Clion: setting up remote Makefile project


Context

I have a remote server with C++ code and Makefile, and I want to use Clion’s remote development + Makefile plugin to develop a Makefile project in remote.

I have mostly been following this guide from Jetbrains to set up remote development.

I have followed all the instructions:

  1. install Makefile plugin
  2. set up Remote Host in Build, Execution, Deployment | Toolchains ( there was no problem setting up the remote host )
  3. create corresponding CMake profile in Build, Execution, Deployment | CMake and selected the created Remote Host in the Toolchain
  4. set mapping to my newly created C++ Cmake project to the remote directory under Build, Execution, Deployment | Deployment | Mappings.

Problems with setup

After following all the instructions, I have two issues:

  1. My local project and remote repository are out of sync. My local contains dummy files created on project initialization: cmake-build-debug directory, CMakeLists.txt, and main.cpp, while my remote contains code and Makefile.

  2. There is no configuration created for me to run and build. In the top-right corner where there is run, debug and build buttons, no pre-created configuration is shown. Instead, there is Add Configuration button. When I click Add Configuration and navigate to create new Makefile configuration, there is no option for me to set up project in remote.

Question

So my question is:

  1. Do I need cmake-build-debug directory and CMakeLists.txt even if I am only going to use the Makefile plugin to build and run? If not, how should I sink my files with remote?
  2. How can I create debug and run configuration with Makefile s.t. it will only build and run on the remote host I have set up?