Configure and run the Azure DevOps Demo Generator locally

Azure DevOps Services

You can run the Azure DevOps Demo Generator project as a console application or executable on your local machine. This approach gives you more control over the tool's execution and allows you to customize its behavior for specific scenarios.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have these components installed on your machine:

• .NET 8 SDK
• Visual Studio or another preferred IDE
• Git for cloning the repository

Set up the Demo Generator locally

Follow these steps to configure and run the Demo Generator on your local machine:

1. Clone the Azure DevOps Demo Generator repository to your local machine:

   git clone https://github.com/microsoft/AzDevOpsDemoGenerator.git
   cd AzDevOpsDemoGenerator
   

2. Open the ADOGenerator.sln solution file in Visual Studio or your preferred IDE.

3. In Visual Studio, set the startup project:

   1. Right-click on the ADOGenerator project in the Solution Explorer.
   2. Select Set as Startup Project.

4. Build the solution to restore all dependencies and ensure the project compiles successfully:

   1. In Visual Studio: Right-click on the solution in the Solution Explorer and select Build Solution.
   2. From the command line:

   dotnet build
   

5. Run the project as a console application using one of these methods:

   1. In Visual Studio: Press F5 or select the Start button.
   2. From the command line:

   dotnet run --project src/ADOGenerator/ADOGenerator.csproj
   

Create an executable

Create a standalone executable that you can distribute or run on machines without the .NET SDK:

Publish the project

In Visual Studio:

1. Right-click on the ADOGenerator project in the Solution Explorer.
2. Select Publish.
3. Follow the prompts to configure the publish settings (target folder, configuration, runtime).

From the command line:

dotnet publish src/ADOGenerator/ADOGenerator.csproj -c Release -r win-x64 --self-contained

Run the executable

Go to the published directory and run the executable:

cd src/ADOGenerator/bin/Release/net8.0/win-x64/publish
./ADOGenerator.exe

Configuration considerations

When running the Azure DevOps Demo Generator locally, keep these factors in mind:

• Configuration files: Ensure that required configuration files (such as appsettings.json) are present in the output directory.
• Dependencies: Verify that all necessary dependencies are included in the build output.
• Permissions: The application requires appropriate permissions to access Azure DevOps services.
• Network access: Ensure your machine can connect to Azure DevOps Services over HTTPS.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues while setting up or running the Demo Generator:

1. Check console output: Review error messages in the console for specific issues.
2. Verify dependencies: Ensure all required packages and dependencies are properly restored.
3. Validate configuration: Check that configuration files contain correct settings and values.
4. Review connectivity: Verify network connectivity to Azure DevOps Services.
5. Check .NET version: Confirm you're using the correct .NET SDK version.

Alternative approaches

Since Microsoft no longer actively develops the Demo Generator, consider these alternatives for project automation:

• Azure DevOps CLI for scripted project setup and management
• REST API automation for custom project provisioning solutions
• PowerShell scripts using Azure DevOps REST APIs
• Azure Resource Manager templates for infrastructure and project setup

Related content

• Use the Demo Generator
• Build your own template
• Azure DevOps CLI overview
• Azure DevOps REST API reference