* Use the new artifacts feature to simplify build paths

.github/workflows/alpha-backup-sync.yml

@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Ensure alpha-backup exists
         if: steps.kill_switch.outputs.enabled == 'true' && steps.check_changes.outputs.has_changes == 'true'
-        uses: actions/github-script@v8
+        uses: actions/github-script@v9
         id: ensure_backup
         with:
           github-token: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Create PR from alpha to alpha-backup
         if: steps.kill_switch.outputs.enabled == 'true' && steps.check_changes.outputs.has_changes == 'true'
         id: create_pr
-        uses: actions/github-script@v8
+        uses: actions/github-script@v9
         with:
           github-token: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
           script: |
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Enable auto-merge on PR
         if: steps.kill_switch.outputs.enabled == 'true' && steps.check_changes.outputs.has_changes == 'true'
-        uses: actions/github-script@v8
+        uses: actions/github-script@v9
         env:
           PR_NODE_ID: ${{ fromJson(steps.create_pr.outputs.result).pr_node_id }}
         with:

.github/workflows/auto-assign-pr-author.yml

@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     steps:
       - name: Assign PR author
-        uses: actions/github-script@v8
+        uses: actions/github-script@v9
         with:
           github-token: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
           script: |

.github/workflows/auto-label-issue-areas.yml

@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     steps:
       - name: Extract and apply area labels
-        uses: actions/github-script@v8
+        uses: actions/github-script@v9
         with:
           github-token: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
           script: |

.github/workflows/auto-label-pr-backup.yml

@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     steps:
       - name: Check if PR modifies alpha-backup-sync.yml
-        uses: actions/github-script@v8
+        uses: actions/github-script@v9
         with:
           github-token: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
           script: |

.github/workflows/build.yml

@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ jobs:
         run: dotnet restore "Source/Krypton Components/Krypton Toolkit Suite 2022 - VS2022.slnx"
 
       - name: Build
-        run: msbuild "Scripts/Build/nightly.proj" /t:Rebuild /p:Configuration=Release /p:Platform="Any CPU"
+        run: msbuild "Scripts/Build/nightly.proj" /t:Rebuild /p:Configuration=Release /p:Platform="Any CPU" /p:UseArtifactsOutput=true
 
   release:
     runs-on: windows-2025-vs2026
@@ -231,10 +231,10 @@ jobs:
         run: dotnet restore "Source/Krypton Components/Krypton Toolkit Suite 2022 - VS2022.slnx"
 
       - name: Build Release
-        run: msbuild "Scripts/Build/build.proj" /t:Build /p:Configuration=Release /p:Platform="Any CPU"
+        run: msbuild "Scripts/Build/build.proj" /t:Build /p:Configuration=Release /p:Platform="Any CPU" /p:UseArtifactsOutput=true
 
       - name: Pack Release
-        run: msbuild "Scripts/Build/build.proj" /t:Pack /p:Configuration=Release /p:Platform="Any CPU"
+        run: msbuild "Scripts/Build/build.proj" /t:Pack /p:Configuration=Release /p:Platform="Any CPU" /p:UseArtifactsOutput=true
 
       - name: Get Version
         id: get_version

.github/workflows/canary-lts-release.yml

@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@ jobs:
         shell: pwsh
         run: |
           $ErrorActionPreference = 'Stop'
-          $buildArgs = 'Scripts/Build/canary.proj /t:Build /p:Configuration=Canary /p:Platform="Any CPU"'
+          $buildArgs = 'Scripts/Build/canary.proj /t:Build /p:Configuration=Canary /p:Platform="Any CPU" /p:UseArtifactsOutput=true'
 
           if (${{ steps.prepare_cert.outputs.cert_available }} -eq 'true') {
             $buildArgs += ' /p:EnableAuthenticodeSigning=true'
@@ -182,7 +182,7 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Pack Canary
         if: steps.canary_lts_kill_switch.outputs.enabled == 'true'
-        run: msbuild "Scripts/Build/canary.proj" /t:Pack /p:Configuration=Canary /p:Platform="Any CPU"
+        run: msbuild "Scripts/Build/canary.proj" /t:Pack /p:Configuration=Canary /p:Platform="Any CPU" /p:UseArtifactsOutput=true
 
       - name: Push NuGet Packages to nuget.org
         if: steps.canary_lts_kill_switch.outputs.enabled == 'true'

