diff --git a/docs/README.skills.md b/docs/README.skills.md
index 63ddc1e51..0da5f9e53 100644
--- a/docs/README.skills.md
+++ b/docs/README.skills.md
@@ -390,6 +390,7 @@ See [CONTRIBUTING.md](../CONTRIBUTING.md#adding-skills) for guidelines on how to
 | [update-markdown-file-index](../skills/update-markdown-file-index/SKILL.md)<br />`gh skills install github/awesome-copilot update-markdown-file-index` | Update a markdown file section with an index/table of files from a specified folder. | None |
 | [update-specification](../skills/update-specification/SKILL.md)<br />`gh skills install github/awesome-copilot update-specification` | Update an existing specification file for the solution, optimized for Generative AI consumption based on new requirements or updates to any existing code. | None |
 | [vardoger-analyze](../skills/vardoger-analyze/SKILL.md)<br />`gh skills install github/awesome-copilot vardoger-analyze` | Use when the user asks to personalize the GitHub Copilot CLI assistant, adapt Copilot to their style, use vardoger, or analyze their Copilot CLI conversation history. Reads the local session directory at `~/.copilot/session-state/`, extracts recurring preferences and conventions, and writes a fenced personalization block into `~/.copilot/copilot-instructions.md`. Runs entirely on the user's machine via the local `vardoger` CLI (`pipx install vardoger`); no network calls and no uploads. Triggers: 'personalize my copilot', 'analyze my copilot history', 'tailor copilot to me', 'run vardoger', 'update my copilot instructions from history', 'make copilot learn my style'. | None |
+| [vcpkg](../skills/vcpkg/SKILL.md)<br />`gh skills install github/awesome-copilot vcpkg` | Guide for setting up vcpkg in C++ projects, managing dependency versions, and cross-compiling. Covers manifest initialization, CMake and Visual Studio integration, classic-to-manifest migration, version pinning, baselines, overrides, triplets, and cross-compilation. Use when a user is working with vcpkg project setup, installation, version management, or cross-platform builds. For specialized tasks, additional references cover custom registries and overlay ports (references/registries.md), CI/CD and binary caching (references/ci.md), and troubleshooting and dependency lifecycle (references/troubleshooting.md). | `references/ci.md`<br />`references/registries.md`<br />`references/troubleshooting.md` |
 | [vscode-ext-commands](../skills/vscode-ext-commands/SKILL.md)<br />`gh skills install github/awesome-copilot vscode-ext-commands` | Guidelines for contributing commands in VS Code extensions. Indicates naming convention, visibility, localization and other relevant attributes, following VS Code extension development guidelines, libraries and good practices | None |
 | [vscode-ext-localization](../skills/vscode-ext-localization/SKILL.md)<br />`gh skills install github/awesome-copilot vscode-ext-localization` | Guidelines for proper localization of VS Code extensions, following VS Code extension development guidelines, libraries and good practices | None |
 | [web-design-reviewer](../skills/web-design-reviewer/SKILL.md)<br />`gh skills install github/awesome-copilot web-design-reviewer` | This skill enables visual inspection of websites running locally or remotely to identify and fix design issues. Triggers on requests like "review website design", "check the UI", "fix the layout", "find design problems". Detects issues with responsive design, accessibility, visual consistency, and layout breakage, then performs fixes at the source code level. | `references/framework-fixes.md`<br />`references/visual-checklist.md` |
diff --git a/skills/vcpkg/SKILL.md b/skills/vcpkg/SKILL.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..cb8a45035
--- /dev/null
+++ b/skills/vcpkg/SKILL.md
@@ -0,0 +1,251 @@
+---
+name: vcpkg
+description: 'Guide for setting up vcpkg in C++ projects, managing dependency versions, and cross-compiling. Covers manifest initialization, CMake and Visual Studio integration, classic-to-manifest migration, version pinning, baselines, overrides, triplets, and cross-compilation. Use when a user is working with vcpkg project setup, installation, version management, or cross-platform builds. For specialized tasks, additional references cover custom registries and overlay ports (references/registries.md), CI/CD and binary caching (references/ci.md), and troubleshooting and dependency lifecycle (references/troubleshooting.md).'
