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Xmake: A cross-platform build utility based on Lua

github.com Software & code Software projects Software engineering Candidate
Screenshot of github.com captured 2026-07-20
Page preview · captured 2026-07-20

Resurfaced independently across 4 calendar years, with breakout response in 2 of them.

submissions
4
submitters
3
observed span
2019–2024
peak thread · 183 comments
193 pts
latest 20+ return · 2024-05-05
193 pts

Submission timeline

2007–2026

One slot for every year since HN launched. Height is that year's peak points; orange marks a 100+ point or 50+ comment breakout. Select a bar to open its strongest thread.

First comments on top threads

HN comment order

I started using xmake a few days ago. Not sure if I will use it for new projects (due to CMake being the standard) but I definitely want to. The workflow is amazing and super fast. You just run `xmake create` and it creates your project. Then you can just run xmake and boom, it compiles it in an instant, linking dependencies, without needing to create a CMakeLists.txt, adding a submodule for every dependency you use, including your dependency's cmake…

a developer post a well rounded tool with documentation that was built with a lot of care. The comment thread is mostly about other tools or people dismissing the work done because another available offer is more popular or common. When did "Show HN" threads became shark tank? Can people at least check and post about the tool itself instead of discussing CMake vs Ninja vs Meson?

soapdog·186-point thread·

"bash <(wget https://xmake.io/shget.text -O -)" Why not using the browser to execute remote code ? It has a GUI, you know ? /s

hulitu·17-point thread·

xmake is a lightweight cross-platform build utility based on Lua. It uses xmake.lua to maintain project builds. Compared with makefile/CMakeLists.txt, the configuration syntax is more concise and intuitive. It is very friendly to novices and can quickly get started in a short time. Let users focus more on actual project development. It can compile the project directly like Make/Ninja, or generate project files like CMake/Meson, and it also has a built-in package management system to help users solve the integrated…

waruqi·10-point thread·

The first top-level comment from each of the four biggest threads, in HN’s own order. Excerpts are shortened; open a comment for full context.

Breakout years
2

100+ points or 50+ comments

Total points
406

reference only — not used in Hall rules or ranking

Total comments
309

reference only — not used in Hall rules or ranking

Every submission

DateTitle as submittedByPointsComments
2019-04-09Show HN: Xmake, a modern C/C++ build utilityFirst breakoutwaruqi186183
2020-08-07Show HN: A cross-platform c/c++ build utility based on Luawaruqi103
2023-01-01Xmake: A cross-platform build tool based on Luapkkm171
2024-05-05Xmake: A cross-platform build utility based on LuaBest thread · Latest 20+ point returnflexagoon193122