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.NET CLI (dotnet) Commands

Cheat Sheet

Command Run from Description
dotnet restore Solution folder Restores the NuGet packages for all the projects in the solution.
dotnet build Solution folder Builds all the projects in the solution. Implicitly calls dotnet restore before building. To build in Release mode, use the -c switch.
dotnet run Project folder Runs the project in the current folder. Implicitly calls dotnet restore and dotnet build before running the app. Use during development to run your app.
dotnet watch run Project folder Runs the project and watches for file changes. Automatically rebuilds and reruns the project when source files change. Ideal for rapid development.
dotnet publish -c Release -o <Folder> Project folder Publishes the project to the provided folder. Copies all the required files to the provided output folder so it can be deployed.
dotnet test Solution folder Restores packages, builds, and executes any unit tests found in the solution. Requires the .NET Test SDK and a testing framework adapter.
dotnet format Solution or project folder Formats code to follow the .NET coding style conventions. Supports C#, VB, and F# codebases.
dotnet add package <Name> Project folder Install the NuGet package with the provided name in the current project. Optionally specify a package version—e.g., -v 2.1.0.
dotnet new --list Anywhere View all the installed templates for creating ASP.NET Core apps, libraries, test projects, solution files, and many more.
dotnet new <Template> -o <Folder> -n <NewName> Anywhere; empty folder for new projects Create a new item from the provided template, specifying the folder in which to place the item and the name for the item.
dotnet --info Anywhere Displays information about the .NET SDKs and runtimes installed on your machine.
dotnet jwt create Project folder Creates a JWT for calling API applications protected with OAuth. You can also customize the token and view existing tokens.
dotnet ef add migrations <Name> Project folder Adds a new EF Core migration to the project with the provided name. Requires the EF Core global tool.
dotnet ef database update Project folder Apply pending EF Core migrations to a database. Warning: this will modify your database!

Based on ASP.NET Core in Action, Third Edition.

Creating a New Solution and Adding Projects

Step-by-Step Guide:

Create a new solution:

dotnet new sln -o MySolution -n MySolution

Create a new console project:

dotnet new console -o MySolution/MyProject -n MyProject

Add the project to the solution:

cd MySolution
dotnet sln MySolution.sln add MyProject/MyProject.csproj

List projects in the solution:

dotnet sln MySolution.sln list

Enabling Command Autocomplete

To enable autocompletion for .NET CLI commands, refer to the following resources: