Feb 25 2021 03:40 PM
Hello,
I'm new to UWP development and CI/CD pipeline. I'm trying to create MSIX using UWP project.
Below are the scenarios where things work and what I'm looking for.
1. I'm able to generate MSIX package through VS2019 .(Publish->Installed->Wworking)
2. I'm able to generate MSIX package in Azure Build Pipeline using VSBuild@1 task and its arguments.(Installed and Working).
3. Requirement: I'm trying to generate MSIX package in release pipeline through build output(Artifacts) with different env configs. Reason to do that is to generate MSIX to have env specific configurations(dev/qa/prod). As per Azure MSIX packaging tool, I unable to select Project to Build and Manifest File to Update Version .appxmanifest file from build output directory $(Build.ArtifactStagingDirectory. Because it contains only output dlls.
Am I doing this in wrong way? Can you please suggest me the better way to generate MSIX that points to specific env in different stages of release pipeline.
Thank you,
Shub
Feb 25 2021 04:42 PM - edited Feb 25 2021 04:43 PM
Hi @s_salaria ,
How do specify the env specific configurations for your packages? E.g. whether you modify the manifests, or add a flag when compiling, or something else. Knowing that could help us find a way to do what you need.
If you use the MSIXPackaging task, you will want to point either
I know that doesn't answer your question, but hopefully helps to move in the right direction.
Feb 25 2021 10:15 PM
Thank you @Chacon,
Currently I have only one app.config in project and that project is being referenced in UWP project. Further UWP project is generating MSIX based on that. I don't have any idea how we can use different configs through UWP publishing.
As per your suggestion I'm looking for second option. Build pipeline will build that project(without UWP project) and release pipelines uses $(Build.BinariesDirectory) or Build Artifacts to generate MSIX with specific env config. please accept my apology if I'm asking too much OOB or uneven.
Thank you and I really appreciate your response.
Feb 28 2021 12:05 PM
Hi @Chacon,
Just to add on more about env specific config , I'm using multiple app.config files with env text in their names e.g app.dev.config. I have added one propertygroup in project's .csproj file. Attached is the screenshot for your reference.
By using above approach I'm able to create env specific MSIX in build pipeline(e.g Dev or UAT). What I'm not understanding that how I can proceed further to use that MSIX to point QA configs then later to Prod configs in release pipeline.
Mar 01 2021 10:22 AM
Hi @s_salaria,
I believe the app.config file is only copied by the build process to a path similar to <output>.dll.config. In that case, you can have your build pipeline publish the multiple app.config files for each environment, then in the release pipeline copy the appropriate file to the right location before creating the MSIX.
This wouldn't apply if the build process modifies or uses the app.config file in any way (which is not the case AFAIK), because then you would have to set which one to use at build time.
Mar 01 2021 12:34 PM
Hi @Chacon,
Thank you for your response. How I can create MSIX package in release pipeline because task "MSIX build and package" look for .sln which is not present in Artifacts(build output). Artifact contains build output(dlls and config file) or msix package(if I include packaging information in vsbuild arguments).
Is there a way to create MSIX in release pipeline?
Mar 01 2021 02:07 PM
Mar 01 2021 03:12 PM
Thank you,
I'm trying the things in same direction as you suggested. Below are the Artifacts copied by build pipeline.
Below are the settings in release pipeline(Packaging).
but I'm getting below error during packing task
Mar 01 2021 03:25 PM
Are you trying to create an MSIX package or an MSIX bundle? Sorry, I just assumed you wanted a single package before. You can see a bit more about bundles here: Bundling MSIX packages - MSIX | Microsoft Docs
If you are trying to create a single package, you need to un-select the option "Generate MSIX Bundle". If you select that option, the task will expect a directory containing the multiple .msix packages from which it will create an .msixbundle. If you don't select it, it will expect a directory with binaries, assets and an AppxManifest.xml to create an .msix. The error comes from selecting to produce an MSIX bundle, but using a directory with loose files.
Mar 02 2021 07:55 AM - edited Mar 02 2021 07:56 AM
Hi @Chacon,
I've changed all the setting as per your suggestion but still I'm getting error "
Can you take a look in below settings and suggest what I'm doing wrong:
1. Build task(.yml)
2. Output in Artifacts. Shell is the actual .csproj referenced in UWP project
3. Release pipeline task settings
4. Appxmanifest.xml in Artifacts
Mar 02 2021 11:08 AM
SolutionHi @s_salaria
The AppxManifest.xml should be in the root of the directory you are packaging. So you need to either move it to the BRMS_Packaging_MSIX\Shell\ directory or point the task to the BRMS_Packaging_MSIX\ directory. (Which probably means that the task doesn't actually need to ask for the path to the manifest, or that if it does it should be using it even if it's not at the root.)
In your manifest file I noticed that there is a reference to a Shell\*.exe file and several Images\*.png files. These files must exist relative to the input directory, so you will want the directory you pass to the task to look something like this:
\
AppxManifest.xml
Shell\
BRMSv2.exe
...
Images\
StoreLogo.png
...
Mar 22 2021 01:09 PM
Thank you @Chacon for your help. I really appreciate the way you explained everything. Keep up the good work.
Thank you once again.
Mar 02 2021 11:08 AM
SolutionHi @s_salaria
The AppxManifest.xml should be in the root of the directory you are packaging. So you need to either move it to the BRMS_Packaging_MSIX\Shell\ directory or point the task to the BRMS_Packaging_MSIX\ directory. (Which probably means that the task doesn't actually need to ask for the path to the manifest, or that if it does it should be using it even if it's not at the root.)
In your manifest file I noticed that there is a reference to a Shell\*.exe file and several Images\*.png files. These files must exist relative to the input directory, so you will want the directory you pass to the task to look something like this:
\
AppxManifest.xml
Shell\
BRMSv2.exe
...
Images\
StoreLogo.png
...