Bump System.Security.Cryptography.ProtectedData from 8.0.0 to 10.0.3

---
updated-dependencies:
- dependency-name: System.Security.Cryptography.ProtectedData
  dependency-version: 10.0.3
  dependency-type: direct:production
  update-type: version-update:semver-major
...

Signed-off-by: dependabot[bot] <support@github.com>

.devcontainer/devcontainer.json

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
   "features": {
     "ghcr.io/devcontainers/features/docker-in-docker:1": {},
     "ghcr.io/devcontainers/features/dotnet": {
-      "version": "8.0.417"
+      "version": "8.0.418"
     },
     "ghcr.io/devcontainers/features/node:1": {
       "version": "20"

README.md

@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ We are taking the following steps to better direct requests related to GitHub Ac
 
 2. High Priority bugs can be reported through Community Discussions or you can report these to our support team https://support.github.com/contact/bug-report.
 
-3. Security Issues should be handled as per our [security.md](security.md)
+3. Security Issues should be handled as per our [SECURITY.md](https://github.com/actions/runner?tab=security-ov-file)
 
 We will still provide security updates for this project and fix major breaking changes during this time.
 

images/Dockerfile

@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ RUN curl -f -L -o runner-container-hooks.zip https://github.com/actions/runner-c
     && unzip ./runner-container-hooks.zip -d ./k8s \
     && rm runner-container-hooks.zip
 
-RUN curl -f -L -o runner-container-hooks.zip https://github.com/actions/runner-container-hooks/releases/download/v0.8.0/actions-runner-hooks-k8s-0.8.0.zip \
+RUN curl -f -L -o runner-container-hooks.zip https://github.com/actions/runner-container-hooks/releases/download/v0.8.1/actions-runner-hooks-k8s-0.8.1.zip \
     && unzip ./runner-container-hooks.zip -d ./k8s-novolume \
     && rm runner-container-hooks.zip
 

src/Misc/externals.sh

@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ NODE_ALPINE_URL=https://github.com/actions/alpine_nodejs/releases/download
 # When you update Node versions you must also create a new release of alpine_nodejs at that updated version.
 # Follow the instructions here: https://github.com/actions/alpine_nodejs?tab=readme-ov-file#getting-started
 NODE20_VERSION="20.20.0"
-NODE24_VERSION="24.13.0"
+NODE24_VERSION="24.13.1"
 
 get_abs_path() {
   # exploits the fact that pwd will print abs path when no args

src/Runner.Common/ConfigurationStore.cs

@@ -75,6 +75,41 @@ namespace GitHub.Runner.Common
                 {
                     return UrlUtil.IsHostedServer(new UriBuilder(GitHubUrl));
                 }
+                else
+                {
+                    // feature flag env in case the new logic is wrong.
+                    if (StringUtil.ConvertToBoolean(Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("GITHUB_ACTIONS_RUNNER_FORCE_EMPTY_GITHUB_URL_IS_HOSTED")))
+                    {
+                        return true;
+                    }
+
+                    // GitHubUrl will be empty for jit configured runner
+                    // We will try to infer it from the ServerUrl/ServerUrlV2
+                    if (StringUtil.ConvertToBoolean(Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("GITHUB_ACTIONS_RUNNER_FORCE_GHES")))
+                    {
+                        // Allow env to override and force GHES in case the inference logic is wrong.
+                        return false;
+                    }
+
+                    if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(ServerUrl))
+                    {
+                        // pipelines services
+                        var serverUrl = new UriBuilder(ServerUrl);
+                        return serverUrl.Host.EndsWith(".actions.githubusercontent.com", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase)
+                                || serverUrl.Host.EndsWith(".codedev.ms", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
+                    }
+
+                    if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(ServerUrlV2))
+                    {
+                        // broker-listener
+                        var serverUrlV2 = new UriBuilder(ServerUrlV2);
+                        return serverUrlV2.Host.EndsWith(".actions.githubusercontent.com", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase)
+                                || serverUrlV2.Host.EndsWith(".githubapp.com", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase)
+                                || serverUrlV2.Host.EndsWith(".ghe.com", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase)
+                                || serverUrlV2.Host.EndsWith(".actions.localhost", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase)
+                                || serverUrlV2.Host.EndsWith(".ghe.localhost", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
+                    }
+                }
 
                 // Default to true since Hosted runners likely don't have this property set.
                 return true;

src/Runner.Listener/Configuration/ConfigurationManager.cs

@@ -178,8 +178,12 @@ namespace GitHub.Runner.Listener.Configuration
                         }
                     }
 
-                    // Validate can connect.
-                    await _runnerServer.ConnectAsync(new Uri(runnerSettings.ServerUrl), creds);
+                    // Validate can connect using the obtained vss credentials.
+                    // In Runner Admin flow there's nothing new to test connection to at this point as registerToken is already validated via GetTenantCredential.
+                    if (!runnerSettings.UseRunnerAdminFlow)
+                    {
+                        await _runnerServer.ConnectAsync(new Uri(runnerSettings.ServerUrl), creds);
+                    }
 
                     _term.WriteLine();
                     _term.WriteSuccessMessage("Connected to GitHub");

src/Runner.Listener/JobDispatcher.cs

@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ namespace GitHub.Runner.Listener
     public interface IJobDispatcher : IRunnerService
     {
         bool Busy { get; }
-        TaskCompletionSource<bool> RunOnceJobCompleted { get; }
+        TaskCompletionSource<TaskResult> RunOnceJobCompleted { get; }
         void Run(Pipelines.AgentJobRequestMessage message, bool runOnce = false);
         bool Cancel(JobCancelMessage message);
         Task WaitAsync(CancellationToken token);
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ namespace GitHub.Runner.Listener
         // timeout limit can be overwritten by environment GITHUB_ACTIONS_RUNNER_CHANNEL_TIMEOUT
         private TimeSpan _channelTimeout;
 
-        private TaskCompletionSource<bool> _runOnceJobCompleted = new();
+        private TaskCompletionSource<TaskResult> _runOnceJobCompleted = new();
 
         public event EventHandler<JobStatusEventArgs> JobStatus;
 
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ namespace GitHub.Runner.Listener
             Trace.Info($"Set runner/worker IPC timeout to {_channelTimeout.TotalSeconds} seconds.");
         }
 
-        public TaskCompletionSource<bool> RunOnceJobCompleted => _runOnceJobCompleted;
+        public TaskCompletionSource<TaskResult> RunOnceJobCompleted => _runOnceJobCompleted;
 
         public bool Busy { get; private set; }
 
@@ -340,18 +340,19 @@ namespace GitHub.Runner.Listener
 
         private async Task RunOnceAsync(Pipelines.AgentJobRequestMessage message, string orchestrationId, WorkerDispatcher previousJobDispatch, CancellationToken jobRequestCancellationToken, CancellationToken workerCancelTimeoutKillToken)
         {
+            var jobResult = TaskResult.Succeeded;
             try
             {
-                await RunAsync(message, orchestrationId, previousJobDispatch, jobRequestCancellationToken, workerCancelTimeoutKillToken);
+                jobResult = await RunAsync(message, orchestrationId, previousJobDispatch, jobRequestCancellationToken, workerCancelTimeoutKillToken);
             }
             finally
             {
                 Trace.Info("Fire signal for one time used runner.");
-                _runOnceJobCompleted.TrySetResult(true);
+                _runOnceJobCompleted.TrySetResult(jobResult);
             }
         }
 
-        private async Task RunAsync(Pipelines.AgentJobRequestMessage message, string orchestrationId, WorkerDispatcher previousJobDispatch, CancellationToken jobRequestCancellationToken, CancellationToken workerCancelTimeoutKillToken)
+        private async Task<TaskResult> RunAsync(Pipelines.AgentJobRequestMessage message, string orchestrationId, WorkerDispatcher previousJobDispatch, CancellationToken jobRequestCancellationToken, CancellationToken workerCancelTimeoutKillToken)
         {
             Busy = true;
             try
@@ -399,7 +400,7 @@ namespace GitHub.Runner.Listener
                     {
                         // renew job request task complete means we run out of retry for the first job request renew.
                         Trace.Info($"Unable to renew job request for job {message.JobId} for the first time, stop dispatching job to worker.");
-                        return;
+                        return TaskResult.Abandoned;
                     }
 
                     if (jobRequestCancellationToken.IsCancellationRequested)
@@ -412,7 +413,7 @@ namespace GitHub.Runner.Listener
 
                         // complete job request with result Cancelled
                         await CompleteJobRequestAsync(_poolId, message, systemConnection, lockToken, TaskResult.Canceled);
-                        return;
+                        return TaskResult.Canceled;
                     }
 
                     HostContext.WritePerfCounter($"JobRequestRenewed_{requestId.ToString()}");
@@ -523,7 +524,7 @@ namespace GitHub.Runner.Listener
                             await renewJobRequest;
 
                             // not finish the job request since the job haven't run on worker at all, we will not going to set a result to server.
-                            return;
+                            return TaskResult.Failed;
                         }
 
                         // we get first jobrequest renew succeed and start the worker process with the job message.
@@ -604,7 +605,7 @@ namespace GitHub.Runner.Listener
                                     Trace.Error(detailInfo);
                                 }
 
-                                return;
+                                return TaskResultUtil.TranslateFromReturnCode(returnCode);
                             }
                             else if (completedTask == renewJobRequest)
                             {
@@ -706,6 +707,8 @@ namespace GitHub.Runner.Listener
 
