Try .NET
A toolset for creating interactive C# and .NET experiences in the browser and in markdown documentation.
What is Try .NET?
Try .NET is a set of tools from Microsoft that allows developers and educators to create interactive coding experiences for C# and .NET. It enables users to write, edit, and execute .NET code directly in their web browser or within markdown-based documentation, eliminating the need for local development environment setup. The project was designed to make learning and experimenting with C# more accessible and engaging.
C# and .NET developers creating tutorials, documentation authors, educators, and anyone building interactive coding experiences for the .NET ecosystem. It's particularly useful for Microsoft Learn content creators and technical writers.
Try .NET provides a seamless, zero-setup way to run C# code in the browser, which was especially valuable before modern cloud-based development environments became widespread. Its integration with Microsoft Learn and support for interactive markdown makes it a unique tool for creating hands-on educational content.
Overview
Try .NET provides developers and content authors with tools to create interactive experiences.
Use Cases
Best For
- Creating interactive C# tutorials on Microsoft Learn
- Building executable code examples in markdown documentation
- Running .NET code snippets directly in a web browser
- Developing hands-on coding workshops without local setup
- Embedding live C# examples in educational websites
- Prototyping small .NET concepts in an isolated environment
Not Ideal For
- Teams building new interactive .NET tutorials or tools after 2025
- Developers needing a publicly accessible browser-based code execution API for external websites
- Projects requiring ongoing community support, feature updates, or long-term maintenance
- Applications that need to execute complex .NET code with full framework dependencies or system access
Pros & Cons
Pros
Enables running and editing C# code directly in the browser with no local installation, powered by Blazor, as demonstrated on Microsoft Learn and the .NET in-browser tutorial.
Allows authors to embed executable code snippets in markdown files using the `dotnet try` global tool, ideal for creating hands-on documentation and tutorials.
Powers interactive coding tutorials on Microsoft Learn, ensuring reliable, seamless experiences for learners and content creators within the .NET ecosystem.
With over 1 billion code executions since 2017, it has successfully lowered barriers to C# experimentation and learning, as highlighted in its retirement announcement.
Cons
Support ends on December 31st, 2025, with no future updates or bug fixes, making it unsuitable for any new or long-term projects.
The trydotnet.js API for browser execution is only used internally at Microsoft, limiting adoption for custom websites or public-facing tools.
Contribution guidelines state that feature PRs are not accepted, indicating minimal community involvement and no planned enhancements.
Requires .NET Core 3.0 SDK, which is older and may not be compatible with newer .NET versions, adding setup complexity for modern environments.
Frequently Asked Questions
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