diff --git a/lazproj/coedit.lpi b/lazproj/coedit.lpi
index bdc8e50e..d2ec2ec0 100644
--- a/lazproj/coedit.lpi
+++ b/lazproj/coedit.lpi
@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@
         <PackageName Value="LCL"/>
       </Item6>
     </RequiredPackages>
-    <Units Count="39">
+    <Units Count="40">
       <Unit0>
         <Filename Value="coedit.lpr"/>
         <IsPartOfProject Value="True"/>
@@ -341,6 +341,10 @@
         <HasResources Value="True"/>
         <ResourceBaseClass Value="Form"/>
       </Unit38>
+      <Unit39>
+        <Filename Value="..\src\ce_dubproject.pas"/>
+        <IsPartOfProject Value="True"/>
+      </Unit39>
     </Units>
   </ProjectOptions>
   <CompilerOptions>
diff --git a/lazproj/coedit.lpr b/lazproj/coedit.lpr
index 56f2a8d6..9475f138 100644
--- a/lazproj/coedit.lpr
+++ b/lazproj/coedit.lpr
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ uses
   Interfaces, Forms, lazcontrols, runtimetypeinfocontrols, ce_sharedres,
   ce_observer, ce_libman, ce_tools, ce_dcd, ce_main, ce_writableComponent,
   ce_symstring, ce_staticmacro, ce_inspectors, ce_editoroptions, ce_dockoptions,
-  ce_shortcutseditor, ce_mru, ce_processes;
+  ce_shortcutseditor, ce_mru, ce_processes, ce_dubproject;
 
 {$R *.res}
 
diff --git a/src/ce_dubproject.pas b/src/ce_dubproject.pas
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..fd9c3b76
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/ce_dubproject.pas
@@ -0,0 +1,197 @@
+unit ce_dubproject;
+
+{$I ce_defines.inc}
+
+interface
+
+uses
+  Classes, SysUtils, fpjson, jsonparser, jsonscanner, process,
+  ce_common, ce_interfaces, ce_observer ;
+
+type
+
+  TCEDubProject = class(TComponent, ICECommonProject)
+  private
+    fFilename: string;
+    fModified: boolean;
+    fJson: TJSONObject;
+    fProjectSubject: TCEProjectSubject;
+    //
+    procedure dubProcOutput(proc: TProcess);
+    //
+    function getFormat: TCEProjectFormat;
+    function getProject: TObject;
+    //
+  public
+    constructor create(aOwner: TComponent); override;
+    destructor destroy; override;
+    //
+    function getFilename: string;
+    procedure loadFromFile(const aFilename: string);
+    procedure saveToFile(const aFilename: string);
+    function getIfModified: boolean;
+    //
+    function getOutputFilename: string;
+    //
+    function getConfigurationCount: integer;
+    procedure setActiveConfiguration(index: integer);
+    function getConfigurationName(index: integer): string;
+    //
+    function compile: boolean;
+  end;
+
+implementation
+
+constructor TCEDubProject.create(aOwner: TComponent);
+begin
+  inherited;
+  fProjectSubject := TCEProjectSubject.Create;
+  //
+  subjProjNew(fProjectSubject, self);
+  subjProjChanged(fProjectSubject, self);
+end;
+
+destructor TCEDubProject.destroy;
+begin
+  subjProjClosing(fProjectSubject, self);
+  fProjectSubject.free;
+  //
+  fJSon.Free;
+  inherited;
+end;
+
+procedure TCEDubProject.dubProcOutput(proc: TProcess);
+var
+  lst: TStringList;
+  str: string;
+  msgs: ICEMessagesDisplay;
+begin
+  lst := TStringList.Create;
+  msgs := getMessageDisplay;
+  try
+    processOutputToStrings(proc, lst);
+    for str in lst do
+      msgs.message(str, self as ICECommonProject, amcProj, amkAuto);
+  finally
+    lst.Free;
+  end;
+end;
+
+function TCEDubProject.getFormat: TCEProjectFormat;
+begin
+  exit(pfDub);
+end;
+
+function TCEDubProject.getProject: TObject;
+begin
+  exit(self);
+end;
+
+function TCEDubProject.getFilename: string;
+begin
+  exit(fFilename);
+end;
+
+procedure TCEDubProject.loadFromFile(const aFilename: string);
+var
+  loader: TMemoryStream;
+  parser : TJSONParser;
+begin
+  loader := TMemoryStream.Create;
+  try
+    fFilename:= aFilename;
+    loader.LoadFromFile(fFilename);
+    fJSon.Free;
+    parser := TJSONParser.Create(loader);
+    subjProjChanged(fProjectSubject, self);
+    try
+      fJSon := parser.Parse as TJSONObject;
+    finally
+      parser.Free;
+    end;
+  finally
+    loader.Free;
+    fModified := false;
+  end;
+end;
+
+//TODO -cDUB: conserve pretty formatting
+procedure TCEDubProject.saveToFile(const aFilename: string);
+var
+  saver: TMemoryStream;
+  str: string;
+begin
+  saver := TMemoryStream.Create;
+  try
+    fFilename := aFilename;
+    str := fJson.AsJSON;
+    saver.Write(str[1], length(str));
+    saver.SaveToFile(fFilename);
+  finally
+    saver.Free;
+    fModified := false;
+  end;
+end;
+
+function TCEDubProject.getIfModified: boolean;
+begin
+  exit(fModified);
+end;
+
+function TCEDubProject.getOutputFilename: string;
+begin
+  exit('');
+end;
+
+function TCEDubProject.getConfigurationCount: integer;
+begin
+  exit(0);
+end;
+
+procedure TCEDubProject.setActiveConfiguration(index: integer);
+begin
+
+end;
+
+function TCEDubProject.getConfigurationName(index: integer): string;
+begin
+  exit('');
+end;
+
+function TCEDubProject.compile: boolean;
+var
+  dubproc: TProcess;
+  olddir: string = '';
+  prjname: string;
+  msgs: ICEMessagesDisplay;
+begin
+  result := false;
+  msgs := getMessageDisplay;
+  msgs.clearByData(Self);
+  prjname := shortenPath(fFilename);
+  dubproc := TProcess.Create(nil);
+  getDir(0, olddir);
+  try
+    msgs.message('compiling ' + prjname, self as ICECommonProject, amcProj, amkInf);
+    chDir(extractFilePath(fFilename));
+    dubproc.Executable := 'dub' + exeExt;
+    dubproc.Options := dubproc.Options + [poStderrToOutPut, poUsePipes];
+    dubproc.CurrentDirectory := extractFilePath(fFilename);
+    dubproc.ShowWindow := swoHIDE;
+    dubproc.Parameters.Add('build');
+    dubproc.Execute;
+    while dubproc.Running do
+      dubProcOutput(dubproc);
+    if dubproc.ExitStatus = 0 then begin
+      msgs.message(prjname + ' has been successfully compiled', self as ICECommonProject, amcProj, amkInf);
+      result := true;
+    end else
+      msgs.message(prjname + ' has not been compiled', self as ICECommonProject, amcProj, amkWarn);
+  finally
+    chDir(olddir);
+    dubproc.Free;
+  end;
+end;
+
+end.
+
diff --git a/src/ce_interfaces.pas b/src/ce_interfaces.pas
index 70808a70..9dffae2b 100644
--- a/src/ce_interfaces.pas
+++ b/src/ce_interfaces.pas
@@ -14,7 +14,10 @@ type
   TCEProjectFormat = (pfNative, pfDub);
 
