Structured Log Viewer for Mac

macOS .binlog Inspector — Structured Log Viewer

Structured Log Viewer is a free macOS utility that helps you examine MSBuild binary logs (.binlog) interactively. It presents complex build activity in a clear, navigable layout so you can explore what happened during a build without digging through raw text files.

Who should use it

• Developers and build engineers who need clear visibility into build execution.
• Teams troubleshooting flaky builds or trying to reduce build times.
• Anyone who wants an easier way to understand build outcomes and dependencies.

Main capabilities

• Shows comprehensive details for every step of the build, including messages, durations, and dependencies.
• Renders build timelines so you can see the sequence and overlap of tasks visually.
• Lets you search and filter log entries to focus on relevant errors, warnings, or targets.

Why it’s useful

By combining a visual timeline with deep per-step information and strong search/filtering options, the tool reduces the time it takes to find root causes and performance bottlenecks. Its emphasis on usability means less time parsing logs and more time fixing issues or improving build speed.

Quick tips and free resources

• Generate .binlog files with MSBuild’s /bl switch to capture the structured log for later inspection.
• Keep a short checklist of common filters (errors, warnings, longest-running tasks) to speed recurring analyses.
• Share exported views or screenshots with teammates when escalating build problems so everyone sees the same context.