.NET CLI for C#

Last reviewed May 28, 2026 Content v20260528

Track mode: server_compiled
Means: Compiled runner
Reading: ~2 min
Level: intermediate

This lesson

This lesson teaches .NET CLI for C#: the syntax, patterns, and safety habits you need before advancing in C#.

Teams still ship .NET CLI for C# in C# codebases—skipping it leaves gaps in debugging and code reviews.

You will apply .NET CLI for C# in contexts like: Internal libraries, CLI tools, and microservices versioned with NuGet.

Write C# with Console.WriteLine (top-level or Program), click Run on server—the dev runner uses dotnet build/run on a temp net8 project (requires .NET SDK; LEARNING_RUNNER_ENABLED=true).

When you can explain the previous lesson's ideas without copying starter code.

The dotnet CLI creates, builds, tests, and runs .NET projects cross-platform—replacing Visual Studio-only workflows for many teams. The playground simulates a single-file console app; locally you use full SDK projects.

Essential commands

dotnet new console -n MyApp
cd MyApp
dotnet build
dotnet run
dotnet test

dotnet new list shows templates (classlib, web, xunit). dotnet --info prints installed SDKs and runtimes.

Project file basics

<Project Sdk="Microsoft.NET.Sdk">
  <PropertyGroup>
    <OutputType>Exe</OutputType>
    <TargetFramework>net8.0</TargetFramework>
  </PropertyGroup>
</Project>

Important interview questions and answers

Q: dotnet build vs run?
A: build compiles to IL in bin/; run builds if needed then executes with the appropriate runtime.
Q: SDK-style projects?
A: Concise MSBuild files with implicit usings and global.json for SDK pinning—standard since .NET Core 3+.

Self-check

What command creates a console template?
Where does build output land?

Tip: Run dotnet new list to see templates—dotnet new console, classlib, and xunit cover most local workflows.

Interview prep

dotnet new vs dotnet build?: dotnet new scaffolds a project from a template; dotnet build compiles an existing project to IL.
dotnet run does what?: Builds if needed, then launches the application—convenient for local development loops.

Interview tip Lesson completion confidence

Can you explain this lesson in 30 seconds without reading notes?

Self-reflection (saved on this device)

Not saved yet.

Playground

Runs on the configured server runner (dev: npm run runner with LEARNING_RUNNER_ENABLED=true). Output appears below the editor.

Code runner not available

Server runner is disabled. Set LEARNING_RUNNER_ENABLED=true and LEARNING_RUNNER_URL in .env (see .env.example).

Check yourself

Multiple choice — immediate feedback.

Discussion

Past discussion is visible to everyone. Only logged-in users can post comments and replies.

Starter discussion topics

dotnet new console?
dotnet watch?

No discussion yet. Be the first to ask a question.