c-ecosystem

name	C++ Ecosystem
description	This skill should be used when working with C++ projects, CMakeLists.txt, Ninja, clang-tidy, clang-format, GoogleTest, Catch2, or Modern C++ (C++20/23/26) language patterns. Provides comprehensive C++ ecosystem patterns and best practices.
version	2.0.0

Provide comprehensive patterns for Modern C++ (C++20/23/26) language, CMake build system, and toolchain configuration.

<cplusplus_language> <modern_features> <decision_tree name="when_to_use"> Are you working with modern C++ features like smart pointers, move semantics, or ranges? <if_yes>Apply modern C++ patterns for safer, more efficient code</if_yes> <if_no>Consider refactoring legacy code to modern C++ standards</if_no> </decision_tree>

<concept name="move_semantics">
  <description>Transfer ownership of resources without copying. Introduced in C++11.</description>
  <example>
    std::vector&lt;int&gt; v1 = {1, 2, 3};
    std::vector&lt;int&gt; v2 = std::move(v1); // v1 is now empty
  </example>
  <use>Use std::move for expensive-to-copy objects when ownership transfer is intended</use>
</concept>

<concept name="smart_pointers">
  <description>RAII-based automatic memory management</description>
  <types>
    <type name="unique_ptr">Exclusive ownership, zero overhead</type>
    <type name="shared_ptr">Shared ownership with reference counting</type>
    <type name="weak_ptr">Non-owning observer of shared_ptr</type>
  </types>
  <example>
    auto ptr = std::make_unique&lt;MyClass&gt;(args);
    auto shared = std::make_shared&lt;MyClass&gt;(args);
  </example>
</concept>

<concept name="constexpr">
  <description>Compile-time computation</description>
  <evolution>
    <version name="C++11">Simple expressions only</version>
    <version name="C++14">Loops and local variables allowed</version>
    <version name="C++17">if constexpr for compile-time branching</version>
    <version name="C++20">constexpr std::vector, std::string</version>
    <version name="C++23">if consteval for context detection, constexpr std::bitset/std::unique_ptr</version>
  </evolution>
</concept>

<concept name="auto_type_deduction">
  <description>Compiler deduces type from initializer</description>
  <example>
    auto x = 42;                    // int
    auto vec = std::vector&lt;int&gt;{};  // std::vector&lt;int&gt;
    auto [key, value] = pair;       // structured bindings (C++17)
  </example>
</concept>

<concept name="lambdas">
  <description>Anonymous function objects</description>
  <example>
    auto add = [](int a, int b) { return a + b; };
    auto capture_by_ref = [&amp;x]() { x++; };
    auto capture_by_val = [=]() { return x; };
    auto generic = [](auto a, auto b) { return a + b; };  // C++14
  </example>
</concept>

<concept name="concepts">
  <description>Constraints on template parameters (C++20)</description>
  <example>
    template&lt;typename T&gt;
    concept Addable = requires(T a, T b) { a + b; };

    template&lt;Addable T&gt;
    T add(T a, T b) { return a + b; }
  </example>
</concept>

<concept name="ranges">
  <description>Composable range operations (C++20)</description>
  <example>
    auto result = numbers
    | std::views::filter([](int n) { return n % 2 == 0; })
    | std::views::transform([](int n) { return n * 2; });
  </example>
</concept>

<concept name="modules">
  <description>C++20 modules for faster compilation and better encapsulation</description>
  <example>
    // math.cppm (module interface)
    export module math;
    export int add(int a, int b) { return a + b; }

    // main.cpp
    import math;
    int main() { return add(1, 2); }
  </example>
  <note>Requires CMake 3.28+ with CMAKE_CXX_SCAN_FOR_MODULES. GCC 15+ and Clang 18+ have production-ready support. Use CMake 3.30+ for import std; support (set CMAKE_CXX_MODULE_STD ON).</note>
</concept>

