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This page is the continuation with more advanced topics of the page [[Get_Involved/development]].
This page is the continuation with more advanced topics of the page [[Get_Involved/development]].


== kde-builder ==
kde-builder has replaced the previous KDE build framework named kdesrc-build.
 
kde-builder is a drop in replacement of kdesrc-build. kdesrc-build is written in Perl. kde-builder is written in Python.
 
<pre>
mkdir -p ~/Development
cd ~/Development
git clone https://invent.kde.org/ashark/kde-builder.git
cd kde-builder
python3 -m venv .venv
# I use bash.
source .venv/bin/activate
pip install pipenv
pipenv install
./kde-builder --initial-setup <<< 'N'
mv ~/.config/kdesrc-buildrc .
sed -i 's_~/kde/_~/Development/_g' kdesrc-buildrc
# Edit the file ./kdesrc-buildrc as needed.
kate kdesrc-buildrc &
# meld kdesrc-buildrc ~/kde/src/kdesrc-build/kdesrc-buildrc
 
# kde-builder is installed.
# Use ./kde-builder instead of ./kdesrc-build. The command lines are the same.
# Use ./kde-builder-launch instead of ./kdesrc-run. The command lines are the same.
 
./kde-builder kconfig
./kde-builder kcalc
./kde-builder-launch kcalc
./kde-builder frameworks
</pre>


== Develop in a Linux container ==
== Develop in a Linux container ==


When you start programming for KDE, it is recommended that you [[Get_Involved/development|use kdesrc-build in your main operating system or in a virtual machine]] running on a rolling-release Linux distribution (Arch, openSUSE Tumbleweed, KDE neon) or running on e.g. the latest version of Fedora KDE Spin or Kubuntu.
When you start programming for KDE, it is recommended that you [[Get_Involved/development|use kde-builder in your main operating system or in a virtual machine]] running on a [[Get_Involved/development#Operating_system|Linux operating system that is better supported by kde-builder]].


As an alternative, you can run kdesrc-build in a Linux container (docker, podman, toolbx, distrobox).
As an alternative, you can run kde-builder in a Linux container (docker, podman, toolbx, distrobox).


=== Option 1. The KDE PIM Docker image ===
=== Option 1. The KDE PIM Docker image ===
Line 46: Line 17:
It is possible to start developing KDE software using container images that are able to see inside your home folder. This can be done using distrobox and podman.
It is possible to start developing KDE software using container images that are able to see inside your home folder. This can be done using distrobox and podman.


First, install distrobox and podman from your distribution repositories:
This solution is particularly useful for users on immutable distributions like Fedora Kinoite, openSUSE Kalpa or Valve's SteamOS 3


* Debian/Ubuntu: sudo apt install distrobox podman
To learn how to build KDE software with distrobox, see: https://develop.kde.org/docs/getting-started/building/containers-distrobox/
* openSUSE: sudo zypper install distrobox podman
* Fedora: sudo dnf install distrobox podman
* Arch: sudo pacman --sync distrobox podman


==== Building without kdesrc-build ====
== Other operating systems ==


You can build a single repository using the [https://community.kde.org/Neon/Containers KDE Neon Unstable docker image]. We will be using the <code>plasma:unstable</code> image, which comes with the latest KDE software and libraries, and we will be using the minimal version, which requires you to install development libraries before compiling your projects.
=== Kubuntu >= 24.10 ===


After installing distrobox and podman, run the following to create a new distrobox container:
The default configuration of kde-builder requires Qt version 6.7. Kubuntu 24.10 has Qt version 6.6. It is recommended that you use a [[Get_Involved/development#Operating_system|Linux OS that is better supported by kde-builder]].


