Specific VCS branch unavailable to choose in manual build run

Question

I have a Build Configuration connected to VCS Root. In VCS I have branches feature-123, feature-234, feature-345, etc.

If I go to Build Configuration Overview and choose [Run...] -> Changes -> Build Branch, dropdown shows feature-123, feature-345. (Note feature-234 is not in the list).

Build Configuration has a VCS trigger with branch filter +:*. Trigger reacts to changes in all branches, including feature-234, so I know TC can see it.

What I can't figure out is why can't I chose to build from feature-234 manually.

Answer 1

I identified few cases which can cause this, and solutions.

1. The branch just has been pushed on your server, and has not been fetched by TeamCity. Just wait a few minutes.

2. The branch might be considered as inactive, there is the property: teamcity.activeVcsBranch.age.days which can be modified, with the default value of 7. If there was no commits on it, in the last 7 days, the branch will not be visible in your active branches, and will not be able to see it in the drop down list.

   2.a : You can increase the timer.

   2.b : Adding a dummy commit on this branch will make it visible again.

3. In few exceptional cases, I was not able to find a branch in the dropdown, but, when I select a specific build configuration, It seems that more inactives branches are available, then I run a build on it, and it will be available inside the containing project.