                             // complete job request
                             await CompleteJobRequestAsync(_poolId, message, systemConnection, lockToken, resultOnAbandonOrCancel);
+
+                            return resultOnAbandonOrCancel;
                         }
                         finally
                         {

src/Runner.Listener/Runner.cs

@@ -324,8 +324,11 @@ namespace GitHub.Runner.Listener
                         HostContext.EnableAuthMigration("EnableAuthMigrationByDefault");
                     }
 
+                    // hosted runner only run one job and would like to know the result of the job for telemetry and alerting on failure spike.
+                    var returnJobResultForHosted = StringUtil.ConvertToBoolean(Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("ACTIONS_RUNNER_RETURN_JOB_RESULT_FOR_HOSTED"));
+
                     // Run the runner interactively or as service
-                    return await ExecuteRunnerAsync(settings, command.RunOnce || settings.Ephemeral);
+                    return await ExecuteRunnerAsync(settings, command.RunOnce || settings.Ephemeral || returnJobResultForHosted, returnJobResultForHosted);
                 }
                 else
                 {
@@ -401,7 +404,7 @@ namespace GitHub.Runner.Listener
         }
 
         //create worker manager, create message listener and start listening to the queue
-        private async Task<int> RunAsync(RunnerSettings settings, bool runOnce = false)
+        private async Task<int> RunAsync(RunnerSettings settings, bool runOnce = false, bool returnRunOnceJobResult = false)
         {
             try
             {
@@ -580,6 +583,21 @@ namespace GitHub.Runner.Listener
                                         Trace.Info($"Ignore any exception after cancel message loop. {ex}");
                                     }
 
+                                    if (returnRunOnceJobResult)
+                                    {
+                                        try
+                                        {
+                                            var jobResult = await jobDispatcher.RunOnceJobCompleted.Task;
+                                            return TaskResultUtil.TranslateToReturnCode(jobResult);
+                                        }
+                                        catch (Exception ex)
+                                        {
+                                            Trace.Error("run once job finished with error.");
+                                            Trace.Error(ex);
+                                            return Constants.Runner.ReturnCode.TerminatedError;
+                                        }
+                                    }
+
                                     return Constants.Runner.ReturnCode.Success;
                                 }
                             }
@@ -866,14 +884,14 @@ namespace GitHub.Runner.Listener
             return Constants.Runner.ReturnCode.Success;
         }
 
-        private async Task<int> ExecuteRunnerAsync(RunnerSettings settings, bool runOnce)
+        private async Task<int> ExecuteRunnerAsync(RunnerSettings settings, bool runOnce, bool returnRunOnceJobResult)
         {
             int returnCode = Constants.Runner.ReturnCode.Success;
             bool restart = false;
             do
             {
                 restart = false;
-                returnCode = await RunAsync(settings, runOnce);
+                returnCode = await RunAsync(settings, runOnce, returnRunOnceJobResult);
 
                 if (returnCode == Constants.Runner.ReturnCode.RunnerConfigurationRefreshed)
                 {

src/Runner.Worker/ActionCommandManager.cs

@@ -318,6 +318,17 @@ namespace GitHub.Runner.Worker
                 context.AddIssue(issue, ExecutionContextLogOptions.Default);
             }
 
+            if (!context.Global.HasDeprecatedSetOutput)
+            {
+                context.Global.HasDeprecatedSetOutput = true;
+                var telemetry = new JobTelemetry
+                {
+                    Type = JobTelemetryType.ActionCommand,
+                    Message = "DeprecatedCommand: set-output"
+                };
+                context.Global.JobTelemetry.Add(telemetry);
+            }
+
             if (!command.Properties.TryGetValue(SetOutputCommandProperties.Name, out string outputName) || string.IsNullOrEmpty(outputName))
             {
                 throw new Exception("Required field 'name' is missing in ##[set-output] command.");
@@ -353,6 +364,17 @@ namespace GitHub.Runner.Worker
                 context.AddIssue(issue, ExecutionContextLogOptions.Default);
             }
 
+            if (!context.Global.HasDeprecatedSaveState)
+            {
+                context.Global.HasDeprecatedSaveState = true;
+                var telemetry = new JobTelemetry
+                {
+                    Type = JobTelemetryType.ActionCommand,
+                    Message = "DeprecatedCommand: save-state"
+                };
+                context.Global.JobTelemetry.Add(telemetry);
+            }
+
             if (!command.Properties.TryGetValue(SaveStateCommandProperties.Name, out string stateName) || string.IsNullOrEmpty(stateName))
             {
                 throw new Exception("Required field 'name' is missing in ##[save-state] command.");

src/Runner.Worker/ActionManifestManagerWrapper.cs

@@ -84,7 +84,8 @@ namespace GitHub.Runner.Worker
                 "EvaluateContainerEnvironment",
                 () => _legacyManager.EvaluateContainerEnvironment(executionContext, token, extraExpressionValues),
                 () => _newManager.EvaluateContainerEnvironment(executionContext, ConvertToNewToken(token) as GitHub.Actions.WorkflowParser.ObjectTemplating.Tokens.MappingToken, ConvertToNewExpressionValues(extraExpressionValues)),
-                (legacyResult, newResult) => {
+                (legacyResult, newResult) =>
+                {
                     var trace = HostContext.GetTrace(nameof(ActionManifestManagerWrapper));
                     return CompareDictionaries(trace, legacyResult, newResult, "ContainerEnvironment");
                 });
@@ -165,9 +166,150 @@ namespace GitHub.Runner.Worker
                 return null;
             }
 
-            // Serialize new steps and deserialize to old steps
-            var json = StringUtil.ConvertToJson(newSteps, Newtonsoft.Json.Formatting.None);
-            return StringUtil.ConvertFromJson<List<GitHub.DistributedTask.Pipelines.ActionStep>>(json);
+            var result = new List<GitHub.DistributedTask.Pipelines.ActionStep>();
+            foreach (var step in newSteps)
+            {
+                var actionStep = new GitHub.DistributedTask.Pipelines.ActionStep
+                {
+                    ContextName = step.Id,
+                };
+
+                if (step is GitHub.Actions.WorkflowParser.RunStep runStep)
+                {
+                    actionStep.Condition = ExtractConditionString(runStep.If);
+                    actionStep.DisplayNameToken = ConvertToLegacyToken<TemplateToken>(runStep.Name);
+                    actionStep.ContinueOnError = ConvertToLegacyToken<TemplateToken>(runStep.ContinueOnError);
+                    actionStep.TimeoutInMinutes = ConvertToLegacyToken<TemplateToken>(runStep.TimeoutMinutes);
+                    actionStep.Environment = ConvertToLegacyToken<TemplateToken>(runStep.Env);
+                    actionStep.Reference = new GitHub.DistributedTask.Pipelines.ScriptReference();
+                    actionStep.Inputs = BuildRunStepInputs(runStep);
+                }
+                else if (step is GitHub.Actions.WorkflowParser.ActionStep usesStep)
+                {
+                    actionStep.Condition = ExtractConditionString(usesStep.If);
+                    actionStep.DisplayNameToken = ConvertToLegacyToken<TemplateToken>(usesStep.Name);
+                    actionStep.ContinueOnError = ConvertToLegacyToken<TemplateToken>(usesStep.ContinueOnError);
+                    actionStep.TimeoutInMinutes = ConvertToLegacyToken<TemplateToken>(usesStep.TimeoutMinutes);
+                    actionStep.Environment = ConvertToLegacyToken<TemplateToken>(usesStep.Env);
+                    actionStep.Reference = ParseActionReference(usesStep.Uses?.Value);
+                    actionStep.Inputs = ConvertToLegacyToken<MappingToken>(usesStep.With);
+                }
+
+                result.Add(actionStep);
+            }
+            return result;
+        }
+
+        private string ExtractConditionString(GitHub.Actions.WorkflowParser.ObjectTemplating.Tokens.BasicExpressionToken ifToken)
+        {
+            if (ifToken == null)
+            {
+                return null;
+            }
+
+            // The Expression property is internal, so we use ToString() which formats as "${{ expr }}"
+            // Then strip the delimiters to get just the expression
+            var str = ifToken.ToString();
+            if (str.StartsWith("${{") && str.EndsWith("}}"))
+            {
+                return str.Substring(3, str.Length - 5).Trim();
+            }
+            return str;
+        }
+
+        private MappingToken BuildRunStepInputs(GitHub.Actions.WorkflowParser.RunStep runStep)
+        {
+            var inputs = new MappingToken(null, null, null);
+
+            // script (from run)
+            if (runStep.Run != null)
+            {
+                inputs.Add(
+                    new StringToken(null, null, null, "script"),
+                    ConvertToLegacyToken<TemplateToken>(runStep.Run));
+            }
+
+            // shell
+            if (runStep.Shell != null)
+            {
+                inputs.Add(
+                    new StringToken(null, null, null, "shell"),
+                    ConvertToLegacyToken<TemplateToken>(runStep.Shell));
+            }
+
+            // working-directory
+            if (runStep.WorkingDirectory != null)
+            {
+                inputs.Add(
+                    new StringToken(null, null, null, "workingDirectory"),
+                    ConvertToLegacyToken<TemplateToken>(runStep.WorkingDirectory));
+            }
+
+            return inputs.Count > 0 ? inputs : null;
+        }
+
+        private GitHub.DistributedTask.Pipelines.ActionStepDefinitionReference ParseActionReference(string uses)
+        {
+            if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(uses))
+            {
+                return null;
+            }
+
+            // Docker reference: docker://image:tag
+            if (uses.StartsWith("docker://", StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))
+            {
+                return new GitHub.DistributedTask.Pipelines.ContainerRegistryReference
+                {
+                    Image = uses.Substring("docker://".Length)
+                };
+            }
+
+            // Local path reference: ./path/to/action
+            if (uses.StartsWith("./") || uses.StartsWith(".\\"))
+            {
+                return new GitHub.DistributedTask.Pipelines.RepositoryPathReference
+                {
+                    RepositoryType = "self",
+                    Path = uses
+                };
+            }
+
+            // Repository reference: owner/repo@ref or owner/repo/path@ref
+            var atIndex = uses.LastIndexOf('@');
+            string refPart = null;
+            string repoPart = uses;
+
+            if (atIndex > 0)
+            {
+                refPart = uses.Substring(atIndex + 1);
+                repoPart = uses.Substring(0, atIndex);
+            }
+
+            // Split by / to get owner/repo and optional path
+            var parts = repoPart.Split('/');
+            string name;
+            string path = null;
+
+            if (parts.Length >= 2)
+            {
+                name = $"{parts[0]}/{parts[1]}";
+                if (parts.Length > 2)
+                {
+                    path = string.Join("/", parts, 2, parts.Length - 2);
+                }
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                name = repoPart;
+            }
+
+            return new GitHub.DistributedTask.Pipelines.RepositoryPathReference
+            {
+                RepositoryType = "GitHub",
+                Name = name,
+                Ref = refPart,
+                Path = path
+            };
         }
 
