NAME
Alien::Xmake::Project - Compose and drive an xmake project from Perl
SYNOPSIS
use v5.40;
use Alien::Xmake::Project;
my $p = Alien::Xmake::Project->new( file => 'build/xmake.lua' );
$p->set_project('myapp')->set_version('0.1.0');
$p->add_requires('zlib');
$p->target('cli')
->set_kind('binary')
->add_files('src/*.cpp')
->add_packages('zlib');
$p->save; # writes build/xmake.lua
$p->xmake->configure(mode => 'release'); # xmake configure -F build/xmake.lua
$p->xmake->build;
$p->xmake->run;
DESCRIPTION
xmake.lua is just a Lua file. Rather than editing it by hand, this class lets you describe a project with fluent Perl method calls and then hands you a normal Alien::Xmake object. Using chains like $p->set_kind('binary')->add_files('src/*.cpp') you may drive every stage (configure, build, run, install, IDE generation, queries) directly from Perl.
CONSTRUCTOR
new( ... )
my $p = Alien::Xmake::Project->new(
file => 'build/xmake.lua', # where save() writes the build file
yes => 1 # auto-confirm prompts, forwarded to Alien::Xmake
);
- file
-
Path of the generated build file (default
xmake.lua). This becomes thefile =>option of the Alien::Xmake handle returned byxmake, so every action reads this file via-F. - yes
-
Boolean. Forwarded to "new" in Alien::Xmake so captured installs (e.g.
add_requires) never hang on a prompt.
METHODS
Project level
Identity
set_project( $name )-
...->set_project( 'libobseum' )Sets the project name at the top of the build file.
set_version( $version )-
...->set_version( '0.1.0' )Sets the project version string.
set_xmakever( $version )-
...->set_xmakever( '2.9.1' )Sets the minimum xmake version required to build the project.
Global options and defaults
set_config( $name, $value )-
...->set_config( 'plat', 'windows' )Sets a global configuration item that applies to the whole project.
set_defaultplat( @plats )-
...->set_defaultplat( 'windows' )Sets the default platform used when none is given on the command line.
set_defaultarchs( @archs )-
...->set_defaultarchs( 'x86_64' )Sets the default architectures used when none are given.
set_defaultmode( @modes )-
...->set_defaultmode( 'release' )Sets the default build mode(s) used when none are given.
set_allowedplats( @plats )-
...->set_allowedplats( 'windows', 'linux', 'macosx' )Whitelists the platforms the project may be built for.
set_allowedarchs( @archs )-
...->set_allowedarchs( 'x86', 'x86_64' )Whitelists the architectures the project may be built for.
set_allowedmodes( @modes )-
...->set_allowedmodes( 'debug', 'release' )Whitelists the build modes the project supports.
set_runtimes( @runtimes )-
...->set_runtimes( 'MT', 'MD' )Sets the runtime flavour(s), e.g.
MT/MDon MSVC.
Global scope (applies to every target)
set_toolchains( @names )-
...->set_toolchains( 'clang' )Declares the toolchain(s) to use project-wide.
set_toolset( %pairs )-
...->set_toolset( cc => 'gcc', cxx => 'g++' )Sets the tool programs used by the toolchain, as a table of
name => programpairs. set_plat( $plat )-
...->set_plat( 'windows' )Pins the target platform for the whole project.
set_arch( $arch )-
...->set_arch( 'x86_64' )Pins the target architecture for the whole project.
set_languages( @langs )-
...->set_languages( 'c99', 'cxx11' )Sets the language standards for every target.
Structure
add_moduledirs( @dirs )-
...->add_moduledirs( 'modules' )Adds extra module search directories.
add_plugindirs( @dirs )-
...->add_plugindirs( 'plugins' )Adds extra plugin search directories.
includes( @files )-
...->includes( 'build/config.lua' )Includes other build files.
add_rules( @rules )-
...->add_rules( 'mode.debug', 'mode.release' )Adds rule names to the whole project.
add_addons( @addons )-
...->add_addons( 'tools.xmake' )Enables addons.
Packages and repositories
add_requires( @packages )-
...->add_requires( 'zlib', { system => true } )Adds project-wide package requirements. A trailing hashref becomes an options table; version strings pass through verbatim, and booleans must be real
true/false(xmake expectstrue, not1). add_requireconfs( @configs )-
...->add_requireconfs( 'zlib', { configs => { shared => true } } )Overrides requirement configs. Accepts a trailing options hashref.
add_repositories( @repos )-
...->add_repositories( 'myrepo', 'https://github.com/user/repo' )Registers package repositories. Accepts a trailing options hashref.
