AL: Publish extension without building ignores al.compilationOptions

[ernestasjuska]

1. Describe the bug

AL: Publish extension without building command always looks for the app file in the AL project folder. However, al.compilationOptions workspace setting allows to change where app files are put after packaging - this is particularly useful when using multi-root workspace with lots of app folders.

2. To Reproduce

1. Create AL app using AL: Go. Delete all *.al files - we will not need them.

2. Create launch.json file and download symbols.

3. Create .vscode\settings.json file with this content:

   {
     "al.compilationOptions": {
         "outFolder": "./.output", // in our multi-root workspaces we use ../.output
     },
   }
   

4. Package app using AL: Package command. App file should be created in .output folder.

5. Create launch.json configuration for web service debugging.

   {
     "version": "0.2.0",
     "configurations": [
       {
         "name": "Attach: Your own server",
         "type": "al",
         "request": "attach",
         "environmentType": "OnPrem",
         "server": "https://your-server",
         "serverInstance": "BC",
         "authentication": "Windows",
         "tenant": "default",
         "breakOnError": "All",
         "breakOnRecordWrite": "None",
         "enableSqlInformationDebugger": true,
         "enableLongRunningSqlStatements": true,
         "longRunningSqlStatementsThreshold": 500,
         "numberOfSqlStatements": 10,
         "breakOnNext": "WebServiceClient",
       },
     ],
   }
   

6. Attach to server for debugging using AL: Debug with publishing command.

7. Use AL: Publish extension without building command to reproduce the error.

3. Expected behavior

AL: Publish extension without building should use app that was packaged to .output folder.

4. Actual behavior

We get this error:

[2025-08-25 12:39:22.03] Sending request to https://dev.softera.lt:7049/bc26dev/dev/metadata?tenant=default
[2025-08-25 12:39:22.43] Debugger will attach to the next session of type WebServiceClient.
[2025-08-25 12:39:25.36] Error: File c:\Users\ernjus\Documents\AL\ALProject58\Default Publisher_ALProject58_1.0.0.0.app does not exist.

5. Versions:

• AL Language: 15.2.1630495
• Visual Studio Code: 1.103.2
• Business Central: 26.1.33404.33876
• List of Visual Studio Code extensions that you have installed:
  • ms-dynamics-smb.al
• Operating System:
  • [x] Windows
  • [ ] Linux
  • [ ] MacOS

Final Checklist

Please remember to do the following:

• [x] Search the issue repository to ensure you are reporting a new issue

• [x] Reproduce the issue after disabling all extensions except the AL Language extension

• [x] Simplify your code around the issue to better isolate the problem