How to Open .NET CLI in Visual Studio 2017: A Comprehensive Guide

The .NET Command-Line Interface (CLI) is a powerful tool for developers working with .NET Core applications. It allows developers to build, test, and run .NET Core applications on various platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux. While many developers prefer to use the .NET CLI from the command line, Microsoft also offers an integrated CLI experience in Visual Studio 2017. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide on how to open .NET CLI in Visual Studio 2017.

Step 1: Install .NET Core SDK

Before opening .NET CLI in Visual Studio 2017, you need to install the .NET Core SDK. The .NET Core SDK provides everything you need to develop .NET Core applications, including the .NET CLI. You can download the .NET Core SDK from the official Microsoft website – https://dotnet.microsoft.com/download.

Step 2: Open Visual Studio 2017

Once you have installed the .NET Core SDK, you can open Visual Studio 2017. If you do not have Visual Studio 2017 installed, you can download it from the official Microsoft website – https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/downloads/.

Step 3: Create a New .NET Core Project

To open .NET CLI in Visual Studio 2017, you first need to create a new .NET Core project. You can do this by clicking “File” -> “New” -> “Project”. In the “New Project” dialog box, select “ASP.NET Core Web Application” and click “Next”. Then, provide the necessary project details and click “Create”.

Step 4: Open .NET CLI in Visual Studio 2017

To open .NET CLI in Visual Studio 2017, you first need to open the “Package Manager Console”. You can do this by clicking on “Tools” -> “NuGet Package Manager” -> “Package Manager Console”. The Package Manager Console is an integrated command-line interface that allows you to manage NuGet packages for your project.

Once you have opened the Package Manager Console, you can type in any .NET CLI command and run it directly from Visual Studio 2017. For example, you can run the “dotnet build” command to build your project or the “dotnet run” command to run your project.

Step 5: Customize .NET CLI in Visual Studio 2017

Visual Studio 2017 also allows you to customize .NET CLI to fit your needs. For example, you can add custom commands or change the behavior of existing commands. To customize .NET CLI in Visual Studio 2017, you need to create a new configuration file called “dotnetcli.host.json”. This file defines the configuration settings for .NET CLI in Visual Studio 2017.

You can create a new “dotnetcli.host.json” file by right-clicking on your project in the Solution Explorer and selecting “Add” -> “New Item”. Then, select “JSON File” and provide the file name as “dotnetcli.host.json”.

In conclusion, .NET CLI is a powerful tool for developers working with .NET Core applications. With Visual Studio 2017, you can easily open and use .NET CLI directly from the integrated Package Manager Console. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can quickly and easily open .NET CLI in Visual Studio 2017, create new .NET Core projects, customize .NET CLI, and more. Happy coding!