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Add documentation for the dotnet build -t|--target option to dotnet-build.md. #53673

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Add documentation for the dotnet build -t|--target option to dotnet-build.md. #53673

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b68d637
documented -t for build options
classyk12 May 10, 2026
4f176ed
made code changes based on PR reviews
classyk12 May 11, 2026
f129879
updated examples for -t in build docs
classyk12 May 12, 2026
245209f
added docs update
classyk12 May 12, 2026
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19 changes: 18 additions & 1 deletion docs/core/tools/dotnet-build.md
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Expand Up @@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ title: dotnet build command
description: The dotnet build command builds a project and all of its dependencies.
ms.date: 09/24/2025
---

# dotnet build

**This article applies to:** ✔️ .NET 6 SDK and later versions
Expand All @@ -21,7 +22,7 @@ dotnet build [<PROJECT>|<SOLUTION>|<FILE>] [-a|--arch <ARCHITECTURE>]
[--no-dependencies] [--no-incremental] [--no-restore] [--nologo]
[--no-self-contained] [-o|--output <OUTPUT_DIRECTORY>] [--os <OS>]
[-p|--property:<PROPERTYNAME>=<VALUE>] [-r|--runtime <RUNTIME_IDENTIFIER>]
[--sc|--self-contained] [--source <SOURCE>]
[--sc|--self-contained] [--source <SOURCE>] [-t|--target:<TARGET>]
[--tl:[auto|on|off]] [ --ucr|--use-current-runtime]
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gewarren marked this conversation as resolved.
[-v|--verbosity <LEVEL>] [--version-suffix <VERSION_SUFFIX>]

Expand Down Expand Up @@ -155,6 +156,16 @@ Running `dotnet build` is equivalent to running `dotnet msbuild -restore`; howev

The URI of the NuGet package source to use during the restore operation.

- **`-t|--target:<TARGET>`**

Specifies one or more MSBuild targets to run during the build instead of the default target. Specify multiple targets by separating them with a semicolon or comma, or by repeating the option for each target. Corresponds to the MSBuild -target option. Common targets include Build (default), Clean, and Rebuild. For more information, see MSBuild Targets.

```dotnetcli
dotnet build -t:"Clean;RunTests"
dotnet build -t:Clean -t:GenerateApiClients
dotnet build -t:RunCodeGeneration
```
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adegeo marked this conversation as resolved.
Comment on lines +163 to +167
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@adegeo adegeo May 12, 2026

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We could showcase the different styles

Suggested change
```dotnetcli
dotnet build -t:RunTests
dotnet build -t:GenerateApiClients
dotnet build -t:RunCodeGeneration
```
```dotnetcli
dotnet build -t:"Clean;RunTests"
dotnet build -t:Clean -t:GenerateApiClients
dotnet build -t:RunCodeGeneration


- [!INCLUDE [tl](includes/cli-tl.md)]

- [!INCLUDE [use-current-runtime](includes/cli-use-current-runtime.md)]
Expand Down Expand Up @@ -206,3 +217,9 @@ Running `dotnet build` is equivalent to running `dotnet msbuild -restore`; howev
```dotnetcli
dotnet build -p:Version=1.2.3.4
```

- Run the `Clean` target to remove previous build outputs:

```dotnetcli
dotnet build -t:Clean
```
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