kirillosenkov/msbuildstructuredlog

A logger for MSBuild that records a structured representation of executed targets, tasks, property and item values.

MSBuildStructuredLog

A logger for MSBuild that records a structured representation of executed targets, tasks, property and item values. It can greatly simplify build investigations and provides a portable log interchange format (*.binlog) and a rich interactive log viewer app.

Homepage: https://msbuildlog.com

View binlogs in the Browser: https://live.msbuildlog.com

Important: the NuGet package is now being published to https://nuget.org/packages/MSBuild.StructuredLogger (old location: https://nuget.org/packages/Microsoft.Build.Logging.StructuredLogger). Please update to use the new Package Id.

Thanks to SignPath.io for providing a free code signing service and to the SignPath Foundation for a free code signing certificate to sign the installer.

Install:

Install from https://msbuildlog.com.

The app updates automatically via Squirrel (after launch it checks for updates in background), next launch starts the newly downloaded latest version.

Installing the Avalonia version on Mac:

There are a couple of extra steps to get the .app running on macOS since it's currently distributed as an unsigned application:

1. In System Preferences -> Security & Privacy ensure Allow apps downloaded from: is set to App Store and identified developers.
2. Download the StructuredLogViewer-x64.zip (if on Intel Mac) or Structured.Log.Viewer-arm64.zip (if on M1/ARM) from the latest Release.
3. If necessary, unzip the file (Safari does this for you after downloading automatically).
4. Move the StructuredLogViewer.app into your Applications folder.
5. In terminal run: chmod +x StructuredLogViewer.app/Contents/MacOS/StructuredLogViewer.Avalonia to give the app execution permissions
6. In terminal run: codesign -s- --deep StructuredLogViewer.app to work around notarization issues
7. On the first run, right click the app on Finder and select Open. You will be prompted that the app is not signed by a known developer. Click Open.

Building & Running the Avalonia version on Mac:

git clone https://github.com/KirillOsenkov/MSBuildStructuredLog
cd MSBuildStructuredLog
./run.sh

Alternatively, a longer version:

1. dotnet build MSBuildStructuredLog.Avalonia.sln
2. dotnet publish MSBuildStructuredLog.Avalonia.sln --self-contained -o <some_dir> (I used $HOME/tools/artifacts/StructuredLogViewer.Avalonia)
3. make a script $HOME/bin/structured-log-viewer (or whatever's on your PATH):

#! /bin/sh
exec dotnet ${HOME}/tools/artifacts/StructuredLogViewer.Avalonia/publish/StructuredLogViewer.Avalonia.dll "$@"

Requirements:

Windows:

• .NET Framework 4.7.2
• MSBuild 16.0
• Visual Studio 2019

Mac:

• .NET 6 SDK

Usage:

Starting with MSBuild 15.3 you can pass the new /bl switch to msbuild.exe to record a binary build log to msbuild.binlog, in the same folder as the project/solution being built:

or you can build the solution or open an existing log file through the viewer app:

Alternatively (useful for older versions of MSBuild) you can attach the logger to any MSBuild-based build using the logger library: StructuredLogger.dll. It is available in a NuGet package: https://www.nuget.org/packages/MSBuild.StructuredLogger

msbuild solution.sln /t:Rebuild /v:diag /noconlog /logger:BinaryLogger,%localappdata%\MSBuildStructuredLogViewer\app-2.1.596\StructuredLogger.dll;1.binlog

To use a portable version of the logger (e.g. with the dotnet msbuild command) you need a .NET Standard version of StructuredLogger.dll, not the .NET Framework (Desktop) version.

