.NET - Create a Simple CLI Tool

.NET CLI tools are basically console applications with different configuration.

1. Create a console application.
   

   dotnet new console -o MyTool
   

2. Write something.
   

   Console.WriteLine($"Hello, {args[0]}!");
   

3. Edit .csproj file.
   

   <ItemGroup>
       <PackAsTool>true</PackAsTool>
       <ToolCommandName>MyTool</ToolCommandName>
       <PackageOutputPath>./nupkg</PackageOutputPath>
   </ItemGroup>
   

4. Create a nuget package.
   

   dotnet pack
   

5. Install the tool globally.
   

   dotnet tool install --global --add-source path/to/nupkg MyTool    
   

6. Use the tool.
   

   dotnet MyTool "John"
   

   Output:
   

   Hello, John!
   

Resource

Microsoft Docs