Configuring Projects

When you install Qt for a target platform, such as Android or QNX, the build and run settings for the development targets might be set up automatically in Qt Creator.

When you open a project for the first time, the Configure Projects view is displayed to let you select a set of kits that you want to use to build and run your project. At least one kit must be active for you to be able to build and run the project. For more information about selecting the initial kit, see Opening Projects.

To maintain the list of active kits for a currently open project, switch to the Projects mode by pressing Ctrl+5.

Activating Kits for a Project

All kits compatible with your project are listed in the Build & Run section of the sidebar. To activate one or more disabled kits, click them.

The list displays kits that are configured in Edit > Preferences > Kits. If the kit configuration is not suitable for the project type, warning and error icons are displayed. To view the warning and error messages, move the mouse pointer over the kit name.

In the list of kits, you may see entries described as Replacement for <kit-name>. Qt Creator generates them to save your project-specific settings, such as custom build flags or run configuration arguments that would disappear if the corresponding kits were simply removed when you remove Qt versions while updating your Qt installation. You can modify the kit configuration to use a currently installed Qt version and save the kit under a new name.

To modify kit configuration or to add kits to the list or to remove them from it, select Manage Kits. For more information about managing kits, see Adding Kits.

Each kit consists of a set of values that define one environment, such as a device, compiler, and Qt version. For more information, see Adding Qt Versions, Adding Compilers, and Adding Debuggers.

To copy the build and run settings for a kit to another kit, select Copy Steps from Other Kit in the context menu.

To deactivate a kit, select Disable Kit for Project in the context menu.

To import an existing build for the project, select Import Existing Build.

Specifying Settings

To specify build or run settings for a kit, select Build or Run below the kit. For more information, see Specifying Build Settings and Specifying Run Settings.

In addition, you can modify the following global settings for each project:

• Editor
• Code Style
• Dependencies
• Environment
• Custom Output Parsers
• Quick Fixes
• Clang Tools
• To-Do (experimental)
• Clangd

If you have multiple projects open in Qt Creator, select the project to configure in the list of projects.