# Working with Pure CMake Projects

## Pure CMake Projects

SDKs built on the *[MCUXpresso SDK Builder](https://mcuxpresso.nxp.com/en/welcome)* support downloading standalone examples, as opposed to the full SDK archive. These standalone projects do not require an SDK, instead relying only on CMake and the included files.

## Downloading a pure CMake project

After building an MCUXpresso SDK, open the download section and select the *Download Standalone Example Project* option.

![Download Standalone Example Project](./pictures/nxp-download-standalone-project.png) 

Select the desired example project and click on *Download Example*.

## Importing a pure CMake project

The project archive can be imported by opening the *Import Project* menu in the QUICKSTART PANEL. The *Import path* should be the downloaded archive.

![Import Pure CMake Project](./pictures/nxp-import-pure-cmake-project.png) 

The project can be built just like any other project, however debugging it will open a wizard to ask for more information since there is no associated repository.

## Associating a repository

Associating a repository to a pure CMake project is optionally, but it can be done by entering the context menu of the project and selecting the *Associate Repository* option under the *Configure* tab of the menu. Two quick picks will be, then, shown to select the repository to associate to and the target device.

![NXP Associate Repository](./pictures/nxp-associate-sdk.png) 

## Building and debugging the project

For building and debugging the project, the standard steps described in [build](https://github.com/nxp-mcuxpresso/vscode-for-mcux/wiki/Create-Project#build-project) and [debug](https://github.com/nxp-mcuxpresso/vscode-for-mcux/wiki/Debug) documentation sections should be followed.