# Merge Main To Nightly

> Create a PR to merge main into the nightly branch after a .NET containers release. Use only when specifically asked to "merge main to nightly".

- Skill: `dotnet/merge-main-to-nightly` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add dotnet/merge-main-to-nightly`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/dotnet/merge-main-to-nightly/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: .NET (Microsoft) (https://skillmd.com/u/dotnet)
- Updated: 2026-09-10
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/dotnet/merge-main-to-nightly

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# Workflow: Merge main to nightly

This should be done as soon as possible after a new .NET release (same day).

1. Determine the release name. Run `pwsh eng/Get-ReleaseBranches.ps1` to find the latest release branch. The most recently created branch corresponds to the current release.
2. Fetch changes from the dotnet/dotnet-docker `main` and `nightly` branches.
3. Create a new branch based off of the `nightly` branch, called `merge-main-to-nightly-$releaseName`.
4. Merge main into your working branch with `git merge $remote/main`. If there are conflicts, invoke the `resolving-conflicts` skill.
5. Stop and confirm the changes with the user. Ask them to review the changes and wait for confirmation to proceed.
6. Submit the PR using the [template](./reference/pull-request-template.md).