Download this NuGet package: https://www.nuget.org/packages/MSBuild.StructuredLogger/2.1.545 and inside it there's the lib\netstandard2.0\StructuredLogger.dll. Try passing that to dotnet build like this:

dotnet msbuild Some.sln /v:diag /nologo /logger:BinaryLogger,"packages\MSBuild.StructuredLogger.2.1.545\lib\netstandard2.0\StructuredLogger.dll";"C:\Users\SomeUser\Desktop\binarylog.binlog"

Read more about the log formats here: https://github.com/KirillOsenkov/MSBuildStructuredLog/wiki/Log-Format

Features:

• Preprocess project files (with all imports inlined), right-click on a project -> Preprocess
• If a log has embedded files, you can view the list of files, full-text search in all files, and use the Space key (or double-click) on most nodes to view the source code.
• Displays double-writes (when files from different sources are written to the same destination during a build, thus causing non-determinism)
• Displays target dependencies for each target
• Narrow down the search results using the under() or project() clauses to only display results under a certain parent or project.
• Each node in the tree has a context menu. Ctrl+C to copy an item and the entire subtree to Clipboard as text.
• Delete to hide nodes from the tree (to get uninteresting stuff out of the way).
• Open and save log files (option to save log files to .xml)
• Logs can include the source code project files and all imported files used during the build.

Investigating problems with MSBuildStructuredLog

Open an issue if you're running into something weird and I can take a look into it. If MSBuildStructuredLog crashes during the build, it will attempt to write the exception call stack to:

%localappdata%\Microsoft\MSBuildStructuredLog\LoggerExceptions.txt

MSBuild Resources

• https://msbuildlog.com
• https://github.com/dotnet/msbuild/blob/main/documentation/wiki/MSBuild-Resources.md
• https://github.com/dotnet/msbuild/blob/main/documentation/wiki/MSBuild-Tips-&-Tricks.md

msbuildstructuredlog's Issues

StructuredLogViewer fails to load large log files

I have a build which produces 1.5GB log file with StructuredLog logger. When trying to load it to the viewer, I get OutOfMemoryException:

System.OutOfMemoryException: Exception of type 'System.OutOfMemoryException' was thrown. at System.Text.StringBuilder.ToString() at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.FinishPartialValue() at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.get_Value() at System.Xml.Linq.XContainer.ReadContentFrom(XmlReader r) at System.Xml.Linq.XContainer.ReadContentFrom(XmlReader r, LoadOptions o) at System.Xml.Linq.XDocument.Load(XmlReader reader, LoadOptions options) at System.Xml.Linq.XDocument.Load(String uri, LoadOptions options) at Microsoft.Build.Logging.StructuredLogger.XmlLogReader.ReadFromXml(String xmlFilePath, Action1 statusUpdate) in C:\MSBuildStructuredLog\src\StructuredLogger\Serialization\XmlLogReader.cs:line 22

This can be easily fixed by unchecking 'Prefer 32bit' option in StructuredLogViewer project build settings, to allow the 64bit JIT for AnyCPU configuration.

Property reassignment messages clutter up the view

Build a simple project with the /bl option and open its binary log in the structured log viewer. You will mostly see a bunch of "Property Reassignment" messages. For more complex projects (for example, building the .NET CLI repo), there will be an overwhelming amount of these messages, making it hard to browse through the log.

Ideally these messages would be nested under the Properties node of the project where the reassignment occurred. If that's not currently possible, it would at least help to put them all under a single top-level node.

msbuild env variables

Another env variable for your wiki is MSBUILDDISABLENODEREUSE=1 to dispose MSBuild instances after use.
In particular prevents zombie situations with multiple sets of MSBuild processes running.

Ensure hardware acceleration is on

Feature Request: Framework 1.0 - 3.5

I tried this out today to build older version of .Net framework. This seems like a great tool to help with that. Could we select the version of the framework to target and then build?
Nice Work thanks!

Can't start logged build

When following the example in the readme, except for using the path to the DLL that the installer actually used, it fails with this error:

msbuild /logger:StructuredLogger,C:\Users\andarno\AppData\Local\MSBuildStructuredLogViewer\app-1.0.0\StructuredLogger.dll,buildlog1.xml
MSBUILD : error MSB1021: Cannot create an instance of the logger. The given assembly name or codebase was invalid. (Exception from HRESULT: 0x80131047)
Switch: StructuredLogger,C:\Users\andarno\AppData\Local\MSBuildStructuredLogViewer\app-1.0.0\StructuredLogger.dll,buildlog1.xml

Any ideas? The path to the .dll is valid.

