vix make

vix make generates C++ files quickly from the folder you are working in.

Use it when you want to create common C++ scaffolding such as classes, structs, enums, functions, concepts, exceptions, tests, lambdas, or JSON runtime config files.

vix make is a file generator. It does not create a full project layout.

Use vix new when you want to create a new project.

Use vix modules when you want structured module scaffolding.

Usage

bash

vix make <kind> <name> [options]
vix make:<kind> [name] [options]

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What it does

vix make generates files in the current directory by default.

If --in is provided, generated files are written inside that folder.

If --dir is provided, it becomes the project root, and --in is resolved from that root.

bash

vix make class User
vix make class User --in src/domain
vix make class User --dir ./apps/api --in src/domain

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With the last command, files are generated inside:

txt

./apps/api/src/domain

Basic usage

bash

vix make class User
vix make struct Claims
vix make enum Status
vix make function parse_token
vix make lambda visit_all
vix make concept EqualityComparable
vix make exception InvalidToken
vix make test AuthService
vix make config app

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Interactive generator form

You can also use the vix make:<kind> form:

bash

vix make:class
vix make:class User
vix make:config
vix make:config app

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If the name is missing, Vix starts an interactive prompt.

Current interactive support:

Kind	Interactive support
`class`	Yes
`config`	Yes
`struct`	Not yet
`enum`	Not yet
`function`	Not yet
`lambda`	Not yet
`concept`	Not yet
`exception`	Not yet
`test`	Not yet
`module`	Redirected to `vix modules`

Supported kinds

Kind	What it generates
`class`	A C++ class. Generates `.hpp` and `.cpp` by default.
`struct`	A plain data struct. Header-only by design.
`enum`	An enum class with helpers. Header-only by design.
`function`	A free function. Generates `.hpp` and `.cpp` by default.
`lambda`	A modern generic lambda. Header-only by design.
`concept`	A C++20 concept. Header-only by design.
`exception`	A `std::exception` derived type. Generates `.hpp` and `.cpp` by default.
`test`	A GoogleTest skeleton.
`module`	Redirects to the modules workflow.
`config`	A JSON runtime configuration file.

Output behavior

By default, vix make behaves like a direct file generator.

It does not force generated files into include/, src/, or tests/.

bash

mkdir src/domain
cd src/domain
vix make class User

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This generates:

txt

User.hpp
User.cpp

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Using --in:

bash

vix make class User --in src/domain

This generates:

txt

src/domain/User.hpp
src/domain/User.cpp

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Using --dir and --in:

bash

vix make class User --dir ./apps/api --in src/domain

This generates:

txt

apps/api/src/domain/User.hpp
apps/api/src/domain/User.cpp

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Project root and default namespace

--dir sets the project root.

If a CMakeLists.txt exists, Vix tries to detect the project name from the CMake project(...) declaration.

That project name is used to guess a default namespace.

Example:

cmake

project(MyApi)

Then:

bash

vix make class User --dir .

Can use the default namespace:

cpp

namespace myapi
{
}

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You can override it:

bash

vix make class User --namespace app::domain

Name validation

Names must be valid C++ identifiers.

Valid:

bash

vix make class User
vix make struct AccessToken
vix make enum Status

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Invalid:

bash

vix make class 123User
vix make class user-name
vix make class class

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C++ reserved keywords are rejected.

Namespace values are also validated:

bash

vix make class User --namespace app::domain

Invalid namespace example:

bash

vix make class User --namespace app::class

Existing files

Existing files are not overwritten by default.

bash

vix make class User
vix make class User

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The second command fails because the files already exist.

Use --force to overwrite:

bash

vix make class User --force

Use --force carefully.

Preview and dry run

Use --dry-run to see what would be generated without writing files:

bash

vix make class User --dry-run

Use --print to print the generated preview or snippet:

bash

vix make lambda visit_all --print
vix make class User --print

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Difference:

Option	Behavior
`--dry-run`	Prints the kind, name, and target file paths. Does not write files.
`--print`	Prints the generated preview or code snippet. Does not write files.

