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dotnet tool exec

This article applies to: ✔️ .NET 10.0.100 SDK and later versions

Name

dotnet tool exec - Downloads and invokes a .NET tool without permanently installing it.

Synopsis

dotnet tool exec <PACKAGE_NAME>[@<VERSION>]
    [--allow-roll-forward] [-a|--arch <ARCHITECTURE>]
    [--add-source <SOURCE>] [--configfile <FILE>] [--disable-parallel]
    [--framework <FRAMEWORK>] [--ignore-failed-sources] [--interactive]
    [--no-http-cache] [--prerelease]
    [-v|--verbosity <LEVEL>]
    [--] [<tool-arguments>...]

dotnet tool exec -h|--help

Description

The dotnet tool exec command provides a one-shot tool invocation mode for .NET Tools. It automatically downloads the specified tool package to the NuGet cache and invokes it without modifying your system PATH or requiring permanent installation.

When you run dotnet tool exec, the command:

  1. Checks the version (or version range) you specify (or the latest version if none is specified) against your configured NuGet feeds to decide which package to download.
  2. Downloads the specified package to the NuGet cache (if not already present).
  3. Invokes the tool with any provided arguments.
  4. Returns the tool's exit code.

dotnet tool exec works seamlessly with both global and local tools. If you have a local tool manifest available, it uses the manifest to determine which version of the tool to run.

This command also exists in two other forms for easier use

  • dotnet dnx - A hidden alias for dotnet tool exec that is used as a way to easily implement the dnx script itself
  • dnx - A shell script that invokes dotnet dnx from the SDK. This script is provided by the installer and is available on PATH. It allows for very simple use of tools directly via dnx <toolname>.

Arguments

  • PACKAGE_NAME

    The NuGet package ID of the .NET tool to execute. You can optionally specify a version using the @ syntax, for example dotnetsay@2.1.0.

  • tool-arguments

    Arguments to pass to the tool being executed. Everything after -- is passed directly to the tool.

Options

  • --allow-roll-forward

    Allow the tool to use a newer version of the .NET runtime if the runtime it targets isn't installed.

  • --add-source <SOURCE>

    Adds an additional NuGet package source to use during installation. Feeds are accessed in parallel, not in a fallback cascade sequence. If the same package and version is available in multiple feeds, the fastest feed wins. For more information, see What happens when a NuGet package is installed. You can control this through the use of NuGet package source mapping. For more information, see Package Source Mapping.

  • --configfile <FILE>

    The NuGet configuration file (nuget.config) to use. If specified, only the settings from this file are used. If not specified, the hierarchy of configuration files from the current directory are used. For more information, see Common NuGet Configurations.

  • --disable-parallel

    Disables querying the configured NuGet feeds in parallel.

  • --ignore-failed-sources

    Treats package source failures as warnings.

  • --interactive

    Allows the command to stop and wait for user input or action, for example, to complete authentication. This option defaults to true when the command detects that it's being run directly by a user.

  • --no-http-cache

    Doesn't cache HTTP requests to the configured NuGet feeds.

  • --prerelease

    Allows prerelease packages to be selected when resolving the version to install.

  • -v|--verbosity <LEVEL>

    Sets the verbosity level of the command. Allowed values are q[uiet], m[inimal], n[ormal], d[etailed], and diag[nostic]. The default is normal.

  • -?|-h|--help

    Prints out a description of how to use the command.

Examples

  • dotnet tool exec dotnetsay

    Downloads (if necessary) and runs the latest version of the dotnetsay tool.

  • dotnet tool exec dotnetsay@2.1.0

    Downloads (if necessary) and runs version 2.1.0 of the dotnetsay tool.

  • dotnet tool exec dotnetsay@2.*

    Downloads (if necessary) and runs the latest version of the dotnetsay tool in the 2.x version range.

  • dotnet tool exec dotnetsay -- Hello World

    Runs the dotnetsay tool and passes "Hello World" as arguments to the tool.

  • dotnet tool exec --add-source https://api.nuget.org/v3/index.json mytool

    Downloads and runs mytool using the specified NuGet source.

Comparison with other commands

This command is intended to be a unified way to work with .NET Tools. While the previously available tool installation commands remain available, dotnet tool exec provides a simpler and more flexible experience for most users.

Command Purpose Installation Scope
dotnet tool exec One-shot execution None (cached only) Temporary
dotnet tool install -g Permanent global installation Global System-wide
dotnet tool install Permanent local installation Local manifest Project
dotnet tool run Run an already-installed local tool Requires prior installation Project

The dotnet tool install -g command does still serve an important purpose for users who want to permanently install a tool. However, for users who want to try out a tool or run it in a CI/CD pipeline, dotnet tool exec is often a better fit.

See also