Building Stimfit

Author:

Christoph Schmidt-Hieber

Date:

02 April, 2026

Current Windows source builds use the CMake-based MSVC workflow rather than the historical Visual Studio 2008 solution files.

Get the source code

Clone the repository into a local working directory:

PS C:\> git clone https://github.com/neurodroid/stimfit.git
PS C:\> cd stimfit

Build Stimfit

Run the supported helper script from PowerShell:

PS C:\stimfit> .\build_windows_msvc.ps1

For a Python-enabled build:

PS C:\stimfit> .\build_windows_msvc.ps1 -WithPython

The script prepares the current vcpkg dependency layout, selects the matching CMake preset, and runs configure, build, and install steps.

Create an installer

The CMake build can also generate distributable packages with CPack. Use one of the packaging modes below after installing Inno Setup 6 when you want a native installer:

PS C:\stimfit> .\build_windows_msvc.ps1 -PackageGenerator INNOSETUP
PS C:\stimfit> .\build_windows_msvc.ps1 -PackageGenerator ZIP

This replaces the old NSIS-based packaging instructions for current releases.