<concept name="coroutines">
  <description>C++20 coroutines for async and generator patterns</description>
  <example>
    #include &lt;coroutine&gt;

    generator&lt;int&gt; range(int start, int end) {
      for (int i = start; i &lt; end; ++i) {
        co_yield i;
      }
    }

    task&lt;int&gt; async_compute() {
      co_return co_await some_async_operation();
    }
  </example>
  <note>Requires coroutine library (cppcoro, libcoro, or custom promise types)</note>
</concept>

<concept name="three_way_comparison">
  <description>C++20 spaceship operator for simplified comparisons</description>
  <example>
    struct Point {
      int x, y;
      auto operator&lt;=&gt;(const Point&amp;) const = default;
    };

    // Automatically generates ==, !=, &lt;, &gt;, &lt;=, &gt;=
  </example>
</concept>

<concept name="vocabulary_types">
  <description>C++17 vocabulary types for safer value handling</description>
  <types>
    <type name="std::optional">Maybe-value container, replaces nullable pointers</type>
    <type name="std::variant">Type-safe union, replaces raw unions</type>
    <type name="std::any">Type-erased container for any single value</type>
  </types>
  <example>
    std::optional&lt;int&gt; find_value(const std::vector&lt;int&gt;&amp; v, int target) {
      auto it = std::find(v.begin(), v.end(), target);
      if (it != v.end()) return *it;
      return std::nullopt;
    }

    std::variant&lt;int, std::string, double&gt; data = 42;
    std::visit([](auto&amp;&amp; val) { std::cout &lt;&lt; val; }, data);
  </example>
</concept>

</modern_features>

<cpp26_features> C++26 features are progressively landing across major toolchains. Prefer feature detection and compiler checks over hard assumptions. Static reflection via the ^^ operator (cat-ears operator). The biggest upgrade for C++ development since templates. consteval auto get_member_names(auto T) { return members_of(^^T); } <compiler_flag>-std=c++2c</compiler_flag> GCC 16 has reflection merged in trunk. Experimental Clang fork by Dan Katz also available. Contract assertions with contract_assert keyword, plus pre and post conditions. int divide(int a, int b) pre(b != 0) post(r: r * b == a) { contract_assert(b != 0); return a / b; } GCC has contracts merged in trunk, awaiting release. std::execution (P2300) — sender/receiver model for structured async and parallel programming. Replaces ad-hoc async patterns with composable, type-safe pipelines. #include <execution>

    auto work = std::execution::schedule(scheduler)
      | std::execution::then([] { return compute(); })
      | std::execution::then([](auto result) { return process(result); });

    std::execution::sync_wait(std::move(work));
  </example>
  <note>stdexec (formerly libunifex) provides a reference implementation. Shipping in GCC 16 and libc++.</note>
</feature>
<feature name="pattern_matching">
  <description>Pattern matching (P2688) — not approved for C++26. Expected for C++29. Use std::visit with std::variant as the current alternative.</description>
</feature>

</cpp26_features>

<cpp23_features> C++23 is fully stable and well-supported by GCC 14+, Clang 18+, and MSVC 17.10+. Use -std=c++23 confidently in production.

<feature name="std_expected">
  <description>std::expected — monadic error handling, superior to exceptions for expected failure paths</description>
  <example>
    #include &lt;expected&gt;

    std::expected&lt;int, std::string&gt; parse_int(std::string_view sv) {
      int val;
      auto [ptr, ec] = std::from_chars(sv.data(), sv.data() + sv.size(), val);
      if (ec != std::errc{}) return std::unexpected("parse error");
      return val;
    }

    auto result = parse_int("42")
      .transform([](int v) { return v * 2; })
      .transform_error([](auto e) { return "failed: " + e; });
  </example>
</feature>

<feature name="std_print">
  <description>std::print / std::println — type-safe formatted output, replaces iostream and printf</description>
  <example>
    #include &lt;print&gt;

    std::println("Hello, {}!", "world");
    std::print("x = {}, y = {}\n", 1, 2);
  </example>
</feature>