+---
+
+You are a vcpkg expert assistant. When a user asks about vcpkg (Microsoft's C/C++ package manager), use the precise information below to give accurate, complete answers.
+
+## Additional References (load on demand)
+
+The information below covers core vcpkg setup, installation, version management, and cross-platform builds. For specialized tasks, consult the following reference files (read them only when the user's request calls for that topic):
+
+- **`references/registries.md`** — Custom/private registries, overlay ports, private package feeds, `vcpkg-configuration.json`, and default features. Read this when the user asks about custom registries, overlay ports, or private package sources.
+- **`references/ci.md`** — CI/CD integration: binary caching (Azure Blob, GitHub Packages/NuGet, local), SBOM generation, automating dependency updates, and multi-triplet CI matrices. Read this when the user asks about GitHub Actions, Azure DevOps, binary caches, or CI optimization.
+- **`references/troubleshooting.md`** — Reading build logs, resolving package-not-found errors, and the dependency lifecycle (removing, changing features, replacing libraries, cleaning the cache). Read this when the user encounters vcpkg errors, build failures, or configuration problems.
+
+## Important Behavioral Rules
+
+### Classic vs. Manifest Mode
+
+If it is not clear from the user's project context whether they are using **classic mode** (global `vcpkg install` commands) or **manifest mode** (per-project `vcpkg.json`), **ask the user which mode they are using** before providing instructions. Do not assume one or the other.
+
+If the user is unsure which to choose, **recommend manifest mode**. Manifest mode is the preferred modern workflow because it:
+- Tracks dependencies per-project (not globally)
+- Supports version constraints and overrides
+- Enables reproducible builds via `builtin-baseline`
+- Works seamlessly with CI/CD (dependencies restore automatically)
+- Supports features like dev-only dependencies, overlay ports, and custom registries
+
+Classic mode is simpler for quick one-off installs but lacks version pinning, per-project isolation, and reproducibility.
+
+### Visual Studio Environment
+
+If the user is working inside **Visual Studio** (not VS Code), then:
+- If the user is in **manifest mode**, prefer the in-box copy of vcpkg that ships with Visual Studio rather than a standalone clone.
+- If the user is in **classic mode**, use a standalone vcpkg installation instead.
+- The VS-bundled copy lives under the Visual Studio installation directory (e.g., `C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio\<version>\<edition>\VC\vcpkg\`) and supports user-wide MSBuild integration after running `vcpkg integrate install` once.
+
+If the user has a standalone vcpkg installation and prefers to use that instead, respect their preference.
+
+### Shell Environment Variable Syntax
+
+When examples require environment variables, use shell-appropriate syntax:
+- PowerShell: `$env:VARIABLE = "value"`
+- Bash/Zsh: `export VARIABLE=value`
+
+---
+
+## Project Setup
+
+### Initializing vcpkg in a New Project (Manifest Mode)
+
+Example setup using fmt:
+
+1. Create `vcpkg.json` in your project root:
+```json
+{
+  "name": "my-project",
+  "version": "1.0.0",
+  "dependencies": ["fmt"]
+}
+```
+
+2. Wire into CMakeLists.txt:
+```cmake
+cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 3.21)
+project(my-project)
+
+add_executable(my-app main.cpp)
+find_package(fmt CONFIG REQUIRED)
+target_link_libraries(my-app PRIVATE fmt::fmt)
+```
+
+3. Configure with vcpkg toolchain:
+```console
+cmake -B build -DCMAKE_TOOLCHAIN_FILE=<vcpkg-root>/scripts/buildsystems/vcpkg.cmake
+```
+
+### Adding vcpkg to an Existing Visual Studio Solution
+
+1. Run `vcpkg integrate install` (one-time, user-wide)
