Various embodiments of systems and methods to optimize compilation in distributed software projects via dynamic server cloning are described herein. The described techniques include receiving a compilation request comprising an update of a software product of a distributed software development project. Further, in one aspect, a server node clone is instantiated, e.g., from a resource pool, based on a server template. The server template corresponds to a latest successful compilation of the software product. In another aspect, the update of the software product is incrementally applied on the latest compilation at the server node clone. Once the update of the software product at the server node clone is confirmed as successful, the server template is updated to the build of the software product at the server node clone. The server node clone is subsequently released to the resource pool to free up the consumed resources.