   (**
-   * Common project interface
+   * Common project interface.
+   *
+   * Each project format has its own dedicated editors.
+   * The few common properties allow some generic operations whatever is the format.
    *)
   ICECommonProject = interface
   ['ICECommonProject']
@@ -23,12 +26,23 @@ type
     // returns an untyped object that can be casted using getFormat()
     function getProject: TObject;
 
-    //// project file
-    //function filename: string;
-    //procedure loadFromFile(const aFilename: string);
-    //procedure saveToFile(const aFilename: string);
-    //procedure save;
-    //
+    // sub routines for the actions --------------------------------------------
+
+    function compile: boolean;
+
+    // project file - allows main form to create/load/save ---------------------
+
+    // returns the project filename
+    function getFilename: string;
+    // loads project from filename
+    procedure loadFromFile(const aFilename: string);
+    // saves project to filename
+    procedure saveToFile(const aFilename: string);
+    // indicates of the project is modified (should be saved or not)
+    function getIfModified: boolean;
+
+    // various properties used by several widgets (todo ana, dcd, ...)----------
+
     //// common project properties
     //function sourceCount: integer;
     //function source(index: integer): string;
@@ -36,9 +50,19 @@ type
     //function stringImport(index: integer): string;
     //function moduleImportCount: integer;
     //function moduleImport(index: integer): string;
-    //function configurationCount: integer;
-    //function configuration(index: integer): string;
-    //function outputFilename: string;
+
+    // returns the name of the file produced when a project is compiled
+    function getOutputFilename: string;
+
+    // configs -----------------------------------------------------------------
+
+    // returns the count of configuration
+    function getConfigurationCount: integer;
+    // sets the active configuration
+    procedure setActiveConfiguration(index: integer);
+    // returns the name of the index-th configuration
+    function getConfigurationName(index: integer): string;
+
   end;
 
