dotnet-format

dotnet format is the official .NET code formatter that automatically applies consistent code styling and formatting rules to C# and VB.NET projects. It integrates directly with the .NET SDK and uses EditorConfig settings and analyzer rules to ensure uniform code appearance.

Key Features:

Official .NET Tool: Native integration with .NET SDK and MSBuild for seamless project integration
EditorConfig Support: Respects .editorconfig files for consistent formatting across teams and editors
Analyzer Integration: Works with .NET analyzers and code style rules for comprehensive formatting
Solution/Project Scope: Can format entire solutions, specific projects, or individual files with precise control
Incremental Formatting: Only formats changed files or specific file patterns to optimize performance
Multiple Rule Categories: Handles whitespace, style preferences, and third-party analyzer rules
Verification Mode: Verify mode ensures code is properly formatted without making changes

Note: dotnet-format requires a .sln or .csproj file to run correctly.

dotnet-format documentation

Version in MegaLinter: 9.0.106
Visit Official Web Site
See How to configure dotnet-format rules
See How to disable dotnet-format rules in files

Configuration in MegaLinter

Enable dotnet-format by adding CSHARP_DOTNET_FORMAT in ENABLE_LINTERS variable
Disable dotnet-format by adding CSHARP_DOTNET_FORMAT in DISABLE_LINTERS variable

Enable autofixes by adding CSHARP_DOTNET_FORMAT in APPLY_FIXES variable

Variable	Description	Default value
CSHARP_DOTNET_FORMAT_ARGUMENTS	User custom arguments to add in linter CLI call Ex: `-s --foo "bar"`
CSHARP_DOTNET_FORMAT_COMMAND_REMOVE_ARGUMENTS	User custom arguments to remove from command line before calling the linter Ex: `-s --foo "bar"`
CSHARP_DOTNET_FORMAT_CLI_LINT_MODE	Override default CLI lint mode ⚠️ As default value is project, overriding might not work - `file`: Calls the linter for each file - `list_of_files`: Call the linter with the list of files as argument - `project`: Call the linter from the root of the project	`project`
CSHARP_DOTNET_FORMAT_FILE_EXTENSIONS	Allowed file extensions. `"*"` matches any extension, `""` matches empty extension. Empty list excludes all files Ex: `[".py", ""]`	`[".cs"]`
CSHARP_DOTNET_FORMAT_FILE_NAMES_REGEX	File name regex filters. Regular expression list for filtering files by their base names using regex full match. Empty list includes all files Ex: `["Dockerfile(-.+)?", "Jenkinsfile"]`	Include every file
CSHARP_DOTNET_FORMAT_PRE_COMMANDS	List of bash commands to run before the linter	None
CSHARP_DOTNET_FORMAT_POST_COMMANDS	List of bash commands to run after the linter	None
CSHARP_DOTNET_FORMAT_UNSECURED_ENV_VARIABLES	List of env variables explicitly not filtered before calling CSHARP_DOTNET_FORMAT and its pre/post commands	None
CSHARP_DOTNET_FORMAT_DISABLE_ERRORS	Run linter but consider errors as warnings	`true`
CSHARP_DOTNET_FORMAT_DISABLE_ERRORS_IF_LESS_THAN	Maximum number of errors allowed	`0`
CSHARP_DOTNET_FORMAT_CLI_EXECUTABLE	Override CLI executable	`['dotnet']`

MegaLinter Flavors

This linter is available in the following flavors

Flavor	Description	Embedded linters
all	Default MegaLinter Flavor	127
dotnet	Optimized for C, C++, C# or VB based projects	65
dotnetweb	Optimized for C, C++, C# or VB based projects with JS/TS	74
formatters	Contains only formatters	18

Behind the scenes

How are identified applicable files

File extensions: .cs

How the linting is performed

dotnet-format is called once on the whole project directory (project CLI lint mode)

filtering can not be done using MegaLinter configuration variables,it must be done using dotnet-format configuration or ignore file (if existing)
VALIDATE_ALL_CODEBASE: false doesn't make dotnet-format analyze only updated files

Example calls

dotnet format --verify-no-changes

dotnet format Solution.sln --verify-no-changes

dotnet format Folder/Solution.sln --verify-no-changes

dotnet format Project.csproj --verify-no-changes

dotnet format

Help content

Description:
  Formats code to match editorconfig settings.

Usage:
  dotnet-format [<PROJECT | SOLUTION>] [command] [options]

Arguments:
  <PROJECT | SOLUTION>  The project or solution file to operate on. If a file is not specified, the command will search the current directory for one. [default: /]

Options:
  -?, -h, --help                                                           Show help and usage information
  --version                                                                Show version information
  --diagnostics                                                            A space separated list of diagnostic ids to use as a filter when fixing code style or 3rd party issues. []
  --exclude-diagnostics                                                    A space separated list of diagnostic ids to ignore when fixing code style or 3rd party issues. []
  --severity <error|info|warn>                                             The severity of diagnostics to fix. Allowed values are info, warn, and error.
  --no-restore                                                             Doesn't execute an implicit restore before formatting.
  --verify-no-changes                                                      Verify no formatting changes would be performed. Terminates with a non-zero exit code if any files would have been formatted.
  --include                                                                A list of relative file or folder paths to include in formatting. All files are formatted if empty. []
  --exclude                                                                A list of relative file or folder paths to exclude from formatting. []
  --include-generated                                                      Format files generated by the SDK.
  -v, --verbosity <d|detailed|diag|diagnostic|m|minimal|n|normal|q|quiet>  Set the verbosity level. Allowed values are q[uiet], m[inimal], n[ormal], d[etailed], and diag[nostic]
  --binarylog <binary-log-path>                                            Log all project or solution load information to a binary log file.
  --report <report-path>                                                   Accepts a file path which if provided will produce a json report in the given directory.

Commands:
  whitespace <PROJECT | SOLUTION>  Run whitespace formatting. [default: /]
  style <PROJECT | SOLUTION>       Run code style analyzers and apply fixes. [default: /]
  analyzers <PROJECT | SOLUTION>   Run 3rd party analyzers and apply fixes. [default: /]