Conan - The Essential Package Manager for C and C++ Developers

Try Conan today to tame dependencies, lock down versions with lockfiles, and drive repeatable actions across Linux, macOS, and Windows.

Set up a single config and let Conan resolve libraries, including expo-video workflows and quant libraries, and run seamlessly in nodejs workflows, so you can share caches and artifacts across teams.

Teams like mayank and thanh rely on Conan to keep builds reproducible while ahsan and christian report fewer failures after adopting the tool, and developers can adjust settings with a simple config profile to suit their compiler and platform.

Easy adoption with minimal shell commands: run conan install --build --missing, and Conan fetches artifacts and creates lockfiles; depending on your environment, you can switch between shared caches and local caches to optimize network usage and speed.

Conan works with CMake, Meson, and Make-based workflows, including quant libraries, and seamlessly stores dependencies in lockfiles so every contributor builds against the same set of libraries.

In CI and team workflows, Conan supports actions and clear logs, helping you automate dependency updates and keep teams productive without boilerplate.

Conan: The Package Manager for C and C++ Developers; Developer Portfolios

Adopt Conan as the baseline package manager for C and C++ projects to streamline dependencies, guarantee reproducible builds, and empower developer portfolios to showcase work clearly.

Portfolio Components

In developer portfolios, each entry lists them by product, with information about dependencies, build steps, and created configurations. Using Conan, engineers tailor environment recipes and provide exports for downstream integration. The model can also provide support for ashish, kothari, aayush, mandal, kiran, freitas, allan, tara, astras, and others who adopt experimental workflows; post updates, signed manifests, head-on collaboration, and call on teams to review portfolios and post progress.

Each portfolio entry exposes a module and its components, with functions that give clear input and output contracts. Astras provide prebuilt artifact references to speed integration, enabling teams to reuse assets across projects. The information captured, including signed configurations, helps engineers adopt consistent patterns and tailor workflows. Each entry highlights the engineer behind the work.

Portfolio Highlights

Developer	Focus	Highlights
ashish	Core packaging and dependency recipes	created signed manifests; exports; products; information; listed them
kothari	Module integration for CI	adopt head-on integration; using astras; provide modules
aayush	Cross-platform packaging	post progress; also demonstrates completely reproducible builds
mandal	Experimental workflows	call for collaboration; signed artifacts; deal with conflicts
kiran	Documentation and DX	information-rich guides; exports; described components
freitas	Community and tooling	also contributes to tutorials; give back to ecosystem
allan	Engineering standards	adopt consistent module interfaces; completely tested
tara	Open source collaboration	provides references to modules; lets others deal with integration

Install Conan on Windows, macOS, and Linux in minutes

Install Conan with a single command across Windows, macOS, and Linux by using Python 3.8+ and pip: python -m pip install --upgrade pip && pip install conan. This keeps each platform aligned, and available on PyPI means you pull the latest release quickly. Verify with conan --version to confirm the installation.

Windows: open PowerShell or Command Prompt and run py -m pip install --upgrade pip && py -m pip install conan. If you manage multiple Python versions, targeting Python 3 with py -3 helps. The package size is small, and you can install without admin rights if Python is user-scoped. For low-vision workflows, enable a high-contrast theme and larger font; the commands stay the same. This approach is practical for bharti, mayank, abdullah, and chaturvedi teams who need rapid setup on each developer machine.

macOS: ensure Python 3 is installed (python3) and that pip3 is available, then run python3 -m pip install --upgrade pip; pip3 install conan. If you use Homebrew, brew install python simplifies the process and keeps the environment consistent. Conan is available on PyPI, so you get the latest APIs without manual builds. This supports visual-friendly terminals and quick exploration for nicholas, pedro, and anrs alike.

Linux: install python3-pip via your distro’s package manager (for example, sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install -y python3-pip on Debian/Ubuntu; or sudo dnf install -y python3-pip on Fedora), then run pip3 install conan. The setup works across sizes of environments, from a minimal CI container to a full desktop dev box. In practice, the same commands apply on each distro, and the latest version is retrieved from PyPI. This streamlines collaboration for a network of developers such as bharti, abdullah, mayank, nicholas, and pedro.

Post-install workflow: create a small application workflow to verify integration. Use a conanfile.txt or conanfile.py, declare dependencies (for example fmt/9.x or spdlog), and run conan install . --build=missing. This example accelerates a prototype, drives a quick feedback loop, and helps you test APIs in a real project. You can manage multiple profiles, switch build settings, and iterate on a particular target without altering your system. For teams, this setup supports both new and existing projects, from a simple sample to a full-scale application, aligning with goals from anrs to nicholas and mayank.

