# cmake > Cross-platform build, testing and packaging automation system. > CMake uses its own shell-like syntax and generates recipes for many build systems. > More information: . - Generate a build recipe in the current directory with `CMakeLists.txt` from a project directory: `cmake {{path/to/project_directory}}` - Build artifacts with the generated recipe in `build_directory`: `cmake --build {{path/to/build_directory}}` - Install the build artifacts into /usr/local/ striping debugging symbols: `cmake --install {{path/to/build_directory}} --strip --prefix /usr/local/` - Run a custom build target: `cmake --build {{path/to/build_dir/}} --target {{target_name}}`