>] [-- <build-tool-options>]
412  cmake --build --preset <preset> [<options>] [-- <build-tool-options>]
413
414This abstracts a native build tool's command-line interface with the
415following options:
416
417``--build <dir>``
418  Project binary directory to be built.  This is required (unless a preset
419  is specified) and must be first.
420
421``--preset <preset>``, ``--preset=<preset>``
422  Use a build preset to specify build options. The project binary directory
423  is inferred from the ``configurePreset`` key. The current working directory
424  must contain CMake preset files.
425  See :manual:`preset <cmake-presets(7)>` for more details.
426
427``--list-presets``
428  Lists the available build presets. The current working directory must
429  contain CMake preset files.
430
431``--parallel [<jobs>], -j [<jobs>]``
432  The maximum number of concurrent processes to use when building.
433  If ``<jobs>`` is omitted the native build tool's default number is used.
434
435  The :envvar:`CMAKE_BUILD_PARALLEL_LEVEL` environment variable, if set,
436  specifies a default parallel level when this option is not given.
437
438  Some native build tools always build in parallel.  The use of ``<jobs>``
439  value of ``1`` can be used to limit to a single job.
440
441``--target <tgt>..., -t <tgt>...``
442  Build ``<tgt>`` instead of the default target.  Multiple targets may be
443  given, separated by spaces.
444
445``--config <cfg>``
446  For multi-configuration tools, choose configuration ``<cfg>``.
447
448``--clean-first``
449  Build target ``clean`` first, then build.
450  (To clean only, use ``--target clean``.)
451
452``--use-stderr``
453  Ignored.  Behavior is default in CMake >= 3.0.
454
455``--verbose, -v``
456  Enable verbose output - if supported - including the build commands to be
457  executed.
458
459  This option can be omitted if :envvar:`VERBOSE` environment variable or
460  :variable:`CMAKE_VERBOSE_MAKEFILE` cached variable is set.
461
462
463``--``
464  Pass remaining options to the native tool.
465
466Run ``cmake --build`` with no options for quick help.
467
468Install a Project
469=================
470
471CMake provides a command-line signature to install an already-generated
472project binary tree:
473
474.. code-block:: shell
475
476  cmake --install <dir> [<options>]
477
478This may be used after building a project to run installation without
479using the generated build system or the native build tool.
480The options are:
481
482``--install <dir>``
483  Project binary directory to install. This is required and must be first.
484
485``--config <cfg>``
486  For multi-configuration generators, choose configuration ``<cfg>``.
487
488``--component <comp>``
489  Component-based install. Only install component ``<comp>``.
490
491``--default-directory-permissions <permissions>``
492  Default directory install permissions. Permissions in format ``<u=rwx,g=rx,o=rx>``.
493
494``--prefix <prefix>``
495  Override the installation prefix, :variable:`CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX`.
496
497``--strip``
498  Strip before installing.
499
500``-v, --verbose``
501  Enable verbose output.
502
503  This option can be omitted if :envvar:`VERBOSE` environment variable is set.
504
505Run ``cmake --install`` with no options for quick help.
506
507Open a Project
508==============
509
510.. code-block:: shell
511
512  cmake --open <dir>
513
514Open the generated project in the associated application.  This is only
515supported by some generators.
516
517
518.. _`Script Processing Mode`:
519
520Run a Script
521============
522
523.. code-block:: shell
524
525  cmake [{-D <var>=<value>}...] -P <cmake-script-file> [-- <unparsed-options>...]
526
527Process the given cmake file as a script written in the CMake
528language.  No configure or generate step is performed and the cache
529is not modified.  If variables are defined using ``-D``, this must be
530done before the ``-P`` argument.
531
532Any options after ``--`` are not parsed by CMake, but they are still included
533in the set of :variable:`CMAKE_ARGV<n> <CMAKE_ARGV0>` variables passed to the
534script (including the ``--`` itself).
