![Weekly Recap: OpenTelemetry in .NET, GitHub Copilot CLI, and C# MCP Servers [Aug 2026]](https://devleader-d2f9ggbjfpdqcka7.z01.azurefd.net/media/SquareBanner.webp)
This week: The OpenTelemetry series lands in full, with a complete observability guide plus dedicated deep dives on traces, metrics, logging, HttpClient instrumentation, ASP.NET Core setup, and choosing between OTLP, Prometheus, Jaeger, and Azure Monitor exporters. On the tooling side there is a run of GitHub Copilot CLI material covering real .NET workflows, MCP servers, headless mode in scripts and CI/CD pipelines, and how it stacks up against Claude Code. Architecture gets attention too, with pieces on clean architecture versus modular monoliths and what it actually takes to move from microservices back to a monolith in C#. The one video this week is a Code Commute ride where I talk through the side projects I am most excited about right now.
Like what you read or watched from the recap? I'd love if you helped share on Reddit or Daily.dev so others can see!
Weekly Recap
Featured this week: Using MCP Servers with GitHub Copilot CLI -- if you only read one thing this week, start here.
After Decades of Code, Here's What Excites Me Most
In this video, I talk about various side projects that I am exploring and the direction they're heading in.
Using MCP Servers with GitHub Copilot CLI
GitHub Copilot CLI MCP guide for adding custom servers with mcp-config.json, CLI commands, transports, tool scoping, registry search, examples, and tradeoffs.
Testing and Debugging Your C# MCP Server with MCP Inspector
Use MCP Inspector to test and debug C# MCP server .NET projects over stdio and HTTP, inspect JSON-RPC logs, verify tools, and avoid host integration guesswork.
OpenTelemetry Exporters in .NET: OTLP, Prometheus, Jaeger, and Azure Monitor
A practical guide to OpenTelemetry exporters in .NET -- configuring OTLP, Prometheus, Azure Monitor, and Jaeger with real C# examples for ASP.NET Core.
GitHub Copilot CLI vs Claude Code: Which Terminal Agent Should You Use in 2026?
GitHub Copilot CLI vs Claude Code comparison for 2026: pricing, permissions, MCP, models, GitHub workflows, and how to choose the agent for your team.
OpenTelemetry HttpClient Instrumentation in .NET: Tracing Outbound HTTP Calls
Learn OpenTelemetry HttpClient instrumentation in .NET: automatic spans, W3C trace propagation, request filtering, and span enrichment with C# examples.
Clean Architecture vs Modular Monolith in C#: What's the Difference?
Clean architecture vs modular monolith in C# -- understand the key differences, when each applies, and why combining them is often the most powerful approach for .NET developers.
OpenTelemetry Metrics .NET: Counters, Histograms, and IMeterFactory
A practical guide to OpenTelemetry metrics .NET -- covering Meter, Counter, Histogram, ObservableGauge, IMeterFactory, and exporting to Prometheus or OTLP.
OpenTelemetry Traces .NET -- ActivitySource, Spans, and the Tracing Pipeline
Learn how OpenTelemetry traces .NET applications use: ActivitySource, Activity, and the tracing pipeline -- with C# examples for ASP.NET Core.
OpenTelemetry in .NET: Complete Observability Guide
The complete OpenTelemetry .NET guide for developers: traces, metrics, and logs with C# examples, ASP.NET Core setup, exporters, and distributed tracing.
OpenTelemetry ASP.NET Core: Setup, Auto-Instrumentation, and Configuration
Set up OpenTelemetry ASP.NET Core with AddOpenTelemetry(), auto-instrumentation, metrics collection, and practical configuration examples for .NET 10.
From Microservices Back to Monolith in C#: When and How to Reverse Course
Learn when to move from microservices to monolith C# systems, the warning signs to watch for, and how to consolidate into a modular monolith.
Running GitHub Copilot CLI in Scripts and CI/CD Pipelines (Headless Mode)
Learn GitHub Copilot CLI headless automation with copilot -p prompts, CI auth, safe permissions, models, secrets, schedulers, and cloud sandbox workflows.
OpenTelemetry Logging .NET: ILogger Integration and Structured Log Export
How to set up OpenTelemetry logging .NET using ILogger -- structured log export, trace context correlation, OTLP export, and practical C# examples.
Deploying Your C# MCP Server to Azure: Functions vs. Container Apps
Deploy MCP server to Azure with C# using Azure Functions MCP extension or Azure Container Apps, with tradeoffs for scale, cost, auth, and cold starts.
### GitHub Copilot CLI for .NET Developers: Real Workflows on a C# Codebase
GitHub Copilot CLI for .NET workflows: configure C# conventions, prompt ASP.NET Core changes, run tests, review diffs, and commit safely today, with guardrails.
- Join me and other software engineers in the private Discord community!
- Resume reviews and interview guidance!
- Software engineering podcast and livestreams!
- My Code Commute vlogs are on YouTube!
- All of my weekly vlogs are on YouTube!
- Remember to check out my courses, including this awesome discounted bundle for C# developers:
