Migrate To Teamcity

Migrate to TeamCity

Quick Start

teamcity migrate                    # detect + convert + write .tc.yml files
teamcity migrate --dry-run --json   # preview as structured JSON
teamcity pipeline validate f.tc.yml # schema check
teamcity project vcs create --url  --auth anonymous -p ProjectId  # create VCS root first
teamcity pipeline create name -p ProjectId -f f.tc.yml --vcs-root 
teamcity run start PipelineId --watch

Run teamcity migrate from the repo root -- detection scans .github/workflows/ and bamboo-specs/ relative to the current directory.

Reading the report

• Needs review -- problems inside the generated YAML: TODO stubs, dropped steps, reusable-workflow placeholders. Fix these in the file before creating the pipeline.
• Manual setup needed -- work the converter could not do automatically; each item lands on one of two sides. YAML edits before pipeline create: secrets entries (see the checklist), matrix expansion, expression runs-on, container:/services: wiring (see gotchas.md). Server-side configuration after create: connections and if:-derived branch filters / execution conditions before the first run (they gate what executes); triggers and notifications at the end. Read each item and sort it accordingly.
• Exit code 1 means at least one source failed to convert or one generated file failed schema validation -- files that converted cleanly are still written. Read the per-file ✓/⚠/✗ lines instead of treating exit 1 as total failure.
• --json prints {"sources": [...], "results": [...]} to stdout; each result carries outputFile, yaml, needsReview, manualSetup, and validationError.

Gotchas

• Always type: script for ./gradlew and ./mvnw. TC's type: gradle/type: maven runners use the agent's version, not the project's. This causes real build failures.
• Schema valid does not mean pipeline works. Migration is not done until builds pass.
• Private repos: use a GitHub App connection, not a PAT. teamcity project connection create github-app -p → teamcity project connection authorize -p → install the App on the repo/org (the create output prints the install link and these exact commands) → teamcity project vcs create --url --auth token --connection-id -p . For public repos --auth anonymous works. Note: the App manifest flow and authorize open a browser; in headless runs pass existing App credentials with --no-manifest --app-id --client-id --private-key-file --stdin (pipe the client secret to stdin; without --stdin it is not read) -- or use SSH deploy keys (teamcity project ssh upload with a git@github.com: URL), the fully non-interactive path.
• Secrets, triggers, and branch filters are always manual. The converter flags them but cannot create them. Use teamcity project token put for secrets. Configure triggers in TC UI.
• VCS root must exist before pipeline create. teamcity pipeline create takes --vcs-root , not a URL. Create it first with teamcity project vcs create.
• Default branch defaults to main. Pass --branch refs/heads/master to teamcity project vcs create if the repo uses master.
• Unknown actions/tasks become stubs. Read the action's source, write an equivalent shell script. Most actions are thin CLI wrappers. See [mappings](references/mappings.md).

Workflow

Goal: get all pipeline jobs green on the TC server, not just generate valid YAML.

Copy this checklist and check off items as you complete them:

Migration progress:
- [ ] Convert: run `teamcity migrate` from the repo root
- [ ] Fix every "Needs review" item, plus "Manual setup" items needing YAML edits (matrix expansion, expression `runs-on`, container/services) -- see mappings.md and gotchas.md
- [ ] Wire up secrets in the YAML: the converter rewrites `${{ secrets.X }}` to `%X%` but does not define it -- store the value (`teamcity project token put  `) and add `X: "credentialsJSON:"` under the top-level `secrets:` block (see schema.md)
- [ ] Validate: `teamcity pipeline validate ` -- only proceed when it passes
- [ ] Create VCS root (`teamcity project vcs create`), then `teamcity pipeline create  -p  -f  --vcs-root `
- [ ] Set up the remaining runtime "Manual setup needed" items before running: registry/cloud connections the steps reference (the first run fails without them), and any `if:`-condition items -- gate converted deploy/release steps via branch filter, execution condition, or a guard in the script so the first run cannot deploy from the wrong branch
- [ ] Run: `teamcity run start  --watch`; on failure read `teamcity run log  --failed --raw`, fix, `teamcity pipeline push`, re-run until green
- [ ] Do the trigger-only "Manual setup needed" items: triggers, notifications
- [ ] Report: what migrated, step reduction, what remains manual

References

• [Mappings](references/mappings.md) -- GitHub Actions and Bamboo to TeamCity translation tables
• [Schema](references/schema.md) -- TC pipeline YAML quick reference
• [Gotchas](references/gotchas.md) -- skip list, matrix expansion, troubleshooting, manual setup items

Source & license

This open-source skill is cataloged on AgentStack and links to its original source — we do not rehost the code.

• Author: JetBrains
• Source: JetBrains/teamcity-cli
• License: Apache-2.0
• Homepage: https://jb.gg/tc/docs

Install and usage instructions live in the source repository linked above.