✅ 1. Install Prerequisites

Before we start coding, you’ll need the following tools installed on your system:

• ✅ .NET SDK (Latest LTS version, e.g., 8.0)
• ✅ Visual Studio Code
• ✅ C# Extension for VS Code

➡️ Download .NET SDK

➡️ Download Visual Studio Code

To install the C# extension, open VS Code and search for "C#" in the Extensions sidebar, then click Install.

✅ 2. Create a New ASP.NET Core MVC Project

Open your terminal or command prompt and run the following command:

dotnet new mvc -n HelloWorldMvc

This creates a new ASP.NET Core MVC project in a folder named HelloWorldMvc.

cd HelloWorldMvc

Now, open it in VS Code:

code .

When prompted, click “Yes” to add build and debug assets.

✅ 3. Run the App

Inside the VS Code terminal, run:

dotnet run

Once the app is running, visit https://localhost:5001 in your browser. You should see the default ASP.NET Core MVC homepage!

✅ 4. Display “Hello World”

🔹 Step 1: Edit the Controller

Open Controllers/HomeController.cs and replace the Index() method with:

public IActionResult Index()
{
    ViewData["Message"] = "Hello World from ASP.NET Core MVC in VS Code!";
    return View();
}

🔹 Step 2: Update the View

Edit the file Views/Home/Index.cshtml and replace its contents with:

@{
    ViewData["Title"] = "Home Page";
}

@ViewData[“Message”]

Now refresh your browser. You’ll see your custom “Hello World” message!

✅ 5. Bonus Tips

• ⚡ Use dotnet watch run to auto-refresh on code changes
• 🐞 Use breakpoints and the VS Code debugger (press F5)
• 🌐 Customize routing via Program.cs or Startup.cs depending on version

🚀 Summary

With just a few steps, you’ve set up a working ASP.NET Core MVC app in VS Code! This setup is fast, cross-platform, and perfect for developers who want flexibility without the full weight of an IDE.

Happy coding! 🎉