How do I get the the expected output from a TFS 2015 build (to match my XAML build)?

Question

We just upgraded to TFS2015 (onsite) and I\'m trying to set up a build that will do the same thing as my xaml builds but I can\'t seem to get the same files built. Here\'s a pic

Answer 1

Update your build definition to below:

1. Add /p:DeployOnBuild=true /p:OutDir="$(build.artifactstagingdirectory)\\" arguments in Visual Studio Build step:
2. Change "Path to Publish" of "Publish Build Artifacts" task to "$(build.artifactstagingdirectory)_PublishedWebsites\ProjectName":

Save the build definition and queue a build, now you should get the same files published in drop folder like XAML build.

Answer 2

vNext build and XAML build, it's totally different technology. There won't be any automated ways of converting.

The new builds are based on a different architecture and run on a completely different system.

So your situation is predictable, it's very hard to achieve a 100% conversion. Copy the folder in vNext will copy everything under the folder by default. Seems there are some customization during the copy or published in your XAML build which will return the result as above picture.

If you have heavily customized XAML builds and custom activities, you can continue using those builds until you are ready to port your business logic into scripts that can run in the new builds.

And you could also take a look at these series of articles how to upgrade from XAML to Build 2015 with minimal changes.