# Nuget Manager

> Manage NuGet packages in .NET projects/solutions. Use this skill when adding, removing, or updating NuGet package versions. It enforces using `dotnet` CLI for package management and provides strict procedures for direct file edits only when updating versions.

- Skill: `gittools/nuget-manager` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add gittools/nuget-manager`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/gittools/nuget-manager/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: gittools (https://skillmd.com/u/gittools)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/gittools/nuget-manager

---


# NuGet Manager

## Overview

This skill ensures consistent and safe management of NuGet packages across .NET projects. It prioritizes using the
`dotnet` CLI to maintain project integrity and enforces a strict verification and restoration workflow for version
updates.

## Prerequisites

- .NET SDK installed (typically .NET 10.0 SDK or later, or a version compatible with the target solution).
- `dotnet` CLI available on your `PATH`.
- `jq` (JSON processor) OR PowerShell (for version verification using `dotnet package search`).

## Core Rules

1. **NEVER** directly edit `.csproj`, `.props`, or `Directory.Packages.props` files to **add** or **remove** packages.
   Always use `dotnet add package` and `dotnet remove package` commands.
2. **DIRECT EDITING** is ONLY permitted for **changing versions** of existing packages.
3. **VERSION UPDATES** must follow the mandatory workflow:
    - Verify the target version exists on NuGet.
    - Determine if versions are managed per-project (`.csproj`) or centrally (`Directory.Packages.props`).
    - Update the version string in the appropriate file.
    - Immediately run `dotnet restore` to verify compatibility.

## Workflows

### Adding a Package

Use `dotnet add [<PROJECT>] package <PACKAGE_NAME> [--version <VERSION>]`.
Example: `dotnet add src/MyProject/MyProject.csproj package Newtonsoft.Json`

### Removing a Package

Use `dotnet remove [<PROJECT>] package <PACKAGE_NAME>`.
Example: `dotnet remove src/MyProject/MyProject.csproj package Newtonsoft.Json`

### Updating Package Versions

When updating a version, follow these steps:

1. **Verify Version Existence**:
   Check if the version exists using the `dotnet package search` command with exact match and JSON formatting.
   Using `jq`:
   `dotnet package search <PACKAGE_NAME> --exact-match --format json | jq -e '.searchResult[].packages[] | select(.version == "<VERSION>")'`
   Using PowerShell:
   `(dotnet package search <PACKAGE_NAME> --exact-match --format json | ConvertFrom-Json).searchResult.packages | Where-Object { $_.version -eq "<VERSION>" }`

2. **Determine Version Management**:
    - Search for `Directory.Packages.props` in the solution root. If present, versions should be managed there via
      `<PackageVersion Include="Package.Name" Version="1.2.3" />`.
    - If absent, check individual `.csproj` files for `<PackageReference Include="Package.Name" Version="1.2.3" />`.

3. **Apply Changes**:
   Modify the identified file with the new version string.

4. **Verify Stability**:
   Run `dotnet restore` on the project or solution. If errors occur, revert the change and investigate.

## Examples

### User: "Add Serilog to the WebApi project"

**Action**: Execute `dotnet add src/WebApi/WebApi.csproj package Serilog`.

### User: "Update Newtonsoft.Json to 13.0.3 in the whole solution"

**Action**:

1. Verify 13.0.3 exists: `dotnet package search Newtonsoft.Json --exact-match --format json` (and parse output to
   confirm "13.0.3" is present).
2. Find where it's defined (e.g., `Directory.Packages.props`).
3. Edit the file to update the version.
4. Run `dotnet restore`.