         private T ConvertToLegacyToken<T>(GitHub.Actions.WorkflowParser.ObjectTemplating.Tokens.TemplateToken newToken) where T : TemplateToken
@@ -633,6 +775,14 @@ namespace GitHub.Runner.Worker
                 return false;
             }
 
+            // Check for known equivalent error patterns (e.g., JSON parse errors)
+            // where both parsers correctly reject invalid input but with different wording
+            if (PipelineTemplateEvaluatorWrapper.HasJsonExceptionType(legacyException) && PipelineTemplateEvaluatorWrapper.HasJsonExceptionType(newException))
+            {
+                trace.Info("CompareExceptions - both exceptions are JSON parse errors, treating as matched");
+                return true;
+            }
+
             // Compare exception messages recursively (including inner exceptions)
             var legacyMessages = GetExceptionMessages(legacyException);
             var newMessages = GetExceptionMessages(newException);
@@ -697,5 +847,6 @@ namespace GitHub.Runner.Worker
 
             return messages;
         }
+
     }
 }

src/Runner.Worker/GlobalContext.cs

@@ -31,5 +31,7 @@ namespace GitHub.Runner.Worker
         public JObject ContainerHookState { get; set; }
         public bool HasTemplateEvaluatorMismatch { get; set; }
         public bool HasActionManifestMismatch { get; set; }
+        public bool HasDeprecatedSetOutput { get; set; }
+        public bool HasDeprecatedSaveState { get; set; }
     }
 }

src/Runner.Worker/InternalsVisibleTo.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+using System.Runtime.CompilerServices;
+
+[assembly: InternalsVisibleTo("Test")]

src/Runner.Worker/PipelineTemplateEvaluatorWrapper.cs

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-using System;
+using System;
 using System.Collections.Generic;
 using GitHub.Actions.WorkflowParser;
 using GitHub.DistributedTask.Expressions2;
@@ -216,12 +216,15 @@ namespace GitHub.Runner.Worker
             }
         }
 
-        private TLegacy EvaluateAndCompare<TLegacy, TNew>(
+        internal TLegacy EvaluateAndCompare<TLegacy, TNew>(
             string methodName,
             Func<TLegacy> legacyEvaluator,
             Func<TNew> newEvaluator,
             Func<TLegacy, TNew, bool> resultComparer)
         {
+            // Capture cancellation state before evaluation
+            var cancellationRequestedBefore = _context.CancellationToken.IsCancellationRequested;
+
             // Legacy evaluator
             var legacyException = default(Exception);
             var legacyResult = default(TLegacy);
@@ -253,14 +256,18 @@ namespace GitHub.Runner.Worker
                     newException = ex;
                 }
 
+                // Capture cancellation state after evaluation
+                var cancellationRequestedAfter = _context.CancellationToken.IsCancellationRequested;
+
                 // Compare results or exceptions
+                bool hasMismatch = false;
                 if (legacyException != null || newException != null)
                 {
                     // Either one or both threw exceptions - compare them
                     if (!CompareExceptions(legacyException, newException))
                     {
                         _trace.Info($"{methodName} exception mismatch");
-                        RecordMismatch($"{methodName}");
+                        hasMismatch = true;
                     }
                 }
                 else
@@ -269,6 +276,20 @@ namespace GitHub.Runner.Worker
                     if (!resultComparer(legacyResult, newResult))
                     {
                         _trace.Info($"{methodName} mismatch");
+                        hasMismatch = true;
+                    }
+                }
+
+                // Only record mismatch if it wasn't caused by a cancellation race condition
+                if (hasMismatch)
+                {
+                    if (!cancellationRequestedBefore && cancellationRequestedAfter)
+                    {
+                        // Cancellation state changed during evaluation window - skip recording
+                        _trace.Info($"{methodName} mismatch skipped due to cancellation race condition");
+                    }
+                    else
+                    {
                         RecordMismatch($"{methodName}");
                     }
                 }
@@ -612,6 +633,13 @@ namespace GitHub.Runner.Worker
                 return false;
             }
 
+            // Check for known equivalent error patterns (e.g., JSON parse errors)
+            // where both parsers correctly reject invalid input but with different wording
+            if (IsKnownEquivalentErrorPattern(legacyException, newException))
+            {
+                return true;
+            }
+
             // Compare exception messages recursively (including inner exceptions)
             var legacyMessages = GetExceptionMessages(legacyException);
             var newMessages = GetExceptionMessages(newException);
@@ -634,6 +662,67 @@ namespace GitHub.Runner.Worker
             return true;
         }
 
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Checks if two exceptions match a known pattern where both parsers correctly reject
+        /// invalid input but with different error messages (e.g., JSON parse errors from fromJSON).
+        /// </summary>
+        private bool IsKnownEquivalentErrorPattern(Exception legacyException, Exception newException)
+        {
+            // fromJSON('') - both parsers fail when parsing empty string as JSON
+            // The error messages differ but both indicate JSON parsing failure.
+            // Legacy throws raw JsonReaderException: "Error reading JToken from JsonReader..."
+            // New wraps it: "Error parsing fromJson" with inner JsonReaderException
+            // Both may be wrapped in TemplateValidationException: "The template is not valid..."
+            if (HasJsonExceptionType(legacyException) && HasJsonExceptionType(newException))
+            {
+                _trace.Info("CompareExceptions - both exceptions are JSON parse errors, treating as matched");
+                return true;
+            }
+
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Checks if the exception chain contains a JSON-related exception type.
+        /// </summary>
+        internal static bool HasJsonExceptionType(Exception ex)
+        {
+            var toProcess = new Queue<Exception>();
+            toProcess.Enqueue(ex);
+            int count = 0;
+
+            while (toProcess.Count > 0 && count < 50)
+            {
+                var current = toProcess.Dequeue();
+                if (current == null) continue;
+
+                count++;
+
+                if (current is Newtonsoft.Json.JsonReaderException ||
+                    current is System.Text.Json.JsonException)
+                {
+                    return true;
+                }
+
+                if (current is AggregateException aggregateEx)
+                {
+                    foreach (var innerEx in aggregateEx.InnerExceptions)
+                    {
+                        if (innerEx != null && count < 50)
+                        {
+                            toProcess.Enqueue(innerEx);
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+                else if (current.InnerException != null)
+                {
+                    toProcess.Enqueue(current.InnerException);
+                }
+            }
+
+            return false;
+        }
+
         private IList<string> GetExceptionMessages(Exception ex)
         {
             var messages = new List<string>();

src/Sdk/Sdk.csproj

@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@
         <PackageReference Include="Microsoft.AspNet.WebApi.Client" Version="6.0.0" />
         <PackageReference Include="System.Security.Cryptography.Cng" Version="5.0.0" />
         <PackageReference Include="System.Security.Cryptography.Pkcs" Version="10.0.2" />
-        <PackageReference Include="System.Security.Cryptography.ProtectedData" Version="8.0.0" />
+        <PackageReference Include="System.Security.Cryptography.ProtectedData" Version="10.0.3" />
         <PackageReference Include="Minimatch" Version="2.0.0" />
         <PackageReference Include="YamlDotNet.Signed" Version="5.3.0" />
         <PackageReference Include="System.Net.Http" Version="4.3.4" />

src/Sdk/WorkflowParser/Conversion/WorkflowTemplateConverter.cs

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-#nullable disable // Consider removing in the future to minimize likelihood of NullReferenceException; refer https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/csharp/nullable-references
+#nullable disable // Consider removing in the future to minimize likelihood of NullReferenceException; refer https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/csharp/nullable-references
 
 using System;
 using System.Collections.Generic;
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ namespace GitHub.Actions.WorkflowParser.Conversion
                     {
                         case WorkflowTemplateConstants.On:
                             var inputTypes = ConvertToOnWorkflowDispatchInputTypes(workflowPair.Value);
-                            foreach(var item in inputTypes)
+                            foreach (var item in inputTypes)
                             {
                                 result.InputTypes.TryAdd(item.Key, item.Value);
                             }
@@ -432,7 +432,7 @@ namespace GitHub.Actions.WorkflowParser.Conversion
                 context.Error(snapshotToken, $"job {WorkflowTemplateConstants.Snapshot} {WorkflowTemplateConstants.ImageName} is required.");
                 return null;
             }
-            
+
             return new Snapshot
             {
                 ImageName = imageName,
@@ -445,7 +445,7 @@ namespace GitHub.Actions.WorkflowParser.Conversion
         {
             var versionSegments = versionString.Split(".");
 
