Start Here

We want to give you the resources you need to confidently leverage CMake as your build system of choice. The resources below will help you begin your CMake journey.

Learning Materials

CMake Tutorial
A step-by-step tutorial that walks you through using CMake with a series of self-guided exercises.

Mastering CMake Textbook
Mastering CMake is a textbook published by Kitware that you can purchase from Amazon or read the open source version online.

CMake Training Courses
Kitware offers live CMake training courses throughout the year. Learn from the CMake developers at Kitware through interactive, hands-on lessons.

CMake Concepts and Source Tree Organization
See the cmake-buildsystem(7) and cmake-language(7) manual pages for an overview of CMake concepts and source tree organization.

Professional CMake: A Practical Guide
Professional CMake: A Practical Guide is the handbook for every CMake user, from beginner to seasoned veteran. It contains hundreds of pages of real-world advice, best practices and insights gained from production projects and interaction with the CMake community.

Reference Documentation

CMake Reference Documentation

  • See the online reference documentation as HTML, or download it as QtHelp.

Support from the CMake Community

CMake Discourse Forum
The CMake discourse forum is where you can go if you need help using the platform. Feel free to ask questions and spark conversations with other CMake users and developers.

CMake FAQs
The CMake FAQ page covers the most frequently asked questions about the platform, including running it, writing files, and library and installation questions. These FAQs are located on the CMake Community Wiki.

Advanced Support
Kitware can provide guidance, answer technical questions, and help resolve issues you may run into when using the platform. We offer flexible, paid support options to meet your needs.

Issue Tracker
If you experience any technical issues that need to be addressed by a CMake developer, let us know by using the issue tracker. Please note that the tracker is NOT meant for CMake questions. If you have a question, please visit the discourse forum.

Not finding what you’re looking for?

The discourse forum is always the best place to start. But if you still have questions about CMake, please reach out to the experts at Kitware.