Flick

Use external libraries in Modern C++ as easily as in other modern languages. Flick brings the simplicity of dependency management from languages like Python, Rust, or JavaScript into C++—finally making C++ feel modern to work with.

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✨ Features

• 📦 Modern C++ Package Management Easily add external libraries using vcpkg, without writing CMake by hand.

• ⚡ Faster Builds Optimized build presets with Clang and Ninja ensure rapid compilation.

• 🧱 Cross-Platform & Cross-Compiling Build the same project seamlessly across Windows and Linux, and target other platforms too.

• 📁 Professional Project Structure Automatically generates clean CMake-based layouts.

• 🔄 Repeatable Builds Get consistent output across machines with unified presets.

• 🎯 Build From Scratch? Never Again Save hours by never manually writing CMake files again.

• 🧪 Unit Testing Integration Enable and run tests with ease.

• 🛠️ Installer Generation Easily package your application for distribution.

• 🧰 Environment Setup Automatically installs and configures Clang, Ninja, and CMake.

• 🧭 LLDB Debugger Integration Start debugging sessions with one command.

• 🧹 .gitignore Generator Prevents unwanted clutter from entering version control.

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🔧 Installation

Prerequisites

• Git
• CMake
• Clang (on all platforms)
• Ninja (Recommended)
• vcpkg (Handled internally by Flick)

Building Flick

cmake --preset=default
cmake --build build/default

Or use Flick itself to bootstrap:

flick build

or

flick build --standalone

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🚀 Usage

flick <Core Commands>

Core Commands

Command	Description
create	Create a new C/C++ project with all defaults
subproject	Add a subproject (executable or library)
build	Configure and compile using Clang + Ninja
run	Run the compiled binary
compile	Compile with custom flags (e.g. Debug or Release)
tests	Enable and manage unit tests
debug	Launch LLDB for debugging
release	Compile in release mode
add	Add external library using vcpkg. Example: Flick add fmt/11.0.2
initVCPKG	Create vcpkg.json config in project
reload	Reload the vcpkg dependency cache
createinstaller	Generate an installable package
fix	Diagnose and fix Flick issues
update	Update Flick to the latest version
setup	Auto install Clang, Ninja, CMake, and vcpkg

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📂 Example

$ flick create my-awesome-app
$ flick install --package=libpqxx --update-base-line
$ flick install --package=restclient-cpp --version=0.5.2 --update-base-line
$ flick install --package=qtbase
$ flick build
$ flick subproject client
$ flick build client --standalone
$ flick tests
$ flick release --standalone

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🧠 Why Use Flick?

• Skip repetitive setup and config
• Learn modern C++ without being blocked by tooling
• Fast builds out of the box
• Cross-platform by default
• Just focus on building things

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👨‍💻 Author

Made with 💻 by Vishal Ahirwar

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📄 License

This project is licensed under the BSD 3-Clause License. See LICENSE for more info.