+2. Create `vcpkg.json` in the solution directory
+3. In VS, the integration is automatic via MSBuild props — no project file edits needed
+4. Or per-project: add to `.vcxproj`:
+   - In the project file's top-level `PropertyGroup`, define `VcpkgRoot`:
+   ```xml
+   <PropertyGroup>
+     <VcpkgRoot>C:\vcpkg</VcpkgRoot>
+   </PropertyGroup>
+   ```
+   - Import `vcpkg.props` near the top of the project file:
+   ```xml
+   <Import Project="$(VcpkgRoot)\scripts\buildsystems\msbuild\vcpkg.props" />
+   ```
+   - Import `vcpkg.targets` near the end of the project file:
+   ```xml
+   <Import Project="$(VcpkgRoot)\scripts\buildsystems\msbuild\vcpkg.targets" />
+   ```
+
+### Classic-to-Manifest Migration
+
+1. List what's currently installed with `vcpkg list`, then identify which packages the project uses directly (the output also includes transitive packages)
+2. Create `vcpkg.json` with only those direct dependencies
+3. Run `vcpkg install` in your project directory — manifest mode uses its own project-specific `vcpkg_installed` tree, so leave the classic-mode installed tree in place during migration
+4. Update your build system to use `CMAKE_TOOLCHAIN_FILE` if not already
+5. Optional: remove classic-mode packages later by name with `vcpkg remove <package> --recurse` if you no longer need them
+
+---
+
+## Installing Dependencies
+
+### Installing with Features (e.g., curl with SSL + HTTP2)
+
+In **manifest mode** (`vcpkg.json`), specify features in the dependencies array:
+```json
+{
+  "dependencies": [
+    {
+      "name": "curl",
+      "features": ["ssl", "http2"]
+    }
+  ]
+}
+```
+
+In **classic mode**, use bracket syntax on the command line:
+```console
+vcpkg install curl[ssl,http2]
+```
+
+To discover available features for any port:
+```console
+vcpkg search curl
+```
+Or check the port's `vcpkg.json` in the registry: `ports/curl/vcpkg.json` → look at the `"features"` object.
+
+### Installing for a Specific Triplet
+
+```console
+vcpkg install zlib:x64-linux
+vcpkg install zlib:x64-windows
+vcpkg install zlib:arm64-windows
+```
+
+In manifest mode, set the triplet via CMake:
+```console
+cmake -B build -DVCPKG_TARGET_TRIPLET=x64-linux -DCMAKE_TOOLCHAIN_FILE=<vcpkg-root>/scripts/buildsystems/vcpkg.cmake
+```
+
+Or set the default triplet via environment variable (using the shell syntax above): `VCPKG_DEFAULT_TRIPLET=x64-linux`.
+
+### Bulk-Adding Multiple Dependencies
+
+In `vcpkg.json`, list them in the dependencies array:
+```json
+{
+  "dependencies": ["catch2", "cxxopts", "toml11"]
+}
+```
+
+In classic mode:
+```console
+vcpkg install catch2 cxxopts toml11
+```
+
+Then run `vcpkg install` (manifest mode) or the above command to install all at once.
+
+### Dev-Only Dependencies
+
+Place test-only dependencies under an opt-in feature. The `"host"` field is reserved for build tools that must run on the host architecture:
+```json
+{
+  "dependencies": ["fmt"],
+  "features": {
+    "tests": {
+      "dependencies": ["gtest"]
+    }
+  }
+}
+```
+
+Activate with: `vcpkg install --x-feature=tests` or in CMake: `-DVCPKG_MANIFEST_FEATURES=tests`
+
+---
+
+## Version Management
+
+### Setting Versions for Individual Dependencies
+
+Prefer `"version>="` for minimum-version constraints:
+```json
+{
+  "dependencies": [{ "name": "fmt", "version>=": "10.2.0" }],
+  "builtin-baseline": "<commit-sha>"
+}
+```
+
+Use `overrides` only when a hard pin is required:
+```json
+{
+  "dependencies": ["fmt"],
+  "overrides": [{ "name": "fmt", "version": "10.2.0" }],
+  "builtin-baseline": "<commit-sha>"
+}
+```
+
+Use a baseline for the registry that resolves the dependency. For the builtin registry, that means `builtin-baseline` in `vcpkg.json`. For a custom default registry, set the baseline in `vcpkg-configuration.json`.
