dotnet-project-structure

1# .NET Project Structure and Build Configuration
2 
3## When to Use This Skill
4 
5Use this skill when:
6- Setting up a new .NET solution with modern best practices
7- Configuring centralized build properties across multiple projects
8- Implementing central package version management
9- Setting up SourceLink for debugging and NuGet packages
10- Automating version management with release notes
11- Pinning SDK versions for consistent builds
12 
13## Related Skills
14 
15- **`dotnet-local-tools`** - Managing local .NET tools with dotnet-tools.json
16- **`microsoft-extensions-configuration`** - Configuration validation patterns
17 
18---
19 
20## Solution File Format (.slnx)
21 
22The `.slnx` format is the modern XML-based solution file format introduced in .NET 9. It replaces the traditional `.sln` format.
23 
24### Benefits Over Traditional .sln
25 
26| Aspect | .sln (Legacy) | .slnx (Modern) |
27|--------|---------------|----------------|
28| Format | Custom text format | Standard XML |
29| Readability | GUIDs, cryptic syntax | Clean, human-readable |
30| Version control | Hard to diff/merge | Easy to diff/merge |
31| Editing | IDE required | Any text editor |
32 
33### Version Requirements
34 
35| Tool | Minimum Version |
36|------|-----------------|
37| .NET SDK | 9.0.200 |
38| Visual Studio | 17.13 |
39| MSBuild | Visual Studio Build Tools 17.13 |
40 
41**Note:** Starting with .NET 10, `dotnet new sln` creates `.slnx` files by default. In .NET 9, you must explicitly migrate or specify the format.
42 
43### Example .slnx File
44 
45```xml
46<Solution>
47…