C C++ Toolkit

A Visual Studio Code extension designed to simplify the development workflow for C and C++ projects that use CMake. It provides an integrated environment for creating, building, running, debugging, and testing projects directly from within VS Code. Instead of requiring users to manually create project folders, CMake files, build configurations, and debug settings, the extension automates much of this setup and presents the most common actions through convenient commands and status bar buttons. The extension has grown into a serious developer tool and has reached over 20,000 downloads.

The extension is implemented as a JavaScript-based VS Code extension. Its configuration defines command palette commands, activation behavior for C and C++ projects, code snippets, and integration with supporting tools such as CMake, GCC, GDB, Ninja, Make, Git, and testing or coverage utilities. The extension registers multiple developer actions, including project creation, build type selection, clean builds, running executables, starting debug sessions, running tests, and debugging tests.

A major feature of the extension is project generation. It can create new C or C++ projects with a ready-to-use structure, including source files, CMake configuration, and VS Code settings. It also supports creating libraries and adding reusable components to an existing project. These components can include implementation files, headers, mock files, and test files, while the extension updates the CMake configuration so the new code becomes part of the build system automatically.

The build workflow is based around CMake. The extension manages build folders, selected build modes, compiler paths, generated executables, and debugger configuration. It supports common build types such as Debug, Release, and Test, allowing users to move between normal development, optimized builds, and test-focused workflows. The testing support is especially useful for structured C/C++ development, where automated tests and coverage tools are often part of the workflow.

Another important part of the extension is tool detection and installation support. It can check whether required development tools are available and help install missing tools using platform-specific package managers, reducing setup friction for new environments.

Overall, C C++ Toolkit is a practical VS Code extension for C and C++ developers who want a smoother CMake-based workflow. It is useful for beginners setting up projects quickly, as well as experienced developers who want faster project creation, easier build management, integrated debugging, and streamlined testing inside VS Code.