Set up a build in the cloud

Define the build

Create a continuous integration build definition to catch problems early by building your code automatically every time you check it in.

1. If you haven't already, upload your code to TFS.

2. In Visual Studio's team explorer, go to the builds page to create a build definition.

   
   

3. Give it a name.

   

4. Set the trigger to indicate when to run the build. In this case, we'll use the CI trigger to run the build whenever code is checked in.

   

5. In Workspace, for the purpose of this exercise, you can map the team project. You must also cloak the Drops folder so that you don't waste time and computer resources.

   

6. In Build Defaults, select Hosted Build Controller. If your team needs the binaries from this build, you should drop them to the server.

   

7. In Process, provide the path to what you want to build.

   In our case, it's: Build $/FabrikamFiber/HelloWorld/HelloWorld.sln

   

   Save your new build definition. Now, whenever you check in code for this solution, it'll be built automatically.

Queue the build

1. Right-click the build and queue it to make sure it works.

   
   

2. Your build is queued.

   

   Done! You've created your first build in the cloud and, because it's a continuous integration build, any time a team member checks in new code, a build is kicked off. And, this can go a long way in helping your team find and fix build-related issues early.

Did you run into problems?

• Learn more about how the hosted build controller works.
• Diagnose build problems

Try this next

• Run tests with your builds

Or, dig deeper on MSDN:

• Improve function and performance of your CI build process