diff --git a/.github/workflows/dotnet-build-and-test.yml b/.github/workflows/dotnet-build-and-test.yml
index e79ff15f6d..8e3582517f 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/dotnet-build-and-test.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/dotnet-build-and-test.yml
@@ -260,7 +260,7 @@ jobs:
             --ignore-exit-code 8 `
             --filter-not-trait "Category=IntegrationDisabled" `
             --parallel-algorithm aggressive `
-            --max-threads 4.0x
+            --max-threads 2.0x
         env:
           # Cosmos DB Emulator connection settings
           COSMOSDB_ENDPOINT: https://localhost:8081
diff --git a/dotnet/tests/Microsoft.Agents.AI.Hosting.AzureFunctions.IntegrationTests/SamplesValidation.cs b/dotnet/tests/Microsoft.Agents.AI.Hosting.AzureFunctions.IntegrationTests/SamplesValidation.cs
index 19e75467c8..5b1e46ebf0 100644
--- a/dotnet/tests/Microsoft.Agents.AI.Hosting.AzureFunctions.IntegrationTests/SamplesValidation.cs
+++ b/dotnet/tests/Microsoft.Agents.AI.Hosting.AzureFunctions.IntegrationTests/SamplesValidation.cs
@@ -792,6 +792,9 @@ private async Task WaitForConditionAsync(Func<Task<bool>> condition, string mess
 
     private async Task RunSampleTestAsync(string samplePath, Func<IReadOnlyList<OutputLog>, Task> testAction)
     {
+        // Build the sample project first (it may not have been built as part of the solution)
+        await this.BuildSampleAsync(samplePath);
+
         // Start the Azure Functions app
         List<OutputLog> logsContainer = [];
         using Process funcProcess = this.StartFunctionApp(samplePath, logsContainer);
@@ -811,12 +814,39 @@ private async Task RunSampleTestAsync(string samplePath, Func<IReadOnlyList<Outp
 
     private sealed record OutputLog(DateTime Timestamp, LogLevel Level, string Message);
 
+    private async Task BuildSampleAsync(string samplePath)
+    {
+        this._outputHelper.WriteLine($"Building sample at {samplePath}...");
+
+        ProcessStartInfo buildInfo = new()
+        {
+            FileName = "dotnet",
+            Arguments = $"build -f {s_dotnetTargetFramework}",
+            WorkingDirectory = samplePath,
+            UseShellExecute = false,
+            RedirectStandardOutput = true,
+            RedirectStandardError = true,
+        };
+
+        using Process buildProcess = new() { StartInfo = buildInfo };
+        buildProcess.Start();
+        await buildProcess.WaitForExitAsync();
+
+        if (buildProcess.ExitCode != 0)
+        {
+            string stderr = await buildProcess.StandardError.ReadToEndAsync();
+            throw new InvalidOperationException($"Failed to build sample at {samplePath}: {stderr}");
+        }
+
+        this._outputHelper.WriteLine($"Build completed for {samplePath}.");
+    }
+
     private Process StartFunctionApp(string samplePath, List<OutputLog> logs)
     {
         ProcessStartInfo startInfo = new()
         {
             FileName = "dotnet",
-            Arguments = $"run -f {s_dotnetTargetFramework} --port {AzureFunctionsPort}",
+            Arguments = $"run --no-build -f {s_dotnetTargetFramework} --port {AzureFunctionsPort}",
             WorkingDirectory = samplePath,
             UseShellExecute = false,
             RedirectStandardOutput = true,