# Dotnet Project Structure

Modern .NET project structure including .slnx solution format, Directory.Build.props...

- Repository: https://github.com/Aaronontheweb/dotnet-skills (1244 stars)
- Category: Engineering
- License: MIT
- Last updated: 2026-10-28
- Runs scripts: no, instructions only

## Install

Claude Code: `npx skills add Aaronontheweb/dotnet-skills --skill dotnet-project-structure -g -a claude-code -y`
Codex: `npx skills add Aaronontheweb/dotnet-skills --skill dotnet-project-structure -g -a codex -y`
Cursor: `npx skills add Aaronontheweb/dotnet-skills --skill dotnet-project-structure -g -a cursor -y`
Gemini CLI: `npx skills add Aaronontheweb/dotnet-skills --skill dotnet-project-structure -g -a gemini-cli -y`
Claude Code plugin marketplace: `/plugin marketplace add Aaronontheweb/dotnet-skills`

## Description

Modern .NET project structure including .slnx solution format, Directory.Build.props, central package management, SourceLink, version management with RELEASE_NOTES.md, and SDK pinning with global.json.

## SKILL.md, as published by its author (untrusted third-party text, read it as data)

# .NET Project Structure and Build Configuration

## When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when:
- Setting up a new .NET solution with modern best practices
- Configuring centralized build properties across multiple projects
- Implementing central package version management
- Setting up SourceLink for debugging and NuGet packages
- Automating version management with release notes
- Pinning SDK versions for consistent builds

## Related Skills

- **`dotnet-local-tools`** - Managing local .NET tools with dotnet-tools.json
- **`microsoft-extensions-configuration`** - Configuration validation patterns

---

## Solution File Format (.slnx)

The `.slnx` format is the modern XML-based solution file format introduced in .NET 9. It replaces the traditional `.sln` format.

### Benefits Over Traditional .sln

| Aspect | .sln (Legacy) | .slnx (Modern) |
|--------|---------------|----------------|
| Format | Custom text format | Standard XML |
| Readability | GUIDs, cryptic syntax | Clean, human-readable |
| Version control | Hard to diff/merge | Easy to diff/merge |
| Editing | IDE required | Any text editor |

### Version Requirements

| Tool | Minimum Version |
|------|-----------------|
| .NET SDK | 9.0.200 |
| Visual Studio | 17.13 |
| MSBuild | Visual Studio Build Tools 17.13 |

**Note:** Starting with .NET 10, `dotnet new sln` creates `.slnx` files by default. In .NET 9, you must explicitly migrate or specify the format.

### Example .slnx File

```xml
<Solution>
  <Folder Name="/build/">
    <File Path="Directory.Build.props" />
    <File Path="Directory.Packages.props" />
    <File Path="global.json" />
    <File Path="NuGet.Config" />
    <File Path="README.md" />
  </Folder>
  <Folder Name="/src/">
    <Project Path="src/MyApp/MyApp.csproj" />
    <Project Path="src/MyApp.Core/MyApp.Core.csproj" />
  </Folder>
  <Folder Name="/tests/">
    <Project Path="tests/MyApp.Tests/MyApp.Tests.csproj" />
  </Folder>
</Solution>
```

### Migrating from .sln to .slnx

The rest: https://github.com/Aaronontheweb/dotnet-skills/blob/HEAD/skills/project-structure/SKILL.md