For MSBuild, one can use what IDE does to get the compile targets: msbuild YourProject.sln /p:Configuration=Release /p:DesignTimeBuild=true /t:_PrintIntellisen

For MSBuild, one can use what IDE does to get the compile targets: msbuild YourProject.sln /p:Configuration=Release /p:DesignTimeBuild=true /t:_PrintIntellisenseInfo The _PrintIntellisenseInfo target is the key, and "lying" to the rules that you are the IDE - e.g DesignTimeBuild=true. This prints almost the info you want for compilation_database.json