+
+**Key points:**
+- `overrides` take precedence over all version constraints, including transitive ones.
+- The selected registry must have a baseline; `builtin-baseline` is only for the builtin registry.
+- Overrides can pin versions older than the baseline if that version exists in the selected registry's version database.
+- Inspect the selected registry's version database to see available versions (for the builtin registry, open `versions/<first-letter>-/<port>.json` in the vcpkg repository).
+
+---
+
+## Cross-Platform
+
+### Cross-Compiling for arm64
+
+```console
+vcpkg install <packages>:arm64-linux
+```
+
+Or set the triplet in CMake:
+```console
+cmake -B build -DVCPKG_TARGET_TRIPLET=arm64-linux -DCMAKE_TOOLCHAIN_FILE=<vcpkg-root>/scripts/buildsystems/vcpkg.cmake
+```
+
+You may need a cross-compilation toolchain installed (e.g., `aarch64-linux-gnu-gcc`).
+
+For **arm64-windows**, native ARM64 Windows hosts can use the triplet directly. On x64 Windows hosts, install the Visual Studio MSVC ARM64 build tools component or the build will fail:
+```console
+vcpkg install <packages>:arm64-windows
+```
+
+### Building for Android (NDK)
+
+1. Set `ANDROID_NDK_HOME` to your NDK path.
+2. Install packages:
+```console
+vcpkg install <packages>:arm64-android
+```
+
+Available Android triplets: `arm-neon-android`, `arm64-android`, `x86-android`, `x64-android`
+
+3. In CMake, use the vcpkg toolchain and set the triplet:
+```console
+cmake -B build -DCMAKE_TOOLCHAIN_FILE=<vcpkg-root>/scripts/buildsystems/vcpkg.cmake -DVCPKG_TARGET_TRIPLET=arm64-android
+```
+
+For expanded CI and shell-specific examples, see `references/ci.md`.
diff --git a/skills/vcpkg/references/ci.md b/skills/vcpkg/references/ci.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..b997c44cf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/skills/vcpkg/references/ci.md
@@ -0,0 +1,126 @@
+# vcpkg: CI/CD & DevOps
+
+Reference for the `vcpkg` skill. Use this when a user asks about using vcpkg in CI/CD pipelines, configuring binary caching, setting up devcontainers, generating SBOMs, or automating dependency updates (GitHub Actions, Azure DevOps, binary cache configuration, CI optimization).
+
+## Binary Caching
+
+Configure binary caching to avoid rebuilding packages:
+
+**Azure Blob Storage:**
+```powershell
+$env:VCPKG_BINARY_SOURCES = "clear;x-azblob,https://myaccount.blob.core.windows.net/vcpkg-cache,$env:AZURE_STORAGE_SAS_TOKEN,readwrite"
+```
+```bash
+export VCPKG_BINARY_SOURCES="clear;x-azblob,https://myaccount.blob.core.windows.net/vcpkg-cache,$AZURE_STORAGE_SAS_TOKEN,readwrite"
+```
+
+**GitHub Packages (NuGet):**
+```powershell
+$env:VCPKG_BINARY_SOURCES = "clear;nuget,https://nuget.pkg.github.com/your-org/index.json,readwrite"
+```
+```bash
+export VCPKG_BINARY_SOURCES="clear;nuget,https://nuget.pkg.github.com/your-org/index.json,readwrite"
+```
+For GitHub Packages, also configure NuGet authentication (for example via `GITHUB_TOKEN` in CI or a PAT/credential provider for local development). In GitHub Actions, grant `permissions: packages: write` for cache writers (or `packages: read` for read-only restores). Keep credentials in secrets and user/machine NuGet config, not in checked-in files.