   (**
diff --git a/src/ce_libmaneditor.pas b/src/ce_libmaneditor.pas
index 8e8d7e5a..0b88c31f 100644
--- a/src/ce_libmaneditor.pas
+++ b/src/ce_libmaneditor.pas
@@ -204,10 +204,10 @@ begin
     with List.Items.Add do
     begin
       Caption := ExtractFileNameOnly(fProj.Filename);
-      if ExtractFileExt(fProj.outputFilename) <> libExt then
-        SubItems.add(fProj.outputFilename + libExt)
+      if ExtractFileExt(fProj.getOutputFilename) <> libExt then
+        SubItems.add(fProj.getOutputFilename + libExt)
       else
-        SubItems.add(fProj.outputFilename);
+        SubItems.add(fProj.getOutputFilename);
       SubItems.add(root);
       if not FileExists(SubItems[0]) then
         dlgOkInfo('the library file does not exist, maybe the project not been already compiled ?');
diff --git a/src/ce_main.pas b/src/ce_main.pas
index 8217a710..5ec6757b 100644
--- a/src/ce_main.pas
+++ b/src/ce_main.pas
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ uses
   ce_widget, ce_messages, ce_interfaces, ce_editor, ce_projinspect, ce_projconf,
   ce_search, ce_miniexplorer, ce_libman, ce_libmaneditor, ce_todolist, ce_observer,
   ce_toolseditor, ce_procinput, ce_optionseditor, ce_symlist, ce_mru, ce_processes,
-  ce_infos;
+  ce_infos, ce_dubproject;
 
 type
 
@@ -190,7 +190,9 @@ type
     fMultidoc: ICEMultiDocHandler;
     fScCollectCount: Integer;
     fUpdateCount: NativeInt;
-    fProject: TCENativeProject;
+    fProjectInterface: ICECommonProject;
+    fDubProject: TCEDubProject;
+    fNativeProject: TCENativeProject;
     fProjMru: TCEMRUProjectList;
     fFileMru: TCEMRUDocumentList;
     fWidgList: TCEWidgetList;
@@ -259,7 +261,8 @@ type
 
     // project sub routines
     procedure saveProjSource(const aEditor: TCESynMemo);
-    procedure newProj;
+    procedure newNativeProj;
+    procedure newDubProj;
     procedure saveProj;
     procedure saveProjAs(const aFilename: string);
     procedure openProj(const aFilename: string);
@@ -417,7 +420,7 @@ begin
   EntitiesConnector.forceUpdate;
   //
   getCMdParams;
-  if fProject = nil then newProj;
+  if fNativeProject = nil then newNativeProj;
   //
   fInitialized := true;
 end;
@@ -795,7 +798,7 @@ var
   i: Integer;
 begin
   canClose := false;
-  if fProject <> nil then if fProject.modified then
+  if fProjectInterface <> nil then if fProjectInterface.getIfModified then
     if ce_common.dlgOkCancel(
       'The project modifications are not saved, quit anyway ?') <> mrOK then
           exit;
@@ -814,7 +817,7 @@ end;
 
 procedure TCEMainForm.updateProjectBasedAction(sender: TObject);
 begin
-  TAction(sender).Enabled := fProject <> nil;
+  TAction(sender).Enabled := fProjectInterface <> nil;
 end;
 
 procedure TCEMainForm.updateDocEditBasedAction(sender: TObject);
@@ -1112,11 +1115,11 @@ end;
 
 procedure TCEMainForm.actProjOpenContFoldExecute(Sender: TObject);
 begin
-  if fProject = nil then exit;
-  if not fileExists(fProject.fileName) then exit;
+  if fProjectInterface = nil then exit;
+  if not fileExists(fProjectInterface.getFilename) then exit;
   //
   DockMaster.GetAnchorSite(fExplWidg).Show;
-  fExplWidg.expandPath(extractFilePath(fProject.fileName));
+  fExplWidg.expandPath(extractFilePath(fProjectInterface.getFilename));
 end;
 
 procedure TCEMainForm.actFileNewExecute(Sender: TObject);
@@ -1173,10 +1176,10 @@ procedure TCEMainForm.actFileAddToProjExecute(Sender: TObject);
 begin
   if fDoc = nil then exit;
   if fDoc.isProjectSource then exit;
-  if fProject = nil then exit;
+  if fNativeProject = nil then exit;
   //
   if fileExists(fDoc.fileName) and (not fDoc.isTemporary) then
-    fProject.addSource(fDoc.fileName)
+    fNativeProject.addSource(fDoc.fileName)
   else dlgOkInfo('the file has not been added to the project because it does not exist');
 end;
 
