Is there a standard file extension for MSBuild files?

Question

Is there a standard file extension for MSBuild files that are not project files but instead more complex build scripts?

I was thinking .msbuild.proj to avoid confusion with other .proj files (which I am aware are actually MSBuild files).

Answer 1

We just use .build

Answer 2

.proj is the most popular. So the main build script would be something like:

build.proj
main.proj 
buildAll.proj

Answer 3

The closest there is to a standard is as follows:

1. .proj
2. .targets
3. . XXproj

.targets files are those which is meant to be imported into other files using the Import element. Since these files are strictly re-useable they don't actually build anything. They typically are missing the properties and item values to actually build anything.

.proj files are created files which can be built by themselves. They may import .targets files.

.XXproj, for example .csproj or .vbproj are files which build files containing a speciific language. For example .csproj is for C# projects and .vbproj for VB.NET project files. This convention comes from Visual Studio.