# Build The Tool

> Guide for building the tool when asked by the user or testing a code change that requires a new build of the tool

- Skill: `llnl/build-the-tool` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add llnl/build-the-tool`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/llnl/build-the-tool/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: llnl (https://skillmd.com/u/llnl)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/llnl/build-the-tool

---


To build the tool, follow these steps:

1. Make sure the clang++ compiler is available on your system. You can check this by running `clang++ --version` in your terminal. The current supported version is 19.

2. If not available, a conda enviroment like the following can be loaded:

```bash
source ~/.bashrc
conda activate tutorial_env
```

3. Move to the directory build inside the project root.

4. If the build directory does not exist, create it and configure it like this:

```bash
mkdir build
cd build
cmake -DCMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX=./install ..
```
5. Build the tool using the following command:

```bash
make -j 4
```

6. Install the tool using the following command:

```bash
make install
```

7. After installing, one must add the bin directory of the install directory to the PATH environment variable.

```bash
export PATH=$PATH:/path/to/install/bin
```