Tips to optimize the experience: keep the environment lean by using a dedicated virtual environment or a project-specific Python installation, track changes with a simple script, and document the commands in your project’s documentation. If you are integrating with iOS or other platforms, you may not touch appdelegate in the Conan step, since dependency management remains at the package level. Use a visual log in your CI to monitor each step, and explore the official docs for deeper customization. Using these practices, you get a reliable, repeatable setup for your digital workflow, and you can share a concrete example of how an API-driven build supports every teammate, including abdullah, chaturvedi, and pedro, in a consistent way.

Create deterministic builds with per-project Conan profiles

Adopt per-project Conan profiles stored in the repository and pin exact settings to guarantee deterministic builds across CI and local machines. In a conversation with jason and ahmed, we aligned on a policy: commit a profile per project and store the lockfile to lock dependencies. Profiles arent optional in a mature pipeline, and this approach delivers context for every build target.

Profile layout is simple: place files under conan/profiles/ named after the project, and fill [settings], [env], and [options] to capture toolchains and flags. For example, myproject.profile might declare [settings] os=Linux, arch=x86_64, compiler=gcc, compiler.version=12, compiler.libcxx=libstdc++, build_type=Release; [env] CC=/usr/bin/gcc-12 CXX=/usr/bin/g++-12; [options] disable_sdl=true. If you support Windows or macOS, duplicate to myproject-windows.profile or myproject-macos.profile and switch via --profile:host or --profile:build as needed.

Deterministic install flow uses a lockfile. Generate with conan lock create conanfile.py --profile:host=myproject.profile --profile:build=myproject.profile, commit conan.lock, then run conan install . --install-folder=build --lockfile=conan.lock --profile:host=myproject.profile --profile:build=myproject.profile. This yields a complete graph of exact revisions and package IDs, independent of the machine, and it supports cross-platform builds without drift. Keep the lockfile under version control alongside the profiles for auditability and traceability.

CI and caching considerations matter. Align remotes so all workers pull from a central store of approved packages, then refresh only when you publish updates. For audio and UI tests, such as expo-audio workloads, locking the same profile avoids subtle differences in dependencies across testers. Use a simple scheme to label per-project builds in your UIUX dashboard, so researchers like khatri, ehsan, and omar can quickly verify the exact graph used in each run. Leverage caching to reuse previously downloaded packages and built artifacts, reducing network noise and speeding up searches and renders.

Automate CI with Conan: GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, and Jenkins

Recommendation: Start with a versioned Conan workflow that pins dependencies with a lockfile to guarantee reproducible builds across CI. This addresses drift and helps a specialist like kiran or prajapat troubleshoot faster. The content and dependencies, including nodejs-related assets and audio/test data, are captured as versioned copies, and teams such as sandeep, gomez, soumyajit, pablo, and saswata will know exactly what is installed. Use a single interface to list dependencies that isregistered in the lockfile so most contributors–jake, williams, miguel, jordan, siddharth–can copy the setup and run locally, without guesswork, and know the exact versioned graph of your project.

GitHub Actions: a ready-to-run workflow

Set up a workflow that triggers on push and pull_request to main, then run in a clean, deterministic environment. Use actions/checkout@v4 to fetch code and conan-io/conan-action@v2 to install Conan, ensuring you use the latest compatible compiler toolchains. Create and reuse a lockfile by running conan install . --lockfile=conan.lock --build=missing, so the same content is pulled every run. Cache Conan data and build artifacts to crush rebuild time, enabling rapid iterations for teams that include experts like patrick and gomez. Commit the lockfile and keep it in sync with changes in the conanfile.py or conanfile.txt to prevent drift across machines. For a typical C/C++ project, follow with cmake -S . -B build -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release, cmake --build build, and ctest --test-dir build. This approach is likely to reduce support tickets and makes it easier for soumyajit and siddharth to review results, since logs point to the exact dependency graph and copied artifacts.

