To use boost_build, it is necessary to set BOOST_ROOT in your environment: sh/bash/ksh: BOOST_ROOT=%%DATADIR%% ; export BOOST_ROOT csh: setenv BOOST_ROOT %%DATADIR%% Note: The default toolchain is gcc. To override this on a system-wide basis, edit this file: %%DATADIR%%/site-config.jam For an example of a per-user settings file which may be copied to your home directory, see: %%DATADIR%%/user-config.jam