Building MonoGame Source Code

This section is for those who need to modify monogame's source code to fit a specific need or platform.
If this is your first time using monogame, it's not recommended that you start by building the source.
You should have a solid understand of how monogame works before proceeding.

Use Git to clone Monogame Develop Branch

this section assumes you know what git is and how to use it.
if you don't know how to use git, learn it.

in a folder, assuming you have git installed, open a cmd prompt.
you can open a cmd prompt from any window by typing 'cmd' into the address bar (on windows).

clone development branch of monogame:
git clone -b develop https://github.com/MonoGame/MonoGame cd MonoGame git submodule init git submodule update

Build the monogame tools, using vs2019 or later

you can find the build solution here: PARENT\MonoGame\MonoGame.Tools.Windows.sln
you need to change the build settings on the project.
near the top, to the right of debug, any cpu, there are two drop downs.
change the 2nd dropdown, on the right, to: Framework -> net452
you might need to update .net sdk to support later version of netcore.
as of this writing, .NET Core 3.1 is required.
make sure that it produces the following exe:
\MonoGame\Artifacts\MonoGame.Content.Builder.Editor\Wpf\Debug\mgcb-editor-wpf.exe
launching this exe gives you the familiar mgcb editor we all know and love

Build the monogame .dll (+ mg tools)

open MonoGame.Framework.sln in Monogame/ folder
note that it's setup to build a class lib .dll
build it, locate the MonoGame.Framework.dll.