MSBuild is a build platform for .NET and Visual Studio that processes and builds software using an XML schema for project files.
MSBuild solves the problem of orchestrating application builds across diverse environments by providing a unified build engine that works both within Visual Studio and independently on machines where Visual Studio is not installed. The platform uses XML-based project files to define how software is processed and built, allowing developers to invoke the build process by running msbuild.exe on project or solution files. This approach enables consistent builds across development machines, build servers, and continuous integration environments.
Developers should choose MSBuild if they are working within the .NET ecosystem or using Visual Studio, as it is the native build platform for these tools. The tool suits projects ranging from simple applications to complex solutions that need to run builds in environments without Visual Studio installed. MSBuild can run on Windows with the full .NET Framework, and it also supports Unix systems including Mac and Linux through .NET Core, though the README notes that newly-built MSBuild may not work for all scenarios including C++ builds.
The project maintains active engagement with contributors through clearly documented contribution guidelines and developer guides specific to both .NET Core and Full Framework scenarios. The team provides structured onboarding through help-wanted issues explicitly marked for new developers and requires contributors to request assignment before working on issues. Localization support is available through a dedicated localization documentation and build parameter, indicating attention to international usage. The project includes comprehensive label documentation to help contributors navigate the issue tracker and understand categorization of work.