@@ -1500,24 +1503,24 @@ end;
 
 procedure TCEMainForm.actProjCompileExecute(Sender: TObject);
 begin
-  fProject.compileProject;
+  fProjectInterface.compile;
 end;
 
 procedure TCEMainForm.actProjCompileAndRunExecute(Sender: TObject);
 begin
-  if fProject.compileProject then
-    fProject.runProject;
+  if fNativeProject.compile then
+    fNativeProject.runProject;
 end;
 
 procedure TCEMainForm.actProjCompAndRunWithArgsExecute(Sender: TObject);
 var
   runargs: string;
 begin
-  if not fProject.compileProject then
+  if not fNativeProject.compile then
     exit;
   runargs := '';
   if InputQuery('Execution arguments', '', runargs) then
-    fProject.runProject(runargs);
+    fNativeProject.runProject(runargs);
 end;
 
 procedure TCEMainForm.actProjRunExecute(Sender: TObject);
@@ -1528,21 +1531,21 @@ label
   _rbld,
   _run;
 begin
-  if fProject.currentConfiguration.outputOptions.binaryKind <> executable then
+  if fNativeProject.currentConfiguration.outputOptions.binaryKind <> executable then
   begin
     dlgOkInfo('Non executable projects cant be run');
     exit;
   end;
-  if not fileExists(fProject.outputFilename) then
+  if not fileExists(fNativeProject.getOutputFilename) then
   begin
     if dlgOkCancel('The project output is missing, build ?') <> mrOK then
       exit;
     goto _rbld;
   end;
-  dt := fileAge(fProject.outputFilename);
-  for i := 0 to fProject.Sources.Count-1 do
+  dt := fileAge(fNativeProject.getOutputFilename);
+  for i := 0 to fNativeProject.Sources.Count-1 do
   begin
-    if fileAge(fProject.getAbsoluteSourceName(i)) > dt then
+    if fileAge(fNativeProject.getAbsoluteSourceName(i)) > dt then
       if dlgOkCancel('The project sources have changed since last build, rebuild ?') = mrOK then
         goto _rbld
       else
@@ -1550,10 +1553,10 @@ begin
   end;
   goto _run;
   _rbld:
-    fProject.compileProject;
+    fNativeProject.compile;
   _run:
-    if fileExists(fProject.outputFilename) then
-      fProject.runProject;
+    if fileExists(fNativeProject.getOutputFilename) then
+      fNativeProject.runProject;
 end;
 
 procedure TCEMainForm.actProjRunWithArgsExecute(Sender: TObject);
@@ -1562,7 +1565,7 @@ var
 begin
   runargs := '';
   if InputQuery('Execution arguments', '', runargs) then
-    fProject.runProject(runargs);
+    fNativeProject.runProject(runargs);
 end;
 {$ENDREGION}
 
@@ -1708,58 +1711,73 @@ end;
 {$REGION project ---------------------------------------------------------------}
 procedure TCEMainForm.showProjTitle;
 begin
-  if (fProject <> nil) and fileExists(fProject.Filename) then
-    caption := format('Coedit - %s', [shortenPath(fProject.Filename, 30)])
+  if (fProjectInterface <> nil) and fileExists(fProjectInterface.getFilename) then
+    caption := format('Coedit - %s', [shortenPath(fProjectInterface.getFilename, 30)])
   else
     caption := 'Coedit';
 end;
 
 procedure TCEMainForm.saveProjSource(const aEditor: TCESynMemo);
 begin
-  if fProject = nil then exit;
-  if fProject.fileName <> aEditor.fileName then exit;
+  if fNativeProject = nil then exit;
+  if fNativeProject.fileName <> aEditor.fileName then exit;
   //
-  aEditor.saveToFile(fProject.fileName);
-  openProj(fProject.fileName);
+  aEditor.saveToFile(fNativeProject.fileName);
+  openProj(fNativeProject.fileName);
 end;
 
 procedure TCEMainForm.closeProj;
 begin
-  fProject.Free;
-  fProject := nil;
+  if fProjectInterface = nil then exit;
+  //
+  fProjectInterface.getProject.Free;
+  fProjectInterface := nil;
+  fNativeProject := nil;
+  fDubProject := nil;
   showProjTitle;
 end;
 
-procedure TCEMainForm.newProj;
+procedure TCEMainForm.newNativeProj;
 begin
-  fProject := TCENativeProject.Create(nil);
-  fProject.Name := 'CurrentProject';
+  fNativeProject := TCENativeProject.Create(nil);
+  fNativeProject.Name := 'CurrentProject';
+  fProjectInterface := fNativeProject as ICECommonProject;
+  showProjTitle;
+end;
+
+procedure TCEMainForm.newDubProj;
+begin
+  fDubProject := TCEDubProject.Create(nil);
+  fDubProject.Name := 'CurrentProject';
+  fProjectInterface := fDubProject as ICECommonProject;
   showProjTitle;
 end;
 
 procedure TCEMainForm.saveProj;
 begin
-  fProject.saveToFile(fProject.fileName);
+  fProjectInterface.saveToFile(fNativeProject.fileName);
 end;
 
 procedure TCEMainForm.saveProjAs(const aFilename: string);
 begin
-  fProject.fileName := aFilename;
-  fProject.saveToFile(fProject.fileName);
+  fProjectInterface.saveToFile(aFilename);
   showProjTitle;
 end;
 
