There is a bug in KDS V 1.1.0. I wanted to create a project that builds a static library (CMSIS DSP in this case). I have done this plenty of times in CW.
Process:
1.) I created a KDS project
2.) I deleted the Startup code
3.) I changed the build artifact to a Static library C/C++ Build->Settings-->BuildArtifact
An error occurs when the archiver is started. I tracked it down and it turns out that system build variable "cross_ar" is not defined by default. Under C/C++ build , build variables I set cross_ar to "ar" and was able to get a project to build.
Ideally there should be a nice wizard for static library projects that have this build variable set.