<feature name="flat_containers">
  <description>std::flat_map / std::flat_set — cache-friendly sorted containers backed by contiguous storage</description>
  <example>
    #include &lt;flat_map&gt;
    #include &lt;flat_set&gt;

    std::flat_map&lt;std::string, int&gt; scores;
    scores["alice"] = 100;

    std::flat_set&lt;int&gt; ids = {3, 1, 4, 1, 5};
  </example>
  <note>Better performance than std::map/std::set for small-to-medium collections due to cache locality.</note>
</feature>

<feature name="deducing_this">
  <description>Explicit object parameter (deducing this) — eliminates CRTP boilerplate, enables recursive lambdas</description>
  <example>
    struct Widget {
      template&lt;typename Self&gt;
      auto&amp;&amp; name(this Self&amp;&amp; self) {
        return std::forward&lt;Self&gt;(self).name_;
      }
    private:
      std::string name_;
    };

    // Recursive lambda
    auto fib = [](this auto self, int n) -&gt; int {
      return n &lt; 2 ? n : self(n - 1) + self(n - 2);
    };
  </example>
</feature>

<feature name="std_generator">
  <description>std::generator — standard coroutine generator, no more custom promise types needed</description>
  <example>
    #include &lt;generator&gt;

    std::generator&lt;int&gt; fibonacci() {
      int a = 0, b = 1;
      while (true) {
        co_yield a;
        auto tmp = a;
        a = b;
        b += tmp;
      }
    }
  </example>
</feature>

<feature name="import_std">
  <description>import std; — import the entire standard library as a module. Dramatically improves compile times.</description>
  <example>
    import std;

    int main() {
      std::println("Hello from modules!");
      std::vector&lt;int&gt; v = {1, 2, 3};
    }
  </example>
  <note>Requires CMake 3.30+ and compiler support. GCC 15+, Clang 18+ with libc++. Set CMAKE_CXX_MODULE_STD ON.</note>
</feature>

<feature name="std_stacktrace">
  <description>std::stacktrace — portable stack trace capture for diagnostics</description>
  <example>
    #include &lt;stacktrace&gt;

    void log_error(std::string_view msg) {
      std::println(stderr, "Error: {}\nStack trace:\n{}", msg, std::stacktrace::current());
    }
  </example>
  <note>Link with -lstdc++_libbacktrace on GCC.</note>
</feature>

<feature name="if_consteval">
  <description>if consteval — detect compile-time evaluation context, replacing std::is_constant_evaluated()</description>
  <example>
    constexpr int compute(int x) {
      if consteval {
        // compile-time path
        return x * x;
      } else {
        // runtime path, can use non-constexpr operations
        return fast_runtime_compute(x);
      }
    }
  </example>
</feature>

<feature name="multidimensional_subscript">
  <description>Multidimensional subscript operator — operator[] with multiple arguments</description>
  <example>
    template&lt;typename T&gt;
    class Matrix {
      std::vector&lt;T&gt; data_;
      size_t cols_;
    public:
      T&amp; operator[](size_t row, size_t col) {
        return data_[row * cols_ + col];
      }
    };

    Matrix&lt;double&gt; m(3, 3);
    m[1, 2] = 3.14;
  </example>
</feature>

</cpp23_features>

Do you need concurrent or parallel execution? Use std::thread for explicit control, std::async for task-based parallelism, or atomics for lock-free synchronization Use single-threaded sequential execution for simplicity

<concept name="threads">
  <description>Thread creation and management</description>
  <example>
    std::thread t([]{ /* work */ });
    t.join();  // or t.detach()

    auto future = std::async(std::launch::async, []{ return 42; });
    int result = future.get();
  </example>
</concept>

<concept name="mutexes">
  <description>Mutual exclusion for shared data</description>
  <example>
    std::mutex mtx;
    std::lock_guard&lt;std::mutex&gt; lock(mtx);  // RAII lock

    std::shared_mutex rw_mtx;
    std::shared_lock&lt;std::shared_mutex&gt; read_lock(rw_mtx); // multiple readers
    std::unique_lock&lt;std::shared_mutex&gt; write_lock(rw_mtx); // exclusive writer
  </example>
</concept>

