# Where to Find ASP.NET Core Sample Applications in the dotnet/aspnetcore Repository

> Discover runnable ASP.NET Core sample applications within the dotnet/aspnetcore repository. Find examples for minimal APIs SignalR Azure integrations and more.

- Repository: [.NET Platform/aspnetcore](https://github.com/dotnet/aspnetcore)
- Tags: getting-started
- Published: 2026-08-01

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**The dotnet/aspnetcore repository hosts dozens of runnable ASP.NET Core sample applications under the `src/<Component>/samples/` directories, covering everything from minimal APIs to SignalR streaming and Azure integrations.**

All examples in the official ASP.NET Core repository are self-contained .NET projects designed to demonstrate specific framework capabilities. These samples live alongside the source code they exercise, making them authoritative references for implementing production-grade patterns.

## Sample Application Layout and Location

The ASP.NET Core samples follow a consistent organizational pattern within the repository root. Each major component maintains its own samples folder under `src/<Component>/samples/`, containing runnable `.csproj` files with entry points in [`Program.cs`](https://github.com/dotnet/aspnetcore/blob/main/Program.cs) or [`Startup.cs`](https://github.com/dotnet/aspnetcore/blob/main/Startup.cs).

### SignalR Samples

Real-time communication examples reside in `src/SignalR/samples/`:

- **`SignalRSamples`** – Demonstrates chat hubs, streaming, and file uploads. Key files include [[`Program.cs`](https://github.com/dotnet/aspnetcore/blob/main/Program.cs)](https://github.com/dotnet/aspnetcore/blob/main/src/SignalR/samples/SignalRSamples/Program.cs) for host configuration and [[`Startup.cs`](https://github.com/dotnet/aspnetcore/blob/main/Startup.cs)](https://github.com/dotnet/aspnetcore/blob/main/src/SignalR/samples/SignalRSamples/Startup.cs) for the classic middleware pipeline.
- **`SocialWeather`** – Showcases custom connection handlers and stream formatters. Explore [[`SocialWeatherConnectionHandler.cs`](https://github.com/dotnet/aspnetcore/blob/main/SocialWeatherConnectionHandler.cs)](https://github.com/dotnet/aspnetcore/blob/main/src/SignalR/samples/SocialWeather/SocialWeatherConnectionHandler.cs) for low-level SignalR API implementation.

### HTTP and Minimal API Samples

Modern web patterns are exemplified in `src/Http/samples/`:

- **`MinimalSample`** – Uses the `WebApplication` builder pattern. See [[`Program.cs`](https://github.com/dotnet/aspnetcore/blob/main/Program.cs)](https://github.com/dotnet/aspnetcore/blob/main/src/Http/samples/MinimalSample/Program.cs) for `MapGet` and `MapPost` delegate examples.
- **`MinimalValidationSample`** – Demonstrates model validation with minimal APIs in [[`Program.cs`](https://github.com/dotnet/aspnetcore/blob/main/Program.cs)](https://github.com/dotnet/aspnetcore/blob/main/src/Http/samples/MinimalValidationSample/Program.cs).

### DataProtection Samples

Multi-instance deployment scenarios appear in `src/DataProtection/samples/`:

- **`Redis`** – Configures key storage using `AddStackExchangeRedisCache`. Reference [[`Program.cs`](https://github.com/dotnet/aspnetcore/blob/main/Program.cs)](https://github.com/dotnet/aspnetcore/blob/main/src/DataProtection/samples/Redis/Program.cs) for the implementation.
- **`EntityFrameworkCoreSample`** – Persists protection keys to a database via EF Core in [[`Program.cs`](https://github.com/dotnet/aspnetcore/blob/main/Program.cs)](https://github.com/dotnet/aspnetcore/blob/main/src/DataProtection/samples/EntityFrameworkCoreSample/Program.cs).

### Infrastructure and Integration Samples

Additional specialized samples include:

- **Azure App Services** – Located in `src/Azure/samples/AzureAppServicesSample/`, demonstrating managed identity and ASE configuration in [[`Program.cs`](https://github.com/dotnet/aspnetcore/blob/main/Program.cs)](https://github.com/dotnet/aspnetcore/blob/main/src/Azure/samples/AzureAppServicesSample/Program.cs).
- **Antiforgery** – `src/Antiforgery/samples/MinimalFormSample/` shows Razor Pages with automatic token validation in [[`Program.cs`](https://github.com/dotnet/aspnetcore/blob/main/Program.cs)](https://github.com/dotnet/aspnetcore/blob/main/src/Antiforgery/samples/MinimalFormSample/Program.cs).
- **DefaultBuilder** – `src/DefaultBuilder/samples/SampleApp/` provides a full-stack example with static files, logging, and health checks using [[`Startup.cs`](https://github.com/dotnet/aspnetcore/blob/main/Startup.cs)](https://github.com/dotnet/aspnetcore/blob/main/src/DefaultBuilder/samples/SampleApp/Startup.cs).
- **Kestrel HTTP/2** – Low-level testing tools reside in `src/Servers/Kestrel/samples/http2cat/`.

