Building Modern CLI Apps in .NET: Libraries, Patterns, and Packaging
This session by the dotnet team discusses why command-line interfaces remain crucial and how .NET’s latest features enable developers to build modern, cross-platform CLI apps using smart libraries and robust design patterns.
Building Modern CLI Apps in .NET: Libraries, Patterns, and Packaging
Command-line applications have persisted through the decades, and in today’s era of cloud, DevOps, and automation, they’re more vital than ever. This session, led by the .NET team, examines the ongoing role of CLIs and the reasons behind their renewed momentum.
Key Topics Covered
- The Enduring Value of CLIs:
- Despite GUI dominance, CLIs remain essential for automating workflows, enabling scripting, and supporting DevOps and cloud-native requirements.
- Why .NET for Modern CLI Development:
- .NET’s cross-platform capabilities make it an ideal foundation for building portable CLI tools.
- The platform supports robust performance, elegant syntax, and a wide range of supported languages (C#, F#, VB.NET).
- Highlights from Latest .NET Announcements:
- .NET 10: Enhanced intelligence and a unified ecosystem.
- .NET Aspire 13: Simplifying orchestration for cloud-native applications.
- ASP.NET Core 10: Secure, full-stack web development.
- .NET MAUI 10: Cross-platform UI development.
- C# 14: More expressive and productive language features.
- F# 10: Advancements in safety and functionality.
- Visual Studio 2026: Faster, smarter tooling built for the future.
- Building Modern CLI Apps:
- Libraries: A look into popular libraries that facilitate command-line parsing, configuring, and output formatting.
- Design Patterns: Best practices and structural strategies for maintainable and scalable CLI applications.
- Packaging & Distribution: Techniques for delivering CLI tools to users across platforms.
- Resources and Community Links:
Conclusion
The .NET ecosystem, with its modern releases and community support, provides a robust platform for building elegant, high-performance, and portable command-line applications that fit into today’s fast-paced cloud and DevOps workflows.