.github/workflows/canary.yml

@@ -191,15 +191,15 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Restore
         if: steps.canary_release_kill_switch.outputs.enabled == 'true'
-        run: msbuild "Scripts/Build/canary.proj" /t:Restore /p:Configuration=Canary /p:Platform="Any CPU"
+        run: msbuild "Scripts/Build/canary.proj" /t:Restore /p:Configuration=Canary /p:Platform="Any CPU" /p:UseArtifactsOutput=true
 
       - name: Build Canary
         if: steps.canary_release_kill_switch.outputs.enabled == 'true'
-        run: msbuild "Scripts/Build/canary.proj" /t:Build /p:Configuration=Canary /p:Platform="Any CPU"
+        run: msbuild "Scripts/Build/canary.proj" /t:Build /p:Configuration=Canary /p:Platform="Any CPU" /p:UseArtifactsOutput=true
 
       - name: Pack Canary
         if: steps.canary_release_kill_switch.outputs.enabled == 'true'
-        run: msbuild "Scripts/Build/canary.proj" /t:Pack /p:Configuration=Canary /p:Platform="Any CPU"
+        run: msbuild "Scripts/Build/canary.proj" /t:Pack /p:Configuration=Canary /p:Platform="Any CPU" /p:UseArtifactsOutput=true
 
       - name: Push NuGet Packages to nuget.org
         if: steps.canary_release_kill_switch.outputs.enabled == 'true'
@@ -213,7 +213,11 @@ jobs:
             exit 0
           }
 
-          $packages = Get-ChildItem "Bin/Packages/Canary/*.nupkg" -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
+          $packageCandidates = @(
+            "artifacts/packages/Canary/*.nupkg",
+            "Bin/Packages/Canary/*.nupkg"
+          )
+          $packages = @(Get-ChildItem -Path $packageCandidates -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue | Sort-Object FullName -Unique)
           $publishedAny = $false
 
           if ($packages) {
@@ -249,7 +253,14 @@ jobs:
           $version = $null
 
           try {
-            $dllPath = Get-ChildItem "Bin/Canary/net48/Krypton.Toolkit.dll" -ErrorAction Stop
+            $dllCandidates = @(
+              "artifacts/bin/Canary/net48/Krypton.Toolkit.dll",
+              "Bin/Canary/net48/Krypton.Toolkit.dll"
+            )
+            $dllPath = Get-ChildItem -Path $dllCandidates -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue | Select-Object -First 1
+            if (-not $dllPath) {
+              throw "Krypton.Toolkit.dll not found in artifacts or Bin output paths."
+            }
             $assemblyVersion = [System.Reflection.AssemblyName]::GetAssemblyName($dllPath.FullName).Version
             $version = $assemblyVersion.ToString()
             Write-Host "Got version from assembly: $version"

.github/workflows/codeql.yml

@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Build solution
         shell: pwsh
-        run: msbuild "Scripts/Build/nightly.proj" /t:Rebuild /p:Configuration=Release /p:Platform="Any CPU"
+        run: msbuild "Scripts/Build/nightly.proj" /t:Rebuild /p:Configuration=Release /p:Platform="Any CPU" /p:UseArtifactsOutput=true
 
       - name: Perform CodeQL analysis
         uses: github/codeql-action/analyze@v4

.github/workflows/nightly.yml

@@ -233,15 +233,15 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Restore
         if: steps.nightly_release_kill_switch.outputs.enabled == 'true' && steps.check_changes.outputs.has_changes == 'true'
-        run: msbuild "Scripts/Build/nightly.proj" /t:Restore /p:Configuration=Nightly /p:Platform="Any CPU"
+        run: msbuild "Scripts/Build/nightly.proj" /t:Restore /p:Configuration=Nightly /p:Platform="Any CPU" /p:UseArtifactsOutput=true
 
       - name: Build Nightly
         if: steps.nightly_release_kill_switch.outputs.enabled == 'true' && steps.check_changes.outputs.has_changes == 'true'
-        run: msbuild "Scripts/Build/nightly.proj" /t:Build /p:Configuration=Nightly /p:Platform="Any CPU"
+        run: msbuild "Scripts/Build/nightly.proj" /t:Build /p:Configuration=Nightly /p:Platform="Any CPU" /p:UseArtifactsOutput=true
 