Generate a class

bash

vix make class User

By default, class generation creates:

txt

User.hpp
User.cpp

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Default class generation includes:

txt

default constructor
value constructor
virtual destructor
copy/move operations
getters and setters
one default field: std::string id

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Example:

bash

vix make class User --namespace app::domain

Generate in a specific folder:

bash

vix make class User --in src/domain

Generate header-only:

bash

vix make class User --header-only

Preview:

bash

vix make class User --dry-run
vix make class User --print

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Overwrite existing files:

bash

vix make class User --force

Interactive class generation

bash

vix make:class

The interactive class generator asks for:

txt

class name
namespace
number of fields
field names and types
default constructor
value constructor
getters/setters
copy/move operations
virtual destructor
header-only mode
target folder

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Example field input:

txt

id:string
email:std::string
age:int

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string is normalized to:

cpp

std::string

Generate a struct

bash

vix make struct Claims

Struct generation is header-only by design.

It creates:

txt

Claims.hpp

The generated struct includes a simple data payload skeleton:

txt

id
label
valid
version
tags

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Examples:

bash

vix make struct Claims --namespace auth
vix make struct Claims --in src/auth

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Generate an enum

bash

vix make enum Status

Enum generation is header-only by design.

It creates:

txt

Status.hpp

The generated enum includes:

txt

enum class Status
to_string(Status)
is_known(Status)

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Default enum values:

txt

Unknown
Active
Disabled

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Examples:

bash

vix make enum Status --in src/domain
vix make enum Status --namespace app::domain

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Generate a free function

bash

vix make function parse_token

By default, function generation creates:

txt

parse_token.hpp
parse_token.cpp

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The generated function uses std::string_view for lightweight input.

Example:

bash

vix make function parse_token --in src/auth

Header-only:

bash

vix make function parse_token --header-only

Generate a lambda

bash

vix make lambda visit_all

Lambda generation is header-only by design.

It creates:

txt

visit_all.hpp

The generated lambda is a modern generic lambda:

cpp

inline constexpr auto visit_all = []<typename T>(const T &value)
{
  return value;
};

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For snippet usage:

bash

vix make lambda visit_all --print

Generate a concept

bash

vix make concept EqualityComparable

Concept generation is header-only by design.

It creates:

txt

EqualityComparable.hpp

The generated concept uses:

txt

requires-expressions
std::convertible_to
std::is_reference_v

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It is useful for generic C++20 constraints.

Example:

bash

vix make concept EqualityComparable --namespace app

Generate an exception

bash

vix make exception InvalidToken

By default, exception generation creates:

txt

InvalidToken.hpp
InvalidToken.cpp

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The generated exception:

txt

derives from std::exception
stores the message in std::string
overrides what() const noexcept

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Examples:

bash

vix make exception InvalidToken --in src/auth
vix make exception InvalidToken --namespace auth
vix make exception InvalidToken --header-only

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Generate a test

bash

vix make test AuthService

Test generation creates a GoogleTest skeleton.

It creates a file like:

txt

test_auth_service.cpp

The generated test contains:

cpp

#include <gtest/gtest.h>

TEST(AuthService, DefaultCase)
{
  EXPECT_TRUE(true);
}

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Replace EXPECT_TRUE(true) with real assertions.

Example:

bash

vix make test AuthService --in tests

Generate a config file

bash

vix make config app

Config generation creates a JSON runtime configuration file.

For app, it creates:

txt

app.json

By default, config generation includes:

txt

server
logging
waf

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By default, it does not include:

txt

websocket
database

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Examples:

bash

vix make config app
vix make config app --websocket --database
vix make config app --server --logging --waf
vix make config app --no-websocket

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Config sections

Option	Meaning
`--server`	Enable server section.
`--no-server`	Disable server section.
`--logging`	Enable logging section.
`--no-logging`	Disable logging section.
`--waf`	Enable WAF section.
`--no-waf`	Disable WAF section.
`--websocket`	Enable WebSocket section.
`--no-websocket`	Disable WebSocket section.
`--database`	Enable database section.
`--no-database`	Disable database section.

At least one config section must be enabled.

