References and Scripts

References and Scripts

Adding references with #r

Use the #r directive to add references during a session.

• Assembly: #r "AssemblyName" or #r "path/to/assembly.dll"
• Project: #r "path/to/project.csproj"
• Solution: #r "path/to/solution.sln" (or .slnx)
• NuGet, latest version: #r "nuget: PackageName"
• NuGet, specific version: #r "nuget: PackageName, 13.0.5"

To add references when the REPL starts, use --reference (-r). See Configuring CSharpRepl.

Loading scripts with #load

Run a C# script file (.csx) with #load:

> #load "path/to/script.csx"

Any references, namespaces, and variables the script defines stay available afterward. This is useful for a startup profile that loads the libraries you reach for often.

You can also pass a .csx file on the command line to run it before the prompt starts:

csharprepl path/to/script.csx

Arguments after -- are forwarded to the script and available in a global args variable:

csharprepl script.csx -- arg1 arg2

ASP.NET and other shared frameworks

To work with an application that uses a shared framework (for example ASP.NET Core), start with --framework, then reference the application DLL:

csharprepl --framework Microsoft.AspNetCore.App

> #r "path/to/MyWebApp.dll"