---
name: "xmkmf"
section: "1x"
platform: "linux"
package: "xutils"
version: "4.3.0.dfsg.1-14sarge7"
release: "Debian 3.1 (Sarge)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/xmkmf/1x"
---

# xmkmf(1x)

create a Makefile from an Imakefile

## NAME

xmkmf - create a Makefile from an Imakefile

## SYNOPSIS

**xmkmf** \[ -a \] \[ *topdir* \[ *curdir* \] \]

## DESCRIPTION

The *xmkmf* command is the normal way to create a *Makefile* from an *Imakefile* shipped with third-party software.

When invoked with no arguments in a directory containing an *Imakefile,* the *imake* program is run with arguments appropriate for your system (configured into *xmkmf* when X was built) and generates a *Makefile.*

When invoked with the *-a* option, *xmkmf* builds the *Makefile* in the current directory, and then automatically executes \`\`make Makefiles'' (in case there are subdirectories), \`\`make includes'', and \`\`make depend'' for you. This is the normal way to configure software that is outside the X Consortium build tree.

If working inside the X Consortium build tree (unlikely unless you  are an X developer, and even then this option is never really used), the *topdir* argument should be specified as the relative pathname from the current directory to the top of the build tree.  Optionally, *curdir* may be specified as a relative pathname from the top of the build tree to the current directory.  It is necessary to supply *curdir* if the current directory has subdirectories, or the *Makefile* will not be able to build the subdirectories. If a *topdir* is given, *xmkmf* assumes nothing is installed on your system and looks for files in the build tree instead of using the installed versions.

## SEE ALSO

[imake(1)](/imake/1.md)