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Document #:include support in file-based apps #53350

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d8ea0eb
Initial plan
Copilot Apr 22, 2026
da16212
Document #:include support for file-based apps
Copilot Apr 22, 2026
dce1256
Reorganize supported directives in file-based apps docs
gewarren Apr 22, 2026
c26788a
Remove duplicate `#:include` directive section
gewarren Apr 22, 2026
45e2f60
Update docs/core/sdk/file-based-apps.md
gewarren Apr 22, 2026
94d3ead
Clarify #:include compilation behavior in file-based apps docs
Copilot Apr 22, 2026
b5f492a
Refine #:include clarification wording for list clarity
Copilot Apr 22, 2026
70062cf
Adjust include clarification phrasing
Copilot Apr 22, 2026
95713a7
Split include clarification into two sentences
Copilot Apr 22, 2026
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17 changes: 15 additions & 2 deletions docs/core/sdk/file-based-apps.md
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Original file line number Diff line number Diff line change
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
---
title: File-based apps
description: Learn how to create, build, and run C# applications from a single file without a project file.
ms.date: 12/05/2025
ms.date: 04/22/2026
ai-usage: ai-assisted
---
# File-based apps
Expand All @@ -21,7 +21,20 @@ In this article, learn how to create, configure, and work with file-based apps e

## Supported directives

File-based apps use directives prefixed with `#:` to configure the build and run the application. Supported directives include: `#:package`, `#:project`, `#:property`, and `#:sdk`. Place these directives at the top of the C# file.
File-based apps use directives prefixed with `#:` to configure the build and run the application. Supported directives are: `#:include`, `#:package`, `#:project`, `#:property`, and `#:sdk`. Place these directives at the top of the C# file.

### `#:include`

Includes another C# source file in the file-based app.

Included files compile as part of the same app. They can add types, top-level statements, and other declarations.

```csharp
#:include helpers.cs
#:include models/customer.cs
```

The `#:include` directive is available in .NET 11 Preview 3 and .NET SDK 10.0.3xx and later.
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Copilot AI Apr 22, 2026

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The new #:include section doesn't currently explain how included files participate in compilation (for example, that the included source is compiled as part of the same app and can contribute types/top-level statements). That detail is called out in the PR description, so consider adding one clarifying sentence here to avoid ambiguity about what "includes" means.

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@gewarren gewarren Apr 22, 2026

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@copilot apply changes based on this feedback

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Copilot AI Apr 22, 2026

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Applied in 95713a7. I added clarification that included files compile as part of the same app and can add declarations.

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@adegeo adegeo Apr 29, 2026

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We should wait for this to actually land in 3xx. It might not, you never know.

Do you think it's a good idea to put this up front? Someone may get here, try it, find it not working, never see that paragraph and complain it doesn't work.


### `#:package`

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