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
Getting Started
- Open a
.c or .cpp file in VS Code.
- Press F6 to compile and run the file with default settings.
- Press F7 to specify custom arguments before running.
- Press F5 to debug (includes compilation).
- 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 ${pwd} variables. See Output Folder Mirroring |
| c-cpp-compile-run.custom-run-prefix |
Prefix command before run (e.g. valgrind ./foobar) |
| c-cpp-compile-run.additional-include-paths |
Additional directories to add to the compiler's include path (e.g. ["${workspaceFolder}/include"]) |
Output Folder Mirroring
You can configure the extension to mirror your source folder structure in a separate output directory.
For example, if your project is organized as:
myproj/
├── src/
│ ├── basics/
│ │ └── HelloWorld.cpp
│ └── functions/
│ └── Math.cpp
└── out/
And you set in your .vscode/settings.json:
{
"c-cpp-compile-run.output-location": "${workspaceFolder}/out"
}
When you compile src/basics/HelloWorld.cpp, the executable will be placed at:
out/basics/HelloWorld.exe
The subfolder structure under src is mirrored under out, so both source and output files stay in the same relative location.
${workspaceFolder} will be replaced with your project's root folder.${pwd} will be replaced with your current working directory.
Example:
If your file is D:/myproj/src/functions/Math.cpp,
the output will be D:/myproj/out/functions/Math.exe.
This makes it easy to keep your build artifacts organized and separate from your source code, similar to Gradle/Java project layouts.
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.
