msbuild-modernization
From the author
Guide for modernizing and migrating MSBuild project files to SDK-style format. USE FOR: converting legacy .csproj/.vbproj with verbose XML to SDK-style, migrating packages.config to PackageReference, removing Properties/AssemblyInfo.cs in favor of auto-generation, eliminating explicit Compile Include lists via implicit globbing, consolidating shared settings into Directory.Build.props. Indicators of legacy projects: ToolsVersion attribute, an Import of Microsoft.CSharp.targets via $(MSBuildToolsPath), .csproj files over 50 lines for simple projects. DO NOT USE FOR: projects already in SDK-style format, non-.NET build systems (npm, Maven, CMake), .NET Framework projects that cannot move to SDK-style.
Install
npx skills add dotnet/skills --skill msbuild-modernization -a claude-code
Installs to .claude/skills/msbuild-modernization/ · Each command fetches the skill straight from GitHub with the open skills CLI.
Byte-identical to the scanned commit, with the repository’s licence and a SOURCE.txt.
Want your agent to suggest skills while you type? See how to use skills from your IDE.
Safety checks on SKILL.md
- Contains hidden text (invisible characters, long comments or encoded blobs)Medium
Why 83
aiqbench computes the trust score from public signals. It is not a security audit, so read a skill before you install it.
Similar skills
Closest to this one by what they do and when they are used.
- msbuild-antipatternsdotnet/skillsDO NOT INVOKE when the primary request explicitly asks to convert, migrate, modernize, or rewrite a legacy/old-style project to SDK style; use msbuild-modernization. Migration prompts often mention ToolsVersion, explicit Compile/Reference entries, packages.config, or Microsoft.CSharp.targets, but merely reviewing or auditing a file that contains those patterns remains in scope here. USE FOR broad review, audit, lint, or maintainability/correctness checks of project/build files, including custom targets; prioritized cross-cutting findings; discrete anti-patterns; F# ordering/FS0039; cross-platform paths; and focused Import safety verdicts. Review/audit is analysis-only unless fixes are requested. For concrete property/item defects use property-patterns/item-management; use target-authoring for implementation and extension-points for NuGet auto-import/layout discovery. Exclude non-MSBuild systems.Engineering★ 5.7K
- msbuilddotnet/skillsUse only for MSBuild failure investigation, build-performance analysis, or review of existing build XML/extension contracts. A plan to convert a working legacy/non-SDK project to SDK style or migrate packages.config is a project-system migration, NOT a build-file review: do not activate, even to check scope. Framework/API upgrades are also excluded. Activate for advisory Import/Exists hook and NuGet packed-import questions even without a checkout or failed build; .csproj/.fsproj/.vbproj/.props/.targets conditions; custom-target inputs/outputs; .binlog capture/replay; failing dotnet build/restore/pack/publish or MSBuild-based test builds; slow evaluation, compilation, copying, or no-change builds; and controlled timing comparisons. Exclude SDK installation alone, C# refactoring, runtime profiling, assertions after successful builds, and non-MSBuild builds.Testing★ 5.7K
- doc-and-modernizegithub/awesome-copilotTwo related workflows for a locally-cloned codebase, in one skill. Documentation mode produces a single, comprehensive, verifiable architecture document primarily by reading files on disk (local-first) — use it whenever the user wants to understand, map, document, research, or onboard onto a codebase ("research this repo", "write up the architecture", "do an architecture deep dive", "document how this codebase works", "map the system design", "create an onboarding doc"). Modernization mode generates a phased plan to modernize, migrate, upgrade, or rewrite a legacy system ("modernize this", "plan the migration", "how would we rewrite this", "how do we get off this legacy stack"); if no architecture document exists yet it first runs Documentation mode, then continues straight through to the plan. It assumes the legacy stack may be dead, runs a time-boxed feasibility spike, and picks the highest achievable rung on a safety ladder instead of demanding a fully-green legacy CI gate up front.Design★ 40.3K
- copy-to-output-directorydotnet/skillsChoosing an MSBuild CopyToOutputDirectory / CopyToPublishDirectory mode: Never, PreserveNewest, Always, and IfDifferent (MSBuild 17.13+), plus $(SkipUnchangedFilesOnCopyAlways). USE FOR: removing the per-build Always copy perf hit; resetting output files mutated between builds. DO NOT USE FOR: general incremental-build diagnosis (use incremental-build); non-MSBuild build systems.Other★ 5.7K
- convert-to-cpmdotnet/skillsConvert .NET projects and solutions (.sln, .slnx) to NuGet Central Package Management (CPM) using Directory.Packages.props. USE FOR: converting to CPM, centralizing or aligning NuGet package versions across multiple projects, inlining MSBuild version properties from Directory.Build.props into Directory.Packages.props, resolving version conflicts or mismatches across a solution or repository, updating or bumping or syncing package versions across projects. Also activate when packages are out of sync, drifting, or inconsistent -- even without the user mentioning CPM. Provides baseline build capture, version conflict resolution, build validation with binlog comparison, and a structured post-conversion report. DO NOT USE FOR: packages.config projects (must migrate to PackageReference first) or repositories that already have CPM fully enabled.Marketing★ 5.7K
- directory-build-organizationdotnet/skillsUSE ONLY for (1) two or more projects with repeated MSBuild policy, targets, or package versions, or (2) an existing Directory.Build.props/targets/rsp hierarchy with an import, placement, or layering defect. A one-project repo without an existing Directory.Build file is outside scope; do not load this skill. Covers centralizing shared policy and targets, Directory.Packages.props across projects, parent hierarchy/import structure, props-versus-targets placement, and folder/project exceptions. An existing hierarchy defect remains in scope when only one project is affected. For property value or condition semantics use property-patterns. Exclude legacy-to-SDK migration and non-MSBuild systems.Other★ 5.7K
Ratings & reviews
—
no reviews
Tried this skill? Rate it to help others. Sign in
Discussion
Join the discussion. Sign in