---
title: zig_cc
description: Configure managed Zig as a C and C++ compiler.
---

# `zig_cc`

`zig_cc` returns a dependency that sets `CC` to managed `zig cc`, sets `CXX` to managed `zig c++`, and puts Zig's executable directory first in `PATH`. With no target, Zig uses its host default. With a target, both compiler commands receive `-target <target>`.

## Arguments

| Argument | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `target` | No | Non-empty Zig target string forwarded as one command field. Omit it to use the host default. |

The target must be valid for Zig. Dependencies apply in declared order, so later dependencies can replace `PATH`, `CC`, or `CXX`.

## Examples

### Use Zig for a host Go build

```python
load("@go@1.26.5", "go_binary")
load("@zig@0.16.0", "zig_cc")

go_binary(
    entry_point="cmd/server",
    deps=[zig_cc()],
)
```

### Select a compiler target

```python
load("@go@1.26.5", "go_binary")
load("@zig@0.16.0", "zig_cc")

go_binary(
    entry_point="cmd/server",
    output="bin/server",
    deps=[zig_cc("x86_64-linux-gnu")],
)
```

### Cross-compile a CGO program

```python
load("@go@1.26.5", "go_binary")
load("@os@1", "env_set")
load("@zig@0.16.0", "zig_cc")

go_binary(
    entry_point="cmd/server",
    output="bin/server",
    deps=[
        zig_cc("x86_64-linux-gnu"),
        env_set("GOOS", "linux"),
        env_set("GOARCH", "amd64"),
        env_set("CGO_ENABLED", "1"),
    ],
)
```

The Go target variables must match Zig's target, and project dependencies must support the destination platform.

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