Project Search Logic

The Aspire CLI uses the following logic, in order, to determine which AppHost project to process:

• The --apphost option.

  This option specifies the path to the Aspire AppHost project file to process.

• The rooted aspire.config.json file.

  If the rooted config exists in the current directory, it’s used. If not, the CLI walks up the directory structure looking for it. If Aspire finds the rooted config, it uses the recorded AppHost information to determine which project to process. Legacy .aspire/settings.json files are still read during migration.

• Searches the current directory and subdirectories.

  Starting in the current directory, the CLI gathers all AppHost projects from that directory and below. If a single project is discovered, it’s automatically selected. If multiple projects are discovered, they’re printed to the terminal for the user to manually select one of the projects.

  Once a project is selected, either automatically or manually, Aspire records that selection in the rooted configuration so later commands can reuse it.