copying-feature-files.md

Copying feature files to build output

There are two ways to make sure that feature files are copied to the build output directory.

A) Manually set the file property

Open the properties window of the feature file and set the value of Copy to Output Directory to Copy Always or Copy if Newer.

The disadvantage of this method is that you need to remember to set this property on each feature file you add to the project.

B) Automatically copy feature files

It's also possible to leverage MSBuild to automatically copy any feature files. Especially the new Microsoft.NET.Sdk project file makes this very easy.

Open the csproj file of your test project and add a new ItemGroup to search for any feature file in a certain location and copy them to the output directory:

<Project Sdk="Microsoft.NET.Sdk">

  <!-- ... rest of project file omitted for brevity ... -->

  <ItemGroup>
    <None Update="Features\**\*.feature">
      <CopyToOutputDirectory>PreserveNewest</CopyToOutputDirectory>
    </None>
  </ItemGroup>

</Project>

This example will automatically copy any files ending with .feature from a folder named Features (and any of its subfolders).

Important: This will only work for project files that have Sdk="Microsoft.NET.Sdk" as attribute of the Project element.

Older project files can achieve the same effect by using the AfterBuild target in the csproj file.

<Target Name="AfterBuild">
     <Copy SourceFiles="*.features" DestinationFolder="$(OutputPath)" ContinueOnError="true" />
</Target>