Set the container entry point
A container entry point is a process that is configured to run when a container is started.
Visual Studio uses a custom container entry point depending on the project type and the container operating system, here are the different combinations:
| Container type | Entry point |
|---|---|
| Linux containers | The entry point is tail -f /dev/null, which is an infinite wait to keep the container running. When the app is launched through the debugger, it's the debugger that is responsible to run the app (that is, dotnet webapp.dll). If launched without debugging, the tooling runs a docker exec -i {containerId} dotnet webapp.dll to run the app. |
| Windows containers | The entry point is something like C:\remote_debugger\x64\msvsmon.exe /noauth /anyuser /silent /nostatus which runs the debugger, so it's listening for connections. This method applies when the debugger runs the app. When launched without debugging, a docker exec command is used. For .NET Framework web apps, the entry point is slightly different where ServiceMonitor is added to the command. |
| Container type | Entry point |
|---|---|
| Linux containers | For .NET 6 and later, the entry point is dotnet --roll-forward Major /VSTools/DistrolessHelper/DistrolessHelper.dll --wait. For .NET 5 and earlier, the entry point is tail -f /dev/null. These processes use an infinite wait to keep the container running when the app is not running. When the app is launched, with or without debugging, it's the debugger that is responsible to run the app (that is, dotnet webapp.dll) and keep the container running. |
| Windows containers | The entry point is something like C:\remote_debugger\x64\msvsmon.exe /noauth /anyuser /silent /nostatus which runs the debugger, so it's listening for connections. For .NET Framework web apps, the entry point is slightly different where ServiceMonitor is added to the command. |
The container entry point can only be modified in Docker Compose projects, not in single-container projects. See Docker Compose properties - Customize the app startup process.