Domain builders
target( $name )-
...->target( 'app' )Begins a
target(...)block and returns a "Target builder". option( $name )-
...->option( 'with_foo' )Begins a
option(...)block and returns the "Option builder". Passing a trailing hashref instead emits the inline table form. rule( $name )-
...->rule( 'markdown' )Begins a
rule(...)block and returns the "Rule builder". toolchain( $name )-
...->toolchain( 'mycc' )Begins a
toolchain(...)block and returns the "Toolchain builder". package( $name )-
...->package( 'zlib' )Begins a
package(...)block and returns the "Package builder". xpack( $name )-
...->xpack( 'myapp' )Begins an
xpack(...)block and returns the "Xpack builder". The first call also emitsincludes("@builtin/xpack")so the xpack plugin is enabled. namespace( $name, @lines )-
...->namespace( 'core', 'add_rules("xmake.lua.lint")' )Begins a
namespace(...)block. Items may be raw Lua line strings or CODE refs called with the project so they can emit lines (sub { $project->... }returning the statement text or lines).
Emission and execution
save-
...->saveWrites the accumulated description to
file. Returns the project. xmake-
...->xmakeReturns an Alien::Xmake handle whose every action reads this project's build file (constructed once, cached).
configure( %options )-
...->configure( mode => 'release' )Configures the project via "configure" in Alien::Xmake, auto-saving
fileif not yet written. build( [$target], %options )-
...->buildBuilds the project (or a specific target) via "build" in Alien::Xmake, auto-saving
fileif not yet written. run( [$target], %options )-
...->run( 'app' )Runs the target via "run" in Alien::Xmake.
clean( [$target], %options )-
...->cleanCleans target binaries and build directories via "clean" in Alien::Xmake.
install( [$target], %options )-
...->installInstalls the built artifacts via "install" in Alien::Xmake.
pack( [$name], %options )-
...->packPacks installation archives via "pack" in Alien::Xmake, auto-saving
fileif not yet written. project( [$kind], %options )-
...->project( 'compile_commands' ) ...->project( kind => 'vsxmake', modes => 'release' )Generates project files (e.g.
compile_commands,vsxmake,xcode,cmake,make) via "project" in Alien::Xmake. Auto-savesfileif not yet written. target_info( $name, %options )-
...->target_info( 'app' )Returns rich target metadata parsed from
xmake show -t <name--format=json> via "target_info" in Alien::Xmake. show( [$list], %options )-
...->show ...->show( 'targets' ) # list target names ...->show( 'platforms' ) # list supported platforms ...->show( 'toolchains' ) # list available toolchains ...->show( 'packages' ) ...->show( 'options' ) ...->show( 'lua', 'deps' ) # show graph info for a config ...->show( targets => { group => 'Library' } ) # targets in a group ...->show( platforms => { pretty => 1 } ) # pretty-printed tree ...->show( targets => { format => 'json' } ) # JSON (parsed to a structure) ...->show( 'configs' ) ...->show( 'arch' ) # target architecture ...->show( 'plat' ) ...->show( 'mode' ) ...->show( 'host' )Runs
xmake showqueries via "show" in Alien::Xmake and returns the parsed results (a list of lines, a list of names for list queries, or a decoded structure whenformat => 'json').
Target builder
Each method is chainable and corresponds to the same-named xmake.lua statement inside a target(...) block. A trailing hashref is emitted as an options table; true/false emit bare Lua booleans.
set_kind( $kind )-
...->set_kind( 'binary' )Sets the kind of target:
binary(executable),static,shared,object,headeronly,phony.- naming and output
-
set_basename( $name )-
...->set_basename( 'myapp' )Overrides the base (file) name of the generated target.
set_filename( $name )-
...->set_filename( 'myapp.exe' )Overrides the full file name of the generated binary/library, including extension if desired.
set_prefixname( $name )-
...->set_prefixname( 'lib' ) # static lib -> libfoo.aSets the prefix prepended to the target output file name.
set_suffixname( $name )-
...->set_suffixname( 'd' ) # myapp -> myappdSets the suffix appended to the target output file name.
set_extension( $ext )-
...->set_extension( '.exe' )Sets the output file extension; calling with no argument clears a toolchain default.