535
536
537Run a Command-Line Tool
538=======================
539
540CMake provides builtin command-line tools through the signature
541
542.. code-block:: shell
543
544  cmake -E <command> [<options>]
545
546Run ``cmake -E`` or ``cmake -E help`` for a summary of commands.
547Available commands are:
548
549``capabilities``
550  Report cmake capabilities in JSON format. The output is a JSON object
551  with the following keys:
552
553  ``version``
554    A JSON object with version information. Keys are:
555
556    ``string``
557      The full version string as displayed by cmake ``--version``.
558    ``major``
559      The major version number in integer form.
560    ``minor``
561      The minor version number in integer form.
562    ``patch``
563      The patch level in integer form.
564    ``suffix``
565      The cmake version suffix string.
566    ``isDirty``
567      A bool that is set if the cmake build is from a dirty tree.
568
569  ``generators``
570    A list available generators. Each generator is a JSON object with the
571    following keys:
572
573    ``name``
574      A string containing the name of the generator.
575    ``toolsetSupport``
576      ``true`` if the generator supports toolsets and ``false`` otherwise.
577    ``platformSupport``
578      ``true`` if the generator supports platforms and ``false`` otherwise.
579    ``supportedPlatforms``
580      .. versionadded:: 3.21
581
582      Optional member that may be present when the generator supports
583      platform specification via :variable:`CMAKE_GENERATOR_PLATFORM`
584      (``-A ...``).  The value is a list of platforms known to be supported.
585    ``extraGenerators``
586      A list of strings with all the extra generators compatible with
587      the generator.
588
589  ``fileApi``
590    Optional member that is present when the :manual:`cmake-file-api(7)`
591    is available.  The value is a JSON object with one member:
592
593    ``requests``
594      A JSON array containing zero or more supported file-api requests.
595      Each request is a JSON object with members:
596
597      ``kind``
598        Specifies one of the supported :ref:`file-api object kinds`.
599
600      ``version``
601        A JSON array whose elements are each a JSON object containing
602        ``major`` and ``minor`` members specifying non-negative integer
603        version components.
604
605  ``serverMode``
606    ``true`` if cmake supports server-mode and ``false`` otherwise.
607    Always false since CMake 3.20.
608
609``cat <files>...``
610  Concatenate files and print on the standard output.
611
612``chdir <dir> <cmd> [<arg>...]``
613  Change the current working directory and run a command.
614
615``compare_files [--ignore-eol] <file1> <file2>``
616  Check if ``<file1>`` is same as ``<file2>``. If files are the same,
617  then returns ``0``, if not it returns ``1``.  In case of invalid
618  arguments, it returns 2. The ``--ignore-eol`` option
619  implies line-wise comparison and ignores LF/CRLF differences.
620
621``copy <file>... <destination>``
622  Copy files to ``<destination>`` (either file or directory).
623  If multiple files are specified, the ``<destination>`` must be
624  directory and it must exist. Wildcards are not supported.
625  ``copy`` does follow symlinks. That means it does not copy symlinks,
626  but the files or directories it point to.
627
628``copy_directory <dir>... <destination>``
629  Copy content of ``<dir>...`` directories to ``<destination>`` directory.
630  If ``<destination>`` directory does not exist it will be created.
631  ``copy_directory`` does follow symlinks.
632
633``copy_if_different <file>... <destination>``
634  Copy files to ``<destination>`` (either file or directory) if
635  they have changed.
636  If multiple files are specified, the ``<destination>`` must be
637  directory and it must exist.
638  ``copy_if_different`` does follow symlinks.
639
640``create_symlink <old> <new>``
641  Create a symbolic link ``<new>`` naming ``<old>``.
642
643  .. note::
644    Path to where ``<new>`` symbolic link will be created has to exist beforehand.
645
646``create_hardlink <old> <new>``
647  Create a hard link ``<new>`` naming ``<old>``.
648
649  .. note::
650    Path to where ``<new>`` hard link will be created has to exist beforehand.
651    ``<old>`` has to exist beforehand.