Crashes on invalid input file

Application: StructuredLogViewer.exe
Framework Version: v4.0.30319
Description: The process was terminated due to an unhandled exception.
Exception Info: System.IO.InvalidDataException
   at System.IO.Compression.GZipDecoder.ReadHeader(System.IO.Compression.InputBuffer)
   at System.IO.Compression.Inflater.Decode()
   at System.IO.Compression.Inflater.Inflate(Byte[], Int32, Int32)
   at System.IO.Compression.DeflateStream.Read(Byte[], Int32, Int32)
   at System.IO.Stream.ReadByte()
   at System.IO.BinaryReader.ReadByte()
   at System.IO.BinaryReader.Read7BitEncodedInt()
   at Microsoft.Build.Logging.StructuredLogger.TreeBinaryReader..ctor(System.String)
   at Microsoft.Build.Logging.StructuredLogger.BinaryLogReader..ctor(System.String)
   at Microsoft.Build.Logging.StructuredLogger.BinaryLogReader.Read(System.String)
   at System.Threading.Tasks.Task`1[[System.__Canon, mscorlib, Version=4.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b77a5c561934e089]].InnerInvoke()
   at System.Threading.Tasks.Task.Execute()
   at System.Runtime.CompilerServices.TaskAwaiter.ThrowForNonSuccess(System.Threading.Tasks.Task)
   at System.Runtime.CompilerServices.TaskAwaiter.HandleNonSuccessAndDebuggerNotification(System.Threading.Tasks.Task)
   at StructuredLogViewer.MainWindow+<OpenLogFile>d__13.MoveNext()
   at System.Runtime.CompilerServices.AsyncMethodBuilderCore+<>c.<ThrowAsync>b__6_0(System.Object)
   at System.Windows.Threading.ExceptionWrapper.InternalRealCall(System.Delegate, System.Object, Int32)
   at System.Windows.Threading.ExceptionWrapper.TryCatchWhen(System.Object, System.Delegate, System.Object, Int32, System.Delegate)
   at System.Windows.Threading.DispatcherOperation.InvokeImpl()
   at MS.Internal.CulturePreservingExecutionContext.CallbackWrapper(System.Object)
   at System.Threading.ExecutionContext.RunInternal(System.Threading.ExecutionContext, System.Threading.ContextCallback, System.Object, Boolean)
   at System.Threading.ExecutionContext.Run(System.Threading.ExecutionContext, System.Threading.ContextCallback, System.Object, Boolean)
   at System.Threading.ExecutionContext.Run(System.Threading.ExecutionContext, System.Threading.ContextCallback, System.Object)
   at MS.Internal.CulturePreservingExecutionContext.Run(MS.Internal.CulturePreservingExecutionContext, System.Threading.ContextCallback, System.Object)
   at System.Windows.Threading.DispatcherOperation.Invoke()
   at System.Windows.Threading.Dispatcher.ProcessQueue()
   at System.Windows.Threading.Dispatcher.WndProcHook(IntPtr, Int32, IntPtr, IntPtr, Boolean ByRef)
   at MS.Win32.HwndWrapper.WndProc(IntPtr, Int32, IntPtr, IntPtr, Boolean ByRef)
   at MS.Win32.HwndSubclass.DispatcherCallbackOperation(System.Object)
   at System.Windows.Threading.ExceptionWrapper.InternalRealCall(System.Delegate, System.Object, Int32)
   at System.Windows.Threading.ExceptionWrapper.TryCatchWhen(System.Object, System.Delegate, System.Object, Int32, System.Delegate)
   at System.Windows.Threading.Dispatcher.LegacyInvokeImpl(System.Windows.Threading.DispatcherPriority, System.TimeSpan, System.Delegate, System.Object, Int32)
   at MS.Win32.HwndSubclass.SubclassWndProc(IntPtr, Int32, IntPtr, IntPtr)
   at MS.Win32.UnsafeNativeMethods.DispatchMessage(System.Windows.Interop.MSG ByRef)
   at System.Windows.Threading.Dispatcher.PushFrameImpl(System.Windows.Threading.DispatcherFrame)
   at System.Windows.Application.RunDispatcher(System.Object)
   at System.Windows.Application.RunInternal(System.Windows.Window)
   at StructuredLogViewer.Entrypoint.Main(System.String[])

Finding StructuredLogViewer installation path

I'm setting up a few scripts for my team to use StructuredLogViewer and I have added one additional parameter to our build function to use the StructuredLogger.