set_strip( $level )-
...->set_strip( 'all' )Sets the strip mode applied at link time:
debug(strip debug symbols only),all(strip all symbols),none. Combined withset_symbols('debug'), a separate debug-symbol file (dSYM/pdb/.sym) is also generated. set_group( $group )-
...->set_group( 'Library' )Assigns the target to a project group, used by IDE generators to nest targets in folders.
set_objectdir( $dir )-
...->set_objectdir( '$(builddir)/.objs' )Sets the directory for intermediate object files.
set_dependir( $dir )-
...->set_dependir( '$(builddir)/.deps' )Sets the directory for compile dependency (
.deps) files. set_installdir( $dir )-
...->set_installdir( '$(buildir)/lib' )Sets the directory into which the target's install files are placed on
install. set_prefixdir( $dir )-
...->set_prefixdir( 'usr/local' )Sets the directory to strip as a prefix when installing relative paths.
- enablement and options
-
set_default( $bool )-
...->set_default( false )Sets whether the target is built by default. Pass a real
falseto opt out. set_enabled( $bool )-
...->set_enabled( true )Sets whether the target is enabled at all; a disabled target is not built or used.
set_options( @opts )-
...->set_options( 'with_foo' )Makes the target depend on the named project
option(...)values. add_options( @opts )-
...->add_options( 'with_bar' )Adds additional
option(...)requirement(s) to the target.
- compile model
-
set_warnings( $level )-
...->set_warnings( 'all' )Sets the compiler warning level; xmake maps the abstract level to the right flag per compiler. Available levels:
none,less,more,extra,pedantic,all,allextra,everything,error. set_optimize( $level )-
...->set_optimize( 'fastest' )Sets the compile optimization level; each level maps to the appropriate flag for the target compiler. Available levels:
none,fast,faster,fastest,smallest,aggressive. set_symbols( $level )-
...->set_symbols( 'debug' ) ...->set_symbols( 'debug', 'hidden' )Sets the debug-symbol mode. Levels may be combined:
none,debug,hidden, plus the msvc-only refinementseditandembed. set_fpmodels( @models )-
...->set_fpmodels( 'fast', 'except' )Sets the floating-point compilation mode:
fast,strict,except,noexcept,precise(the default). Models may be combined, butfastconflicts withprecise/strict. set_exceptions( @modes )-
...->set_exceptions( 'cxx' )Enables or disables C++ / Objective-C exceptions:
cxx,no-cxx,objc,no-objc. xmake picks the compiler-specific flag. set_encodings( @encodings )-
...->set_encodings( 'utf-8' ) ...->set_encodings( 'source:utf-8', 'target:gb2312' )Sets the source and/or target executable encoding. A bare encoding applies to both; prefix with
source:ortarget:for one side. set_policy( $name, $value )-
...->set_policy( 'build.warning', true )Sets a build policy for this target. See the xmake builtin-policies reference for the full list.
set_pcheader( $header )-
...->set_pcheader( 'common.h' )Sets the C precompiled header.
set_pcxxheader( $header )-
...->set_pcxxheader( 'common.hpp' )Sets the C++ precompiled header.
set_pmheader( $header )-
...->set_pmheader( 'common.h' )Sets the Objective-C precompiled header.
set_pmxxheader( $header )-
...->set_pmxxheader( 'common.hh' )Sets the Objective-C++ precompiled header.
set_runtimes( @runtimes )-
...->set_runtimes( 'MD' )Sets the runtime library flavour(s). On MSVC this selects the C runtime:
MT,MTd,MD,MDd; on Android/iOS it selects the C++ STL implementation:c++_static,c++_shared. set_languages( @langs )-
...->set_languages( 'c99', 'cxx11' )Sets the language standard(s). Standard C values:
ansi,c89,gnu89,c90,gnu90,c99,gnu99,c11,gnu11,c17,gnu17, ...,clatest. C++ values use thecxxNform (cxx98,cxx11,cxx14,cxx17,cxx20,cxx23, ...,cxxlatest) or theC++Nspelling. A C and a C++ standard may be set together. add_forceincludes( @files )-
...->add_forceincludes( 'config.h' )Force-includes the given header files in every translation unit.
add_vectorexts( @exts )-
...->add_vectorexts( 'sse2', 'avx' )Enables the given vector extensions.