-            if (versionSegments.Length != 2 || 
+            if (versionSegments.Length != 2 ||
                 !versionSegments[1].Equals("*") ||
                 !Int32.TryParse(versionSegments[0], NumberStyles.None, CultureInfo.InvariantCulture, result: out int parsedMajor) ||
                 parsedMajor < 0)
@@ -1154,7 +1154,12 @@ namespace GitHub.Actions.WorkflowParser.Conversion
 
             if (String.IsNullOrEmpty(result.Image))
             {
-                context.Error(value, "Container image cannot be empty");
+                // Only error during early validation (parse time)
+                // At runtime (expression evaluation), empty image = no container
+                if (isEarlyValidation)
+                {
+                    context.Error(value, "Container image cannot be empty");
+                }
                 return null;
             }
 
@@ -1838,9 +1843,9 @@ namespace GitHub.Actions.WorkflowParser.Conversion
                     case "actions":
                         permissions.Actions = permissionLevel;
                         break;
-					case "artifact-metadata":
-						permissions.ArtifactMetadata = permissionLevel;
-						break;
+                    case "artifact-metadata":
+                        permissions.ArtifactMetadata = permissionLevel;
+                        break;
                     case "attestations":
                         permissions.Attestations = permissionLevel;
                         break;

src/Test/L0/Listener/JobDispatcherL0.cs

@@ -739,7 +739,8 @@ namespace GitHub.Runner.Common.Tests.Listener
                 Assert.True(jobDispatcher.RunOnceJobCompleted.Task.IsCompleted, "JobDispatcher should set task complete token for one time agent.");
                 if (jobDispatcher.RunOnceJobCompleted.Task.IsCompleted)
                 {
-                    Assert.True(await jobDispatcher.RunOnceJobCompleted.Task, "JobDispatcher should set task complete token to 'TRUE' for one time agent.");
+                    var result = await jobDispatcher.RunOnceJobCompleted.Task;
+                    Assert.Equal(TaskResult.Succeeded, result);
                 }
             }
         }

src/Test/L0/Listener/RunnerL0.cs

@@ -295,13 +295,13 @@ namespace GitHub.Runner.Common.Tests.Listener
                 _messageListener.Setup(x => x.DeleteMessageAsync(It.IsAny<TaskAgentMessage>()))
                     .Returns(Task.CompletedTask);
 
-                var runOnceJobCompleted = new TaskCompletionSource<bool>();
+                var runOnceJobCompleted = new TaskCompletionSource<TaskResult>();
                 _jobDispatcher.Setup(x => x.RunOnceJobCompleted)
                     .Returns(runOnceJobCompleted);
                 _jobDispatcher.Setup(x => x.Run(It.IsAny<Pipelines.AgentJobRequestMessage>(), It.IsAny<bool>()))
                     .Callback(() =>
                     {
-                        runOnceJobCompleted.TrySetResult(true);
+                        runOnceJobCompleted.TrySetResult(TaskResult.Succeeded);
                     });
                 _jobNotification.Setup(x => x.StartClient(It.IsAny<String>()))
                     .Callback(() =>
@@ -399,13 +399,13 @@ namespace GitHub.Runner.Common.Tests.Listener
                 _messageListener.Setup(x => x.DeleteMessageAsync(It.IsAny<TaskAgentMessage>()))
                     .Returns(Task.CompletedTask);
 
-                var runOnceJobCompleted = new TaskCompletionSource<bool>();
+                var runOnceJobCompleted = new TaskCompletionSource<TaskResult>();
                 _jobDispatcher.Setup(x => x.RunOnceJobCompleted)
                     .Returns(runOnceJobCompleted);
                 _jobDispatcher.Setup(x => x.Run(It.IsAny<Pipelines.AgentJobRequestMessage>(), It.IsAny<bool>()))
                     .Callback(() =>
                     {
-                        runOnceJobCompleted.TrySetResult(true);
+                        runOnceJobCompleted.TrySetResult(TaskResult.Succeeded);
                     });
                 _jobNotification.Setup(x => x.StartClient(It.IsAny<String>()))
                     .Callback(() =>
@@ -733,8 +733,8 @@ namespace GitHub.Runner.Common.Tests.Listener
 
                 _configStore.Setup(x => x.IsServiceConfigured()).Returns(false);
 
-                var completedTask = new TaskCompletionSource<bool>();
-                completedTask.SetResult(true);
+                var completedTask = new TaskCompletionSource<TaskResult>();
+                completedTask.SetResult(TaskResult.Succeeded);
                 _jobDispatcher.Setup(x => x.RunOnceJobCompleted).Returns(completedTask);
 
                 //Act
@@ -834,8 +834,8 @@ namespace GitHub.Runner.Common.Tests.Listener
 
                 _configStore.Setup(x => x.IsServiceConfigured()).Returns(false);
 
-                var completedTask = new TaskCompletionSource<bool>();
-                completedTask.SetResult(true);
+                var completedTask = new TaskCompletionSource<TaskResult>();
+                completedTask.SetResult(TaskResult.Succeeded);
                 _jobDispatcher.Setup(x => x.RunOnceJobCompleted).Returns(completedTask);
 
                 //Act
@@ -954,8 +954,8 @@ namespace GitHub.Runner.Common.Tests.Listener
 
                 _configStore.Setup(x => x.IsServiceConfigured()).Returns(false);
 
-                var completedTask = new TaskCompletionSource<bool>();
-                completedTask.SetResult(true);
+                var completedTask = new TaskCompletionSource<TaskResult>();
+                completedTask.SetResult(TaskResult.Succeeded);
                 _jobDispatcher.Setup(x => x.RunOnceJobCompleted).Returns(completedTask);
 
                 //Act

src/Test/L0/Worker/ActionCommandManagerL0.cs

@@ -457,6 +457,8 @@ namespace GitHub.Runner.Common.Tests.Worker
                 new SetEnvCommandExtension(),
                 new WarningCommandExtension(),
                 new AddMaskCommandExtension(),
+                new SetOutputCommandExtension(),
+                new SaveStateCommandExtension(),
             };
             foreach (var command in commands)
             {
@@ -499,5 +501,53 @@ namespace GitHub.Runner.Common.Tests.Worker
             };
         }
 
+        [Fact]
+        [Trait("Level", "L0")]
+        [Trait("Category", "Worker")]
+        public void SetOutputCommand_EmitsTelemetryOnce()
+        {
+            using (TestHostContext hc = CreateTestContext())
+            {
+                _ec.Object.Global.JobTelemetry = new List<JobTelemetry>();
+                var reference = string.Empty;
+                _ec.Setup(x => x.SetOutput(It.IsAny<string>(), It.IsAny<string>(), out reference));
+
+                // First set-output should add telemetry
+                Assert.True(_commandManager.TryProcessCommand(_ec.Object, "::set-output name=foo::bar", null));
+                Assert.Single(_ec.Object.Global.JobTelemetry);
+                Assert.Equal(JobTelemetryType.ActionCommand, _ec.Object.Global.JobTelemetry[0].Type);
+                Assert.Equal("DeprecatedCommand: set-output", _ec.Object.Global.JobTelemetry[0].Message);
+                Assert.True(_ec.Object.Global.HasDeprecatedSetOutput);
+
+                // Second set-output should not add another telemetry entry
+                Assert.True(_commandManager.TryProcessCommand(_ec.Object, "::set-output name=foo2::bar2", null));
+                Assert.Single(_ec.Object.Global.JobTelemetry);
+            }
+        }
+
+        [Fact]
+        [Trait("Level", "L0")]
+        [Trait("Category", "Worker")]
+        public void SaveStateCommand_EmitsTelemetryOnce()
+        {
+            using (TestHostContext hc = CreateTestContext())
+            {
+                _ec.Object.Global.JobTelemetry = new List<JobTelemetry>();
+                _ec.Setup(x => x.IsEmbedded).Returns(false);
+                _ec.Setup(x => x.IntraActionState).Returns(new Dictionary<string, string>());
+
+                // First save-state should add telemetry
+                Assert.True(_commandManager.TryProcessCommand(_ec.Object, "::save-state name=foo::bar", null));
+                Assert.Single(_ec.Object.Global.JobTelemetry);
+                Assert.Equal(JobTelemetryType.ActionCommand, _ec.Object.Global.JobTelemetry[0].Type);
+                Assert.Equal("DeprecatedCommand: save-state", _ec.Object.Global.JobTelemetry[0].Message);
+                Assert.True(_ec.Object.Global.HasDeprecatedSaveState);
+
+                // Second save-state should not add another telemetry entry
+                Assert.True(_commandManager.TryProcessCommand(_ec.Object, "::save-state name=foo2::bar2", null));
+                Assert.Single(_ec.Object.Global.JobTelemetry);
+            }
+        }
+
     }
 }

