---
name: "vapigen"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "vala"
version: "0.56.19-2"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/vapigen-0.56"
---

# vapigen(1)

generate a Vala API

Part of [vapigen-0.56(1)](/vapigen-0.56/1.md).

## NAME

vapigen - generate a Vala API

## SYNOPSIS

**vapigen *SOURCE* *PKGBASE*** \[*OPTION*\]... \[*FILE*\]...

## DESCRIPTION

**vapigen** is a utility which generates Vala API (VAPI) files from GI files, which may be generated using the [vala-gen-introspect(1)](/vala-gen-introspect/1.md) utility.

### Usage:

-

  vapigen \[OPTION???\] FILE... - Vala API Generator

### Help Options:

- **-h**, **--help**

  Show help options

### Application Options:

- **--vapidir**=*DIRECTORY*...

  Look for package bindings in DIRECTORY

- **--girdir**=*DIRECTORY*...

  Look for GIR bindings in DIRECTORY

- **--metadatadir**=*DIRECTORY*...

  Look for GIR .metadata files in DIRECTORY

- **--nostdpkg**

  Do not include standard packages

- **--pkg**=*PACKAGE*...

  Include binding for PACKAGE

- **--library**=*NAME*

  Library name

- **-d**, **--directory**=*DIRECTORY*

  Output directory

- **--disable-warnings**

  Disable warnings

- **--version**

  Display version number

- **-q**, **--quiet**

  Do not print messages to the console

## BUGS

https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/vala/issues

## HOMEPAGE OR CONTACT

https://vala.dev

## AUTHORS

J??rg Billeter, Raffaele Sandrini.

## EXAMPLES

After compilation, the following command generates a GI for pango: **vala-gen-introspect pango packages/pango**

- This can then be converted to a Vala API as follows:

  **vapigen --pkg cairo --vapidir . --library pango packages/pango/pango.gi**

## SEE ALSO

vala-gen-introspect (1)