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Getting Started with C# Hosting

Deploy your C# (.NET) applications on ShardCloud with minimal configuration and maximum performance.
ShardCloud supports .NET applications with automatic build and execution via dotnet run or direct .dll execution.

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Prerequisites

Before uploading your C# application, ensure you have the following project structure ready.

Required Files

Essential files for deployment

Excluded Files

Files to exclude before upload

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Required Files

Your C# application must include these essential files:

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1. Project or Entry Point File

You can deploy using one of these options:
MAIN ValueExecution CommandUse Case
MyApp.csprojdotnet run --project MyApp.csprojUpload source code, platform builds and runs
MyApp.dlldotnet MyApp.dllUpload pre-built DLL
auto or emptyAuto-detect .dll in bin/ folderLet platform find your DLL
(omitted)dotnet runRun from project root

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2. ShardCloud Configuration

  • File: .shardcloud
  • Purpose: Platform-specific deployment settings
  • Requirements: Plain text configuration file in root directory
The .shardcloud file is required. Missing this file will prevent successful deployment.

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Deployment Options

Upload your source code with the .csproj file and let ShardCloud build and run it automatically. Required files:
  • *.cs source files
  • YourApp.csproj
  • .shardcloud
Files to exclude:
  • bin/
  • obj/
  • .vs/
  • *.user

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Option 2: Upload Pre-built DLL

Upload your compiled application directly. Required files:
  • YourApp.dll (and dependencies)
  • .shardcloud

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ShardCloud Configuration

The .shardcloud file configures your application deployment settings.

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Configuration Example (Source Code)

DISPLAY_NAME=myfirstcsharpproject
DESCRIPTION=a simple C# application
MAIN=MyApp.csproj
MEMORY=1024
VERSION=recommended

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Configuration Example (Pre-built DLL)

DISPLAY_NAME=myfirstcsharpproject
DESCRIPTION=a simple C# application
MAIN=MyApp.dll
MEMORY=1024
VERSION=recommended
.NET applications typically require more memory than interpreted languages. Choose appropriate memory allocation for your application’s needs.

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Deployment Process

1

Prepare Application

Ensure your project compiles locally with dotnet build
2

Create Configuration

Create .shardcloud file with deployment settings
3

Exclude Unnecessary Files

Remove bin/, obj/, and .vs/ folders (if uploading source)
4

Create Archive

Zip or RAR your project
5

Upload via Dashboard

Use ShardCloud dashboard to upload your archive
6

Deploy & Monitor

Application automatically builds (if needed) and runs

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Common Configuration Examples

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ASP.NET Core Web API

DISPLAY_NAME=aspnet-api
DESCRIPTION=REST API with ASP.NET Core
MAIN=MyApi.csproj
MEMORY=1024
VERSION=recommended
SUBDOMAIN=aspnetapi

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Console Application

DISPLAY_NAME=dotnet-worker
DESCRIPTION=Background worker service
MAIN=Worker.csproj
MEMORY=512
VERSION=recommended

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Pre-built Application

DISPLAY_NAME=dotnet-app
DESCRIPTION=Pre-compiled .NET application
MAIN=MyApp.dll
MEMORY=512
VERSION=recommended