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Freedom251 › Continuous Integration Software

CruiseControl.NET

Free plan LinuxSelf-hostedWindows

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CruiseControl.NET's own site

What CruiseControl.NET is

CruiseControl.NET is free, open-source continuous integration software implemented with the .NET Framework. It watches source-control repositories and starts an integration build after a developer commits, then reports the result. One server can build multiple projects. Documented source-control integrations include VSS, CVS, Subversion, Git, Mercurial, Perforce, ClearCase, filesystem, and FTP. Named external tools include NAnt, MSBuild, NDepend, NUnit, MBUnit, Watin, and Visual Studio. Results can be sent by email, through an executable, or via RSS. The Web Dashboard reports on multiple projects and servers from one deployment and supports plugins, including a custom-feature plugin API. Security provides authorization, authentication, and auditing, but remains off until configured in ccnet.config. Authentication options include username, username and password, or Active Directory validation. The service application runs as a Windows service, while the console application requires a logged-in user. The archived repository lists releases up to version 1.8.5.

Who it suits

CruiseControl.NET suits teams wanting a self-hosted continuous integration server with broad source-control and build-tool integrations. It is relevant to Windows service deployments and projects using the documented tools.

What it does well

  • Free open-source software
  • Builds multiple projects on one server
  • Supports many source-control systems
  • Web Dashboard covers multiple servers
  • Runs integrations as a Windows service

What to know first

  • Repository is archived and read-only
  • Latest listed releases stop at version 1.8.5
  • Security is off by default
  • Linux installer and documentation builds are unavailable

Plans

PlanBilled and limitsPrice
CruiseControl.NETOpen-source software; releases up to 1.8.5 listed for downloadFree

As ccnet.github.io lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Verdict

CruiseControl.NET provides self-hosted continuous integration with configurable source control, build tools, reporting, dashboards, and security. Its archived status and listed release limitations should be considered before adoption.

Facts from CruiseControl.NET's own pages

Authentication options
Documented authentication methods include username, username and password, or validation against an Active Directory domain. · ccnet.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
Build automation
The server monitors source control and launches an integration build when a developer commits changes, then notifies the developer of the result. · ccnet.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
Build tools
The documentation names NAnt, MSBuild, NDepend, NUnit, MBUnit, Watin, and Visual Studio as external tool integrations. · ccnet.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
Console limitation
The console application is intended for testing configuration and requires a user to remain logged in. · ccnet.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
Dashboard
The Web Dashboard can report on multiple projects and servers from one deployment and supports plugins, including a plugin API for custom features. · ccnet.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
Deployment
The service application runs integrations as a Windows service without requiring a user to remain logged in on the server. · ccnet.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
Linux build limitation
The repository README says building CruiseControl.NET installers and documentation on Linux is unavailable because those steps require NSIS and Sandcastle Help Builder. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Multiple projects
One server can build multiple projects. · ccnet.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
Purpose
CruiseControl.NET is an open-source automated continuous integration server implemented using the .NET Framework. · ccnet.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
Release status
The GitHub repository is archived and read-only, and its README points to releases up to version 1.8.5 for download. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Reporting
The server can report through email, launching an executable, and RSS. · ccnet.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
Security
Server security supports authorization, authentication, and auditing, and the documentation says security is off by default unless configured in ccnet.config. · ccnet.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
Source control
The documentation lists integrations including VSS, CVS, Subversion, Git, Mercurial, Perforce, ClearCase, filesystem, and FTP. · ccnet.github.io, 11 Oct 2026

Where CruiseControl.NET stands on Freedom251

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