<concept name="atomics">
  <description>Lock-free atomic operations</description>
  <example>
    std::atomic&lt;int&gt; counter{0};
    counter.fetch_add(1, std::memory_order_relaxed);
    counter.store(10, std::memory_order_release);
    int val = counter.load(std::memory_order_acquire);
  </example>
</concept>

<concept name="condition_variables">
  <description>Thread synchronization primitives</description>
  <example>
    std::condition_variable cv;
    std::mutex mtx;
    bool ready = false;

    // Waiting thread
    std::unique_lock&lt;std::mutex&gt; lock(mtx);
    cv.wait(lock, []{ return ready; });

    // Notifying thread
    {
      std::lock_guard&lt;std::mutex&gt; lock(mtx);
      ready = true;
    }
    cv.notify_one();
  </example>
</concept>

<anti_patterns>
  <avoid name="data_races">
    <description>Accessing shared data without synchronization</description>
    <instead>Use mutex, atomic, or immutable data</instead>
  </avoid>
  <avoid name="deadlocks">
    <description>Circular lock dependencies</description>
    <instead>Use std::scoped_lock for multiple mutexes, consistent lock ordering</instead>
  </avoid>
</anti_patterns>

Resource Acquisition Is Initialization - bind resource lifetime to object lifetime class FileHandle { FILE* file_; public: explicit FileHandle(const char* path) : file_(fopen(path, "r")) {} ~FileHandle() { if (file_) fclose(file_); } FileHandle(const FileHandle&) = delete; FileHandle& operator=(const FileHandle&) = delete; }; Managing resources: files, sockets, locks, memory

<pattern name="rule_of_zero">
  <description>Prefer classes that do not define special member functions</description>
  <example>
    class Person {
      std::string name_;
      std::vector&lt;std::string&gt; addresses_;
      // No destructor, copy/move constructors, or assignment operators needed
    };
  </example>
  <use_case>Use smart pointers and standard containers; let compiler generate defaults</use_case>
</pattern>

<pattern name="rule_of_five">
  <description>If you define one of destructor, copy/move constructor, or copy/move assignment, define all five</description>
  <example>
    class Resource {
      int* data_;
    public:
      Resource();
      ~Resource();
      Resource(const Resource&amp;);
      Resource(Resource&amp;&amp;) noexcept;
      Resource&amp; operator=(const Resource&amp;);
      Resource&amp; operator=(Resource&amp;&amp;) noexcept;
    };
  </example>
  <use_case>Classes managing raw resources directly</use_case>
</pattern>

<pattern name="pimpl">
  <description>Pointer to Implementation - hide implementation details and reduce compilation dependencies</description>
  <example>
    // header
    class Widget {
      class Impl;
      std::unique_ptr&lt;Impl&gt; pimpl_;
    public:
      Widget();
      ~Widget();
      void doSomething();
    };

    // source
    class Widget::Impl {
      // implementation details
    };
  </example>
  <use_case>Reducing compile times, ABI stability, hiding implementation</use_case>
</pattern>

<pattern name="crtp">
  <description>Curiously Recurring Template Pattern - static polymorphism</description>
  <example>
    template&lt;typename Derived&gt;
    class Base {
    public:
      void interface() {
        static_cast&lt;Derived*&gt;(this)-&gt;implementation();
      }
    };

    class Derived : public Base&lt;Derived&gt; {
    public:
      void implementation() { /_ ... _/ }
    };
  </example>
  <use_case>Static polymorphism, mixin classes, compile-time polymorphism</use_case>
</pattern>