{{Input|
If you are a more seasoned developer you might be able to use Kubuntu for kde-builder by [[Get_Involved/development/More#Qt_6_installed_using_the_Qt_online_installer|installing Qt6 using the Qt online installer]] or by [[Get_Involved/development/More#Build_Qt_using_kde-builder|building Qt6 using kde-builder]].
podman pull invent-registry.kde.org/neon/docker-images/plasma:unstable
distrobox create --image invent-registry.kde.org/neon/docker-images/plasma:unstable
}}


This will create a distrobox container named '''plasma-unstable'''.
=== Alpine Linux ===


{{Note|The plasma:unstable image size is 5.6 GB.}}
<pre>
apk add git perl doas-sudo-shim
</pre>


Lastly, enter the generated container:
=== FreeBSD ===


{{Input|
Install the latest release of FreeBSD with KDE Plasma Desktop on your hardware computer or in a virtual machine.
distrobox enter plasma-unstable
}}


You can then just clone the desired repository in your home folder and build it while being inside the container. If any development libraries are missing, you can just install them the same way you would install on Debian/Ubuntu/KDE Neon:
Your user should be member of the "wheel" user group (e.g. this can be configured in the FreeBSD installer, when creating your user you can select additional user groups for your user). Your user should be able to use sudo:


{{Input|
<pre>
sudo apt install packagename-dev
pkg install sudo
}}
visudo
# Uncomment the line: %wheel ALL=(ALL:ALL) ALL
</pre>


You can also use <code>build-dep</code> to let apt install the required libraries for the program you will be compiling. For example, to install the development libraries for Kate, you can run:
Then set up kde-builder using the same procedure as when installing kde-builder on a Linux operating system. FreeBSD is currently supported by kde-builder. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MqBnb3Y9JU


{{Input|
=== OpenBSD >= 7.5 ===
sudo apt-get build-dep kate
}}


==== Building with kdesrc-build ====
Install OpenBSD version greater than or equal to 7.5. In the installer keep the defaults, the user created by the installer is named "administrator" in this example.
<pre>
# Enable doas
su -
cp /etc/examples/doas.conf /etc/doas.conf
exit
# kde-builder needs sudo.
mkdir -p ~/.local/bin ; ln -s /usr/bin/doas ~/.local/bin/sudo
echo "export PATH=~/.local/bin:\$PATH" >> ~/.bashrc


First, install distrobox and podman from your distribution repositories. Then run:
# Test doas.
doas su
# kde-builder needs bash.
pkg_add bash
chsh -s /usr/local/bin/bash
exit


{{Input|
# As user administrator
distrobox enter
chsh -s /usr/local/bin/bash
}}


This should create a container based on your current Linux OS and enter it. It is preferable to use one of the Linux distributions that is better suited for kdesrc-build, as mentioned [[Get_Involved/development#Operating_system|in this wiki page]], so if your distribution does not provide very up-to-date packages, you can download and use a different container image for your distrobox from [https://hub.docker.com/search?type=image Dockerhub]. For example, with openSUSE Tumbleweed:
# As per https://rsadowski.de/posts/2024-01-09-openbsd-kde/ , https://openports.pl/path/meta/kde,-plasma
doas su
pkg_add kde-plasma kate


{{Input|
# I recommend that you use tigervnc. https://nmariusp.github.io/install-os.html#openbsd--75
podman pull opensuse/tumbleweed
</pre>
distrobox create --image opensuse/tumbleweed --name tumbleweed
distrobox enter tumbleweed
}}


Then it's a matter of downloading and running kdesrc-build as detailed in [[Get_Involved/development/Set_up_a_development_environment]]:
After you install kde-builder:
<pre>
# Edit the kdesrc-buildrc file e.g.:
cmake-options -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=RelWithDebInfo -DKF_IGNORE_PLATFORM_CHECK=ON


<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
# Also set environment variable:
mkdir -p ~/kde/src
export CMAKE_PREFIX_PATH=/usr/local/lib/qt6/cmake
cd ~/kde/src
# Or
git clone https://invent.kde.org/sdk/kdesrc-build.git
export CMAKE_PREFIX_PATH=/usr/local/lib/qt5/cmake
cd kdesrc-build
</pre>
./kdesrc-build --initial-setup
source ~/.bashrc
</syntaxhighlight>


From this point on, one important thing to bear in mind is that a distrobox container is transparent in its user space and containerized in its root space: when you are inside a distrobox container, you can see the content of system's home folder, but not your system's root folders, only the container's root folders. This means that you can install packages inside the container using root privileges and access those packages to compile your programs stored in your home, without ever installing those packages in your actual system!
=== Microsoft Windows ===


You can take advantage of this by installing, for instance, Qt development packages used for kdesrc-build from inside the container. This way, it is not necessary to compile Qt with kdesrc-build. This is particularly convenient if you want to compile KDE software with Qt6 quickly.
You can build and develop KDE projects using the [[Get_Involved/development/Windows|Microsoft Windows]] operating system.


