Essential VS Code Commands for .NET Core Developers

As a .NET Core developer using VS Code on Windows, optimizing your workflow with the right commands can boost productivity and streamline development. Whether you are coding, debugging, building, or deploying, these essential VS Code commands and .NET CLI commands will make your life easier.

1. Setting Up Your .NET Core Project

Create a New .NET Core Project

Use the following command to create a new .NET Core project:

dotnet new console -o MyApp
cd MyApp

If you are creating ASP.NET Core MVC app:

dotnet new mvc -o MyWebApp
cd MyWebApp

2. Essential Commands for Development

Run the Application

Run your app using:

dotnet run

Restore Dependencies

If you clone a project, restore NuGet dependencies:

dotnet restore

Install a New NuGet Package

To install a package (e.g., Newtonsoft.Json):

dotnet add package Newtonsoft.Json

List Installed Packages

dotnet list package

3. Debugging & Testing

Start Debugging in VS Code

Press F5 or run:

dotnet watch run

This enables hot reload and automatically restarts the app when you make changes.

Run Unit Tests

If you are using xUnit, NUnit, or MSTest, run:

dotnet test

4. Building & Publishing the App

Build the Project

dotnet build

This compiles the application and checks for errors.

Publish for Deployment

For self-contained deployment:

dotnet publish -c Release -r win-x64 --self-contained true -o ./publish

For Azure App Service deployment:

dotnet publish -c Release -o ./publish

5. Deploying to Azure from VS Code

Login to Azure

az login

Deploy to Azure App Service

Open the Command Palette in VS Code (Ctrl+Shift+P).
Select “Azure App Service: Deploy to Web App…”.
Choose your app and deploy.

Alternatively, you can install Azure widget to connect and deploy the web to Azure App service. Follow this link –

6. Git Commands for Source Control

Initialize Git in the Project

git init

Add Files and Commit

git add .
git commit -m "Initial commit"

Push Code to GitHub

git remote add origin https://github.com/your-repo.git
git push -u origin main

Conclusion

These commands will boost your efficiency as a .NET Core developer in VS Code. Whether you’re writing code, debugging, building, or deploying, these shortcuts will help you work smarter, not harder.

🚀 Do you have other favorite VS Code or .NET CLI commands? Share them in the comments!

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