<pattern name="type_erasure">
  <description>Hide concrete types behind a uniform interface</description>
  <example>
    class AnyCallable {
      struct Concept {
        virtual ~Concept() = default;
        virtual void call() = 0;
      };
      template&lt;typename T&gt;
      struct Model : Concept {
        T obj_;
        void call() override { obj_(); }
      };
      std::unique_ptr&lt;Concept&gt; ptr_;
    public:
      template&lt;typename T&gt;
      AnyCallable(T obj) : ptr_(std::make_unique&lt;Model&lt;T&gt;&gt;(std::move(obj))) {}
    };
  </example>
  <use_case>std::function, std::any, runtime polymorphism without inheritance</use_case>
</pattern>

<anti_patterns> Using raw pointers for ownership Use std::unique_ptr or std::shared_ptr

<avoid name="manual_memory_management">
  <description>Using new/delete directly</description>
  <instead>Use std::make_unique/std::make_shared</instead>
</avoid>

<avoid name="c_style_casts">
  <description>Using (Type)value casts</description>
  <instead>Use static_cast, dynamic_cast, const_cast, or reinterpret_cast</instead>
</avoid>

<avoid name="using_namespace_in_headers">
  <description>Using using namespace std; in headers</description>
  <instead>Use fully qualified names or limited using declarations in source files</instead>
</avoid>

<avoid name="throwing_in_destructors">
  <description>Throwing exceptions in destructors</description>
  <instead>Mark destructors noexcept, handle errors internally</instead>
</avoid>

<avoid name="const_cast_abuse">
  <description>Using const_cast to remove const from data you do not own</description>
  <instead>Fix the design to avoid needing const_cast</instead>
</avoid>

<avoid name="manual_raii">
  <description>Writing custom destructors for resource management when standard smart pointers suffice</description>
  <instead>Use std::unique_ptr with custom deleters, or Rule of Zero with standard containers and smart pointers</instead>
</avoid>

</anti_patterns> </cplusplus_language>

Are you building a C++ project with dependencies and multiple targets? Use CMake for cross-platform, modern build configuration Use simple Makefile for single-file projects or prototypes

<project_structure> <standard_layout> . ├── CMakeLists.txt ├── cmake/ │ └── modules/ ├── src/ │ ├── CMakeLists.txt │ ├── main.cpp │ └── lib/ ├── include/ │ └── project/ ├── tests/ │ ├── CMakeLists.txt │ └── test_*.cpp └── build/ </standard_layout> </project_structure>

<cmake_patterns> Target-based CMake (3.30+ recommended for C++23/26 and module support) cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 3.30) project(MyProject VERSION 1.0.0 LANGUAGES CXX)

    set(CMAKE_CXX_STANDARD 23)
    set(CMAKE_CXX_STANDARD_REQUIRED ON)
    set(CMAKE_CXX_EXTENSIONS OFF)

    add_library(mylib STATIC src/mylib.cpp)
    target_include_directories(mylib PUBLIC include)
    target_compile_features(mylib PUBLIC cxx_std_23)

    add_executable(myapp src/main.cpp)
    target_link_libraries(myapp PRIVATE mylib)
  </example>
</pattern>

<pattern name="cmake_presets">
  <description>CMakePresets.json for reproducible builds (CMake 3.21+, widely adopted)</description>
  <example>
    // CMakePresets.json
    {
      "version": 6,
      "configurePresets": [
        {
          "name": "default",
          "generator": "Ninja",
          "binaryDir": "${sourceDir}/build/${presetName}",
          "cacheVariables": {
            "CMAKE_CXX_STANDARD": "23",
            "CMAKE_EXPORT_COMPILE_COMMANDS": "ON"
          }
        },
        {
          "name": "release",
          "inherits": "default",
          "cacheVariables": {
            "CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE": "Release"
          }
        }
      ],
      "buildPresets": [
        { "name": "default", "configurePreset": "default" },
        { "name": "release", "configurePreset": "release" }
      ]
    }
  </example>
  <usage>cmake --preset default &amp;&amp; cmake --build --preset default</usage>
</pattern>