Likewise, you should [https://community.kde.org/Get_Involved/development/Install_the_dependencies install the required dependencies] from inside the distrobox rather than from your system's repositories. Then you can start compiling as usual.
=== Apple macOS ===


After compiling your program with kdesrc-build from inside the distrobox, you can run it with <code>kdesrc-build run</code>, and despite it originating from inside a container and using the libraries from the container, it will run just fine as a GUI application on your system!
You can build and develop KDE projects using the [[Get_Involved/development/Mac|Apple macOS]] operating system.


The only few gotchas to using this method are:
== What to do if CMake configure fails because a build dependency is missing ==


* You cannot use a [[Get_Involved/development/Build_software_with_kdesrc-build#Plasma|full Plasma Desktop session]] made from git.
See https://community.kde.org/Get_Involved/development/Install_the_dependencies .
* You will need qqc2-desktop-style and Breeze to show the correct theme for your applications.
* You will need the QtWayland library and its respective development package to run your applications natively on a Wayland session.
 
== Other operating systems ==


=== Kubuntu 23.10 ===
== Project Documentation ==


The default configuration of kdesrc-build requires Qt version 6.6. Kubuntu 23.10 has Qt version 6.4.2. It is recommended that you [[Get_Involved/development/More#Build_Qt6_using_kdesrc-build|build Qt in Kubuntu]] or use a [[Get_Involved/development#Operating_system|Linux OS that is better supported by kdesrc-build]].
* https://kde-builder.kde.org
* https://invent.kde.org/sdk/kde-builder


=== FreeBSD ===
== kf6-qt6 vs. kf5-qt5 ==


Install the latest release of FreeBSD with KDE Plasma Desktop on your hardware computer or in a virtual machine.
Many KDE git repositories can build correctly and run correctly using "kde-builder kf6-qt6".  


Your user should be member of the "wheel" user group (e.g. this can be configured in the FreeBSD installer, when creating your user you can select additional user groups for your user). Your user should be able to use sudo:
The KDE git repositories that can build correctly and run correctly using "kde-builder kf6-qt6" have two long lived git branches:


<pre>
* A long lived git branch that does not contain the deprecated symbols from kf5-qt5, named e.g. "master".
pkg install sudo
* And another long lived git branch for qt5-kf5, where the deprecated symbols still exist.
visudo
# Uncomment the line: %wheel ALL=(ALL:ALL) ALL
</pre>


Then set up kdesrc-build using the same procedure as when installing kdesrc-build on a Linux operating system. FreeBSD is currently supported by kdesrc-build. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MqBnb3Y9JU
What is "kf6-qt6"? You just set up kde-builder following the procedure. The resulting kde-builder installation will be of type kf6-qt6. In kdesrc-buildrc in the "global" section you will have "branch-group kf6-qt6". The git repositories that have only one long lived git branch e.g. named "master" will use that. The git repositories that have a second long lived git branch, will use the git branch where the deprecated symbols do not exist e.g. named "master".


=== Microsoft Windows ===
What is "kf5-qt5"? Follow the chapter "kde-builder Qt5". The resulting kde-builder installation will be of type kf5-qt5. In kdesrc-buildrc in the "global" section you will have "branch-group kf5-qt5". The git repositories that have only one long lived git branch e.g. named "master" will use that. The git repositories that have a second long lived git branch where the deprecated symbols still exist e.g. named "kf5" will use that.


