[Question]: Using cmake@1 on self-hosted agent with Visual Studio and cmake tools

[milbrandt]

Task name

cmake

Task version

1

Environment type (Please select at least one enviroment where you face this issue)

• Self-Hosted
• Microsoft Hosted
• VMSS Pool
• Container

Azure DevOps Server type

dev.azure.com (formerly visualstudio.com)

Azure DevOps Server Version (if applicable)

No response

Operation system

Windows Server 2022

Question

On a self-hosted build agent, Visual Studio 2026 is installed with "C++ CMake tools for Windows". (cmake not added to system path, thus cmake is only available in Developer PowerShell for VS/Developer Prompt for VS.)

A build pipeline fails with 
`No agent found in pool Default which satisfies the following demand: cmake.`

Is there any chance to use the cmake@1 task without any changes on the build server? Or have I to call develper shell in powershell and call cmake there?

[MantavyaDh]

No, you cannot use cmake@1 without changes because the task declares a cmake demand, and the agent won't satisfy it because cmake isn't on the system PATH. Yes you can call developer shell and use cmake there. Refer - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/pipelines/tasks/reference/cmake-v1?view=azure-pipelines#how-do-i-enable-cmake-for-my-on-premises-agent