Microsoft Launches .NET Aspire 9.1 with Enhanced Dashboard Features and More

Microsoft has recently launched .NET Aspire 9.1, bringing substantial enhancements aimed at improving the developer experience. This update includes a variety of new dashboard features and quality-of-life improvements that have been implemented in response to developer feedback.

New Dashboard Features

Resource Relationships

The introduction of a ‘parent-child’ resource model is a notable upgrade in this release. For instance, when you create a Postgres instance that encompasses multiple databases, these databases will now be grouped under the main instance on the Resource page, enhancing clarity and organization.

Localization Overrides

Enhancing user experience, the dashboard now allows for language customization. Instead of automatically reflecting the browser’s language, users can select their preferred dashboard language from a new dropdown menu, creating a tailored interface.

Advanced Filtering

Finding specific resources has been made significantly simpler. Users can now filter the Resource page based on type, state, and health status, which facilitates a more efficient management process.

Expanded Resource Details

Each resource now comes with an enriched details pane. By clicking on any resource, users can access a wealth of information, including References, Back References, and Volumes along with their mounting types, offering detailed insights into their infrastructure.

CORS Support for Custom Local Domains

Developers can now configure the dashboard to accept telemetry from other browser applications hosted on custom local domains by adjusting the DOTNET_DASHBOARD_CORS_ALLOWED_ORIGINS environment variable.

Enhanced Console Log Flexibility

The console log page has received crucial updates, including options to download logs for off-site analysis and the ability to toggle timestamps. This feature reduces visual clutter and enhances user experience during troubleshooting.

Additional UX Improvements

.NET Aspire 9.1 brings a host of user experience enhancements:

Start and Stop buttons are now conveniently accessible from the console logs page.
A single selection will directly open resources in the text visualiser.
URLs within log entries are now automatically transformed into clickable links, while excess commas are removed from their endpoints.
The scroll position resets automatically when switching between resources, improving navigation.

Feature-Rich Additions

The release is not solely focused on dashboard refinements; it also includes various additional features:

On-Demand Resource Activation: With the WithExplicitStart() option, you can intentionally manage the start of specific resources until you are ready to activate them via the dashboard.
Enhanced Docker Integration: The new PublishAsDockerfile() feature provides complete customization of your Docker containers and Dockerfiles throughout the publishing process.
Streamlined Docker Networks: An existing issue, tracked as issue #6504, involving persistent Docker networks post-application shutdown has been resolved, simplifying the development environment.
Better Dev Container Support: Improved compatibility for Dev Containers in GitHub Codespaces and Visual Studio Code enhances overall development workflows.

Microsoft invites the developer community to participate in the .NET Aspire Community Standup, where detailed demonstrations of the new features will be available. Developers are encouraged to provide feedback and contribute via GitHub and Discord, and can consult the official documentation for further insights.

Through. NET Aspire 9.1, Microsoft reinforces its dedication to evolving development tools that align with user requirements, fostering a robust, customizable, and intuitive platform for contemporary application development.

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