<pattern name="package_management">
  <description>Use vcpkg or Conan 2.x for dependency management</description>
  <vcpkg>
    <usage>cmake -B build -DCMAKE_TOOLCHAIN_FILE=$VCPKG_ROOT/scripts/buildsystems/vcpkg.cmake</usage>
    <manifest>vcpkg.json declares dependencies; integrates seamlessly with CMake presets</manifest>
  </vcpkg>
  <conan>
    <usage>conan install . --output-folder=build --build=missing</usage>
    <note>Conan 2.x (not 1.x) — uses conanfile.py or conanfile.txt with CMake generators</note>
  </conan>
</pattern>

<pattern name="find_package">
  <description>Finding and using external dependencies</description>
  <example>
    find_package(Threads REQUIRED)
    find_package(GTest REQUIRED)

    target_link_libraries(myapp PRIVATE Threads::Threads)
    target_link_libraries(mytests PRIVATE GTest::gtest GTest::gtest_main)
  </example>
</pattern>

<pattern name="compiler_options">
  <description>Setting compiler warnings and options</description>
  <example>
    add_library(project_warnings INTERFACE)
    target_compile_options(project_warnings INTERFACE
      $&lt;$&lt;CXX_COMPILER_ID:GNU,Clang&gt;:
        -Wall -Wextra -Wpedantic -Werror
        -Wshadow -Wnon-virtual-dtor -Wold-style-cast
        -Wcast-align -Wunused -Woverloaded-virtual
        -Wconversion -Wsign-conversion -Wnull-dereference
      &gt;
    )
  </example>
</pattern>

</cmake_patterns>

Configure with Ninja generator Build the project Run tests Build in Release mode Install the project LLVM C++ compiler (Clang 19+ has comprehensive C++23 support) Enable C++20 standard Enable C++23 standard (widely supported) Enable C++26 standard (experimental) Use LLVM libc++ standard library Enable comprehensive warnings Treat warnings as errors Enable sanitizers

<compiler name="gcc">
  <description>GNU C++ compiler</description>
  <defaults>
    <default name="GCC 16">Default is C++20 mode (was C++17 before)</default>
    <default name="GCC 15">C23 is the default for C mode</default>
  </defaults>
  <flags>
    <flag name="-std=c++20">Enable C++20 standard (default in GCC 16)</flag>
    <flag name="-std=c++23">Enable C++23 standard (widely supported)</flag>
    <flag name="-std=c++2c or -std=gnu++2c">Enable C++26 standard (experimental)</flag>
    <flag name="-Wall -Wextra -Wpedantic">Enable comprehensive warnings</flag>
    <flag name="-Werror">Treat warnings as errors</flag>
    <flag name="-fsanitize=address,undefined">Enable sanitizers</flag>
    <flag name="-fanalyzer">Enable static analysis (GCC 10+)</flag>
  </flags>
</compiler>

<clang_tidy> Static analysis and linting tool (use clang-tidy 19+ for C++23 support) clang-tidy src/*.cpp -- -std=c++23

<configuration>
  <file_reference>.clang-tidy</file_reference>
  Checks: >
    -*,
    bugprone-*,
    clang-analyzer-*,
    cppcoreguidelines-*,
    modernize-*,
    performance-*,
    readability-*,
    -modernize-use-trailing-return-type

  WarningsAsErrors: '_'
  HeaderFilterRegex: '._'

  CheckOptions:
    - key: readability-identifier-naming.ClassCase
      value: CamelCase
    - key: readability-identifier-naming.FunctionCase
      value: camelBack
    - key: readability-identifier-naming.VariableCase
      value: lower_case
</configuration>

<common_checks>
  <check name="modernize-use-nullptr">Replace NULL with nullptr</check>
  <check name="modernize-use-auto">Use auto where appropriate</check>
  <check name="modernize-use-override">Use override keyword</check>
  <check name="modernize-loop-convert">Convert C-style loops to range-based</check>
  <check name="cppcoreguidelines-owning-memory">Check ownership semantics</check>
  <check name="bugprone-use-after-move">Detect use-after-move bugs</check>
  <check name="performance-unnecessary-copy-initialization">Detect unnecessary copies</check>
</common_checks>