src/Test/L0/Worker/ActionManifestParserComparisonL0.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,424 @@
+using GitHub.Actions.WorkflowParser;
+using GitHub.DistributedTask.ObjectTemplating.Tokens;
+using GitHub.DistributedTask.Pipelines.ContextData;
+using GitHub.DistributedTask.Pipelines.ObjectTemplating;
+using GitHub.DistributedTask.WebApi;
+using GitHub.Runner.Common;
+using GitHub.Runner.Sdk;
+using GitHub.Runner.Worker;
+using LegacyContextData = GitHub.DistributedTask.Pipelines.ContextData;
+using LegacyExpressions = GitHub.DistributedTask.Expressions2;
+using Moq;
+using Newtonsoft.Json;
+using System;
+using System.Collections.Generic;
+using System.IO;
+using System.Runtime.CompilerServices;
+using System.Threading;
+using Xunit;
+
+namespace GitHub.Runner.Common.Tests.Worker
+{
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Tests for parser comparison wrapper classes.
+    /// </summary>
+    public sealed class ActionManifestParserComparisonL0
+    {
+        private CancellationTokenSource _ecTokenSource;
+        private Mock<IExecutionContext> _ec;
+        private TestHostContext _hc;
+
+        [Fact]
+        [Trait("Level", "L0")]
+        [Trait("Category", "Worker")]
+        public void ConvertToLegacySteps_ProducesCorrectSteps_WithExplicitPropertyMapping()
+        {
+            try
+            {
+                // Arrange - Test that ActionManifestManagerWrapper properly converts new steps to legacy format
+                Setup();
+
+                // Enable comparison feature
+                _ec.Object.Global.Variables.Set(Constants.Runner.Features.CompareWorkflowParser, "true");
+
+                // Register required services
+                var legacyManager = new ActionManifestManagerLegacy();
+                legacyManager.Initialize(_hc);
+                _hc.SetSingleton<IActionManifestManagerLegacy>(legacyManager);
+
+                var newManager = new ActionManifestManager();
+                newManager.Initialize(_hc);
+                _hc.SetSingleton<IActionManifestManager>(newManager);
+
+                var wrapper = new ActionManifestManagerWrapper();
+                wrapper.Initialize(_hc);
+
+                var manifestPath = Path.Combine(TestUtil.GetTestDataPath(), "conditional_composite_action.yml");
+
+                // Act - Load through the wrapper (which internally converts)
+                var result = wrapper.Load(_ec.Object, manifestPath);
+
+                // Assert
+                Assert.NotNull(result);
+                Assert.Equal(ActionExecutionType.Composite, result.Execution.ExecutionType);
+
+                var compositeExecution = result.Execution as CompositeActionExecutionData;
+                Assert.NotNull(compositeExecution);
+                Assert.NotNull(compositeExecution.Steps);
+                Assert.Equal(6, compositeExecution.Steps.Count);
+
+                // Verify steps are NOT null (this was the bug - JSON round-trip produced nulls)
+                foreach (var step in compositeExecution.Steps)
+                {
+                    Assert.NotNull(step);
+                    Assert.NotNull(step.Reference);
+                    Assert.IsType<GitHub.DistributedTask.Pipelines.ScriptReference>(step.Reference);
+                }
+
+                // Verify step with condition
+                var successStep = compositeExecution.Steps[2];
+                Assert.Equal("success-conditional", successStep.ContextName);
+                Assert.Equal("success()", successStep.Condition);
+
+                // Verify step with complex condition
+                var lastStep = compositeExecution.Steps[5];
+                Assert.Contains("inputs.exit-code == 1", lastStep.Condition);
+                Assert.Contains("failure()", lastStep.Condition);
+            }
+            finally
+            {
+                Teardown();
+            }
+        }
+
+        [Fact]
+        [Trait("Level", "L0")]
+        [Trait("Category", "Worker")]
+        public void EvaluateJobContainer_EmptyImage_BothParsersReturnNull()
+        {
+            try
+            {
+                // Arrange - Test that both parsers return null for empty container image at runtime
+                Setup();
+
+                var fileTable = new List<string>();
+
+                // Create legacy evaluator
+                var legacyTraceWriter = new GitHub.DistributedTask.ObjectTemplating.EmptyTraceWriter();
+                var schema = PipelineTemplateSchemaFactory.GetSchema();
+                var legacyEvaluator = new PipelineTemplateEvaluator(legacyTraceWriter, schema, fileTable);
+
+                // Create new evaluator
+                var newTraceWriter = new GitHub.Actions.WorkflowParser.ObjectTemplating.EmptyTraceWriter();
+                var newEvaluator = new WorkflowTemplateEvaluator(newTraceWriter, fileTable, features: null);
+
+                // Create a token representing an empty container image (simulates expression evaluated to empty string)
+                var emptyImageToken = new StringToken(null, null, null, "");
+
+                var contextData = new DictionaryContextData();
+                var expressionFunctions = new List<LegacyExpressions.IFunctionInfo>();
+
+                // Act - Call both evaluators
+                var legacyResult = legacyEvaluator.EvaluateJobContainer(emptyImageToken, contextData, expressionFunctions);
+
+                // Convert token for new evaluator
+                var newToken = new GitHub.Actions.WorkflowParser.ObjectTemplating.Tokens.StringToken(null, null, null, "");
+                var newContextData = new GitHub.Actions.Expressions.Data.DictionaryExpressionData();
+                var newExpressionFunctions = new List<GitHub.Actions.Expressions.IFunctionInfo>();
+
+                var newResult = newEvaluator.EvaluateJobContainer(newToken, newContextData, newExpressionFunctions);
+
+                // Assert - Both should return null for empty image (no container)
+                Assert.Null(legacyResult);
+                Assert.Null(newResult);
+            }
+            finally
+            {
+                Teardown();
+            }
+        }
+
+        [Fact]
+        [Trait("Level", "L0")]
+        [Trait("Category", "Worker")]
+        public void FromJsonEmptyString_BothParsersFail_WithDifferentMessages()
+        {
+            // This test verifies that both parsers fail with different error messages when parsing fromJSON('')
+            // The comparison layer should treat these as semantically equivalent (both are JSON parse errors)
+            try
+            {
+                Setup();
+
+                var fileTable = new List<string>();
+
+                // Create legacy evaluator
+                var legacyTraceWriter = new GitHub.DistributedTask.ObjectTemplating.EmptyTraceWriter();
+                var schema = PipelineTemplateSchemaFactory.GetSchema();
+                var legacyEvaluator = new PipelineTemplateEvaluator(legacyTraceWriter, schema, fileTable);
+
+                // Create new evaluator
+                var newTraceWriter = new GitHub.Actions.WorkflowParser.ObjectTemplating.EmptyTraceWriter();
+                var newEvaluator = new WorkflowTemplateEvaluator(newTraceWriter, fileTable, features: null);
+
+                // Create expression token for fromJSON('')
+                var legacyToken = new BasicExpressionToken(null, null, null, "fromJson('')");
+                var newToken = new GitHub.Actions.WorkflowParser.ObjectTemplating.Tokens.BasicExpressionToken(null, null, null, "fromJson('')");
+
+                var contextData = new DictionaryContextData();
+                var newContextData = new GitHub.Actions.Expressions.Data.DictionaryExpressionData();
+                var expressionFunctions = new List<LegacyExpressions.IFunctionInfo>();
+                var newExpressionFunctions = new List<GitHub.Actions.Expressions.IFunctionInfo>();
+
+                // Act - Both should throw
+                Exception legacyException = null;
+                Exception newException = null;
+
+                try
+                {
+                    legacyEvaluator.EvaluateStepDisplayName(legacyToken, contextData, expressionFunctions);
+                }
+                catch (Exception ex)
+                {
+                    legacyException = ex;
+                }
+
+                try
+                {
+                    newEvaluator.EvaluateStepName(newToken, newContextData, newExpressionFunctions);
+                }
+                catch (Exception ex)
+                {
+                    newException = ex;
+                }
+
+                // Assert - Both threw exceptions
+                Assert.NotNull(legacyException);
+                Assert.NotNull(newException);
+
+                // Verify the error messages are different (which is why we need semantic comparison)
+                Assert.NotEqual(legacyException.Message, newException.Message);
+
+                // Verify both are JSON parse errors (contain JSON-related error indicators)
+                var legacyFullMsg = GetFullExceptionMessage(legacyException);
+                var newFullMsg = GetFullExceptionMessage(newException);
+
+                // At least one should contain indicators of JSON parsing failure
+                var legacyIsJsonError = legacyFullMsg.Contains("JToken") ||
+                                        legacyFullMsg.Contains("JsonReader") ||
+                                        legacyFullMsg.Contains("fromJson");