After the build is complete, I want to launch the log viewer with the log, but I don't know how to find the install location. Is there an easy way for me to do this? I don't want to manually check-in the binaries if possible to make sure that auto updates work properly. Should I just be searching the AppData folder for the most recent version? Is there a way to run the installer and find the install path?

Seems to have troubling building solutions that use different versions of MSBuild

Built Roslyn.sln and then build ProjectSystem.sln from the UI, and get:

C:\Users\davkean\.nuget\packages\Microsoft.VisualStudio.ProjectSystem.SDK.Tools\15.0.183-pre\build\Microsoft.VisualStudio.ProjectSystem.Sdk.Tools.targets(53,5): error MSB4127: The "XamlRuleToCode" task could not be instantiated from the assembly "C:\Users\davkean\.nuget\packages\Microsoft.VisualStudio.ProjectSystem.SDK.Tools\15.0.183-pre\build\Microsoft.VisualStudio.ProjectSystem.Sdk.Tasks.dll". Please verify the task assembly has been built using the same version of the Microsoft.Build.Framework assembly as the one installed on your computer and that your host application is not missing a binding redirect for Microsoft.Build.Framework. Unable to cast object of type 'Microsoft.Build.NonShippingTasks.XamlRuleToCode' to type 'Microsoft.Build.Framework.ITask'. [C:\roslyn-project-system\src\Microsoft.VisualStudio.ProjectSystem.Managed\Microsoft.VisualStudio.ProjectSystem.Managed.csproj]

I'm guessing first MSBuild to load wins?

$task Copy doesn't work

Workaround: $copytask

'Build and View Log' from 'Solution Explorer' context menu

It would be great if I could right click on a solution or project inside the 'Solution Explorer' and 'Build and View Log'. MSBuildStructuredLog could be distributed as a Visual Studio package and always be at my fingertips. 😄

Just launching the application form Visual Studio would be handy, it needn't be anything fancy.

Images for the wiki

Use the comments to easily upload images for the wiki pages.

When there are build errors, it's impossible to see what led to it

Open the attached log, which contains a failed build. I need to diagnose why, but all the UI shows is the error, and none of the actual executions :(

ios.zip

Implement queries such as "display only errors" or "display only properties"

Feature request: verification mode

I'm using MSBuildStructuredLog to weed out a number of errors in the Roslyn build. In particular a series of double write bugs.

Once I'm done I want to lock in these wins and ensure double writes don't come back again in the future. I can do this today by running the structured logger in XML mode and dig through the resulting file for errors. Very doable but requires writing a powershell script or building a small tool for the XML processing.

My request is to have structured logger operate in a verification mode. Essentially allow an extra parameter for an error log file. This log file will only be created if there is an error detected during build. That would allow for easy integration into build scripts:

msbuild/logger:StructuredLogger,StructuredLogger.dll;build.xml;error.xml
if EXIST error.xml (
  REM the build ... it's broken
)

[Feature Request] Add timing information to the tree view

It would be very useful to have timing information in the main tree view, so we can see things like which project took the longest, and how much time was spent building dependent projects

Add support for dotnet msbuild

The dotnet CLI tools enable us to call msbuild via the dotnet msbuild ... command. Currently it's not possible to attach the structured logger to such a msbuild run, it fails with the following error:

dotnet msbuild Some.sln /v:diag /nologo /logger:StructuredLogger,"C:\Users\SomeUser\AppData\Local\MSBuildStructuredLogViewer\app-1.0.130\StructuredLogger.dll";"C:\Users\SomeUser\Desktop\structuredlog.buildlog"
MSBUILD : error MSB1021: Cannot create an instance of the logger. Could not load file or assembly 'System, Version=4.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b77a5c561934e089'. The system cannot find the file specified.