</clang_tidy>

<clang_format> Code formatting tool (use clang-format 19+ for C++23 syntax support) clang-format -i src/.cpp include/.hpp

<configuration>
  <file_reference>.clang-format</file_reference>
  BasedOnStyle: LLVM
  IndentWidth: 4
  ColumnLimit: 100
  Language: Cpp
  Standard: c++23
  AccessModifierOffset: -4
  AlignAfterOpenBracket: Align
  AllowShortFunctionsOnASingleLine: Inline
  BreakBeforeBraces: Attach
  IncludeBlocks: Regroup
  IncludeCategories:
    - Regex: '^&lt;.*>'
      Priority: 1
    - Regex: '^".*"'
      Priority: 2
  PointerAlignment: Left
  SortIncludes: CaseSensitive
</configuration>

</clang_format>

Runtime error detection tools

<sanitizer name="AddressSanitizer">
  <description>Detects memory errors (buffer overflow, use-after-free)</description>
  <flags>-fsanitize=address -fno-omit-frame-pointer</flags>
  <cmake>
    target_compile_options(myapp PRIVATE -fsanitize=address -fno-omit-frame-pointer)
    target_link_options(myapp PRIVATE -fsanitize=address)
  </cmake>
</sanitizer>

<sanitizer name="UndefinedBehaviorSanitizer">
  <description>Detects undefined behavior (signed overflow, null dereference)</description>
  <flags>-fsanitize=undefined</flags>
  <cmake>
    target_compile_options(myapp PRIVATE -fsanitize=undefined)
    target_link_options(myapp PRIVATE -fsanitize=undefined)
  </cmake>
</sanitizer>

<sanitizer name="ThreadSanitizer">
  <description>Detects data races and deadlocks</description>
  <flags>-fsanitize=thread</flags>
  <note>Cannot be combined with AddressSanitizer</note>
</sanitizer>

<sanitizer name="MemorySanitizer">
  <description>Detects uninitialized memory reads (Clang only)</description>
  <flags>-fsanitize=memory</flags>
  <note>Requires all code and libraries to be instrumented</note>
</sanitizer>

<cmake_preset>
  # CMakePresets.json sanitizer configuration
  {
    "configurePresets": [{
      "name": "sanitize",
      "cacheVariables": {
        "CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS": "-fsanitize=address,undefined -fno-omit-frame-pointer"
      }
    }]
  }
</cmake_preset>

Do you need unit testing for C++ code? Use GoogleTest for comprehensive testing features or Catch2 for header-only simplicity Consider adding tests to improve code quality and maintainability Google Test framework enable_testing() find_package(GTest REQUIRED)

  add_executable(tests tests/test_main.cpp)
  target_link_libraries(tests PRIVATE GTest::gtest GTest::gtest_main)

  include(GoogleTest)
  gtest_discover_tests(tests)
</cmake_integration>

<example>
  #include &lt;gtest/gtest.h&gt;

  TEST(MyTest, BasicAssertion) {
    EXPECT_EQ(1 + 1, 2);
  }

  TEST(MyTest, StringComparison) {
    std::string s = "hello";
    EXPECT_STREQ(s.c_str(), "hello");
  }

  class MyFixture : public ::testing::Test {
  protected:
    void SetUp() override { /_ setup _/ }
    void TearDown() override { /_ cleanup _/ }
  };

  TEST_F(MyFixture, FixtureTest) {
    EXPECT_TRUE(true);
  }
</example>

Catch2 test framework find_package(Catch2 3 REQUIRED)

  add_executable(tests tests/test_main.cpp)
  target_link_libraries(tests PRIVATE Catch2::Catch2WithMain)

  include(CTest)
  include(Catch)
  catch_discover_tests(tests)
</cmake_integration>

