CLI tool for inspecting .NET assemblies and NuGet packages. View metadata, APIs, vulnerabilities, and compare versions.
dotnet tool install -g dotnet-inspectUse System.Text.Json versions to explore different scenarios:
| Version | Scenario |
|---|---|
| 10.0.2 | Latest, multi-targeting (net462, net8.0, net9.0, net10.0, netstandard2.0) |
| 8.0.4 | Vulnerable (CVE-2024-43485) |
| 5.0.0 | Deprecated |
Other useful test packages:
dotnet-ef- Tool package with commandsAzure.Mcp- RID-specific tool (shows RID Packages section)Microsoft.Data.SqlClient- Library with native runtimes
dotnet-inspect System.Text.Json # Metadata (latest version)
dotnet-inspect System.Text.Json 8.0.4 -v:d # Detailed view (shows vulnerability)
dotnet-inspect System.Text.Json 5.0.0 # Shows deprecation notice
dotnet-inspect System.Text.Json --versions # List available versions
dotnet-inspect dotnet-ef --files --all # Tool package file structure
dotnet-inspect package --discover # List available sectionsdotnet-inspect api --package System.Text.Json # List all types
dotnet-inspect api JsonSerializer --package System.Text.Json # Specific type
dotnet-inspect api JsonSerializer --package System.Text.Json -m Serialize # Filter to member
dotnet-inspect api 'Option<T>' --package System.CommandLine # Generic types
dotnet-inspect api Command --package System.CommandLine --ctor # Constructors with details
dotnet-inspect api --platform System.Text.Json # Platform assembly (no download)dotnet-inspect assembly --package System.Text.Json --tfm net8.0 --audit # SourceLink auditdotnet-inspect diff JsonSerializer --package System.Text.Json@9.0.0..10.0.2
dotnet-inspect diff JsonSerializer --platform System.Text.Json@8.0.23..10.0.2dotnet-inspect type JsonSerializer --package System.Text.Json # Inheritance treeFetch code samples via SourceLink for packages with <code source=...> doc references:
dotnet-inspect samples --package Newtonsoft.Json --list # List available samples
dotnet-inspect samples JsonConvert --package Newtonsoft.Json # Fetch samples for type
dotnet-inspect samples --package Markout --list # Works with SourceLink-enabled packagesNote: Platform assemblies (dotnet/runtime) use inline examples and are not supported.
dotnet-inspect platform --list-versions # Installed SDK versions
dotnet-inspect platform --framework runtime # List runtime assembliesVerbosity (-v): q(uiet) → m(inimal) → n(ormal) → d(etailed)
Each level includes a compact summary line with key metadata:
Type: Library | TFM: net10.0 | Updated: 2026-01-13 | Vulnerabilities: 1
Sections: Use --discover to list sections, then filter with -s:1,2 (include) or -x:3 (exclude)
dotnet-inspect System.Text.Json -v:d # All sections
dotnet-inspect System.Text.Json -v:d -x:3,4 # Exclude Package Dependencies and Files- Markdown tables (default)
--signatures-only- Plain signatures--json- JSON output--json --compact- Minified JSON
This tool is designed for LLM-driven development. Run dotnet-inspect llmstxt for detailed usage patterns.
.NET 10.0 SDK or later
MIT