Squirrel Bug

Hi Kirill,

I have the following issue:

Best,
Maher

Implement queries such as "top N longest duration tasks"

Display some sort of perf summary

Silverlight 4 SDK is not installed

I'm using Silverlight 5 and when I use MSBuild Structured Log Viewer I find this issue:
C:\Program Files (x86)\MSBuild\Microsoft\Silverlight\v5.0\Microsoft.Silverlight.Common.targets(104, 9) : Silverlight 4 SDK is not installed. [XXXX.csproj]

Make logger verbosity configurable

Long messages should not be truncated in the lower "details" pane

Long messages are currently truncated with the message "(Ctrl+C to copy full text)". There should be a way to view the full message without having to copy it to an external editor. Probably a good way to do this would be to show the untruncated text word-wrapped in the yellow pane at the bottom.

Build failure:

@AArnott off the top of your head, do you know what's wrong here?

git clean, nuget restore, msbuild, I get this;

CreatePackage:
  C:\Users\Kirill\.nuget\packages\NuProj\0.10.48-beta-gea4a31bbc5\tools\NuGet.e
  xe pack obj\Debug\MSBuildStructuredLogViewer.nuspec -OutputDirectory obj\Debu
  g\ -NoPackageAnalysis -NoDefaultExcludes
C:\Users\Kirill\.nuget\packages\NuProj\0.10.48-beta-gea4a31bbc5\tools\NuProj.ta
rgets(525,5): error : The replacement token 'GitCommitIdShort' has no value. [C
:\MSBuildStructuredLog\src\MSBuildStructuredLogViewer\MSBuildStructuredLogViewe
r.nuproj]

Pass log file to open to log viewer as command line argument

I have a set of scripts to build using the structured logger and I'd like to launch the log viewer and load the log automatically.

Accepting just a file path should be enough. In order to properly support launching the most recent version via Squirrel's update.exe, we'll need to investigate whether or not command line arguments can be pass through to the called app.

NuGet packaging bugs

• You populate the lib\net45 folder but your projects actually target .NET 4.6. This will cause .NET 4.5 projects that install your packages to fail.
• You populate the lib folder with assemblies that you got from other NuGet packages instead of expressing a dependency on their package. This will cause projects to be unable to depend on these other packages and then add yours without errors.

Ctrl+C to copy full text shows up twice under DetailedSummary

MSBuildStructuredLogViewer crash when clicking "Open Log File"

I installed the version 1.0.123 and found it crashes when I click "Open Log File". The file LoggerExceptions.txt is attached. The OS is windows 10 Home, with .NET 4.6.2 installed.

LoggerExceptions.txt

Build Solution fails with System.Xml.XmlException: Unexpected end of file has occurred

Installed MSBuildStructuredLog
Created a new blank console application in VS2015 Update 2
Tried File|Build Solution on this new solution
I get this error.

Error when opening file: C:\Users\rmd\AppData\Local\Temp\MSBuildStructuredLog-21136.xml
System.Xml.XmlException: Unexpected end of file has occurred. The following elements are not closed: Property, Environment, Build. Line 23, position 27.
   at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.Throw(Exception e)
   at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.ThrowUnclosedElements()
   at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.ParseElementContent()
   at Microsoft.Build.Logging.StructuredLogger.XmlLogReader.Read(String filePath) in C:\MSBuildStructuredLog\src\StructuredLogger\Serialization\XmlLogReader.cs:line 40
Build failed.

Tried three other existing projects, same results
Tried running as administrator, same results

I looked in the temp folder, but the referenced .xml file does not exist.

Pressing ENTER on build arguments page should start the build

Support dragging log files onto the viewer to open

Feature request: To be able to change the current culture and MSBuild language

It would be great to be able to change the current culture before excuting MSBuild or to have the ability to change the MSBuild language.