       - name: Pack Nightly
         if: steps.nightly_release_kill_switch.outputs.enabled == 'true' && steps.check_changes.outputs.has_changes == 'true'
-        run: msbuild "Scripts/Build/nightly.proj" /t:Pack /p:Configuration=Nightly /p:Platform="Any CPU"
+        run: msbuild "Scripts/Build/nightly.proj" /t:Pack /p:Configuration=Nightly /p:Platform="Any CPU" /p:UseArtifactsOutput=true
 
       - name: Push NuGet Packages to nuget.org
         if: steps.nightly_release_kill_switch.outputs.enabled == 'true' && steps.check_changes.outputs.has_changes == 'true'
@@ -255,7 +255,11 @@ jobs:
             exit 0
           }
 
-          $packages = Get-ChildItem "Bin/Packages/Nightly/*.nupkg" -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
+          $packageCandidates = @(
+            "artifacts/packages/Nightly/*.nupkg",
+            "Bin/Packages/Nightly/*.nupkg"
+          )
+          $packages = @(Get-ChildItem -Path $packageCandidates -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue | Sort-Object FullName -Unique)
           $publishedAny = $false
 
           if ($packages) {
@@ -293,7 +297,14 @@ jobs:
 
           # Try to get version from the built assembly (most reliable)
           try {
-            $dllPath = Get-ChildItem "Bin/Nightly/net48/Krypton.Toolkit.dll" -ErrorAction Stop
+            $dllCandidates = @(
+              "artifacts/bin/Nightly/net48/Krypton.Toolkit.dll",
+              "Bin/Nightly/net48/Krypton.Toolkit.dll"
+            )
+            $dllPath = Get-ChildItem -Path $dllCandidates -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue | Select-Object -First 1
+            if (-not $dllPath) {
+              throw "Krypton.Toolkit.dll not found in artifacts or Bin output paths."
+            }
             $assemblyVersion = [System.Reflection.AssemblyName]::GetAssemblyName($dllPath.FullName).Version
             $version = $assemblyVersion.ToString()
             Write-Host "Got version from assembly: $version"

.github/workflows/release.yml

@@ -150,12 +150,12 @@ jobs:
       - name: Build Release
         # Kill switch check
         if: steps.release_kill_switch.outputs.enabled == 'true'
-        run: msbuild "Scripts/Build/build.proj" /t:Build /p:Configuration=Release /p:Platform="Any CPU"
+        run: msbuild "Scripts/Build/build.proj" /t:Build /p:Configuration=Release /p:Platform="Any CPU" /p:UseArtifactsOutput=true
 
       - name: Pack Release
         # Kill switch check
         if: steps.release_kill_switch.outputs.enabled == 'true'
-        run: msbuild "Scripts/Build/build.proj" /t:Pack /p:Configuration=Release /p:Platform="Any CPU"
+        run: msbuild "Scripts/Build/build.proj" /t:Pack /p:Configuration=Release /p:Platform="Any CPU" /p:UseArtifactsOutput=true
 
       - name: Push NuGet Packages to nuget.org
         # Kill switch check
@@ -170,7 +170,11 @@ jobs:
             exit 0
           }
 
-          $packages = Get-ChildItem "Bin/Packages/Release/*.nupkg" -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
+          $packageCandidates = @(
+            "artifacts/packages/Release/*.nupkg",
+            "Bin/Packages/Release/*.nupkg"
+          )
+          $packages = @(Get-ChildItem -Path $packageCandidates -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue | Sort-Object FullName -Unique)
           $publishedAny = $false
 
           if ($packages) {
@@ -209,7 +213,14 @@ jobs:
 
           # Try to get version from the built assembly (most reliable)
           try {
-            $dllPath = Get-ChildItem "Bin/Release/net48/Krypton.Toolkit.dll" -ErrorAction Stop
+            $dllCandidates = @(
+              "artifacts/bin/Release/net48/Krypton.Toolkit.dll",
+              "Bin/Release/net48/Krypton.Toolkit.dll"
+            )
+            $dllPath = Get-ChildItem -Path $dllCandidates -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue | Select-Object -First 1
+            if (-not $dllPath) {
+              throw "Krypton.Toolkit.dll not found in artifacts or Bin output paths."
+            }
             $assemblyVersion = [System.Reflection.AssemblyName]::GetAssemblyName($dllPath.FullName).Version
             $version = $assemblyVersion.ToString()
             Write-Host "Got version from assembly: $version"
@@ -414,12 +425,12 @@ jobs:
       - name: Build Release
         # Kill switch check
         if: steps.release_kill_switch.outputs.enabled == 'true'
-        run: msbuild "Scripts/Build/build.proj" /t:Build /p:Configuration=Release /p:Platform="Any CPU"
+        run: msbuild "Scripts/Build/build.proj" /t:Build /p:Configuration=Release /p:Platform="Any CPU" /p:UseArtifactsOutput=true
 