You can build and develop KDE projects using the [[Get_Involved/development/Windows|Microsoft Windows]] operating system.
== Build Qt using kde-builder ==


=== Apple macOS ===
=== Qt6 ===
If you cannot build the KDE frameworks using {{ic|kde-builder}} and the Qt provided by your Linux distribution is outdated, you might want to build the Qt framework using {{ic|kde-builder}}.


You can build and develop KDE projects using the [[Get_Involved/development/Mac|Apple macOS]] operating system.
In your configuration file use the {{ic|qt-install-dir}} option (in the ''global'' section) with non-empty value, for example:


== What to do if CMake configure fails because a build dependency is missing ==
{{bc|
global
  qt-install-dir ~/kde/usr
  branch-group kf6-qt6
end global
}}


See https://community.kde.org/Get_Involved/development/Install_the_dependencies .
It is recommended that if you build Qt6 using kde-builder, you also build qtwebengine. Edit the file {{ic|~/.local/state/sysadmin-repo-metadata/module-definitions/qt6.ksb}}. Follow the instructions found in the file: if you want qtwebengine, add it to use-modules after "qtwebchannel" and comment out the line "ignore-modules qtwebengine".


== Advanced kdesrc-build ==
<pre>
 
kde-builder qtbase --refresh-build --debug
After you have edited a git repository and you want to build it, <code>--no-src</code> will make sure that <code>kdesrc-build</code> does not overwrite your local source code changes with the latest source code from the official git repository (remote "origin" / https://invent/kde.org).
</pre>
Press Ctrl+C after the CMake configure summary for qtbase. Make sure that you have the needed dependencies. Should find libb2-dev, libproxy-dev, libmd4c-dev, libmd4c-html0-dev, libxcb-xinput-dev, libatspi2.0-dev, libsqlite3-dev, unixodbc-dev, libmysqlclient-dev, postgresql-client, libecpg-dev, libpq-dev. Optional dependencies libsctp-dev, libts-dev.


<code>--no-include-dependencies</code> only builds the git repository that you give as parameter to <code>kdesrc-build</code>.
<code>--debug</code> shows verbose output.
<code>--refresh-build</code> forces a rebuild (not an incremental build) and a full reinstall.
E.g. you have edited kcalc. You run:
<pre>
<pre>
kdesrc-build kcalc --no-src --no-include-dependencies --refresh-build --debug |& tee ~/a.txt
kde-builder qtwebengine
</pre>
</pre>
This will build the Qt6 modules from qtbase up to qtwebengine. qtwebengine will probably be built incorrectly because some needed dependencies are missing.


For details, see:
<pre>
<pre>
kdesrc-build --help
kde-builder qtwebengine --refresh-build --debug
</pre>
</pre>
Press Ctrl+C after the CMake configure summary for qtwebengine. Make sure that you have the needed dependencies. Should find node.js >= 14, libdbus-1-dev, libxcomposite-dev, libxshmfence-dev, libxdamage-dev, libharfbuzz-dev, libvpx-dev, libpci-dev, libevent-dev, libre2-dev, libsnappy-dev, libcups2-dev, libxkbfile-dev.


Note: the resources below might not be up to date.
Then build Qt6: {{bc|kde-builder qt6-set}}


See the [https://docs.kde.org/trunk5/en/kdesrc-build/kdesrc-build/ kdesrc-build manual], [https://invent.kde.org/sdk/kdesrc-build/-/blob/master/README.md Readme #1], [https://invent.kde.org/sdk/kdesrc-build/-/blob/master/doc/README.md Readme #2], [https://invent.kde.org/sdk/kdesrc-build/-/blob/master/doc/source-reference/index.adoc Document #3] for more kdesrc-build information and options.
To compile Qt6 with Qt X11 Extras (which is a necessary library to compile [https://api.kde.org/frameworks/kwindowsystem/html/ KWindowSystem]), you should enable XCB feature during compilation


== kf6-qt6 vs. kf5-qt5 ==
{{bc|1=kde-builder qt6-set --cmake-options="-DQT_FEATURE_xcb=ON"}}
 
=== Qt5 ===
If you want the same for Qt5, change {{ic|branch-group}} option and use {{ic|qt5-set}} instead of {{ic|qt6-set}}.


