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Dotnet Update Packages by im5tu-claude

Name: Dotnet Update Packages
Rating: 4.666666666666667 (3 reviews)
Author: Im5tu

Dotnet Update Packages

Lists and updates outdated NuGet packages in .NET projects. Also use when the user mentions "update packages," "outdated NuGet," "upgrade dependencies," "dotnet package update," "check for updates," or "package versions." For centralizing package versions, see dotnet-centralise-packages.

Im5tu Updated Sep 10, 2026

File contents

.NET Package Updates

Note: This skill requires .NET 10 SDK or later. The dotnet package update command does not exist in .NET 8-9.

When to Use

This skill applies when the user:

Asks about outdated NuGet packages
Wants to update dependencies in a .NET project
Mentions package version upgrades
Discusses dependency management in .NET

Workflow

List outdated packages (including transitive) using:

dotnet package list --outdated --include-transitive --format json

Check for empty results - If no outdated packages found, inform the user and stop
Parse output to identify:
- Projects with outdated packages
- Whether each package is direct or transitive
Analyze project dependencies by reading <ProjectReference> elements in each csproj
Present findings in a readable format showing project, package name, current → latest version
Confirm with user before making changes - ask which option:
- All packages
- Specific packages by name
- Cancel
Update packages per project with --project parameter:
- Update leaf projects first (no dependencies)
- Then update dependent projects
- Independent branches can run in parallel
```
dotnet package update <package> --project <path-to-csproj>
```
Verify with dotnet build
If build fails, ask user:
- Fix automatically (review errors, apply fixes)
- Fix manually (show errors, let user handle)
Report results - summarize what was updated and the final build status

Key Commands

Command	Purpose
`dotnet package list --outdated --include-transitive --format json`	List outdated packages (incl. transitive)
`dotnet package update <name> --project <path>`	Update specific package in project
`dotnet package update --project <path>`	Update all packages in project

Transitive vs Direct Packages

Direct: Explicitly in csproj. Update directly.
Transitive: Pulled in by dependencies. Marked [T] in output.
- To update: update the parent package, or add direct reference to pin version

Error Handling

If dotnet package list fails: Check if we're in a .NET project directory
If dotnet package update fails for a specific package: Report it and continue with others
If build fails after updates:
1. Parse the build errors
2. Ask user: fix automatically or manually?
3. If automatic: analyze errors and apply fixes
4. Re-run build to verify

Notes

Requires .NET 8+ SDK for dotnet package update
Always use --project parameter to update per-project
Update in dependency order: leaves first, then dependents
Always confirm with user before updating
Run build after updates to catch breaking changes

---name: dotnet-update-packagesdescription: Lists and updates outdated NuGet packages in .NET projects. Also use when the user mentions "update packages," "outdated NuGet," "upgrade dependencies," "dotnet package update," "check for updates," or "package versions." For centralizing package versions, see dotnet-centralise-packages.license: MIT---# .NET Package Updates> **Note:** This skill requires .NET 10 SDK or later. The `dotnet package update` command does not exist in .NET 8-9.## When to UseThis skill applies when the user:- Asks about outdated NuGet packages- Wants to update dependencies in a .NET project- Mentions package version upgrades- Discusses dependency management in .NET## Workflow1. **List outdated packages** (including transitive) using: ```bash dotnet package list --outdated --include-transitive --format json ```2. **Check for empty results** - If no outdated packages found, inform the user and stop3. **Parse output** to identify: - Projects with outdated packages - Whether each package is **direct** or **transitive**4. **Analyze project dependencies** by reading `<ProjectReference>` elements in each csproj5. **Present findings** in a readable format showing project, package name, current → latest version6. **Confirm with user** before making changes - ask which option: - All packages - Specific packages by name - Cancel7. **Update packages per project** with `--project` parameter: - Update leaf projects first (no dependencies) - Then update dependent projects - Independent branches can run in parallel ```bash dotnet package update <package> --project <path-to-csproj> ```8. **Verify** with `dotnet build`9. **If build fails**, ask user: - Fix automatically (review errors, apply fixes) - Fix manually (show errors, let user handle)10. **Report results** - summarize what was updated and the final build status## Key Commands| Command | Purpose ||---------|---------|| `dotnet package list --outdated --include-transitive --format json` | List outdated packages (incl. transitive) || `dotnet package update <name> --project <path>` | Update specific package in project || `dotnet package update --project <path>` | Update all packages in project |## Transitive vs Direct Packages- **Direct**: Explicitly in csproj. Update directly.- **Transitive**: Pulled in by dependencies. Marked `[T]` in output. - To update: update the parent package, or add direct reference to pin version## Error Handling- **If `dotnet package list` fails**: Check if we're in a .NET project directory- **If `dotnet package update` fails for a specific package**: Report it and continue with others- **If build fails after updates**: 1. Parse the build errors 2. Ask user: fix automatically or manually? 3. If automatic: analyze errors and apply fixes 4. Re-run build to verify## Notes- Requires .NET 8+ SDK for `dotnet package update`- Always use `--project` parameter to update per-project- Update in dependency order: leaves first, then dependents- Always confirm with user before updating- Run build after updates to catch breaking changes

Frequently asked questions