Useful .NET CLI (dotnet) commands. Use --help to see all the optional arguments
| Command |
Description |
Run from |
|---|---|---|
| dotnet restore | Restores the NuGet packages for all the projects in the solution. | Solution folder |
| dotnet build | Builds all the projects in the solution. To build in Release mode, use the -c switch. | Solution folder |
| dotnet run | Runs the project in the current folder. Use during development to run your app. | Project folder |
| dotnet publish -c Release –o <Folder> | Publishes the project to the provided folder. This copies all the required files to the provided output folder so that it can be deployed. | Project folder |
| dotnet test | Builds the project and executes any unit tests found in the project. Requires the .NET Test SDK and a testing framework adapter (see chapter 20). | Project folder |
| dotnet add package <Name> | Installs the NuGet package with the provided name into the current project. Optionally, specify a package version, for example -v 2.1.0. | Project folder |
| dotnet new --list | Views all the installed templates for creating ASP.NET Core apps, libraries, test projects, solution files, and much more. | Anywhere |
| dotnet new --install <PackageName> | Installs a new template from the provided NuGet package name. For example, dotnet new --install "NetEscapades.Templates::*". | Anywhere |
| dotnet new <Template> –o <Folder> -n <NewName> | Creates a new item from the provided template, specifying the folder in which to place the item, and the name for the item. | Anywhere, empty folder for new projects |
| dotnet ef --help | Displays help for managing your database and migrations using EF Core. Requires the EF Core tools (see chapter 12). | Project folder |
| dotnet ef migrations add <Name> | Adds a new EF Core migration to the project with the provided name. | Project folder |
| dotnet ef database update | Applies pending EF Core migrations to a database. Warning—this will modify your database! | Project folder |