       - name: Pack Release
         # Kill switch check
         if: steps.release_kill_switch.outputs.enabled == 'true'
-        run: msbuild "Scripts/Build/build.proj" /t:Pack /p:Configuration=Release /p:Platform="Any CPU"
+        run: msbuild "Scripts/Build/build.proj" /t:Pack /p:Configuration=Release /p:Platform="Any CPU" /p:UseArtifactsOutput=true
 
       - name: Push NuGet Packages to nuget.org
         # Kill switch check
@@ -434,7 +445,11 @@ jobs:
             exit 0
           }
 
-          $packages = Get-ChildItem "Bin/Packages/Release/*.nupkg" -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
+          $packageCandidates = @(
+            "artifacts/packages/Release/*.nupkg",
+            "Bin/Packages/Release/*.nupkg"
+          )
+          $packages = @(Get-ChildItem -Path $packageCandidates -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue | Sort-Object FullName -Unique)
           $publishedAny = $false
 
           if ($packages) {
@@ -473,7 +488,14 @@ jobs:
 
           # Try to get version from the built assembly (most reliable)
           try {
-            $dllPath = Get-ChildItem "Bin/Release/net48/Krypton.Toolkit.dll" -ErrorAction Stop
+            $dllCandidates = @(
+              "artifacts/bin/Release/net48/Krypton.Toolkit.dll",
+              "Bin/Release/net48/Krypton.Toolkit.dll"
+            )
+            $dllPath = Get-ChildItem -Path $dllCandidates -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue | Select-Object -First 1
+            if (-not $dllPath) {
+              throw "Krypton.Toolkit.dll not found in artifacts or Bin output paths."
+            }
             $assemblyVersion = [System.Reflection.AssemblyName]::GetAssemblyName($dllPath.FullName).Version
             $version = $assemblyVersion.ToString()
             Write-Host "Got version from assembly: $version"
@@ -690,12 +712,12 @@ jobs:
       - name: Build Canary
         # Kill switch check
         if: steps.canary_release_kill_switch.outputs.enabled == 'true'
-        run: msbuild "Scripts/Build/canary.proj" /t:Build /p:Configuration=Canary /p:Platform="Any CPU"
+        run: msbuild "Scripts/Build/canary.proj" /t:Build /p:Configuration=Canary /p:Platform="Any CPU" /p:UseArtifactsOutput=true
 
       - name: Pack Canary
         # Kill switch check
         if: steps.canary_release_kill_switch.outputs.enabled == 'true'
-        run: msbuild "Scripts/Build/canary.proj" /t:Pack /p:Configuration=Canary /p:Platform="Any CPU"
+        run: msbuild "Scripts/Build/canary.proj" /t:Pack /p:Configuration=Canary /p:Platform="Any CPU" /p:UseArtifactsOutput=true
 
       - name: Push NuGet Packages to nuget.org
         # Kill switch check
@@ -710,7 +732,11 @@ jobs:
             exit 0
           }
 
-          $packages = Get-ChildItem "Bin/Packages/Canary/*.nupkg" -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
+          $packageCandidates = @(
+            "artifacts/packages/Canary/*.nupkg",
+            "Bin/Packages/Canary/*.nupkg"
+          )
+          $packages = @(Get-ChildItem -Path $packageCandidates -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue | Sort-Object FullName -Unique)
           $publishedAny = $false
 
           if ($packages) {
@@ -749,7 +775,14 @@ jobs:
 
