Getting Started: .NET

Applies to

Windows

MacOS

Linux

Get started with .NET 5+ (cross-platform) or .Net Framework.

1. Install the Velopack NuGet Package in your main project:

   dotnet add package Velopack
2. Configure your Velopack app at the beginning of Program.Main:

   static void Main(string[] args)
   {
       VelopackApp.Build().Run();
       // ... your other startup code below
   }
3. Add automatic updating to your app:

   private static async Task UpdateMyApp()
   {
       var mgr = new UpdateManager("https://the.place/you-host/updates");
   
       // check for new version
       var newVersion = await mgr.CheckForUpdatesAsync();
       if (newVersion == null)
           return; // no update available
   
       // download new version
       await mgr.DownloadUpdatesAsync(newVersion);
   
       // install new version and restart app
       mgr.ApplyUpdatesAndRestart(newVersion);
   }
4. Install the command line tool vpk:

   dotnet tool update -g vpk
5. Publish dotnet and build your first Velopack release! 🎉

   dotnet publish -c Release --self-contained -r win-x64 -o .\publish
   vpk pack -u YourAppId -v 1.0.0 -p .\publish -e yourMainApp.exe

✅ You're Done! Your app now has auto-updates and an installer. You can upload your release to your website, or use the vpk upload command to publish it to the destination of your choice.