Qt Creator 14 Released with Lua-Based Plugin Support and Enhanced Features

The Qt Company has announced the release of Qt Creator 14, the latest stable version of its open-source IDE for designing graphical user interfaces (GUIs) using the Qt language. This release brings several new features, improvements, and enhancements, making it a powerful tool for developers.

One of the most significant additions in Qt Creator 14 is support for Lua-based plugins, enabling developers to extend the IDE’s functionality without needing to compile C++ plugins for multiple platforms. APIs are available for tasks such as registering language servers, actions, and preferences, and enhancing extensibility across diverse development environments.

Qt Creator 14 also improves usability with a redesigned Extensions mode for managing plugins and introduces the ability to toggle visibility of disabled kits in the Projects mode. A new File > Open Workspace menu allows users to open directories as projects. This feature leverages .qtcreator/project.json files to set project names and exclusion filters, making it easier to integrate language servers requiring a project directory.

The update includes advanced search options and session-specific document searches, alongside the ability to configure C++ code models and CMake settings per project. Developers can now set up CMake presets and debuggers directly within the IDE, streamlining project configuration workflows.

Qt Creator 14 also adds several C++ refactoring tools, including:

• Convert Function Call to Qt Meta-Method Invocation
• Move Class to a Dedicated Set of Source Files
• Re-order Member Function Definitions According to Declaration Order

Additionally, the release improves QML support, with better handling of enums, expanded availability of the “Add Curly Braces” refactoring, and fixes for issues with C++ macros. The QML language server is now the default backend for the QML code model in Qt 6.8 and later. Notably, developers can now use the QML language server from Qt 6.8 for projects using earlier Qt versions, enhancing backward compatibility.

Qt Creator 14 addresses numerous bugs and offers various small enhancements to refine the developer experience. A detailed changelog is available for those looking to explore all the updates in-depth.

The IDE is available for download from the official website, supporting 64-bit AArch64 (ARM64) Linux systems. This release continues to solidify Qt Creator’s position as a leading IDE for building modern GUIs and complex applications.

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