Azure DevOps CI/CD Pipeline for .NET MAUI App

 This guide walks you through setting up a Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Deployment (CD) pipeline for a .NET MAUI application in Azure DevOps.

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Prerequisites

• A .NET MAUI project in a Git repository (Azure Repos, GitHub, etc.)

• An Azure DevOps organization and project

• .NET 6+ SDK installed on the build agent (or use Microsoft-hosted agents)

• (Optional) Signing certificates & provisioning profiles (for iOS/Android deployment)

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Step 1: Set Up Your Repository

Ensure your .NET MAUI project is in a Git repository (Azure Repos, GitHub, Bitbucket, etc.).

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Step 2: Configure the Build Pipeline (CI)

Option A: YAML Pipeline (Recommended)

1. Navigate to Pipelines → Pipelines → New Pipeline in Azure DevOps.

2. Select your repository.

3. Choose "Starter pipeline" or select .NET MAUI template if available.

4. Replace the YAML with the following:

yaml

trigger:
  branches:
    include:
      - main
      - develop

pool:
  vmImage: 'windows-latest' # For Windows builds (required for .NET MAUI)

variables:
  buildConfiguration: 'Release'
  dotNetVersion: '7.0.x' # Adjust based on your .NET version

steps:
- task: UseDotNet@2
  displayName: 'Install .NET SDK'
  inputs:
    version: $(dotNetVersion)

- task: DotNetCoreCLI@2
  displayName: 'Restore NuGet Packages'
  inputs:
    command: 'restore'
    projects: '**/*.csproj'

- task: DotNetCoreCLI@2
  displayName: 'Build .NET MAUI App'
  inputs:
    command: 'build'
    projects: '**/*.csproj'
    arguments: '--configuration $(buildConfiguration) -f net7.0-android' # Adjust target (android/ios)

- task: DotNetCoreCLI@2
  displayName: 'Publish .NET MAUI App'
  inputs:
    command: 'publish'
    projects: '**/*.csproj'
    arguments: '--configuration $(buildConfiguration) -f net7.0-android /p:AndroidSigningKeyPass=$(AndroidKeyPass) /p:AndroidSigningStorePass=$(AndroidStorePass)' # Optional signing

- task: PublishBuildArtifacts@1
  displayName: 'Publish Artifact'
  inputs:
    PathtoPublish: '$(Build.ArtifactStagingDirectory)'
    ArtifactName: 'drop'
    publishLocation: 'Container'

Option B: Classic UI Pipeline

1. Create a new pipeline → Select "Use the classic editor".

2. Choose your repository.

3. Select ".NET Desktop" template.

4. Add the following tasks:

   • Use .NET Core (Install correct SDK version)

   • NuGet restore

   • .NET Core Build (--configuration Release -f net7.0-android)

   • .NET Core Publish (Optional: Add signing arguments)

   • Publish Artifacts

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Step 3: (Optional) Set Up Signing for Android/iOS

Android Signing

1. Add Secure Variables in Pipeline → Library → Variable Groups:

   • AndroidKeyStore (Upload .keystore file as a Secure File)

   • AndroidKeyAlias

   • AndroidKeyPass (Mark as secret)

   • AndroidStorePass (Mark as secret)

2. Modify YAML to include signing:

   yaml

   - task: AndroidSigning@3
     inputs:
       apkFiles: '**/*.apk'
       apksignerKeystoreFile: '$(AndroidKeyStore)'
       apksignerKeystorePassword: '$(AndroidStorePass)'
       apksignerKeyAlias: '$(AndroidKeyAlias)'
       apksignerKeyPassword: '$(AndroidKeyPass)'

iOS Signing

1. Import Certificates into the build agent:

   yaml

   - task: InstallAppleCertificate@2
     inputs:
       certSecureFile: 'YourCert.p12'
       certPwd: '$(iOSCertPassword)'

2. Provisioning Profile:

   yaml

   - task: InstallAppleProvisioningProfile@1
     inputs:
       provisioningProfileLocation: 'secureFiles'
       provProfileSecureFile: 'YourProfile.mobileprovision'

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Step 4: Set Up Release Pipeline (CD)

1. Navigate to Pipelines → Releases → New Pipeline.

2. Add Artifact (Select the build pipeline output).

3. Add Stages (e.g., Dev, QA, Production).

4. Deployment Tasks:

   • Android: Use App Center Distribute or Google Play Release.

   • iOS: Use App Center or Apple App Store Release.

Example: App Center Deployment

yaml

- task: AppCenterDistribute@3
  inputs:
    serverEndpoint: 'AppCenter'
    appSlug: 'YourOrg/YourApp'
    appFile: '**/*.apk'
    releaseNotesOption: 'input'
    releaseNotesInput: 'Automated release'

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Step 5: Run & Monitor Pipeline

• Trigger manually or via Git push.

• Check logs for failures.

• Test the deployed app in App Center/TestFlight/Play Store.

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Conclusion

You now have a fully automated CI/CD pipeline for your .NET MAUI app in Azure DevOps! 

Next Steps:

• Add unit tests (DotNetCoreCLI@2 test task).

• Configure environment-specific variables.

• Set up branch policies for PR validation.