tooling — Entity Framework Core tooling install tooling, efcore, community, Entity Framework Core tooling install, ide skills, Claude Code, Cursor, Windsurf

v1.0.0
GitHub

About this Skill

Perfect for .NET Development Agents needing efficient database management using EF Core. Tooling is a set of commands and tools for Entity Framework Core, including the dotnet ef CLI and Visual Studio Package Manager Console.

Features

Supports dotnet ef CLI for migrations and scaffolding
Utilizes Visual Studio Package Manager Console for compiled models
Includes subcommands like DatabaseCommand, DbContextCommand, and MigrationsCommand
Invokes MSBuild to build and shell for seamless integration
Parses global options like --project and --startup-project for flexible configuration

# Core Topics

Entity Framework Core tooling install
dotnet dotnet
[14.6k]
[3364]
Updated: 3/6/2026

Agent Capability Analysis

The tooling skill by dotnet is an open-source community AI agent skill for Claude Code and other IDE workflows, helping agents execute tasks with better context, repeatability, and domain-specific guidance. Optimized for Entity Framework Core tooling install.

Ideal Agent Persona

Perfect for .NET Development Agents needing efficient database management using EF Core.

Core Value

Empowers agents to manage databases efficiently using LINQ queries, change tracking, and schema migrations with the dotnet-ef CLI and Visual Studio Package Manager Console commands, supporting MSBuild and compiled models.

↓ Capabilities Granted for tooling

Scaffolding database models using dotnet-ef CLI
Managing schema migrations with EF Core
Executing LINQ queries for data analysis

! Prerequisites & Limits

  • Requires .NET Core installation
  • Specific to EF Core and .NET development
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tooling

Install tooling, an AI agent skill for AI agent workflows and automation. Works with Claude Code, Cursor, and Windsurf with one-command setup.

SKILL.md
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Tooling

The dotnet ef CLI and Visual Studio Package Manager Console commands for migrations, scaffolding, and compiled models.

dotnet-ef CLI (src/dotnet-ef/)

RootCommand parses global options (--project, --startup-project, --framework, --configuration, --runtime, --no-build). Subcommands implemented in src/ef/Commands/ (Microsoft.EntityFrameworkCore.Tools.Commands): DatabaseCommand, DbContextCommand, MigrationsCommand. Each invokes MSBuild to build, then shells out via dotnet exec ef.dll, which hosts OperationExecutor.

PMC (src/EFCore.Tools/)

PowerShell module: Add-Migration, Update-Database, Scaffold-DbContext, Optimize-DbContext, etc. Routes to OperationExecutor.

MSBuild Tasks (src/EFCore.Tasks/)

NuGet package Microsoft.EntityFrameworkCore.Tasks provides build/publish-time compiled model and precompiled query generation.

Build Integration Flow

Targets in buildTransitive/Microsoft.EntityFrameworkCore.Tasks.targets:

  • Build flow: _EFGenerateFilesAfterBuild triggers after compilation when EFOptimizeContext=true and stage is build. Invokes OptimizeDbContext task, writes generated file list, re-triggers Build to compile new files.
  • Publish flow: _EFGenerateFilesBeforePublish runs before GeneratePublishDependencyFile. Auto-activates for PublishAOT=true. _EFPrepareDependenciesForPublishAOT cascades to project references.
  • Incremental: _EFProcessGeneratedFiles reads tracking files and adds .g.cs to @(Compile). Stale files removed by _EFPrepareForCompile.
  • Clean: _EFCleanGeneratedFiles deletes generated and tracking files.

Testing

  • CLI tests: test/dotnet-ef.Tests/, test/ef.Tests/
  • EFCore.Tasks has no dedicated test project — for task/target changes, create a test project and manually run dotnet build / dotnet publish with EFOptimizeContext=true to verify

Validation

  • For tool changes, create a test project and manually run affected commands to verify behavior
  • dotnet ef migrations script output matches expected DDL

FAQ & Installation Steps

These questions and steps mirror the structured data on this page for better search understanding.

? Frequently Asked Questions

What is tooling?

Perfect for .NET Development Agents needing efficient database management using EF Core. Tooling is a set of commands and tools for Entity Framework Core, including the dotnet ef CLI and Visual Studio Package Manager Console.

How do I install tooling?

Run the command: npx killer-skills add dotnet/efcore/tooling. It works with Cursor, Windsurf, VS Code, Claude Code, and 19+ other IDEs.

What are the use cases for tooling?

Key use cases include: Scaffolding database models using dotnet-ef CLI, Managing schema migrations with EF Core, Executing LINQ queries for data analysis.

Which IDEs are compatible with tooling?

This skill is compatible with Cursor, Windsurf, VS Code, Trae, Claude Code, OpenClaw, Aider, Codex, OpenCode, Goose, Cline, Roo Code, Kiro, Augment Code, Continue, GitHub Copilot, Sourcegraph Cody, and Amazon Q Developer. Use the Killer-Skills CLI for universal one-command installation.

Are there any limitations for tooling?

Requires .NET Core installation. Specific to EF Core and .NET development.

↓ How To Install

  1. 1. Open your terminal

    Open the terminal or command line in your project directory.

  2. 2. Run the install command

    Run: npx killer-skills add dotnet/efcore/tooling. The CLI will automatically detect your IDE or AI agent and configure the skill.

  3. 3. Start using the skill

    The skill is now active. Your AI agent can use tooling immediately in the current project.

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