+
+**CI-friendly (cross-platform) GitHub Actions pattern:**
+```yaml
+permissions:
+  contents: read
+  packages: write
+
+env:
+  VCPKG_BINARY_SOURCES: clear;nuget,https://nuget.pkg.github.com/your-org/index.json,readwrite
+```
+Use repository/org secrets for NuGet auth rather than storing credentials in the repository.
+
+**Local filesystem:**
+```powershell
+$env:VCPKG_BINARY_SOURCES = "clear;files,C:\vcpkg-cache,readwrite"
+```
+```bash
+export VCPKG_BINARY_SOURCES="clear;files,/var/tmp/vcpkg-cache,readwrite"
+```
+
+**Sharing between CI and local dev:** Use the same remote cache source in both environments and switch only the final mode token: CI uses `readwrite`, developers use `read`.
+
+---
+
+## Generating an SBOM (Software Bill of Materials)
+
+vcpkg emits per-port SPDX SBOM files during normal source builds; no special SBOM flag is required.
+```console
+vcpkg install
+```
+
+Each installed port writes:
+```text
+<installed-root>/<triplet>/share/<port>/vcpkg.spdx.json
+```
+
+`<installed-root>` depends on integration mode:
+- CLI manifest mode: `<manifest-root>/vcpkg_installed`
+- CMake integration (default): `${CMAKE_BINARY_DIR}/vcpkg_installed` (or `VCPKG_INSTALLED_DIR` if overridden)
+- MSBuild integration (default): `$(VcpkgManifestRoot)\vcpkg_installed` (or `$(VcpkgInstalledDir)` if overridden)
+
+If you need a single consolidated SBOM, enumerate installed ports (for example with `vcpkg x-package-info --x-installed`) and merge/transform the per-port SPDX files in your SBOM pipeline.
+
+---
+
+## Automating Dependency Updates
+
+Option 1: **Dependabot** (GitHub) — configure `.github/dependabot.yml`:
+```yaml
+version: 2
+updates:
+  - package-ecosystem: "vcpkg"
+    directory: "/"
+    schedule:
+      interval: "weekly"
+```
+
+Option 2: **Script-based** — create a scheduled CI job that:
+1. Updates the vcpkg clone (`git pull`)
+2. Gets the new baseline (`git rev-parse HEAD`)
+3. Updates `builtin-baseline` in `vcpkg.json`
+4. Runs `vcpkg install` to verify
+5. Opens a PR with the changes
+
+---
+
+## Multi-Triplet CI Testing
+
+Test across multiple triplets in a CI matrix:
+```yaml
+# GitHub Actions example
+runs-on: ${{ matrix.os }}
+strategy:
+  matrix:
+    triplet: [x64-windows, x64-linux, x64-osx]
+    include:
+      - triplet: x64-windows
+        os: windows-latest
+      - triplet: x64-linux
+        os: ubuntu-latest
+      - triplet: x64-osx
+        os: macos-latest
+
+steps:
+  - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+  - name: Clone vcpkg
+    run: git clone https://github.com/microsoft/vcpkg
+  - name: Bootstrap vcpkg (Windows)
+    if: runner.os == 'Windows'
+    shell: pwsh
+    run: .\vcpkg\bootstrap-vcpkg.bat
+  - name: Bootstrap vcpkg (Linux/macOS)
+    if: runner.os != 'Windows'
+    run: ./vcpkg/bootstrap-vcpkg.sh
+  - name: Install dependencies (Windows)
+    if: runner.os == 'Windows'
+    shell: pwsh
+    run: .\vcpkg\vcpkg.exe install --triplet ${{ matrix.triplet }}
+  - name: Install dependencies (Linux/macOS)
+    if: runner.os != 'Windows'
+    run: ./vcpkg/vcpkg install --triplet ${{ matrix.triplet }}
+```
diff --git a/skills/vcpkg/references/registries.md b/skills/vcpkg/references/registries.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..180eda6b3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/skills/vcpkg/references/registries.md
@@ -0,0 +1,140 @@
+# vcpkg: Custom Registries & Overlay Ports
+
+Reference for the `vcpkg` skill. Use this when a user asks about creating or configuring custom registries, creating overlay ports, using private package feeds, or configuring `vcpkg-configuration.json` registries.
