vscode-cmake-tools

Creates a validation project for testing a specific vscode-cmake-tools pull request. Use this skill when asked to create a validation project, test a PR, validate a pull request, or set up a PR validation environment. The skill creates a structured project directory with documentation, metadata, and checklists for systematically validating PR changes.

Use when adding a new cmake.* command to CMake Tools. Touches package.json (contributes.commands), package.nls.json, src/extension.ts (funs array), and CHANGELOG.md. Triggers: "add command", "register command", "new command palette entry".

Use when adding a compiler or tool output parser for the Problems panel. Touches src/diagnostics/<name>.ts, src/diagnostics/build.ts, package.json (cmake.enabledOutputParsers), and package.nls.json. Triggers: "add parser", "new diagnostic parser", "parse compiler output".

Use when adding a new cmake.* configuration setting. Touches package.json (contributes.configuration), package.nls.json, src/config.ts (interface + getter), docs/cmake-settings.md, and CHANGELOG.md. Triggers: "add setting", "new setting", "add configuration".

Use when writing unit tests under test/unit-tests/backend/*.test.ts that run in Node with Mocha+Chai and no VS Code API. For pure logic: parsers, helpers, env merging. Triggers: "backend test", "unit test", "mocha test without vscode".

Use when writing or reviewing code that must work in both CMake Presets and Kits/Variants modes. Covers configure, build, test, environment, and generator paths. Triggers: "presets vs kits", "useCMakePresets", "works in both modes".

Verify that a pull request into microsoft/vscode-cmake-tools meets contribution requirements. Use when preparing, reviewing, or finalizing a PR to check for a descriptive title, a meaningful description, a properly formatted CHANGELOG entry, code correctness, regression risks, adherence to existing patterns, and whether documentation updates are needed.