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microsoft/vcpkg

A free, open-source C/C++ package manager from Microsoft for installing and building libraries on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

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What is it?

vcpkg is a C/C++ package manager that downloads, builds, and installs open-source libraries so developers can use them in their projects. It was first released in 2016 to help teams move projects to newer Visual Studio versions and has since grown into a cross-platform tool used on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Developers can declare dependencies in a manifest file or install packages directly from the command line with commands such as `vcpkg install fmt`. The tool integrates with CMake, MSBuild, Visual Studio, Visual Studio Code, CLion, Qt Creator, and other build systems. Its registry holds a large collection of library ports, and users can add their own packages.

vcpkg also supports version control for dependencies, binary caching for reusing built artifacts, and asset caching for offline or firewalled environments. Its code is MIT licensed, and each library keeps the license of its original authors.

Key features

  • 01Installs C/C++ libraries from a large registry of ports with a single command.
  • 02Integrates with CMake, MSBuild, and other build systems.
  • 03Lets projects declare and pin dependency versions in a manifest.
  • 04Reuses built binaries through binary caching.
  • 05Supports asset caching for offline and air-gapped builds.

Use cases

  • Managing third-party C++ dependencies in a Visual Studio or CMake project.
  • Setting up reproducible C/C++ builds across Windows, macOS, and Linux machines.
  • Building projects in air-gapped environments using a shared asset cache.
  • Packaging and publishing a private C++ library for your own team.

Quick start

  1. 1

    Follow a vcpkg quick start guide to install vcpkg

  2. 2

    Create a manifest for your project's dependencies

    vcpkg new --application
  3. 3

    Install a library, such as fmt, from the command line

    vcpkg install fmt

Things to know

  • Most ports download source code and build tools from upstream locations, so builds need network access.
  • Air-gapped setups need an asset cache populated from a networked machine first.

In collections

Open-source Mac apps

Topics

#c-plus-plus#package-manager#cmake#dependency-management#build-tools#windows#linux#macos#cplusplus#cpp

FAQ

What is vcpkg?
A free, open-source C/C++ package manager from Microsoft for installing and building libraries on Windows, macOS, and Linux. vcpkg is a C/C++ package manager that downloads, builds, and installs open-source libraries so developers can use them in their projects. It was first released in 2016 to help teams move projects to newer Visual Studio versions and has since grown into a cross-platform tool used on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Is vcpkg free to use? What license does it have?
vcpkg is open source under the MIT license. Check the license terms before using it in commercial products.
Is vcpkg still maintained?
Actively maintained. The last commit to vcpkg was on Oct 24, 2026.
What can I use vcpkg for?
Managing third-party C++ dependencies in a Visual Studio or CMake project. Setting up reproducible C/C++ builds across Windows, macOS, and Linux machines. Building projects in air-gapped environments using a shared asset cache. Packaging and publishing a private C++ library for your own team.
How do I install vcpkg?
Follow a vcpkg quick start guide to install vcpkg Create a manifest for your project's dependencies: vcpkg new --application Install a library, such as fmt, from the command line: vcpkg install fmt
Where can I get vcpkg?
The source code and installation instructions are on GitHub: https://github.com/microsoft/vcpkg

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