aspire-cli-install

name: "aspire-cli-install" description: "Migrating .NET Aspire repos from workload install to CLI script install" domain: "aspire, dotnet, devops" confidence: "high" source: "earned (verified against https://aspire.dev/get-started/install-cli/ on 2026-04-20; package upgrade to 13.2.2 validated)"

Context

The .NET Aspire team deprecated the dotnet workload install aspire command and replaced it with a standalone CLI installed via install scripts. This affects all .NET Aspire repositories that document installation steps or configure devcontainers.

Patterns

Installation Commands

Bash (Linux/macOS):

curl -sSL https://aspire.dev/install.sh | bash

PowerShell (Windows):

iex "& { $(irm https://aspire.dev/install.ps1) }"

Validation:

aspire --version  # Should return 13.2.0+{commitSHA} or similar

Where to Look in a Repo

1. README / main docs — Check for references to "Aspire workload" or dotnet workload install aspire
2. Deployment / architecture docs — Often contain prerequisite sections with install steps
3. Session / workshop docs — Prerequisites.md, Installation.md, etc.
4. Devcontainer config — .devcontainer/devcontainer.json postCreateCommand or onCreateCommand
5. CI/CD pipelines — GitHub Actions, Azure Pipelines may have setup steps

Migration Checklist

• Replace dotnet workload install aspire with install script command
• Show both bash and PowerShell variants where appropriate
• Include aspire --version validation step
• Link to https://aspire.dev/get-started/install-cli/ for details
• Remove "Aspire workload" terminology (obsolete)
• Update devcontainer postCreateCommand if needed (and add a comment explaining why)
• Check CI/CD scripts for workload install commands

Examples

Documentation Update (Markdown)

Before:

2. **.NET Aspire Workload**
   ```bash
   dotnet workload install aspire

**After:**
```markdown
2. **Aspire CLI**
   
   The Aspire CLI is installed via an install script (the old `dotnet workload install aspire` is obsolete).
   
   **Bash (Linux/macOS):**
   ```bash
   curl -sSL https://aspire.dev/install.sh | bash

PowerShell (Windows):

iex "& { $(irm https://aspire.dev/install.ps1) }"

Verify installation:

aspire --version  # Should return 13.2.0+{commitSHA} or similar

See https://aspire.dev/get-started/install-cli/ for details.

### Devcontainer Update

**Before:**
```json
"postCreateCommand": "dotnet workload install aspire"

After:

// Installs Aspire CLI per https://aspire.dev/get-started/install-cli/
"postCreateCommand": "curl -sSL https://aspire.dev/install.sh | bash"

Anti-Patterns

• ❌ Leaving dotnet workload install aspire in docs or devcontainer — it's obsolete
• ❌ Only showing one OS variant (bash or PowerShell) in cross-platform docs — show both
• ❌ Not including aspire --version validation step — developers need to confirm the install worked
• ❌ Not linking to https://aspire.dev/get-started/install-cli/ — official source is authoritative
• ❌ Using "Aspire workload" terminology in new docs — the workload concept is deprecated for Aspire