CodeLite is a free and open-source IDE for the C, C++, PHP, and JavaScript (Node.js) programming languages.
In August 2006, Eran Ifrah started an autocomplete project named CodeLite. The idea was to create a code completion library based on ctags, SQLite (hence, CodeLite), and a Yacc based parser that could be used by other IDEs. Later Clang became an optional parser for code completion, greatly improving its functionality.
LiteEditor, a demo application, was developed for demonstrating CodeLite's functionalities. Eventually, LiteEditor evolved into the CodeLite IDE.
CodeLite is a free, open-source, cross-platform IDE for the C/C++ programming languages using the wxWidgets toolkit. To comply with CodeLite's open-source spirit, the program itself is compiled and debugged using only free tools (MinGW and GDB) for Mac OS X, Windows, Linux and FreeBSD, though CodeLite can execute any third-party compiler or tool that has a command-line interface. CodeLite also supports PHP and JavaScript development (including Node.js support).
What is CodeLite?
CodeLite by Eran Ifrah is open-source Windows software in the ides & code editors category. It ranks 27th by popularity among ides & code editors in this catalogue. It is written in C++. Besides Windows, it is available for cross-platform.
Installation and requirements
The publisher provides EXE (Inno Setup) installers for 64-bit Windows. The main installer is 56.8 MB. Installation asks for administrator rights. A silent install is possible with the installer’s documented switches.
Updates and version history
The current version is 17.0.0, released on January 11, 2023. The version history goes back to March 30, 2021: 3 releases, all linked to the official files. That is about 1.7 releases a year. The last update is more than a year old.
Popularity and file types
The Chocolatey package has been downloaded 13,550 times. The source code on GitHub (eranif/codelite) has 2,420 stars. Wikipedia has an article about it in 14 of our languages. Similar programs include Node.js (LTS), Apache NetBeans and RStudio.
Project description on GitHub: “A multi purpose IDE specialized in C/C++/Rust/Python/PHP and Node.js. Written in C++”
Pros / Cons
Pros
- Open source: the code can be inspected and built by anyone
- Documented silent install
- Also runs on cross-platform
Cons
- No native ARM64 build
- Installation needs administrator rights
- No update for more than a year
In short: CodeLite is an open-source ides & code editor tool for 64-bit PCs. Updates have slowed down. Administrators can deploy it unattended.
Screenshots
Is CodeLite safe to download?
- The file is served by downloads.codelite.org, the publisher’s own domain
- The download link uses HTTPS
- A SHA256 hash is published, so you can verify the file:
8DC40A5D1B855610377229A00D70426C5AF7742532BA932E769CEBA39AF9851B· Open the VirusTotal report for this hash - The link answered when we last checked it (October 22, 2026)
- The source code is public
- ExeAtlas does not host, wrap or modify installers
Related guide: How to check a file’s SHA256 hash on Windows
Security practices (OpenSSF Scorecard)
Automated checks of the eranif/codelite repository on GitHub by the Open Source Security Foundation, last run on October 19, 2026.
- No dangerous workflows10
- Actively maintained10
- Licence declared10
- No binaries in the repository4
- Branch protection3
- Code review0
- Restricted token permissions0
- OpenSSF Best Practices badge0
- Security policy0
- Fuzzing0
- Pinned dependencies0
- Static code analysis0
The score rates how the project is developed and released, not whether the program is safe to install. scorecard.dev
Recent versions
All 3 versions ›3 versions over 2 years · about 1.7 a year
| Version | Date | Size | Files |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17.0.0Latest | January 11, 2023 | 56.8 MB | 64-bit EXE (Inno Setup) |
| 15.0.0 | March 30, 2021 | 40.0 MB | 64-bit EXE (Inno Setup)32-bit EXE (Inno Setup) |
| 14.0.0 | March 30, 2021 | 34.9 MB | 64-bit EXE (Inno Setup) |
Install from the command line
Silent install ›winget install --id CodeLite.CodeLite -echoco install codelite -ycodelite-amd64-17.0.0.exe /VERYSILENT /SUPPRESSMSGBOXES /NORESTART /SP-Related guide: How to use winget: install and update apps
Information
- Publisher
- Eran Ifrah
- Category
- IDEs & code editors
- Licence
- GPL-2.0-only
- Price
- Free
- Source code
- github.com/eranif/codelite
- Written in
- C++
- Requires
- Windows 11 / 10
- Architecture
- 64-bit
- Installer
- EXE (Inno Setup)
- Other platforms
- cross-platform
- Version
- 17.0.0
- Released
- January 11, 2023
- Added to the catalogue
- March 30, 2021
- Versions listed
- 3
- Updates / year
- 1.7
- Chocolatey downloads
- 13,550
- GitHub stars
- 2,420
- GitHub forks
- 489
- Website
- codelite.org
- winget ID
- CodeLite.CodeLite
- Chocolatey package
- codelite
Ratings and reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to rate it.
Alternatives to CodeLite
See all ›-
Open source4.9M ↓ -
Open source88.8K ↓ -
Open source705.1K ↓ -
OpenCode1.19.4OpenCode is an open source agent that helps you write and run code with any AI model. It's available as a terminal-based interface, desktop app, or IDE extension.Open source285.2K ↓ -
VSCodium1.140.06880VSCodium is a community-driven, freely-licensed and telemetry-free rebuilt of Microsoft's Visual Studio Code.Open source394.5K ↓ -
Haxe4.3.7Haxe is an open source high-level strictly-typed programming language with a fast optimizing cross-compiler.Open source49.7K ↓ -
mkcert1.4.4A simple zero-config tool to make locally trusted development certificates with any names you'd like.Open source495K ↓ -
Arduino IDE2.3.10Open-source electronic prototyping platform enabling users to create interactive electronic objects.Open source494.3K ↓
Frequently asked questions
Is CodeLite free?
Yes. CodeLite is open-source software under the GPL-2.0-only licence.
Is CodeLite safe to download?
The download comes from downloads.codelite.org, which belongs to the publisher; ExeAtlas does not host or change the file. Compare its SHA256 hash with the one shown here, or open the VirusTotal report for that hash.
How do I install CodeLite with winget?
Open PowerShell or Windows Terminal and run the winget command shown on this page. winget downloads the official installer and checks its SHA256 hash before running it.
Can CodeLite be installed silently?
Yes. The silent install page lists the exact command for each installer.
Does CodeLite run on ARM (Windows on Arm)?
There is no ARM64 build; Windows 11 on Arm can run the 64-bit version through emulation.
Where can I download an older version of CodeLite?
The versions page lists all 3 versions with links to their official installer files, back to March 30, 2021.
What are alternatives to CodeLite?
Node.js (LTS), Apache NetBeans, RStudio, OpenCode and VSCodium. The alternatives page compares them.