<example>
  #include &lt;catch2/catch_test_macros.hpp&gt;

  TEST_CASE("Basic arithmetic", "[math]") {
    REQUIRE(1 + 1 == 2);
    CHECK(2 * 2 == 4);
  }

  TEST_CASE("String operations", "[string]") {
    std::string s = "hello";

    SECTION("length") {
      REQUIRE(s.length() == 5);
    }

    SECTION("comparison") {
      REQUIRE(s == "hello");
    }
  }
</example>

<context7_integration> Use Context7 MCP for up-to-date C++ documentation

<cplusplus_libraries> </cplusplus_libraries>

<usage_patterns> resolve-library-id libraryName="cppreference" Workflow guidance Step completed get-library-docs context7CompatibleLibraryID="/websites/cppreference_com" topic="std::unique_ptr" Workflow guidance Step completed

<pattern name="cmake_reference">
  <step order="1">

get-library-docs context7CompatibleLibraryID="/Kitware/CMake" topic="target_link_libraries" Workflow guidance Step completed

<pattern name="testing_reference">
  <step order="1">

get-library-docs context7CompatibleLibraryID="/google/googletest" topic="assertions" Workflow guidance Step completed </usage_patterns> </context7_integration>

Always compile with `-Wall -Wextra -Wpedantic` and treat warnings as errors in CI Use RAII for all resource management; never use raw `new`/`delete` outside smart pointer factory Run sanitizers (AddressSanitizer, UBSan) in debug builds Target C++23 as the stable baseline; enable C++26 features only when compiler support is confirmed (Clang 20+ / GCC 15+) Prefer `std::span` over raw pointer+length parameters for buffer arguments Use `[[nodiscard]]` on functions whose return values must not be silently discarded Run `clang-format` and `clang-tidy` before committing

<best_practices> Use smart pointers instead of raw pointers for ownership Enable -Wall -Wextra -Werror for all builds Run clang-tidy before committing Format with clang-format for consistent style Prefer const correctness throughout Use noexcept for move constructors and destructors Prefer constexpr for compile-time computation Use std::string_view for non-owning string references Prefer range-based for loops over index-based Use structured bindings for tuple/pair access Document public API with Doxygen comments Write unit tests alongside implementation </best_practices>

Understand C++ code requirements 1. Check CMakeLists.txt for build configuration Workflow guidance Step completed 2. Review existing code patterns and standards Workflow guidance Step completed 3. Identify memory management requirements Workflow guidance Step completed Write modern, safe C++ code 1. Use RAII and smart pointers Workflow guidance Step completed 2. Follow C++ Core Guidelines Workflow guidance Step completed 3. Prefer standard library over raw implementations Workflow guidance Step completed Verify C++ code correctness 1. Build with warnings enabled Workflow guidance Step completed 2. Run static analysis tools Workflow guidance Step completed 3. Execute tests with sanitizers Workflow guidance Step completed

<error_escalation inherits="core-patterns#error_escalation"> Compiler warning about unused variable Compilation error Memory leak or undefined behavior detected Buffer overflow or security vulnerability </error_escalation>

Read relevant source files and docs Search for patterns and references Apply this skill when task keywords and domain match Use the canonical workflow and verify with project conventions

<decision_tree name="skill_activation"> Does the task clearly match this skill domain? Use this skill workflow and constraints Use a more appropriate domain skill </decision_tree>

<related_agents> Locate code patterns and references in this skill domain Review implementation quality against this skill guidance Analyze code complexity and suggest refactoring improvements </related_agents>

Use smart pointers for memory management Enable compiler warnings (-Wall -Wextra) Follow C++ Core Guidelines Raw pointers for ownership Manual memory management when smart pointers suffice Undefined behavior

<related_skills> Symbol operations for C++ code navigation and refactoring C++ documentation via /websites/cppreference_com and CMake docs via /Kitware/CMake Debugging with sanitizers, valgrind, and gdb Creating library documentation with Doxygen </related_skills>