How to Build an MSI Installer With WiX in GitHub Actions

Install the WiX dotnet tool, then wix build compiles your .wxs authoring into an installable MSI.

WiX v4+ ships as a .NET global tool. Install it with dotnet tool install --global wix, then run wix build against your .wxs files to emit the MSI.

Steps

• Set up .NET so the dotnet tool command is available.
• Install WiX with dotnet tool install --global wix.
• Run wix build Product.wxs -o dist/app.msi.

Workflow

jobs:
  installer:
    runs-on: windows-latest
    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
      - uses: actions/setup-dotnet@v4
        with:
          dotnet-version: '8.0.x'
      - run: dotnet tool install --global wix
      - run: wix build installer/Product.wxs -o dist/app.msi
      - uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
        with:
          name: msi
          path: dist/app.msi

Gotchas

• WiX v4 and v5 use wix build; the older v3 used candle and light instead.
• Add WiX extensions you reference with wix extension add before building.

Related guides