richlander/dotnet-inspect

dotnet-inspect

Use dotnet-inspect when you need evidence about .NET libraries instead of guessing: API signatures, package contents, extension methods, implementors, SourceLink URLs, dependencies, or version-to-version API changes.

Invoke through dnx unless the tool is already installed:

dnx dotnet-inspect -y -- <command>

For the authoritative workflow guide for the installed tool version, run:

dnx dotnet-inspect -y -- skill

Prefer that embedded skill output over this marketplace bootstrap file when commands or section names differ. It is versioned with the tool and prevents stale skill guidance after breaking CLI changes.

Default output is Markdown. Use --oneline to scan, --json for structured data, --count to count one selected table section, and -n N to limit output without losing headers.

Fast starts

| Goal | Command | | ---- | ------- | | Find where a type lives | find Pattern --oneline | | Inspect APIs | type Type --package Foo, then member Type --package Foo | | Compare versions | diff --package [email protected] --breaking | | Inspect package/library signals | library Foo -S Signals or package Foo -S Signals | | Resolve SourceLink URLs | source Type --package Foo --oneline | | Explore relationships | depends Type, extensions Type, implements Interface |

Common workflow

Start broad, then carry resolved context forward:

dnx dotnet-inspect -y -- find JsonSerializer --oneline
dnx dotnet-inspect -y -- member JsonSerializer --package System.Text.Json
dnx dotnet-inspect -y -- source JsonSerializer --package System.Text.Json --oneline

Bare names use the router: platform-looking names are tried as installed platform libraries first, then fall back to NuGet packages if platform resolution fails. Use explicit --platform <LibraryName>, --package Foo[@version], or --library when the source matters.

Output control

Discover sections with -D or bare -S, then select with -S Section. Project table columns with --columns, fields with --fields, and count rows with --count when exactly one section is selected.

dnx dotnet-inspect -y -- member JsonSerializer --package System.Text.Json -D
dnx dotnet-inspect -y -- member JsonSerializer --package System.Text.Json -S Methods --columns "Name;Signature;Obsolete"
dnx dotnet-inspect -y -- library System.Text.Json -S "Async*" --count

Guardrails

• First run dnx dotnet-inspect -y -- skill when doing non-trivial work; it contains the current, tool-embedded guidance.
• Quote generic type names and use <T>, not <>: 'Option<T>', 'INumber<TSelf>'.
• type uses -t for type filters; member uses -m for member filters.
• Dotted member syntax works: -m JsonSerializer.Deserialize.
• Diff ranges use ..: --package [email protected].
• Use --all for non-public, hidden, and extra members; obsolete members are already shown by default.