Published on: June 12, 2025
Category: .NET Architecture
Tags: .NET Best Practices, Solution Structure, Project Organization, Clean Architecture, .NET Dev Corner, Folder Layout, Dev Tips
🧠Why Project Organization Matters
A well-structured .NET solution helps you:
- ✅ Improve code readability and onboarding
- ✅ Support scalability and modularization
- ✅ Facilitate unit testing and separation of concerns
- ✅ Reduce tech debt in long-term development
Whether you're working solo or on a team, following a solid structure pays off.
🧱 Common .NET Solution Layout
MySolution/
│
├── MyApp.API → ASP.NET Core Web API (entry point)
├── MyApp.Application → Business logic layer (use cases)
├── MyApp.Domain → Core models and interfaces
├── MyApp.Infrastructure → Data access (EF Core, services)
├── MyApp.Tests → Unit and integration tests
🧩 Layered Responsibilities
| Project Name | Responsibility |
|---|---|
| API | Accepts HTTP requests, maps to application layer |
| Application | Business logic and interfaces |
| Domain | Core models, enums, exceptions |
| Infrastructure | Database, file I/O, external services |
| Tests | xUnit/NUnit test projects |
🧰 Bonus: Optional Layers
- MyApp.Shared: For constants, DTOs, enums shared across layers
- MyApp.MVC: If you’re also exposing a frontend using Razor Pages
- MyApp.Worker: For background workers or scheduled jobs
💼 Real-World Example
In enterprise projects, this structure supports:
- Clean Architecture (Onion/Hexagonal)
- Testable service-oriented development
- Cross-layer isolation with dependency injection
🚀 Tooling Suggestions
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Solution Folders | Logical grouping in Visual Studio |
dotnet new |
CLI templates for automation |
| GitHub Actions | Enforce structure with CI checks |
🔒 Naming Conventions
-
✅ Keep names consistent across solutions:
MyApp.API,MyApp.Application, etc. - ✅ Use PascalCase
- ✅ Avoid acronyms or inconsistent casing
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ❌ Putting everything in one project
- ❌ Mixing infrastructure with domain logic
- ❌ Having no separation between services and data models
📌 Final Thoughts
Great architecture starts with great structure. By organizing your .NET solutions smartly:
- You'll scale faster
- Onboard teammates quickly
- Avoid refactors down the road
💡 Tip: Start small, and refactor as complexity grows.
📬 Stay Connected
- 🔗 Blog: www.ajaygangwar.com
- 💼 LinkedIn: Ajay Gangwar
- 📧 Email: seajaygangwar@gmail.com