# Compdb (compile\_commands.json) Generator
Soong can generate compdb files. This is intended for use with editing tools
such as YouCompleteMe and other libclang based completers.
compdb file generation is enabled via environment variable:
```bash
$ export SOONG_GEN_COMPDB=1
$ export SOONG_GEN_COMPDB_DEBUG=1
```
One can make soong generate a symlink to the compdb file using an environment
variable:
```bash
$ export SOONG_LINK_COMPDB_TO=$ANDROID_HOST_OUT
```
You can then trigger an empty build:
```bash
$ make nothing
```
Note that if you build using mm or other limited makes with these environment
variables set the compdb will only include files in included modules.