- content and deps
-
Otherwise-identical statements grouped by shared semantics; each is chainable.
add_files( @patterns )-
...->add_files( 'src/*.cpp' )Adds source files or glob patterns to compile.
remove_files( @patterns )-
...->remove_files( 'src/old.cpp' )Removes source files/patterns previously added.
remove_headerfiles( @files )-
...->remove_headerfiles( 'src/old.h' )Removes header files from the header set.
add_defines( @defines )-
...->add_defines( 'NDEBUG' )Adds preprocessor macro definitions.
add_undefines( @defines )-
...->add_undefines( 'DEBUG' )Undefines macros.
add_includedirs( @dirs )-
...->add_includedirs( 'include' )Adds C header search directories.
add_sysincludedirs( @dirs )-
...->add_sysincludedirs( '/usr/include' )Adds system header search directories.
add_embeddirs( @dirs )-
...->add_embeddirs( 'assets' )Adds directories whose files are embedded into the target.
add_links( @libs )-
...->add_links( 'm', 'dl' )Adds libraries to link against.
add_syslinks( @libs )-
...->add_syslinks( 'pthread' )Adds system libraries to link against.
add_linkorders( @orders )-
...->add_linkorders( 'liba.a', 'libb.a' )Forces link ordering across whole libs.
add_linkgroups( @groups )-
...->add_linkgroups( 'pthread', 'm' )Wraps the named links in linker group flags, e.g.
--start-group/--end-group. add_linkdirs( @dirs )-
...->add_linkdirs( 'lib' )Adds library search directories.
add_rpathdirs( @dirs )-
...->add_rpathdirs( '$ORIGIN' )Adds runtime library search directories.
add_deps( @targets )-
...->add_deps( 'core' )Declares dependencies on other targets.
add_rules( @rules )-
...->add_rules( 'qt.static' )Attaches rule name(s) to this target.
add_packages( @packages )-
...->add_packages( 'zlib' )Links against the given packages from
add_requires. add_requires( @packages )-
...->add_requires( 'zlib' )Requires packages that are then linked into this target.
add_headerfiles( @files )-
...->add_headerfiles( 'src/*.h' )Adds header files to install with the target.
add_installfiles( @files )-
...->add_installfiles( 'src/readme.txt' )Adds extra files to install with the target.
add_extrafiles( @files )-
...->add_extrafiles( 'src/license.txt' )Adds files that should be listed/installed but not compiled.
add_imports( @mods )-
...->add_imports( 'core.base.task' )Imports xmake modules for use in the target's Lua hooks.
add_languages( @langs )-
...->add_languages( 'cxx17' )Adds extra language standard(s) without replacing existing ones.
add_frameworks( @frameworks )-
...->add_frameworks( 'Foundation' )Adds system frameworks to link (macOS/iOS).
add_frameworkdirs( @dirs )-
...->add_frameworkdirs( '/System/Library/Frameworks' )Adds framework search directories.
add_values( $key, @values )-
...->add_values( 'wasm.preloadfiles', 'src/assets/app.js' )Sets a target-specific key/value pair, e.g. the wasm preload files.
set_values( %pairs )-
...->set_values( 'wasm.preloadfiles' => [ 'src/assets/app.js' ] )Replaces all values for a set of target-specific keys from a hashref.
- runtime / run
-
set_targetdir( $dir )-
...->set_targetdir( '$(builddir)/out', { bindir => 'bin', libdir => 'lib' } )Sets the output directory for the target's files. By default output goes to
build; when set, this directory is preferred. Subdirectories such asbindir/libdirmay be configured via a trailing table. set_rundir( $dir )-
...->set_rundir( 'tests' )Sets the working directory used when the target runs.
set_runargs( @args )-
...->set_runargs( '--verbose' )Sets default arguments passed to the target when it runs.
set_runenv( $name, $value )-
...->set_runenv( 'HOME', '/tmp' )Sets a single environment variable for the running target.
add_runenvs( %pairs )-
...->add_runenvs( LD_LIBRARY_PATH => 'lib' )Adds environment variables for the running target from a hashref.
add_tests( $name, @cmds )-
...->add_tests( 'unit', 'test.exe' )Registers a runnable test that
xmake testcan invoke.
- toolchain / plat / arch
-
set_plat( $plat )-
...->set_plat( 'windows' )Pins this target to a specific platform.
set_arch( $arch )-
...->set_arch( 'x86_64' )Pins this target to a specific architecture.
set_toolchains( @names )-
...->set_toolchains( 'clang' )Sets the toolchain(s) used to build this target.
set_toolset( %pairs )-
...->set_toolset( cc => 'gcc', cxx => 'g++' )Sets the tool programs used by the toolchain, as a table of
name => programpairs.
