C/C++ Compile Run Extension

A Visual Studio Code extension to compile, run, and debug single C/C++ files easily.

Features

• Compile, run, and debug C/C++ files directly from the command palette, status bar, or menu icons.
• Quick access via keybindings: F6, F7, F5, and more.
• Supports custom compiler paths, flags, and run arguments.
• Option to run in an external terminal.

Requirements

• Linux: Install gcc (setup instructions)
• Windows: Install tdm-gcc (setup instructions)
• macOS: Install clang or gcc (setup instructions)

Getting Started

1. Open a .c or .cpp file in VS Code.
2. Press F6 to compile and run the file with default settings.
3. Press F7 to specify custom arguments before running.
4. Press F5 to debug (includes compilation).
5. Use the status bar or menu icons for quick access.

Tip: You can configure compiler paths, flags, and other options in the extension settings. Enable "Save Before Compile" to automatically save files before building.

Configuration

Key	Description
c-cpp-compile-run.c-compiler	The C compiler path (e.g. /usr/bin/gcc or C:\TDM-GCC-64\bin\gcc.exe)
c-cpp-compile-run.cpp-compiler	The C++ compiler path (e.g. /usr/bin/g++ or C:\TDM-GCC-64\bin\g++.exe)
c-cpp-compile-run.save-before-compile	Save the file before compiling
c-cpp-compile-run.c-flags	C compiler flags (default: -Wall -Wextra -g3)
c-cpp-compile-run.c-linker-flags	C linker flags (e.g. -lm)
c-cpp-compile-run.cpp-flags	C++ compiler flags (default: -Wall -Wextra -g3)
c-cpp-compile-run.cpp-linker-flags	C++ linker flags (e.g. -lm)
c-cpp-compile-run.run-args	Program arguments when running
c-cpp-compile-run.run-in-external-terminal	Run in an external terminal
c-cpp-compile-run.should-show-notifications	Show notifications
c-cpp-compile-run.output-location	Custom output location for the compiled file. Supports ${workspaceFolder} and ${pwd} variables. See Output Folder Mirroring
c-cpp-compile-run.mirror-output-location	Mirror the source folder structure under the output directory (default: false). See Output Folder Mirroring
c-cpp-compile-run.custom-run-prefix	Prefix command before run (e.g. valgrind ./foobar)
c-cpp-compile-run.additional-include-paths	Additional directories to add to the compiler's include path (e.g. ["${workspaceFolder}/include"])
c-cpp-compile-run.debugger-mimode	The MI debugger to use (gdb or lldb)
c-cpp-compile-run.debugger-path	Path to the debugger executable (e.g. /usr/bin/gdb)
c-cpp-compile-run.trust-single-files	Automatically trust single files opened without a workspace folder (default: true). When disabled, prompts for confirmation before compiling or running.
c-cpp-compile-run.skip-if-compiled	Skip compilation if the executable is already up-to-date (default: true). The check compares modification times of the source file, all header files (.h, .hpp, .hxx, .hh) found in the source directory and configured include paths, against the executable. Set to false to always recompile.

Output Folder Mirroring

The c-cpp-compile-run.output-location setting controls where compiled executables are placed. By default (mirror-output-location: false), a relative output-location is resolved relative to the source file's directory, so the output stays next to the source:

proj/
├── AA/BB/CC/
│   ├── a.cpp
│   └── output/        ← output-location "output" goes here (next to the source)
│       └── a.exe

Set in your .vscode/settings.json:

{
    "c-cpp-compile-run.output-location": "output"
}

When you compile proj/AA/BB/CC/a.cpp, the executable is placed at proj/AA/BB/CC/output/a.exe.

---

Enabling folder-structure mirroring

Set c-cpp-compile-run.mirror-output-location to true to place all outputs under a single root directory, mirroring the folder structure of your sources:

{
    "c-cpp-compile-run.output-location": "${workspaceFolder}/out",
    "c-cpp-compile-run.mirror-output-location": true
}

With the above settings and this project layout:

myproj/
├── src/
│   ├── basics/
│   │   └── HelloWorld.cpp
│   └── functions/
│       └── Math.cpp
└── out/

Compiling src/basics/HelloWorld.cpp produces out/basics/HelloWorld.exe, and compiling src/functions/Math.cpp produces out/functions/Math.exe.

• ${workspaceFolder} is replaced with your project's root folder.
• ${pwd} is replaced with your current working directory.

Keybindings

Linux	Windows	Mac	Description
F6	F6	Cmd+R	Compile and run the file
Ctrl+6	Ctrl+6	Cmd+6	Compile and run the file
F8	F8	Cmd+Y	Compile and run the file in an external console
F7	F7	Cmd+T	Compile and run the file with custom arguments and flags
F5	F5	Cmd+5	Debug the file (includes compile)

Release Notes

See the CHANGELOG for details.