           # Try to get version from the built assembly (most reliable)
           try {
-            $dllPath = Get-ChildItem "Bin/Canary/net48/Krypton.Toolkit.dll" -ErrorAction Stop
+            $dllCandidates = @(
+              "artifacts/bin/Canary/net48/Krypton.Toolkit.dll",
+              "Bin/Canary/net48/Krypton.Toolkit.dll"
+            )
+            $dllPath = Get-ChildItem -Path $dllCandidates -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue | Select-Object -First 1
+            if (-not $dllPath) {
+              throw "Krypton.Toolkit.dll not found in artifacts or Bin output paths."
+            }
             $assemblyVersion = [System.Reflection.AssemblyName]::GetAssemblyName($dllPath.FullName).Version
             $version = $assemblyVersion.ToString()
             Write-Host "Got version from assembly: $version"
@@ -958,12 +991,12 @@ jobs:
       - name: Build Alpha
         # Kill switch check
         if: steps.nightly_release_kill_switch.outputs.enabled == 'true'
-        run: msbuild "Scripts/Build/nightly.proj" /t:Build /p:Configuration=Nightly /p:Platform="Any CPU"
+        run: msbuild "Scripts/Build/nightly.proj" /t:Build /p:Configuration=Nightly /p:Platform="Any CPU" /p:UseArtifactsOutput=true
 
       - name: Pack Alpha
         # Kill switch check
         if: steps.nightly_release_kill_switch.outputs.enabled == 'true'
-        run: msbuild "Scripts/Build/nightly.proj" /t:Pack /p:Configuration=Nightly /p:Platform="Any CPU"
+        run: msbuild "Scripts/Build/nightly.proj" /t:Pack /p:Configuration=Nightly /p:Platform="Any CPU" /p:UseArtifactsOutput=true
 
       # Note: NuGet publishing for alpha/nightly builds is handled by nightly.yml workflow
       # which runs on a schedule and checks for changes in the last 24 hours

AGENTS.md

@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
 - `Source/Krypton Components`: Core libraries (`Krypton.Toolkit`, `Krypton.Ribbon`, `Krypton.Navigator`, `Krypton.Workspace`, `Krypton.Docking`) and the solution `Krypton Toolkit Suite 2022 - VS2022.sln`
 - `Source/Krypton Components/TestForm`: WinForms sample app used to validate changes
 - `Source/TestHarnesses`: Small repro/test harnesses (e.g., `ThemeSwapRepro`)
-- `Scripts/`: Build and packaging scripts; `run.cmd` (root) launches an interactive menu; scripts live under `Scripts/VS2022/`, `Scripts/Current/`, `Scripts/Build/` (e.g., `build-stable.cmd`, `build-canary.cmd`, `build-nightly.cmd`, `build.proj`)
+- `Scripts/`: Build and packaging scripts; `run.cmd` (root) launches an interactive menu; scripts live under `Scripts/VS2022/`, `Scripts/Current/`, `Scripts/Build/` (e.g., `build-stable.cmd`, `build-canary.cmd`, `build-nightly.cmd`, `build.proj`); optional Terminal.Gui build/pack UI in `Scripts/ModernBuild/` ([ModernBuild README](Scripts/ModernBuild/README.md))
 - `Bin/`: Build outputs by configuration (e.g., `Bin/Debug`)
 - `Documents/`, `Assets/`, `Logs/`: Docs, images, and build logs
 

Directory.Build.props

@@ -1,4 +1,17 @@
 <Project>
+	<PropertyGroup>
+		<UseArtifactsOutput Condition="'$(UseArtifactsOutput)' == ''">false</UseArtifactsOutput>
+		<KryptonLegacyBinRoot>$(MSBuildThisFileDirectory)Bin\</KryptonLegacyBinRoot>
+		<KryptonLegacyPackageRoot>$(KryptonLegacyBinRoot)Packages\</KryptonLegacyPackageRoot>
+		<KryptonArtifactsRoot>$(MSBuildThisFileDirectory)artifacts\</KryptonArtifactsRoot>
+
+		<KryptonBuildOutputRoot Condition="'$(UseArtifactsOutput)' == 'true'">$(KryptonArtifactsRoot)bin\</KryptonBuildOutputRoot>
+		<KryptonBuildOutputRoot Condition="'$(UseArtifactsOutput)' != 'true'">$(KryptonLegacyBinRoot)</KryptonBuildOutputRoot>
+
+		<KryptonPackageOutputRoot Condition="'$(UseArtifactsOutput)' == 'true'">$(KryptonArtifactsRoot)packages\</KryptonPackageOutputRoot>
+		<KryptonPackageOutputRoot Condition="'$(UseArtifactsOutput)' != 'true'">$(KryptonLegacyPackageRoot)</KryptonPackageOutputRoot>
+	</PropertyGroup>
+
 	<Choose>
 		<When Condition="'$(Configuration)' == 'Canary'">
 			<PropertyGroup>