Microsoft's .NET team evolved from a distributed multi-repository build system to Unified Build, a virtual monolithic repository approach that dramatically reduces build complexity and overhead. The new system consolidates 35-40 vertical builds into a single coherent source layout, cutting build times from days to under an hour while enabling bidirectional code flow between component repositories and the shared layout. This architecture solves critical problems around security patching predictability, infrastructure costs, and cross-stack development while maintaining compatibility with Linux distribution requirements.
Table of contents
How did we get here? This is not my beautiful build infrastructure Copy linkThe roots of Unified Build in Source Build Copy linkThe Vision – Dreaming up Unified Build Copy linkExecuting on the Vision – Shipping Unified Build Copy linkResults Copy linkFuture directions Copy linkConclusion Copy linkLinks Copy linkSort: