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Reference - integrate custom build tasks into extensions

  • Article
  • 10/04/2022

Azure DevOps Services | Azure DevOps Server 2022 - Azure DevOps Server 2019

Use this reference when you want to create and integrate custom build pipeline tasks with extensions in Azure DevOps.

Tip

Check out our newest documentation on extension development using the Azure DevOps Extension SDK.

Custom tasks

Tasks are the building blocks for defining automation in a build or release pipeline. We offer many built-in tasks to enable fundamental build and deployment scenarios. We recommend that you review these scenarios before building your own. If the existing tasks don't satisfy your needs, you can build a custom task.

Custom build task JSON

When you're creating a custom build or release task with an extension, your extension includes a task.json file for each build or release task. The task.json file describes the build or release task. The build system uses it to render configuration options to the user and to know which scripts to execute at build time.

The build/release task SDK documentation is on GitHub. Specifically, you may be interested in the task.json schema.

Bundle multiple versions of build/release tasks within one extension

You can include multiple versions of a build or release task within your extension. Roll out future versions of your extension without interrupting service of users on older versions. The following information shows the layout for having multiple versions in one extension.

Traditional extension layout

  • extensionManifest.json
  • extensionIcon.png
  • Task1
    • task.json
    • icon.png
    • taskScript.ps1

Note

When you're setting up a task icon, ensure the following is true.

  • The icon name is icon.png
  • The icon size is 32x32 pixels
  • The icon is in the same location as the task.json file

Multiple versions layout

Note

The code looks for the task.json file inside of the task folder and then one level deeper. If one isn't found in either level, you see an error message.

  • extensionManifest.json
  • extensionIcon.png
  • Task1
    • Task1V1
      • task.json
      • icon.png
      • taskScript.ps1
    • Task1V2
      • task.json
      • icon.png
      • taskScript.ps1
  • Task2
    • Task2V1
      • task.json
      • icon.png
      • taskScript.ps1
    • Task2V2
      • task.json
      • icon.png
      • taskScript.ps1

Tip

To ensure the _build/Tasks/ssrsfilesdeploy folder contains the V1 and V2 contents, set matchCopy(item, srcPath, destPath, { noRecurse: to false in the make-util.js file.

Additional resources