This is invalid:

bash

vix make config app \
  --no-server \
  --no-logging \
  --no-waf \
  --no-websocket \
  --no-database

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Default config content

Default command:

bash

vix make config app

Generates a JSON config with sections like:

json

{
  "server": {
    "port": 8080,
    "request_timeout": 2000,
    "io_threads": 0,
    "session_timeout_sec": 300,
    "bench_mode": true
  },
  "logging": {
    "async": true,
    "queue_max": 20000,
    "drop_on_overflow": true
  },
  "waf": {
    "mode": "off",
    "max_target_len": 4096,
    "max_body_bytes": 1048576
  }
}

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With WebSocket:

bash

vix make config app --websocket

Adds:

json

"websocket": {
  "port": 9090,
  "max_message_size": 65536,
  "idle_timeout": 60,
  "ping_interval": 30,
  "enable_deflate": true,
  "auto_ping_pong": true
}

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With database:

bash

vix make config app --database

Adds:

json

"database": {
  "default": {
    "host": "localhost",
    "port": 3306,
    "name": "mydb",
    "user": "myuser",
    "password": ""
  }
}

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Generate a module

bash

vix make module auth

Module generation does not belong to vix make.

Vix returns an error and points you to the modules workflow.

Use:

bash

vix modules add auth

vix make is for direct file generation.

vix modules is for structured module scaffolding.

Options

Option	Description
`-d, --dir <path>`	Project root. Default is the current directory.
`--in <path>`	Folder where files should be generated.
`--namespace <ns>`	Override namespace.
`--header-only`	Generate only header files when supported.
`--print`	Print preview or snippet without writing files.
`--dry-run`	Show what would be generated without writing files.
`--force`	Overwrite existing files.
`--server`	Enable server section for config generation.
`--no-server`	Disable server section for config generation.
`--logging`	Enable logging section for config generation.
`--no-logging`	Disable logging section for config generation.
`--waf`	Enable WAF section for config generation.
`--no-waf`	Disable WAF section for config generation.
`--websocket`	Enable WebSocket section for config generation.
`--no-websocket`	Disable WebSocket section for config generation.
`--database`	Enable database section for config generation.
`--no-database`	Disable database section for config generation.
`-h, --help`	Show command help.

Common workflows

Generate a domain class

bash

vix make class User --in src/domain --namespace app::domain

Generate a header-only class

bash

vix make class User --in include/domain --namespace app::domain --header-only

Generate an auth struct

bash

vix make struct Claims --in src/auth --namespace auth

Generate an enum for status values

bash

vix make enum Status --in src/domain

Generate a parser function

bash

vix make function parse_token --in src/auth

Generate a reusable lambda snippet

bash

vix make lambda visit_all --print

Generate a C++20 concept

bash

vix make concept EqualityComparable --in src/core

Generate a custom exception

bash

vix make exception InvalidToken --in src/auth

Generate a test skeleton

bash

vix make test AuthService --in tests

Generate app configuration

bash

vix make config app --websocket --database

Preview before writing

bash

vix make class User --in src/domain --dry-run

Print generated snippet

bash

vix make lambda visit_all --print

Recommended workflow

bash

# 1. Generate the file
vix make class User --in src/domain --namespace app::domain

# 2. Format generated files
vix fmt

# 3. Build
vix build

# 4. Run tests
vix tests

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For tests:

bash

vix make test AuthService --in tests
vix fmt
vix tests

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For config:

bash

vix make config app --websocket --database
vix run

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Common mistakes

Using `vix make` instead of `vix new`

vix make generates files.

It does not create a full project layout.

Wrong:

bash

vix make class api

Correct for a new project:

bash

vix new api

Then generate files inside the project:

bash

cd api
vix make class User --in src/domain

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Using `vix make module` instead of `vix modules`

vix make module redirects to the modules workflow.

Use:

bash

vix modules add auth

Confusing `--dir` and `--in`

--dir is the project root.

--in is the output folder.

bash

vix make class User --dir ./apps/api --in src/domain

This means:

txt

project root: ./apps/api
output folder: ./apps/api/src/domain

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Expecting files to be generated in `include/` and `src/`

vix make does not force include/ or src/.