- flags
-
Compile and link flags carry their compiler prefix so one method covers each family:
add_cflagsadd_cxflagsadd_cxxflagsadd_mflagsadd_mxflagsadd_mxxflagsadd_scflagsadd_asflagsadd_gcflagsadd_dcflagsadd_rcflagsadd_fcflagsadd_zcflagsadd_cuflagsadd_culdflagsadd_cugencodesadd_ascnpuarchsadd_ldflagsadd_arflagsadd_shflags. - config-file generation
-
add_configfiles( @files )-
...->add_configfiles( 'config.h.in', { filename => 'config.h' } )Generates a config file from a
.intemplate. set_configvar( $name, $value )-
...->set_configvar( 'HAVE_X', '1' )Sets a config variable substituted into generated config files.
set_configdir( $dir )-
...->set_configdir( '$(projectdir)/config' )Sets the directory into which generated config files are written.
- compile-time feature detection
-
The full
@builtin/checkhelper family is wired in. The first call emitsincludes("@builtin/check")at the project root exactly once. Each helper rendersdef, argand passes list-style arguments (links, headers, types) as a single Lua list rather than flattening them; a trailing hashref becomes the options table. Both the plaincheck_*(defines the macro) andconfigvar_check_*(writesset_configvarinto the generated config) forms are provided acrosslinkssyslinksctypescxxtypescfuncscxxfuncscincludescxxincludescsnippetscxxsnippetsfeaturesmacrossizeofalignofbigendiancflagscxxflags:...->add_configfiles( 'config.h.in', { filename => 'config.h' } ) ...->configvar_check_links( 'HAS_PTHREAD', [ 'pthread', 'm', 'dl' ] ) ...->configvar_check_ctypes( 'HAS_WCHAR', 'wchar_t' ) with C<config.h.in>: ${define HAS_PTHREAD} ${define HAS_WCHAR} - scoped conditions (when)
-
when( $condition, $body )wraps a group of statements in a Luaif/then/endblock so they only apply when a compile-time predicate holds (is_platis_osis_archis_hostis_modeis_kindis_confighas_confighas_package, or any Lua expression, including negations likenot is_plat("windows")).$bodyis a code ref whose->...>> chained calls back into the same builder, an arrayref of raw Lua lines, or a single raw Lua line string. Inner statements are indented one level andendcloses the block:...->when( 'is_plat("windows", "linux")', sub { ...->add_links( 'pthread', 'm', 'dl' ); } ) ...->when( 'is_arch("arm.*")', 'add_defines("ARM")' ) emits: if is_plat("windows", "linux") then add_links("pthread", "m", "dl") end if is_arch("arm.*") then add_defines("ARM") endwhenis also available at the project (root/global) scope to guardadd_rules/add_requires/includesand any root statement. - raw hooks and escape hatch
-
Hooks take raw Lua function bodies:
on_loadon_configon_buildon_build_filebefore_buildafter_buildon_linkon_cleanon_installon_uninstallon_run. Strings that begin withfunctionare emitted unquoted; other strings are quoted and joined as arguments:...->on_build( 'function (target) print(target:name()) end' ) ...->on_install( 'windows', 'function (target) end' )lua( @lines )pushes raw Lua lines straight into the target body (escape hatch).
Option builder
An option(...) block describes a configurable build option. Every method is chainable. A trailing hashref becomes an options table; true/false emit bare Lua booleans. Note that an option created with the inline table form (option('name', { ... })) cannot be extended with these setters.
set_default( $value )-
...->set_default( true )Sets the option's default value.
set_values( @vals )-
...->set_values( 'debug', 'release' )Sets the list of allowed values for the option.