+
+## Private / Custom Registry Install
+
+1. Create `vcpkg-configuration.json` alongside your `vcpkg.json`:
+```json
+{
+  "registries": [
+    {
+      "kind": "git",
+      "repository": "https://github.com/your-org/vcpkg-registry",
+      "baseline": "<commit-sha>",
+      "packages": ["company-utils", "internal-lib"]
+    }
+  ],
+  "default-registry": {
+    "kind": "builtin",
+    "baseline": "<commit-sha>"
+  }
+}
+```
+
+2. Then add the dependency normally in `vcpkg.json`:
+```json
+{
+  "dependencies": ["company-utils"]
+}
+```
+
+The `"packages"` array in the registry entry controls which packages are resolved from that registry. Packages not listed fall through to `default-registry`.
+
+---
+
+## Configuring Registries in `vcpkg-configuration.json`
+
+```json
+{
+  "default-registry": {
+    "kind": "builtin",
+    "baseline": "<vcpkg-commit-sha>"
+  },
+  "registries": [
+    {
+      "kind": "git",
+      "repository": "https://github.com/your-org/vcpkg-registry.git",
+      "baseline": "<registry-commit-sha>",
+      "packages": ["your-package-1", "your-package-2"]
+    }
+  ]
+}
+```
+
+Place this file next to `vcpkg.json` in your project root.
+
+---
+
+## Creating an Overlay Port
+
+An overlay port overrides or adds a port locally. Directory structure:
+```
+my-overlays/
+  telemetry-sdk/
+    portfile.cmake
+    vcpkg.json
+```
+
+**`vcpkg.json`** (port metadata):
+```json
+{
+  "name": "telemetry-sdk",
+  "version": "1.0.0",
+  "description": "Internal telemetry SDK",
+  "dependencies": [
+    "curl",
+    "nlohmann-json",
+    { "name": "vcpkg-cmake", "host": true },
+    { "name": "vcpkg-cmake-config", "host": true }
+  ]
+}
+```
+
+**`portfile.cmake`** (build instructions):
+```cmake
+vcpkg_from_github(
+    OUT_SOURCE_PATH SOURCE_PATH
+    REPO your-org/telemetry-sdk
+    REF v1.0.0
+    SHA512 <hash>
+)
+
+vcpkg_cmake_configure(SOURCE_PATH "${SOURCE_PATH}")
+vcpkg_cmake_install()
+vcpkg_cmake_config_fixup()
+
+file(REMOVE_RECURSE "${CURRENT_PACKAGES_DIR}/debug/include")
+vcpkg_install_copyright(FILE_LIST "${SOURCE_PATH}/LICENSE")
+```
+
+Classic mode: `vcpkg install telemetry-sdk --overlay-ports=./my-overlays`
+
+Manifest mode: add `telemetry-sdk` to `vcpkg.json`, then run `vcpkg install --overlay-ports=./my-overlays`.
+Or in `vcpkg-configuration.json`:
+```json
+{
+  "overlay-ports": ["./my-overlays"]
+}
+```
+
+---
+
+## Default Features
+
+Control whether a dependency's existing default features are enabled, and request additional features in a project manifest:
+```json
+{
+  "dependencies": [
+    {
+      "name": "curl",
+      "default-features": true,
+      "features": ["ssl", "http2"]
+    }
+  ]
+}
+```
+
+To **disable** default features: `"default-features": false`
+
+In a portfile's `vcpkg.json`, default features are listed under:
+```json
+{
+  "name": "curl",
+  "default-features": ["ssl", "http2"],
+  "features": {
+    "ssl": { "description": "SSL/TLS support" },
+    "http2": { "description": "HTTP/2 support" }
+  }
+}
+```
diff --git a/skills/vcpkg/references/troubleshooting.md b/skills/vcpkg/references/troubleshooting.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..a8a531add
--- /dev/null
+++ b/skills/vcpkg/references/troubleshooting.md
@@ -0,0 +1,101 @@
+# vcpkg: Troubleshooting & Dependency Lifecycle
+
+Reference for the `vcpkg` skill. Use this when a user encounters vcpkg build failures, package-not-found errors, needs to read build logs, or manages the dependency lifecycle (removing, changing features, replacing libraries, cleaning the cache).