Many KDE git repositories can build correctly and run correctly using "kdesrc-build kf6-qt6".
== Qt 6 installed using the Qt online installer ==


The KDE git repositories that can build correctly and run correctly using "kdesrc-build kf6-qt6" have two long lived git branches:
A screen recording version is available https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BIbYN2vIZw


* A long lived git branch that does not contain the deprecated symbols from kf5-qt5, named e.g. "master".
The homepage of the Qt Framework is https://www.qt.io . Go to this web page, create an online account. https://www.qt.io/download-open-source > "Download the Qt Online Installer" > Linux > "Qt Online Installer for Linux (64-bit)" > download a file named e.g. qt-unified-linux-x64-4.6.1-online.run into the directory e.g. "~/Downloads".
* And another long lived git branch for qt5-kf5, where the deprecated symbols still exist.


What is "kf6-qt6"? You just set up kdesrc-build following the procedure. The resulting kdesrc-build installation will be of type kf6-qt6. In kdesrc-buildrc in the "global" section you will have "branch-group kf6-qt6". The git repositories that have only one long lived git branch e.g. named "master" will use that. The git repositories that have a second long lived git branch, will use the git branch where the deprecated symbols do not exist e.g. named "master".
<pre>
ls -la ~/Downloads # The downloaded file needs to have the "executable" chmod bit set.
chmod u+x ~/Downloads/qt-unified-linux-x64-4.6.1-online.run
~/Downloads/qt-unified-linux-x64-4.6.1-online.run
</pre>


What is "kf5-qt5"? Follow the chapter "kdesrc-build Qt5". The resulting kdesrc-build installation will be of type kf5-qt5. In kdesrc-buildrc in the "global" section you will have "branch-group kf5-qt5". The git repositories that have only one long lived git branch e.g. named "master" will use that. The git repositories that have a second long lived git branch where the deprecated symbols still exist e.g. named "kf5" will use that.
A graphical user interface (GUI) installer wizard starts. Login using your Qt online account. Next > check the checkbox "I have read and agree to the terms and conditions of using OpenSource Qt", check the checkbox "I'm an individual and do not use Qt for any company" > Next > Next > enable "Help us improve" > Next > Custom installation, notice that the install directory is "~/Qt" > Next. Install the latest version of Qt6 and the latest version of the Qt Creator integrated development environment (IDE). There are some Qt6 components that are not used by KDE and can be left out when installing Qt6 e.g. Qt Design Studio, WebAssembly, Android, Sources, Qt Quick 3D, Qt 3D, Qt Quick 3D Physics, "Qt Debug Information Files". Next > enable "I have read and agree" > Next > Install.


== Build Qt using kdesrc-build ==
In the KDE Plasma app launcher (start menu) you now have the application "Qt Maintenance Tool".


If you cannot build the KDE frameworks using {{ic|kdesrc-build}} and the Qt provided by your Linux distribution is outdated, you might want to build it using {{ic|kdesrc-build}}.
Set up kde-builder from scratch as usual.


In your configuration file use the {{ic|qt-install-dir}} option (in the ''global'' section) with non-empty value, for example:
Edit the file kdesrc-buildrc to look like:


{{bc|
<pre>
global
global
  qt-install-dir ~/kde6/usr_qt
...
  branch-group kf6-qt6
    qt-install-dir ~/Qt/6.7.0/gcc_64 # Where to install Qt6 if kdesrc-build supplies it
    libname lib
...
end global
end global
}}
</pre>
 
Then build it: {{bc|kdesrc-build qt6-set}}
 
If you want the same for Qt5, change {{ic|branch-group}} option and use {{ic|qt5-set}} instead of {{ic|qt6-set}}.
 
To compile Qt6 with Qt X11 Extras (which is a necessary library to compile [https://api.kde.org/frameworks/kwindowsystem/html/ KWindowSystem]), you should enable XCB feature during compilation


{{bc|1=kdesrc-build qt6-set --cmake-options="-DQT_FEATURE_xcb=ON"}}
== Two independent kde-builder configurations: kf6-qt6 and kf5-qt5 ==
 
After that, you can build other modules.
 
