Visual Studio Minimal API Template

Visual Studio project template for rapid setup and configuration for .NET Minimal APIs. Save time writing the same boilerplate code every time you start a new microservice or backend project.

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Features Included

• Modern .NET Architecture: Built using the latest lightweight .NET patterns, keeping Program.cs completely uncluttered.
• 📂 Enterprise-Ready Folder Layout: A decoupled, production-ready structure that enforces clean separation of concerns:
  • Data - Entity Framework Core context configuration.
  • EndPoints - Clean mapping via IEndpointRouteBuilder extensions to keep route logic out of your configuration files.
  • Models - Separated into Domain entities (database-facing) and Dtos (data transfer objects for request/response payloads) to prevent over-posting and secure your data layer.
  • Services - Pre-structured for Dependency Injection with explicit Interface definitions and the Repository pattern for decoupled data access layers.
• Entity Framework Core Integrated: Fully configured with AppDbContext and local SQL Server infrastructure placeholders.
• Modern API Documentation: Native .AddOpenApi() paired with Scalar API Reference (app.MapScalarApiReference()) for a beautiful interactive API testing UI right out of the box.
• Pre-configured launchSettings.json with launchUrl: "scalar/v1", launching you directly into your interactive API documentation the second the application starts.

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How to Install and Use

Since this is a custom Visual Studio template repository, you can generate and install it into your local environment in just a few quick steps:

1. Clone this Repository

Clone this repository to your local machine and open the .slnx (or .sln) file in Visual Studio.

2. Export the Template

1. In the top menu bar, click on Project > Export Template....
2. Leave Project template selected and choose your project from the dropdown, then click Next.
3. (Optional) Customize your template name, icon, or description, and ensure the checkbox for "Automatically import the template into Visual Studio" is checked.
4. Click Finish. Visual Studio will automatically build the .zip file and drop it straight into your local user templates folder for you!

3. Create Your New Project

1. Restart or open a new instance of Visual Studio.
2. Click Create a new project.
3. Search for vs-minimal-api-template (or the custom name you gave it).
4. Name your new API, hit Create, and start coding!

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License

This project is licensed under the MIT License - feel free to use it for personal or commercial projects!