 procedure TCEMainForm.openProj(const aFilename: string);
 begin
   closeProj;
-  newProj;
-  fProject.loadFromFile(aFilename);
+  if ExtractFileExt(aFilename) = '.json' then newDubProj
+  else newNativeProj;
+
+  //
+  fProjectInterface.loadFromFile(aFilename);
   showProjTitle;
 end;
 
 procedure TCEMainForm.mruProjItemClick(Sender: TObject);
 begin
-  if fProject <> nil then if fProject.modified then if dlgOkCancel(
+  if fProjectInterface <> nil then if fProjectInterface.getIfModified then if dlgOkCancel(
     'The project modifications are not saved, continue ?')
       = mrCancel then exit;
   openProj(TMenuItem(Sender).Hint);
@@ -1767,17 +1785,17 @@ end;
 
 procedure TCEMainForm.actProjNewExecute(Sender: TObject);
 begin
-  if fProject <> nil then if fProject.modified then if dlgOkCancel(
+  if fProjectInterface <> nil then if fProjectInterface.getIfModified then if dlgOkCancel(
     'The project modifications are not saved, continue ?')
       = mrCancel then exit;
   closeProj;
-  newProj;
+  newNativeProj;
 end;
 
 procedure TCEMainForm.actProjCloseExecute(Sender: TObject);
 begin
-  if fProject = nil then exit;
-  if fProject.modified then if dlgOkCancel(
+  if fProjectInterface = nil then exit;
+  if fProjectInterface.getIfModified then if dlgOkCancel(
     'The project modifications are not saved, continue ?')
       = mrCancel then exit;
   closeProj;
@@ -1785,8 +1803,8 @@ end;
 
 procedure TCEMainForm.addSource(const aFilename: string);
 begin
-  if fProject.Sources.IndexOf(aFilename) >= 0 then exit;
-  fProject.addSource(aFilename);
+  if fNativeProject.Sources.IndexOf(aFilename) >= 0 then exit;
+  fNativeProject.addSource(aFilename);
 end;
 
 procedure TCEMainForm.actProjSaveAsExecute(Sender: TObject);
@@ -1801,13 +1819,14 @@ end;
 
 procedure TCEMainForm.actProjSaveExecute(Sender: TObject);
 begin
-  if fProject.fileName <> '' then saveProj
+  if fProjectInterface = nil then exit;
+  if fProjectInterface.getFilename <> '' then saveProj
   else actProjSaveAs.Execute;
 end;
 
 procedure TCEMainForm.actProjOpenExecute(Sender: TObject);
 begin
-  if fProject <> nil then if fProject.modified then if dlgOkCancel(
+  if fProjectInterface <> nil then if fProjectInterface.getIfModified then if dlgOkCancel(
     'The project modifications are not saved, continue ?')
       = mrCancel then exit;
   with TOpenDialog.Create(nil) do
@@ -1830,10 +1849,10 @@ end;
 
 procedure TCEMainForm.actProjSourceExecute(Sender: TObject);
 begin
-  if fProject = nil then exit;
-  if not fileExists(fProject.fileName) then exit;
+  if fNativeProject = nil then exit;
+  if not fileExists(fNativeProject.fileName) then exit;
   //
-  openFile(fProject.fileName);
+  openFile(fNativeProject.fileName);
   fDoc.Highlighter := LfmSyn;
 end;
 
@@ -1843,7 +1862,7 @@ var
 begin
   lst := TStringList.Create;
   try
-    fProject.getOpts(lst);
+    fNativeProject.getOpts(lst);
     dlgOkInfo(lst.Text);
   finally
     lst.Free;
diff --git a/src/ce_messages.pas b/src/ce_messages.pas
index d6cfd5af..ce38c083 100644
--- a/src/ce_messages.pas
+++ b/src/ce_messages.pas
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ interface
 uses
   Classes, SysUtils, Forms, Controls, Graphics, Dialogs, ExtCtrls, ComCtrls,
   lcltype, ce_widget, ActnList, Menus, clipbrd, AnchorDocking, TreeFilterEdit,
-  Buttons, math,ce_writableComponent, ce_common, ce_nativeproject, ce_synmemo, GraphType,
+  Buttons, math,ce_writableComponent, ce_common, ce_synmemo, GraphType,
   ce_dlangutils, ce_interfaces, ce_observer, ce_symstring;
 
 type
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ type
     fActCopyMsg: TAction;
     fActSelAll: TAction;
     fMaxMessCnt: Integer;
-    fProj: TCENativeProject;
+    fProj: ICECommonProject;
     fDoc: TCESynMemo;
     fCtxt: TCEAppMessageCtxt;
     fAutoSelect: boolean;
@@ -586,16 +586,13 @@ end;
 {$REGION ICEProjectObserver ----------------------------------------------------}
 procedure TCEMessagesWidget.projNew(aProject: ICECommonProject);
 begin
-  case aProject.getFormat of
-    pfNative: fProj := TCENativeProject(aProject.getProject);
-    pfDub:fProj := nil;
-  end;
+  fProj := aProject;
   filterMessages(fCtxt);
 end;
 
 procedure TCEMessagesWidget.projClosing(aProject: ICECommonProject);
 begin
-  if fProj <> aProject.getProject then
+  if fProj <> aProject then
     exit;
   //
   clearbyData(fProj);
@@ -605,11 +602,8 @@ end;
 
 procedure TCEMessagesWidget.projFocused(aProject: ICECommonProject);
 begin
-  if fProj = aProject.getProject then exit;
-  case aProject.getFormat of
-    pfNative: fProj := TCENativeProject(aProject.getProject);
-    pfDub:fProj := nil;
-  end;
+  if fProj = aProject then exit;
+  fProj := aProject;
   filterMessages(fCtxt);
 end;
 