== Two independent kdesrc-build configurations: kf6-qt6 and kf5-qt5 ==


You can switch between configurations with {{ic|--rc-file}} command line option. Generate another config, make the changes for the {{ic|source-dir}}, {{ic|build-dir}}, {{ic|install-dir}},
You can switch between configurations with {{ic|--rc-file}} command line option. Generate another config, make the changes for the {{ic|source-dir}}, {{ic|build-dir}}, {{ic|install-dir}},
Line 242: Line 211:
You can build and develop KDE projects using a Linux OS installed on an  [[Get_Involved/development/ARM|ARM]] architecture CPU.
You can build and develop KDE projects using a Linux OS installed on an  [[Get_Involved/development/ARM|ARM]] architecture CPU.


== kdesrc-build issues ==
== kde-builder issues ==
 
See https://community.kde.org/Get_Involved/development/Install_the_dependencies
 
=== wayland-protocols is too old, e.g. "kdesrc-build kidletime" fails ===
 
<pre>
mkdir -p ~/kde/misc && cd ~/kde/misc
wget https://gitlab.freedesktop.org/wayland/wayland-protocols/-/releases/1.31/downloads/wayland-protocols-1.31.tar.xz
tar -xJvf wayland-protocols-*.tar.xz && mv wayland-protocols-*/ wayland-protocols
cd wayland-protocols
meson setup builddir --prefix $HOME/kde/usr
meson compile -C builddir
meson install -C builddir
</pre>


=== "kdesrc-build kpat" fails because of black-hole-solitaire ===
=== "kde-builder kpat" fails because of black-hole-solitaire ===


This happens on Debian/Ubuntu/Kubuntu. Because there is no Linux distribution binary package for https://github.com/shlomif/black-hole-solitaire.
This happens on Debian/Ubuntu/Kubuntu. Because there is no Linux distribution binary package for https://github.com/shlomif/black-hole-solitaire.

Latest revision as of 16:41, 28 October 2024

This page is the continuation with more advanced topics of the page Get_Involved/development.

kde-builder has replaced the previous KDE build framework named kdesrc-build.

Develop in a Linux container

When you start programming for KDE, it is recommended that you use kde-builder in your main operating system or in a virtual machine running on a Linux operating system that is better supported by kde-builder.

As an alternative, you can run kde-builder in a Linux container (docker, podman, toolbx, distrobox).

Option 1. The KDE PIM Docker image

You can install Docker and the KDE PIM Docker image. It provides a development environment that is isolated from your day-to-day system. It is based on KDE Neon Unstable.

Option 2. distrobox

It is possible to start developing KDE software using container images that are able to see inside your home folder. This can be done using distrobox and podman.

This solution is particularly useful for users on immutable distributions like Fedora Kinoite, openSUSE Kalpa or Valve's SteamOS 3

To learn how to build KDE software with distrobox, see: https://develop.kde.org/docs/getting-started/building/containers-distrobox/

Other operating systems

Kubuntu >= 24.10

The default configuration of kde-builder requires Qt version 6.7. Kubuntu 24.10 has Qt version 6.6. It is recommended that you use a Linux OS that is better supported by kde-builder.

If you are a more seasoned developer you might be able to use Kubuntu for kde-builder by installing Qt6 using the Qt online installer or by building Qt6 using kde-builder.

Alpine Linux

apk add git perl doas-sudo-shim

FreeBSD

Install the latest release of FreeBSD with KDE Plasma Desktop on your hardware computer or in a virtual machine.

Your user should be member of the "wheel" user group (e.g. this can be configured in the FreeBSD installer, when creating your user you can select additional user groups for your user). Your user should be able to use sudo: 

pkg install sudo
visudo
# Uncomment the line: %wheel ALL=(ALL:ALL) ALL

Then set up kde-builder using the same procedure as when installing kde-builder on a Linux operating system. FreeBSD is currently supported by kde-builder. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MqBnb3Y9JU

OpenBSD >= 7.5

Install OpenBSD version greater than or equal to 7.5. In the installer keep the defaults, the user created by the installer is named "administrator" in this example. 

