How to set CMake build configuration in VSCode?

Question

I'm using the CMake Tools extension in VSCode to build and run a C++ project on Windows.

Where do I set if the build configuration should be Debug or Release?

On Build, CMake Tools executes

"C:\Program Files\CMake\bin\cmake.EXE" --build c:/work/foobar/build --config Debug --target ALL_BUILD

How do I get the extension to build with --config Release?

Answer 1

The CMake Tools extension sets up a lot of goodies, including a status bar panel for configuring various aspects of your build(s). In the status line various panels provided by VSCode and extensions can be enabled/disabled. And example including the CMake Tools mini panels appears below:

Note: I am not running VS Code on a Windows machine; mine is MacOS, but the premise is the same.

Anyway, if you click on the portion that says CMake: [Debug]: Ready a select-variant list should open near the top of the IDE in the location you're probably familiar seeing the general Command Palette open. It will look like this:

It is here you can change your selection from one build configuration type to another.

You can also do this via the main command palette by doing the following:

1. Hit ctrl-shift-P (or cmd-shift-P on MacOS)
2. Type CMake. The list should filter to just CMake command options.
3. Scroll the list and choose CMake: Select Variant

The same aforementioned build variant options should present themselves.

Answer 2

For information, the CMake Tools extension status bar is now hidden by default. To show the status bar as mentioned in the other comment, do the following:

1. Extensions (Ctrl+Shift+X)

2. CMake Tools > Extension Settings

3. Search for "Status bar visibility" > select "visible"

Et voilà ! The status bar should appear at the bottom.