-
...->set_showmenu( true )Sets whether to show the option in the
xmake f --helpmenu. set_category( $category )-
...->set_category( 'Features' )Groups the option under a category in the menu.
set_description( $text )-
...->set_description( 'Enable the foo feature' )Sets a human-readable description shown in the menu.
add_deps( @opts )-
...->add_deps( 'with_toolchain' )Requires the named other options to be resolved first.
add_links( @libs )-
...->add_links( 'm', 'dl' )Adds libraries the option links when enabled.
add_linkdirs( @dirs )-
...->add_linkdirs( 'lib' )Adds library search directories for the option.
add_rpathdirs( @dirs )-
...->add_rpathdirs( '$ORIGIN' )Adds runtime library search directories for the option.
add_cincludes( @headers )-
...->add_cincludes( 'math.h' )Probes for the presence of the given C headers.
add_cxxincludes( @headers )-
...->add_cxxincludes( 'vector' )Probes for the presence of the given C++ headers.
add_ctypes( @types )-
...->add_ctypes( 'wchar_t' )Probes for the presence of the given C types.
add_cxxtypes( @types )-
...->add_cxxtypes( 'std::string' )Probes for the presence of the given C++ types.
add_csnippets( @code )-
...->add_csnippets( 'int main() { return 0; }' )Probes C code snippets for successful compilation.
add_cxxsnippets( @code )-
...->add_cxxsnippets( 'int main() { return 0; }' )Probes C++ code snippets for successful compilation.
add_cfuncs( @funcs )-
...->add_cfuncs( 'pow' )Probes for the presence of the given C functions.
add_cxxfuncs( @funcs )-
...->add_cxxfuncs( 'std::swap' )Probes for the presence of the given C++ functions.
add_defines( @defines )-
...->add_defines( 'HAVE_FOO' )Adds macros defined when the option is enabled.
add_cxflags( @flags )-
...->add_cxflags( '-DFOO' )Adds C/C++ flags applied when the option is enabled.
before_check( $body )on_check( $body )after_check( $body )-
...->on_check( 'function (option) return false end' )Injects raw-Lua hooks around the option's compile-time check.
Rule builder
A rule(...) block describes a custom build rule. Every method is chainable.
set_extensions( @exts )-
...->set_extensions( '.c', '.cpp' )Sets the file extensions this rule handles.
add_deps( @rules )-
...->add_deps( 'lex' )Makes this rule depend on other rules.
add_imports( @mods )-
...->add_imports( 'core.base.task' )Imports xmake modules for use in the rule's Lua hooks.
on_load( $body )on_config( $body )on_link( $body )on_build( $body )on_build_file( $body )on_build_files( $body )on_clean( $body )on_package( $body )on_install( $body )on_uninstall( $body )-
...->on_build( 'function (target) print(target:name()) end' )Injects raw-Lua hooks (each takes raw Lua function bodies).
lua( @lines )pushes raw Lua lines straight into the rule body.
Toolchain builder
A toolchain(...) block describes a custom toolchain. Every method is chainable.
set_kind( $kind )-
...->set_kind( 'standalone' )Sets the toolchain kind, e.g.
standalone. set_sdkdir( $dir )-
...->set_sdkdir( '/opt/toolchain' )Sets the SDK root directory for the toolchain.
set_bindir( $dir )-
...->set_bindir( '/opt/toolchain/bin' )Sets the directory containing the toolchain's executables.
set_toolset( %pairs )-
...->set_toolset( cc => 'gcc', cxx => 'g++' )Sets this toolchain's tool programs as a table of
name => programpairs. add_defines( @defines )-
...->add_defines( 'FOO' )Adds preprocessor defines for the toolchain.
on_load( $body )on_check( $body )-
...->on_load( 'function (toolchain) end' )Injects raw-Lua hooks (each takes raw Lua function bodies).
Package builder
A package(...) block describes how a dependency package is fetched and installed. Every method is chainable; a trailing hashref becomes an options table; true/false emit bare Lua booleans.
set_homepage( $url )-
...->set_homepage( 'https://example.com' )Sets the package homepage URL.
set_description( $text )-
...->set_description( 'A useful library' )Sets a short description of the package.
set_license( $license )-
...->set_license( 'MIT' )Sets the package license identifier.
set_kind( $kind )-
...->set_kind( 'library' )Sets the package kind:
library(default),binary, orheaderonly. set_urls( @urls )-
...->set_urls( 'https://example.com/libfoo/v$(version).tar.gz' )Sets the official download URL(s) for the package.
add_urls( @urls )-
...->add_urls( 'https://mirror.example.com/libfoo.tar.gz' )Adds mirror download URL(s), tried in order until one works.
add_versions( @vers )-
...->add_versions( '1.0.0', { hash => 'sha256:<hexdigest>' } )Registers known versions of the package, each with an integrity hash.
add_versionfiles( @files )-
...->add_versionfiles( '1.0.0' => 'patch.tar.gz' )Adds version-specific file mappings.
