.NET Continuous Integration with GitHub Actions

Streamline your .NET development process with GitHub Actions. Automate builds, tests, and deployments with ease.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• What is Continuous Integration (CI)?
• Why Use GitHub Actions for .NET CI?
• Setting Up GitHub Actions for .NET CI
• Creating a GitHub Actions Workflow (YAML)
• Example CI Pipeline for .NET
• Best Practices for GitHub Actions CI
• Conclusion

Introduction

Continuous Integration (CI) is a critical part of modern software development. It ensures that code changes are automatically tested and built, reducing the risk of integration issues. GitHub Actions provides a flexible and easy-to-use platform for implementing CI workflows in your .NET projects. In this blog, we’ll explore how to set up a CI pipeline for .NET applications using GitHub Actions, complete with examples and best practices.

What is Continuous Integration (CI)?

Continuous Integration is a development practice where developers integrate code changes into a shared repository frequently. Each integration is verified by automated builds and tests, enabling teams to detect and fix issues early.

• Automated Builds: Ensure that the application compiles successfully.
• Automated Tests: Run unit tests to verify functionality.
• Faster Feedback: Identify issues early in the development cycle.

Why Use GitHub Actions for .NET CI?

GitHub Actions is a powerful CI/CD tool that is integrated directly into GitHub. Here’s why it’s an excellent choice for .NET projects:

• Native Integration: Built into GitHub, eliminating the need for external CI/CD tools.
• YAML Workflows: Define CI workflows using YAML configuration files.
• Reusable Actions: Leverage a rich ecosystem of prebuilt actions.
• Scalability: Supports parallel jobs for faster execution.
• Flexibility: Customize workflows to suit your project’s needs.

Setting Up GitHub Actions for .NET CI

Step 1: Create a .NET Project

Start by creating or cloning a .NET project. Use the following command to create a new ASP.NET Core project:

dotnet new webapp -n MyDotNetApp

Step 2: Push Code to GitHub

Ensure your project is in a GitHub repository. Use these commands to initialize and push your code:

git init
git add .
git commit -m "Initial commit"
git branch -M main
git remote add origin <your-repo-url>
git push -u origin main
            

Step 3: Create a GitHub Actions Workflow

Navigate to your GitHub repository, go to the Actions tab, and create a new workflow.

Creating a GitHub Actions Workflow (YAML)

The workflow file is a YAML file that defines the CI pipeline. Here’s an example workflow file for building and testing a .NET application:

name: .NET CI

on:
  push:
    branches:
      - main
  pull_request:
    branches:
      - main

jobs:
  build:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
    - name: Checkout code
      uses: actions/checkout@v3

    - name: Setup .NET
      uses: actions/setup-dotnet@v3
      with:
        dotnet-version: '7.0'

    - name: Restore dependencies
      run: dotnet restore

    - name: Build project
      run: dotnet build --no-restore

    - name: Run tests
      run: dotnet test --no-build --verbosity normal
            

Example CI Pipeline for .NET

Let’s walk through a complete example:

1. Push code to the main branch.
2. GitHub Actions triggers the workflow.
3. The pipeline checks out the code, restores dependencies, builds the project, and runs tests.
4. Feedback is provided directly in the GitHub repository.

Best Practices for GitHub Actions CI

• Use Secrets: Store sensitive information like API keys securely.
• Test Locally: Validate your workflows locally using tools like Act.
• Leverage Caching: Cache dependencies to speed up builds.
• Split Workflows: Use multiple workflows for build, test, and deployment.
• Monitor and Debug: Use GitHub Actions logs for troubleshooting.

Conclusion

GitHub Actions is a versatile tool for implementing CI pipelines in .NET projects. With its deep integration with GitHub, flexible YAML workflows, and robust ecosystem, it’s an excellent choice for modern DevOps practices. By following the steps and best practices outlined in this blog, you can streamline your development process and deliver high-quality software efficiently.

© 2025 Sandeep Mhaske | Ayodhyya