How to create a Nuget package manually (without Nuget.exe or Nuget Explorer)?

Question

I was looking for file descriptions that are part of the Nuget package (.nupkg), but I still have to find the final guide, most of them suggest that you need to use Nuget Explorer or Nuget.exe - but well, let me say that I am stubborn.

Using Nuget Explorer to create a package creates a directory with files that I would like to create using a script or other tool (besides Nuget.exe). So, given this simple directory layout created by Nuget Explorer, I am looking for a definition of a .psmdcp file, a .rels file, a [Content_Types.xml] file, and, of course, a ProjectX.nuspec file.

I can find some details or print them out for [Content_Typex.xml] and the .nuspec file. I tried to make a package with only lib / dir, its contents and the nuspec file, but apparently this is not enough, and I get Package does not contain a manifest - which, as I suspect, means .nuspec itself is not complete manifesto.

 lib/ ProjectX.dll ProjectX.pdb package/ package/services/metadata/core-properties/____hash____.psmdcp _rel/ .rels [Content_Types.xml] ProjectX.nuspec 

Is there a manual for creating .nupkg manually? Is it really a complicated process?

Answer 1

I wrote a blog post about how you can use NuGet XSD: http://www.xavierdecoster.com/post/2012/03/08/Hidden-gem-the-NuGet-package-manifest-XSD.aspx

Also, take a look at the NuGet package conventions in the docs: http://docs.nuget.org/docs/creating-packages/creating-and-publishing-a-package#Package_Conventions

If you need more detailed hands-on guidance, there is also a Pro NuGet book that goes into various scenarios: http://www.amazon.com/NuGet-Professional-Apress-Maarten-Balliauw/dp/1430241918