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Microsoft.Extensions.ApiDescription.Client package deprecated

The Microsoft.Extensions.ApiDescription.Client NuGet package has been deprecated. The package supplied MSBuild targets and CLI support that generated OpenAPI-based client code during the build. Projects that reference the package now receive a warning during build.

Version introduced

.NET 10 Preview 7

Previous behavior

Projects could add <PackageReference Include="Microsoft.Extensions.ApiDescription.Client" ... /> and <OpenApiReference> items (or run dotnet openapi) to generate strongly typed clients at build time.

<Project Sdk="Microsoft.NET.Sdk">
  <PropertyGroup>
    <TargetFramework>net10.0</TargetFramework>
  </PropertyGroup>

  <ItemGroup>
    <PackageReference Include="Microsoft.Extensions.ApiDescription.Client" Version="8.0.0" />
  </ItemGroup>

  <ItemGroup>
    <OpenApiReference Include="swagger.json" />
  </ItemGroup>
</Project>

New behavior

The package is now deprecated and projects that reference it receive build warnings. The MSBuild targets and CLI commands are no longer supported.

Type of breaking change

This change can affect source compatibility.

Reason for change

  • The package has seen minimal updates and maintenance since its introduction.
  • Its abstractions were tightly coupled to certain generators and did not scale well to others. Each generator now ships its own CLI/configuration experience, making the MSBuild middle-layer redundant.
  • Removing the package reduces maintenance burden and clarifies the recommended workflow for client generation.
  • Remove any <PackageReference Include="Microsoft.Extensions.ApiDescription.Client" … /> from your project.
  • Replace <OpenApiReference> items or dotnet openapi commands with generator-specific tooling:
    • NSwag – Use npx nswag or dotnet tool run nswag with an .nswag config file.
    • Kiota – Install with dotnet tool install -g Microsoft.OpenApi.Kiota and run kiota generate.
    • OpenAPI generator – Invoke openapi-generator-cli via JAR or Docker.
  • Commit the generated client code or run generation in a custom pre-build step that doesn't rely on the removed package.

Affected APIs

  • MSBuild item OpenApiReference (all instances).
  • MSBuild property OpenApiProjectReference.
  • CLI command dotnet openapi.