# Dotnet Build

> Build and test .NET projects using dotnet CLI or MSBuild. Use when the user asks to build, compile, run tests, or debug a .NET, C#, F#, .NET Core, or .NET Framework project, or when working with .sln, .csproj, or .fsproj files. Use when this capability is needed.

- Skill: `tomevault-io/dotnet-build` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tomevault-io/dotnet-build`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tomevault-io/dotnet-build/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools, Productivity
- Author: tomevault-io (https://skillmd.com/u/tomevault-io)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tomevault-io/dotnet-build

---

# Build and test .NET

## When to use
- User asks to "build", "compile", or "rebuild" a `.sln` or `.csproj` project
- User asks to run .NET tests or unit tests
- User mentions "msbuild", "dotnet build", "dotnet test", or "nuget restore"
- User references a `.sln`, `.csproj`, or `.fsproj` file
- User mentions "CI" in context of a .NET solution

## Decision logic
1. Find the `.sln` file the user wants to build
2. Read the `.sln` file to determine the project type:
   - If project GUIDs use `{FAE04EC0-301F-11D3-BF4B-00C04F79EFBC}` (classic C#) and Visual Studio format without SDK-style projects → use **.NET Framework** workflow
   - If projects use SDK-style format (`<Project Sdk="Microsoft.NET.Sdk">`) or target `netcoreapp`/`net5+`/`net6+`/`net7+`/`net8+` → use **.NET Core** workflow
3. Use the appropriate build and test commands below

## .NET Framework
### setup
user defined function to build .NET Framework
```bash
# windows msbuild path
MSBUILD_FW_TOOL_PATH="/mnt/c/Program Files/Microsoft Visual Studio/18/Professional"

# .NET Framework build function: restore nuget from the .nuget project folder then run msbuild from windows
# usage: msbuildfw solution.sln
msbuildfw() {
  local MSBUILD="${MSBUILD_FW_TOOL_PATH}/MSBuild/Current/Bin/amd64/MSBuild.exe"
  local NUGET=".nuget/NuGet.exe"
  local SLN="${1:?usage: msbuildfw solution.sln}"
  "$NUGET" restore -ConfigFile .nuget/NuGet.Config "$SLN" && "$MSBUILD" /t:Clean,Build "$SLN"
}

# .NET Framework test unit runner function to run tests with vstest console host.
# usage: vstestfw assembly.Tests.dll
vstestfw() {
  local ASSEMBLY_PATH="${1:?usage: vstestfw assembly.Tests.dll}"
  local TEST="${MSBUILD_FW_TOOL_PATH}/Common7/IDE/Extensions/TestPlatform/vstest.console.exe"
  "$TEST" /Parallel /collect:"Code Coverage;Format=Cobertura" "${ASSEMBLY_PATH}"
}
```

### build
```bash
msbuildfw solution.sln
```

### test
```bash
vstestfw assembly.Tests.dll
```

## .NET Core
### build

```bash
dotnet.exe build solution.sln
```

### test
```bash
dotnet.exe test solution.sln --filter "Category!=Integration" \
  /p:CollectCoverage=true \
  /p:CoverletOutputFormat=cobertura \
  /p:ExcludeByAttribute="GeneratedCodeAttribute"
```

---
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<!-- tomevault:4.0:skill_md:2026-04-14 -->