@@ -795,7 +789,7 @@ begin
       Itm.Visible := true
     else case msgdt^.ctxt of
       amcEdit: itm.Visible := (fDoc  = TCESynMemo(msgdt^.data)) and (aCtxt = amcEdit);
-      amcProj: itm.Visible := (fProj = TCENativeProject(msgdt^.data)) and (aCtxt = amcProj);
+      amcProj: itm.Visible := (fProj = ICECommonProject(msgdt^.data)) and (aCtxt = amcProj);
       amcApp:  itm.Visible := aCtxt = amcApp;
       amcMisc: itm.Visible := aCtxt = amcMisc;
     end;
@@ -927,13 +921,13 @@ begin
         exit(true);
       end;
       // if fname relative to native project path or project filed 'root'
-      absName := expandFilenameEx(symbolExpander.get('<CPR>') + DirectorySeparator, ident);
+      absName := expandFilenameEx(symbolExpander.get('<CPP>') + DirectorySeparator, ident);
       if fileExists(absName) then
       begin
         getMultiDocHandler.openDocument(absName);
         exit(true);
       end;
-      absName := expandFilenameEx(symbolExpander.get('<CPP>') + DirectorySeparator, ident);
+      absName := expandFilenameEx(symbolExpander.get('<CPR>') + DirectorySeparator, ident);
       if fileExists(absName) then
       begin
         getMultiDocHandler.openDocument(absName);
diff --git a/src/ce_nativeproject.pas b/src/ce_nativeproject.pas
index 88eb4aad..b290d179 100644
--- a/src/ce_nativeproject.pas
+++ b/src/ce_nativeproject.pas
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ type
     fRootFolder: string;
     fBasePath: string;
     fLibAliases: TStringList;
-    fOptsColl: TCollection;
+    fConfigs: TCollection;
     fSrcs, fSrcsCop: TStringList;
     fConfIx: Integer;
     fUpdateCount: NativeInt;
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ type
       var PropName: string; IsPath: Boolean; var Handled, Skip: Boolean); override;
   published
     property RootFolder: string read fRootFolder write setRoot;
-    property OptionsCollection: TCollection read fOptsColl write setOptsColl;
+    property OptionsCollection: TCollection read fConfigs write setOptsColl;
     property Sources: TStringList read fSrcs write setSrcs; // 'read' should return a copy to avoid abs/rel errors
     property ConfigurationIndex: Integer read fConfIx write setConfIx;
     property LibraryAliases: TStringList read fLibAliases write setLibAliases;
@@ -81,14 +81,20 @@ type
     function addConfiguration: TCompilerConfiguration;
     procedure getOpts(const aList: TStrings);
     function runProject(const runArgs: string = ''): Boolean;
-    function compileProject: Boolean;
+    function compile: Boolean;
+    //
+    function getIfModified: boolean;
+    function getOutputFilename: string;
+    function getConfigurationCount: integer;
+    procedure setActiveConfiguration(index: integer);
+    function getConfigurationName(index: integer): string;
+    function getFilename: string;
     //
     property configuration[ix: integer]: TCompilerConfiguration read getConfig;
     property currentConfiguration: TCompilerConfiguration read getCurrConf;
     property onChange: TNotifyEvent read fOnChange write fOnChange;
     property modified: Boolean read fModified;
     property canBeRun: Boolean read fCanBeRun;
-    property outputFilename: string read fOutputFilename;
   end;
 
   // native project have no ext constraint, this function tells if filename is project
@@ -109,7 +115,7 @@ begin
   fSrcs := TStringList.Create;
   fSrcs.OnChange := @subMemberChanged;
   fSrcsCop := TStringList.Create;
-  fOptsColl := TCollection.create(TCompilerConfiguration);
+  fConfigs := TCollection.create(TCompilerConfiguration);
   //
   reset;
   addDefaults;
@@ -132,7 +138,7 @@ begin
   fLibAliases.Free;
   fSrcs.free;
   fSrcsCop.Free;
-  fOptsColl.free;
+  fConfigs.free;
   killProcess(fRunner);
   inherited;
 end;
@@ -149,7 +155,7 @@ end;
 
 function TCENativeProject.addConfiguration: TCompilerConfiguration;
 begin
-  result := TCompilerConfiguration(fOptsColl.Add);
+  result := TCompilerConfiguration(fConfigs.Add);
   result.onChanged := @subMemberChanged;
 end;
 
