Generate Binary Logs

Scope and routing

Generate MSBuild binary logs (binlogs) for build diagnostics and analysis. USE FOR: adding /bl:{} to any dotnet build, test, pack, publish, or restore command to capture a full build execution trace, prerequisite for binlog-failure-analysis and build-perf-diagnostics skills, enabling post-build investigation of errors or performance. Requires MSBuild 17.8+ / .NET 8 SDK+ for {} placeholder; PowerShell must quote the complete switch as '-bl:{}'. DO NOT USE FOR: non-MSBuild build systems (npm, Maven, CMake), analyzing an existing binlog (use binlog-failure-analysis instead).

Pass the /bl switch when running any MSBuild-based command. This is a non-negotiable requirement for all .NET builds.

Commands That Require /bl

You MUST add the /bl:{} flag to:

• dotnet build
• dotnet test
• dotnet pack
• dotnet publish
• dotnet restore
• msbuild or msbuild.exe
• Any other command that invokes MSBuild