Create a package with a script

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Posted on by CU11121508-0

Hello everyone,

I'm looking to automate part of my Business Central development workflow and I'm wondering if it's possible to generate the extension package (.app file) that needs to be uploaded to Business Central through a script or command line tool, rather than manually through VS Code.

Specifically, I'd like to know:

Is there a command-line tool or PowerShell script that can compile AL code and generate the .app package?
If so, what are the requirements and how would the basic syntax look?
Are there any limitations compared to building through VS Code?

My goal is to integrate this into a CI/CD pipeline for automated deployments.

Any guidance or documentation references would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!!

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Dynamics 365 Business Central

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Vahid Ghafarpour 12,216 Super User 2026 Season 1 on at

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I'd use ALTool

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-al-tool-package

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OussamaSabbouh 10,875 Super User 2026 Season 1 on at

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Hello,

Yes. Use ALTool (alc.exe) to build a .app from the command line.

That’s what VS Code uses under the hood and it’s CI/CD-ready.

Example

alc.exe compile --project app.json --packagecachepath .alpackages --out .output

Docs:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-al-tool

Regards,

Oussama Sabbouh

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Gerardo Rentería Ga... 25,545 Most Valuable Professional on at

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Hi, good day
I hope this can help you, and give you some hints.

Meet the compiler's little friend ALTOOL.EXE for AL and Business Central

Best Regards
Gerardo

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Khushbu Rajvi. 21,573 Super User 2026 Season 1 on at

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Hope this helps too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGYYXlCGoWw

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YUN ZHU 97,970 Super User 2026 Season 1 on at

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Try AL-Go

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/al-go/algo-overview?wt.mc_id=DX-MVP-5004336

Thanks.

ZHU

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