+                var newIsJsonError = newFullMsg.Contains("JToken") ||
+                                     newFullMsg.Contains("JsonReader") ||
+                                     newFullMsg.Contains("fromJson");
+
+                Assert.True(legacyIsJsonError, $"Legacy exception should be JSON error: {legacyFullMsg}");
+                Assert.True(newIsJsonError, $"New exception should be JSON error: {newFullMsg}");
+            }
+            finally
+            {
+                Teardown();
+            }
+        }
+
+        [Fact]
+        [Trait("Level", "L0")]
+        [Trait("Category", "Worker")]
+        public void EvaluateDefaultInput_BothParsersAgree()
+        {
+            try
+            {
+                Setup();
+                _ec.Object.Global.Variables.Set(Constants.Runner.Features.CompareWorkflowParser, "true");
+
+                var legacyManager = new ActionManifestManagerLegacy();
+                legacyManager.Initialize(_hc);
+                _hc.SetSingleton<IActionManifestManagerLegacy>(legacyManager);
+
+                var newManager = new ActionManifestManager();
+                newManager.Initialize(_hc);
+                _hc.SetSingleton<IActionManifestManager>(newManager);
+
+                var wrapper = new ActionManifestManagerWrapper();
+                wrapper.Initialize(_hc);
+
+                _ec.Object.ExpressionValues["github"] = new LegacyContextData.DictionaryContextData();
+                _ec.Object.ExpressionValues["strategy"] = new LegacyContextData.DictionaryContextData();
+                _ec.Object.ExpressionValues["matrix"] = new LegacyContextData.DictionaryContextData();
+                _ec.Object.ExpressionValues["steps"] = new LegacyContextData.DictionaryContextData();
+                _ec.Object.ExpressionValues["job"] = new LegacyContextData.DictionaryContextData();
+                _ec.Object.ExpressionValues["runner"] = new LegacyContextData.DictionaryContextData();
+                _ec.Object.ExpressionValues["env"] = new LegacyContextData.DictionaryContextData();
+                _ec.Object.ExpressionFunctions.Add(new LegacyExpressions.FunctionInfo<GitHub.Runner.Worker.Expressions.HashFilesFunction>("hashFiles", 1, 255));
+
+                var result = wrapper.EvaluateDefaultInput(_ec.Object, "testInput", new StringToken(null, null, null, "defaultValue"));
+
+                Assert.Equal("defaultValue", result);
+                Assert.False(_ec.Object.Global.HasActionManifestMismatch);
+            }
+            finally
+            {
+                Teardown();
+            }
+        }
+
+        [Fact]
+        [Trait("Level", "L0")]
+        [Trait("Category", "Worker")]
+        public void EvaluateContainerArguments_BothParsersAgree()
+        {
+            try
+            {
+                Setup();
+                _ec.Object.Global.Variables.Set(Constants.Runner.Features.CompareWorkflowParser, "true");
+
+                var legacyManager = new ActionManifestManagerLegacy();
+                legacyManager.Initialize(_hc);
+                _hc.SetSingleton<IActionManifestManagerLegacy>(legacyManager);
+
+                var newManager = new ActionManifestManager();
+                newManager.Initialize(_hc);
+                _hc.SetSingleton<IActionManifestManager>(newManager);
+
+                var wrapper = new ActionManifestManagerWrapper();
+                wrapper.Initialize(_hc);
+
+                var arguments = new SequenceToken(null, null, null);
+                arguments.Add(new StringToken(null, null, null, "arg1"));
+                arguments.Add(new StringToken(null, null, null, "arg2"));
+
+                var evaluateContext = new Dictionary<string, LegacyContextData.PipelineContextData>(StringComparer.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
+
+                var result = wrapper.EvaluateContainerArguments(_ec.Object, arguments, evaluateContext);
+
+                Assert.Equal(2, result.Count);
+                Assert.Equal("arg1", result[0]);
+                Assert.Equal("arg2", result[1]);
+                Assert.False(_ec.Object.Global.HasActionManifestMismatch);
+            }
+            finally
+            {
+                Teardown();
+            }
+        }
+
+        [Fact]
+        [Trait("Level", "L0")]
+        [Trait("Category", "Worker")]
+        public void EvaluateContainerEnvironment_BothParsersAgree()
+        {
+            try
+            {
+                Setup();
+                _ec.Object.Global.Variables.Set(Constants.Runner.Features.CompareWorkflowParser, "true");
+
+                var legacyManager = new ActionManifestManagerLegacy();
+                legacyManager.Initialize(_hc);
+                _hc.SetSingleton<IActionManifestManagerLegacy>(legacyManager);
+
+                var newManager = new ActionManifestManager();
+                newManager.Initialize(_hc);
+                _hc.SetSingleton<IActionManifestManager>(newManager);
+
+                var wrapper = new ActionManifestManagerWrapper();
+                wrapper.Initialize(_hc);
+
+                var environment = new MappingToken(null, null, null);
+                environment.Add(new StringToken(null, null, null, "hello"), new StringToken(null, null, null, "world"));
+
+                var evaluateContext = new Dictionary<string, LegacyContextData.PipelineContextData>(StringComparer.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
+
+                var result = wrapper.EvaluateContainerEnvironment(_ec.Object, environment, evaluateContext);
+
+                Assert.Equal(1, result.Count);
+                Assert.Equal("world", result["hello"]);
+                Assert.False(_ec.Object.Global.HasActionManifestMismatch);
+            }
+            finally
+            {
+                Teardown();
+            }
+        }
+
+        [Fact]
+        [Trait("Level", "L0")]
+        [Trait("Category", "Worker")]
+        public void EvaluateCompositeOutputs_BothParsersAgree()
+        {
+            try
+            {
+                Setup();
+                _ec.Object.Global.Variables.Set(Constants.Runner.Features.CompareWorkflowParser, "true");
+
+                var legacyManager = new ActionManifestManagerLegacy();
+                legacyManager.Initialize(_hc);
+                _hc.SetSingleton<IActionManifestManagerLegacy>(legacyManager);
+
+                var newManager = new ActionManifestManager();
+                newManager.Initialize(_hc);
+                _hc.SetSingleton<IActionManifestManager>(newManager);
+
+                var wrapper = new ActionManifestManagerWrapper();
+                wrapper.Initialize(_hc);
+
+                var outputDef = new MappingToken(null, null, null);
+                outputDef.Add(new StringToken(null, null, null, "description"), new StringToken(null, null, null, "test output"));
+                outputDef.Add(new StringToken(null, null, null, "value"), new StringToken(null, null, null, "value1"));
+
+                var token = new MappingToken(null, null, null);
+                token.Add(new StringToken(null, null, null, "output1"), outputDef);
+
+                var evaluateContext = new Dictionary<string, LegacyContextData.PipelineContextData>(StringComparer.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
+
+                var result = wrapper.EvaluateCompositeOutputs(_ec.Object, token, evaluateContext);
+
+                Assert.NotNull(result);
+                Assert.False(_ec.Object.Global.HasActionManifestMismatch);
+            }
+            finally
+            {
+                Teardown();
+            }
+        }
+
+        private string GetFullExceptionMessage(Exception ex)
+        {
+            var messages = new List<string>();
+            var current = ex;
+            while (current != null)
+            {
+                messages.Add(current.Message);
+                current = current.InnerException;
+            }
+            return string.Join(" -> ", messages);
+        }
+
+        private void Setup([CallerMemberName] string name = "")
+        {
+            _ecTokenSource?.Dispose();
+            _ecTokenSource = new CancellationTokenSource();
+
+            _hc = new TestHostContext(this, name);
+
+            var expressionValues = new LegacyContextData.DictionaryContextData();
+            var expressionFunctions = new List<LegacyExpressions.IFunctionInfo>();
+
+            _ec = new Mock<IExecutionContext>();
+            _ec.Setup(x => x.Global)
+                .Returns(new GlobalContext
+                {
+                    FileTable = new List<String>(),
+                    Variables = new Variables(_hc, new Dictionary<string, VariableValue>()),
+                    WriteDebug = true,
+                });
+            _ec.Setup(x => x.CancellationToken).Returns(_ecTokenSource.Token);
+            _ec.Setup(x => x.ExpressionValues).Returns(expressionValues);
+            _ec.Setup(x => x.ExpressionFunctions).Returns(expressionFunctions);
+            _ec.Setup(x => x.Write(It.IsAny<string>(), It.IsAny<string>())).Callback((string tag, string message) => { _hc.GetTrace().Info($"{tag}{message}"); });
+            _ec.Setup(x => x.AddIssue(It.IsAny<Issue>(), It.IsAny<ExecutionContextLogOptions>())).Callback((Issue issue, ExecutionContextLogOptions logOptions) => { _hc.GetTrace().Info($"[{issue.Type}]{logOptions.LogMessageOverride ?? issue.Message}"); });
+        }
+
+        private void Teardown()
+        {
+            _hc?.Dispose();
+        }
+    }
+}

