target-authoring Skill
Canonical patterns for writing custom MSBuild targets. USE FOR: diagnosing and fixing custom target authoring anti-patterns, reviewing MSBuild target definitions for correctness, diagnosing broken SDK target chains across files (e.g., Directory.Build.targets silently redefining SDK targets), fixing targets that replace Published by microsoft in testfx.
What is target-authoring Skill?
Canonical patterns for writing custom MSBuild targets. USE FOR: diagnosing and fixing custom target authoring anti-patterns, reviewing MSBuild target definitions for correctness, diagnosing broken SDK target chains across files (e.g., Directory.Build.targets silently redefining SDK targets), fixing targets that replace Published by microsoft in testfx. This profile combines repository metadata with install, compatibility, and usage signals so developers can quickly decide whether it fits their agent workflow before opening the source repository.
Automated repository signals based on public metadata such as recency, license, installation evidence, and adoption. These are not a security audit or endorsement.
Key capabilities
- Includes SKILL.md support
- Reusable instructions support
- Writing
- Writing use cases
Technical details
- Install or run with Copy skill directory
When to use target-authoring Skill
- Use it for writing.
Built with
Editorial notes
Source
- Creator: microsoft
- Repository: microsoft/testfx
- Skill file: .agents/skills/target-authoring/SKILL.md
What it does
Canonical patterns for writing custom MSBuild targets. USE FOR: diagnosing and fixing custom target authoring anti-patterns, reviewing MSBuild target definitions for correctness, diagnosing broken SDK target chains across files (e.g., Directory.Build.targets silently redefining SDK targets), fixing targets that replace
Skill instructions
Custom Target Authoring Patterns Canonical patterns from Microsoft.Common.CurrentVersion.targets in the MSBuild repository. The Three-Level Target Chain Every major entry point (Build, Rebuild, Clean) delegates to a property listing its dependencies, which chains through Before → Core → After: xml <PropertyGroup <BuildDependsOn BeforeBuild; CoreBuild; AfterBuild </BuildDependsOn </PropertyGroup <Target Name="Build" Condition=" '$(InvalidConfigurationWarning)' != 'true' " DependsOnTargets="$(BuildDependsOn)" Returns="@(TargetPathWithTargetPlatformMoniker)" / <!-- Empty extensibility targets — users override these -- <Target Name="BeforeBuild" / <Target Name="AfterBuild" / CoreBuild delegates to $(CoreBuildDependsOn) and includes error handlers: xml <Target Name="CoreBuild" DependsOnTargets="$(CoreBuildDependsOn)" <OnError ExecuteTargets="TimeStampAfterCompile;PostBuildEvent" Condition="'$(RunPostBuildEvent)' == 'Always'" / <OnError ExecuteTargets="CleanRecordFileWrites" / </Target Rules
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Frequently asked questions
What is target-authoring?
target-authoring is a open-source AI agent skill with Copy skill directory. Canonical patterns for writing custom MSBuild targets. USE FOR: diagnosing and fixing custom target authoring anti-patterns, reviewing MSBuild target definitions for correctness, diagnosing broken SDK.
Who is target-authoring best for?
target-authoring is best for reusing agent instructions, scripts, and references, writing workflows.
How do I install target-authoring?
Install or run target-authoring using Copy skill directory. Check target-authoring for the latest setup command.
Is target-authoring actively maintained?
target-authoring may need a closer maintenance check before production use.
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