---
layout: documentation
title: C++ and Bazel
---

# C++ and Bazel

This page contains resources that help you use Bazel with C++ projects. It links
to a tutorial, build rules, and other information specific to building C++
projects with Bazel.

## Contents

- [Working with Bazel](#working-with-bazel)
- [Best practices](#best-practices)
   - [BUILD files](#build-files)
   - [Include paths](#include-paths)

## Working with Bazel

The following resources will help you work with Bazel on C++ projects:

*  [Tutorial: Building a C++ project](tutorial/cpp.html)
*  [C++ common use cases](tutorial/cpp-use-cases.html)
*  [C/C++ rules](https://docs.bazel.build/versions/master/be/c-cpp.html)

## Best practices

In addition to [general Bazel best practices](best-practices.html), below are
best practices specific to C++ projects.

### BUILD files

Follow the guidelines below when creating your BUILD files:

*  Each BUILD file should contain one [`cc_library`](https://docs.bazel.build/versions/master/be/c-cpp.html#cc_library)
   rule target per compilation unit in the directory.

*  We recommend that you granularize your C++ libraries as much as possible to
   maximize incrementality and parallelize the build.

*  If there is a single source file in `srcs`, name the library the same as
   that C++ file's name. This library should contain C++ file(s), any matching
   header file(s), and the library's direct dependencies. For example:

   ```python
   cc_library(
       name = "mylib",
       srcs = ["mylib.cc"],
       hdrs = ["mylib.h"],
       deps = [":lower-level-lib"]
   )
   ```

*  Use one `cc_test` rule target per `cc_library` target in the file. Name the
   target `[library-name]_test` and the source file `[library-name]_test.cc`.
   For example, a test target for the `mylib` library target shown above would
   look like this:

   ```python
   cc_test(
       name = "mylib_test",
       srcs = ["mylib_test.cc"],
       deps = [":mylib"]
   )
   ```

### Include paths

Follow these guidelines for include paths:

*  Make all include paths relative to the workspace directory.

*  Use quoted includes (`#include "foo/bar/baz.h"`) for non-system headers, not
   angle-brackets (`#include <foo/bar/baz.h>`).

*  Avoid using UNIX directory shortcuts, such as `.` (current directory) or `..`
   (parent directory).

*  For legacy or `third_party` code that requires includes pointing outside the
   project repository, such as external repository includes requiring a prefix,
   use the [`include_prefix`](https://docs.bazel.build/versions/master/be/c-cpp.html#cc_library.include_prefix)
   and [`strip_include_prefix`](https://docs.bazel.build/versions/master/be/c-cpp.html#cc_library.strip_include_prefix)
   arguments on the `cc_library` rule target.
