# CMakeUserPresets.json: how to store Cmake options usually passed to the command line with -D ??
**URL:** https://discourse.cmake.org/t/cmakeuserpresets-json-how-to-store-cmake-options-usually-passed-to-the-command-line-with-d/7603
**Category:** Usage
**Tags:** os:windows
**Created:** [March 4, 2023, 6:49am UTC](https://discourse.cmake.org/t/cmakeuserpresets-json-how-to-store-cmake-options-usually-passed-to-the-command-line-with-d/7603 "2023-03-04T06:49:47Z")
**Posts on this page:** 4
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@netcorefan1](https://discourse.cmake.org/u/netcorefan1)
#### Post date: [March 4, 2023, 6:49am UTC](https://discourse.cmake.org/t/cmakeuserpresets-json-how-to-store-cmake-options-usually-passed-to-the-command-line-with-d/7603/1 "2023-03-04T06:49:47Z")
Hello,
after playing for hours in trying to do what is supposed to be the main purpose of the user presets, I have no other chances than opening a topic here.
I would like to store the options variables in CMakeUserPresets (rather then hardcoding them in scripts or whatever) and get them automatically merged to the main cmake configuration.
I normally pass the main option through the command line with `-DMAINOPTION=ON` and I have automatically loaded all the dependent options. If I also pass a dependent option with `-DOPTIONOFMAINOPTION=value` it also gets automatically populated.
How I can obtain the same through user presets?
I tried with `cacheVariables`, but when I click configure I just get such variable in the `ungrouped entries` and related dependent options don’t appear at all.
Many thanks
---
### Author:  [@kyle.edwards](https://discourse.cmake.org/u/kyle.edwards)
#### Post date: [March 6, 2023, 3:49pm UTC](https://discourse.cmake.org/t/cmakeuserpresets-json-how-to-store-cmake-options-usually-passed-to-the-command-line-with-d/7603/2 "2023-03-06T15:49:32Z")
Please post the `CMakeUserPresets.json` that you’re using, the `CMakeLists.txt`, an explanation of what you expect to happen, and what is actually happening. Please strip `CMakeUserPresets.json` and `CMakeLists.txt` down to minimal illustrative examples.
---
### Author:  [@netcorefan1](https://discourse.cmake.org/u/netcorefan1)
#### Post date: [March 7, 2023, 11:40am UTC](https://discourse.cmake.org/t/cmakeuserpresets-json-how-to-store-cmake-options-usually-passed-to-the-command-line-with-d/7603/3 "2023-03-07T11:40:19Z")
Hello @kyle.edwards,
I spent the last couple of days in trials and documentation and I finally managed to understand how the whole thing works. Basically I need to know in advance and provide the main options and their dependant options in order to get the expected configuration.
I don’t want to abuse your time and I prefer to open a new topic when I will encounter some more serious problem. I will mark your response as the solution just because you have been so nice to offer me your help even for such stupid and annoying questions.
Thanks
---
### Author:  [@ClausKlein](https://discourse.cmake.org/u/ClausKlein)
#### Post date: [August 16, 2023, 1:38pm UTC](https://discourse.cmake.org/t/cmakeuserpresets-json-how-to-store-cmake-options-usually-passed-to-the-command-line-with-d/7603/4 "2023-08-16T13:38:04Z")
**IMHO** : Your questen should be answered:
This is a **CMakeUserPresets.json** that implicit includes `CMakePresets.json`, so you may extend or overwrite the settings of an exising `ConfigurePreset` i.e.:
```json
{
"version": 6,
"cmakeMinimumRequired": {
"major": 3,
"minor": 25,
"patch": 0
},
"configurePresets": [
{
"name": "user-config",
"description": "Example for user default settings that apply to all configurations",
"generator": "Ninja",
"inherits": "common-config",
"cacheVariables": {
"CMAKE_C_COMPILER": "gcc",
"CMAKE_CXX_COMPILER": "g++"
},
"environment": { "VARIANT": "Clang" }
}
]
}
```
**But this doesn’t change the prestes,** refering to or inherits from the original `common-config` preset!