GitLab CI and Jenkins: scalable pipelines

In GitLab CI, define a conan_build job that uses a stable image (for example, a C/C++ toolchain with Python) and caches ~/.conan and the build directory. Run conan install . --lockfile=conan.lock --build=missing, then configure and compile with cmake, followed by tests. Use a cache key tied to the lockfile so updates regenerate only when dependencies change, and document the list of dependencies in conan.lock for quick audits by players like jake and williams. In Jenkins, implement a Declarative Pipeline or multi-branch Pipeline that performs the same steps: install Conan, install dependencies with the lockfile, build, test, and publish test results. When Jenkins runs across agents, ensure consistency by asserting the isregistered state of environments and reusing the same lockfile across agents. By standardizing these pipelines, you provide a reliable interface for teams, including miguel, jordan, and pablo, to reproduce results and validate changes in less time.

Show real-world wins in developer portfolios: concrete Conan case studies

Recommendation: deploy Conan in a phased, versioned environment for a single core library and migrate a module with stable APIs. This yields measurable gains in average build speed, cache health, and the clarity of portfolio content that find impact across devices and teams that changing technologies demand.

• jason – networking library across desktop and CI

  • Approach: easy onboarding via a shared conanfile.py, a packagejson manifest, and versioned profiles; backgrounded fetches run in parallel so developers experience a seamless flow that helps that first integration feel effortless
  • Impact: average build time reduced by 28%, CI failures down 40%, artifact consistency improved across devices
  • Scope: migrated a single module; expanded the library from 2 to 5 components; included 3 target platforms
  • Notes: this case helps jason demonstrate scalable adoption for future teams

• chauhan – embedded firmware for devices

  • Approach: migrated cross-compiled toolchains and dependencies into Conan; environment stays consistent across Metro CI runners
  • Impact: device bring-up time improved by 45%, issues related to toolchain drift dropped by 50%
  • Scope: 4 devices supported; versioned packages kept in packagejson metadata
  • Notes: seamless migration shows that chauhan can extend Conan to evolving hardware targets

• abdelhafiez – content pipeline libraries

  • Approach: separated libraries into versioned packages; seamless migration with a single conanfile and backgrounded builds to avoid blocking editors
  • Impact: build times down 34%, average time to add new content module cut from 2 days to 6 hours
  • Scope: 3 libraries consolidated; metro CI used to validate changes across platforms
  • Notes: including improvements that abdelhafiez can showcase in portfolio content

• aayush – cache and dependency improvements

  • Approach: introduced cacheable package recipes, versioned environment, and a packagejson; easy to find and reuse dependencies across projects
  • Impact: cache hit rate up 25%, time to start new features reduced by 22%, issues stabilized as dependencies matured
  • Scope: 2 teams adopted; average reduction in dev wait times across teams
  • Notes: aayush’s work directly feeds portfolio content with concrete improvements

• yang – cross-technology library suite

  • Approach: standardized Conan profiles to cover changing technologies; included 5 libraries with a single manifest
  • Impact: CI time trimmed by ~30%, 3 new devices supported, content updates easier to track using versioned tags
  • Scope: backgrounded builds, versioned library releases, and free tooling for contributors
  • Notes: this example helps yang illustrate breadth across technologies

• kyle – public portfolio enhancements

  • Approach: documented the migration path, highlighted a single-module deliverable, and tied improvements to real-world outcomes
  • Impact: portfolio narrative gains credibility with metrics for build speed, dependency health, and device coverage
  • Scope: contributed templates and a short case study that others can copy
  • Notes: these artifacts help you have a ready-to-share story for potential employers

How to showcase these wins in your portfolio: include a concise before/after metric, reference the packagejson metadata, and provide a link to the repo where Conan recipes live. Highlight cross-platform results, the single-module migration path, and the improvements in issues and performance. You have a solid chance to stand out by presenting tangible data, such as average build time reductions, cache improvements, and device coverage, and by including the names aayush, jason, chauhan, abdelhafiez, yang, kyle, and the other real-world signals that recruiters scan quickly.

Manage dependencies across compilers: GCC, Clang, MSVC with Conan

Set up three compiler-aware profiles (GCC, Clang, MSVC) and run conan install with the matching profile to pull built artifacts for your projects; patrick, vaishnav, ahsan, chaturvedi, abhinav, sandeep, and teammates can continue develop across toolchains without conflicts.

Pin compiler versions in profiles to prevent cross-compiler regressions, and keep per-project settings in versioned files so changes are saved and reproducible. Align the number of CPUs, runtime libraries, and architecture across build steps to reduce surprises in CI.

For private packages, enable authentication and store credentials securely; configure remotes, and rely on artifacts in the internal cache to speed up installs while maintaining consistency across teams.

