dotnet_run_app.md

dotnet run app.cs

.NET 10 introduces the ability to run C# files directly without a csproj file using dotnet run app.cs.

NuGet packages

Add NuGet package references using the #:package directive.

#:package Humanizer@2.14.1

using Humanizer;

var dotNet9Released = DateTimeOffset.Parse("2024-12-03");
var since = DateTimeOffset.Now - dotNet9Released;

Console.WriteLine($"It has been {since.Humanize()} since .NET 9 was released.");

Specify an SDK

By default, file-based apps use the Microsoft.NET.Sdk. To use a different SDK, use the #:sdk directive.

#:sdk Microsoft.NET.Sdk.Web

Set MSBuild Properties

Configure additional build properties with #:property directives.

#:property LangVersion preview

Self-Running Scripts

#!/usr/bin/dotnet run
Console.WriteLine("Hello from a C# script!");

You can make the file executable and run it directly:

chmod +x app.cs
./app.cs

As of preview 4, it does not support a path like #!~/.dotnet/dotnet run.

Converting to a project-based app

To convert to a project-based app,

dotnet project convert app.cs

This command creates a new directory named for your file, scaffolds a .csproj file, moves your code into a Program.cs file, and translates any #: directives into MSBuild properties and references.

Reference

The specification for this feature is in the dotnet/sdk repo at dotnet-run-file.md.