dotnet

runtime: Build the .NET Runtime, Libraries, and Host

.NET Runtime is the source repository for building the .NET runtime, libraries, and shared `dotnet` host installers across supported platforms. It is for developers building, testing, or contributing to .NET itself, rather than a standalone application framework.

ActiveC#MITCsharpProgrammingCross Platform
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Stars
18.4k
Forks
5.7k
Last commit
today
Contributors
100+
Releases, 12 months
37

Our take

Activeregular commits and releases

Health score

81/100

How it is scored
Activity
84
Community
94
Issues
79
Pull requests
66
  • Merges more pull requests than 97% of the projects we track
  • Releases more often than 83% of the projects we track
  • More contributors than 78% of the projects we track

This is an actively maintained, foundational .NET repository with regular commits and releases, broad contributor participation, and fast reported issue and pull-request handling, but it is aimed at platform development rather than ordinary application setup.

Good fit if

  • You are developing or debugging the .NET runtime, libraries, host, or installation components.
  • You need to build and test changes against the repository's documented workflow.
  • You want to evaluate nightly runtime or library builds in your own .NET application.

Look elsewhere if

  • You want instructions for starting an application; the README directs users to the .NET getting-started guides and SDK downloads.
  • Your issue concerns another .NET project, such as ASP.NET Core, rather than the runtime, libraries, framework components, or dotnet installation.
All health signals
Last commit2026-10-26 (today)
Commits, last 90 days100+
Releases, last 12 months37 (latest v9.0.21, 2026-10-13)
Contributors100+ (top contributor: 12% of commits)
Issues closed, last 90 days19+ (typically closed in 1 day)
Pull requests merged, last 90 days96 (typically merged in 1 day)
Project age7 years

Checked on 2026-10-26 with the GitHub API.

Overview

dotnet/runtime contains the code to build the .NET runtime, libraries, and shared dotnet host installers for supported platforms. It is the implementation behind .NET, intended for people working on the platform and its components, not just developers consuming .NET through its documentation or SDK.

The repository also provides contribution and workflow guidance for building and testing the code, along with instructions for trying nightly builds. Applications built with .NET can target cloud, mobile, desktop, and IoT scenarios, as described by the project.

Key Features

  • Source for the .NET runtime and its libraries.
  • Code for building shared dotnet host installers across supported platforms.
  • Contribution guidance describing the kinds of changes the project welcomes.
  • Workflow documentation covering how to build and test the repository.
  • Guidance for using nightly builds to test runtime and library changes in applications.
  • Private vulnerability reporting instructions through the Microsoft Security Response Center.
  • Links to .NET support policies, roadmap, API references, and source indexes.

Use Cases

  • .NET contributors building and testing changes to the runtime or class libraries.
  • Runtime and library developers investigating platform behavior or implementation details.
  • Application developers who want to test their projects against nightly runtime and library builds.
  • Maintainers working on the shared dotnet host or .NET installation components.

What you need

Detected in the repository

  • C# (main language on GitHub)
  • Automated checks on GitHub Actions

License in plain words

MITpermissive

  • Commercial use: yes
  • Modify and redistribute: yes
  • You must keep: the copyright and license notice
  • Share your changes: no

A summary, not legal advice: the LICENSE file is what applies.

Getting Started

Start with the .NET getting-started guide to install and use .NET. To work on this repository, read its workflow instructions and contribution guide. See the README for further links and guidance.

Considerations

This repository is the implementation of a broad platform, so building and contributing to it is different from installing the .NET SDK and using it to develop applications. The README points contributors to dedicated workflow instructions rather than providing a quick build command. The project is actively maintained, with regular releases and contributions from many people; its issue and pull-request handling is also active. Changes intended for other .NET ecosystem repositories should be filed there instead. Vulnerabilities should be reported privately through the MSRC Researcher Portal, not as public issues.

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