diff --git a/cmake/presets/all_on.cmake b/cmake/presets/all_on.cmake
index a24403c847..57f1228abe 100644
--- a/cmake/presets/all_on.cmake
+++ b/cmake/presets/all_on.cmake
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 # preset that turns on all existing packages. using the combination
-# this preset with the nolib.cmake preset should configure a LAMMPS
-# binary, that can be compiled with just a working C++ compiler.
+# this preset followed by the nolib.cmake preset should configure a
+# LAMMPS binary, with as many packages included, that can be compiled
+# with just a working C++ compiler and an MPI library.
 
 set(ALL_PACKAGES ASPHERE BODY CLASS2 COLLOID COMPRESS CORESHELL DIPOLE GPU
         GRANULAR KIM KOKKOS KSPACE LATTE MANYBODY MC MISC MOLECULE MPIIO
diff --git a/cmake/presets/minimal.cmake b/cmake/presets/minimal.cmake
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..e9ce6d6103
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cmake/presets/minimal.cmake
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+# preset that turns on just a few, frequently used packages
+# this will be compiled quickly and handle a lot of common inputs.
+
+set(ALL_PACKAGES KSPACE MANYBODY MOLECULE RIGID)
+
+foreach(PKG ${ALL_PACKAGES})
+  set(PKG_${PKG} ON CACHE BOOL "" FORCE)
+endforeach()
diff --git a/cmake/presets/most.cmake b/cmake/presets/most.cmake
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..eed4599670
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cmake/presets/most.cmake
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+# preset that turns on a wide range of packages none of which require
+# external libraries. Some more unusual packages are removed as well.
+# The resulting binary should be able to run most inputs.
+
+set(ALL_PACKAGES ASPHERE CLASS2 COLLOID CORESHELL DIPOLE
+        GRANULAR KSPACE MANYBODY MC MISC MOLECULE OPT PERI
+        QEQ REPLICA RIGID SHOCK SRD
+        USER-CGDNA USER-CGSDK USER-COLVARS USER-DIFFRACTION USER-DPD
+        USER-DRUDE USER-FEP USER-MEAMC USER-MESO
+        USER-MISC USER-MOFFF USER-OMP USER-PHONON USER-REAXC
+        USER-SPH USER-UEF USER-YAFF)
+
+foreach(PKG ${ALL_PACKAGES})
+  set(PKG_${PKG} ON CACHE BOOL "" FORCE)
+endforeach()