dotnet presents a .NET Conf 2025 session on using C# and Cake SDK to orchestrate GitHub Actions DevOps pipelines, focusing on code-driven workflows, local testing, and leveraging developer skills.

Orchestrating GitHub Actions Pipelines in C# with Cake SDK

DevOps workflows increasingly rely on configuration as code, with YAML and JSON dominating the landscape. This session reimagines build and release orchestration by harnessing C# and the Cake SDK to author GitHub Actions pipelines.

Key Topics Covered

• Build and Release as Code: Use C# for pipeline logic, replacing traditional markup languages.
• Expressive Programming: Access standard C# control structures (for, while, do), making complex workflows easier to read and maintain.
• Debugging and Local Testing: Develop and test pipelines locally with robust debugging, minimizing time spent waiting for CI cycles in GitHub.
• Familiar Developer Tools: Integrate with Visual Studio Code and other popular IDEs, letting teams leverage their C# skills and existing tooling.
• Cake SDK Integration: Use the Cake SDK for scripting and task automation within .NET 10 environments.

Advantages

• Improved Developer Experience: Reduce context switching by using a familiar language.
• Enhanced Testability: Validate builds locally before pushing to GitHub.
• Reusability and Maintainability: Write modular, testable, and maintainable pipeline logic using C# features.

Example Features

• Define pipeline steps using C# methods
• Implement error handling with exception logic
• Utilize loops and conditional flows for build orchestration
• Debug with full IDE support

Getting Started

1. Install Cake SDK in your .NET 10 project
2. Set up build scripts in C# for GitHub Actions workflows
3. Debug and test workflows locally using VS Code
4. Push finalized pipeline logic to GitHub for CI/CD

For more sessions from .NET Conf 2025, visit the official YouTube playlist.