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Batch Build & Automation

Automate every build.
Ship on schedule.

Command-line switches, text-based directives, and proper exit codes let you plug Paquet Builder into any CI/CD pipeline. Build x86, x64, and ARM64 installers from a single project — hands-free.

Paquet Builder command-line compiler usage and switches

Command-Line Interface

One command. Every platform.

Extensive command-line options automate Self-Extracting package creation from the GUI or the dedicated console compiler — ideal for build machines without Windows user login.

build.bat
PBUILDER.EXE "C:\My Documents\pbtest\testdirect1.pbpx" /exetype:1 /c /q /s /filelistupt
/q /s silent build /exetype x86 / x64 / ARM64 /filelistupt wildcard refresh /arcfile 7z → installer
Structured exit codes. Both the GUI and console compilers return proper exit codes on every build — plug PBUILDER.EXE into any CI/CD pipeline and branch on success, warning, or failure.
How text directives work in Paquet Builder — transform projects, update files, and create packages from .ini-style configuration
release.pbd
# Update version info, then build x64
[Project]
Source=C:\build\myapp.pbpx
ExeType=1

[VersionInfo]
FileVersion=2026.1.0.0
ProductVersion=2026.1.0.0

[Build]
Compile=1

Text-Based Directives

Script your packages like config files

Use directive files to customize Self-Extracting packages, update source files, modify version information, and more. Directives are text-based and resemble traditional .ini configuration files — simple to read, easy to version-control.

Transform existing projects
Override settings, swap files, and update metadata without opening the IDE.
Create projects from scratch
Define a complete package in a directive file — no prior .pbpx required.
CLI or App menu
Pass directives via command-line or the App menu — your choice.
Console compiler support
The console compiler fully supports directives for streamlined CI/CD automation.

Headless CI/CD

Runner-friendly builds

GitHub Actions, Azure DevOps, Jenkins — any Windows runner that doesn't have an interactive desktop session needs the dedicated console compiler (PBCMDCOMPILER.EXE). Same flags, same directives — no GUI session required.

No logon required
The console compiler runs without an interactive Windows session — ideal for build agents.
Branch on exit code
Zero = success, non-zero = fail. Standard Windows process semantics — no parsing needed.
Upload artifacts
Pass the output .exe to your favorite artifact or release action.

Learn about the console compiler

.github/workflows/release.yml
name: Build installer
on:
  push:
    tags: ['v*']

jobs:
  build:
    runs-on: windows-latest
    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@v4

      # Console compiler — no GUI session needed
      - name: Build x64 installer
        run: |
          "C:\Program Files\Paquet Builder\PBCMDCOMPILER.EXE" `
            "${{ github.workspace }}\myapp.pbpx" `
            /exetype:1 /c /q /s /filelistupt

      - uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
        with:
          name: installer
          path: output/*.exe

Ship builds on autopilot

Silent builds. Structured exit codes. CI/CD ready.