Improved project build reliability

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 67 views

Understanding the Issue

Projects that utilize the PackAsToolShimRuntimeIdentifiers feature are experiencing issues with missing assets in the Visual Studio Marketplace Runtime (VMR). This problem arises when multiple runtime identifiers (RIDs) are listed in the PackAsToolShimRuntimeIdentifiers property. Currently, the VMR only supports listing a single RID, which results in the project not packing the full set of assets it should be packing.

Example Use Cases

The issue is evident in several projects, including:

ASP.NET Core: In the Directory.Build.targets file, the PackAsToolShimRuntimeIdentifiers property is set to include multiple RIDs. However, when building the project in the VMR, only the current RID is included, leading to missing assets.
dotnet-format: In the dotnet-format.csproj file, the PackAsToolShimRuntimeIdentifiers property is also set to include multiple RIDs. Similar to the ASP.NET Core project, when building in the VMR, only the current RID is included, resulting in missing assets.

Current Workaround

To resolve this issue, developers are currently forced to list only a single RID in the PackAsToolShimRuntimeIdentifiers property. This means that the full set of RID-specific shims is not packed in a single package, which can lead to additional issues and complexity.

Proposed Solution

To address this problem, we need to find a way to build these projects in the VMR and pack the full set of RID-specific shims in a single package. This will require a deeper understanding of the PackAsToolShimRuntimeIdentifiers functionality and how it interacts with the VMR.

CC @dsplaisted

We are seeking input from @dsplaisted, who may have insight into how this functionality is supposed to work. Their expertise will be invaluable in helping us resolve this issue and find a suitable solution.

Possible Solutions

There are several possible solutions to this problem:

Modify the PackAsToolShimRuntimeIdentifiers property: We could modify the property to allow for multiple RIDs to be included, while still supporting the VMR's requirement for a single RID.
Introduce a new property: We could introduce a new property that allows for multiple RIDs to be included, while still supporting the VMR's requirement for a single RID.
Improve the VMR's handling of RIDs: We could improve the VMR's handling of RIDs to support multiple RIDs in the PackAsToolShimRuntimeIdentifiers property.

Benefits of a Solution

A solution to this problem would have several benefits, including:

Improved project build reliability: By packing the full set of RID-specific shims in a single package, project builds would be more reliable and less prone to issues.
Simplified project maintenance: With a single package containing all RID-specific shims, project maintenance would be simplified, and developers would have fewer issues to resolve.
Enhanced user experience: By providing a more reliable and efficient project build experience, developers would be able to focus on their work without the frustration of dealing with missing assets.

Next Steps

To move forward with resolving this issue, we will:

Gather input from @dsplaisted: We will seek input from @dsplaisted to gain a deeper understanding of the PackAsToolShimRuntimeIdentifiers functionality and how it interacts with the VMR.
Explore possible solutions: We will explore the possible solutions outlined above and determine the best course of action.
Implement a solution: Once a solution is determined, we will implement it and test it to ensure that it meets the requirements and provides the desired benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the issue with projects using PackAsToolShimRuntimeIdentifiers?

A: The issue arises when multiple runtime identifiers (RIDs) are listed in the PackAsToolShimRuntimeIdentifiers property. Currently, the Visual Studio Marketplace Runtime (VMR) only supports listing a single RID, which results in the project not packing the full set of assets it should be packing.

Q: What are the consequences of this issue?

A: The consequences of this issue include:

Missing assets: The project may not pack the full set of RID-specific shims, leading to missing assets.
Project build reliability: Project builds may be less reliable and more prone to issues.
Simplified project maintenance: Project maintenance may be more complex due to the need to resolve issues related to missing assets.

Q: What are the possible solutions to this issue?

A: The possible solutions to this issue include:

Modify the PackAsToolShimRuntimeIdentifiers property: We could modify the property to allow for multiple RIDs to be included, while still supporting the VMR's requirement for a single RID.
Introduce a new property: We could introduce a new property that allows for multiple RIDs to be included, while still supporting the VMR's requirement for a single RID.
Improve the VMR's handling of RIDs: We could improve the VMR's handling of RIDs to support multiple RIDs in the PackAsToolShimRuntimeIdentifiers property.

Q: What are the benefits of a solution to this issue?

A: The benefits of a solution to this issue include:

Improved project build reliability: By packing the full set of RID-specific shims in a single package, project builds would be more reliable and less prone to issues.
Simplified project maintenance: With a single package containing all RID-specific shims, project maintenance would be simplified, and developers would have fewer issues to resolve.
Enhanced user experience: By providing a more reliable and efficient project build experience, developers would be able to focus on their work without the frustration of dealing with missing assets.

Q: What are the next steps to resolve this issue?

A: The next steps to resolve this issue include:

Gather input from @dsplaisted: We will seek input from @dsplaisted to gain a deeper understanding of the PackAsToolShimRuntimeIdentifiers functionality and how it interacts with the VMR.
Explore possible solutions: We will explore the possible solutions outlined above and determine the best course of action.
Implement a solution: Once a solution is determined, we will implement it and test it to ensure that it meets the requirements and provides the desired benefits.

Q: How can I contribute to resolving this issue?

A: You can contribute to resolving this issue by:

Providing input: Share your knowledge and expertise to help us better understand the issue and possible solutions.
Testing solutions: Test the proposed solutions and provide feedback on their effectiveness.
Reporting issues: Report any issues you encounter related to this problem, so we can address them and improve the overall experience.

By working together, we can resolve this issue and provide a better experience for developers working with projects that utilize the PackAsToolShimRuntimeIdentifiers feature.