Resolving .NET Project Issues: Fixing Runtime Pack Errors in WebAssembly Projects

Introduction

As a developer, integrating multiple project layers and dependencies can sometimes lead to complex issues, especially when dealing with WebAssembly (Wasm) in .NET. Recently, I encountered an error while setting up a project from another developer, which highlighted the importance of understanding project references and package dependencies. This post will walk through the problem and the solution to help you avoid similar issues in your projects.

The Problem

The error encountered was:

NETSDK1082: There was no runtime pack for Microsoft.AspNetCore.App available for the specified RuntimeIdentifier ‘browser-wasm’.

/usr/local/share/dotnet/sdk/8.0.301/Sdks/Microsoft.NET.Sdk/targets/Microsoft.NET.Sdk.FrameworkReferenceResolution.targets(491,5): error NETSDK1082: There was no runtime pack for Microsoft.AspNetCore.App available for the specified RuntimeIdentifier 'browser-wasm'.

This error indicates that the required runtime pack for Microsoft.AspNetCore.App was not available for the specified runtime identifier browser-wasm. The NETSDK1082 error and its context can be misleading, making it difficult to identify the root cause.

Understanding the Error

The .NET SDK error NETSDK1082 typically indicates a problem with the runtime pack compatibility. When working with WebAssembly, the browser-wasm runtime identifier is used, which is specific to the Blazor WebAssembly environment. The key issue here was referencing an assembly that is not compatible with the WebAssembly runtime.

Case Study: Specific Problem and Solution

Project Setup In this example, the project setup included:

• WebAssembly Client (MyProject.WasmClient)

• Web API Layer (MyProject.WebApi)
• Infrastructure Layer (MyProject.Infrastructure) The Web API layer had a dependency on the Microsoft.AspNetCore.Identity.UI package, which is intended for server-side applications and not compatible with the WebAssembly runtime.

Steps to Resolve

1- Identify and Remove Incompatible References:

1. The Web API project referenced Microsoft.AspNetCore.Identity.UI, causing the error. This package is not intended for WebAssembly projects.
2. Move this dependency to a layer where it is appropriate, such as the Infrastructure layer.

1. Create a new WebAssembly project and add references one by one to identify problematic dependencies.

Generalized Solution

Step-by-Step Guide

1- Check Project References:

1. Use the terminal command dotnet list package --project to list installed packages.
2. Ensure WebAssembly projects do not reference server-side packages.

1. Remove or relocate packages that are not suitable for the WebAssembly runtime.

1. Create a clean project and incrementally add references. This helps isolate problematic dependencies.

1. Familiarize yourself with runtime identifiers and their compatibility (e.g., browser-wasm for Blazor WebAssembly).

1. Utilize tools like .NET Portability Analyzer to identify compatibility issues with different runtimes.

Conclusion

Proper management of project references and dependencies is crucial for maintaining a functional multi-project setup, particularly when working with WebAssembly in .NET. By ensuring that projects reference appropriate packages and isolating incompatible dependencies, you can avoid runtime pack errors and streamline your development process.

Error Details:

Error Code: NETSDK1082
Error Message: /usr/local/share/dotnet/sdk/8.0.301/Sdks/Microsoft.NET.Sdk/targets/Microsoft.NET.Sdk.FrameworkReferenceResolution.targets(491,5): error NETSDK1082: There was no runtime pack for Microsoft.AspNetCore.App available for the specified RuntimeIdentifier 'browser-wasm'.

Thanks a ton, @Alper Tunga , for your invaluable assistance in tackling this issue! Your insights were instrumental in resolving the problem. 🙏