Show HN: Pcons: new software build tool in Python, inspired by SCons and CMake
Pcons is a new open-source, Python-based build system inspired by SCons and CMake, designed to combine the flexibility of Python with modern build practices like dependency graph tracking and fast execution via Ninja. It aims to improve upon SCons with contemporary Python features and better separation of configuration and execution, while supporting multiple languages and platforms. Currently under active development, it is suitable for experimentation and feedback, with core functionality already tested in medium-sized projects. The project is AI-assisted, using Claude Code extensively during development, though all code has been reviewed and approved by the creator.
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Pcons A modern open-source cross-platform zero-install Python-based build system. Builds anything that requires a repeatable workflow, using a dependency graph. Easy to use, reliable and quick. Uses Ninja (or Makefile, XCode, or MSVS) to do the builds. Optimized for C/C++, Fortran, CUDA, wasm etc. but should work for anything that needs building. Overview Pcons is inspired by SCons and CMake, taking a few of the best ideas from each: From SCons: Environments, Tools, dependency tracking, Python as the configuration language From CMake: Generator architecture (configure once, build fast), usage requirements that propagate through dependencies Key design principles: Configuration, not execution: Pcons generates Ninja files; Ninja executes the build Python is the language: No custom DSL—build…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at GitHub.