TFS 2015: Adding a new Windows Build Agent

The TFS 2015 Build System

The build system before TFS 2015 was based on a pretty arcane XAML workflow engine which was manageable, but not fun to use. With TFS 2015 a new build system was implemented, which behave pretty much the same way as other build systems (e.g. TeamCity or AppVeyor).

The “build workflow” is based on a simple “task”-concept.

There are many related topics in the TFS world, e.g. Release-Management, but this blogpost will just focus on the “Getting the system ready”-part.

TFS Build Agents

Like the other parts of Microsoft the TFS is now also in the cross-platform business. The build system in TFS 2015 is capable of building a huge range of languages. All you need is a compatible build agent.

My (simple) goal was to build a .NET application on a Windows build agent via the new TFS 2015 build system.

Step 1: Adding a new build agent

Important - Download Agent .

This one is maybe the hardest part. Instead of a huge TFS-Agent-Installer.msi you need to navigate inside the TFS control panel to the “Agent pool”-tab.

You need at least one pool and need to click the “Download Agent” button.

Step 2: Configure the agent

Configuration .

The .zip package contains the actual build agent executable and a .cmd file.

Invoke the “ConfigureAgent.cmd”-file:

We run those agents as Windows Service (which was one of the last config-questions) and are pretty happy with the system.

Step 3: You are done

Now your new build agent should appear under the given build agent pool:

TFS Build Agents .

MSDN Link

After googleing around I also found the corresponding TFS HowTo, which describes more or less the complete setup. Well… now it is documented on MSDN and this blog. Maybe this will help my future-self ;)