+
+## Reading vcpkg Build Logs
+
+Build logs are stored at:
+```
+<vcpkg-root>/buildtrees/<port-name>/
+```
+
+Key log files:
+- `config-<triplet>-out.log` — CMake configure output
+- `build-<triplet>-<dbg|rel>-<out|err>.log` — common build logs
+- `install-<triplet>-<dbg|rel>-<out|err>.log` — common install logs
+
+Exact names vary by port and build helper; use the path vcpkg prints for the failing command.
+
+When a build fails, vcpkg prints the path to the relevant log. Start with the `-err.log` file for the failing step.
+
+---
+
+## Resolving package-not-found After Install
+
+If CMake says `Could not find a package configuration file provided by "X"`:
+
+1. **Check toolchain file** — ensure `-DCMAKE_TOOLCHAIN_FILE=<vcpkg-root>/scripts/buildsystems/vcpkg.cmake` is set
+2. **Check triplet match** — the installed triplet must match your build architecture
+3. **Check package name** — vcpkg port names may differ from CMake package names (e.g., port `nlohmann-json` → `find_package(nlohmann_json)`)
+4. **Check installed list** — run `vcpkg list` to confirm the package is actually installed
+5. **Clear CMake cache** — delete `CMakeCache.txt` and reconfigure
+
+---
+
+## Dependency Lifecycle
+
+### Removing a Library
+
+1. Remove it from `vcpkg.json` → `"dependencies"` array
+2. Run `vcpkg install` to reconcile (manifest mode auto-removes unused packages)
+
+In classic mode:
+```console
+vcpkg remove boost-regex
+vcpkg remove boost-regex --recurse  # also removes dependents
+```
+
+### Changing Features on an Installed Library
+
+Update the features in `vcpkg.json`:
+```json
+{
+  "dependencies": [
+    {
+      "name": "curl",
+      "features": ["ssl", "ssh"]
+    }
+  ]
+}
+```
+
+Then run `vcpkg install` — vcpkg will detect the feature change and rebuild.
+
+In classic mode, installing a feature only adds to the already installed feature set; omitted features are not removed. To remove a feature, uninstall `curl` and then reinstall it with the desired features. Account for dependent packages before using `--recurse`, because it removes them too.
+
+### Replacing One Library with Another
+
+1. Remove the old library from `vcpkg.json`
+2. Add the new library to `vcpkg.json`
+3. Run `vcpkg install` to reconcile
+4. Update your source code: change `#include` directives, `find_package()` calls, and `target_link_libraries()` in CMakeLists.txt
+
+### Cleaning the vcpkg Cache
+
+```powershell
+# Remove build trees
+Remove-Item -Recurse -Force <vcpkg-root>\buildtrees
+
+# Remove downloaded archives
+Remove-Item -Recurse -Force <vcpkg-root>\downloads
+
+# Remove installed packages (classic mode only)
+Remove-Item -Recurse -Force <vcpkg-root>\installed
+
+# Remove package build artifacts
+Remove-Item -Recurse -Force <vcpkg-root>\packages
+
+# In CLI manifest mode, remove the manifest-root install directory
+Remove-Item -Recurse -Force .\vcpkg_installed
+
+# With CMake integration, remove <build-directory>\vcpkg_installed (or VCPKG_INSTALLED_DIR)
+```
+
+```bash
+rm -rf <vcpkg-root>/buildtrees
+rm -rf <vcpkg-root>/downloads
+rm -rf <vcpkg-root>/installed
+rm -rf <vcpkg-root>/packages
+# CLI manifest mode; with CMake integration, use <build-directory>/vcpkg_installed (or VCPKG_INSTALLED_DIR)
+rm -rf ./vcpkg_installed
+```