src/Test/L0/Worker/PipelineTemplateEvaluatorWrapperL0.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,550 @@
+using GitHub.DistributedTask.ObjectTemplating.Tokens;
+using GitHub.DistributedTask.Pipelines.ContextData;
+using GitHub.DistributedTask.Pipelines.ObjectTemplating;
+using GitHub.DistributedTask.WebApi;
+using GitHub.Runner.Common;
+using GitHub.Runner.Sdk;
+using GitHub.Runner.Worker;
+using LegacyContextData = GitHub.DistributedTask.Pipelines.ContextData;
+using LegacyExpressions = GitHub.DistributedTask.Expressions2;
+using Moq;
+using System;
+using System.Collections.Generic;
+using System.Runtime.CompilerServices;
+using System.Threading;
+using Xunit;
+
+namespace GitHub.Runner.Common.Tests.Worker
+{
+    public sealed class PipelineTemplateEvaluatorWrapperL0
+    {
+        private CancellationTokenSource _ecTokenSource;
+        private Mock<IExecutionContext> _ec;
+        private TestHostContext _hc;
+
+        // -------------------------------------------------------------------
+        // EvaluateAndCompare core behavior
+        // -------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+        [Fact]
+        [Trait("Level", "L0")]
+        [Trait("Category", "Worker")]
+        public void EvaluateAndCompare_DoesNotRecordMismatch_WhenResultsMatch()
+        {
+            try
+            {
+                Setup();
+                _ec.Object.Global.Variables.Set(Constants.Runner.Features.CompareWorkflowParser, "true");
+
+                var wrapper = new PipelineTemplateEvaluatorWrapper(_hc, _ec.Object);
+
+                var token = new StringToken(null, null, null, "test-value");
+                var contextData = new DictionaryContextData();
+                var expressionFunctions = new List<LegacyExpressions.IFunctionInfo>();
+
+                var result = wrapper.EvaluateStepDisplayName(token, contextData, expressionFunctions);
+
+                Assert.Equal("test-value", result);
+                Assert.False(_ec.Object.Global.HasTemplateEvaluatorMismatch);
+            }
+            finally
+            {
+                Teardown();
+            }
+        }
+
+        [Fact]
+        [Trait("Level", "L0")]
+        [Trait("Category", "Worker")]
+        public void EvaluateAndCompare_SkipsMismatchRecording_WhenCancellationOccursDuringEvaluation()
+        {
+            try
+            {
+                Setup();
+                _ec.Object.Global.Variables.Set(Constants.Runner.Features.CompareWorkflowParser, "true");
+
+                var wrapper = new PipelineTemplateEvaluatorWrapper(_hc, _ec.Object);
+
+                // Call EvaluateAndCompare directly: the new evaluator cancels the token
+                // and returns a different value, forcing hasMismatch = true.
+                // Because cancellation flipped during the evaluation window, the
+                // mismatch should be skipped.
+                var result = wrapper.EvaluateAndCompare<string, string>(
+                    "TestCancellationSkip",
+                    () => "legacy-value",
+                    () =>
+                    {
+                        _ecTokenSource.Cancel();
+                        return "different-value";
+                    },
+                    (legacy, @new) => string.Equals(legacy, @new, StringComparison.Ordinal));
+
+                Assert.Equal("legacy-value", result);
+                Assert.False(_ec.Object.Global.HasTemplateEvaluatorMismatch);
+            }
+            finally
+            {
+                Teardown();
+            }
+        }
+
+        [Fact]
+        [Trait("Level", "L0")]
+        [Trait("Category", "Worker")]
+        public void EvaluateAndCompare_RecordsMismatch_WhenResultsDifferWithoutCancellation()
+        {
+            try
+            {
+                Setup();
+                _ec.Object.Global.Variables.Set(Constants.Runner.Features.CompareWorkflowParser, "true");
+
+                var wrapper = new PipelineTemplateEvaluatorWrapper(_hc, _ec.Object);
+
+                // Different results without cancellation — mismatch SHOULD be recorded.
+                var result = wrapper.EvaluateAndCompare<string, string>(
+                    "TestMismatchRecorded",
+                    () => "legacy-value",
+                    () => "different-value",
+                    (legacy, @new) => string.Equals(legacy, @new, StringComparison.Ordinal));
+
+                Assert.Equal("legacy-value", result);
+                Assert.True(_ec.Object.Global.HasTemplateEvaluatorMismatch);
+            }
+            finally
+            {
+                Teardown();
+            }
+        }
+
+        // -------------------------------------------------------------------
+        // Smoke tests — both parsers agree, no mismatch recorded
+        // -------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+        [Fact]
+        [Trait("Level", "L0")]
+        [Trait("Category", "Worker")]
+        public void EvaluateStepContinueOnError_BothParsersAgree()
+        {
+            try
+            {
+                Setup();
+                _ec.Object.Global.Variables.Set(Constants.Runner.Features.CompareWorkflowParser, "true");
+
+                var wrapper = new PipelineTemplateEvaluatorWrapper(_hc, _ec.Object);
+                var token = new BooleanToken(null, null, null, true);
+                var contextData = new DictionaryContextData();
+                var functions = new List<LegacyExpressions.IFunctionInfo>();
+
+                var result = wrapper.EvaluateStepContinueOnError(token, contextData, functions);
+
+                Assert.True(result);
+                Assert.False(_ec.Object.Global.HasTemplateEvaluatorMismatch);
+            }
+            finally
+            {
+                Teardown();
+            }
+        }
+
+        [Fact]
+        [Trait("Level", "L0")]
+        [Trait("Category", "Worker")]
+        public void EvaluateStepEnvironment_BothParsersAgree()
+        {
+            try
+            {
+                Setup();
+                _ec.Object.Global.Variables.Set(Constants.Runner.Features.CompareWorkflowParser, "true");
+
+                var wrapper = new PipelineTemplateEvaluatorWrapper(_hc, _ec.Object);
+                var token = new MappingToken(null, null, null);
+                token.Add(new StringToken(null, null, null, "FOO"), new StringToken(null, null, null, "bar"));
+                var contextData = new DictionaryContextData();
+                var functions = new List<LegacyExpressions.IFunctionInfo>();
+
+                var result = wrapper.EvaluateStepEnvironment(token, contextData, functions, StringComparer.OrdinalIgnoreCase);
+
+                Assert.NotNull(result);
+                Assert.Equal("bar", result["FOO"]);
+                Assert.False(_ec.Object.Global.HasTemplateEvaluatorMismatch);
+            }
+            finally
+            {
+                Teardown();
+            }
+        }
+
+        [Fact]
+        [Trait("Level", "L0")]
+        [Trait("Category", "Worker")]
+        public void EvaluateStepIf_BothParsersAgree()
+        {
+            try
+            {
+                Setup();
+                _ec.Object.Global.Variables.Set(Constants.Runner.Features.CompareWorkflowParser, "true");
+
+                var wrapper = new PipelineTemplateEvaluatorWrapper(_hc, _ec.Object);
+                var token = new BasicExpressionToken(null, null, null, "true");
+                var contextData = new DictionaryContextData();
+                var functions = new List<LegacyExpressions.IFunctionInfo>();
+                var expressionState = new List<KeyValuePair<string, object>>();
+
+                var result = wrapper.EvaluateStepIf(token, contextData, functions, expressionState);
+
+                Assert.True(result);
+                Assert.False(_ec.Object.Global.HasTemplateEvaluatorMismatch);
+            }
+            finally
+            {
+                Teardown();
+            }
+        }
+
+        [Fact]
+        [Trait("Level", "L0")]
+        [Trait("Category", "Worker")]
+        public void EvaluateStepInputs_BothParsersAgree()
+        {
+            try
+            {
+                Setup();
+                _ec.Object.Global.Variables.Set(Constants.Runner.Features.CompareWorkflowParser, "true");
+
+                var wrapper = new PipelineTemplateEvaluatorWrapper(_hc, _ec.Object);
+                var token = new MappingToken(null, null, null);
+                token.Add(new StringToken(null, null, null, "input1"), new StringToken(null, null, null, "val1"));
+                var contextData = new DictionaryContextData();
+                var functions = new List<LegacyExpressions.IFunctionInfo>();
+
+                var result = wrapper.EvaluateStepInputs(token, contextData, functions);
+
+                Assert.NotNull(result);
+                Assert.Equal("val1", result["input1"]);
+                Assert.False(_ec.Object.Global.HasTemplateEvaluatorMismatch);
+            }
+            finally
+            {
+                Teardown();
+            }
+        }
+
+        [Fact]
+        [Trait("Level", "L0")]
+        [Trait("Category", "Worker")]
+        public void EvaluateStepTimeout_BothParsersAgree()
+        {
+            try
+            {
+                Setup();
+                _ec.Object.Global.Variables.Set(Constants.Runner.Features.CompareWorkflowParser, "true");
+
+                var wrapper = new PipelineTemplateEvaluatorWrapper(_hc, _ec.Object);
+                var token = new NumberToken(null, null, null, 10);
+                var contextData = new DictionaryContextData();
+                var functions = new List<LegacyExpressions.IFunctionInfo>();
+
+                var result = wrapper.EvaluateStepTimeout(token, contextData, functions);
+
+                Assert.Equal(10, result);
+                Assert.False(_ec.Object.Global.HasTemplateEvaluatorMismatch);
+            }
+            finally
+            {
+                Teardown();
+            }
+        }
+
+        [Fact]
+        [Trait("Level", "L0")]
+        [Trait("Category", "Worker")]
+        public void EvaluateJobContainer_EmptyImage_BothParsersAgree()
+        {
+            try
+            {
+                Setup();
+                _ec.Object.Global.Variables.Set(Constants.Runner.Features.CompareWorkflowParser, "true");
+
+                var wrapper = new PipelineTemplateEvaluatorWrapper(_hc, _ec.Object);
+                var token = new StringToken(null, null, null, "");
+                var contextData = new DictionaryContextData();
+                var functions = new List<LegacyExpressions.IFunctionInfo>();
+
+                var result = wrapper.EvaluateJobContainer(token, contextData, functions);
+
+                Assert.Null(result);
+                Assert.False(_ec.Object.Global.HasTemplateEvaluatorMismatch);
+            }
+            finally
+            {
+                Teardown();
+            }
+        }
+
+        [Fact]
+        [Trait("Level", "L0")]
+        [Trait("Category", "Worker")]
+        public void EvaluateJobOutput_BothParsersAgree()
+        {
+            try
+            {
+                Setup();