# Enable doas
su -
cp /etc/examples/doas.conf /etc/doas.conf
exit
# kde-builder needs sudo.
mkdir -p ~/.local/bin ; ln -s /usr/bin/doas ~/.local/bin/sudo
echo "export PATH=~/.local/bin:\$PATH" >> ~/.bashrc

# Test doas.
doas su
# kde-builder needs bash.
pkg_add bash
chsh -s /usr/local/bin/bash
exit

# As user administrator
chsh -s /usr/local/bin/bash

# As per https://rsadowski.de/posts/2024-01-09-openbsd-kde/ , https://openports.pl/path/meta/kde,-plasma
doas su
pkg_add kde-plasma kate

# I recommend that you use tigervnc. https://nmariusp.github.io/install-os.html#openbsd--75

After you install kde-builder: 

# Edit the kdesrc-buildrc file e.g.:
cmake-options -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=RelWithDebInfo -DKF_IGNORE_PLATFORM_CHECK=ON

# Also set environment variable:
export CMAKE_PREFIX_PATH=/usr/local/lib/qt6/cmake
# Or
export CMAKE_PREFIX_PATH=/usr/local/lib/qt5/cmake

Microsoft Windows

You can build and develop KDE projects using the Microsoft Windows operating system.

Apple macOS

You can build and develop KDE projects using the Apple macOS operating system.

What to do if CMake configure fails because a build dependency is missing

See https://community.kde.org/Get_Involved/development/Install_the_dependencies .

Project Documentation

kf6-qt6 vs. kf5-qt5

Many KDE git repositories can build correctly and run correctly using "kde-builder kf6-qt6".

The KDE git repositories that can build correctly and run correctly using "kde-builder kf6-qt6" have two long lived git branches:

  • A long lived git branch that does not contain the deprecated symbols from kf5-qt5, named e.g. "master".
  • And another long lived git branch for qt5-kf5, where the deprecated symbols still exist.

What is "kf6-qt6"? You just set up kde-builder following the procedure. The resulting kde-builder installation will be of type kf6-qt6. In kdesrc-buildrc in the "global" section you will have "branch-group kf6-qt6". The git repositories that have only one long lived git branch e.g. named "master" will use that. The git repositories that have a second long lived git branch, will use the git branch where the deprecated symbols do not exist e.g. named "master".

What is "kf5-qt5"? Follow the chapter "kde-builder Qt5". The resulting kde-builder installation will be of type kf5-qt5. In kdesrc-buildrc in the "global" section you will have "branch-group kf5-qt5". The git repositories that have only one long lived git branch e.g. named "master" will use that. The git repositories that have a second long lived git branch where the deprecated symbols still exist e.g. named "kf5" will use that.

Build Qt using kde-builder

Qt6

If you cannot build the KDE frameworks using kde-builder and the Qt provided by your Linux distribution is outdated, you might want to build the Qt framework using kde-builder.

In your configuration file use the qt-install-dir option (in the global section) with non-empty value, for example: 

global
  qt-install-dir ~/kde/usr
  branch-group kf6-qt6
end global

It is recommended that if you build Qt6 using kde-builder, you also build qtwebengine. Edit the file ~/.local/state/sysadmin-repo-metadata/module-definitions/qt6.ksb. Follow the instructions found in the file: if you want qtwebengine, add it to use-modules after "qtwebchannel" and comment out the line "ignore-modules qtwebengine". 

kde-builder qtbase --refresh-build --debug

Press Ctrl+C after the CMake configure summary for qtbase. Make sure that you have the needed dependencies. Should find libb2-dev, libproxy-dev, libmd4c-dev, libmd4c-html0-dev, libxcb-xinput-dev, libatspi2.0-dev, libsqlite3-dev, unixodbc-dev, libmysqlclient-dev, postgresql-client, libecpg-dev, libpq-dev. Optional dependencies libsctp-dev, libts-dev. 

kde-builder qtwebengine

This will build the Qt6 modules from qtbase up to qtwebengine. qtwebengine will probably be built incorrectly because some needed dependencies are missing. 

kde-builder qtwebengine --refresh-build --debug

Press Ctrl+C after the CMake configure summary for qtwebengine. Make sure that you have the needed dependencies. Should find node.js >= 14, libdbus-1-dev, libxcomposite-dev, libxshmfence-dev, libxdamage-dev, libharfbuzz-dev, libvpx-dev, libpci-dev, libevent-dev, libre2-dev, libsnappy-dev, libcups2-dev, libxkbfile-dev.

