C init

Bring the simplicity of Rust's Cargo to C.

Usage

c-init [options] [path]

From source:

cargo run -- [options] [path]

Add to ~/.cargo/bin:

cargo install --path .

Options:

• --name NAME Project name (defaults to directory name)
• --cc clang|gcc Choose compiler (default: clang)
• -s, --strictness LEVEL loose | strict (default) | strictest
• --linter-strictness LEVEL loose | strict | strictest (overrides -s for lint only)
• --no-tests Skip generating tests and vendoring acutest
• --color WHEN auto (default) | always | never
• --force Allow non-empty directory
• --no-git Skip git init and .gitignore
• --no-commit Skip initial git commit
• --no-hello Skip generating src/main.c
• -i, --interactive Run interactive wizard
• -h, --help Show help

Example:

c-init my_app

Example project

An ./example project is included in this repo with the default settings so you can see the generated output.

Expected Output

Created project 'my_app' at my_app

Next steps:
  make          # debug build
  make run      # build+run
  make watch    # run in watch mode
  make test     # build and run tests
  make release  # release build

Note: make watch requires entr or watchexec to be in your $PATH.

What you get

• Strict compiler flags by default (with loose/strict/strictest levels).
• clang-tidy config wired to your chosen strictness.
• Tests scaffolded with Acutest, plus a make test target.
• Clean project ready for LSP.
• Sanitizer target for quick memory/UB checks.

The generated project structure:

my_app/
├── include/               # public headers
├── src/                   # sources
│   └── main.c             # entry point
├── target/                # build output
├── tests/
│   ├── test_basic.c       # starter tests
│   ├── test-deps/         # vendored test deps
│   │   └── acutest.h      # acutest single-header lib
│   └── compile_flags.txt  # clangd flags for tests
├── .clang-tidy            # lint config
├── compile_flags.txt      # clangd/flags for app sources
├── Makefile               # build + run targets
└── README.md              # project guide

Philosophy

• Simplicity : Use tools you're familiar with.
• Sensible defaults : Everything you need to actually start coding.
• Stay out of the way : Not yet another config file in your root directory, You own your code base.

Licence

MIT