Installing NuGet Package via Command Line

When working with .NET projects, managing dependencies efficiently is crucial. The NuGet Package Manager in Visual Studio provides a user-friendly way to add and update packages within your projects. However, there are times when using the command line interface becomes necessary for various reasons, like automation or integrating package installations into scripts. In this post, we will explore the process of installing a NuGet package using the command line.

Step 1: Open Command Prompt

The first step is to launch the command prompt or PowerShell window on your system. You can do this by searching for “cmd” or “PowerShell” in the Start menu.

Step 2: Navigate to Your Project Directory

Once you have the command line interface open, navigate to the directory where your .csproj file is located. You can use the “cd” command to change directories.

Step 3: Install the NuGet Package

Now, to install a NuGet package, use the following command:

dotnet add package [Package Name]

Replace [Package Name] with the actual name of the NuGet package you want to install. This command will add the package reference to your project file and restore the package dependencies.

Step 4: Verify the Installation

Once the package installation is complete, you can verify that it was successful by compiling your project. If there are no errors, it means the package was added successfully.

Common Issues:

• If you encounter any issues during the installation process, ensure that your project file is correctly configured, and you have the necessary permissions to install packages.
• Make sure you have a stable internet connection as the NuGet client needs to download the package and its dependencies from the NuGet gallery.

Conclusion

Installing NuGet packages via the command line offers flexibility and control over your project dependencies. By following the steps outlined in this blog post, you can seamlessly integrate package installations into your development workflow.