Filenames Starting with .(Dot) in Azure DevOps Pipelines: The Ultimate Guide

Are you frustrated with files starting with a dot (.) not appearing in your Azure DevOps pipelines? You’re not alone! This behavior can be confusing, especially when working with hidden files or folders. In this article, we’ll demystify the reason behind this issue and provide you with step-by-step instructions to overcome it.

Understanding the Problem

When working with Azure DevOps pipelines, you might encounter an issue where files or folders starting with a dot (.) are not getting picked up by the pipeline. This can be problematic, especially when you need to include configuration files, hidden folders, or other essential files in your pipeline.

What’s Causing the Issue?

The reason behind this issue lies in the way Azure DevOps pipeline agents handle files and folders. By default, pipeline agents are configured to ignore files and folders starting with a dot (.), which is a common convention for hidden files and folders in Unix-like systems.

# Azure DevOps pipeline agent default behavior
ignoreFiles:
  - .*

This behavior is inherited from the .gitignore file, which is used to specify intentionally untracked files that Git should ignore. In the context of Azure DevOps pipelines, this means that files and folders starting with a dot (.) are excluded from the pipeline’s file system.

Solutions to the Problem

Now that we understand the reason behind the issue, let’s explore the solutions to include files and folders starting with a dot (.) in your Azure DevOps pipeline:

Solution 1: Use the `dotnet` Command

One way to include files and folders starting with a dot (.) is by using the `dotnet` command in your pipeline script. You can use the `dotnet` command to explicitly specify the files and folders you want to include:

steps:
  - task: DotNetCoreCLI@2
    displayName: 'Restore NuGet packages'
    inputs:
      command: 'restore'
      projects: '**/*.csproj'
      dotnetCoreSdkVersion: '3.1.101'
      includeFiles: '**/*.*'

In the above example, the `includeFiles` input is set to `**/*.*`, which includes all files with any extension. You can modify this input to include specific files or folders starting with a dot (.) that you need in your pipeline.

Solution 2: Use the `git` Command

Another approach is to use the `git` command to add the files and folders starting with a dot (.) to your Git repository. You can do this by adding a `git add` step to your pipeline script:

steps:
  - task: GitCommand@2
    displayName: 'Add .gitignore files'
    inputs:
      command: 'add'
      arguments: '--all :!:.gitignore'

In the above example, the `git add` command is used to add all files and folders (including those starting with a dot (.) but excluding the `.gitignore` file itself.

Solution 3: Modify the Pipeline Agent’s Behavior

You can also modify the pipeline agent’s behavior to include files and folders starting with a dot (.). To do this, you can add a `pipeline.agent.ignoreFiles` variable to your pipeline script:

variables:
  pipeline.agent.ignoreFiles: '**/*.*'

This variable overrides the default behavior of the pipeline agent, allowing it to include files and folders starting with a dot (.).

Best Practices for Working with Files and Folders in Azure DevOps Pipelines

To avoid issues with files and folders starting with a dot (.) in your Azure DevOps pipelines, follow these best practices:

• Avoid using hidden files and folders for critical pipeline functionality: While it’s possible to include files and folders starting with a dot (.) in your pipeline, it’s generally a good idea to avoid using them for critical pipeline functionality. Instead, use explicitly named files and folders that are easy to understand and maintain.
• Use explicit file and folder names in your pipeline script: When referencing files and folders in your pipeline script, use explicit names instead of relying on wildcards or patterns. This ensures that the pipeline agent correctly identifies the files and folders you intend to include.
• Test your pipeline thoroughly: Before deploying your pipeline to production, test it thoroughly to ensure that all files and folders are being included correctly. This helps you catch any issues related to files and folders starting with a dot (.).

Conclusion

Filenames starting with a dot (.) in Azure DevOps pipelines can be a challenge, but with the right strategies, you can overcome this issue. By understanding the default behavior of pipeline agents and using the solutions and best practices outlined in this article, you can ensure that your pipeline includes all the files and folders you need to succeed.

Remember to test your pipeline thoroughly and avoid relying on hidden files and folders for critical pipeline functionality. With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to creating robust and reliable Azure DevOps pipelines that meet your organization’s needs.

Solution	Description
Use the `dotnet` command	Use the `dotnet` command to explicitly specify files and folders starting with a dot (.) in your pipeline script.
Use the `git` command	Use the `git` command to add files and folders starting with a dot (.) to your Git repository.
Modify the pipeline agent’s behavior	Modify the pipeline agent’s behavior to include files and folders starting with a dot (.) by adding a `pipeline.agent.ignoreFiles` variable to your pipeline script.

We hope this article has provided you with the knowledge and tools you need to overcome the challenge of filenames starting with a dot (.) in Azure DevOps pipelines. Happy pipeline-building!

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