652
653``echo [<string>...]``
654  Displays arguments as text.
655
656``echo_append [<string>...]``
657  Displays arguments as text but no new line.
658
659``env [--unset=NAME]... [NAME=VALUE]... COMMAND [ARG]...``
660  Run command in a modified environment.
661
662``environment``
663  Display the current environment variables.
664
665``false``
666  Do nothing, with an exit code of 1.
667
668``make_directory <dir>...``
669  Create ``<dir>`` directories.  If necessary, create parent
670  directories too.  If a directory already exists it will be
671  silently ignored.
672
673``md5sum <file>...``
674  Create MD5 checksum of files in ``md5sum`` compatible format::
675
676     351abe79cd3800b38cdfb25d45015a15  file1.txt
677     052f86c15bbde68af55c7f7b340ab639  file2.txt
678
679``sha1sum <file>...``
680  Create SHA1 checksum of files in ``sha1sum`` compatible format::
681
682     4bb7932a29e6f73c97bb9272f2bdc393122f86e0  file1.txt
683     1df4c8f318665f9a5f2ed38f55adadb7ef9f559c  file2.txt
684
685``sha224sum <file>...``
686  Create SHA224 checksum of files in ``sha224sum`` compatible format::
687
688     b9b9346bc8437bbda630b0b7ddfc5ea9ca157546dbbf4c613192f930  file1.txt
689     6dfbe55f4d2edc5fe5c9197bca51ceaaf824e48eba0cc453088aee24  file2.txt
690
691``sha256sum <file>...``
692  Create SHA256 checksum of files in ``sha256sum`` compatible format::
693
694     76713b23615d31680afeb0e9efe94d47d3d4229191198bb46d7485f9cb191acc  file1.txt
695     15b682ead6c12dedb1baf91231e1e89cfc7974b3787c1e2e01b986bffadae0ea  file2.txt
696
697``sha384sum <file>...``
698  Create SHA384 checksum of files in ``sha384sum`` compatible format::
699
700     acc049fedc091a22f5f2ce39a43b9057fd93c910e9afd76a6411a28a8f2b8a12c73d7129e292f94fc0329c309df49434  file1.txt
701     668ddeb108710d271ee21c0f3acbd6a7517e2b78f9181c6a2ff3b8943af92b0195dcb7cce48aa3e17893173c0a39e23d  file2.txt
702
703``sha512sum <file>...``
704  Create SHA512 checksum of files in ``sha512sum`` compatible format::
705
706     2a78d7a6c5328cfb1467c63beac8ff21794213901eaadafd48e7800289afbc08e5fb3e86aa31116c945ee3d7bf2a6194489ec6101051083d1108defc8e1dba89  file1.txt
707     7a0b54896fe5e70cca6dd643ad6f672614b189bf26f8153061c4d219474b05dad08c4e729af9f4b009f1a1a280cb625454bf587c690f4617c27e3aebdf3b7a2d  file2.txt
708
709``remove [-f] <file>...``
710  .. deprecated:: 3.17
711
712  Remove the file(s). The planned behavior was that if any of the
713  listed files already do not exist, the command returns a non-zero exit code,
714  but no message is logged. The ``-f`` option changes the behavior to return a
715  zero exit code (i.e. success) in such situations instead.
716  ``remove`` does not follow symlinks. That means it remove only symlinks
717  and not files it point to.
718
719  The implementation was buggy and always returned 0. It cannot be fixed without
720  breaking backwards compatibility. Use ``rm`` instead.
721
722``remove_directory <dir>...``
723  .. deprecated:: 3.17
724
725  Remove ``<dir>`` directories and their contents. If a directory does
726  not exist it will be silently ignored.  If ``<dir>`` is a symlink to
727  a directory, just the symlink will be removed.
728  Use ``rm`` instead.
729
730``rename <oldname> <newname>``
731  Rename a file or directory (on one volume). If file with the ``<newname>`` name
732  already exists, then it will be silently replaced.