+                _ec.Object.Global.Variables.Set(Constants.Runner.Features.CompareWorkflowParser, "true");
+
+                var wrapper = new PipelineTemplateEvaluatorWrapper(_hc, _ec.Object);
+                var token = new MappingToken(null, null, null);
+                token.Add(new StringToken(null, null, null, "out1"), new StringToken(null, null, null, "val1"));
+                var contextData = new DictionaryContextData();
+                var functions = new List<LegacyExpressions.IFunctionInfo>();
+
+                var result = wrapper.EvaluateJobOutput(token, contextData, functions);
+
+                Assert.NotNull(result);
+                Assert.Equal("val1", result["out1"]);
+                Assert.False(_ec.Object.Global.HasTemplateEvaluatorMismatch);
+            }
+            finally
+            {
+                Teardown();
+            }
+        }
+
+        [Fact]
+        [Trait("Level", "L0")]
+        [Trait("Category", "Worker")]
+        public void EvaluateEnvironmentUrl_BothParsersAgree()
+        {
+            try
+            {
+                Setup();
+                _ec.Object.Global.Variables.Set(Constants.Runner.Features.CompareWorkflowParser, "true");
+
+                var wrapper = new PipelineTemplateEvaluatorWrapper(_hc, _ec.Object);
+                var token = new StringToken(null, null, null, "https://example.com");
+                var contextData = new DictionaryContextData();
+                var functions = new List<LegacyExpressions.IFunctionInfo>();
+
+                var result = wrapper.EvaluateEnvironmentUrl(token, contextData, functions);
+
+                Assert.NotNull(result);
+                var stringResult = result as StringToken;
+                Assert.NotNull(stringResult);
+                Assert.Equal("https://example.com", stringResult.Value);
+                Assert.False(_ec.Object.Global.HasTemplateEvaluatorMismatch);
+            }
+            finally
+            {
+                Teardown();
+            }
+        }
+
+        [Fact]
+        [Trait("Level", "L0")]
+        [Trait("Category", "Worker")]
+        public void EvaluateJobDefaultsRun_BothParsersAgree()
+        {
+            try
+            {
+                Setup();
+                _ec.Object.Global.Variables.Set(Constants.Runner.Features.CompareWorkflowParser, "true");
+
+                var wrapper = new PipelineTemplateEvaluatorWrapper(_hc, _ec.Object);
+                var token = new MappingToken(null, null, null);
+                token.Add(new StringToken(null, null, null, "shell"), new StringToken(null, null, null, "bash"));
+                var contextData = new DictionaryContextData();
+                var functions = new List<LegacyExpressions.IFunctionInfo>();
+
+                var result = wrapper.EvaluateJobDefaultsRun(token, contextData, functions);
+
+                Assert.NotNull(result);
+                Assert.Equal("bash", result["shell"]);
+                Assert.False(_ec.Object.Global.HasTemplateEvaluatorMismatch);
+            }
+            finally
+            {
+                Teardown();
+            }
+        }
+
+        [Fact]
+        [Trait("Level", "L0")]
+        [Trait("Category", "Worker")]
+        public void EvaluateJobServiceContainers_Null_BothParsersAgree()
+        {
+            try
+            {
+                Setup();
+                _ec.Object.Global.Variables.Set(Constants.Runner.Features.CompareWorkflowParser, "true");
+
+                var wrapper = new PipelineTemplateEvaluatorWrapper(_hc, _ec.Object);
+                var contextData = new DictionaryContextData();
+                var functions = new List<LegacyExpressions.IFunctionInfo>();
+
+                var result = wrapper.EvaluateJobServiceContainers(null, contextData, functions);
+
+                Assert.Null(result);
+                Assert.False(_ec.Object.Global.HasTemplateEvaluatorMismatch);
+            }
+            finally
+            {
+                Teardown();
+            }
+        }
+
+        [Fact]
+        [Trait("Level", "L0")]
+        [Trait("Category", "Worker")]
+        public void EvaluateJobSnapshotRequest_Null_BothParsersAgree()
+        {
+            try
+            {
+                Setup();
+                _ec.Object.Global.Variables.Set(Constants.Runner.Features.CompareWorkflowParser, "true");
+
+                var wrapper = new PipelineTemplateEvaluatorWrapper(_hc, _ec.Object);
+                var contextData = new DictionaryContextData();
+                var functions = new List<LegacyExpressions.IFunctionInfo>();
+
+                var result = wrapper.EvaluateJobSnapshotRequest(null, contextData, functions);
+
+                Assert.Null(result);
+                Assert.False(_ec.Object.Global.HasTemplateEvaluatorMismatch);
+            }
+            finally
+            {
+                Teardown();
+            }
+        }
+
+        // -------------------------------------------------------------------
+        // JSON parse error equivalence via EvaluateAndCompare
+        // -------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+        [Fact]
+        [Trait("Level", "L0")]
+        [Trait("Category", "Worker")]
+        public void EvaluateAndCompare_JsonReaderExceptions_TreatedAsEquivalent()
+        {
+            try
+            {
+                Setup();
+                _ec.Object.Global.Variables.Set(Constants.Runner.Features.CompareWorkflowParser, "true");
+
+                var wrapper = new PipelineTemplateEvaluatorWrapper(_hc, _ec.Object);
+
+                // Both throw JsonReaderException with different messages — should be treated as equivalent
+                var legacyEx = new Newtonsoft.Json.JsonReaderException("Error reading JToken from JsonReader. Path '', line 0, position 0.");
+                var newEx = new Newtonsoft.Json.JsonReaderException("Error parsing fromJson", new Newtonsoft.Json.JsonReaderException("Unexpected end"));
+
+                Assert.Throws<Newtonsoft.Json.JsonReaderException>(() =>
+                    wrapper.EvaluateAndCompare<string, string>(
+                        "TestJsonEquivalence",
+                        () => throw legacyEx,
+                        () => throw newEx,
+                        (a, b) => string.Equals(a, b, StringComparison.Ordinal)));
+
+                Assert.False(_ec.Object.Global.HasTemplateEvaluatorMismatch);
+            }
+            finally
+            {
+                Teardown();
+            }
+        }
+
+        [Fact]
+        [Trait("Level", "L0")]
+        [Trait("Category", "Worker")]
+        public void EvaluateAndCompare_MixedJsonExceptionTypes_TreatedAsEquivalent()
+        {
+            try
+            {
+                Setup();
+                _ec.Object.Global.Variables.Set(Constants.Runner.Features.CompareWorkflowParser, "true");
+
+                var wrapper = new PipelineTemplateEvaluatorWrapper(_hc, _ec.Object);
+
+                // Legacy throws Newtonsoft JsonReaderException, new throws System.Text.Json.JsonException
+                var legacyEx = new Newtonsoft.Json.JsonReaderException("Error reading JToken");
+                var newEx = new System.Text.Json.JsonException("Error parsing fromJson");
+
+                Assert.Throws<Newtonsoft.Json.JsonReaderException>(() =>
+                    wrapper.EvaluateAndCompare<string, string>(
+                        "TestMixedJsonTypes",
+                        () => throw legacyEx,
+                        () => throw newEx,
+                        (a, b) => string.Equals(a, b, StringComparison.Ordinal)));
+
+                Assert.False(_ec.Object.Global.HasTemplateEvaluatorMismatch);
+            }
+            finally
+            {
+                Teardown();
+            }
+        }
+
+        [Fact]
+        [Trait("Level", "L0")]
+        [Trait("Category", "Worker")]
+        public void EvaluateAndCompare_NonJsonExceptions_RecordsMismatch()
+        {
+            try
+            {
+                Setup();
+                _ec.Object.Global.Variables.Set(Constants.Runner.Features.CompareWorkflowParser, "true");
+
+                var wrapper = new PipelineTemplateEvaluatorWrapper(_hc, _ec.Object);
+
+                // Both throw non-JSON exceptions with different messages — should record mismatch
+                var legacyEx = new InvalidOperationException("some error");
+                var newEx = new InvalidOperationException("different error");
+
+                Assert.Throws<InvalidOperationException>(() =>
+                    wrapper.EvaluateAndCompare<string, string>(
+                        "TestNonJsonMismatch",
+                        () => throw legacyEx,
+                        () => throw newEx,
+                        (a, b) => string.Equals(a, b, StringComparison.Ordinal)));
+
+                Assert.True(_ec.Object.Global.HasTemplateEvaluatorMismatch);
+            }
+            finally
+            {
+                Teardown();
+            }
+        }
+
+        // -------------------------------------------------------------------
+        // Helpers
+        // -------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+        private void Setup([CallerMemberName] string name = "")
+        {
+            _ecTokenSource?.Dispose();
+            _ecTokenSource = new CancellationTokenSource();
+
+            _hc = new TestHostContext(this, name);
+
+            var expressionValues = new LegacyContextData.DictionaryContextData();
+            var expressionFunctions = new List<LegacyExpressions.IFunctionInfo>();
+
+            _ec = new Mock<IExecutionContext>();
+            _ec.Setup(x => x.Global)
+                .Returns(new GlobalContext
+                {
+                    FileTable = new List<String>(),
+                    Variables = new Variables(_hc, new Dictionary<string, VariableValue>()),
+                    WriteDebug = true,
+                });
+            _ec.Setup(x => x.CancellationToken).Returns(_ecTokenSource.Token);
+            _ec.Setup(x => x.ExpressionValues).Returns(expressionValues);
+            _ec.Setup(x => x.ExpressionFunctions).Returns(expressionFunctions);
+            _ec.Setup(x => x.Write(It.IsAny<string>(), It.IsAny<string>())).Callback((string tag, string message) => { _hc.GetTrace().Info($"{tag}{message}"); });
+            _ec.Setup(x => x.AddIssue(It.IsAny<Issue>(), It.IsAny<ExecutionContextLogOptions>())).Callback((Issue issue, ExecutionContextLogOptions logOptions) => { _hc.GetTrace().Info($"[{issue.Type}]{logOptions.LogMessageOverride ?? issue.Message}"); });
+        }
+
+        private void Teardown()
+        {
+            _hc?.Dispose();
+        }
+    }
+}

src/dev.sh

@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ LAYOUT_DIR="$SCRIPT_DIR/../_layout"
 DOWNLOAD_DIR="$SCRIPT_DIR/../_downloads/netcore2x"
 PACKAGE_DIR="$SCRIPT_DIR/../_package"
 DOTNETSDK_ROOT="$SCRIPT_DIR/../_dotnetsdk"
-DOTNETSDK_VERSION="8.0.417"
+DOTNETSDK_VERSION="8.0.418"
 DOTNETSDK_INSTALLDIR="$DOTNETSDK_ROOT/$DOTNETSDK_VERSION"
 RUNNER_VERSION=$(cat runnerversion)
 

src/global.json

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 {
   "sdk": {
-    "version": "8.0.417"
+    "version": "8.0.418"
   }
 }