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Guide · Open source

How to use ASP.NET Boilerplate: what it is and how to start

Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data

ASP.NET Boilerplate is an open-source (MIT) application framework for building web applications on ASP.NET Core and EF Core. It provides a layered, Domain Driven Design structure, conventions that automate common tasks, and built-in multi-tenancy for SaaS apps. This guide explains what the framework includes, how its NuGet packages fit together, and what to check before starting a project, since the README says support ends in May 2026.

ASP.NET Boilerplateaspnetboilerplate/aspnetboilerplate · ★ 12k · MIT

Quick start

  1. 1Confirm support timing. Read the end of support announcement in the README and decide whether ASP.NET Boilerplate or ABP Framework fits your project.
  2. 2Install prerequisites. Install ASP.NET Core and a .NET SDK. The README does not state a required SDK version, so check the official docs.
  3. 3Pick NuGet packages. Choose packages such as Abp, Abp.AspNetCore and Abp.EntityFrameworkCore based on your needs.
  4. 4Learn the layered structure. Read the NLayer Architecture document to see how the Domain Driven Design layers are organized.
  5. 5Add Module Zero if needed. If you need users, roles, tenants or editions, consider Module Zero with Abp.ZeroCore and Abp.ZeroCore.EntityFrameworkCore.
  6. 6Follow the official tutorials. Use the documentation and quick start tutorials on the official homepage to build your first application.

Check the support status before you start

The README includes an end of support announcement: official support for ASP.NET Boilerplate ends in May 2026. The maintainers say they will continue supporting ASP.NET Zero customers who use ASP.NET Boilerplate, and they recommend ABP Framework for users looking for an open-source alternative.

If you are starting a new project, the README's guidance points to ABP Framework. ASP.NET Boilerplate is most suitable for maintaining an existing application or for teams already committed to it.

  • Official support ends in May 2026 according to the README.
  • For new open-source projects, the README recommends ABP Framework.
  • Existing ASP.NET Boilerplate applications are covered by the migration guidance linked from the README.

What ASP.NET Boilerplate provides

ASP.NET Boilerplate is a general purpose application framework. It uses familiar tools, such as ASP.NET Core and EF Core, and it works with the latest versions of those. The README also notes support for ASP.NET MVC 5.x and EF 6.x.

The framework automates common development tasks by convention, so you can focus on business code. It is designed to be modular and extensible, and it includes documentation and quick start tutorials.

  • Layered architecture based on Domain Driven Design
  • Conventions that automate common tasks
  • Modular design with support for building your own modules
  • Integrated multi-tenancy from database to UI
  • Comprehensive documentation and quick start tutorials

Understand the NuGet packages

ASP.NET Boilerplate is distributed as NuGet packages. You add the packages your application needs rather than one monolithic download. The README lists packages for core functionality, ASP.NET Core integration, data access, caching, mail, background jobs and testing.

Examples from the README include Abp for core functionality, Abp.AspNetCore for ASP.NET Core integration, Abp.EntityFrameworkCore for EF Core data access, Abp.AutoMapper, Abp.RedisCache, Abp.MailKit, Abp.Quartz and Abp.TestBase.

  • Abp: core package
  • Abp.AspNetCore: ASP.NET Core integration
  • Abp.EntityFrameworkCore: EF Core data access
  • Abp.TestBase and Abp.AspNetCore.TestBase: testing support

Use Module Zero for users, tenants and permissions

Module Zero is an ASP.NET Boilerplate module integrated with Microsoft ASP.NET Identity. It implements framework concepts such as the setting store, audit log store, background job store, feature store, notification store and permission checker.

It also adds user, role and permission management, tenant and edition management for SaaS applications, organization units, language and localization text management, and Identity Server 4 integration. Its core packages are Abp.ZeroCore and Abp.ZeroCore.EntityFrameworkCore.

  • User, role and permission management
  • Tenant and edition management for SaaS
  • Organization units
  • Language and localization text management
  • Identity Server 4 integration

Set up a project with the package manager

The README says ASP.NET Boilerplate is installed through a package manager and lists ASP.NET Core and the .NET SDK as prerequisites. It does not state a specific .NET SDK version, so check the official documentation for the version your project needs.

The README does not include install commands. Add the packages you need from NuGet, then follow the Introduction and NLayer Architecture documents linked from the README for the project structure and startup steps.

  • Install the .NET SDK and ASP.NET Core.
  • Choose the NuGet packages your application needs.
  • Follow the official Introduction and NLayer Architecture documents for setup.

What people use it for

  • Maintaining an existing ASP.NET Boilerplate application built on ASP.NET Core and EF Core
  • Building a multi-tenant SaaS application with tenant and edition management from Module Zero
  • Structuring a C# business application with a layered Domain Driven Design model
  • Adding user, role and permission management with ASP.NET Core Identity integration

Frequently asked questions

Is ASP.NET Boilerplate still supported?

The README states that official support for ASP.NET Boilerplate will end in May 2026. The maintainers say they will continue supporting ASP.NET Zero customers who use it.

Is ASP.NET Boilerplate free to use?

The project is licensed under MIT, as shown in the repository information. The README does not describe pricing for ASP.NET Zero or ABP Framework.

What do I need to install ASP.NET Boilerplate?

The README lists ASP.NET Core and the .NET SDK as prerequisites and says it is installed through a package manager. It does not state the required SDK version or provide install commands.

What is the open-source alternative to ASP.NET Boilerplate?

The README recommends ABP Framework for users seeking an open-source successor. ASP.NET Zero is also listed as a comparable project.

Is ASP.NET Boilerplate only for C# developers?

Yes. The framework is built on C# and ASP.NET, so non-.NET teams would need a different stack.

Is ASP.NET Boilerplate good for beginners?

It assumes familiarity with C#, ASP.NET Core and Domain Driven Design. Beginners new to those concepts may find it hard to start with.

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Our verdict

ASP.NET Boilerplate suits C# teams that already maintain an ASP.NET Boilerplate application or want its layered DDD conventions and Module Zero multi-tenancy. Because official support ends in May 2026, new projects should look at ABP Framework, and teams new to C# or DDD should pick a simpler stack.

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