dotnet-inspect

name	dotnet-inspect
version	0.16.0
description	Find evidence instead of guessing for .NET packages, platform libraries, local assemblies, APIs, dependencies, and version-to-version API changes.

dotnet-inspect

Use dotnet-inspect for evidence instead of guesses about .NET packages, platform libraries, assemblies, APIs, dependencies, or API version diffs.

dnx dotnet-inspect -y -- <command>

-y skips interactive confirmation, including after package updates; -- sends remaining options to dotnet-inspect, so --help does not show dnx help.

Common starts

Goal	Command
Find an API	find Pattern includes platform/BCL types; add --project path/to/project when project references should be in scope.
Inspect a type	type Type --package Foo; add --all for non-public/hidden members.
Inspect overloads	member Type --platform Lib -m Name -S "Member Index"
Select an overload	member Type --platform Lib Name:1 or Name~digest
Compare APIs	diff --package Foo@old..new --breaking (--additive new APIs); --alloc-regressions for perf regressions (allocations up, hot first).
Trace API evolution	timeline --package Foo@old..new --type Type --members --at all; omit --at to inspect the vector without acquiring packages.
Inspect packages	package Foo -S Signals, --library, --path @readme --content.
Inspect libraries	library Foo or library path/to.dll; add --platform, -S Signals.
Relationships	depends Type, extensions Type, implements Interface.

Member lookup

Run find Name when scope is unknown, inspect the type, then -S "Member Index" to list overloads. Select with Name:N (1-based) or Name~digest (stable). A selected overload defaults to Signature. A fully-qualified Namespace.Type.Member needs no scope.

dnx dotnet-inspect -y -- find JsonSerializer
dnx dotnet-inspect -y -- member JsonSerializer --platform System.Text.Json -m Serialize -S "Member Index"
dnx dotnet-inspect -y -- member JsonSerializer --platform System.Text.Json Serialize:1 -S Signature
dnx dotnet-inspect -y -- member System.Text.Json.JsonSerializer.Serialize -S "Member Index"

Tips

• Default output is Markdown; for formats, -D/-S discovery, projection, and limits, load dotnet-inspect skill query.
• Add --project <csproj|dir|project.assets.json> when project-referenced packages should be in scope; it reads existing restored assets, so restore/build first if dependencies changed.
• Common BCL types resolve without scope: type string, type 'List<T>'. Quote generics and patterns: member 'Dictionary<TKey,TValue>', -S "Async*".
• Unpinned packages use latest stable; add --preview for prerelease APIs.