dotnet-update-packages

name	dotnet-update-packages
description	Lists and updates outdated NuGet packages in .NET projects. Also use when the user mentions "update packages," "outdated NuGet," "upgrade dependencies," "dotnet package update," "check for updates," or "package versions." For centralizing package versions, see dotnet-centralise-packages.
license	MIT
metadata	{"author":"Im5tu","version":"1.0","repositoryUrl":"https://github.com/im5tu/dotnet-skills"}
allowed-tools	Bash(dotnet:*) Read Glob AskUserQuestion

.NET Package Updates

Note: This skill requires .NET 10 SDK or later. The dotnet package update command does not exist in .NET 8-9.

When to Use

This skill applies when the user:

• Asks about outdated NuGet packages
• Wants to update dependencies in a .NET project
• Mentions package version upgrades
• Discusses dependency management in .NET

Workflow

1. List outdated packages (including transitive) using:

   dotnet package list --outdated --include-transitive --format json
   

2. Check for empty results - If no outdated packages found, inform the user and stop

3. Parse output to identify:

   • Projects with outdated packages
   • Whether each package is direct or transitive

4. Analyze project dependencies by reading <ProjectReference> elements in each csproj

5. Present findings in a readable format showing project, package name, current → latest version

6. Confirm with user before making changes - ask which option:

   • All packages
   • Specific packages by name
   • Cancel

7. Update packages per project with --project parameter:

   • Update leaf projects first (no dependencies)
   • Then update dependent projects
   • Independent branches can run in parallel

   dotnet package update <package> --project <path-to-csproj>
   

8. Verify with dotnet build

9. If build fails, ask user:

   • Fix automatically (review errors, apply fixes)
   • Fix manually (show errors, let user handle)

10. Report results - summarize what was updated and the final build status

Key Commands

Command	Purpose
dotnet package list --outdated --include-transitive --format json	List outdated packages (incl. transitive)
dotnet package update <name> --project <path>	Update specific package in project
dotnet package update --project <path>	Update all packages in project

Transitive vs Direct Packages

• Direct: Explicitly in csproj. Update directly.
• Transitive: Pulled in by dependencies. Marked [T] in output.
  • To update: update the parent package, or add direct reference to pin version

Error Handling

• If dotnet package list fails: Check if we're in a .NET project directory
• If dotnet package update fails for a specific package: Report it and continue with others
• If build fails after updates:
  1. Parse the build errors
  2. Ask user: fix automatically or manually?
  3. If automatic: analyze errors and apply fixes
  4. Re-run build to verify

Notes

• Requires .NET 8+ SDK for dotnet package update
• Always use --project parameter to update per-project
• Update in dependency order: leaves first, then dependents
• Always confirm with user before updating
• Run build after updates to catch breaking changes