.NETPro #42: .NET 11 Preview 6, Copilot CLI, MSBuild Binlog Analyzer, G#, and More...
🌏 Actionable .NET tips, the latest updates, and community insights, all in one place
.NET 11 Preview 6 has landed, making this week's issue all about getting ready for what's next. Alongside the latest preview, Microsoft has released the July servicing updates, a new beginner friendly course on modernizing existing .NET applications, and a Copilot powered MSBuild Binlog Analyzer for VS Code that helps you investigate build failures without leaving your editor. If you prefer to see new features in action, the latest ASP.NET Community Standup walks through the biggest additions and explains what they mean for your projects.
In the experts section, Milan Jovanović shares the story behind the .NET practice platform he always wanted, along with the lessons he learned from building it. There is also a look at G#, a new language for .NET that takes inspiration from Go, Kotlin, and Swift, and what it could mean for the wider ecosystem.
For hands on, you will learn how to extend GitHub Copilot CLI with custom agents and skills that automate repetitive tasks and adapt to your team’s workflow.
Take a look at today’s highlights first:
➡️ Explore everything new in .NET 11 Preview 6
➡️ Keep your applications current with July's servicing updates
➡️ Analyze MSBuild binlogs with Copilot in VS Code
➡️ Start modernizing legacy .NET applications with Microsoft's new free course
➡️ Learn why Milan Jovanović built his ideal .NET practice platform
➡️ See what G# brings to the .NET ecosystem
➡️ Extend GitHub Copilot CLI with custom agents and skills
Keep reading, and when you’re done, drop us a note about what you enjoyed and how we can make the next edition more helpful.
Cheers!
Hayden Edwards
Editor-in-Chief
📰 What’s Happening in .NET!
The latest .NET breakthroughs are here. Haven’t explored them yet? Dive in now!
➡️ Take .NET 11 Preview 6 for a spin: Microsoft has released .NET 11 Preview 6, packed with updates across the SDK, runtime, C#, ASP.NET Core, Entity Framework Core, and MAUI. You can get an early look at the latest features and see what is coming before the final release. It is a great opportunity to start experimenting and prepare your projects for .NET 11.
➡️ Keep your .NET applications running smoothly with the latest July 2026 updates: The latest servicing updates for .NET and .NET Framework are here, bringing the usual mix of security fixes and reliability improvements. Keeping your applications up to date helps you stay supported and avoid unnecessary surprises. Take a few minutes to make sure your environments are running the latest releases.
➡️ Start modernizing your .NET apps with confidence: Microsoft has launched a free course to help you get started with modernizing .NET applications. Whether you are maintaining a legacy application or planning a migration, you will find practical guidance and hands on examples to help you get moving. It is an easy way to build your modernization skills at your own pace.
➡️ Analyze MSBuild binlogs without leaving VS Code: Microsoft has released the MSBuild Binlog Analyzer for VS Code in Preview, bringing build log analysis directly into your editor with GitHub Copilot integration. You can ask questions about build failures, performance, incremental builds, and regressions in plain language without digging through .binlog files by hand. It is a handy new tool if you spend time tracking down build issues or optimising build performance.
⏱️ Time for Some Hands-On .NET
Don’t miss this edition’s spotlight guide!
🛠️ Teach GitHub Copilot CLI your team's workflow
You can get more from GitHub Copilot CLI when it understands how your team actually works. In this guide, Dev Leader shows you how to create custom agents and skills that automate repeatable tasks, follow your team's conventions, and reduce repetitive prompting. If you already use Copilot in your development workflow, this is a practical way to make it work the way you do.
Why it’s worth exploring
You'll learn the difference between custom agents and skills, when to use each one, and how to build your own from scratch. The article walks through real examples, explains how Copilot discovers and uses skills, and highlights ways to create more consistent, repeatable workflows. It is a useful next step if you want to move beyond basic prompts and tailor Copilot to your projects.
What you need before diving in
A GitHub Copilot subscription with access to Copilot CLI
Basic familiarity with the command line
Some experience using GitHub Copilot in your day to day development
An interest in customizing and automating your development workflow
✒️ Got a Minute?
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🧑🏼💻 What .NET Experts Are Talking About
Inside the minds of .NET pros: Real-world experience, real insights!
➡️ See what is new in .NET 11 Preview 6 without reading every release note: Want the highlights from .NET 11 Preview 6 without reading through all the release notes? The latest ASP.NET Community Standup walks you through the biggest updates, complete with demos and insights from the team behind the release. It is an easy way to catch up and see the new features in action.
➡️ What happens when you build the .NET tool you wished existed: Ever wished there was a better way to sharpen your .NET skills than another tutorial or coding challenge? In this video, Milan Jovanović shares why he built the practice platform he always wanted and the lessons he learned along the way. You'll see how he approached the problem, what makes the platform different, and the thinking behind its design. It is worth a watch if you are interested in learning more effectively or building products that developers genuinely want to use.
➡️ Could G# become the next language for .NET? Keeping up with new languages can feel like a moving target, especially when most never gain real traction. This InfoWorld article explores G#, a new language for .NET that takes inspiration from Go, Kotlin, and Swift. You'll learn what makes it different, why it was created, and where it could fit into the .NET ecosystem. Give it a read if you like keeping an eye on where G# could be heading next.
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And That’s a Wrap 🎬
Thanks for diving in. I hope this issue sparked an idea or two that could help fuel your next big project.
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Keep learning, keep building, and we’ll see you next time!