@@ -157,8 +163,8 @@ procedure TCENativeProject.setOptsColl(const aValue: TCollection);
 var
   i: nativeInt;
 begin
-  fOptsColl.Assign(aValue);
-  for i:= 0 to fOptsColl.Count-1 do
+  fConfigs.Assign(aValue);
+  for i:= 0 to fConfigs.Count-1 do
     Configuration[i].onChanged := @subMemberChanged;
 end;
 
@@ -226,7 +232,7 @@ procedure TCENativeProject.setConfIx(aValue: Integer);
 begin
   beginUpdate;
   if aValue < 0 then aValue := 0;
-  if aValue > fOptsColl.Count-1 then aValue := fOptsColl.Count-1;
+  if aValue > fConfigs.Count-1 then aValue := fConfigs.Count-1;
   fConfIx := aValue;
   endUpdate;
 end;
@@ -282,31 +288,31 @@ end;
 
 function TCENativeProject.getConfig(const ix: integer): TCompilerConfiguration;
 begin
-  result := TCompilerConfiguration(fOptsColl.Items[ix]);
+  result := TCompilerConfiguration(fConfigs.Items[ix]);
   result.onChanged := @subMemberChanged;
 end;
 
 function TCENativeProject.getCurrConf: TCompilerConfiguration;
 begin
-  result := TCompilerConfiguration(fOptsColl.Items[fConfIx]);
+  result := TCompilerConfiguration(fConfigs.Items[fConfIx]);
 end;
 
 procedure TCENativeProject.addDefaults;
 begin
-  with TCompilerConfiguration(fOptsColl.Add) do
+  with TCompilerConfiguration(fConfigs.Add) do
   begin
     Name := 'debug';
     debugingOptions.debug := true;
     debugingOptions.codeviewCformat := true;
     outputOptions.boundsCheck := onAlways;
   end;
-  with TCompilerConfiguration(fOptsColl.Add) do
+  with TCompilerConfiguration(fConfigs.Add) do
   begin
     Name := 'unittest';
     outputOptions.unittest := true;
     outputOptions.boundsCheck := onAlways;
   end;
-  with TCompilerConfiguration(fOptsColl.Add) do
+  with TCompilerConfiguration(fConfigs.Add) do
   begin
     Name := 'release';
     outputOptions.release := true;
@@ -322,7 +328,7 @@ var
 begin
   beginUpdate;
   fConfIx := 0;
-  fOptsColl.Clear;
+  fConfigs.Clear;
   defConf := addConfiguration;
   defConf.name := 'default';
   fSrcs.Clear;
@@ -635,7 +641,7 @@ begin
   end;
 end;
 
-function TCENativeProject.compileProject: Boolean;
+function TCENativeProject.compile: Boolean;
 var
   config: TCompilerConfiguration;
   compilproc: TProcess;
@@ -649,7 +655,7 @@ begin
   if config = nil then
   begin
     msgs.message('unexpected project error: no active configuration',
-      Self, amcProj, amkErr);
+      self as ICECommonProject, amcProj, amkErr);
     exit;
   end;
   //
@@ -658,7 +664,7 @@ begin
   //
   if not runPrePostProcess(config.preBuildProcess) then
     msgs.message('project warning: the pre-compilation process has not been properly executed',
-      Self, amcProj, amkWarn);
+      self as ICECommonProject, amcProj, amkWarn);
   //
   if (Sources.Count = 0) and (config.pathsOptions.extraSources.Count = 0) then
     exit;
@@ -668,7 +674,7 @@ begin
   olddir := '';
   getDir(0, olddir);
   try
-    msgs.message('compiling ' + prjname, Self, amcProj, amkInf);
+    msgs.message('compiling ' + prjname, self as ICECommonProject, amcProj, amkInf);
     prjpath := extractFilePath(fileName);
     if directoryExists(prjpath) then
     begin
@@ -683,14 +689,14 @@ begin
     while compilProc.Running do
       compProcOutput(compilproc);
     if compilproc.ExitStatus = 0 then begin
-      msgs.message(prjname + ' has been successfully compiled', Self, amcProj, amkInf);
+      msgs.message(prjname + ' has been successfully compiled', self as ICECommonProject, amcProj, amkInf);
       result := true;
     end else
-      msgs.message(prjname + ' has not been compiled', Self, amcProj, amkWarn);
+      msgs.message(prjname + ' has not been compiled', self as ICECommonProject, amcProj, amkWarn);
 
     if not runPrePostProcess(config.PostBuildProcess) then
       msgs.message( 'project warning: the post-compilation process has not been properly executed',
-        Self, amcProj, amkWarn);
+        self as ICECommonProject, amcProj, amkWarn);
 
   finally
     updateOutFilename;
@@ -722,14 +728,14 @@ begin
     until prm = '';
   end;
   //
-  if not fileExists(outputFilename) then
+  if not fileExists(getOutputFilename) then
   begin
-    getMessageDisplay.message('output executable missing: ' + shortenPath(outputFilename, 25),
-      Self, amcProj, amkErr);
+    getMessageDisplay.message('output executable missing: ' + shortenPath(getOutputFilename, 25),
+      self as ICECommonProject, amcProj, amkErr);
     exit;
   end;
   //
-  fRunner.Executable := outputFilename;
+  fRunner.Executable := getOutputFilename;
   if fRunner.CurrentDirectory = '' then
     fRunner.CurrentDirectory := extractFilePath(fRunner.Executable);
   if poUsePipes in fRunner.Options then begin
@@ -757,7 +763,7 @@ begin
     else
       processOutputToStrings(TProcess(sender), lst);
     for str in lst do
-      msgs.message(str, Self, amcProj, amkBub);
+      msgs.message(str, self as ICECommonProject, amcProj, amkBub);
   finally
     lst.Free;
   end;
@@ -777,12 +783,44 @@ begin
   try
     processOutputToStrings(proc, lst);
     for str in lst do
-      msgs.message(str, Self, amcProj, amkAuto);
+      msgs.message(str, self as ICECommonProject, amcProj, amkAuto);
   finally
     lst.Free;
   end;
 end;
 
+function TCENativeProject.getIfModified: boolean;
+begin
+  exit(fModified);
+end;
+
+function TCENativeProject.getOutputFilename: string;
+begin
+  exit(fOutputFilename);
+end;
+
+function TCENativeProject.getConfigurationCount: integer;
+begin
+  exit(fConfigs.Count);
+end;
+
+procedure TCENativeProject.setActiveConfiguration(index: integer);
+begin
+  setConfIx(index);
+end;
+
+function TCENativeProject.getConfigurationName(index: integer): string;
+begin
+  if index > fConfigs.Count -1 then index := fConfigs.Count -1;
+  if index < 0 then index := 0;
+  result := getConfig(index).name;
+end;
+
+function TCENativeProject.getFilename: string;
+begin
+  exit(fFilename);
+end;
+
 function isValidNativeProject(const filename: string): boolean;
 var
   maybe: TCENativeProject;
diff --git a/src/ce_symstring.pas b/src/ce_symstring.pas
index 3ca1f4f9..fdd5db73 100644
--- a/src/ce_symstring.pas
+++ b/src/ce_symstring.pas
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ type
   TCESymbolExpander = class(ICEMultiDocObserver, ICEProjectObserver)
   private
     fProj: TCENativeProject;
+    fProjInterface: ICECommonProject;
     fDoc: TCESynMemo;
     fNeedUpdate: boolean;
     fSymbols: array[TCESymbol] of string;
@@ -69,6 +70,7 @@ end;
 {$REGION ICEProjectObserver ----------------------------------------------------}
 procedure TCESymbolExpander.projNew(aProject: ICECommonProject);
 begin
+  fProjInterface := aProject;
   case aProject.getFormat of
     pfNative: fProj := TCENativeProject(aProject.getProject);
     pfDub: fProj := nil;
@@ -78,6 +80,7 @@ end;
 
 procedure TCESymbolExpander.projClosing(aProject: ICECommonProject);
 begin
+  fProjInterface := nil;
   if fProj <> aProject.getProject then
     exit;
   fProj := nil;
@@ -86,6 +89,7 @@ end;
 
 procedure TCESymbolExpander.projFocused(aProject: ICECommonProject);
 begin
+  fProjInterface := aProject;
   case aProject.getFormat of
     pfNative: fProj := TCENativeProject(aProject.getProject);
     pfDub: fProj := nil;
@@ -95,6 +99,7 @@ end;
 
 procedure TCESymbolExpander.projChanged(aProject: ICECommonProject);
 begin
+  fProjInterface := aProject;
   if fProj <> aProject.getProject then
     exit;
   fNeedUpdate := true;
@@ -184,11 +189,11 @@ begin
   begin
     if fileExists(fProj.fileName) then
     begin
-      fSymbols[CPF] := fProj.fileName;
-      fSymbols[CPP] := ExtractFilePath(fProj.fileName);
+      fSymbols[CPF] := fProjInterface.getFilename;
+      fSymbols[CPP] := ExtractFilePath(fProjInterface.getFilename);
       fSymbols[CPR] := fProj.getAbsoluteFilename(fProj.RootFolder);
       fSymbols[CPN] := stripFileExt(extractFileName(fProj.fileName));
-      fSymbols[CPO] := fProj.outputFilename;
+      fSymbols[CPO] := fProj.getOutputFilename;
       if fSymbols[CPR] = '' then
         fSymbols[CPR] := fSymbols[CPP];
     end