At least it could be set as default to en-US as an option. My machine is in German, my VS is in English but builds run by this tool do get the default German messages on MSBuild log. it is a pain to search using the localized messages on google.

Error while analyzing build: An item with the same key has already been added.

I'm seeing this error in one particular project build:

---------------------------

---------------------------
Error while analyzing build. Very sorry about that. Please Ctrl+C to copy this text and file an issue on https://github.com/KirillOsenkov/MSBuildStructuredLog 

System.ArgumentException: An item with the same key has already been added.

   at System.ThrowHelper.ThrowArgumentException(ExceptionResource resource)

   at System.Collections.Generic.Dictionary`2.Insert(TKey key, TValue value, Boolean add)

   at System.Linq.Enumerable.ToDictionary[TSource,TKey,TElement](IEnumerable`1 source, Func`2 keySelector, Func`2 elementSelector, IEqualityComparer`1 comparer)

   at Microsoft.Build.Logging.StructuredLogger.CopyLocalAnalyzer.AnalyzeResolveAssemblyReference(Task rar)

   at Microsoft.Build.Logging.StructuredLogger.BuildAnalyzer.AnalyzeTask(Task task)

   at Microsoft.Build.Logging.StructuredLogger.TreeNode.VisitAllChildren[T](Action`1 processor, CancellationToken cancellationToken) in C:\MSBuildStructuredLog\src\StructuredLogger\ObjectModel\TreeNode.cs:line 408

   at Microsoft.Build.Logging.StructuredLogger.TreeNode.VisitAllChildren[T](Action`1 processor, CancellationToken cancellationToken) in C:\MSBuildStructuredLog\src\StructuredLogger\ObjectModel\TreeNode.cs:line 420

   at Microsoft.Build.Logging.StructuredLogger.TreeNode.VisitAllChildren[T](Action`1 processor, CancellationToken cancellationToken) in C:\MSBuildStructuredLog\src\StructuredLogger\ObjectModel\TreeNode.cs:line 420

   at Microsoft.Build.Logging.StructuredLogger.TreeNode.VisitAllChildren[T](Action`1 processor, CancellationToken cancellationToken) in C:\MSBuildStructuredLog\src\StructuredLogger\ObjectModel\TreeNode.cs:line 420

   at Microsoft.Build.Logging.StructuredLogger.TreeNode.VisitAllChildren[T](Action`1 processor, CancellationToken cancellationToken) in C:\MSBuildStructuredLog\src\StructuredLogger\ObjectModel\TreeNode.cs:line 420

   at Microsoft.Build.Logging.StructuredLogger.TreeNode.VisitAllChildren[T](Action`1 processor, CancellationToken cancellationToken) in C:\MSBuildStructuredLog\src\StructuredLogger\ObjectModel\TreeNode.cs:line 420

   at Microsoft.Build.Logging.StructuredLogger.TreeNode.VisitAllChildren[T](Action`1 processor, CancellationToken cancellationToken) in C:\MSBuildStructuredLog\src\StructuredLogger\ObjectModel\TreeNode.cs:line 420

   at Microsoft.Build.Logging.StructuredLogger.BuildAnalyzer.Analyze()

   at Microsoft.Build.Logging.StructuredLogger.BuildAnalyzer.AnalyzeBuild(Build build)
---------------------------
OK   
---------------------------

Just following the instruction message and reporting :)

Set logger verbosity independently of console verbosity

When I use this, I usually want the log file to contain diagnostic level output, but I don't want the console to display diagnostic level output. Would it be possible to set StructuredLogger to verbosity=diag while keeping console output at verbosity=minimal ?

On first launch after installation, the error "File --squirrel-firstrun not found".

It looks like this command passed in by Squirrel is interpreted as a file and causes the error.

When copying full text, replace \n with \r\n so that notepad works

Infinite Measure/Arrange/Layout/Scroll loop possible with the treeview

Since the big treeview is virtualized and variable height (due to the yellow breadcrumb panel at the bottom), it is a recipe for disaster - we can fall into an infinite layout loop in WPF (which is a known problem: https://connect.microsoft.com/VisualStudio/feedback/details/969547/infinite-measure-and-arrange-loop-with-virtualizingstackpanel)

Look into making sure that the treeview height doesn't dance when the selection changes (somehow calm down the layout storm caused by the breadcrumb panel vertical resize).

