NetPad is an open-source, cross-platform C# editor and interactive playground designed to execute C# code immediately without creating project files. It serves as a community-driven alternative to LINQPad, enabling developers to test snippets, query databases with LINQ or SQL, and visualize runtime objects on desktop or web.
Technical Overview of NetPad
Built with a .NET backend and an Aurelia 2 user interface, NetPad distributes as either a standard Electron build or a lightweight native shell powered by Tauri (vNext) to minimize system resource consumption. The tool requires local installation via system package managers or platform-specific installers, alongside an existing .NET 6+ SDK installation. Script execution occurs locally without remote dependencies, allowing instant compilation, debugging, and command-line execution via the npad CLI utility.
Core Features of NetPad
- Instant script execution eliminates the friction of
.csprojboilerplate, letting you prototype snippets, reference NuGet packages, and inspect generated IL code on the fly. - Interactive object inspection dumps complex data structures straight to a readable console, complete with direct export pipelines to HTML and Excel formats.
- Native database querying lets you connect directly to servers using LINQ or raw SQL via Entity Framework Core tooling, including support for Oracle databases.
- Integrated code intelligence incorporates OmniSharp to supply IntelliSense, diagnostics, semantic highlighting, CodeLens, and refactoring actions in a telemetry-free workspace.
- Flexible terminal workflows allow developers to execute saved scripts, individual C# source files, or inline code directly through the standalone
npadCLI tool.
System Compatibility & Updates
NetPad runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems. The software requires the .NET SDK (version 6 or later) and EF Core tools for database interactions. Recent updates introduce official support for the .NET 10 SDK alongside an integrated User Secrets Manager for secure credential handling.
Why Choose NetPad?
NetPad delivers a zero-cost, open-source alternative to proprietary scratchpads, giving C# developers cross-platform flexibility with full OmniSharp intelligence. Its dual Electron and Tauri builds let you run complex LINQ and SQL data queries locally without licensing restrictions or project overhead.