Then build Qt6: 

kde-builder qt6-set

To compile Qt6 with Qt X11 Extras (which is a necessary library to compile KWindowSystem), you should enable XCB feature during compilation 

kde-builder qt6-set --cmake-options="-DQT_FEATURE_xcb=ON"

Qt5

If you want the same for Qt5, change branch-group option and use qt5-set instead of qt6-set.

Qt 6 installed using the Qt online installer

A screen recording version is available https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BIbYN2vIZw

The homepage of the Qt Framework is https://www.qt.io . Go to this web page, create an online account. https://www.qt.io/download-open-source > "Download the Qt Online Installer" > Linux > "Qt Online Installer for Linux (64-bit)" > download a file named e.g. qt-unified-linux-x64-4.6.1-online.run into the directory e.g. "~/Downloads". 

ls -la ~/Downloads # The downloaded file needs to have the "executable" chmod bit set.
chmod u+x ~/Downloads/qt-unified-linux-x64-4.6.1-online.run
~/Downloads/qt-unified-linux-x64-4.6.1-online.run

A graphical user interface (GUI) installer wizard starts. Login using your Qt online account. Next > check the checkbox "I have read and agree to the terms and conditions of using OpenSource Qt", check the checkbox "I'm an individual and do not use Qt for any company" > Next > Next > enable "Help us improve" > Next > Custom installation, notice that the install directory is "~/Qt" > Next. Install the latest version of Qt6 and the latest version of the Qt Creator integrated development environment (IDE). There are some Qt6 components that are not used by KDE and can be left out when installing Qt6 e.g. Qt Design Studio, WebAssembly, Android, Sources, Qt Quick 3D, Qt 3D, Qt Quick 3D Physics, "Qt Debug Information Files". Next > enable "I have read and agree" > Next > Install.

In the KDE Plasma app launcher (start menu) you now have the application "Qt Maintenance Tool".

Set up kde-builder from scratch as usual.

Edit the file kdesrc-buildrc to look like: 

global
...
    qt-install-dir  ~/Qt/6.7.0/gcc_64 # Where to install Qt6 if kdesrc-build supplies it
    libname lib
...
end global

Two independent kde-builder configurations: kf6-qt6 and kf5-qt5

You can switch between configurations with --rc-file command line option. Generate another config, make the changes for the source-dir, build-dir, install-dir, and other changes you want. Make sure you use different value for persistent-data-file option, to not mix things up.

As an alternative, you can utilize custom variable to make switch from a single config: 

global
    _ver 5  # <-- Change this to switch
    source-dir ~/kde${_ver}/src
    build-dir ~/kde${_ver}/build
    install-dir ~/kde${_ver}/usr
    persistent-data-file ~/kde${_ver}/persistent-options.json
end global

include ~/.local/share/kdesrc-build/data/build-include/kf${_ver}-qt${_ver}.ksb

Other CPU architectures than x86_64/amd64 and x86

You can build and develop KDE projects using a Linux OS installed on an ARM architecture CPU.

kde-builder issues

"kde-builder kpat" fails because of black-hole-solitaire

This happens on Debian/Ubuntu/Kubuntu. Because there is no Linux distribution binary package for https://github.com/shlomif/black-hole-solitaire.

Solution: append at the end of kdesrc-buildrc file: 

options kpat
    cmake-options -DWITH_BH_SOLVER=OFF
end options

libdisplay-info is not available

If your Linux OS does not have a package for libdisplay-info. Append at the end of the file kdesrc-buildrc: 

module libdisplay-info
  repository https://gitlab.freedesktop.org/emersion/libdisplay-info.git
end module
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