dotnet-inspect-query

name	dotnet-inspect-query
version	0.1.0
description	Output formats, -D/-S section discovery and selection, value projection, @ categories, and output limits shared across all commands.

dotnet-inspect: query and output system

The query system is like Go templates, without a DSL: every command emits the same structured sections, and you discover, select, and project them with the same cross-command flags — on find, type, member, package, library, diff, and the relationship commands. Discover the shape first, then select and project.

dnx dotnet-inspect -y -- <command>

Output formats

Default output is Markdown. Pick a machine or compact shape when you need one:

• --table — compact aligned rows.
• --tsv — stable snake_case headers, no embedded tabs/newlines.
• --jsonl — one JSON object per row.
• --json-array — one JSON array for projected rows (--urls, --paths, --value, --print-all).
• --json — structured documents.
• --bare — one undecorated payload or URL list.
• --count — a bare row count.
• --value / --urls / --paths — project one selected section to scalar, URL, or path payloads.
• --print — print one document behind a selected printable row; use --row N when multiple printable rows exist.
• --print-all — print every printable row from one selected section, with text separators, --jsonl, or --json-array.
• --mermaid — graph-shaped output.

Discover and select sections

Use -D to discover the sections and columns a command can emit, -S Section to select sections by name or wildcard, and --columns/--fields to project values. Discover first instead of guessing names.

dnx dotnet-inspect -y -- member JsonSerializer --platform System.Text.Json -D --tsv
dnx dotnet-inspect -y -- member JsonSerializer --platform System.Text.Json -m Serialize -D "Member Index" --tsv
dnx dotnet-inspect -y -- member JsonSerializer --platform System.Text.Json -m Serialize -S "Member Index" --columns "Selector;Stable;Canonical Signature" --tsv

@ names a category of sections: -S @All, -S @Source, -S @Audit, -S @Integrations, -S @Switches. Row formats (--tsv/--jsonl/--table) work best with one concrete section, not a category.

Limit output

Prefer built-in limits to shell pipes:

• -n N and numeric shorthand like -6 cap output lines, like head.
• --tail N shows the end, like tail.
• --rows makes -n cap Markdown table data rows instead of output lines.
• With --print, --value, --urls, or --paths, --row N chooses the projected row; -n N still limits output lines.
• --count counts rows in one selected table.

Command-specific caps: -t N for type/find rows, -m N for members, and --versions N for package versions.