It writes into the current folder by default.

bash

cd src/domain
vix make class User

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Generates:

txt

User.hpp
User.cpp

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To write into a specific folder, use:

bash

vix make class User --in src/domain

Missing a name

This starts interactive mode when supported:

bash

vix make class
vix make:class

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Direct generation:

bash

vix make class User

Interactive mode is currently implemented for:

txt

class
config

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For other kinds, provide the name directly:

bash

vix make struct Claims
vix make enum Status
vix make function parse_token

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Using an invalid C++ name

Wrong:

bash

vix make class 123User
vix make class user-name
vix make class class

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Correct:

bash

vix make class User
vix make class UserProfile
vix make function parse_token

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Overwriting files accidentally

Vix does not overwrite existing files unless --force is provided.

bash

vix make class User --force

Use --dry-run first when unsure:

bash

vix make class User --dry-run

Disabling every config section

Wrong:

bash

vix make config app \
  --no-server \
  --no-logging \
  --no-waf \
  --no-websocket \
  --no-database

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At least one section must remain enabled.

When to use `vix make`

Use vix make when:

txt

your project already exists
you want to generate one or more C++ files quickly
you want a class, struct, enum, function, concept, exception, lambda, or test skeleton
you want to generate a runtime JSON config file
you want to preview generated code before writing files

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Use vix new when:

txt

you need a new project
you need a full project layout
you need templates such as app, backend, web, vue, game, or library

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Use vix modules when:

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you need structured module scaffolding
you want module-level folders and integration
you are adding a module to an existing Vix project

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Command	Purpose
`vix new`	Create a new project.
`vix modules`	Manage structured modules.
`vix fmt`	Format generated files.
`vix build`	Build the project.
`vix dev`	Run the project in development mode.
`vix run`	Build and run.
`vix check`	Validate the project.
`vix tests`	Run tests.

Next step

Continue with formatting.

Open the vix fmt guide

vix make ​

Usage ​

What it does ​

Basic usage ​

Interactive generator form ​

Supported kinds ​

Output behavior ​

Project root and default namespace ​

Name validation ​

Existing files ​

Preview and dry run ​

Generate a class ​

Interactive class generation ​

Generate a struct ​

Generate an enum ​

Generate a free function ​

Generate a lambda ​

Generate a concept ​

Generate an exception ​

Generate a test ​

Generate a config file ​

Config sections ​

Default config content ​

Generate a module ​

Options ​

Common workflows ​

Generate a domain class ​

Generate a header-only class ​

Generate an auth struct ​

Generate an enum for status values ​

Generate a parser function ​

Generate a reusable lambda snippet ​

Generate a C++20 concept ​

Generate a custom exception ​

Generate a test skeleton ​

Generate app configuration ​

Preview before writing ​

Print generated snippet ​

Recommended workflow ​

Common mistakes ​

Using vix make instead of vix new ​

Using vix make module instead of vix modules ​

Confusing --dir and --in ​

Expecting files to be generated in include/ and src/ ​

Missing a name ​

Using an invalid C++ name ​

Overwriting files accidentally ​

Disabling every config section ​

When to use vix make ​

Related commands ​

Next step ​

vix make

Usage

What it does

Basic usage

Interactive generator form

Supported kinds

Output behavior

Project root and default namespace

Name validation

Existing files

Preview and dry run

Generate a class

Interactive class generation

Generate a struct

Generate an enum

Generate a free function

Generate a lambda

Generate a concept

Generate an exception

Generate a test

Generate a config file

Config sections

Default config content

Generate a module

Options

Common workflows

Generate a domain class

Generate a header-only class

Generate an auth struct

Generate an enum for status values

Generate a parser function

Generate a reusable lambda snippet

Generate a C++20 concept

Generate a custom exception

Generate a test skeleton

Generate app configuration

Preview before writing

Print generated snippet

Recommended workflow

Common mistakes

Using `vix make` instead of `vix new`

Using `vix make module` instead of `vix modules`

Confusing `--dir` and `--in`

Expecting files to be generated in `include/` and `src/`

Missing a name

Using an invalid C++ name

Overwriting files accidentally

Disabling every config section

When to use `vix make`

Related commands

Next step