set_sourcedir( $dir )-
...->set_sourcedir( 'src' )Uses a local source directory instead of downloading.
add_patches( @patches )-
...->add_patches( '1.0.0', 'patch.diff' )Adds patches to apply after unpacking.
add_links( @libs )-
...->add_links( 'foo' )Adds libraries this package provides.
add_syslinks( @libs )-
...->add_syslinks( 'pthread' )Adds system libraries this package links.
add_includedirs( @dirs )-
...->add_includedirs( 'include' )Adds include directories this package adds.
add_bindirs( @dirs )-
...->add_bindirs( 'bin' )Adds binary directories this package adds.
add_defines( @defines )-
...->add_defines( 'HAVE_FOO' )Adds defines this package adds to its consumers.
add_frameworks( @frameworks )-
...->add_frameworks( 'Foundation' )Adds system frameworks this package links (macOS/iOS).
add_linkdirs( @dirs )-
...->add_linkdirs( 'lib' )Adds library search directories this package adds.
add_linkorders( @orders )-
...->add_linkorders( 'liba.a' )Adds link ordering across whole libs for this package.
add_linkgroups( @groups )-
...->add_linkgroups( 'pthread', 'm' )Adds linker group flags for this package's links.
add_configs( @configs )-
...->add_configs( 'shared', true ) ...->add_configs( 'shared', false, 'icu', true )Sets default package configurations as alternating
name, valuepairs. add_extsources( @sources )-
...->add_extsources( 'ext/*.c' )Adds extra source files/objects to add when built from source.
add_deps( @pkgs )-
...->add_deps( 'zlib' )Declares dependencies on other packages.
add_components( @comps )-
...->add_components( 'core', 'io' )Declares components of this package.
set_base( $rule )-
...->set_base( 'github' )Bases this package on an existing package or rule.
add_schemes( %schemes )-
...->add_schemes( configs => { shared => true } )Sets scheme overrides that push configs onto consumers of this package.
on_load( $body )on_fetch( $body )on_check( $body )on_install( $body )on_download( $body )on_test( $body )on_component( $body )-
...->on_install( 'function (package) end' )Injects raw-Lua hooks (each takes raw Lua function bodies).
lua( @lines )pushes raw Lua lines straight into the package body.
Xpack builder
An xpack(...) block describes a distributable installer package. The first xpack call also emits includes("@builtin/xpack") to enable the plugin. Every method is chainable; a trailing hashref becomes an options table; true/false emit bare Lua booleans.
set_version( $version )-
...->set_version( '1.0.0' )Sets the package version string.
set_homepage( $url )-
...->set_homepage( 'https://example.com' )Sets the package homepage URL.
set_title( $title )-
...->set_title( 'MyApp' )Sets the display title of the installer.
-
...->set_author( 'Jane Doe' )Sets the author name.
set_maintainer( $maintainer )-
...->set_maintainer( 'Jane Doe' )Sets the maintainer name.
set_description( $text )-
...->set_description( 'Cross-platform app' )Sets a short description shown in the installer.
set_copyright( $notice )-
...->set_copyright( '2026 Jane Doe' )Sets the copyright notice for the installer.
set_company( $company )-
...->set_company( 'Acme Inc.' )Sets the company/organization name.
set_inputkind( $kind )-
...->set_inputkind( 'binary' )Identifies the packaged input source type:
binaryorsource. Optional - built-in formats usually determine this from the format name, but it is needed for custom formats (e.g. to distinguish a binarydebfrom a sourcedeb). set_formats( @formats )-
...->set_formats( 'nsis', 'zip', 'targz' )Configures the packaging format(s) to generate;
xmake packproduces all of them at once. Supported formats:nsis(Windows NSIS installer),wix,zip,targz,srczip,srctargz,runself,rpm,srpm,deb,dmg,appimage, plus custom formats. set_basename( $name )-
...->set_basename( 'myapp-setup' )Sets the base file name of the generated installer.
set_extension( $ext )-
...->set_extension( '.exe' )Sets the file extension of the generated installer.
set_bindir( $dir )-
...->set_bindir( 'bin' )Sets the directory whose contents become the payload's
bin. set_libdir( $dir )-
...->set_libdir( 'lib' )Sets the directory whose contents become the payload's
lib. set_includedir( $dir )-
...->set_includedir( 'include' )Sets the directory whose contents become the payload's
include. set_prefixdir( $dir )-
...->set_prefixdir( 'usr/local' )Sets the install prefix inside the payload.
