3DS C++ Template (devkitPro + CMake) For Linux

Minimal template for building Nintendo 3DS homebrew using C++ and devkitPro. Outputs a .3dsx file ready for the Homebrew Launcher.

Important

This template was made & tested on Linux, it is specifically made to be used with Linux + VSCode (or compatible forks)

---

Requirements

• devkitPro toolchain installed
• DEVKITPRO environment variable set

Verify:

echo $DEVKITPRO

Expected output:

/opt/devkitpro

---

Build

./build.sh

Output will be in:

build/

Files generated:

• .elf → raw executable
• .3dsx → Homebrew Launcher format
• .smdh → metadata (icon, title, author)

---

Running on 3DS

Copy the .3dsx file to your SD card:

/3ds/YourApp/YourApp.3dsx (or whatever other path you want to use)

Then launch it via the Homebrew Launcher.

---

Project Structure

.
├── CMakeLists.txt
├── build.sh
├── src/
│   └── main.cpp
├── assets/
│   └── icon.png   (optional)

---

Metadata Configuration

Edit in CMakeLists.txt:

set(APP_NAME "3DS Template")
set(APP_DESCRIPTION "My first 3DS app")
set(APP_AUTHOR "Your Name")

This controls:

• Title shown on 3DS
• Description
• Author/publisher

---

Icon (SMDH) Guidelines

To use a custom icon:

ICON assets/icon.png

Requirements:

• Format: PNG
• Recommended size: 48×48
• Keep it simple (low detail)
• Avoid transparency-heavy images
• Bright, high-contrast colors work best

The 3DS uses a limited color format internally, so complex images may look bad.

---

VSCode IntelliSense Setup

Use environment variables (to avoid hardcoding):

"includePath": [
  "${workspaceFolder}/**",
  "${env:DEVKITPRO}/libctru/include",
  "${env:DEVKITPRO}/devkitARM/arm-none-eabi/include"
]

---

Troubleshooting

3ds.h not found

Make sure devkitPro env is loaded:

source /etc/profile.d/devkit-env.sh

---

Build uses wrong compiler

Ensure CMake uses toolchain:

cmake .. -DCMAKE_TOOLCHAIN_FILE=$DEVKITPRO/cmake/3DS.cmake

---

License

Use freely for your projects.