NuGet is a free, open source package manager designed for sharing code on the Microsoft development platform, specifically .NET. NuGet defines how packages for .NET are created, hosted, and consumed, and provides the tools for each of those roles. Those tools include NuGet CLI and DotNet CLI for creating and consuming of packages, as well as Package Manager Console and Package Manager UI for installing and managing packages in Visual Studio projects.

As public host, NuGet maintains a central repository of unique packages, but also enables developers to host packages privately in the cloud, on a private network, or on a local file system.