733
734``rm [-rRf] <file> <dir>...``
735  Remove the files ``<file>`` or directories ``dir``.
736  Use ``-r`` or ``-R`` to remove directories and their contents recursively.
737  If any of the listed files/directories do not exist, the command returns a
738  non-zero exit code, but no message is logged. The ``-f`` option changes
739  the behavior to return a zero exit code (i.e. success) in such
740  situations instead.
741
742``server``
743  Launch :manual:`cmake-server(7)` mode.
744
745``sleep <number>...``
746  Sleep for given number of seconds.
747
748``tar [cxt][vf][zjJ] file.tar [<options>] [--] [<pathname>...]``
749  Create or extract a tar or zip archive.  Options are:
750
751  ``c``
752    Create a new archive containing the specified files.
753    If used, the ``<pathname>...`` argument is mandatory.
754  ``x``
755    Extract to disk from the archive.
756    The ``<pathname>...`` argument could be used to extract only selected files
757    or directories.
758    When extracting selected files or directories, you must provide their exact
759    names including the path, as printed by list (``-t``).
760  ``t``
761    List archive contents.
762    The ``<pathname>...`` argument could be used to list only selected files
763    or directories.
764  ``v``
765    Produce verbose output.
766  ``z``
767    Compress the resulting archive with gzip.
768  ``j``
769    Compress the resulting archive with bzip2.
770  ``J``
771    Compress the resulting archive with XZ.
772  ``--zstd``
773    Compress the resulting archive with Zstandard.
774  ``--files-from=<file>``
775    Read file names from the given file, one per line.
776    Blank lines are ignored.  Lines may not start in ``-``
777    except for ``--add-file=<name>`` to add files whose
778    names start in ``-``.
779  ``--format=<format>``
780    Specify the format of the archive to be created.
781    Supported formats are: ``7zip``, ``gnutar``, ``pax``,
782    ``paxr`` (restricted pax, default), and ``zip``.
783  ``--mtime=<date>``
784    Specify modification time recorded in tarball entries.
785  ``--``
786    Stop interpreting options and treat all remaining arguments
787    as file names, even if they start with ``-``.
788
789
790``time <command> [<args>...]``
791  Run command and display elapsed time.
792
793``touch <file>...``
794  Creates ``<file>`` if file do not exist.
795  If ``<file>`` exists, it is changing ``<file>`` access and modification times.
796
797``touch_nocreate <file>...``
798  Touch a file if it exists but do not create it.  If a file does
799  not exist it will be silently ignored.
800
801``true``
802  Do nothing, with an exit code of 0.
803
804Windows-specific Command-Line Tools
805-----------------------------------
806
807The following ``cmake -E`` commands are available only on Windows:
808
809``delete_regv <key>``
810  Delete Windows registry value.
811
812``env_vs8_wince <sdkname>``
813  Displays a batch file which sets the environment for the provided
814  Windows CE SDK installed in VS2005.
815
816``env_vs9_wince <sdkname>``
817  Displays a batch file which sets the environment for the provided
818  Windows CE SDK installed in VS2008.
819
820``write_regv <key> <value>``
821  Write Windows registry value.
822
823
824Run the Find-Package Tool
825=========================
826
827CMake provides a pkg-config like helper for Makefile-based projects:
828
829.. code-block:: shell
830
831  cmake --find-package [<options>]
832
833It searches a package using :command:`find_package()` and prints the
834resulting flags to stdout.  This can be used instead of pkg-config
835to find installed libraries in plain Makefile-based projects or in
836autoconf-based projects (via ``share/aclocal/cmake.m4``).
837
838.. note::
839  This mode is not well-supported due to some technical limitations.
840  It is kept for compatibility but should not be used in new projects.
841
842
843View Help
844=========
845
846To print selected pages from the CMake documentation, use
847
848.. code-block:: shell
849
850  cmake --help[-<topic>]
851
852with one of the following options:
853
854.. include:: OPTIONS_HELP.txt
855
856To view the presets available for a project, use
857
858.. code-block:: shell
859
860  cmake <source-dir> --list-presets
861
862See Also
863========
864
865.. include:: LINKS.txt
866