Microsoft.Testing.Extensions.PackagedApp.MSBuild

Microsoft.Testing.Extensions.PackagedApp.MSBuild

Run packaged Windows test applications from MSBuild through an out-of-process Microsoft.Testing.Platform controller. This package supplies shared targets and complete, framework-dependent win-x64 controller layouts for .NET 8 and .NET 9. The controller is an executable, not code loaded into MSBuild, so desktop .NET Framework MSBuild and dotnet msbuild use the same process contract.

Installation

Add an explicit package reference alongside either MSTest or MSTest.TestAdapter and opt in to the MTP runner:

<PropertyGroup>
  <EnableMSTestRunner>true</EnableMSTestRunner>
  <OutputType>Exe</OutputType>
  <EnableMicrosoftTestingExtensionsTrxReport>true</EnableMicrosoftTestingExtensionsTrxReport>
</PropertyGroup>
<ItemGroup>
  <PackageReference Include="MSTest" Version="4.5.0" />
  <PackageReference Include="Microsoft.Testing.Extensions.PackagedApp.MSBuild" Version="2.5.0" />
</ItemGroup>

Keep all Microsoft.Testing.Platform packages aligned with this package's version. The package pins its MSBuild and modern PackagedApp runtime dependencies to that exact version. MSTest.Sdk adds this integration automatically for packaged apps; ordinary adapter consumers do not download a Windows controller unless they reference this package.

Execution and compatibility

Build the application using its usual Windows tooling, then run msbuild MyTests.csproj -t:InvokeTestingPlatform. Pass MTP options through TestingPlatformCommandLineArguments, for example --report-trx. The controller owns command-line preparation, cancellation, retries, report recovery and exit codes. It reuses InvokeTestingPlatformTask; no new MSBuild task is required. The runtime launcher preserves AUMID activation, execution-ID/connect-back handoff, authenticated activation arguments, and exact package-SID pipe grants. This package does not change those protocols or the no-handshake launch paths.

The targets select the controller only for an opted-in MTP application with a packaged WinUI, modern UWP or classic UAP application model on Windows. Ordinary console apps, unpackaged WinUI, VSTest, libraries and non-Windows builds retain their original execution paths. A nonempty TestingPlatformExecutablePath override is preserved and receives no controller-specific environment values. TestingPlatformPackagedAppTargetPath can select a staged packaged executable. Missing or incomplete controller layouts fail explicitly. Runtime and protocol errors remain failures; the targets never silently fall back to another host.

The legacy executable name mstest-appmodel-controller.exe and the MSTEST_APPMODEL_CONTROLLER_EXTENSIONS and TESTINGPLATFORM_PACKAGEDAPP_TARGET environment identifiers are intentionally preserved for compatibility.

The x64 controller needs a .NET 8 or later runtime (roll-forward is enabled) and Windows 10 19041 or later. The application itself may use another architecture. Unsigned layouts need Developer Mode or sideloading. UWP compilation continues to require the Visual Studio UWP workload.

Application entry points

For self-hosted WinUI/modern UWP, an ApplicationDefinition suppresses a competing generated Main while retaining MicrosoftTestingPlatformApplication.RunAsync. Restore UWP launch arguments with PackagedAppExtensions.GetTestApplicationArguments(args.Arguments).

Classic uap10.0 uses the MSTest adapter's UAP-compatible runtime and the bootstrap source shipped here. Call MicrosoftTestingPlatformApplication.RunAsync(args.Arguments) from OnLaunched; no modern PackagedApp runtime assembly is added to the UAP application. See Windows application testing.

Microsoft.Testing.Platform is open source. Provide feedback in microsoft/testfx.