Closing MSBuild Structured Log Viewer Issue

Hi,

I get the following dialog box when I close MSBuild Structured Log Viewer:

Thanks.

Support passing a log file as argument to open

Investigate "Should not waste a dictionary in Clone Metadata when no metadata is present"

MSBuild has an assert, investigate that and log a bug if necessary

Skipped targets are not displayed in the expected order

Build the following project with the /bl option and open the log in the structured log viewer:

<Project DefaultTargets="Build">
  <Target Name="Build" DependsOnTargets="SkippedTarget">
    <Message Text="Build" Importance="high" />
  </Target>
  <Target Name="SkippedTarget" Condition="'true' == 'false'">
    <Message Text="SkippedTarget" Importance="high" />
  </Target>
  <Target Name="MessageTarget" BeforeTargets="SkippedTarget">
    <Message Text="MessageTarget" Importance="high" />
  </Target>
</Project>

EXPECTED: The MessageTarget target is nested somewhere under the Build target, before the Message task from the Build target, indicating it ran first. Something like the following, except with SkippedTarget grayed out:

ACTUAL: The MessageTarget is displayed nested under SkippedTarget, which is after the Build target, giving the impression that the MessageTarget ran after Build instead of before it.

Portable Version

@KirillOsenkov any plans to make a portable version of this toolset? Looks like the current implementation expects to be run with desktop msbuild. I'd be particularly keen to get access to a portable logger. It'd be great to view the logs x-plat, but shuttling them to a Windows machine for analysis would be a great first step!

How to reference logger when added via NuGet

Trying to get this working in our build system as it looks very useful for problem diagnosis.

We use a CI/CD build server to call MS Build. Since the NuGet package contains the assembly I have not installed the DLL onto the build server, I have added the NuGet package to the VS solution and would to reference it from the project bin location or I'd hope MSBuild would reference it itself.

The MS Build cmd line we use specifies the file path to the solution file but it does not know the path to the project file where the DLL is. Since the cmd line is shared across multiple builds I cannot hard code a specific path to a participial project.

Is there a way to get MS Build to resolve the reference to the logger from the project file path without having to hard code the path? If not then I do not understand why having this a a nuget package makes sense.

The full cmdline to MS Build I am using is this:

MSBuild.exe "C:\mypath\mysolution.Api.sln" /nologo /t:Rebuild /p:VisualStudioVersion=12.0 /p:Configuration="Debug" /p:SkipInvalidConfigurations=true /logger:StructuredLogger,StructuredLogger.dll;buildlog1.xml

Any help appreciated.

Windows 10 warns when running setup

Can't build Roslyn

Feature request - workspace folder with list of projects/solutions

It would be nice to have a workspace folder view listing all the projects/solutions that I can build from.

Add AppVeyor build

To help ensure this project continues to build (with package restore working, etc.) on a clean machine, we should set up an appveyor build. It's really easy.

I'm happy to set this up this weekend and send another PR.

detect rebuild problems?

Is it possible to highlight issues leading to more rebuilds than necessary?
A prime example is a C++ project with a header file that does not exist on disc.
But in a mixed (C#, managed C++) solution there are other causes we couldn't figure out yet.

Support searching based on node hierarchy

It would be useful to be able to search for items based on their parent or ancestor nodes. For example, it would be useful to be able to filter results to those that occurred when running a particular target. One possible syntax for this would be something like $target _HandlePackageFileConflicts \ System.IO.dll to search for System.IO.dll under the _HandlePackageFileConflicts target. Since targets that a target depends on are nested under the target, it would also be helpful to be able to specify whether to search only under the specified target or under any other targets that are shown nested within it.

Detect critical path ("longest sequential spine") for parallel builds

Support associating log files with the viewer in Explorer (for double-click)