## How to Clone and Run the Samples

Every sample is a standalone project requiring only the .NET SDK. Navigate to any component sample directory and execute standard CLI commands:

```bash

# Clone the repository

git clone https://github.com/dotnet/aspnetcore.git
cd aspnetcore

# Navigate to a specific sample (SignalR chat example)

cd src/SignalR/samples/SignalRSamples

# Restore dependencies and run

dotnet run

```

The application starts on the configured URL (typically `http://localhost:5000`). For the SignalR chat demo, browse to `/hubs/chat` to interact with the real-time endpoint.

**Common configuration options:**

- Override listening addresses: `--urls http://0.0.0.0:5001`
- Enable development mode: `DOTNET_ENVIRONMENT=Development`
- Build for performance testing: `--configuration Release`

## Architectural Patterns Demonstrated

The samples illustrate critical implementation patterns according to the dotnet/aspnetcore source code:

**Minimal API vs. Traditional Startup** – Compare [`src/Http/samples/MinimalSample/Program.cs`](https://github.com/dotnet/aspnetcore/blob/main/src/Http/samples/MinimalSample/Program.cs) (using `WebApplication` top-level statements) against [`src/SignalR/samples/SignalRSamples/Startup.cs`](https://github.com/dotnet/aspnetcore/blob/main/src/SignalR/samples/SignalRSamples/Startup.cs) (implementing `IServiceCollection` and `IApplicationBuilder` patterns).

**Real-time Hub Design** – The SignalR samples expose multiple hub types including `ChatHub`, `Streaming`, and `UploadHub`, demonstrating method overloads, client streaming, and file upload scenarios.

**Data Protection Integration** – The Redis and EF Core samples exhibit custom `IStorage` implementations essential for scaling across multiple server instances.

**Azure-Specific Features** – The Azure sample shows App Service Environment configuration, Managed Identity usage, and platform-specific logging integrations.

## Summary

- ASP.NET Core samples are located under `src/<Component>/samples/` in the dotnet/aspnetcore repository.
- Each sample contains a runnable `.csproj` file with clear entry points in [`Program.cs`](https://github.com/dotnet/aspnetcore/blob/main/Program.cs) or [`Startup.cs`](https://github.com/dotnet/aspnetcore/blob/main/Startup.cs).
- Key demonstrations include SignalR real-time communication (`SignalRSamples`), minimal APIs (`MinimalSample`), DataProtection with Redis (`Redis` sample), and Azure integration (`AzureAppServicesSample`).
- Run samples locally using `dotnet run` after navigating to the specific sample directory.
- These implementations serve as both learning labs and production reference patterns.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Where are the official ASP.NET Core samples located in the repository?

All official samples reside under the `src/` directory, organized by component. For example, SignalR samples are in `src/SignalR/samples/`, HTTP samples in `src/Http/samples/`, and DataProtection samples in `src/DataProtection/samples/`. Each component folder contains its own `samples/` subdirectory with runnable projects.

### Can I run the samples without building the entire ASP.NET Core source?

Yes. Individual samples are standalone .NET projects. Navigate to any sample folder containing a `.csproj` file and run `dotnet restore` followed by `dotnet run`. The project will reference the stable NuGet packages unless you explicitly configure it to use local source references.

### What is the difference between the MinimalSample and DefaultBuilder samples?

`MinimalSample` in `src/Http/samples/` demonstrates the modern `WebApplication` builder pattern using top-level statements and minimal API endpoints. `DefaultBuilder` samples in `src/DefaultBuilder/samples/` showcase the traditional startup configuration pattern using [`Startup.cs`](https://github.com/dotnet/aspnetcore/blob/main/Startup.cs) with explicit `ConfigureServices` and `Configure` methods, including full middleware pipeline setup.

### Which sample demonstrates SignalR streaming capabilities?

The `SignalRSamples` project in `src/SignalR/samples/SignalRSamples/` includes streaming hub implementations. Additionally, `SocialWeather` in `src/SignalR/samples/SocialWeather/` demonstrates custom connection handlers and low-level streaming formatters through [`SocialWeatherConnectionHandler.cs`](https://github.com/dotnet/aspnetcore/blob/main/SocialWeatherConnectionHandler.cs).