C++ Project Setup Made Simple: Raylib, CMake, and VSCode Guide

Set up a C++ project with Raylib, CMake, and VSCode. Learn to install tools, configure vcpkg, create a project, and run your first Raylib app step by step.

This is Rambod and today we set up a complete C++ project environment with Raylib, CMake, and Visual Studio Code. This guide is designed for beginners who want a reliable workflow with the right tools and no wasted time.

1) Install the required tools

You will need:

• Visual Studio Code
• CMake
• Ninja
• vcpkg
• Raylib

After downloading:

• Add CMake and Ninja to your system PATH.
• Install vcpkg following the official documentation.
• Verify installations in a terminal with commands:
  • cmake --version
  • ninja --version
  • vcpkg version

If they respond, everything is installed correctly.

2) Create your project folder

• Make a new folder without spaces in its name, for example MyRaylibProject.
• Right click → Open with VSCode.
• Install the following VSCode extensions:
  • C++ IntelliSense
  • CMake Tools

Reload VSCode to finalize.

3) Initialize CMake in VSCode

• Press Ctrl + Shift + P and search for CMake: Quick Start.
• Enter your project name, for example MyRaylibCPPProject.
• Choose Executable as the target.
• Add a new preset and select your compiler toolchain.
• Point CMake to the vcpkg toolchain file (found in vcpkg/scripts/buildsystems/vcpkg.cmake).
• Save the preset.

4) Set up vcpkg dependencies

• In your project root, create a file vcpkg.json.
• Define project dependencies like this:

{
  "name": "my-raylib-project",
  "version-string": "0.1.0",
  "dependencies": [ "raylib" ]
}

• Run vcpkg install to fetch and build Raylib.
• CMake will automatically detect the package.

5) Update CMakeLists.txt

• Set the minimum version, for example cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 3.21).
• Add find_package(raylib CONFIG REQUIRED).
• Use target_link_libraries(${PROJECT_NAME} PRIVATE raylib) at the end of the file.
• Save changes.

6) Write your first Raylib program

Replace the default main.cpp with:

#include "raylib.h"

int main() {
    InitWindow(800, 600, "My Raylib Project");
    SetTargetFPS(60);

    while (!WindowShouldClose()) {
        BeginDrawing();
        ClearBackground(RAYWHITE);
        DrawText("Hello from Raylib!", 200, 280, 20, BLACK);
        DrawFPS(10, 10);
        EndDrawing();
    }

    CloseWindow();
    return 0;
}

This creates a window, displays text, and shows FPS.

7) Build and run

• In VSCode, open the CMake Tools panel.
• Select your preset and click Configure.
• Then click Build.
• If errors appear, delete cache and reconfigure.
• Finally, run the project.

You should now see your Raylib window up and running.

8) Troubleshooting tips

• If include errors appear, confirm that your vcpkg toolchain is set in the preset.
• Use the correct architecture folder inside vcpkg (x64-windows or equivalent).
• Reload VSCode if IntelliSense is not resolving Raylib headers.

Wrap up

You now have a complete C++ project setup with Raylib, CMake, and VSCode. This foundation makes it easy to expand with more libraries like SDL, ImGui, or fmt using the same workflow.

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