Paket
What Paket is
Paket is free, open-source dependency management for .NET projects, released under the MIT License. It resolves concrete versions for direct and transitive dependencies while respecting version constraints, using NuGet packages, Git repositories, or HTTP resources. Commands install, restore, update, and check for outdated dependencies. Committing Paket’s generated paket.lock file to source control supports reproducible builds. Paket integrates with .NET SDK projects through the dotnet CLI and MSBuild 15, allowing dotnet restore to call its restore process. Supported environments include Windows, Linux, macOS, .NET Core, .NET Framework, and Mono. It supports lockfiles, offline installation, and private registry authentication through NuGet-compatible credential providers; that support requires Paket 5.145.0 or later. Paket does not run scripts or programs from NuGet packages. The preferred setup installs Paket as a local .NET tool, while a bootstrapper serves legacy setups, including users not using .NET Core or using .NET Core 2.2 or lower. Documentation lists released Atom and Visual Studio Code support, with Visual Studio and Emacs integrations in development. The project directs issue reports and contributions to GitHub. No paid plans are stated.
Who it suits
Paket suits .NET developers who need controlled dependency resolution across NuGet, Git, or HTTP sources. It is especially relevant for reproducible builds and projects using .NET SDK tooling.
What it does well
- Resolves direct and transitive versions precisely
- Supports NuGet, Git, and HTTP sources
- Lockfile enables reproducible builds
- Works across Windows, Linux, and macOS
- Does not execute NuGet package scripts
What to know first
- Does not manage npm or bower dependencies
- Credential providers require Paket 5.145.0 or later
- Some editor integrations remain in development
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paket | MIT-licensed software · no paid plans stated | Free |
As fsprojects.github.io lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Paket provides open-source, lockfile-based dependency control for .NET projects with broad framework support. Its scope is focused on .NET and NuGet-related ecosystems rather than general JavaScript package management.
Facts from Paket's own pages
- Credential providers
- Paket supports NuGet-compatible Credential Providers, including providers used for authenticated package feeds. · fsprojects.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
- Credentials
- Paket supports credential providers through the NuGet client interface, with support requiring Paket 5.145.0 or later. · fsprojects.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
- Dependency resolution
- Yes · fsprojects.github.io, 21 Sept 2026
- Dependency sources
- Paket can reference NuGet packages, files from Git repositories, and files from HTTP resources. · fsprojects.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
- Editor support
- The documentation lists released Atom and Visual Studio Code support, plus Visual Studio and Emacs integrations marked in development. · fsprojects.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
- Framework integration
- Paket supports .NET SDK projects used with the dotnet CLI and MSBuild 15, including Visual Studio 2017 and Mono 5. · fsprojects.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The preferred getting-started route installs Paket as a local .NET tool; a bootstrapper is documented for legacy setups. · fsprojects.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
- Install options
- The getting-started guide describes installation as a .NET local tool or, for legacy setups, through the Paket bootstrapper executable. · fsprojects.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
- Legacy support
- The bootstrapper instructions cover users not using .NET Core or using .NET Core 2.2 or lower. · fsprojects.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
- License
- Paket is available under the MIT License, which permits use, modification, and redistribution subject to its conditions. · fsprojects.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
- License limitation
- The MIT license states that the software is provided as is and disclaims warranties and liability. · fsprojects.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
- Lockfile support
- Yes · fsprojects.github.io, 21 Sept 2026
- Notable limit
- Paket does not manage npm, bower, or other non-NuGet dependency ecosystems. · fsprojects.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
- NuGet integration
- Paket supports .NET SDK projects used with the dotnet CLI and MSBuild 15. · fsprojects.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
- Offline installation
- Yes · fsprojects.github.io, 21 Sept 2026
- Package formats
- NuGet packages,.NET CLI tools,Git,GitHub/Gist,HTTP files · fsprojects.github.io, 21 Sept 2026
- Package management
- Paket provides commands to install, restore, update, and check for outdated dependencies. · fsprojects.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
- Package resolution
- Paket resolves concrete versions for direct and transitive dependencies while respecting version constraints. · fsprojects.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
- Private registry auth
- Yes · fsprojects.github.io, 21 Sept 2026
- Purpose
- Paket is a dependency manager for .NET projects that provides precise and predictable control over dependencies. · fsprojects.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
- Reproducible builds
- Committing Paket’s generated paket.lock file to source control provides reproducible builds. · fsprojects.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
- Restore workflow
- The .NET SDK integration lets dotnet restore call Paket’s restore mechanism. · fsprojects.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
- Security behavior
- Paket does not run scripts or programs from NuGet packages. · fsprojects.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project directs users to GitHub to report issues, fork the project, and submit pull requests. · fsprojects.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
Where Paket stands on Freedom251
- Package Managers#31 of 93