Trigger CI Build only on changes to subfolder in VSTS (was TFS Online), using Git

Question

I have a Git repo with two subfolders in Visual Studio Team Services. One is HelloWorld, the other ST. The path shows as this on my local folder.

root /HelloWorld /HelloWorld /ST

Under HelloWorld is a C# app. Under ST is a basic set of DB scripts.

I want to build with CI each of these separately. I have a build for HelloWorld and one for ST, each working independently. If I commit changes with git and push, the builds run successfully. Meaning, if I commit a C# change from VS, the ST database build will run, then the c#, VS solution build runs. If I commit and push a db change, same thing. Both builds run.

However, if I use the new path filters in VSTS, and add a filter for the ST build with either of these:

• include "ST"
• exclude "HelloWorld"

And commit a change in either folder, the ST build will not run.

Likewise, if I add a filter to the HelloWorld build, include or exclude, that build will not run.

I've tried paths like:

• /HelloWorld
• HelloWorld/*
• HelloWorld/HelloWorld
• HelloWorld/HelloWorld/*
• H*
• /H*

A few more combinations, to either build. If I use any path filter, things won't trigger a build. A manual build works fine, no matter what the filters.

Am I missing something or are path filters broken?

Answer 1

I'm not sure the folder structure of your project in TFS/VSTS, so I create a sample project for your reference, following is the folder structure:

The build will be triggered when there is change pushed into the fist "HelloWorld" folder and the change pushed into "ST" folder will not trigger the build with following settings:

The build will be only triggered when there is change pushed into "ST" folder:

Please check your folder structure from the "Code" tab first and then update the setting of your build definition.