Azure DevOps - During the build pipeline run, what is the path where the Agent downloads the files locally?

Question

We are using a Microsoft Hosted Agent to run a build pipeline for an automated test scenario for our application. What we would like to achieve is, having our automation procedure, to download a file (from a headless chrome browser), then navigate to the path where it is downloaded and open it.

How could I find the path where the files are being downloaded inside the Agent?

Answer 1

Quick compilation of list of pre-defined variables related to paths for the build on linux and windows self hosted agents from official doc link.

The one you are looking is Agent.BuildDirectory or Pipeline.Workspace.

List of predefined variables:

Variable type	Variable	Description	Example
Agent	Agent.BuildDirectory	The local path on the agent where all folders for a given build pipeline are created	D:\..\agent\_work\1
Agent	Agent.HomeDirectory	The directory the agent is installed into	C:\agent
Agent	Agent.TempDirectory	A temporary folder that is cleaned after each pipeline job	D:\..\agent\_work\_temp
Agent	Agent.ToolsDirectory	The directory used by tasks such as Node Tool Installer and Use Python Version to switch between multiple versions of a tool	D:\..\agent\_work\_tool
Agent	Agent.WorkFolder	The working directory for agent	c:\agent_work
Build	Build.SourcesDirectory	The local path on the agent where your source code files are downloaded.	c:\agent_work\1\s
Build	Build.ArtifactStagingDirectory	The local path on the agent where any artifacts are copied to before being pushed to their destination. A typical way to use this folder is to publish your build artifacts with the Copy files and Publish build artifacts tasks	c:\agent_work\1\a
Build	Build.StagingDirectory	The local path on the agent where any artifacts are copied to before being pushed to their destination.	c:\agent_work\1\a
Build	Build.BinariesDirectory	The local path on the agent you can use as an output folder for compiled binaries	c:\agent_work\1\b
Build	Build.Repository.LocalPath	The local path on the agent where your source code files are downloaded.	c:\agent_work\1\s
Build	Common.TestResultsDirectory	The local path on the agent where the test results are created.	c:\agent_work\1\TestResults
Pipeline	Pipeline.Workspace	The Workspace directory for a particular pipeline	/home/vsts/work/1
System	System.DefaultWorkingDirectory	The local path on the agent where your source code files are downloaded.	c:\agent_work\1\s