set_specfile( $spec )-
...->set_specfile( 'packaging/foo.spec' )Sets the path to a packaging spec file.
set_specvar( $name, $value )-
...->set_specvar( 'VERSION', '$(version)' )Sets a variable substituted into the spec file.
set_iconfile( $file )-
...->set_iconfile( 'assets/icon.ico' )Sets the icon file for the installer.
set_license( $license )-
...->set_license( 'MIT' )Sets the license text or identifier.
set_licensefile( $file )-
...->set_licensefile( 'LICENSE' )Sets the path to a license file bundled with the installer.
set_nsis_displayicon( $bool )-
...->set_nsis_displayicon( true )Sets whether to show the icon in the NSIS installer.
add_sourcefiles( @files )-
...->add_sourcefiles( 'src/*.c' )Adds source files to package.
add_installfiles( @files )-
...->add_installfiles( 'README.md' )Adds extra install files to package.
add_targets( @targets )-
...->add_targets( 'myapp' )Includes the named build targets' outputs in the package.
add_components( @comps )-
...->add_components( 'core' )Includes prebuilt components in the package.
add_buildrequires( @pkgs )-
...->add_buildrequires( 'nsis' )Adds packages required to build the installer.
on_load( $body )on_package( $body )-
...->on_package( 'function (xpack) end' )Injects raw-Lua hooks (each takes raw Lua function bodies).
component( $name, @body )-
...->component( 'core', sub { ...->set_default( true ) } )Begins an
xpack_component(...)block; returns a "XpackComponent builder".
XpackComponent builder
An xpack_component(...) block describes one sub-component of an xpack. Every method is chainable.
set_title( $title )-
...->set_title( 'Core runtime' )Sets the display title of the component.
set_description( $text )-
...->set_description( 'The core runtime library' )Sets the description of the component.
set_default( $bool )-
...->set_default( true )Sets whether the component is selected by default. Pass a real
falseto deselect. add_sourcefiles( @files )-
...->add_sourcefiles( 'src/*.c' )Adds source files to this component.
add_installfiles( @files )-
...->add_installfiles( 'LICENSE' )Adds extra install files to this component.
on_load( $body )-
...->on_load( 'function (component) end' )Injects a raw-Lua hook (takes a raw Lua function body).
before_installcmd( $body )on_installcmd( $body )after_installcmd( $body )before_uninstallcmd( $body )on_uninstallcmd( $body )after_uninstallcmd( $body )-
...->on_installcmd( 'function (cmd) end' )Injects raw-Lua hooks around the component's install/uninstall commands (each takes raw Lua function bodies).
lua( @lines )pushes raw Lua lines straight into the component body.
OPTION TABLES AND BOOLEANS
Any method that in xmake takes a trailing table accepts a Perl hashref as its last argument. It is rendered with bracket keys so any string key is valid Lua:
$t->add_files('src/*.cpp', { unity_group => 'core' }); # add_files("src/*.cpp", {["unity_group"]="core"})
Use the v5.36+ true/false keywords for booleans so xmake receives a real boolean, not the string "1":
$p->add_requires('zlib', { shared => true });
Key order in tables is deterministic (sorted).
EXAMPLES
A dependency-driven executable and a shared library with a test, built from Perl:
use v5.40;
use Alien::Xmake::Project;
my $p = Alien::Xmake::Project->new(file => 'xmake.lua');
$p->set_project('app')->set_version('0.1.0');
$p->add_rules('mode.debug', 'mode.release');
$p->add_requires('zlib', { configs => { shared => true } });
$p->target('core')
->set_kind('shared')
->add_files('src/core/*.cpp')
->add_packages('zlib');
$p->target('app')
->set_kind('binary')
->add_files('src/main.cpp')
->add_deps('core')
->add_packages('zlib')
->set_languages('c++20')
->add_values('wasm.preloadfiles', 'src/assets/app.js')
->on_install('windows', 'function (target) end');
$p->save;
$p->xmake->configure(mode => 'release');
$p->xmake->build;
$p->xmake->test;
$p->xmake->project(kind => 'vsxmake'); # feed any IDE generator
SEE ALSO
Alien::Xmake, the example in eg/xmake_project.pl
LICENSE
Copyright (C) Sanko Robinson.
This library is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms found in the Artistic License 2. Other copyrights, terms, and conditions may apply to data transmitted through this module.
AUTHOR
Sanko Robinson https://github.com/sanko