Craft
Dev tools
build tool
SHOW HN2026
177points
168comments
#343of 4,366 in 2026
Top 8%of 2026 by points
How HN took it
RoastedHalf or more of the comments are critical
4 positive, 14 neutral or asking, 2 mixed, 29 critical, out of 49 comments about the project. Thread score -0.50.
Idea: 4 for, 18 againstPrivacy: 0 for, 4 againstDesign: 0 for, 3 againstExecution: 0 for, 2 againstDocs: 0 for, 1 against
The thread, comment by comment
Each row is a top-level comment and its replies, in HN's order. Select a cell to open that comment on HN.
positive neutral or mixed critical about another commenter or something else the maker
What HN said
What people liked
Interesting project that fills a gap in the C/C++ ecosystem.
From 2 comments
This is something the C/C++ ecosystem has been missing for a long time. How do you handle dependency resolution compared to existing tools like CMake or Meson?
c_chenfeng on HNNice. I have been thinking of making something similar. Now hopefully I don't have to! Not sure how big your plans are. My thoughts would be to start as a cmake generator but to…
looneysquash on HN
Objections
Generating CMake adds a layer instead of replacing it.
From 3 comments
Cmake is infamously not a build system. It is a build system generator. This is now a build system generator generator. This is the wrong solution imho. The right solution is to…
forrestthewoods on HNFWIW: there is something fundamentally wrong with a meta-meta build system. I don't think you should bother generating or wrapping CMake, you should be replacing it.
duped on HNIf you think cmake isn't very good, the solution isn't to add more layers of crap around cmake, but to replace it. Cmake itself exists because a lot of humans haven't bothered to…
dima55 on HN
Built with AI, with questionable code quality.
From 3 comments
Project description is AI generated, even the HN post is AI generated, why should I spend any energy looking into your project when all you're doing is just slinging AI slop…
thegrim33 on HNCan't take this lib seriously when there're lots of gems like these in the codebase. ``` // Open source directory dir_t* dir = open_dir(source_dir); // Find where dot is char*…
resonancel on HNGreat, no issue that a bit of LLM slop can't fix. Why even say "I built X"? I'd respect it more if you just said "Claude built X" or something.
azizam on HN
Need offline builds, cross-compilation and pkg-config support.
From 1 comment
Feedback of someone who is used to manage large (>15000) software stack in C / C++ / Fortran / Python / Rust / etc: - (1) Provide a way to compile without internet access and…
adev_ on HN
Install script piping curl to sh is a security concern.
From 1 comment
The installation instructions being a `curl | sh` writing to the user's bashrc does not inspire confidence.
lgtx on HN
Requests
Support for system-wide dependencies.
From 1 comment
Yes, many libraries are system wide that is true. This is something I had on the list of features to add. System dependencies. Thank you for the feedback!
randerson_112 on HN
Add cargo watch equivalent.
From 1 comment
Please consider adding `cargo watch` - that would be a killer feature!
mutkach on HN
Offline builds and manually specified dependency paths.
From 1 comment
Feedback of someone who is used to manage large (>15000) software stack in C / C++ / Fortran / Python / Rust / etc: - (1) Provide a way to compile without internet access and…
adev_ on HN
Questions
How are transitive version conflicts (diamond dependencies) handled?
From 1 comment
Seems to solve a problem very similar to Conan or vcpkg but without its own package archive or build scripts. In general, unlike Cargo/Rust, many C/C++ projects dynamically link…
cherryteastain on HN
How does it compare to Conan, CMake FetchContent or Meson?
From 3 comments
Compared to Conan, what are the advantages?
delduca on HNI have to say, since CMakes FetchContent module has been available I have not had a need for a dependency manager outside of CMake itself. What exactly is it you do/need that…
macgyverismo on HNThis is something the C/C++ ecosystem has been missing for a long time. How do you handle dependency resolution compared to existing tools like CMake or Meson?
c_chenfeng on HN
Does it support C++ modules?
From 1 comment
Can it handle modules?
chris_wot on HN
Alternatives named
Conan
From 2 comments
The tough truth is that there already is a cargo for C/C++: Conan2. I know, python, ick. I know, conanfile.py, ick. But despite its warts, Conan fundamentally CAN handle every…
sebastos on HNHaving to work around a massive C++ software project daily, I wish you luck. We use conan2, and while it can be very challenging to use, I've yet to find something better that…
seniorThrowaway on HN
xmake
From 1 comment
The least painful C/C++ build tool I've used is xmake https://github.com/xmake-io/xmake The reason why I like it (beyond ease-of-use) is that it can spit out CMakeLists.txt and…
gavinray on HN
CMake FetchContent
From 1 comment
I have to say, since CMakes FetchContent module has been available I have not had a need for a dependency manager outside of CMake itself. What exactly is it you do/need that…
macgyverismo on HN
Bazel
From 1 comment
Just switch to bazel, copy my hermetic build config and just use it ... yes, you can hate me know.
spwa4 on HN
cmkr
From 1 comment
What about cmkr? https://cmkr.build/
wild_pointer on HN