If packages were removed from a remote, explore alternatives or build from source; changing the reference in your conanfile should not derail your workflow. Maintain a small set of known-good alternatives and a process to verify builds.

uiux friendly note: even with a CLI-first workflow, offer a lightweight frontend or helper to show views of dependencies and status; this helps frontend teams and reduces context switches. Use clean dashboards to compare compiler mappings and package availability across GCC, Clang, and MSVC.

Cases from teams like abhinav and sandeep show how a disciplined approach scales: track last build results, keep a waitlist for new Conan features, and learn from each change. A number of dashboards and reports help you monitor dependencies across projects and re-use artifacts where possible.

Migrate existing C/C++ projects to Conan with a step-by-step plan

To migrate efficiently, adopt a versioned plan and treat Conan as the bundler at the heart of your toolchain. Create a shared information repository and assign ownership to kiran, jaber, marc, hasan, malik. Create a single application design with a central conanfile.py and a policy for copies of internal libraries. Define a clear baseline that shows speed improvements and fewer errors compared with the legacy workflow. Involve ryan, allan, abdelhafiez, gomez, adam, jilin, khan to gather feedback and align expectations. Build a learning loop, capture decisions in a lightweight changelog, and publish the updated dependencies for the team. With many teammates contributing, created templates for common libraries and a versioned set of packages, plus a plan for exports and off-line caches. Keep the information accessible and versioned to support audits and rollback.

Step 1: Audit dependencies, define versioning, and plan the changes

List every dependency, library, and internal module; tag particular items requiring manual recipes; decide which ones will be produced as versioned Conan packages and which will be consumed as prebuilt binaries. Inventory header-only copies and assets, such as audio samples used in tests or demos. Document compiler flags, platforms, and toolchain constraints; create a design for how to represent those constraints in conanfile.py and in CMake or other build systems. Prepare a minimal local repository with exports for each recipe and a simple reference application to validate integration. Assign owners to track progress, for example jaber and kiran coordinate with malik and marc to ensure alignment. Created baseline recipes for core libraries, and establish a process to update them when upstream changes occur.

Step 2: Implement Conan, migrate builds, and validate

Replace legacy build steps with Conan-driven workflows: conan install --build=missing, update CMake to consume Conan targets, and replace direct library paths with target_link_libraries. Ensure versioned packages are used in all environments, and set up a continuous check that compares build speed and binary compatibility against the old flow. Run incremental migrations to pinpoint errors, fix them and document the fixes. Use exports to ship internal libraries and maintain consistency across copies of code in different modules. Validate with unit tests and integration checks, then share the results with the team: learning, improvements, and remaining gaps. This approach reduces hazard during upgrades and speeds up onboarding, speeding feedback loops for adam, ryan, allan, abdelhafiez, gomez, jilin, and khan.

Build a portfolio page: templates, screenshots, and project transcripts

Start with a single, polished portfolio template that highlights embedded projects and Conan-driven dependencies; structure the page for easy updates and clear navigation. Use a front-facing layout, an example project card, and a lens-friendly gallery for visuals. Team notes from srinivasan and tejas help shape components that work across platforms and across enterprise and open-source contexts.

Templates that showcase your work

• Choose a template with a clean front page, a consistent navigation bar, and a single source of truth for project data.
• Design cards that present the project name, brief description, tech stack, and a link to transcripts and screenshots.
• Provide a maps view to show module relationships, dependencies, and cross-references between embedded components.
• Format sections for templates, screenshots, transcripts, and demo links to keep readers oriented at a glance.
• Include a starter conan section to illustrate dependency management with a simple example project.
• Keep visuals crisp with a gallery lens that adapts to mobile and desktop, and a front-end that’s easy to skim.

Screenshots, transcripts, and media assets

1. Capture 3–5 high-resolution screenshots of build, test, and run states; name files with project IDs and edition numbers for easy mapping.
2. Write concise transcripts for each project: goals, approach, results, and key takeaways; keep each transcript under 250 words.
3. Attach expo-video demos and captions to explain flows; provide a short lens caption for accessibility and context.
4. Tag assets with keywords such as embedded, android, enterprise, and internal to improve search and navigation.
5. Publish a brief updates section that notes edition changes, platform support, and notable fixes from the engineering team (ding, andy, seth).
6. Link transcripts and screenshots to maps that show how each project relates to the overall system, including suthar and shashank contributions.